Last week I turned 23. It’s not really very exciting, just another year older. Though I believe I can still say I’m in my early twenties, I know I won’t be able to for long. On my birthday I was really excited to share it with my students, I brought candy and magazines and pictures from home. I ended up only teaching 3 classes that day instead of 6. My first class of 8th graders went to Budapest and no one told me till I went to the class and there was no one there. So, I sat in the staff room for an hour during the first lesson slightly perturbed mostly because I could have slept in for another hour, oh well. Another class I only observed because they got a new (Hungarian) English teacher and during my last class of the day (also 8th graders) I went to the bank with Olgi to get my bank card.
The other classes did their work and then I gave them candy and we looked at the magazines and pictures from home. I found it very interesting how fascinated the students were with my friends of different races. Hungarian is generally a homogenous state as far as race goes, but they have a considerable gypsy population. It was like these students had never seen someone of a different race or maybe they were just really surprised that I would be friends with someone of a different race than myself. The gypsy population is still largely segregated here and it is only recently that they have been integrated into the school system. Many Hungarians have negative feelings about the gypsy population, who rely heavily on government assistance, and they are not afraid to show these feelings.
The day after my birthday I had my 1st and 2nd graders. They sang to me and all made me cards, some even gifts (chocolate!). It was really sweet and made for a great day! That night I had some friends come in to town to have a low key weekend and to be with others who speak English. We walked around the great city of Nyírbátor. Ate at the pizzeria, saw both historically churches (which are covered in scaffolding while being reinvaded), baked a birthday cake, and had Chinese. The cake baking was quite an experience with no measuring cups, trying to figure out what baking powder is in Hungarian, and lighting my gas stove without blowing up my apartment. The cake turned out pretty good, though it tasted more like a sweet pancake, and the icing was delicious. I’ve added pictures. We also discovered a Chinese buffet, which is amazing! I went back again later in the week. No it’s not run by Chinese people and yes they only speak Hungarian, but the food is cheap and really good.
Last week Olgi told me that at a meeting the staff decided that they want me to do a cultural presentation on America. I was really excited to hear about this and started thinking about all the differences between Hungarian and American culture. Olgi then told me I have till January to make said presentation… well ok! I think I’ll probably explain greatly about the racial and cultural differences in America that have formed American culture. Part of this will also explaining what it means to be political correct, PC. Also, I wanted to present on American sports culture since soccer is not as popular as it is here. I’ll spend some time on football and explaining the awesomeness that is college football, which after yesterday I’m slightly jaded!! If anyone has some great suggestions for this presentation please let me know, I mean I have till January!
This weekend I was supposed to go to Budapest. On Friday I woke up with a cold and after 6 hours with 6 and 7 year olds I decided I should probably stay home and rest this weekend. I think it was probably for the best as I woke up on Saturday feeling worse. After some day/night quil therapy and some sleep I feel much better. Drinking this apple cinnamon tea I just bought helps too. Although it makes me miss the apple cider and pumpkin flavored treats that everyone at home gets to enjoy right now!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Every day is an experience!
It has been quite a while since I updated this thing, but at the request of many here ya go! I have taught many lessons, some have gone well and others not so much, and also traveled to Szeged since my last update.
I’m getting used to feeling prepared for a lesson and it going straight out the window. It’s hard to gauge how they are moving along. Often I’m told to go over something different right before I go to the class. This is slowly getting better as well all get more acclimated with our schedules. I’ve learned that the best survival tip for a teacher is to always have many different activities stored up to use if all else fails. You never know what to expect.
I have this class of 7th graders and they are not the most pleasurable class. They sure are a rambunctious group! Also, they’re about two years behind of where they are “supposed to be” in the book and these are the higher achieving students. This proves to be very difficult at times. I think they will know something (since my other students their age do) and they have no idea what I’m talking about. It can often be long 45 minutes.
One day in my 6th grade class a student was late that was supposed to go with the other English teacher and he couldn’t find them so he stayed in my class. I later find out that he is 16 and still in the 6th grade. One of my students (the one with the asthma) looked at me and said, “He is not very clever.” All I could do was say ok because I think he may have had a point (this student is very clever however, probably the brightest in the class). Towards the end of the class this 16 year old 6th grader totally hit on me, of course in Hungarian. It was obviously the highlight of my day, haha just kidding.
I was talking to my mom this week about how many students in my schools are either gypsies or orphans and she tried to trade me for thugs. Haha. I told her I would stick with the gypsies and orphans because they might steal from me, but at least they won’t shoot me. I love totally un-politically correct things like that because no one cares here.
Last weekend I went to Szeged. Unfortunately I only have about 5 pictures because my camera died. Oh well, I will upload them later. It was a gorgeous city and I had a ton of fun being with my teacher friends. I also had quite the experience getting there. One of my trains was late so I missed my connection. I finally broke down and asked the lady I had sat next to if she spoke English and she did. I asked if I needed to buy a new ticket, she said only if I wanted a reserved seat. I went to the booth and tried to buy a seat, but the lady tried to tell me I didn’t need one. I went back again after sitting and worrying about it, still told me I was fine (of course this was all in sign language and broken Hungarian). I get on the train and had to pay for my seat, haha. Oh well, I made it to Szeged in one piece. On the way back I got off the train at Debrecen to make my connection only to realize that I was supposed to stay in my seat because my car was just switching engines. That was kind of embarrassing when I went back to my seat, silly Americans.
This week I went to Nyiregyhaza which about 45 minutes from Nyírbátor. It’s the county seat of my county. Olgi had a meeting to go to and asked if I wanted to come with. I said yes, because why not? I got to walk around the town and people watch quite a bit. It’s a pretty city and there was lots of good people watching in the town center with elections coming up. I know a couple of teachers in Nyiregyhaza so I am looking forward to visiting there again. I also met another English teacher from Nyírbátor, whom I don’t teach with, and her name is Zusa (pronounce zusha). She is younger and speaks English very well, having lived in London for 3 years. I was excited for this new acquaintance and hope I get to know her better.
Friday night I went to a concert. Varnus Xaver is a famous organist. That’s right I said organist. He was born in Canada, but is Hungarian. He played classical music and several of the songs were accompanied by a horn section. I really enjoyed it and it was nice to go to something and run into people I knew, teachers and students. As I sat there listening to the music I was reminded of my Grandma Rosie because it was exactly like the concerts she used to take us to at Kirkland when we were little girls and I know she would have loved every minute of it, whistling along with the songs (well her version of whistling that is!).
I turn another year older this Thursday. I guess I’m excitedish haha. I’m going to buy candy so my students can celebrate with me! Also, several of my friends are coming to Nyírbátor this weekend to celebrate. I think we’re going to try to bake a cake in my scary gas stove that I needs a thermometer.
I’m getting used to feeling prepared for a lesson and it going straight out the window. It’s hard to gauge how they are moving along. Often I’m told to go over something different right before I go to the class. This is slowly getting better as well all get more acclimated with our schedules. I’ve learned that the best survival tip for a teacher is to always have many different activities stored up to use if all else fails. You never know what to expect.
I have this class of 7th graders and they are not the most pleasurable class. They sure are a rambunctious group! Also, they’re about two years behind of where they are “supposed to be” in the book and these are the higher achieving students. This proves to be very difficult at times. I think they will know something (since my other students their age do) and they have no idea what I’m talking about. It can often be long 45 minutes.
One day in my 6th grade class a student was late that was supposed to go with the other English teacher and he couldn’t find them so he stayed in my class. I later find out that he is 16 and still in the 6th grade. One of my students (the one with the asthma) looked at me and said, “He is not very clever.” All I could do was say ok because I think he may have had a point (this student is very clever however, probably the brightest in the class). Towards the end of the class this 16 year old 6th grader totally hit on me, of course in Hungarian. It was obviously the highlight of my day, haha just kidding.
I was talking to my mom this week about how many students in my schools are either gypsies or orphans and she tried to trade me for thugs. Haha. I told her I would stick with the gypsies and orphans because they might steal from me, but at least they won’t shoot me. I love totally un-politically correct things like that because no one cares here.
Last weekend I went to Szeged. Unfortunately I only have about 5 pictures because my camera died. Oh well, I will upload them later. It was a gorgeous city and I had a ton of fun being with my teacher friends. I also had quite the experience getting there. One of my trains was late so I missed my connection. I finally broke down and asked the lady I had sat next to if she spoke English and she did. I asked if I needed to buy a new ticket, she said only if I wanted a reserved seat. I went to the booth and tried to buy a seat, but the lady tried to tell me I didn’t need one. I went back again after sitting and worrying about it, still told me I was fine (of course this was all in sign language and broken Hungarian). I get on the train and had to pay for my seat, haha. Oh well, I made it to Szeged in one piece. On the way back I got off the train at Debrecen to make my connection only to realize that I was supposed to stay in my seat because my car was just switching engines. That was kind of embarrassing when I went back to my seat, silly Americans.
This week I went to Nyiregyhaza which about 45 minutes from Nyírbátor. It’s the county seat of my county. Olgi had a meeting to go to and asked if I wanted to come with. I said yes, because why not? I got to walk around the town and people watch quite a bit. It’s a pretty city and there was lots of good people watching in the town center with elections coming up. I know a couple of teachers in Nyiregyhaza so I am looking forward to visiting there again. I also met another English teacher from Nyírbátor, whom I don’t teach with, and her name is Zusa (pronounce zusha). She is younger and speaks English very well, having lived in London for 3 years. I was excited for this new acquaintance and hope I get to know her better.
Friday night I went to a concert. Varnus Xaver is a famous organist. That’s right I said organist. He was born in Canada, but is Hungarian. He played classical music and several of the songs were accompanied by a horn section. I really enjoyed it and it was nice to go to something and run into people I knew, teachers and students. As I sat there listening to the music I was reminded of my Grandma Rosie because it was exactly like the concerts she used to take us to at Kirkland when we were little girls and I know she would have loved every minute of it, whistling along with the songs (well her version of whistling that is!).
I turn another year older this Thursday. I guess I’m excitedish haha. I’m going to buy candy so my students can celebrate with me! Also, several of my friends are coming to Nyírbátor this weekend to celebrate. I think we’re going to try to bake a cake in my scary gas stove that I needs a thermometer.
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