Keepin' on keeping on

“My” church bells are ringing once again – it’s the Sunday noon call to prayer and contemplation. And I am listening and paying attention. Time has been passing so quickly, filled with so much busy-ness, that I can scarcely keep up with it and I surely cannot begin to remember all that has happened. It is definitely time to take stock, to say thank you yet again, and to share with you (very overdue, I’ll certainly admit) even a little of what has been happening.

Another term has been completed, my third full term plus a summer term at StJ. I know I’m sounding like a broken record – and yes, I’m aware we don’t have those anymore – but my gratitude for being at this school in this wonderful town at this time only grows. Our latest big news is that the school was sold in May, with the new owner taking over July 1. For us, I believe it can only be a good thing although I am sure that, as with all mergers and acquisitions (glad I’ve lived through those before!) there will be some positive changes and some that will feel not quite so positive. We were purchased by a firm which already has a translation company and also teaches English to pre-school kids and secondary school students. StJ fills a gap in its services, and they give StJ a wider client base for marketing. One plus for us is that we may work when qualified in any of the companies. There are several of my colleagues who really would like to teach the preschoolers. More power to them! And I already have one of their employees who has requested me as a teacher. So yes, that’s some nice space to spread our wings.

And this is surely a time for wing spreading! The poor economy has made itself felt over here. All schools are feeling the pinch of contracts which haven’t been renewed, and some companies which usually offer summer classes to their employees took a pass this year. I’ve been so blessed – my schedule is as full as I could possibly wish, maybe even a bit more than I’d wish. I do keep quiet, however, about being busy because so many of my colleagues are barely making it.

I continue to love reading and hearing about Czech history, the Czech viewpoint on global happenings, and students’ views of “what’s next”. I also continue to enjoy and be grateful for the superb conversations about life, literature, families, traditions, and our similarities and differences which happen nearly every day. Somtimes it is difficult to know who's the student and who's the teacher. And I do keep up with at least the main headlines of US news (sometimes with pain, sometimes with shame, always with concern for my friends and family and all those in such difficult situations).

I’ve now have experience with Czech medical care, very positive to say the least. Had surgery on my foot three weeks ago. All went very well. I was at Motol Hospital (for anyone interested in an internet search) almost always with an English speaker “assigned” to me – and that includes my orderly, entertaining me all the way to the OR :-) How do you know I wasn’t in an American hospital? I received a refund at checkout! Can you believe it! I took two weeks off from teaching and have been using taxis a bit as I returned. I am down to one “stick” instead of two, and am very eager to get on with life. I feel old and very clumsy at this point! Several of my students have been on holiday and a couple others have been coming to my flat to save me the trip. I hope to be at full tilt very soon.

More gratitude – this time for my terrific new flatmate. Thomas left the second week of May and Mark, a colleague who had also become a friend, moved in the third week! I couldn't have dreamed a better change. Mark's a Chicago native, mid-40s author, superb photographer, and all-round great guy. I’m certain he had no idea what he signed on for! He’s been so helpful and such a great conversationalist during this period at home. Never goes out without asking if I need something, has cooked some marvelous suppers, loaned me a couple super books to read, and just generally been such a gentleman. I know he’s pleased with his part of the flat and the super location. We even have our version of an herb garden growing on our kitchen table and refrigerator. Once again it is amazing how everything fell in place for each of us at just the right time.

It will be wonderful to regain mobility. I’ve been missing excursions, “photo ops,” and new perspectives. I’m eager to begin working again on my students’ lists of recommended sites and events. Will say that our weather hasn’t been conducive to wandering around either. It’s been very cold for July, exceedingly wet for anytime. We’ve had a few hot days and frankly, I do prefer bundling up, if only I didn’t also need an umbrella. Count on it – you’ll hear about it when I’m again out and about.

My next “big” event will be visa renewal. Again, my how time flies. . . . This one can be for two years. Who would have thought all that time ago that I’d be blessed with celebrating this stage of life in this place. Once more, you’ll know when it’s completed. The upside – I won’t have to wait in the freezing cold mid-winter predawn!

Czech class continues to be a real challenge. Our teacher is great, and our small dedicated band of 7 opted to share the cost of paying her during the summer. Part of today must be given over to studying. Had no clue how much more difficult that could become with each birthday. Oh well, I can say and understand a little, and hope that before long it will be much more. Sylvie (the teacher) assures us that if we stick with it we’ll be just fine (that’s certainly not the same as fluent or even conversational!) within a year. Besides learning a little Czech I’m learning a lot of empathy for my students. And they admit to being glad they were born Czech and have to learn English.

I hope you are having challenges and rewards, new perspectives, and continued opportunities to find silver linings in this time of multiple clouds. What a grand time to be alive, each of us in our “right” space.