“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.
Showing posts with label St. James. Show all posts
Showing posts with label St. James. Show all posts
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Saturday, December 13, 2008
It's beginning to look a lot like - - -
Oh my, it seems that things speed up at this time of the year no matter where I am. The past few weeks have been hectic, my brain is constantly overflowing with projects left half-completed, and my body is saying "Give me a break, won't you please." Everything that has been added to the normal schedule is wonderful, however, so I just answer - - "Later!"
Christmas has so many traditions here -- some related to saints (more on that later) and most about family and food and good times that have endured. I've thoroughly enjoyed listening to the different stories my students tell -- and watching their faces as they relate what they have done or will be doing this year. Whether with their family of birth or the family they have created, all place great importance on being together, including all generations available, and keeping their own family traditions alive, whether for two people or twenty-two.
So let's go to the beginning of the season and one of the saints -- St. Mikulas Day. (Recognize a similarity to Nicholas there?) December 5, StM Day, is the "official" beginning of Christmas, as I understand it. And I've heard some marvelous stories overflowing with nostalgia. Here's what I've learned - - -
The Christ Child is the gift-giver on Christmas Day (December 24th here), and on Saint Mikulas' (Nicholas) Feast Day (December 6), children in some Central European countries traditionally place a boot on their windowsill (sometimes balcony, if fortunate enough to have one in their flat) waiting for Mikulas to come by and fill it with treats. "Good" children receive various fruits, candies, and toys, "bad" children can expect nothing more than a wooden spoon or a willow-switch left by his somewhat sinister elf-companion, Krampusz, in Hungary. In the Czech Republic, Mikulas is often accompanied by the Angel and Devil. And it is on December 5, the Eve of St. Nicholas' Feast, they receive their treats. However, since no one is all good or bad, most children get both sweets and a switch! (Thank you, once again, Wikipedia.)
As it has been related to me multiple times -- with nearly identical memories -- Mikulas (Czech/Central European spelling) is always with an angel and a devil. The angel (and the Saint) reward good children, and the devil will put them in a sack and, depending on who's relating it, burn them or banish them. I was a bit taken aback by a parent who was quite delighted to relate how much he frightened his children -- apparently intentionally -- with the devil threats. There is a "walk around" in Old Town Square on the evening of December 5th. Parents bring even their young children (reminiscent of parents bringing toddlers to Central Park West till the wee hours of the morning to see the Thanksgiving Parade balloons inflated!) to see the grand trio.
College students and other young people count on earning some cash during this time! During the afternnoon one can see various angels and saints boarding trams for their destination for the evening, wings under their arms, staff and crown looking very unsaintly. It seems some kids have recognized the face of a relative under the beard or mask when the group visits their home, so parents are now opting for strangers to perform the task! (Sound like some of the Santa figures you've known or heard about?)
One of the requirements for meeting the Saint is the performance (very well done, of course) of a song or a poem, something you've been preparing for some time. And of course your boots must be well polished. My Czech teacher recalls singing and reciting as if her life depended on it -- and indeed, she believed it did! Her story is representative, so here it is.
Dad took her and her sister to the square in their town; Mom begged off with some excuse about work or health, or something that would keep her home. The girls got through their performances, received their little treats, and made their way home with Dad. They were met at the door by their mom who was pleading for their help. "There was a terrible noise on the balcony and I am afraid to go out their to get _____ (fill in the blank with your own experience and imagination)." Of course the girls and Dad had to help. SURPRISE! The boots they had placed (sounds like stockings at the fireplace to me) were filled with wonderful things such as oranges (a rare treat at that time) and little candies. What joy!
Just as in the States, decorations and music and enticing sales precede even St. Mikulas day. My favorite, at least to this point, is the Christmas Market in Namesti Miru, the park/square across from St James. (They are all around the city, though, and it is interesting to look at similar items and dissimilar prices in different markets.) The Church of St. Ludmila dominates nam. Miru, and the market is in front of the church in a manner I believe is probably similar to the markets of years, possibly centuries ago. It is a series of many small wooden structures -- actually they would be good stand-ins for a stable in a nativity scene -- joined together in some places, then starting a new row or making a 90-degree turn at others. Each stall has a different offering, some with food, candy, or wine, others with handmade Christmas linens, or decorations, or other winter and/or gift necessities. Frankly, I just love walking slowly with the crowd. The huge Christmas tree with a nativity scene in front of it is decorated with hundreds of blue lights, as are the stalls. How beautiful and what fun to watch!
Women have been baking the marvelous Czech Christmas cookies for weeks now. One colleague even brought a plate of them to StJ for teachers to share. Yummy!
Shopping has begun in earnest. I've heard several people talk about finishing "early," but most seem to be just getting started. The trams are much more crowded than usual, and of course they are many more bags taking up space.
Christmas itself is a multi-day event. The 24th is the "big" day -- a public holiday, and the day of the first family get-together. Traditional foods are carp and potato salad, and everyone near enough will be there. The 25th is the day you prepare another big meal and share it with other relatives/close friends, those you didn't see the day before. As you can imagine, there's quite a bit of traveling, quite a bit of merry making! And at least from those who've told me their stories, the gift giving seems a bit more restrained. And it is definitely for the children.
Since we had snow again yesterday, it really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas -- white, lights, and all. And the festive spirit is evident. I hope you're enjoying it with me, wherever you are.
Christmas has so many traditions here -- some related to saints (more on that later) and most about family and food and good times that have endured. I've thoroughly enjoyed listening to the different stories my students tell -- and watching their faces as they relate what they have done or will be doing this year. Whether with their family of birth or the family they have created, all place great importance on being together, including all generations available, and keeping their own family traditions alive, whether for two people or twenty-two.
So let's go to the beginning of the season and one of the saints -- St. Mikulas Day. (Recognize a similarity to Nicholas there?) December 5, StM Day, is the "official" beginning of Christmas, as I understand it. And I've heard some marvelous stories overflowing with nostalgia. Here's what I've learned - - -
The Christ Child is the gift-giver on Christmas Day (December 24th here), and on Saint Mikulas' (Nicholas) Feast Day (December 6), children in some Central European countries traditionally place a boot on their windowsill (sometimes balcony, if fortunate enough to have one in their flat) waiting for Mikulas to come by and fill it with treats. "Good" children receive various fruits, candies, and toys, "bad" children can expect nothing more than a wooden spoon or a willow-switch left by his somewhat sinister elf-companion, Krampusz, in Hungary. In the Czech Republic, Mikulas is often accompanied by the Angel and Devil. And it is on December 5, the Eve of St. Nicholas' Feast, they receive their treats. However, since no one is all good or bad, most children get both sweets and a switch! (Thank you, once again, Wikipedia.)
As it has been related to me multiple times -- with nearly identical memories -- Mikulas (Czech/Central European spelling) is always with an angel and a devil. The angel (and the Saint) reward good children, and the devil will put them in a sack and, depending on who's relating it, burn them or banish them. I was a bit taken aback by a parent who was quite delighted to relate how much he frightened his children -- apparently intentionally -- with the devil threats. There is a "walk around" in Old Town Square on the evening of December 5th. Parents bring even their young children (reminiscent of parents bringing toddlers to Central Park West till the wee hours of the morning to see the Thanksgiving Parade balloons inflated!) to see the grand trio.
College students and other young people count on earning some cash during this time! During the afternnoon one can see various angels and saints boarding trams for their destination for the evening, wings under their arms, staff and crown looking very unsaintly. It seems some kids have recognized the face of a relative under the beard or mask when the group visits their home, so parents are now opting for strangers to perform the task! (Sound like some of the Santa figures you've known or heard about?)
One of the requirements for meeting the Saint is the performance (very well done, of course) of a song or a poem, something you've been preparing for some time. And of course your boots must be well polished. My Czech teacher recalls singing and reciting as if her life depended on it -- and indeed, she believed it did! Her story is representative, so here it is.
Dad took her and her sister to the square in their town; Mom begged off with some excuse about work or health, or something that would keep her home. The girls got through their performances, received their little treats, and made their way home with Dad. They were met at the door by their mom who was pleading for their help. "There was a terrible noise on the balcony and I am afraid to go out their to get _____ (fill in the blank with your own experience and imagination)." Of course the girls and Dad had to help. SURPRISE! The boots they had placed (sounds like stockings at the fireplace to me) were filled with wonderful things such as oranges (a rare treat at that time) and little candies. What joy!
Just as in the States, decorations and music and enticing sales precede even St. Mikulas day. My favorite, at least to this point, is the Christmas Market in Namesti Miru, the park/square across from St James. (They are all around the city, though, and it is interesting to look at similar items and dissimilar prices in different markets.) The Church of St. Ludmila dominates nam. Miru, and the market is in front of the church in a manner I believe is probably similar to the markets of years, possibly centuries ago. It is a series of many small wooden structures -- actually they would be good stand-ins for a stable in a nativity scene -- joined together in some places, then starting a new row or making a 90-degree turn at others. Each stall has a different offering, some with food, candy, or wine, others with handmade Christmas linens, or decorations, or other winter and/or gift necessities. Frankly, I just love walking slowly with the crowd. The huge Christmas tree with a nativity scene in front of it is decorated with hundreds of blue lights, as are the stalls. How beautiful and what fun to watch!
Women have been baking the marvelous Czech Christmas cookies for weeks now. One colleague even brought a plate of them to StJ for teachers to share. Yummy!
Shopping has begun in earnest. I've heard several people talk about finishing "early," but most seem to be just getting started. The trams are much more crowded than usual, and of course they are many more bags taking up space.
Christmas itself is a multi-day event. The 24th is the "big" day -- a public holiday, and the day of the first family get-together. Traditional foods are carp and potato salad, and everyone near enough will be there. The 25th is the day you prepare another big meal and share it with other relatives/close friends, those you didn't see the day before. As you can imagine, there's quite a bit of traveling, quite a bit of merry making! And at least from those who've told me their stories, the gift giving seems a bit more restrained. And it is definitely for the children.
Since we had snow again yesterday, it really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas -- white, lights, and all. And the festive spirit is evident. I hope you're enjoying it with me, wherever you are.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Coming together, falling apart
It's a work day, and for a little time things are coming together. At least I feel as though I'm able to take a few minutes to think, to write, and to share a bit of the "ordinary" which is still so extraordinary to me.
Since the Velvet Revolution (1989 -- see Wikipedia if you're interested) there's been a constant growth in the number of people/schools teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). St. James Education Centre was founded (in 1999 by a Czech from Canada) specifically to teach English to and work with the business community. The Centre doesn't offer "public" or personal classes. It has contracts with major businesses to provide language training (several others as well as English) to their employees. I still have to do a frequent reality check. It is not yet commonplace to me -- and I hope it never becomes so -- that I've been so blessed to be in this city I love doing work which seems to bring together so many parts of my life. To make it even better, I have a growing circle of colleagues I really enjoy who are becoming friends. Talk about coming together - - -
And then there's falling apart! It feels as though there is some part of every day where I am convinced I'm absolutely falling apart. Here's an RD version of a work day. This is NOT complaining! It is a look at a typical day.
Leave my pension (still am working -- and it is like having a second job -- at finding long-term accommodation) between 6:30 and 7 in the morning. That is before the breakfast buffet opens! Short walk (hooray!) to my nearby tram. I do love riding the trams and am still fascinated with the wonderful old buildings at every turn. Incredible statues looking down on you. Yes, really bending as if to watch over you. Michael called my attention to that on my first trip, and I've been watching it ever since. Beautiful ornamentation, sometimes subtle, sometimes not, in the most unexpected places. Delicate colors standing side by side with centuries old gray. This first ride is always followed by another, usually tram, sometimes metro (that's a subway with more steps and a longer walk!), and almost always a long walk to the client's office. Yep, I can be tired before I even begin to work!
My classes last from 60 to 120 minutes, some with individual students, none with more than four. Three days of the week the schedule is back-to-back, sometimes with barely enough time to make it! Lots of walking, climbing, hurrying. Also lots of shifting mental gears. Some students are advanced, some not so, and a few at Pre-intermediate. That means they know quite a bit of English, but are learning a business approach for it. Almost always they are using English with another non-native speaker. That certainly adds another level of difficulty!
A couple days include a period of a couple hours where I can go to the office -- it's VERY near my pension, and I'll miss that when I find my new place. Three days are not over till after six, and one is eight. And that is my longest commute -- nearly an hour.
At the end of every month we have to report on our classes for the month: attendance, what the goals were and how they were met, etc. And here I am at the end of my first month! I have 16 different classes during a week. I can hardly believe how very fortunate I am yet again. My schedule was filled very quickly after I arrived. And we also have the usual required faculty meetings and training sessions.
All of which leads me to the falling apart place. I have moments -- very brief, but very real -- when I have to pay serious attention to which tram will take me where I want to go. And there is comfort (small comfort when the schedule's tight) in knowing that if I ride past my stop I can always get off at the next one. And a couple times I've said "when we discussed. . ." only to have a blank look on a student's face. Oh yes, that was a different class. And there are certainly evenings when I believe I cannot move another inch even if there were a fire!
Yes, it's coming together. I can shop, feel comfortable moving through the city, do laundry, understand and do my work, all those things that move us through each day. And it seems to me I still have way too many times when I feel very close to falling apart.
Maybe I'm not one of those figures held together with elastic. Remember them? You could pull the head/arms/legs into many different weird positions, then pop them back into place. Eventually all the pulling left the elastic with no more snap! Perhaps each time I keep it all together the connections get stronger. For now - - - it's coming together!
Since the Velvet Revolution (1989 -- see Wikipedia if you're interested) there's been a constant growth in the number of people/schools teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). St. James Education Centre was founded (in 1999 by a Czech from Canada) specifically to teach English to and work with the business community. The Centre doesn't offer "public" or personal classes. It has contracts with major businesses to provide language training (several others as well as English) to their employees. I still have to do a frequent reality check. It is not yet commonplace to me -- and I hope it never becomes so -- that I've been so blessed to be in this city I love doing work which seems to bring together so many parts of my life. To make it even better, I have a growing circle of colleagues I really enjoy who are becoming friends. Talk about coming together - - -
And then there's falling apart! It feels as though there is some part of every day where I am convinced I'm absolutely falling apart. Here's an RD version of a work day. This is NOT complaining! It is a look at a typical day.
Leave my pension (still am working -- and it is like having a second job -- at finding long-term accommodation) between 6:30 and 7 in the morning. That is before the breakfast buffet opens! Short walk (hooray!) to my nearby tram. I do love riding the trams and am still fascinated with the wonderful old buildings at every turn. Incredible statues looking down on you. Yes, really bending as if to watch over you. Michael called my attention to that on my first trip, and I've been watching it ever since. Beautiful ornamentation, sometimes subtle, sometimes not, in the most unexpected places. Delicate colors standing side by side with centuries old gray. This first ride is always followed by another, usually tram, sometimes metro (that's a subway with more steps and a longer walk!), and almost always a long walk to the client's office. Yep, I can be tired before I even begin to work!
My classes last from 60 to 120 minutes, some with individual students, none with more than four. Three days of the week the schedule is back-to-back, sometimes with barely enough time to make it! Lots of walking, climbing, hurrying. Also lots of shifting mental gears. Some students are advanced, some not so, and a few at Pre-intermediate. That means they know quite a bit of English, but are learning a business approach for it. Almost always they are using English with another non-native speaker. That certainly adds another level of difficulty!
A couple days include a period of a couple hours where I can go to the office -- it's VERY near my pension, and I'll miss that when I find my new place. Three days are not over till after six, and one is eight. And that is my longest commute -- nearly an hour.
At the end of every month we have to report on our classes for the month: attendance, what the goals were and how they were met, etc. And here I am at the end of my first month! I have 16 different classes during a week. I can hardly believe how very fortunate I am yet again. My schedule was filled very quickly after I arrived. And we also have the usual required faculty meetings and training sessions.
All of which leads me to the falling apart place. I have moments -- very brief, but very real -- when I have to pay serious attention to which tram will take me where I want to go. And there is comfort (small comfort when the schedule's tight) in knowing that if I ride past my stop I can always get off at the next one. And a couple times I've said "when we discussed. . ." only to have a blank look on a student's face. Oh yes, that was a different class. And there are certainly evenings when I believe I cannot move another inch even if there were a fire!
Yes, it's coming together. I can shop, feel comfortable moving through the city, do laundry, understand and do my work, all those things that move us through each day. And it seems to me I still have way too many times when I feel very close to falling apart.
Maybe I'm not one of those figures held together with elastic. Remember them? You could pull the head/arms/legs into many different weird positions, then pop them back into place. Eventually all the pulling left the elastic with no more snap! Perhaps each time I keep it all together the connections get stronger. For now - - - it's coming together!
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