The American Volunteers

This past week here at EGT we had visitors from the US: a small portion of the American volunteers that have come to work on EGT over the past years came back to celebrate the 20 anniversary of EGT. They were a wonderful group of sixteen adults who have impacted the school by either financial or personal experience. Many of the volunteers had not been to EGT for five or ten years. They were all surprised by the gorgeousness of the school! 

It was really interesting to hear all of their experiences prior to and since volunteering at EGT. For many, their experience working for EGT was a catalyst for other international experiences. Many of them since have gone on to be volunteers in Poland, Russia, Ukraine, and South Africa. I loved hearing their stories of helping to clean out and build EGT. They were such an amazing group of individuals. I was so impressed that they were willing to give up their relaxing vacations and peacefully retirement to go international service. For most, they are retired individuals or couples who decided that they were sick of not living out their faith. Therefore they came to EGT and other places to not only share God's love, but also to build relationships. For me, this is the ultimate way to build peace, by working with others for one common goal. 


I might also have loved their stay here because they brought us presents from the US: Peanut Butter! Genuinely, they were such a supportive group not only to us American teachers, but also, and most importantly, for the students and the Slovak teachers. 


. 

P.S. Yes, this is back blogged. I am catching up!

Weekend at the Cottage!

The Pastor's Cottage: they renovations are still not complete

Quiet hills that request your echos to be tested; star filled nights spent watching the International Space Station cross the sky; evenings of baking traditional Slovak treats; days of laughter, planning, and silly games; singing half-remembered songs of church camp. 

I spent the weekend at our Pastors' cottage with nine students planning Black Box events for the year. Black Box is the school's Christian club run by the students. As missionaries, Chelsea, Sepp, and I were asked to participate in the planning and facilitating of this club. But Black Box does so much more than Christian outreach: some weeks they have cookouts, girls night in (where all the girls have a sleep over in the school and do manicures!), movie nights, sport night, baking days, and so much more! I am actually really excited to be involved in this club!

View from the Cottage

While the planning and learning about Black Box was delightful, my favorite part was getting to know some of the students. The leaders of Black Box are a delightful group of young men and women. At first I was concerned at how I was to maintain a professional attitude in my classrooms without keeping my distance from my students. But I have slowly learned that is impossible for two reasons: one, I can't help but be myself around my students, and two, most of my students want to get to know me on a personal level not only to practice their English but also because they are genuinely interested in me. Once I over came those murky waters in defining my role as a teacher/missionary here in, I had a marvelous time! 

Testing our echoes on the hills

The cottage is set amongst gorgeous hills close to Tisovec. The pastors recently remodeled the cottage for spiritual retreats. The cottage reminded me of Mary Poppin's carpet bag; from the outside it looks to be about the size of a shoebox, but once you step in, rooms are bigger than they seemed at first. There are two bedrooms, a large kitchen/dining room, and a bathroom. Each of the girls had a bed to sleep on (I got the top of the bunk bed! WooHoo!), meaning there were nine beds fit into that cottage.

A new favorite game of mine!

 Probably the most striking thing that happened at the cottage was that I was treated with the upmost respect. I understand that I am in a position of authority, and my students should respect that. However, I did not think this extended into getting served my food first, bumping my tea to first in the line, having someone give up a chair for me, my bags being carried in, and general concern for my well-fair. I go from being a college student with all of its causal customs to a very superior recognized culture. It was a very unexpected feature, to say the least. 





By far, my favorite part was getting to know these nine students on a personal level. No longer are they just faces in my classrooms or names on my grading pages; they now have personalities, habits, character, and color. Even better, all of these students are wonderful to be around! 

Making and eating my new favorite dish - Pirohy

* These are all back blogged. My busy week and cold prevented me from doing anything but enjoying my warm bed.

The Slovak Accent

Have you ever wondered what accent the people in this region have when they speak English? Well go no further, for I have discovered the perfect YouTube video to show you! 

Sadly, the count is not from Slovakia, he is from Transylvania. The historic border was the Carpathian Mountains of which 17% lie in Slovakia, and 53% lie in Romania (and the rest around that area). So technically, the count could be from Slovakia, but it more likely he is from current day Romania. 

No matter where the count is from, he sounds exactly like all of my Slovak friends. E.X.A.C.T.L.Y. Needless to say, my head was completely blown when I saw this video. 

I am off to a retreat this weekend at a cottage. Wish me luck! It will be quality time with the two other Three Musketeers and nine other students. We are planning the our church mission group for the year. 

Finally, I would just like to declare that peanut butter is the most amazing invention ever and I don't understand why Slovaks don't enjoy it more. Maybe that should be my mission here. Furthermore, it is totally worth waiting two weeks for a box just to have one scoop of peanut butter. It was absolutely delicious!! 

Much Love, 

Katherine

Celts, Women, and History

Please note, that this post is not about what I am physically doing, rather where my mental and intellectual thoughts have been lately.

As part of my service here in Slovakia (service?? job?? How does one express this church job and teaching job meshed into one? Eh.. You know what I mean), I teach fifth years British and American History Review. This means we go over the entire history of Great Britain and USA just in case they pull a question out from the hat during their Maturita (the test to graduate). I am not going to lie I enjoy this class quite a bit. But then, tell me what is not amazing about teaching something you love; you can geek out about in class and your students just have to smile and deal with it!

Being a timeline orientated person, we are beginning with the country who held world power first: Great Britain. Therefore, we are beginning with the Beakers, Celts, and the Romanticized Britons. Prior to teaching this history, I did not know much about the Celts in Great Britain. I only knew that the Celts were up in Scotland and Ireland. How ignorant I was of this amazing culture!

Now these Celts came in three waves to Britain from Europe, pushing out the Beakers and the older civilizations previously living in Britain. The Celts had the technology to manipulate iron, farm Barley, and create complex religious activities. The rulers of the Celts were the top warriors and spiritual leaders - called Druids. Not much is known about Druidism, for the Romans were the ones to document the Celtic culture (we all know how that goes) and they were only interested in the fact that it included human sacrifice. We do know that all the Druids across Britain met once a year for a gathering, probably to gather information and check up on the other tribes. As the Celtics did not have a written language, the Druids memorized all of the tribe's laws, history, medicine, and other knowledge necessary for Celtic society. Imagine that: a society that is so advanced in their agricultural techniques that the great Rome was buying food from them but they did not have a written language. (Who screwed up there?? Why didn't the Celts invent a written language? Even better, why is a written language so vital for our classification of a civilization??)

While all that is quite fascinating about the culture of the Celts, the most absorbing aspect of the Celtic culture, for me, lies in their view of women. The Celtic society viewed women equivalent to men. Men and women were equal! In 700 BCE! Thus, if a King died the title did not pass directly onto his son, rather his Queen ruled until her death. The Romans were so impressed with one Celtic Queen's warrior nature that they wrote back to Rome about her and the greatness of her sex. (Granted she did burn down London and push the Romans out of London, which is quite a fleet for anyone.) Anyways, so we have this society that does not have a written language (meaning we cannot understand how they thought on a first hand basis), yet is so far advanced with their societal views that haven't been seen so openly until my parents/my generation. What is that, like, 3000 years?? 

Now further south and east, we have the Ruler Hammurabi in Mesopotamia. (Ok, so the Celts and Hammurabi were not actually at their peaks at the same time - Hammurabi was a hundred years before the Celts. But his ideas were still around at the height of Celtic rule) Hammurabi was the first ruler to document his laws by writing them down. Now Hammurabi, or his society, decided that women were inferior to men. Some of his 282 laws describe the ways in which husbands could divorce his wife (not the other way around) based on her cooking or such. Also, men could be adulterers, while women would be punished for such behavior. 

So up in the northern part of the world, on this island, we have equality. But further south, we have prejudice. We have two societies from the same common ancestor who have contrasting views on women. Where in the world did that view come from?? Literally. Who came up with that? Where did Hammurabi and his society get these views of women from? Furthermore, where did the Celts get their views of equality from?

This does not make sense to me at all. Now, I know that just because women were marginalized against in law, that does not mean they did not hold power in their own sphere. I mean, women do commonly have the most important task of raising children. They have huge influence over their children, young and old. And, furthermore, who could be married to someone without actually talking to them. So I think that women did share ideas and such with their husbands, and visa versa. Women were just not as commonly recognized by the writers of history as men were. 

But can you imagine what the world would be like today if the Celt's ideas of society dominated the world, specifically those of equality?? I wonder how many things would have been different if the Celts would have spread their society. Would we have marginalized against different races? Would we have marginalized against those with a different sexual orientation than ourselves? 

Just as a clarification, these rantings and random thoughts do not mean that I would classify myself as a feminist. I am so hesitant to put any -ist noun with my beliefs. Everyone has a tendency to define those terms differently: meaning they slapped their beliefs on your face, a place where I think my own beliefs should stand. Moreover, I fear that American society is pushing feminism too far. I worry that now we are marginalizing against those mothers who want to be housewives, just like we marginalized against men who wanted to be stay at home fathers. While that life is not for me, I can understand the joy and luxury of being the master of your own time. 

This just makes me realize how open-ended history really is. All it takes if for you to stop reading it backwards and let it unfold with all its complexities and contradictions and multi-lane roads. Then, and only then, does history show something about yourself.

My new favorite coffee...

would have to be Vienna Coffee. Who could not love a shot of espresso with a ginormous amount of whip cream on top?? Anyone would be mad to not enjoy such deliciousness. 

Nerves, Butterflies, and Deep Breaths

You know how you get really excited for something that you have been preparing months for, then you get nervous that you are going to screw it up? And your mood switches from super happy to freak out mode? Or you have those annoying nervous giggles?? That has been my week. Not that it was terrible or awful or terrifying. It was just filled those "healthy" nerves that accompany that huge leap into the unknown. 


For me, my unknown was stepping into that classroom with 30 teenagers staring at me like I was old or in charge or something. I had no idea what I was going to say, no idea how to fill 45 minutes with stuff, no idea if I should smile or be angry. Add to that the horror stories giggly shared by my colleagues to "lighten the mood." Lets just say that I spent a lot of time Tuesday night trying not to think about the impending sunrise of Wednesday.

Our School Logo

But I made it! I did not cry. And I think my classes understood what I was saying. And I did not have any awkward moments of silence. (Crying is a running joke with the staff. I guess teachers cry all the time. Who knew?? It is my personal goal to not be the first one.) You know what?? It was actually a ton of fun. My students are great. Most of them actually want to learn this history I am teaching - or they told me they didn't and we had a laugh together. The school is great. The content of my classes is great (ok, it is mostly history, who wouldn't want to learn about this again and again and again??) And most importantly, I survived the worst part of this job: the first week. It can only get easier with experience and time!


Honestly, it is not like I was climbing Mt. Everest or anything. (Although, the stairs to the fifth floor are a killer when you are late to your class and decided for some strange reason to wear heals...) 


Thus, life is wonderful. I teach 22 hours per week, but with prep and extra-curricular activities, it works out to be over 40. I have three English Conversation classes with first years (about 14 years old) that I see four times a week. As my only English class, I mostly teach grammer, conversation, and writing. Oh, and we get to listen to the most ridiculous recordings ever!! Then I have two big classes of third years where I teach World History until the First World War. I also have two big classes (big = 30 kids) of fourth years who learn all about the 20th century and its amazingness. Finally, I have the class I am most excited to teach: British and American History Review. This class is with my fifth years and sadly is only once a week. It is a good thing I have four small (15) classes of them! Anyway, they are simply reviewing British and American history for their Maturita (the big test to graduate from school) and requested that I would not lecture them. So, I am making them lead a class. Not only do I not have to teach each time, I get to enjoy their take on these vague historical questions. It is a win-win situation. Woo-hoo! 


I hope everyone is doing well as this fall season begins.
Much love,
Katherine

First Day of School!

Because I have always documented my first days of every year (when I remembered), I thought the tradition should continue. So here are my fellow ELCA teachers on our first day of school.

Are we smashing?? I am quite proud of the Three Musketeers!

Wish us luck as we begin actually teaching tomorrow!

Flat Tour!

 Welcome to my lovely little abode in Tisovec!


(Update: I rearranged my room, and I must admit it looks tons better. Then to not lie to you, I updated the photos!! Enjoy!)


The day is young and I have swept the floors, attended church (and kind of knew what was going on!!), ate lunch, and now am enjoying my two hours in which I have no commitments. Since it is a gorgeous  60F Sunday, I thought that I should show you the place I like to call home. 


(Please note the tour guide in me coming out)


A ten minute walk from school, the CSM long-term hotel provides a pleasant retreat for the overworked teacher who wants to get away from his/her students. The third floor, specifically, offers some lovely views of the surrounding hills while being just far enough above the bar that smoke doesn't waft in when the wind is right. Each flat is already equipped with a kitchenette, a dining room table, two beds, two wardrobes, a chair, an end table, and a plethora of random furniture that you will never be able to find a use for. Luckily, your next door neighbor will have an arbitrary room to store your some of your excess furniture in.


Now please join me in Flat 308.

First we enter into the entreeway: Complete with Jade plant from a previous teacher, door matt, and bathroom directly to your right (not shown, I did not think you would mind not checking out my pink bathroom). This entreeway will provide your guests with the opportunity to take a sneaky peak at your flat whilst you are putting on your shoes. In other words, allowing your guests to fulfill their spy training for the day while making you keep your flat clean. A win-win situation, clearly.

Next we enter the kitchen/dining room. This area is ideal for the tired man: the proximity of the stove and table allows for quick breaks when cooking/washing dishes/eating. 

 Finally we come the the living/study/bed/closet portion of the flat. Here is where all of the best things happen: sleeping, computer time, sleeping, choosing my clothes for the day, sleeping, reading, preparing for school, sleeping. 

 Lastly, a close up of the window of the bedroom. Imagine: A quiet hill with a flock of sheep, two cows, a caboose train, green pastures, blue skies, soft clouds, and a nice neighbor man across the way who is a morning person.

This completes the tour. Thanks for visiting my flat! It isn't much and everything in it has been well loved by those who came before me. But it is clean and white and my own space. Plus we just bought a wifi router so I now get internet. Honestly what more can I ask for??

A final thought: 

While I am in this new place, trying to grasp this new culture -  and sometimes feeling a bit overwhelmed with the unfamiliarity of it all - I recall this poem by Lewis Carroll and realize how fortunate I am not not be this man. 

A Strange Wild Song

He thought he saw an Elephant That practiced on a fife: He looked again, and found it was A letter from his wife. "At length I realize," he said, "The bitterness of life!" He thought he saw a Buffalo Upon the chimney-piece: He looked again, and found it was His Sister's Husband's Niece. "Unless you leave this house," he said, "I'll send for the police!" he thought he saw a Rattlesnake That questioned him in Greek: He looked again, and found it was The Middle of Next Week. "The one thing I regret," he said, "Is that it cannot speak!" He thought he saw a Banker's Clerk Descending from the bus: He looked again, and found it was A Hippopotamus. "If this should stay to dine," he said, "There won't be much for us!" He thought he saw a Kangaroo That worked a Coffee-mill: He looked again, and found it was A Vegetable-Pill. "Were I to swallow this," he said, "I should be very ill!" He thought he saw a Coach-and-Four That stood beside his bed: He looked again, and found it was A Bear without a Head. "Poor thing," he said, "poor silly thing! It's waiting to be fed!"  Much love, Katherine

Happy Slovak Constitution Day!

Sorry for the long delay in writing, I have finally gotten my computer hooked up to the Internet here in Tisovec!

If I could sum up these last two weeks in one word, it would definitely be "carrying." This whole moving to Bratislava with one suitcase and moving into a new apartment without the aid of a car (we were gifted a bunch of stuff from the previous teachers which has to be moved back to our apartments, or a ten minute walk) has definitely made my arm muscles significantly stronger. (Or at least I can think that…)

The first week I was here, I participated in orientation at the Evangelicke Theologika in Bratislava. Along with ten other new teachers, we had a crash course in teaching English Language Learners and the Slovak language. I spent most of my days sitting in a warm classroom fighting off jetlag with cups of coffee and some wafer chocolate bars called Horalky. The evenings we explored Bratislava. It was so exciting to meet of these amazing people brought together to teach in Slovakia!

The Slovak school system is a bit different than the average school back in the States. Mandated by the state, Slovak school curriculum is the same across the country. Basically, this means that what 2nd year students are learning in Bratislava is the same as what students are learning in Tisovec. This standard curriculum comes in handy when the graduating class has to take their Maturitas. The Maturita is a comprehensive oral and written exam that each student takes for the completion of his or her education. I believe it also counts for their entrance exam for University. Most Slovak schools are a set four-year program. However, the bilingual schools are five years as the year one (13/14 year olds) consists of a rigorous English program. (Most students do have prior knowledge of English before the enter EGT). This means that the fifth year students graduate when they are 20/21. (Ya.. There is no way my students are going to know how old I am.) Also, the schedules are different. Instead of taking seven classes, the students take sixteen or so. This means that they don’t have the same schedule everyday or even the same classes every day. So, some classes might only meet once a week! I think it creates a very varied and not boring schedule!

Back to what I have been up to. Last Friday (26 August), the ELCA teachers split our ways and headed to our respective schools. In Tisovec, I am here with two other ELCA teachers and one other American TOEFL teacher. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday consisted of moving, learning that nothing is open on weekends in Tisovec, exploring my new home, setting up/cleaning my apartment and meeting my colleagues. I think that I need to make flash cards for all the new people I met these past two weeks!

Tuesday and Wednesday the EGT staff went on our annual retreat. Which just happens to be at a Spa in C^îs, located close to the Hungarian border. While the Slovak teachers were sitting in lectures, we Americans enjoyed the pool, the countryside, the super soft beds, each other's company, and the free food. (I got my butt kicked in bowling though... It was quite embarrassing actually. Who knew that I bowl better with my left hand than my right!)

Now I am back at home, enjoying the National Holiday by writing my syllabi, blogging, and enjoying the cool weather. Tomorrow we hit the grind again with meetings and the like. And on Sunday is the first official day of school!

Wish me luck!

P.S. I was going to upload some pictures I took over the past week, but the internet is too slow and I don't want to wait any longer. You'll just have to wait till next time for pictures.