NALESNIKI Z TUNCZYKIEM

Love to eat. Most of you know this. And one of my favorite Polish dishes is the nalesniki. Last week, Roger (my housemate) and I went to this great lunch spot that just has tons of different nalesniki (they're basically the Polish version of crepes). I ordered this fantastic one with mozzerella and mushrooms. So this afternoon, I decided to take my friend Carrie. Somehow, I actually know more Polish than somebody and she asked me to order. We sat down, got our dishes, and started to dig in. Totally tuna fish. So uwaga (beware), when you see tuncyk on the menu at the nalesniki restaurant, it means stinky smelly fish pancake.

HALLOWEEN WILL BE MISSED

I am currently honoring the absence of one of my most favorite holidays, Halloween. The best is that I get to do a bunch of "culture" lessons where I just do fun activities and tell the students all about the holiday. It's awesome - and so odd. Most of them (actually, I think all) have never heard of a haunted house or a haunted hayride. It's great to see their eyes light up when they begin to understand the concept. So although I'll be missing the actual holiday, it's kinda like I have a bunch of kids and am reliving the initial fun you have on Halloween, but all through their eyes.

In Poland, this time is actually a very somber one. Wednesday is All Saint's Day and consists of them going to the graves of their loved ones. Which makes me curious - why do we not have anything like that in the states?? Anyhow, they sell those big red lanterns in all the grocery stores and I can't wait to see the cemetaries all lit up. I'm heading to Czestochowa on Wednesday, which is one of the holiest cities in Poland-I'm told, and will hopefully have some pics.

FRIDAY THE 13TH CAME LATE FOR ME

Do you ever hear that pregnant women start to get kinda airheaded about the simplest things? Don't worry mom, I'm not pregnant - but I am an airhead this week.

I took on a small side job to edit ten pages for an art catalog. I knew it was gonna be tight and that I'd probably have to pull a late night but the chaos that has transpired from the situation has proved to be much more stressful than was ever expected.

I received the text on Tuesday night. I worked on it, in between classes and all Wednesday night, and was only able to finish five pages. So I continued on through Thursday. I was in the computer lab at school, working on the last page when the gentleman who is in charge of locking and unlocking the school comes in and gives me the look (he only speaks Polish) that it's time to close up. I freak. I have one more page to do (which takes me about an hour) and no access to the internet aside from the dungeon that is referred to as the teacher's room.

So I pack up my stuff (the computer was also shut down so I had to boot it up just to send the pages I did have), walk the half hour home and freak. I call my friend that hooked me up with the job and explain that I have no idea what to do. I finally finish the last page and attempt (after much freaking) to find an internet cafe that my Polish (but English speaking) friend has given me directions to. My housemate and I walk a half hour to this supposed cafe and after walking around aimlessly (and attempting to get information from drunk people with the use of our more than elementary Polish), end up finding that it no longer exists. In its place is a skeezy bar with only two Thursday-drinkin' patrons.

All this time, the main coordinator is sending me texts telling me how important it is to have it and not understanding that I am trying but just have no means to send it. I write him back and tell him I can't send it that night but that he'll have it by 6:55 in the morning.

I of course get no sleep.

I wake up at 4:45, shower, freak some more (I have also not planned my lesson that I have to teach at 7am) and then start walking to school. I finally make it, send the email with the attachment, and then of course realize that I sent the wrong file. So I quickly send it again and go to class (after ten minutes of preparation). I'm a few minutes late for class and then realize that I left the tape recorder and listening exercise in the teacher's room, 3 floors down in the basement. So I give my students an exercise, haul ass down to the room, get the recorder and then hike back up to the classroom.

I make it up there and begin going over the "fun" exercise I had planned for them. It's a true false questionairre where you bet on whether you know the right answer. Well, one of the questions was, "You keep a dustbin in the kitchen." Well, my understanding of a dustbin seems to be different than that of the Brits (I'm finding that a lot lately) and so after my explanation, I was adamantly told by one of my students that I was wrong. Insert the fact that in the meantime, my phone has rung about 3 times with a number I think belongs to the gentleman I sent the file to. So not only does the student claim that I'm wrong but he pulls out his laptop, boots it up, and begins looking on the internet for the right answer. Unreal! I was so frazzled and annoyed. I just wanted to run out of there and cry.

So finally my class ends and I head down to the teacher's room. I check my phone and see that the coordinator has texted me asking for the file. He says I sent him the one from last night (which I did accidentally send first but quickly thought I sent him the correct one). So I jump online and pull up the second email and see that I sent it to my friend back home with the same first name. What a mess! I just gave up there.

So I'm hoping that the rest of my day will be better because as you know, it's Kluczbork! I'm planning fun Halloween activities with the class and am super excited. Just keep your fingers crossed that everything goes well-it's my first time driving there alone and with the day I've been having...

QUICK LOWDOWN

I have a few minutes to spare so I thought I'd take the time to give you a week in the shoes of me (Poland style). Hopefully, I'll have internet at the flat soon so I'll be able to put pictures up more frequently. Until then, you'll have to endure my recent complaining regarding my inability to teach English. But first, a cup of good news. My friend Sachin, from my masters program, has connections to English proofreading jobs in different areas in Poland. Luckily, he saved my butt this month and brought me a job that will pay me the equivalent to my current month's salary (minus about 30 zl) for about four hours of editing/proofreading work. I heart Sachin.

Now, a taste of my current teaching schedule looks like.

MONDAYS
7:10-8:40am : Conversation Business English (all students from Ecco, a Polish company)
This class is...well, there. It's at 7am on a Monday morning so I attempt to give them a topic that they can just run with for an hour and a half. This particular class is dominated by one gentleman in particular but at least he has a wide range of vocabulary and his grammar is, for the most part, very good.
5:40-7:10pm : Business English Cambridge Exam preparation
This class is so far, my most difficult. They don't know words like evolve and I have such a difficult time explaining them. This class also thinks I'm an idiot since I cannot explain these things to them properly. I believe I have actually caught them rolling their eyes to one another.

TUESDAYS
7:00-8:30am : Business English Pre-Intermediate Conversation (Ecco)
This class is four gentleman that, I believe, know English vocabulary very well but can't speak to save their lives. But they try. This class is a big pain in my behind because they want to have vocabulary for the next lesson. Problem with this is that planning my lesson for the next week is so annoying since it puts me on this weird schedule for just their class. Business classes can do whatever they want though. At least I get free coffee in the mornings...
4:00-5:30pm : Pre-Intermediate Teenagers (16-18)
Yea...don't really know what to say about this class. I loved my second class with them but my most recent was a nightmare. They love to speak in Polish, work with only their friends, and speak some more in Polish. Last class, they even asked me if I could understand them/speak Polish. (They want to talk about me/the class.) I try to make this class fun for them (there's only 4 students) but their parents make them come here and the motivation level isn't like it is in my adult classes.
5:10-7:40pm : Certificate in Advanced English preparation
I share this class with my housemate Maja and they're freaking awesome. They hate the book, love to learn about American culture and love to talk. There's about 8 students and they all have a great sense of humor.

WEDNESDAYS
7:00-8:30am : Business English Upper Intermediate Conversation (Ecco)
This class rocks. The four guys love to talk and make jokes. They ask questions about America and if it's really "free" and they love to use fun new words that they learn. (Last week was abstinent - I explained that we don't only use it in regards to alcohol but to sex as well. They had a field day...) Great morning class.
11:30am-1:00pm : One on one with the director at Makro (a business similar to Sam's Club)
I've only met this guy once but it was nice. He's really advanced and just wants someone to basically chat with in English for a few hours a week. Plus - I get a Makro card which gets me super discounts on anything in the store. Very awesome. Negative - I have to take the bus to get there.
5:40-7:10pm : First Certificate in English preparation
This class is the class that Maja and I refer to as our "boring" class. They are all tired and don't really like to talk. It's like pulling teeth to do a speaking exercise. And on top of it, they ask questions about grammar. I like to pretend I'm a substitute teacher for this class. I think they literally sleep with their eyes open when we're teaching.

THURSDAYS
7:15-8:45am : One on one with an executive at Ecco
This lesson almost cost me my job. Maja and I got minimal instructions from the school and ended up missing this lesson. I haven't actually met the guy yet and I'm kinda nervous that he's gonna hate us. More on this Friday.
3:40-5:10 : Business English Cambridge preparation-on site at Nutricia (baby food company)
This class is touch and go. The girls are all really nice and want to learn but they're so busy and usually kinda tired. I try to make the lame book fun but it's a stretch sometimes. And it's about a 15 minute walk from school. At least I can go straight home after it...

FRIDAYS!
So glad that all my classes on Friday are, for the most part, really good.
7:00-8:30 : Certificate in Advanced English (Ecco)
This class is good but I can't get the one gentleman to stop talking. And worse, he is probably at the lowest level of all the students (there are 4) and I've noticed that he usually likes to comment on political or social aspects of America that he does not agree with. I can totally see the other students rolling their eyes at each other (at least for this class it's not because of me) and I don't know what to do to get him to stop. And I think he's still thinking in Polish and translating it into English so everything begins with an "ummm..."
Kluczbork!!
The following classes I teach in Kluczbork and they're great. The director at the school is totally down to earth and is always trying to make me feel comfortable. She's bought me a hot water heater so I can have tea every class and she says that if the weather gets bad in the winter, she'll pick me up in Opole (it's about a 45 minute drive) and I can stay at her house and she'll drive me back Saturday morning. Other awesome thing is I get to drive "Tico", the school car, by myself (pictures to follow asap). I may have to leave Opole at 2:00pm to be in Kluczbork for a class at 3:30 but the time alone, and the awesomeness of getting to drive a manual in Poland, totally makes up for it. Also, they're all conversation classes (so no teaching grammar) and once the younger teen class starts, I'll be getting a free dinner!
3:30-5:00pm : Upper Intermediate Conversation with Teenagers (16-18)
These kids LOVE to talk and they're pretty good at it. My job is to give them a native speaker to converse with, some additional vocabulary (I love when they ask about something completely irrelevant that they just want to know the word for. Last week was "stilts" and "engaged.") to stimulate their minds. Totally excited to throw them an awesome Halloween party.
5:10-5:55pm : Pre Intermediate Conversation with Younger Teenagers (13-16)
I haven't actually started this class but it's young people and only 45 minutes. It should be good.
6:15-7:45pm : Certificate in Advanced English Conversation
This class is awesome (it's in Kluczbork, isn't it?) too. The adults are a little reluctant to talk, and you can sometimes tell that they're saying something just so that I can recognize that they're trying, but I think they'll get better. This class also has two of my favorite students, Agnieska and Sebastian. They're married, newly pregnant, and love to talk.

So there it is - a week in the life of me. Took me a little longer than expected though so now I must go off and eat lunch while I plan my afternoon lessons. Dowidzenia!

MATHEMATICAL ENGLISH

So I'm now a teacher. I'd better start teaching. But I'm petrified of having to teach grammar. Not only is it so innate, but playing with language and words is fun for me (obvious dork alert); having to put rules to it is going to be so stressful. I suppose once I know the rules, it'll be that much more enjoyable and challenging to play with them (double dork alert) but I just feel like there isn't enough time in the day right now. And on top of it all, I missed my one on one lesson this morning due to miscommunication regarding bus stops in Opole. Ahhh...I can't wait until this is all second nature.

I HEART CONVO CLASSES

Conversation classes rock. No textbook and just vocab and talking. I think I'm in love with them. I have a business English class on Wednesday mornings that is particularly stellar at talking - and they love to talk. Last class we discussed qualities you find in a person and they used "abstinent." (I think they were talking about their boss.) Well, today I explained to them that the word abstinent is not only for drinking (as how they had previously used it) but many times, for abstaining from sex - which is how we use it more in America. They loved it. Calling each other abstinent and making jokes about how they weren't - they're just too much fun. Which is perfect at 7am when you're tired and don't really feel like doing much at all besides drinking the free coffee and chatting with fun Poles.

TREADING WATER

So I thought I was loving teaching, until I realized I wasn't actually teaching yet.

Last two weeks have been mostly icebreaker games and review - getting students to begin thinking in English again. Yesterday, I almost had a heart attack when my students began asking questions about words that I just couldn't seem to explain. I mean, I did but then when they didn't understand or didn't use it correctly in a sentence, I was stumped. And I just sat there like an idiot - all flustered and not knowing what to do.

I'm noticing that most students want vocab. Vocab, vocab, vocab. So that's good. Except I also have a workbook and textbook for most of my classes that I need to get through. On top of that, I'm trying to keep things (somewhat) organized for my own records and it's just not happening. In addition, we have to create a syllabus with the teacher we share the class with (classes are taught once by you and then by another teacher the next class). I have no idea when I'll do this - or even where to begin with it. Also, I think I overheard someone say that we're supposed to be giving a test every unit (which is about every week) and also homework every class (that obviously needs to be reviewed and/or corrected). I just feel like I can't keep my head on straight. I have about 10 classes a week and I want to make them fun too. But some are more conversation, some are pre-intermediate teenagers, some are business, some are one-on-ones. I don't know. Maybe I'm being too particular here (or "anal" as I taught my Certificate in Advanced English class the other day).

FINALLY SHOOK THE TOOSH

Thank you Marta!

Finally went out for a beer and some dancing last night. Too bad it was Tuesday and I had a 7am class this morning (well, we all did). Marta, Annwen and I went to Drake, the local pub, and had a few piwo (beers). Annwen busted out first (poor girl was dancing by herself!) and did a whole number on her own. Next song, Marta and I headed out and it was like this massive rush to the dance floor. Before 10pm, that dance floor was filled with at least 30 sweaty people, one drunk guy nearly molesting Annwen and an outside perimeter of Polish men oggling the whole affair. It was fabulous.

CARE OF MAJA'S LESSON: HOUSE OR HOME?

Finally! Pics of the flat.

Living room (with a pull out couch for any and all that are wanting to visit) and balcony.

Our uber-modern bathroom with a touch of my own interior decorating (a bedsheet thrown over the clothes drying racks- also known as a shower curtain. I can't do the European shower thing).

The "eat-in" kitchen; equipped with a fridge built into the cabinets, a radio, and a window to watch the sketchy gypsies that mill around Biedronka (the discount grocery store across the street).

Kitchen, again. What can I say - it's my favorite place.

The best (bed)room in the house...which is currently mine. Has the only full size bed. We're on a rotating basis for this baby.

WHEW

I know it's been some time since I last wrote and this should be the time when I'm writing most - so many new things and new experiences. I'm trying to remember or write down the majority of things that happen so that I can at least tend to it when I have a minute to breathe. Funny thing is, I only work a few hours a day but seeing as I don't have internet in the apartment, moving pictures and such from my home computer is going to be a task that I'm just not looking forward to (and therefore, putting off).

Had a "eh" class and an awesome class yesterday. My pre-intermediate class (the one I was actually looking forward to) was so difficult. Like pulling teeth. One student (the class is 15-18 year olds) has no qualms about telling me that he doesn't want to be there and making it difficult for me to get him to speak any English at all. There's a challenge for me already. My class right after that is my CAE (Certificate in Advanced English) was so fun. They are (in my opinion) fluent speakers and so we just had fun talking and making jokes. I'm really excited about that class. At the end of October (not soon enough), we also have a conversation corner where we go to the local pub and drink and the students have a chance to speak comfortably with native speakers. (I think it's so weird that they call us "natives"; makes me feel like I'm from some aborigine group in the fields of Africa somewhere.) I'm getting slightly bored (despite my need to download pictures to this blog) and am starting to develop a strong itch to go meeting new people.