The Teacher Learns a Lesson.

I have been doing a lot of learning lately because everything is new and unknown. Last evening was a good example of this.

Kristin and I needed to pay some bills that came in the mail. Also in the mail, we recieved some little slips of paper that we were assuming said we had a package waiting. Off to the Posta we went!! The Posta is the post office in Hungary and where you pay bills. Bills are paid in cash when you take the receipt in to the Posta. We took our bills in and got along fine until we saw the cashier type 250,000 into the computer. Uh oh. We did not bring this much money. We missed a digit when we read the bill and only brought 25,000. All we could do was stare and shake out heads to indicate that we didn't have the money. The cashier starts to type more, get out some forms, and tell us a bunch of things we don't understand. It was frustrating, but there was nothing we could do or say. Praise the Lord, Mr. Farina from the school was in the Posta as well. He graciously tried to use his limited Hungarian to help us, but he still did not quite understand what she was saying. In the meantime, Kristin left and was frantically trying to get the money. As we are holding up the line, a man in the Posta offered to help. He translated for us that we would get another bill in the mail and we needed to call the water company. We will have someone from the school who speaks fluent Hungarian help us with this. Thank goodness he helped us, as Kristin couldn't withdraw the full amount anyway.

After this, I asked Mr. Farina what the little slips of paper said. He said that indeed, they were for a package. He said the person whose name was on the slip would need ID. I looked at the slip and saw a Korean-sounding name on the slip...nothing resembling "Kristin" or "Meredith." Alas, we were both confused again. Praise the Lord, a husband of the school's receptionist was now in the Posta as well. He helped us...however he did not have is reading glasses on, so Mr. Farina and I attempted to read these crazy Hungarian words to him for translation. He did not understand why our names were not on the slips of paper either. He finally spoke to the woman at the window and we learned that the letters were for someone else. We did not pick them up and would be sent back to their origination.

After this tramatic experience, we relaxed on a bench with some friends before going on another errand. Our next tast: get the landlord to sign some forms for our visas. This errand went much smoother. As we were talking with the landlord about various things, one of his friend's names comes up. Whose name??? The Korean sounding name from the slip of paper!! This person is one of his tenants as well and has items mailed to our property!! Boy did we feel foolish!

I learned many things this day:

1. I need to learn Hungarian.

2. Read the bill CAREFULLY.

3. You have to go with the flow, especially when you can't communicate.

4. God provides people in times of need.

So, I welcome you officially to Hungary. Thanks for joining me in my joys and trials. Enjoys these pictures of places around Diosd, including my favorite Posta :-)

Aprons, Preparations, and Orientations

So I have spent the last 6 days in trainings and orientations for school. We have gotten some time to prepare our rooms as well. After going through cabinets and rearranging desks and chairs (and coming across and interesting find...), I think I have my room ready to go!! Now I just need to prepare myself!!! Eeks!

Tuesday night we have Open House for students and teachers. Then, on Wednesday, the students come for class. Here are a few photos of my classroom before the students come and it gets messy!! Speaking of messy, I have been on the hunt for an apron to wear while I teach so that I don't get messy! I think I finally found on! (It is harder than you'd think!)

Enjoy the pictures...I'll update soon about how classes go.

:-)

St. Istvan's Day

Today was the biggest holiday in Budapest. It is the celebration of King Stephen, who was the first king and established Chrstianity in Hungary. The holiday was like the Fourth on steriods.

We traveled in to Budapest right down to the river front. There, we got to watch the Red Bull air races. These crazy planes fly UNDER the bridges, then weave around buoys, then fly back out under the bridge. The pilots race to see who can do it the fastest. It is impressive, especially up close. Also, there are some groups of planes that fly together and do different tricks. All amazing!!!

Some of us took a funicular up to Buda Castle. There were many little booths selling tourist-y items. We just walked around and enjoyed the view and atmosphere. We walked back down for some dinner and prepared ourselves for the firework show.

The fireworks are like nothing I have seen. They shoot fireworks off of two main bridges over the Danube. Between the two bridges (about a miles worth of river) were twenty little stations placed evenly on the water. These shot up streams of sparks over and over. This makes for a great show in itself, but that is not all. There was also a point in the show where a waterfall of sparks fell from the bridge. It just lit up the sky!! The show is played to some music, but it isn't your run of the mill 4th of July, bring your battery-powered radio with you. It is Hungarian opera blasted on loud speakers combined with the constant booming of fireworks. At times, there are pauses during the show, but then it starts back up with more amazingness and keeps going for 30 minutes.

I bet you are thinking that all I am doing in Budapest is having fun...TRUE!! I have been working on setting up my room with decorations as well as planning different classroom procedures. I will have 7th graders, 8th graders, and 2 high school classes. My room is now arranged, and I have begun working on the first lessons for my classes. We will be studying the elements and principles of art...google them if you wish!! Classes start in 6 days!

The day was a great time to learn about Hungarian history as well and connect more with the new teachers/friends I have met. Happy St. Istvan's Day!!

Settling in to Life

I have found that I enjoy a new scenery to run in. It has been making my mornings more exciting to be exploring a place full of gardens!! Unfortunately, the dogs scare me a bit...they bark LOUD and really seem to want to attack me.

This was day two of orientation. I have gone through all the shelves in my room...it was hot without airconditioning, but I feel like I am in control now (sort of!). I have been organizing and making posters and planning out the first few lessons. I will teach 2 7th grade classes, 2 8th grade classes, and 2 high school classes (Art 1 and Art 2, one of each). My schedule is varily light. I have no classes on Wednesday. I think I will be put to work around the school during that time; there are ALWAYS needs.

Tonight, Kristin and I went to Tesco which is a large Walmart type store. Kristin attempted driving the stick-shift van. She rocked it out!! I'm so blessed to be living with her. Shopping is interesting...we just look at the items, grab one, look at each other, say "Is this good?", shrug, and then decide to try it and move on. Everything here is new, even mustard.

A Sunday in Buda

Today we went to church!! It was good worship, but made me miss people at home. The church is called Danube Church. Check it out at www.danubechurch.org.

After church Emily, Hannah, Becca, and I went to Buda for some fancy pizza and a stroll along the river. Everything is beautiful, and I have to stop myself from taking pictures of everything.

We walked to Margaret Island. The island has a rich story you can look up, but basically this pirnces lived at a convent there during the 1200s. The ruins of the convent are there, as well as a zoo, some hotels, and gardens.

After getting back, I am resting my feet while typing with the dog on my lap. Shabella says "Hello!"

First Saturday in Budapest

Well....

I have never had a blog before, so I don't really know what to type! What do you want to know??

I went to a garage sale today and bought LOTS of construction paper and drawing books. That was a good find: art stuff for cheap. I am excited to get into my room Monday to start planning. I am eager to plan; in fact, nerves and jet lag kept me up all night. Doing some good planning should help settle my nerves.

I have met two single girls here, Emily and Hannah. They are both teachers and have been very kind to me. Emily took me to the store and showed me how to buy shampoo, conditioner, etc. She is not fluent, but speaks so much more than me! She is very helpful. Actually, everyone I have met from the school is very helpful.

Tomorrow Emily is taking me to her church. Also, my roommate, Kristin, will arrive. YAY!!

I must go feed the dog, Shabella, now. I hope I am doing this blog right!