Decisions, Decisions.

Think I could handle a little more of this?

Big news. My little school here in Slovakia offered to move me up to teaching 5th grade next year instead of Pre-K! My director said some really flattering things about me- like how great of a teacher I am and how I am kind of being "wasted" in Pre-K since it isn't even really technically a grade level. Pre-K is lovely, but it IS a lot of babysitting in the afternoons and a lot of exhausting "work" which really just involves giving 14 children A LOT of attention all day, and very little teaching. My co-workers think its a really good move for me so I don't get "stuck" in kinder and don't ever get to move up to real grade levels. Teaching a another grade level would also look really good on my CV and I have taught 5th grade before and LOVED it.

Unfortunately, it means they want me to commit for an entire other year. Yeah, until NEXT June. Which makes sense for the kids. And for my CV. And everything else. I would otherwise come home mid year and do WHAT? Send my CV everywhere for the next school year and hope they're hiring again, meanwhile living at home with my parents and working at Starbucks or something? OMG I would die.

Part of me still misses home though. Everything's in English...the products I like and am used to you can just go to the store and buy them...healthy vegetarian and vegan food everywhere...my Bella and Sparky...the perfect weather 24/7...and my family and friends the most. 

But, roomie reminded me that under Slovak law I can give a 2-3 months notice and still leave mid year if I want to with no repercussions. Although it would seriously effect my CV and letter of recommendation, but at least I have the option.

Another issue is the lack of language arts and history curriculum. And by "lack"" I mean there isn't any.  I don't even think they ordered any for next year. I have 6 months of Pre-K curriculum done and was planning on finishing the first 3 months over the summer so next year was going to be a breeze. I am looking to order some different ones for 5th grade, but it's expensive and a lot of work.

So we'll see what happens. They want to know my decision about the entire year by Monday. So I think I will say yes and give my notice if there is an emergency. 

Pictures from the weekend to come soon!

From Slovakia with <3

Slovakia: Fashion

Now Slovaks, I know this is going to come as a HUGE shock to you all. And it might hurt a little. But it has to be discussed.

The following looks are NOT fashionable. Doesn't matter what time of year it is, but especially in the summer when its hot. And your wearing shorts, skirts, or capris.

Seriously, its an epidemic. 

Tourist for a Day!

Today Tchapo agreed to escort me from my flat up to Bratislava castle! I have been cooped up in my room since Tuesday afternoon, waiting for death/my fever to end, and knew fresh air and a good walk would do me some good- so off we went.

He was an excellent guide and knew the way around the old city, through little passages, up old staircases, peeks into ancient churches, and up up up to the castle. We muddled around and then sat outside in the shade to take a rest before it suddenly started to get cloudy...then sprinkle...then rain so we hid in the castle...and all of a sudden it was HAILING. Yep, hail in May. Ridiculous Slovakia, what am I going to do with you? But...can't complain about dancing in a sudden summer storm in a medieval castle. Tough life I live.

Here are a few pictures, but the rest you can see here. Check them out, I took extra pretty ones from around the city just for all of you!

Love from Bratislava<3

Slovakia: Chocolate Epidemic

I didn't really ever eat candy or chocolate much before moving here. Cookies and cakes were more my downfall, but while Slovakia hasn't really mastered the cookies and cakes...OMG...the chocolate...

Now, I've tried a few different kinds...but everyone can agree that MILKA is the most AMAZING stuff you can shovel into your mouth by the fist full. Their chocolate aisles are INSANE (yeah, I said AISLE) and you can see the Milka section. And yes, I've tried every kind. I have to say that hazelnut (green) and decadence (brown) are the top favorites. And as a good girl knows, its only really time for a shopping trip...when all the Milka is gone. 

Still trying to figure out how to get it home to share with you all without it melting...

Love and High Blood Sugar from Slovakia!

I forgot to tell you!

We're friends with Bruno Mars!

I tried to calm Aunt Bori down, but she just wanted a picture with him SO BAD. 

Extreme Home Makeover

Remember when I lived at the old apartment in the middle of nowhere that cost the same as where I am living now but was 10x shittier? WELL, I forgot to post the pictures of how I ended up redoing my room. Of course, its not so important since I live in a new beautiful place now..but still, lets remember...

Before:

After!

Amazing what a little Ikea run and some pictures can do to a room...

I don't miss that flat, and since then I am much happier in my new place...but Stefana Kralika and those girls will always hold a little place in my heart. 

Kinder...

So, I know it only looks like I party 24/7, but I promise I actually do work...and a lot...and very hard actually. Teaching 4/5 year olds is pretty exhausting and being a first year teacher, with all second language learners, and VERY limited resources- makes it really tough. But I do still love it...and am also counting down until summer like the rest of the teachers. Did you know your teachers always count down for summer secretly too? It's true, we all do.

Lately...

Mid-April our theme was "Life on Earth" and the school had International Day, so we did a week of cool Africa learning and projects for our table at the "World Fair". Animals on the Savannah, the people and the homes they live in, binoculars for safari, and learning about the meanings in their fabrics and making our own samples. Pretty awesome for someone with no curriculum, don't ya think?!

T was for turtle and tennis rackets...

And tiger and train...

We learned about pets and made our own pet food out of play doh. The kids dug up our stuffed animals and were feeding their little pets, it was so adorable.

And last week U was for underwear

That's just a little of what we do obviously, but I thought I'd remind you that YES I do work. And YES it's still wonderful...although stressful a lot of the times. 

33 more days until vacation!!!

<3 from Slovakia! 

Happy Birthday Love!

It was the roomies birthday, AKA love of my life, and since apparently she's never had a proper birthday party before- it was about time someone threw one for her. She's always taking care of everyone else, it was time someone loved on her for an entire evening of loveliness. A few calls and Facebook invites later we arranged to start at this fabulous restaurant downtown serving Thai fusion, it was called Lemon Tree. And OH, we just LOVED it. The restaurant let our friend sing her happy birthday with the awesome band, they helped us get the cake Yazzy made ready to surprise her, and all the food and drinks were aHmazing. We have plans to go back asap...and visit the sky bar soon too.

Then we went to our usual place, Primi, to visit our bartenders, dance a bit to the DJ who was actually playing something good for a change, and take our customary tequila shots...
 

Afterwards, sweet Tina got us a legit table at another favorite place of ours, Rio. Where we drank champagne and danced the night away on tables all together until 4:30a...

Thanks for all the help to Tchapo, Yazzy, sweet Tina, and Aunt Bori. She had an awesome time, it was perfect!

Happy birthday love!

Hockey Town

The world hockey championship is HAPPENING down the street from me this year in Bratislava, so while you are all watching the Wings lose in the NHL play offs on TV, we are crowding in pubs with big screens and fans in face paint, then rubbing elbows with players and coaches around the city after the games. Many of the NHL players whose teams didn't make it to the play offs are here playing for the different teams, too bad Slovenskooooo and the USA are losing big time.

Friday night we went to the Irish pub for a drink, it ended up just being Bori and I for a few hours and perhaps the ENTIRE Finland fan base in the entire city. We met some really nice American guys who coach for the US team and as we just sat on our bar stools chatting, dunk guy after drunk guy kept talking to us and hitting on us...it was HILARIOUS. I think we might have been 2 of 10 girls in the entire place, so funny.

The funny bar tender gave me 5 straws, teehee

At a cafe/bar watching the game on Saturday. Yaz, you made the blog!

Birthdays in Bratislava.

It would appear that EVERYONE whose anyone here was born in May (aka May=month of non stop parties). It started with Phillys birthday last weekend and this week was Shimmys!

Typical Thursday night...obviously making an American style box cake and carrying it from our flat all the way to the pub and stopping to document the ridiculousness of it was necessary...

I didn't drop it even on the cobble stones! Delivered successfully to babycakes Shimmy. 

"lick it seductively!"

"That was terrible! Like this!"

Then this happened...

Some of the birthday crew. I am so so small...

Remember that one time when you and your room mate became best friends in Bratislava and every time you have a drink without eating dinner (accidentally) you start to get REALLY sad about one of you leaving for California for 6 weeks over the summer? 

<3 hurrrrrrrr

FYI
Shimmy's real name is Simon, in Slovak pronounded "Shee-moan", but naturally we changed it to "Shimmy Shimmy Coco Puff" a la Nelly's "Country Grammar" song circa 2000 so we could sing it at his baseball games...and because our American mouths have serious issues with "shee-moan". Your welcome Shimmy. Happy birthday little guy!

From Slovakia with LOVE.

Another "I Love My Life" Weekend in B Town!

This week and weekend was another LEGIT one as we sent our Canadian friend Darryl back home, the world hockey championship is in town, and we spent another picnic afternoon watching our friend Simons baseball game! He is on the Slovak NATIONAL team so it's fun to spend the day outside in the sunshine eating, drinking, listening to the radio, and watching something American. We also went to a packed pub one night to watch the Slovak vs. Slovenia projected on the screen while we cheered along with everyone in their Slovak gear and painted faces "Slovenkooooo, SlovenskooOooo, hey ya! hey ya! hey ya! Slovensko!" 

Saturdays Baseball Game With Friends...

Darryls Last Night...

I love her. We can never be parted. 

Salsa dancing...

A handful of the hockey guys that are all over the city!

Austria

GO USA!!!

Russia

I think this next weekend we are going to try and get out of the city a bit, even if its just for the day. Maybe to another part of Slovakia or maybe to Vienna. I am starting to feel claustrophobic.

Hearts from Slovakia!