San Diego: I'm Coming For You.

Well, tomorrow is errands, cleaning, and packing day.

Tuesday I wake up at the crack of dawn to fly off and away. Home. San Diego. Summer. 

I've been thinking of all the things I want to do while I'm home, see if you made the list<3

See you soon.

List of Summer Things To Do...

-Eat a big burrito at the beach

-See Water for Elephants with Mom

-Dance with Micah

-Get my toenails painted with Mom

-Go shopping

-Go to the new Spanish exhibit with Dad

-Screen on the Green in Balboa Park

-See Harry Potter with Kelsey and Cassie

-See Melissa and Heathers new engagement rings

-Take Bella for walks and snuggles

PS I miss you Bratislava besties already!

Update...

In case you hadn't heard, since my last update was forever ago, I DID decide to sign on for another year teaching 5th grade here! We had a lot of news come all at once because in December the school will also be MOVING to an entirely new campus in another part of the city (closer to home for me, thank goodness). The school got new owners and merged with another small school with AMAZING facilities. PLUS we're getting all brand new curriculum for the classrooms that is digitally based because we will all have lap tops, smart boards, student lap tops, etc. It's going to be fantastic!

So since the job market back home hasn't changed at all, I still need experience, the school here is getting more resources and curriculum, and -oh yeah, I love it here- so I am staying! Yahoo!

BUT I will be home for the summer July 12 into the arms of my desperately awaiting parents, doggie, beach, and friends.

I am going to miss my life here, it will be weird since this feels like home now and my life is SO 100% different then it is in Cali...but having time to refresh and rejuvenate will be nice too. Although I might be bored out of my mind without a proper city right outside my door...so we'll see how long I last.

Here are some pictures of the new school site we will be moving to. My classroom isn't finished yet, they are adding two new buildings, so far only the primary building is done. But they will look similar I'm sure.

PS: All the buildings are old hospitals they're completely redoing to make into this amazing school, cool right!

Bratislava is Better with Friends!

My lovely old friend Jen who I went to school with and loved to death back in San Diego, came for part of the week and weekend and we had such a lovely time! She is from Germany, but is getting her masters degree in London so she just swung down for a fun few days together. I had to work so she gallivanted around town on the week days without me, and then in the evenings we went to get drinks, dinners, and to a friends party. Here are her beautiful pictures from around my tiny city, fun to see things through her cameras tourist perspective since everything has just become "normal" to me now, thought you'd like to see too!

The first night I took her for a walk around the city and we ate a shwarma in the square that looks like a movie set. 

While at work she took herself for walks...this is just down my street...

That night she captured the "normal" part of my life, folding laundry...

Then we went out for a drink at a REALLY old church turned into a theatre, then turned into a pub...

 The presidential palace on the other side of my street...

Statues around the city...

Saturday before she went home we went to the mall/riverside to eat and shop a bit. It's probably my FAVORITE place in the summer, for obvious reasons!

Thanks for visiting Jen, had a great time with you! Until next time lady!

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!