The Walk Home.

This is in honor of me being able to take myself home from school today ALL BY MYSELF!

Thats my beautiful apartment building a ways up on the left. 

It gets so dark and misty here, I LOVE it.

Happy Monday from Slovakia! 

Munich Here I Come!!!

Instead of spending our long weekend at the end of the month ALONE here in Bratislava while my roomies and co. venture to Paris, I just booked my ticket to visit my long lost love Rachel in Munich, Germany!!!

More of this...

Sadly, minus Allison in the middle. But she better get her ass out here too asap!!!

I think I would like to venture to the palace on this long weekend adventure...what do we think?

There were also talks of a flea market which I dont know if I can even HANDLE!!!

Rachel my love, I am coming for you!!!

Weekend is Finally HERE!

Oh thank God its the weekend again.

This week was tough trying to adjust to the new job, people, place, and TIME CHANGE. It just dragged on and on...so happy to finally have some time off to rejuvenate and get things done around the apartment I have been too tired all week to do. Last night we went to dinner down the street at this really nice (and SO cheap) restaurant. They don't really serve vegetables at school...so I ordered a lovely big salad and 1euro beer and was so happy!!!

Today we ventured back to Tesco, we needed things for the house, especially me who still had clothes pile 2011 because I had no hangers. Tesco is kind of an EVENT around these parts. It's a good 30minute bus ride with tons of people all venturing to the same place, and its really the only place to get household items and "obscure" groceries...such as pink beans...and soy milk. So after the long trek to get there, the long time getting all the crap you need weaving in and out of the rest of Bratislava that is there, and then hauling whatever you can carry back onto the bus and into your apartment, and then unloading it all. Its 4pm, the suns down, and your pooped.

So after we kind of rested awhile, Christina and I went into the old city center to get coffee with some other teachers for someones birthday. I finally got to see what I've heard so much about here! I tried to snap some shots, but it was dark and we were moving so they pretty much suck. But it will at least serve as a sneak peek until I am able to get there during the day time...or better yet, when its spring time and the fountains are on too!

 My 1 euro delicious beer!!! I love cheap Europe!

The hot chocolate here is like pudding!!! Its SO amazing and creamy and delicious. They have a sweet cafe at Tesco where we chatted before exhausting ourselves shopping. 

Walking...

Just snapped this really quick while waiting for our bus...someday I will see you up close and in the day light, I promise.

Fatty walking across the beautiful bridge from Au Park (awesome mall) to the old city center. 

Thats the Danube river. 

Beautiful statue welcoming you into the promenade...

Opera House we all want to go see something at before we go home, probably my favorite thing Ive seen so far. Besides all the castle ruins of course. 

The vegetarian got herself a much loved and missed chicken shwarma. 

BEST ONE IVE HAD YET! And a whopping 2.70euro. 

Behind me is a pretty fountain and to the left they were ice skating in front of 

this big pretty building I couldn't quite capture- but I love it here!

Living the Dream...

Just another day teaching in Slovakia...

Took the class for pony rides today in the yard behind the big old beautiful church down the road from the school.

Then had vegetable strudel for lunch.

And 1.30euro on tap delicious beer and a 3euro salad for dinner.

Tomorrow I will try to venture to the castle.

Try not to be too jealous.

Kindergarten Faces

This is a project I came up with to do with my kids as we are learning the parts of the body. I How CUTE did they turn out?! BEST TEACHER EVER!

Try and pick out the hyper active kids picture. hahaha...

Adventures at the Doctors...

Just a pretty building by the medical office in the city. The sun and blue skies made my life!

So the government here requires that everyone have a medical exam before getting any residence or work permits. My room mates told me a bit about it, but not much. I didn't quite know what to expect but...it was weird. To say the least.

We began at the office that does the exams solely for foreigners trying to get permits. All of the nurses were so cute and nice and friendly, and my secretary from school was my translator but doesn't speak that well of English so it was a lot of...handing me the a little vile I didn't know was a pee cup and saying "you. go. in. there. (points to bathroom)"...um...ok?

And then I have to get blood taken but I dont speak Slovak and cant tell them that I have tiny veins and to be careful so of course the right arm doesn't work and she has to go on the left arm too. Takes 4 vials. I am feeling woozy. They keep asking me "are you ok?! Are you ok? You want water?" and then when I walk out back into the waiting room blood starts dripping down my arm and everywhere!!! So that happened.

I just had a chat with a Slovak lady who spoke great English about my health really quick afterwards and then we had to go get my chest X rayed to check for TBat the hospital across the street. The "hospital" doesnt look at all like our hospitals! Its all these old pretty buildings centered around a little court yard that makes you feel all cute and sweet...until you go inside and its so old and creepy that you feel like your in a horror movie. And theres an old man on a rolling bed who looks dead right where you walk in to the tiny hall way to check in. Then you wait for like 30minutes. Then the secretary tells me to go into this little room and points to my top and whispers "take off in there". Um...ok? So I tried to leave my bra on, but when the MAN opened the next door to let me into the x ray room he says "take off".

So I had to walk topless into this huge room with a little x ray machine with a MAN who pushed me up against a plate to take the picture.

I would think I would have been more upset about the whole affair, but afterwards I had to go right back to work so I just noted it as something for the blog and was on my way.

So that was weird.

Kindergarten Days...

Today was another great day:) I was in class the full day and taught the two lessons to my older group...didn't quite lead everything because my assistant is a gem, but slowly kids are coming back from holiday and slowly the duties are being given over to me...which is more than ok with me as I am starting to be exhausted between the lack of sleep and long days. Tonight I am going to bed at 10p and taking tylenol PM- no excuses. 

Everyday the children have time to play outside, but when it is too muddy apparently we take them for a walk along the Danube river on a bike/walking paved path there...it goes past all of these cute little houses, the castle ruins, and boats when it gets warmer. Please imagine walking along a beautiful river surrounded by a castle with puffy little children with rosy cheeks singing songs and laughing and playing with you the entire time...seriously, a dream. After work we ventured to the train station to get ourselves 3 month bus passes. They are very fancy! It was a bit of a struggle getting the slovak form completed and we had to do the ol "uhhhh does anyone here in line happen to speak English?" and they are always so happy to help and it makes my life! Everyone is so nice here!

If everything continues to be just lovely...

Today we made gingerbread man after we read the story. This month one of our learning goals is the parts of the body:)

OMG these kids are wearing like 5 layers each and WE are in charge of putting it all on. They all wear stockings (even the boys) then pants, then snow pants. Plus a normal shirt and 1-2 sweaters on top of that. THEN the coat, mittens, gloves, scarves, and boots. Its hilarious watching them get ready and it takes them SOOOOO long...we burn a good 30min in and out everyday just doing this! My little puffs!

Part of the castle ruins- Devin Castle.

Cool sculpture on the walking and bike path.

Ok, I have loads more of the kids but I am not sure if they allow me to post proper photos of their children or not. Otherwise, message me if you'd like to see more of my precious class! Oh I love them so!

Ok, off to bed for another fun day tomorrow!