learning the language

Funny Story about learning the language...........
The other day I was with my teammates at a restaurant called Flora in Cheb. We were all ordering drinks...one of my teammates order a "coke"...not thinking anything of it. The waitress later came out with two Coke Colas and handed one of my teammates a very small glass with a brownish-orange liquid in it. The funny thing is that the waitress thought that my teammate ordered a "Grog" and not a "coke-cola." So the waitress thought she wanted this alcoholic drink called grog......So we kindly explained to the waitress that we wanted a coke-cola,not grog, that we were very sorry... we all laughed afterwards..The beauties of learning the language and things of what not to say..........my poor teammate-).

Another funny story........
This last Thursday I met up with a Czech friend and we went shopping around in Cheb. When we were in a store the clerk asked us if she could help us with anything. My friend responded to her in Czech that we were just looking. Then I asked my friend to teach me how to say it in Czech...jenom se kukam..so I was practicing this so I could remember how to say it. As I was practicing this phrase over and over again I said ...jenom se okukam...which means " I am only a bird." We both just laughed. I am very thankful that I didn't actually say that to anyone. I know that I will have more moments like that this year as i am learning the language. Just one little letter can change the whole word or just how you pronounce the word can mean something completely different.

Pictures........

Darina(former ESI teacher that I taught with my first two years in the Czech Republic) and me at Santa Monica, California. Enjoying the summer sun on the beach of California.

Czech Team-Me, Naomi, Sarah,Celia and Cameron(back), Crystal, Che, Joesph(back), Jonna, and Laura(there were others that were not pictured)

Zuzka and me in Frantiskovi Lazne(spa town near Cheb)
Jan, me, Naomi, and Jonna at Connals enjoying our last milk shake before going to the Czech Republic.


Jonna and me at training in Pasadena, Califormia.

Naomi, Sarah, and me in F.L.(Franstiskovi Lazne). All of us exploring the beautiful spa town near Cheb.

Czech-ing In

Greetings everyone,
I have made it here in the Czech republic safe and sound. It was a long flight, with many lay-overs in various airports, a long drive, but my team and i are here in Cheb. It has been good to be back into a town that is familiar to me. There are a lot of things in Cheb that are the same, but then there are some changes as well. The famous Vietemese market place is gone-(.
I am very glad to be back, it seems so natural ,but a little overwhelming at the sametime. I have been trying to pick up the langauge again. I am just amazed on how much i do remember, but i have forgotten a lot too. That is totally the Lord!!!
I have enjoyed taking my new teammates around Cheb and other towns in the west bohemia area. I am excited for this upcoming year. I am looking forward to teaching again and meeting new students.
Not a lot has been going on here in Cheb. Here are some pictures for you to enjoy. There are pictures of my team in Cheb and also in the Czech Republic.
Blessings

At the end of February, one of my former students from the Czech Republic, came to Seattle on his way to Vancouver, BC. I had the opportunity to show him where I was from. I took him to Seattle, Snohomish, Marysville(where I live), and different parts of Everett. I think he got a feel for what America looks like. I enjoyed seeing and spending a short time with my student.

During his stay I took him to the famous Starbucks. I think he was very surprised of all of the different choices of coffee and teas that were available.

I am looking forward to meeting him again in the Czech Republic.