A day to remember

I think this year is a year to remember. On Tuesday i turned another year older, which most of you know, but i must say it was the best birthday i have ever had. I arrived to school just like normal, preparing at 6;30am for my two morning classes. My first class was normal, I only had a few students. I let them out a few minutes early because they had to go to work. I came into the teacher's office to grab my other stuff for my other class, my colleague kept telling me "just relax you have a few minutes, come and sit down,really relax." I must say it was a little strange for him to tell me that, but i really didn't think anything of it. I decided to go and make some tea for class. Finally i opened up the door to where i was suppose to teach, but no students! Then i looked on the table and there were four cards numbered 1-4, a basket of fruit, a vase of flowers, candles that were lite, a large blueberry cake with candles, and instructions. I was quite surprised, i didn't know if i was suppose to be in there or not. There were no students!! So I was instructed by my boss to come read the note that was on the table...The note had said something about someone not being here and you don't have any students either but to read the four cards and it will tell you your future(we just got done doing will and going to). The first card said get on your coat and hurry up downstairs your taxi is waiting for you. Second card said you are going to meet your friends. Third card said hurry up. Fourth card....I don't remember!!!
I got my coat on and went downstairs and there were 3 of my students waiting for me and my taxi(which was my student). My student that was driving was definitely stalling for time because she took me around the parking lot several times and then went around the around abouts several times(i thought i was going to get sick going around in circles very fast). Anyways, then we meet up with the rest of the class. They all said happy birthday to me. Afterwards, some students kept telling me that they were taking me to the dentist, the doctor, i really didn't know where i was going until i opened the door to a hair salon. I really didn't know what was going on...they all were choosing different colors for my hair red, blue, blond to purple. I was a little nervous because it was all in czech and i didn't know what they had planned. One of my students told me i couldn't say no that i have to just say yes. It was very funny!! I made sure to tell them i wanted something that was natural not to exotic. So i do have a new doo and new highlights but don't worry it isn't purple or any crazy color. The hairdresser did cut my hair but only a little bit. I will send pictures very soon, i will get them from my student who was taking pictures during the whole process.
After two hours in the salon I met up with the rest of the class. We went for lunch at a really nice restaurant. It was so funny because all the girls were with me and then the boys were all at the restaurant. They all clapped for me when I entered the restaurant. It was crazy!!
I was so surprised and felt very blessed by all of them. Words can't even say how much I appreciated it. I have never had that type of experience before and it was amazing to spend time with my students. I really thank God for all of my students they have been a huge blessing every one of them.

First encounter with the white stuff

By the title of this blog you are probably wondering what does it mean....Yes, on October 19,2007 cheb had the first encounter of snow for this winter season. It was so hard to believe to see the white flakes coming down from the sky. I have been thinking that just maybe I would have a white birthday instead of the normal rainy weather. The weather has been crazy here in the czech republic. Well, it will be interesting to see what happens......more to come.

The toothless man has returned

To give you a little history about my experience in Skalka a few years ago...When I lived in Skalka(it is in Cheb but that is the name where my flat was) about 2 years ago I almost got my first kiss by a toothless man. While I was living in Skalka I had an encounter with "the man" one day. I was walking to the supermarket and he approached me speaking a lot of czech to me. When he knew I didn't speak czech he would use his hands like sign language to communicate what he was asking for. Then he motioned to me to kiss him. When I tried to walk away from him, he tried to kiss me on my face. I was a little freaked out by him, just a little=). From that moment on I always tried to avoid walking by him or anywhere near him. The memories of the toothless man.........Well, he is back in Skalka. I was there visiting my new teammates not too long ago and I saw him. He again asked me if I had a cigarette, I just kept walking. The poor man is not all there mentally and I think he is homeless as well. I have seen him dig through the dumpsters before. Then about 3 days later I was standing outside by the bus stop in Skalka around 10 o'clock at night. I saw him walk towards me and I just began to pray out loud that he wouldn't come any closer to me. I have had too many encounters with him in the past. I just kept praying out loud and tried to stay where I was. The toothless man didn't come any closer to me, he stayed by the bus stop bench which was about a foot away from me. He waited there until the bus came. I was so thankful when that bus came around the corner. So he is back..........

Grammar

So I think I just had my worst class last night. I never thought teaching grammar could be so difficult. Last night I was teaching the grammar point mustn't, don't have to, have to, should, shouldn't and must. All of my students were fine at first and they understood it, but when I did an exercise for them to practice, my whole class changed. I went over the answers and about half of them got one answer and I said another. I tried to explain why it wasn't the one answer but then they all started to argue and discuss in czech why. It was crazy and for some reason I confused them all. I tried to go through the grammar in the back of their book to help them,but they were taught differently. I gave them more practice, I hope that they will understand. I am not sure what i said that was so different or what confused them. I hope on Wednesday we can go through it again and clarify any confusion. GRAMMAR!!!!!!