The Restitution of the Grateful

So, some of you all may be wondering what has been going on in my life these past few weeks. Thus, I shall tell you all about things and how they are going thus far. Classes have been shootin off with no problem as of lately. Very much fun. Life is rockin out as much as possible. Had to get midterm grades in this week, so that kinda sucked. So that's been hecka busy lately. And one sucky thing is I found two kids plagiarizing papers from Wikipedia.com. So that really sucked. It's hard enough for me to give students C's, but giving F's on papers which is most of the grade really sucks and I feel pretty darn bad. But hopefully they'll understand. Oh well, I think I'll probably get over it faster than the students will. I guess I'm probably more glad I'm in my position than theirs. Theirs probably sucks a little more. So, enough with all the crap stories in my life. There's probably about a million pluses to that negative. Let me impart upon you some of the whimsical and funloving stories that has been so intertwined within the realms of my life these past little while. (Note: I don't ever get to use big words ever, so this is my time to shine.)

So relationships with students and coworkers have gotten really intense really fast, which is way awesome and way different than what I had expected. I owe a lot of thanks to my roommate who spent a lot of time making friends last year so I could come in a step ahead, but also to you and all your prayers. For in many of my friendships with my students, I had no steps ahead, and things just kind of fell into place. For example. Gymnazium (Czech high school) students come in as either freshman or 5th graders. The freshmen that came in this year desparately wanted more English classes. English conversation is strictly for Juniors and Seniors, but these kids asked for an extra class! So, their English is pretty horrible and they don't know how to speak very well, but they are so desiring to learn that it's fun. They are always talking to me in school and asking me things. (And I feel most proud the times when they don't know the word in English, but I know the word in Czech, so they ask me and I tell them.) It's pretty awesome. So these students have even asked to reschedule class for the weekend. We didn't have class last friday because of a Czech holiday, so they asked if we could meet on Saturday. Now, don't think that Czech students are super motivated. This would never happen with any other class. And actually, all class entailed was going to a cafe/pub and gettin some drinks and talkin English. And then the next day they invited me to their dance. All freshman take formal dance lessons and every once in a while they have dances. So, I was invited and went. It was fun. I dressed up in my awesome suit and watched the festivities arise all about me. There was dancin come at me from the right and the left, from behind, from in front, and even from above (ok, maybe not above, but you get the picture). So, I am very excited to see what happens in these next couple of months and how my friendships evolve.

Another awesome thing that I am quite proud of is my ability of the Czech language. Now, let me note first that I in no shape or way have any solid concrete hold of the language here as of yet. But I feel that point isn't too far off, maybe even days... :) But, anyways, I have been very disciplined lately these past few months and have sought out to dedicate time to studying the language and learn it to the best of my ability. It's darn difficult. But I feel in many ways that I can convey what I am wanting in many situations, and in a few situations I can even understand what is going on, if I concentrate real hard and maybe squint my eyes a lot. It's fun. I'm actually takin lessons from a friend of mine who is a teacher. So, as a conclusion on the language bit, as for having been here for only three months, I feel that maybe things are coming along quite well, and out of the other Americans that have been here only a year, I feel I am much more advanced in my language. Basically I'm just bragging about how incredibly awesome I am at life in general. So give me praise. I'll leave it at that.

In closing, I want to again thank everyone for your prayers and everything. Life is going so smooth here, and it will definitely be hard to leave this place, whenever that day may be. Thanks for your love and support. I miss you all and hope to see you again soon. And again, hit me up anytime of the day to just say hi. Life's good here, but it's even better to be reminded of what life is like back home. Talk to you all later. Peace.