4D Maturita Ball

Saturday Dec. 10, 2011

Every year the students in their final year of "high school" have their Maturita Ball.  Each senior class (there are 6 senior classes) has their ritual "senior prom" in the beginning of the school year.  The students in the "class" plan the entire ball...the theme...the decorations....the video....the invitations....etc.  Planning for the ball begins in their "junior" year and they finalize it the first couple months of school.

I had the honor of attending a couple Maturita Balls last year but the time that they had them, I didn't know the students too well so I wasn't as invested in the process.  This year I had the supreme honor of attending and even participating in my 3D classes ball.  They are in their final year, this year, so they now 4D class.  Their theme was airline.

The timing of their ball was perfect for me to attend.  I was able to be apart of their ball.  The students even asked me to stand on stage with my friend and their class teacher, Iva, the headmaster, and two vice headmasters.  It was quite an honor to stand on the stage and congratulate the students on all their hard work through their educational career.

All the students of the class dress in supreme fancy ball gowns and suits.  Their families attend as well as teachers they have had over the years and other classmates at the school. A lot of preparations go into the ball and it is a celebration of all their hard work over their years at school.

In the 3D class there are about 30 students, 27 girls and 3 boys.  I had the pleasure of teaching all the students of the class last year and had a great time teaching them.

The ball started at 8pm.  Iva and I crowed to the front of the people to watch our students walk down the red carpet.  After the students were lined on the red carpet, the student video was played.  They did a video of them on a plane and Martin was the pilot and "drank too much" so Stepan saved the day and landed the plane safely.  The girls were playing flight attendants and people on the plane.  The video was VERY created and fit their theme perfectly.  Iva said that she will send me a copy of the video.

After the video, the MC announced Iva, and the rest of us.  We each walked down the red carpet to the stage.  Then the MC announced each student by name.  As the song of their choice plays, they walk the red carpet to the stage and receive a sash and words from Iva,.  Then go to the Headmaster where they get a flower, and then on down the line, shaking hands with each vice Headmaster.  Finally they get to me and you could see the excitement on their faces when they shook my hand.  I was sooo nervous, that I didn't actually know what to say to them.  I congratulated them and told them how wonderful they looked.  After the students shake our hands, they received a glass of champagne and have their photo taken and then find themselves back in the line up.  The process continues until all students have been called.   Needless to say, I couldn't feel my feet at the end.

During their walk up to the stage, parents/friends/etc throw money (coins) at them like I would equivalate to rice being thrown at a wedding.  Unfortunately, I am sure it hurts a little more than rice when the coins hit them in the head as they are walking the red carpet.  After the students have all been called up, the students all toast and then we (teachers) walk back down the red carpet, toasting each student.  When their glasses are empty the students collect all the coins in their champagne glasses.  Iva told me that they have a proverb that they are to keep all the coins in their glasses until after the Maturita exams.  The coins are said to bring them luck on their tests.  If they lose the money, they will fail the exams.

After the coins are picked up, they take pictures and then have the student/teacher dance.  Since there were so many girls and only 3 boys, they skipped the dance and went to the parent/student dance.  The girls danced with their fathers and the three boys, with their mothers.

After all the formalities are done, it is time to dance and relax.  The kids dance (and unfortunately drink) the night away.  Through out the night there are special performances.  One of my students Andrea performed their lights show.  They do an amazing job twirling lights to music and then even incorporate fire into the performance.  She and Mary (another former student) are very talented!!!!!

While I was upstairs, I was trying to look over the balcony to take pictures.  All of a sudden, a man called my name.  I looked at him, trying to place where I knew him and then his wife said Jitka's name.  They were the parents of my 3D student Jitka and they didn't speak ANY English but they were soooo excited to see me and shake my hand.  Her mom had the biggest smile and in my preschool level Czech I was able to talk to them and say how happy I was to be there.  When I told Jitka later that I talked with her parents, she was shocked that her mom tried to speak English with me and got a huge smile on her face.  I know it may sound corny but I was honored that they were excited to see me and I know they don't know any other Americans.

Katerina, Iva, and I danced the night away until about 1:30 and set off for home.  It was a long wonderful night and my feet were hurting but it was all worth it.

Thank you 3D for including me!  I will never forget you!  I wish you all the best and I know that you will do well on your Maturitas!

Czech birthdays

Friday December 9, 2011

I arrived at 9am.  After a long day of flying, I finally made it to Tabor.  Katerina and Michal met me at the train station with open arms, hugs, and smiles.  Michal took my luggage back to the flat while Katerina and I stopped by Gymnazium to say to my students and colleagues/friends.  I was definitely exhausted after about 24 hours of travelling but I was just so excited to see everyone.

At around 6 pm I went Katerina, Michal, and Johana to Katerina's dad's and step mom's birthday celebration. Her father, Pepa turned 60 and step mom turned 50.  They live in a small village called Borotin so the birthday was a big celebration of their closest friends and family...and when I say closest, I mean about 50 family members and friends.  It was held at the local pub, meeting location with home made desserts and food from Babicka (grandma).

Traditionally in the Czech Republic you greet the birthday person with a handshake and a kiss on the cheek.  Family and friends bring flowers for the person if they are a girl and gifts for either gender.

We had a great time visiting and listening to a traditional polka band.  They had a 4 member polka type band and Katerina, her sister Eva and their friend Hilary sang together.  The kids in the family put on a couple dance performances.  There was just such a great feeling of family and celebration.

Let the Journey Begin

Thursday Dec. 8, 2011

Well…the journey has begun.  I got up at 3am to finalize my packing and then Mom and Lloyd picked me up at 4am and off to the airport we went.   My flight was at 7am and we got me plenty early to the airport.   The flight took off on time and the five hour journey to my first layover.  New York.  Unfortunately, I sat in the middle of a three person row, with a VERY heavy set man on my right.  He basically took over his seat as well as mine so it didn’t make for a very comfortable flight.  Luckily I was abl e to sleep through most of the flight. 

I arrived at JFK at 3 New York time.  Now I have a four hour layover.  My first stop was Chilis Too pub.  It seems to be my new tradition.  I also grab a meal there and something to drink.  Now…only 3 hours and 15 mintues still to go.  In the day of technology, trying to find a simple plug in is next to impossible.  Finally I found one, got my cave man days computer up and running, and wouldn’t you know it, now I have to go to the bathroom…UGH…pack everything back up, and off to the bathroom.

Emergency adverted and now back on my mission to find another plug in….20 minutes later…success.  I am connected to society again. Phew. 

I was able to talk to some of my kids back at school while I was at the airport.  It is amazing how technology can make a big world a little smaller.  One of my students Diana told me she wanted a statue of Liberty figurine.   Another one of my students wanted me to bring her back a Czech student.  I told her that I could manage the Statue of Liberty but the Czech student might be harder to squish into my baggage…they then said they would settle for a limb or a piece of hair…HA…my kids crack me up.

Time to Check out The Czech Republic Again

Tuesday December 6, 2011

Gifts from St. Mikulas last year

Today is St. Mikulas Day in the Czech Republic.  This time last year, I was in Vienna with Iva, her sister and their friends.  St. Mikulas found us there and we woke up to candy and treats left by St. Mikulas the night before while we were sleeping.  This year, I am packing and getting ready to head back to the Czech Republic.

Katerina Kubesova and I have remained very close since our Fulbright exchange has ended.  It may have ended officially but it definitely hasn't ended emotionally or educationally for either of us.  In September I applied for the Fulbright Alumni Grant and was accepted.  I was able to fund a trip back to the Czech Republic for 11 days.

Ms. Kubesova and me

Katerina and I have both strongly believe in the bigger picture of the Fulbright organization.  We have continued to foster and create international relationships as well as continue to educationally collaborate.  We have continued educating our students about life/culture/education in other countries.  To help connect our students and incorporate my students, I have shared some Czech Christmas traditions and have had them write a letter to a Czech student.  I will be able to hand deliver those letters when I arrive in the Czech Republic on Friday.  As well as that, both my students and Ms. Kubesova's students have read the short story, The Landlady, by Roald Dahl.  The students from both countries have written and responded to higher level thinking via blogs and Ms. Kubesova's students are going to perform a skit of the Landlady which I will film and bring back to show my students.

While I am there in the Czech Republic, I will be able to reconnect with students I had the previous year as well as talk with students that I have not met yet about life in the United States.  I am excited to take as many pictures as possible so I can bring those back and share with my current students.  My ultimate goal is for my students to realize even though it is a big world, we are really not that different.

Keep following for future posts where I will be sharing my experiences while I am there the next couple weeks!

Final Days in the Czech Republic

July 31, 2011

I have been anxiously awaiting Katerina/family's arrival these last couple weeks.  I have been packed and living out of suitcases and cleaning and re cleaning their flat.  I want everything to be perfect for their arrival.  Finally Sunday arrived, the day of their arrival.  I got up early and cleaned once more and then Hilary picked me up and we set off for our 1.5 hour drive to the airport.

Me, Katerina, and Johanka

   Katerina's flight was on time and we eagerly awaited their faces through the airport doors.  It was very similar to a baggage claim experience.  As you see the luggage arrive, you anxiously await for your bag.  As you are waiting, everyone picks up their bag before you and you wonder if your bag got lost en route.
    There were so many people exiting and finding their waiting party but no Katerina and family.    Finally their exhausted wonderful faces appeared and they hugging commenced..  It was sooooo great seeing them.  Flashes of seeing them in D.C. for the first time went through my mind but this time instead of meeting them for the first time, I was meeting my family.

    When we got back home to Tabor, we were greeted by Michal's parents who had food prepared for us and let me tell you...NOTHING beats Czech home made food.  After settling in, Katerina and I caught up with how each other's year went and had a wonderful time actually being in each others company.  We had a wonderful couple days visiting and hanging out.

August 3-10, 2011

   Mom and Lloyd arrived on Wednesday August 3rd.  It was great to actually see each other in person and not via skype.  Katerina had a wonderful agenda for the week we had all together and we hit the road running.  Mom started the year by coming with me to the Czech Republic.  She had spent the first 10 days with me and it has come full circle to have mom back to spend my last week there.  Lloyd has never been here so it was a new experience for him.
     Wed:  we were able to unwind and relax and later that evening we had a wonderful dinner at a local pub with most of the important people  of my life there:  Hilary, Chris, Romana, Zdenek, Katerina, and Michal

Hilary, Romana, and Zdenek

Borotin Castle

     Thurs:  Mom, Katerina and I got up early because Mom was getting a tattoo by the same tattoo artist that did mine, Katerina's, and Michal's tattoo.  She was getting a fire dancer tattoo on her back neck and she was a real trooper through the process.  Katerina and I had fun playing paparazzi while she was getting it done.  Later that day we drove to a small village, Veletin, and met Katerina's father and wife at a put called "Hospudka Za Peci"  .  It has an old oven in the pub that you can sit on during the winter to stay warm.

Michal has a Czech Beer (foam) and Mom has American
Style (no foam)

Oven where you can sit on during the winter

Johanka and me

Pepa (Katerina's dad) and Michal

Katerina's dad's family and Michal's mom

    Fri:  We took a tour of the Nuclear Plant in South Bohemia and then headed to Becheyne to walk around the spa town.

St. Barbara's Church in Kutna Hora

     Sat:  Early in the morning we set off for our over night journey.  We met Eva and Lubos at Kutna Hora and explored the Bone Church and St. Barbara's.  After that we continued travelling north until we got to Zelezny Brod.  We tried to see a glass factory there but unfortunately because of the economy, many of the factories have been closed down.  We continued on to Liberec which is very close to the northern border.  We checked into our hostel and then set off for the Aquapark called:  Babylon.  Because of mom's tattoo she wasn't able to get in the water but the rest of us swam and swam and went down water slides.  It felt great acting like a kid again.  After an hour, I got out so I could keep mom company and I am glad I did because she was having some language issues with the waiter at the Mexican restaurant.  Apparently she wanted nachos and got a plate of chips.  Then she tried to ask for salsa and got some green substance.  Eventually she ordered a beer and was super excited to see me so I could help translate.

Jested

     Sun:  We drove back down south to the Jablonec nad Nisou area and found a working glass factory that you can take a tour off.  You get to see an actual working glass factory.  They work in teams and they produce about 500 pieces of glass a day.  They work for 4 days on and then 4 days off and only make about 5.00 an hour.  After the factory we drove to the Czech Paradise region and drove up to Jested.  It is a hotel on  top of a mountain.  Unfortunately the weather was HORRIBLE and we really couldn't see anything beyond the fog.  We had a cup of coffee and good conversation which is the most important thing anyway.

Lloyd, Michal, Mom, Lubos, Eva, Johana, Katerina

Glass Factor

Dinner at Chris and Hilary's

       Mon:  Monday was our final day in Tabor.  We started by having a WONDERFUL BBQ at Chris and Hilary's.  Chris BBQ'd a lamb for us and we had some great amazing home made Chris food.  For dessert he made home made Brownies (which are not a norm in the Czech Republic) and home made ice cream....I think I gained AT LEAST 5 pounds at the BBQ.  After the BBQ we met up with everyone at a local pub in the main square called MP7.  Teachers/colleagues/friends/former students came to say hello to Katerina and good-bye to me.  It was very bitter sweet.  Katerina, Hilary, Stacey, and I put on a lip syncing performance for the audience.  We were Guns and Roses. I was Axel, Kat was Slash and Hilary and Stacey were back up band members.  We sang Knocking on Heaven's Door and as nervous as I was, we did an amazing job.

Home made ice cream and brownies

Katerina "Slash"

Me "Axel"

Me and Lenka (student)

Iva and Jana:  Good Friends of  mine

Mirek and Martin:  Good Friends of Mine

Sabina, Ida, and Katka:  Colleagues and Friends

Katerina and 4D Students

         Tues:  Katerina, Lloyd, and I headed to Prague.  We spent the day exploring Prague and eventually said our sad "see you laters" to Katerina.  The time just flew by too fast and the only saving grace I have is that I know that I will be back to Tabor soon enough to see all my friends again. I also know that Katerina and I have created such an amazing bond and I am so excited to collaborate with her and do some international teaching which is what the Fulbright Program was designed for in the first place.  I am soooo excited to see what new adventures that she and I get into and all the amazing things that are yet to come for us.

         Wed:  Lloyd, Mom, and I left Prague at 7am for our 14+ hours of travelling.  After a long flight, we made it back to Seattle at around 12pm and THANKFULLY ALL my luggage arrived as well.

Kevin and Carla decorated my house to welcome me home

I am still processing all the things that I have accomplished and done this last year.  There is no way to summarize my year in one yet alone a paragraph.  All I can say at this point, is that this has been the best year of my life and a life changing opportunity.  I am the biggest advocate of the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program and I just feel sooo blessed for all the experiences that I had, the amazing new people that I have met, and the new life long friendships that I have made!!!

Some final reflection thoughts:

What I am looking forward to in the USA:
      my dogs, hands free shower, oreo cookies, English language, Mexican food, dryer (washer and dryer), watching TV on a television and not via computer, and free water and free beverage refills.

What I will miss from the Czech Republic:
     cafe's, Czech language, my friends, grading essays at the cafe's, dumplings, Czech food, walking everywhere

What I am NOT looking forward to in the USA:
     drama, bar fights, busy life styles, being exhausted after work, and my neighbor's yippee dogs

What I will NOT miss about the Czech Republic:
    not understanding the language, hanging my clothes to dry, having to go to the grocery store multiple times a week, and paying for water