During high school and some during college, my friend's and I would make quote books or posters to help us remember funny quotes that we said. We would collect countless ridiculous quotes that would always make us laugh whenever we went back to reread them. As my students become more comfortable in class and start to come out of their shells, they are saying hilarious things and tempted me into creating a quote book. My students were particularly funny this week as I did lots of participation grading. The following are nothing but quotes spoken by my dear, dear students. Enjoy!
-Tom has two girlfriends, he just goes on and on. (Practicing to go idioms)
-Anastazja: What do you call a singer that is not as commercialized and less well known?
Bartosz: Poor.
-There will always be love. . . . I hope.
-Iwo: I go through the roof when I argue with my brother.
Wiktor: Do you even have a brother?
-Miss Hetrick: Yes, I do like to listen to the Beatles.
Wiktor: But we know that the Backstreet Boys are the best band.
Miss Hetrick: Yes, yes there are. Bonus point!
-I like cake! (One student said this about 15 times during class)
-In response to listening to "The Monster Mash": I think it's charming.
-And another student said: This is NOT my jam.
-When asked what the most useful subject they study in school is three students replied in unison: P.E.!
-And a student from a different class said: There are no useful lessons.
-Now that [Michael Jackson] is dead, everyone likes him.
-Szamo:Can we have a Beatles day? No lessons, just listening to the Beatles, watching their movies, and learn about them.
Miss Hetrick: We'll see.
Szamo: I will make a yellow submarine.
Miss Hetrick: Well in that case, definitely yes.
-I prefer to study alone. (Said in response to prompt, "Describe the perfect person that you would want to go steady with." Apparently hearing the difference between steady and study is difficult. Needless to say, hilarity ensued.)
Needless to say there was lots of laughing this week, and I fell a little bit more in love with all of my students. As I collect more quotes will post as additional chapters to Miss Hetrick's Quote Book. Tomorrow is the last day of teaching for the week, and we will be celebrating the Reformation! There is a special lecture and a church service. I am excited to participate in these events, though I will not understand much of anything. I also get the responsibility of walking with one of the classes to the church! This is exciting because I think it means they trust me! This weekend will be a busy one. We're being visited by Steve Nelson, from the Global Missions Office, and by Dee, one of the teachers from Slovakia. This means I've got to get my lesson plans for next week under control now. AKA: time to get to work!
Blessings,
Colleen
29 October 2009
28 October 2009
Going to the Chapel, and We're Gonna Get Married
This post is not about me getting married or engaged or anything like that. Those things will happen in my future, but this post is not about that. So sorry if I got you hopes up about anything. The Atlantic Ocean makes certain things in a relationship rather difficult. . .engagement and marriage being two such things. Instead this post is about Polish wedding traditions. I believe I have mentioned how we have befriended our internet guy and his lovely finance. We get together with them about once a week to share food, drink, and conversation. She is studying to become an English teacher, so in some respects it is good for her education. But more than that they are becoming dear friends, who are willing to help us survive. Last week they shared with us a DVD of her cousin's wedding, and I was amazed by the rich rituals and traditions that are a part of this sacred ceremony. Some are silly and some brought tears to my eyes, even though I didn't know the bride and the groom.
The first thing that is startling is that EVERYTHING is recorded for the wedding DVD. I mean EVERYTHING. From the bride getting ready, to the photo shoot, to the end of the reception. We spent well over an hour and a half watching this DVD and we skipped through some parts.
The bride gets ready for the special day at her parent's home, where she probably still lives. Her mother and sisters (if she has any) help her into her dress and to fix her hair. The family also decorates the outside of the house with balloons and other such decorations. The groom then comes to the house to get the bride for the wedding. He enters the house with his immediate family where he must "purchase" the bride from her family with money, gifts or jewelry. A small scene of bartering takes place which is all in good fun and often includes the offering of a little sister instead or the bride showing the groom only his leg. Eventually the bride's family gives in, and they can see each other for the first time on their special day. The next step is for the parents to bless the couple. This can be as simple as making the sign of the cross on their forehead or it can be a more complicated prayer. Grandparents may also bless the couple. Now they begin the journey to the church.
Now this is not as simple as getting in the car and just driving there. Along the way, friends and strangers alike get in the way of the car that holds the bride and groom and they demand payment of some kind either money, candy or vodka. This is seen as "hush money" to keep the secrets of the groom's past. After some time the bridal party reaches the church and the ceremony can begin. The bride either walks down the aisle by herself or with the groom. Also, instead of bridesmaids or groomsmen there are only two witnesses (a man and a woman) that sign the marriage certificate.
After the church service has ended the newly weds go outside of the church and their friends and family throw change at them and then they collect it. The guests then head on to the reception hall while the couple and the photographer and videographer go take millions of pictures. They often take pictures in nature or around historic sites in town. Once they have finished they also go to the reception hall where the all-night party commences.
The reception has many elements, of which food, drink, and dancing are the most basic, though there are many special traditions. The first one is drinking champagne out of flutes that are tied together with ribbon. After they have drank the champagne, they throw the glasses over the shoulder so that they smash for good luck. The groom must then clean up the pieces with a decorated broom and dustpan. Music is provided by a band that plays traditional music and the certain more modern songs that have become wedding classics. Throughout the reception, the video camera is still rolling and conducts interviews with the guests so that they can give the newly weds a message.
Another special tradition is the giving of parent gifts. The bride and the groom give a speech about all that their parents have done for them, and then present them with a nice gift basket or some similar present. There is also a song that follows that thanks parents for the love and guidance that they have given to their children. There are also special games that are played throughout the reception. One such games has two teams with the same number of people with one person from each team representing a character in a story. Every time the character's name is read aloud, he/she must run around the bench where his/her team sits. It is a silly game that can get very competitive.
At midnight, the bride and the groom throw their special items. Instead of a bouquet and garter, they throw the bride's veil and the groom's tie. Getting these items is a challenge. The bride is surrounded by all of the single ladies in a tight circle. The ladies circle around the bride, and do their best to keep the groom out, while he tries to break through the circle to get to the bride. Once he succeeds, the bride has a turn of breaking through a circle of the single men. But the party does not stop yet. The guests often stay until day break dancing and celebrating the joyous union. I hope that during my time here I am lucky enough to attend a wedding so that I can see all of these wonderful traditions in action! And who knows, maybe some of these traditions will be a part of my own wedding someday.
Blessings,
Colleen
The first thing that is startling is that EVERYTHING is recorded for the wedding DVD. I mean EVERYTHING. From the bride getting ready, to the photo shoot, to the end of the reception. We spent well over an hour and a half watching this DVD and we skipped through some parts.
The bride gets ready for the special day at her parent's home, where she probably still lives. Her mother and sisters (if she has any) help her into her dress and to fix her hair. The family also decorates the outside of the house with balloons and other such decorations. The groom then comes to the house to get the bride for the wedding. He enters the house with his immediate family where he must "purchase" the bride from her family with money, gifts or jewelry. A small scene of bartering takes place which is all in good fun and often includes the offering of a little sister instead or the bride showing the groom only his leg. Eventually the bride's family gives in, and they can see each other for the first time on their special day. The next step is for the parents to bless the couple. This can be as simple as making the sign of the cross on their forehead or it can be a more complicated prayer. Grandparents may also bless the couple. Now they begin the journey to the church.
Now this is not as simple as getting in the car and just driving there. Along the way, friends and strangers alike get in the way of the car that holds the bride and groom and they demand payment of some kind either money, candy or vodka. This is seen as "hush money" to keep the secrets of the groom's past. After some time the bridal party reaches the church and the ceremony can begin. The bride either walks down the aisle by herself or with the groom. Also, instead of bridesmaids or groomsmen there are only two witnesses (a man and a woman) that sign the marriage certificate.
After the church service has ended the newly weds go outside of the church and their friends and family throw change at them and then they collect it. The guests then head on to the reception hall while the couple and the photographer and videographer go take millions of pictures. They often take pictures in nature or around historic sites in town. Once they have finished they also go to the reception hall where the all-night party commences.
The reception has many elements, of which food, drink, and dancing are the most basic, though there are many special traditions. The first one is drinking champagne out of flutes that are tied together with ribbon. After they have drank the champagne, they throw the glasses over the shoulder so that they smash for good luck. The groom must then clean up the pieces with a decorated broom and dustpan. Music is provided by a band that plays traditional music and the certain more modern songs that have become wedding classics. Throughout the reception, the video camera is still rolling and conducts interviews with the guests so that they can give the newly weds a message.
Another special tradition is the giving of parent gifts. The bride and the groom give a speech about all that their parents have done for them, and then present them with a nice gift basket or some similar present. There is also a song that follows that thanks parents for the love and guidance that they have given to their children. There are also special games that are played throughout the reception. One such games has two teams with the same number of people with one person from each team representing a character in a story. Every time the character's name is read aloud, he/she must run around the bench where his/her team sits. It is a silly game that can get very competitive.
At midnight, the bride and the groom throw their special items. Instead of a bouquet and garter, they throw the bride's veil and the groom's tie. Getting these items is a challenge. The bride is surrounded by all of the single ladies in a tight circle. The ladies circle around the bride, and do their best to keep the groom out, while he tries to break through the circle to get to the bride. Once he succeeds, the bride has a turn of breaking through a circle of the single men. But the party does not stop yet. The guests often stay until day break dancing and celebrating the joyous union. I hope that during my time here I am lucky enough to attend a wedding so that I can see all of these wonderful traditions in action! And who knows, maybe some of these traditions will be a part of my own wedding someday.
Blessings,
Colleen
23 October 2009
Can You Feel the Love Tonight?
Another week has flown by, and I have a few thoughts to share about its happenings. First, I want, no need, to share some wonderful student quotes. But allow me to preface them with a small story. When I was in college I took Ancient Greek for two semesters, both during my senior year, and I LOVED it. It was honestly one of the most fun classes I have ever taken for several reasons. It was interesting to learn, I had great friends in the class, and we got to create sentences. My friends and I always wrote sentences about big tents and had so much fun doing it. In fact, I am fairly certain that we annoyed our teacher because of how much fun we had and tortured her with our ridiculousness. Well, Dr. Berenson, I am getting back everything I gave to you tenfold, and let me tell you I am LOVING it. These are sentences that my students created this week that I am particularly proud of:
-He realized he had gone too far when he blew up the house.
-I never do drugs.
-Their last class had been canceled so they went to sky dive.
Today was also the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the Gimnazjum Towarzystwa Ewangelickiego (GTE), which is the middle school. The school building was decorated with balloons and posters made by the students. We also had a celebratory ceremony at the church. There were several speeches by the directors and the previous director. The theater club did a skit about what it means to be an individual, and the choir sang. This was the first time I was able to hear the choir, and I was totally blown away by their ability. They are amazing! Their version of "Kum Ba Yah," almost brought me to tears because of how beautifully they performed it. (The fact that the words were also in English also contributed to the swell of emotion.) Of course after they sang this, they transitioned in "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" from The Lion King. I mean, duh, Disney music is the perfect music to mark such a formal occasion. And what makes it all better is that this is the SECOND time I have heard "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" sung by a Polish school choir in this church. I cannot wait for the day that they break into "Hakuna Matata."
This weekend should be quiet one. We're taking a short adventure to the Czech Republic to figure out our airport situation, and I will be visiting a friend in another nearby village on Sunday. And Monday brings the last week of October. Wow!
Blessings,
Colleen
-He realized he had gone too far when he blew up the house.
-I never do drugs.
-Their last class had been canceled so they went to sky dive.
Today was also the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the Gimnazjum Towarzystwa Ewangelickiego (GTE), which is the middle school. The school building was decorated with balloons and posters made by the students. We also had a celebratory ceremony at the church. There were several speeches by the directors and the previous director. The theater club did a skit about what it means to be an individual, and the choir sang. This was the first time I was able to hear the choir, and I was totally blown away by their ability. They are amazing! Their version of "Kum Ba Yah," almost brought me to tears because of how beautifully they performed it. (The fact that the words were also in English also contributed to the swell of emotion.) Of course after they sang this, they transitioned in "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" from The Lion King. I mean, duh, Disney music is the perfect music to mark such a formal occasion. And what makes it all better is that this is the SECOND time I have heard "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" sung by a Polish school choir in this church. I cannot wait for the day that they break into "Hakuna Matata."
This weekend should be quiet one. We're taking a short adventure to the Czech Republic to figure out our airport situation, and I will be visiting a friend in another nearby village on Sunday. And Monday brings the last week of October. Wow!
Blessings,
Colleen
22 October 2009
Lights of Love
In college, one of my favorite assignments was given by Dr. Hakkenberg, the director of our Honors Program, in my Honors 105 class. He called it a small writing. It's basically a page-long story about something that has impacted you or a memorable experience. I am having my faculty students write them, and I decided to write one as well. After all, there are only three of them in the class, and I am supposed to be building relationships with them. I thought it would be cool to post mine, so that more people could read it. It's titled, "Lights of Love."
“We know the door is open, as it always will remain.”
-Lyrics from Peace
Friday after dinner we all start to walk down towards the Amphitheater. Campers, young and old, and staff members—we all walk across the fields and through the woods so that we can celebrate the close of another week at camp. My family and I find a bench on the left side, our usual side, and spread a blanket across the wooden seat so that the water on the bench doesn’t soak into our pants. I watch everyone else file in. Some faces I have known for over 19 years, but some I have only met this week. But that does not matter because we are all coming together to celebrate this moment.
Sitting with my family for the closing worship service is a sacred family ritual that we have practiced for many years. Though I have shared this with countless campers during my summers as a counselor at camp, nothing compares to sharing the service with my family. The service always follows the same comforting pattern: songs, readings, and an inspiring message from the camp’s director, Randy. Then, after we receive communion, the time for affirmation comes. We are instructed, as we have been countless times before, to take time to bless one another. Parent telling child, and child telling parent, where we see God in the other person.
I hold hands with my parents in turn and receive their blessing. They describe how far I have come from their little baby who was born a month early and from their little girl who dreamed of becoming a ballerina and twirled incessantly around the house. They explain how they could never stop me from leaving America for a year, and that even though they will miss me, they are so proud of me for taking this leap of faith to become a missionary.
Then it is my turn to bless, but it is hard for me to find the words to say. I am grown, a functional adult because of all of the love and work that my parents poured into me as I grew; yet, I could not find the words to thank them, to tell them what a difference their support has made. I stumbled through several sentence of gratitude, and I hope that through my tears they could understand what I could not say, but felt deep in my heart.
We then lit four candles to represent my parents, my brother, and I, and place them into our family’s wooden cross. I slowly walked towards the small pond in the front of the Amphitheater and set the cross on top of the water so it can float. In the next few minutes, the whole pond is lit up from the crosses of all the families gathered. The light is captivating and glows brightly in darkness that has settled upon us. Though each candle burns independently, all of the light is united, representing the one love and the one community we feel tonight.
“We know the door is open, as it always will remain.”
-Lyrics from Peace
Friday after dinner we all start to walk down towards the Amphitheater. Campers, young and old, and staff members—we all walk across the fields and through the woods so that we can celebrate the close of another week at camp. My family and I find a bench on the left side, our usual side, and spread a blanket across the wooden seat so that the water on the bench doesn’t soak into our pants. I watch everyone else file in. Some faces I have known for over 19 years, but some I have only met this week. But that does not matter because we are all coming together to celebrate this moment.
Sitting with my family for the closing worship service is a sacred family ritual that we have practiced for many years. Though I have shared this with countless campers during my summers as a counselor at camp, nothing compares to sharing the service with my family. The service always follows the same comforting pattern: songs, readings, and an inspiring message from the camp’s director, Randy. Then, after we receive communion, the time for affirmation comes. We are instructed, as we have been countless times before, to take time to bless one another. Parent telling child, and child telling parent, where we see God in the other person.
I hold hands with my parents in turn and receive their blessing. They describe how far I have come from their little baby who was born a month early and from their little girl who dreamed of becoming a ballerina and twirled incessantly around the house. They explain how they could never stop me from leaving America for a year, and that even though they will miss me, they are so proud of me for taking this leap of faith to become a missionary.
Then it is my turn to bless, but it is hard for me to find the words to say. I am grown, a functional adult because of all of the love and work that my parents poured into me as I grew; yet, I could not find the words to thank them, to tell them what a difference their support has made. I stumbled through several sentence of gratitude, and I hope that through my tears they could understand what I could not say, but felt deep in my heart.
We then lit four candles to represent my parents, my brother, and I, and place them into our family’s wooden cross. I slowly walked towards the small pond in the front of the Amphitheater and set the cross on top of the water so it can float. In the next few minutes, the whole pond is lit up from the crosses of all the families gathered. The light is captivating and glows brightly in darkness that has settled upon us. Though each candle burns independently, all of the light is united, representing the one love and the one community we feel tonight.
18 October 2009
Mission Impossible?
As I wrote about in my previous post, we had our first snowfall. Since I did not bring any snow boots with me because I couldn't find any in July, I had to go and try to find them here. This proved to be much more difficult than I originally anticipated. In fact, it sort of became a mission impossible.
Stage 1: On Wednesday afternoon I braved the snow and the cold in hopes of finding boots. I walked up and down the streets around the Market Square. I went in at least five stores and looked at countless pairs of boots. None were what I was looking for, in that they did not have enough treads or their heels were ridiculous. The one pair that I found that I liked did not come in my size. I returned home somewhat defeated, but with hope and my great rain boots to help keep out the wet.
Stage 2: Thursday while I was teaching I noticed something terrible-a huge slice in my rain boots. I officially had no waterproof shoes! I knew I had to do something about this and soon. After I was done teaching I went to Kaufland's for groceries, but decided to stop in the shoe store that is outside of it. I found a great pair of boots. . but unfortunately they did not come in my size. They were all to small. So close, but no cigar.
Stage 3: Meghan was here for the weekend, so we decided to catch a bus on Saturday to a city about 45 minutes away, Bielsko Biala, where there are two big shopping centers. Riding the bus was no problem, and we found the mall with relatively no problem. The first pair of boots I tried on at the first shoe store was perfect! They were warm and had good treads! My only concern was that they were not waterproof. I was told that they did not have waterproofing spray in Poland, but I noticed that there were lots of bottles of things behind the counter. So by pointing at the word waterproof on a piece of paper and by making a spraying motion, I discovered that they do have it. BIG SUCCESS!
Now I have warm, waterproof boots for the winter. I am thankful that I was able to find boots before the real winter sets in. Luckily, not everything is such a challenge to buy, and I have found everything else I have needed in Cieszyn. However, knowing where else I can buy things is quite the relief. The next mission: jeans.
Stage 1: On Wednesday afternoon I braved the snow and the cold in hopes of finding boots. I walked up and down the streets around the Market Square. I went in at least five stores and looked at countless pairs of boots. None were what I was looking for, in that they did not have enough treads or their heels were ridiculous. The one pair that I found that I liked did not come in my size. I returned home somewhat defeated, but with hope and my great rain boots to help keep out the wet.
Stage 2: Thursday while I was teaching I noticed something terrible-a huge slice in my rain boots. I officially had no waterproof shoes! I knew I had to do something about this and soon. After I was done teaching I went to Kaufland's for groceries, but decided to stop in the shoe store that is outside of it. I found a great pair of boots. . but unfortunately they did not come in my size. They were all to small. So close, but no cigar.
Stage 3: Meghan was here for the weekend, so we decided to catch a bus on Saturday to a city about 45 minutes away, Bielsko Biala, where there are two big shopping centers. Riding the bus was no problem, and we found the mall with relatively no problem. The first pair of boots I tried on at the first shoe store was perfect! They were warm and had good treads! My only concern was that they were not waterproof. I was told that they did not have waterproofing spray in Poland, but I noticed that there were lots of bottles of things behind the counter. So by pointing at the word waterproof on a piece of paper and by making a spraying motion, I discovered that they do have it. BIG SUCCESS!
Now I have warm, waterproof boots for the winter. I am thankful that I was able to find boots before the real winter sets in. Luckily, not everything is such a challenge to buy, and I have found everything else I have needed in Cieszyn. However, knowing where else I can buy things is quite the relief. The next mission: jeans.
14 October 2009
Dear Poland: It's Still October
I have concluded that this country needs a little reminder of what month it is, and I have taken this task upon myself. I am willing to do this dirty job. So here it goes:
Dear Poland:
It is still OCTOBER.
Love,
Colleen
PS- It's the middle of OCTOBER too!
There are two main reasons that I have felt compelled to share this message with the beautiful country in which I now reside. I am also going to go out on a limb and venture to say that the two reasons are in fact related.
My first reason for believing that Poland is confused is Christmas decoration are already out at Kaufland's (the grocery store I frequent). And I do not just mean a single little display. There is an entire aisle AND a half devoted to Christmas. We're talking about ornaments, tinsel, lights, decorations, and artificial trees, basically the whole nine yards! Granted there is also an aisle for All Saints Day candles, but that is in two weeks, so there presence in the store makes a lot more sense. It is the middle of OCTOBER, and there are Christmas decorations out. Has Poland beat America? It seems that without Halloween or Thanksgiving to act as buffers, there is nothing stopping the Poles from jumping straight to Christmas.
The second reason was a mere threat at the beginning of the week, but now is a reality: SNOW. I am not ready for it to be snowing, but apparently Poland does not care about my preferences. I know that I grew up in Erie where we had to plan our Halloween costumes around our snow suits, and maybe that sort of upbringing should have made be stronger or whatever. However, I am not ready for snow in the MIDDLE of OCTOBER. Also, I realize that Celsius temperatures are different from Fahrenheit temperatures, but single digit temperatures still scare me! It is 1 degree outside right now. 1!!! I know that this means it is 33.8 degrees Fahrenheit, but I don't care. I guess the snow is pretty, and it's not sticking to the ground, so I should not get too worked up. Regardless I need to go shopping this afternoon to get proper winter boots.
Now I would like to connect the two reasons that I have explained. The snow and confusion is Kaufland's fault. The store is confusing Mother Nature. She has seen the Christmas decorations out and she is excited. So I suppose I should amend my previous letter:
Dear Kaufland's,
Please put your Christmas decorations away so that it can stop snowing.
Love,
Colleen
PS-It's the MIDDLE of OCTOBER!
With all this being said, yesterday and today are sort of like Christmas because it's Teacher's Day! I think we have this holiday in America, but we do not celebrate it to same degree as the students at my school. Teachers were given food, flowers, cake, candy, small gifts, and musical performances! It was the best day of school so far and was totally worth getting out of bed to brave the single digit temperatures. Also, there is no school today! I got to sleep in and can go boot shopping! This weekend will also be Christmas-like because my friend from Slovakia, Meghan, is coming to visit! Well, I am off to enjoy Teacher's Day!
Blessings,
Colleen
Dear Poland:
It is still OCTOBER.
Love,
Colleen
PS- It's the middle of OCTOBER too!
There are two main reasons that I have felt compelled to share this message with the beautiful country in which I now reside. I am also going to go out on a limb and venture to say that the two reasons are in fact related.
My first reason for believing that Poland is confused is Christmas decoration are already out at Kaufland's (the grocery store I frequent). And I do not just mean a single little display. There is an entire aisle AND a half devoted to Christmas. We're talking about ornaments, tinsel, lights, decorations, and artificial trees, basically the whole nine yards! Granted there is also an aisle for All Saints Day candles, but that is in two weeks, so there presence in the store makes a lot more sense. It is the middle of OCTOBER, and there are Christmas decorations out. Has Poland beat America? It seems that without Halloween or Thanksgiving to act as buffers, there is nothing stopping the Poles from jumping straight to Christmas.
The second reason was a mere threat at the beginning of the week, but now is a reality: SNOW. I am not ready for it to be snowing, but apparently Poland does not care about my preferences. I know that I grew up in Erie where we had to plan our Halloween costumes around our snow suits, and maybe that sort of upbringing should have made be stronger or whatever. However, I am not ready for snow in the MIDDLE of OCTOBER. Also, I realize that Celsius temperatures are different from Fahrenheit temperatures, but single digit temperatures still scare me! It is 1 degree outside right now. 1!!! I know that this means it is 33.8 degrees Fahrenheit, but I don't care. I guess the snow is pretty, and it's not sticking to the ground, so I should not get too worked up. Regardless I need to go shopping this afternoon to get proper winter boots.
Now I would like to connect the two reasons that I have explained. The snow and confusion is Kaufland's fault. The store is confusing Mother Nature. She has seen the Christmas decorations out and she is excited. So I suppose I should amend my previous letter:
Dear Kaufland's,
Please put your Christmas decorations away so that it can stop snowing.
Love,
Colleen
PS-It's the MIDDLE of OCTOBER!
With all this being said, yesterday and today are sort of like Christmas because it's Teacher's Day! I think we have this holiday in America, but we do not celebrate it to same degree as the students at my school. Teachers were given food, flowers, cake, candy, small gifts, and musical performances! It was the best day of school so far and was totally worth getting out of bed to brave the single digit temperatures. Also, there is no school today! I got to sleep in and can go boot shopping! This weekend will also be Christmas-like because my friend from Slovakia, Meghan, is coming to visit! Well, I am off to enjoy Teacher's Day!
Blessings,
Colleen
10 October 2009
MLIA: My Life is Average
This week proved to be pretty basic. A few substitutions, a few schedule changes, but all in all pretty average. What a relief! It's so nice to have something to be able to call average. I think this means I am finally settling in. So I thought I would use this post to look take a closer look at one of my classes and share some good student quotes.
On Monday mornings from 8-9:35 in the morning I have the same three seminar students. They are third graders (seniors) and are taking this class to help them get ready for the Matura (school leaving exam). They will be graded on their reading, writing, listening, and speaking abilities. In addition to seeing them for this class, I also have them for their regular conversation lesson with the rest of their class. I have enjoyed working with them and getting to know them more personally. However, I often wonder what are the most productive exercises to help them. They are prep books, like for the SATs, but the problem is that all of the directions, and a lot of the prompts are in Polish. As the year goes on, I'm sure the other teachers will help me figure out what is the best thing to do. The plan for this Monday? The Matrix followed by a writing prompt.
And here are the top three student quotes from the week:
-"But I do not have a rubber." I've learned that in British English rubber means eraser. . .NOT a condom.
-This is what Artur said when I called on him to answer a question that another student had trouble with: "If she would have said something I would agree with it." So creative, still no points.
-"What does pooping mean?" They really did not know. Awkward moment.
So that is all for my average life today! Off to lesson plan and relax on this average Saturday!
Blessings,
Colleen
On Monday mornings from 8-9:35 in the morning I have the same three seminar students. They are third graders (seniors) and are taking this class to help them get ready for the Matura (school leaving exam). They will be graded on their reading, writing, listening, and speaking abilities. In addition to seeing them for this class, I also have them for their regular conversation lesson with the rest of their class. I have enjoyed working with them and getting to know them more personally. However, I often wonder what are the most productive exercises to help them. They are prep books, like for the SATs, but the problem is that all of the directions, and a lot of the prompts are in Polish. As the year goes on, I'm sure the other teachers will help me figure out what is the best thing to do. The plan for this Monday? The Matrix followed by a writing prompt.
And here are the top three student quotes from the week:
-"But I do not have a rubber." I've learned that in British English rubber means eraser. . .NOT a condom.
-This is what Artur said when I called on him to answer a question that another student had trouble with: "If she would have said something I would agree with it." So creative, still no points.
-"What does pooping mean?" They really did not know. Awkward moment.
So that is all for my average life today! Off to lesson plan and relax on this average Saturday!
Blessings,
Colleen
05 October 2009
"God likes it best when I speak to Him in English."*
I sang to God in English.
I do not know if you realized how profound this statement was, so let me repeat.
I sang to God in English.
I sang to God in English with others.
I heard the Word of God read to me in English.
I listened to a message live in English.
This past Sunday was the first of monthly English Worship meetings and I fought back tears of joy, homesickness, thanksgiving, praise, and yearning for the majority of the service. I've gone to church almost every week since I've moved to Poland and have found meaning and felt God in the services without knowing any other words than God, Jesus, and thank you. I have sat in the pews and reflected on how I am one of millions who have sat in this old, old church over the years to be with God. I have felt small in this church, and I have been forgiven in this church, even if I didn't know the words of the confession. I have participated in both of the Sacraments and marveled about how God works in this world. But this Sunday, in the large meeting room of the school, I sang to God in English, my mothertongue. And you know what? I think He loved it. . . a lot.
*The title to this post comes from one of my friends, Meghan. She is also a recent college grad, "Future Pastor of America," and teacher in Tisovec, Slovakia. She's the one from the epic hike. Her goal is to worship in as many languages as she can this year. She is loving the cross-cultural experience, but recognizes the power and gratitude that flows when you can worship God in your own language when you have not been able to in a long time.
I do not know if you realized how profound this statement was, so let me repeat.
I sang to God in English.
I sang to God in English with others.
I heard the Word of God read to me in English.
I listened to a message live in English.
This past Sunday was the first of monthly English Worship meetings and I fought back tears of joy, homesickness, thanksgiving, praise, and yearning for the majority of the service. I've gone to church almost every week since I've moved to Poland and have found meaning and felt God in the services without knowing any other words than God, Jesus, and thank you. I have sat in the pews and reflected on how I am one of millions who have sat in this old, old church over the years to be with God. I have felt small in this church, and I have been forgiven in this church, even if I didn't know the words of the confession. I have participated in both of the Sacraments and marveled about how God works in this world. But this Sunday, in the large meeting room of the school, I sang to God in English, my mothertongue. And you know what? I think He loved it. . . a lot.
*The title to this post comes from one of my friends, Meghan. She is also a recent college grad, "Future Pastor of America," and teacher in Tisovec, Slovakia. She's the one from the epic hike. Her goal is to worship in as many languages as she can this year. She is loving the cross-cultural experience, but recognizes the power and gratitude that flows when you can worship God in your own language when you have not been able to in a long time.
01 October 2009
What a Difference Six Months Makes
A little more than six months ago I had just turned in my senior year Plenary Enrichment Program paper for the RC Honors Program. This paper was my reflection on my last year of college and how college as a whole had changed me as a person. I titled this paper "Jumping Into the Abyss," because at that point in time I had no idea where I was going to be or what I was going to be doing. I could very well be at seminary somewhere right now, working on Greek homework instead of sitting at my computer in Poland having soup for dinner. But I'm not at seminary. I'm in Poland. What a difference six months makes.
Six months ago today, April 1st, 2009, I stormed into the Chaplain's Office at RC and said "Everyone's life is coming together and mine is falling apart," and demanded to have an appointment with someone for that afternoon. And it honestly felt like everything was falling apart. I had no health insurance, an expired debit card, an unfinished Honors Project, no life plan for after graduation, and more stress than I knew how to handle. This was also the day that I started my applications to seminaries because I needed to have something in my control. My life didn't fall apart though; it was just coming together more slowly than I wanted it to. What a difference six months makes.
The time between then and now has been a busy journey. I graduated from college! I turned 23 with some of my best friends by my side. I got a job! I drove the longest distance I have driven by myself to TN to Nickolas, and then worked a VA Synod youth event. I suffered through my first and second flat tires. I got to be a part of the wedding for two of my closest friends, but missed four other weddings. I went to NOLA for the ELCA youth event and smoked a cigar walking Bourbon Street. Two weeks were spent at Lutherlyn. I rode a train for the first time by myself to go to Boston to Nickolas. I have said countless goodbyes and shed countless tears. I moved across the world. What a difference six months makes.
In six more months I will still be in Poland and I will have made a decision about what seminary I will attend in Fall 2010. However, who knows what else will happen between now and then. It's all an adventure, a life changing adventure in faith, to quote Lutherlyn's motto. But the moral of the story for today is: what a difference six months makes.
Peace,
Colleen
Six months ago today, April 1st, 2009, I stormed into the Chaplain's Office at RC and said "Everyone's life is coming together and mine is falling apart," and demanded to have an appointment with someone for that afternoon. And it honestly felt like everything was falling apart. I had no health insurance, an expired debit card, an unfinished Honors Project, no life plan for after graduation, and more stress than I knew how to handle. This was also the day that I started my applications to seminaries because I needed to have something in my control. My life didn't fall apart though; it was just coming together more slowly than I wanted it to. What a difference six months makes.
The time between then and now has been a busy journey. I graduated from college! I turned 23 with some of my best friends by my side. I got a job! I drove the longest distance I have driven by myself to TN to Nickolas, and then worked a VA Synod youth event. I suffered through my first and second flat tires. I got to be a part of the wedding for two of my closest friends, but missed four other weddings. I went to NOLA for the ELCA youth event and smoked a cigar walking Bourbon Street. Two weeks were spent at Lutherlyn. I rode a train for the first time by myself to go to Boston to Nickolas. I have said countless goodbyes and shed countless tears. I moved across the world. What a difference six months makes.
In six more months I will still be in Poland and I will have made a decision about what seminary I will attend in Fall 2010. However, who knows what else will happen between now and then. It's all an adventure, a life changing adventure in faith, to quote Lutherlyn's motto. But the moral of the story for today is: what a difference six months makes.
Peace,
Colleen
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