Sunday, December 14, 2008
I havent bought presents yet!
I really need to do it soon... only 11 days till Christmas!! Thats all. Tell me what you all want for Christmas
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Winter blues/ a time of growth
Chapter 2
I am in my 4th month in Czech Republic. I find it appropriate that this time in my stay here is coinciding with winter. When I arrived everything was new, exciting, beautiful. The days were the perfect temperature. Prague looked like a scene from a fairytale book. The spires pointing to the heavens with a golden sunset setting over the Vltava River. The year was just beginning.
I am now surrounded by the skeletons of the trees. Piles of dead leaves. A cold that this Texas boy isn't accustomed to. The newness has worn off. The exciting beginning, as with everything, has turned into daily routine.
While that may sound gloomy and depressing (which it can be on some days), don't mistake my observances with me wishing I wasn't here. Some days are difficult. I don't enjoy the 2 mile walk at 7:30 in the morning across town to teach, when it is so cold that I wear a sweater, hoodie, heavy coat, scarf, gloves, warm hat... and STILL am cold.
But then there are days when I walk into my class and I have a fun lesson planned and I feel like they learned something and enjoyed it. Then after go to the pub with a few of my (adult) students and just get to know them. Get in their lives.
Or when I went to Prague with Barbra and Ondra (the 2 kids from the family I teach) and watched James Bond and just hung out... I felt like their older brother, which I like.
So, right now Spiritually, I am wrestling over a lot of things. Like I said in earlier posts, I am trying to push myself to develop the disciplines I really want in life. Spending time deep in scripture. Not just reading it, but trying to really understand it and what it means in my life. Building up defenses in the areas of my life that I know I struggle with.
I want to look back on my time here and see the growth and glorify the Lord in the work he has done in me, because in everything I accomplish whether in my life or the lives of others will be through his power. I do feel a little bit like a hermit at times. Deep in my own thoughts, analyzing my actions, my life. Talking with the Spirit to show me areas of my life to be working on... and he has.
The reality of our existence is so much more than what we in our flesh live for, that we must daily FORCE ourselves to see through the lens of the bigger picture. That no matter what our job is, how many friends we have, what we will do that weekend, who we will marry, how we will make it this month financially... ALL OF THOSE THINGS are nothing compared to our relationship with him. Many of those are important aspects I realize. I am writing this not to preach, but really to remind myself when I come back to read this... all things line up when our focus is right. Line up might not be easy living, or the "good life," but what better place to live than in the cover of the LIVING GOD.
So.. I will give anyone interested a rundown of what has been going on this past month.
Well, Mom and Dad came to visit Brady and I on the 13th of November. They flew into Prague and I rushed after one of my classes to meet them at the airport. It was so amazing to see them. plus... they brought Goodies! Dr. Pepper, Cheddar Cheese, random cooking stuff, clothes. It was like early Christmas for me. They stayed here in Kralupy for 2 nights because I had to teach still. On Friday, we hopped on a train and went up to Herrnhut to see Brady. We got to stay with him at their YWAM place. It was really great to see where he was living and meet all of the people who were on that journey with him.
Then we all went to Dresden for a few days to relax and just hang out. We got to go see some really beautiful churches and buildings, But mainly just talked, hung out, Got to watch dad take his first sip of beer.. EVER, which blew the mind of our German waiter. It was really great.
We had to get back because Brady was going on a outreach for a few days with YWAM, and I had to teach. So we got back to Prague on Sunday night. Mom and Dad were tired and went ahead to their hotel, and I met up with the Prague crew to go see Cold War Kids in concert, which was awesome.
I am now surrounded by the skeletons of the trees. Piles of dead leaves. A cold that this Texas boy isn't accustomed to. The newness has worn off. The exciting beginning, as with everything, has turned into daily routine.
While that may sound gloomy and depressing (which it can be on some days), don't mistake my observances with me wishing I wasn't here. Some days are difficult. I don't enjoy the 2 mile walk at 7:30 in the morning across town to teach, when it is so cold that I wear a sweater, hoodie, heavy coat, scarf, gloves, warm hat... and STILL am cold.
But then there are days when I walk into my class and I have a fun lesson planned and I feel like they learned something and enjoyed it. Then after go to the pub with a few of my (adult) students and just get to know them. Get in their lives.
Or when I went to Prague with Barbra and Ondra (the 2 kids from the family I teach) and watched James Bond and just hung out... I felt like their older brother, which I like.
So, right now Spiritually, I am wrestling over a lot of things. Like I said in earlier posts, I am trying to push myself to develop the disciplines I really want in life. Spending time deep in scripture. Not just reading it, but trying to really understand it and what it means in my life. Building up defenses in the areas of my life that I know I struggle with.
I want to look back on my time here and see the growth and glorify the Lord in the work he has done in me, because in everything I accomplish whether in my life or the lives of others will be through his power. I do feel a little bit like a hermit at times. Deep in my own thoughts, analyzing my actions, my life. Talking with the Spirit to show me areas of my life to be working on... and he has.
The reality of our existence is so much more than what we in our flesh live for, that we must daily FORCE ourselves to see through the lens of the bigger picture. That no matter what our job is, how many friends we have, what we will do that weekend, who we will marry, how we will make it this month financially... ALL OF THOSE THINGS are nothing compared to our relationship with him. Many of those are important aspects I realize. I am writing this not to preach, but really to remind myself when I come back to read this... all things line up when our focus is right. Line up might not be easy living, or the "good life," but what better place to live than in the cover of the LIVING GOD.
So.. I will give anyone interested a rundown of what has been going on this past month.
Well, Mom and Dad came to visit Brady and I on the 13th of November. They flew into Prague and I rushed after one of my classes to meet them at the airport. It was so amazing to see them. plus... they brought Goodies! Dr. Pepper, Cheddar Cheese, random cooking stuff, clothes. It was like early Christmas for me. They stayed here in Kralupy for 2 nights because I had to teach still. On Friday, we hopped on a train and went up to Herrnhut to see Brady. We got to stay with him at their YWAM place. It was really great to see where he was living and meet all of the people who were on that journey with him.
Then we all went to Dresden for a few days to relax and just hang out. We got to go see some really beautiful churches and buildings, But mainly just talked, hung out, Got to watch dad take his first sip of beer.. EVER, which blew the mind of our German waiter. It was really great.
We had to get back because Brady was going on a outreach for a few days with YWAM, and I had to teach. So we got back to Prague on Sunday night. Mom and Dad were tired and went ahead to their hotel, and I met up with the Prague crew to go see Cold War Kids in concert, which was awesome.
A picture of Brady out in front of the main Cathedral in Dresden
The fam on top of the top of the Cathedral (you can see the top of it in the picture above)
So mom and dad went to Austria for a few days while I had to work on Tuesday and Wednesday. Then came back Wednesday night to spend it with me before I had to leave on Thursday morning to go to the ESI thanksgiving retreat. It was so great to see them and for them to see my life over here.
So on Thursday I went with all of the Praguers to a small town in Southeast Czech Republic where everyone in the Central Europe team was meeting for our Thanksgiving retreat. I wont really go into it. It was great fun. Got to see everyone. Katie and I played a Nickel Creek Song for the talent show. Had some really good talks with people. All in all a very good weekend.
The Central Europe Team at the Retreat
So jump to this past weekend. I had the opportunity to go to a Ples (which just means ball) in Prague with the guys there. So this is kinda the equivalent to senior prom.. but amazingly different. It is a very formal thing. Everyone dressed in suits and formal dresses. But the most amazing part was that the night was filled with traditional ballroom dancing. Now, granted, I'm not really skilled in ballroom dancing, but it was fun nonetheless.The Students Dancing at the Ples
Me and Gina At Ples
So, lastly we had a big Prague Thanksgiving. This one was more of a "traditional Thanksgiving." Steph and I took on the endeavor of cooking for around 20 people. Steph in charge of the 2 Turkeys and me in charge of most of the sides. Everyone pitched in though. Britt had her amazing sweet potatoes and helped me make my cherry pie look awesome. Anyways, It was a very big undertaking because the ovens in Czech aren't near as big as in the states, and so getting everything cooked and timed right... it was a challenge but in the end it was great! Not only that, but we had ESIers, Czechs, other teachers, all come. It was a blast.
I'm not going to lie. I passed out at like 8:30 because I get a little stressed when cooking for that many people, and cooking from 8:30- 3:00 in the afternoon.... I was mentally tired.
The Prague Thanksgiving.
I hope all of you are doing well.. please feel free to email or leave a comment. I love hearing from people from home!
Be blessed,
Aaron
Friday, November 7, 2008
He is forever... just think about that for a second.
So this week I think God said. "alright Aaron, you're settled in.. your adapting well... it's time to get to work on the reasons I brought you here." And procceded to unleash craziness on me. I feel like I am in a mental/spiritual boot camp. Everything that God is ready for me to get out of my life, the Spirit is convicting me in a huge way. It is unlike anything I have felt. It is this constant, every hour, having to choose to get out of habits I didnt even realize I had.
Basically the words I got were.
Basically the words I got were.
"Stop thinking that one day you will become who You want to be, Be it today. You arent pushing yourself to strive for me. To strive for holiness. It's time to grow up, because I have work to do through you."
So this week has been a little rough. But has been amazing. To think that we communicate directly with this being we call God. A being so unlike everything else that he has no beginning and no end. He is outside of time, outside of space, he has no limits on his power... NO LIMITS. And the kicker is.. this God knows us better than we even know ourselves, and loves us in a way no one ever can or ever will.
We hear these things. "God loves us" "He only wants what is best for us." But think about the very nature of God ... dwell on it for even a minute, and you realize how powerful that is. How it should change every action you have. Every thought.
The sad part is it doesn't. Sin has made it so difficult for us to pursue that. We get distracted and the scope of our lives often ends with us... So to any and all who read this... I give anyone full permission to at any point challenge me and ask me how I am changing. How I am everyday choosing righteousness over sin. And how it is only through Christ that I am capable of this. Submitting to the will of our Abba father.
We hear these things. "God loves us" "He only wants what is best for us." But think about the very nature of God ... dwell on it for even a minute, and you realize how powerful that is. How it should change every action you have. Every thought.
The sad part is it doesn't. Sin has made it so difficult for us to pursue that. We get distracted and the scope of our lives often ends with us... So to any and all who read this... I give anyone full permission to at any point challenge me and ask me how I am changing. How I am everyday choosing righteousness over sin. And how it is only through Christ that I am capable of this. Submitting to the will of our Abba father.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Fall break is over... back to work.
So Fall break is over.. and it was pretty great. I was finished with classes on Friday by noon, and from then until the next Thursday, I spent it relaxing and hanging out with awesome people. Brady and Gabe, one of his friends from YWAM, as well as Cat and Mary, who came in from Budapest. So Saturday night was filled with most of the Praguers and our visitors hanging out and seeing some of the main places in Prague.
It was great to spend time with everyone. I got to talk with Brady about what God is doing in both of our lives, and how grateful we are to be able to serve him in our different ways and the opportunities to be doing what we are. Brady got to tell me about some exciting new possibilities of serving in Africa in some awesome things that God is doing there. It really is pretty amazing to see the two of us now and see how amazing God can transform people, and the great news is there is still so much transforming to be done.
Sadly enough, Brady and Gabe only got to stay for a day, so they left on Sunday.
But then I got to spend the rest of the week with Cat and Mary... and of course Frank, Britt, Gina, Ben, and Joseph, who all live in Prague. It was so great to have that community, even if it was only for a short time. To spend time and encourage and just have fun with each other. And it was so good to be able to spend time with two amazing girls like Cat and Mary... and get to hear about what all is going on in their life in Hungary.
But like all vacations are.. they must come to an end. But it was a definite shot in the arm getting to spend time with them.
A Picture I took of Brady in Old Town square... one of my favorites of him.
Cat and Mary very excited to be in Starbucks.. since they don't have one in Budapest.
Me and Brady outside of Prague Castle
Ok.. So I have to put this one up. Last night was Ashley Hunt's (one of my fellow teachers) Birthday. We decided, even though it was a day after Halloween, that we needed to have a costume party, so here is me and Joseph, I went as an emo-bear.. Joseph.... his costume must remain a mystery open to interpretation.
And lastly, this is the Kraml Family (along with Ondra who is their daughters friend, the guy on the far left). This family is the one that gave me the bike and who I asked all of you to keep in your prayers. They are pretty awesome.
Thank you all for continuing to keep me in your prayers and what God is doing over here. Also, please be praying that God will guide me in my decision that will need to be made within the next few months of whether I should stay here for another year or not.
Aaron
It was great to spend time with everyone. I got to talk with Brady about what God is doing in both of our lives, and how grateful we are to be able to serve him in our different ways and the opportunities to be doing what we are. Brady got to tell me about some exciting new possibilities of serving in Africa in some awesome things that God is doing there. It really is pretty amazing to see the two of us now and see how amazing God can transform people, and the great news is there is still so much transforming to be done.
Sadly enough, Brady and Gabe only got to stay for a day, so they left on Sunday.
But then I got to spend the rest of the week with Cat and Mary... and of course Frank, Britt, Gina, Ben, and Joseph, who all live in Prague. It was so great to have that community, even if it was only for a short time. To spend time and encourage and just have fun with each other. And it was so good to be able to spend time with two amazing girls like Cat and Mary... and get to hear about what all is going on in their life in Hungary.
But like all vacations are.. they must come to an end. But it was a definite shot in the arm getting to spend time with them.
A Picture I took of Brady in Old Town square... one of my favorites of him.
Cat and Mary very excited to be in Starbucks.. since they don't have one in Budapest.
Me and Brady outside of Prague Castle
Ok.. So I have to put this one up. Last night was Ashley Hunt's (one of my fellow teachers) Birthday. We decided, even though it was a day after Halloween, that we needed to have a costume party, so here is me and Joseph, I went as an emo-bear.. Joseph.... his costume must remain a mystery open to interpretation.
And lastly, this is the Kraml Family (along with Ondra who is their daughters friend, the guy on the far left). This family is the one that gave me the bike and who I asked all of you to keep in your prayers. They are pretty awesome.
Thank you all for continuing to keep me in your prayers and what God is doing over here. Also, please be praying that God will guide me in my decision that will need to be made within the next few months of whether I should stay here for another year or not.Aaron
Thursday, October 23, 2008
A New Ride and Fall Break!
So, something awesome happened. Last Thursday I went and had my class with the Kraml family. They are an awesome family that I teach, and I have begun to get close to them. We have had some good conversations about what we value in life and they have asked me questions about my Christianity... They are great. But anyways we were talking about how they saw me walking on Tuesdays and Thursdays to go teach my class... Bottom line, they offered to let me use one of their bikes that they don't use anymore. IT'S AWESOME! A trip that used to take me 40 minutes to walk, now takes me 13 minutes to bike to!!!
So that has made my week really cool.
Also, starting tomorrow, we have our fall break. After I am done with my 11:00 class I dont have any work until next Thursday. Plans are as follows
Friday night go out with Joseph and some friends here in Kralupy.
Saturday Brady and some of his YWAM peeps are getting in.
The Budapest girls are getting here!!! which I am really excited about! I think Saturday, but Im not sure.
so the next few days I will be hanging out with people I love! and then Tuesday and Wednesday.. relax back here in Kralupy, play guitar, write...
Im excited.
So that has made my week really cool.
Also, starting tomorrow, we have our fall break. After I am done with my 11:00 class I dont have any work until next Thursday. Plans are as follows
Friday night go out with Joseph and some friends here in Kralupy.
Saturday Brady and some of his YWAM peeps are getting in.
The Budapest girls are getting here!!! which I am really excited about! I think Saturday, but Im not sure.
so the next few days I will be hanging out with people I love! and then Tuesday and Wednesday.. relax back here in Kralupy, play guitar, write...
Im excited.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Castles and Trains
So this weekend a few of us GPA-ers (Greater Prague Area, since Joseph and I dont actually live in Prague) made an adventure to Ostrava to visit the girls out there. Steph, Ashley, Frank, and Myself took the 4 hour train ride out there.
As I found out, the problem with Czech trains is, they sell more tickets than they have seats. So basically you have to either pay almost twice as much to "reserve" a seat, or pay a normal price and rush and pray that you get one before everyone else does. Sadly enough, We all didnt get seats. Frank found one, as did Ashley, but for Steph and I, the first 2 hours were spent in the part of the train right in front of the restroom. It wasnt too bad though. Just read and talked. After a few hours, a lot of the people had gotten off, and so we found seats all together.
When we arrived we were greeted by the Ostrava Ladies, Lydia, Bean, Jonna, and Laura. (We were also waiting on Sarah who was coming in from her town.)
But basically the night consited of dancing in an extremely crowded pub called Desperado to 90's music. a lot of fun.
But I will take a moment to tell you that over the past 72 hours I have had a terrible pain in my right shoulder/neck. It felt like a pinched nerve.. so the whole weekend, I was popping alieve and convincing the girls to give me back rubs, however, none of it helped.
On Saturday we took a train an hour out of Ostrava to see a Castle. Apparently It was one of the best kept and biggest castle complexes in Europe. Here are some pictures. If you want to see more you can go to my Flicker site. http://www.flickr.com/photos/31442658@N04/
All in all a good weekend. And I ended up going to a Thai massage place in Prague when I got back on Sunday and this Thai guy kicked my ass, but got the knot out.. So I'm better! Also, I figured out.. if you ever get really tired in a train and there isnt room to lay down.. move all of the bags to one side, and the bag rack makes a great bed... There are some perks to being small.:)
As I found out, the problem with Czech trains is, they sell more tickets than they have seats. So basically you have to either pay almost twice as much to "reserve" a seat, or pay a normal price and rush and pray that you get one before everyone else does. Sadly enough, We all didnt get seats. Frank found one, as did Ashley, but for Steph and I, the first 2 hours were spent in the part of the train right in front of the restroom. It wasnt too bad though. Just read and talked. After a few hours, a lot of the people had gotten off, and so we found seats all together.
When we arrived we were greeted by the Ostrava Ladies, Lydia, Bean, Jonna, and Laura. (We were also waiting on Sarah who was coming in from her town.)
But basically the night consited of dancing in an extremely crowded pub called Desperado to 90's music. a lot of fun.
But I will take a moment to tell you that over the past 72 hours I have had a terrible pain in my right shoulder/neck. It felt like a pinched nerve.. so the whole weekend, I was popping alieve and convincing the girls to give me back rubs, however, none of it helped.
On Saturday we took a train an hour out of Ostrava to see a Castle. Apparently It was one of the best kept and biggest castle complexes in Europe. Here are some pictures. If you want to see more you can go to my Flicker site. http://www.flickr.com/photos/31442658@N04/
All in all a good weekend. And I ended up going to a Thai massage place in Prague when I got back on Sunday and this Thai guy kicked my ass, but got the knot out.. So I'm better! Also, I figured out.. if you ever get really tired in a train and there isnt room to lay down.. move all of the bags to one side, and the bag rack makes a great bed... There are some perks to being small.:)
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
There Will Be Hair
So I decided a while back that when better to let your hair down and go crazy than when you move to Europe. You know... adopt the bohemia lifestyle... I mean.. I live in literal Bohemia... or just west of it. So as Sunday will tell you, I've always said... ok man I'm going to grow my hair out. And a little over a month later when it hits the awkward stage, I chicken out and cut it... But that was AMERICAN me... this is the new BOHEMIAN me. So here today. In front of all of you. I vow that my hair will not be cut (except for a slight trim so my thick hair wont fro) until the new year. I havent cut it since I have been here. So it has already been growing since the end of August.
Be prepared.... That is all. just my public declaration, so you all can hold me accountable, that THERE WILL BE HAIR!
Be prepared.... That is all. just my public declaration, so you all can hold me accountable, that THERE WILL BE HAIR!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Art
So for the past 2 years I havent really been inspired creatively. I have done a few projects for school and for fun, but not the kind of creativity I had before I moved to LA. So it is amazing how just a change of location stirs up all kinds of new thoughts and ideas. So since I have been here I have been so much more creative than I have been.. its amazing. First, I have had to resist taking my camera everywhere. There is something very cool and beautiful about this place, the mixture of modern capitalism against a background of old communist ideas. Throw in beautiful castles and buildings from 1000 years ago. I just want to capture it all. Here are some from the first few weeks of being here.
I have more pictures posted on my facebook you can check out.. I will also probably upload them to flickr soon... I will put the link on here soon.
So next, Ive been playing guitar. I just started teaching myself in about April or so, so I am not very good, but learning. I've learned a few death cab songs and a few nickel creek songs. I also borrowed a keyboard from the son of our boss. So I'm learning a few things. Maybe I'll start writing some of my own stuff soon.
Ive also been working on some film stuff. I'm so glad I brought my video camera, because I have a ton of new ideas. Even just short random, fun things.. like this. I got inspired one day during lunch because it was just a beautiful day, I had the window open, and was listening to music... and ready to make a grilled cheese.
I am working on some other videos too, so as soon as they are done, I will upload them. Ok, I have to actually get back to planning. And eat my homemade mac and cheese!
I have more pictures posted on my facebook you can check out.. I will also probably upload them to flickr soon... I will put the link on here soon.
So next, Ive been playing guitar. I just started teaching myself in about April or so, so I am not very good, but learning. I've learned a few death cab songs and a few nickel creek songs. I also borrowed a keyboard from the son of our boss. So I'm learning a few things. Maybe I'll start writing some of my own stuff soon.
Ive also been working on some film stuff. I'm so glad I brought my video camera, because I have a ton of new ideas. Even just short random, fun things.. like this. I got inspired one day during lunch because it was just a beautiful day, I had the window open, and was listening to music... and ready to make a grilled cheese.
I am working on some other videos too, so as soon as they are done, I will upload them. Ok, I have to actually get back to planning. And eat my homemade mac and cheese!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
School
So it is October 8th, 2008. I have been in Czech Republic for only one month and 18 days. Not very long in the grand scheme of things, but extremely busy.
Like I said before It has been hard for me to catch up on writing because in the initial month of moving somewhere totally new, there is a wave of strange and new things that hit you. So I will try to break things down in different segments.
School:
School has been great so far. I teach at 4 different locations. The first and main one is Gymnazium, or the Czech equivalent of high school. I teach mainly the "juniors and seniors." I put it in quotes because the way they do the schooling here is different than the States. So they are for the most part upper level and pretty easy to handle. They don't always listen to me, but I quickly remind them that I control their grades! I'm a pretty laid back teacher with them. Right now we are doing a unit over art. We broke down many different aspects of art as a class and then broke up into groups of 2 and each group is doing a 12 minute presentation on their type of art. It should be pretty good.
The other school I teach at is called English Services. It is a private school owned and run by a couple, Anthony and Jitka Otahal. They are the greatest people. I teach around 13 hours a week with them. However, since they are a private school, companies hire them to come give English lessons to their employees. So 2 times a week, I travel 40 minutes (walking) to a giant chemical factory and teach English there. The rest of my classes are at their private school, groups of about 12 or so. Much more calm than Gymnazium students.
I also give a few private lessons, 2 different businessmen, and one family. They are great. A little stressful to have to sit and just talk for an hour to a person. Because there is a balance of teaching them certain topics, as well as just practicing conversation. They are the most challenging but best for really getting to know them.
So my schedule ... for any of you who want to know goes something like this
Monday: once a month I teach at a school out of town about 10 minutes away by car. I teach 5 lessons of beginner English. It is fun because I just get to teach about whatever and just have class discussions. They are very eager. So on that day I begin at 7:50 and teach until 1:00
And then all Mondays I teach at 1:45 my 4.A/8.g class (which are the seniors).
Tuesday:
8:00 Small group lesson at Synthos chemical company
2:25 my 7.G class, which are the juniors
5:00 small group at English services
6:00 small group at English services
Finish at 7:30
Wednesday: 8:00 4.A/8G 2 class
10:00 2.A class
2:25 3.A class
finish at 4:00
Thursday: 8:00 small group at Synthos company
9:00 Private lesson with a man named Pavel
10:15 Private lesson with a man named Penec
* both of these are pretty fun because both of them speak great English
3:00 small group at Synthos
4:00 private lesson at Synthos
6:00-8:00 Private lesson with Kramil Family
Friday: 9:00 2.G class
So that is the rundown of my schedule!
Like I said before It has been hard for me to catch up on writing because in the initial month of moving somewhere totally new, there is a wave of strange and new things that hit you. So I will try to break things down in different segments.
School:
School has been great so far. I teach at 4 different locations. The first and main one is Gymnazium, or the Czech equivalent of high school. I teach mainly the "juniors and seniors." I put it in quotes because the way they do the schooling here is different than the States. So they are for the most part upper level and pretty easy to handle. They don't always listen to me, but I quickly remind them that I control their grades! I'm a pretty laid back teacher with them. Right now we are doing a unit over art. We broke down many different aspects of art as a class and then broke up into groups of 2 and each group is doing a 12 minute presentation on their type of art. It should be pretty good.
The other school I teach at is called English Services. It is a private school owned and run by a couple, Anthony and Jitka Otahal. They are the greatest people. I teach around 13 hours a week with them. However, since they are a private school, companies hire them to come give English lessons to their employees. So 2 times a week, I travel 40 minutes (walking) to a giant chemical factory and teach English there. The rest of my classes are at their private school, groups of about 12 or so. Much more calm than Gymnazium students.
I also give a few private lessons, 2 different businessmen, and one family. They are great. A little stressful to have to sit and just talk for an hour to a person. Because there is a balance of teaching them certain topics, as well as just practicing conversation. They are the most challenging but best for really getting to know them.
So my schedule ... for any of you who want to know goes something like this
Monday: once a month I teach at a school out of town about 10 minutes away by car. I teach 5 lessons of beginner English. It is fun because I just get to teach about whatever and just have class discussions. They are very eager. So on that day I begin at 7:50 and teach until 1:00
And then all Mondays I teach at 1:45 my 4.A/8.g class (which are the seniors).
Tuesday:
8:00 Small group lesson at Synthos chemical company
2:25 my 7.G class, which are the juniors
5:00 small group at English services
6:00 small group at English services
Finish at 7:30
Wednesday: 8:00 4.A/8G 2 class
10:00 2.A class
2:25 3.A class
finish at 4:00
Thursday: 8:00 small group at Synthos company
9:00 Private lesson with a man named Pavel
10:15 Private lesson with a man named Penec
* both of these are pretty fun because both of them speak great English
3:00 small group at Synthos
4:00 private lesson at Synthos
6:00-8:00 Private lesson with Kramil Family
Friday: 9:00 2.G class
So that is the rundown of my schedule!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Hospital visit
This is a little late, but I will post it for any of you who havent read my story about being in the hospital:
Date written August 31st.
Date written August 31st.
Some of you may not have heard, because it happened rather quickly, so I will give the brief version of the story. If you dont want to read it, feel free to skip ahead to read what the status of things are now.
Friday, I flew over to prague. I flew with Britt, Gina, and Frank. It was a good trip, but the whole time, my head was hurting. We landed and Joseph and one of my bosses, Mr. Otahal, picked me up from the airport. Got to the flat. But I felt really bad.
Saturday, started moving in, pretty cool town. went to downtown and got a cell phone, but all day had a pretty bad sinus headache on left side.
Sunday, Head really hurting, but had to take a sightseeing trip around prague. Took a lot of Alieve, made it through. came home head hurting badly.\
Monday, woke up, left eye was pretty swollen. Head hurting as bad as night before. In the morning had first teachers meeting at school. Met all of the new English teachers. Really nice. Got one of the English teachers who spoke Czech to take me to the pharmacy to get some sinus relief medicine. Came back took it and laid down about 10 a.m.
Two hours later woke up feeling terrible (after taking medicine) Called our boss and said I needed to go see a doctor, because I definately have a sinus infection. Boss called me back shortly after and said we would go in the morning. Laid back down for another hour. Woke up feeling even worse. Called back boss and told him we had to go today. My head at this point was starting to feel like it was going to rip open.
Got a Czech friend of my roomates (Joseph) to take us to the doctor. "Yes, you have a very serious sinus infection." Well yeah. So he prescribed antibiotics and some painkillers.... 400mg ibprofen... I was not very excited about that.
Ok, Im writing a lot I will keep it even shorter.
Monday night. WORST NIGHT OF MY LIFE. LONGEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE. WANTED TO DIE... LITERALLY ... IT SOUNDED BETTER THAN GOING THROUGH WHAT I WAS.
Tuesday morning. My eye is totally swollen shut. and I cant think about anything but the pain. back to doctor, "go to hospital." Went to hospital few minutes away. English speaking doctor. " Looks very bad we may have to operate." Started antibiotics. CAT scan showed both sinuses were full and very infected.
Wednesday morning operated. I was under anethesia so I dont remember.
Called mom, "Dad's on a flight in the morning"
Next 2 days, Bad shape, just lying in bed. Hardcore antibiotics, a lot of pain still
Dad got here thursday night. Since Friday have been feeling better.
Sunday can finally open my eye. It looks really gross though. Feel almost 100%
So that is the jist of everything. If you really want a more detailed story... too bad.
I will be in the hospital until tomorrow. Dad flies back early Tuesday morning. I am doing much better. Have had a lot of time to read and recover. I will be under "house arrest" by the doctor for another week. Meaning just that. Cant really leave my house. So I wont begin teaching for another week, possibly two.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! to all of you who have been lifting me up in prayer. I know there have been many people praying and God has given me a speedy recovery. Feel free to write me if you have any other questions or anything. I will be at my apartment all week starting tomorrow... all day... everyday. So I will have plenty of free time to write.
Thats it for now. I actually have to get back to the hospital for my next IV.
So that was written obviously a few weeks back. I will try to see if i can find a picture of my eye all swollen.
So that was written obviously a few weeks back. I will try to see if i can find a picture of my eye all swollen.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Training!
Wow,
So it has been a month already. I had hoped to blog more over the past month, but it has been a whirlwind. Without going into a ton of details, it has been amazing.
So Before I left, I took these pictures. This is what I packed for the entirety of next year. Along with my computer and cameras. But this is basically it.
Then came training. See, what I didnt fully grasp was that I would be in limbo for the next month in Pasadena California.
Shortly after arriving, I realized that
A: This was going to be a long month.
B: Central Europe team is amazing
C: I miss air conditioning.
So since I cant go over every single thing this summer I am going to give you just the highlights.
our schedule looked like this
7:00 - breakfast
8:00- Team sessions/ prayer time
9:00- TEFL session ( Teaching english as a foreign language) (All Regions)
10:30- Region split TEFL session- (so just for Central Europe team)
12:00- Lunch with Teammate or group that we had to go over questions and team building stuff.
1:30 - Various topics class i.e. how to handle culture shock, depression, fund raising, most of them were a little depressing
2:30- TEFL session 2
4:00 Prepare for Practicum*
a side note to clarify, Practicum is teaching. 4th day here. without really knowing anything about teaching, we began teaching every night at a church to people who didnt know english. We had to teach 40 minute lessons and had about 3 hours to prepare them, and eat dinner. For someone who doesnt know anything about teaching, this was difficult.
6:15-9:15 Go to Practicum
9:30 debrief with group.
And start all over again the next morning.
Hence, why hardly anyone has heard from me this past month. Ok, that is my first blog, I will write another one about the cool stuff about training when I get back from getting food!
So it has been a month already. I had hoped to blog more over the past month, but it has been a whirlwind. Without going into a ton of details, it has been amazing.
So Before I left, I took these pictures. This is what I packed for the entirety of next year. Along with my computer and cameras. But this is basically it.
Then came training. See, what I didnt fully grasp was that I would be in limbo for the next month in Pasadena California.
Shortly after arriving, I realized that
A: This was going to be a long month.
B: Central Europe team is amazing
C: I miss air conditioning.
So since I cant go over every single thing this summer I am going to give you just the highlights.
our schedule looked like this
7:00 - breakfast
8:00- Team sessions/ prayer time
9:00- TEFL session ( Teaching english as a foreign language) (All Regions)
10:30- Region split TEFL session- (so just for Central Europe team)
12:00- Lunch with Teammate or group that we had to go over questions and team building stuff.
1:30 - Various topics class i.e. how to handle culture shock, depression, fund raising, most of them were a little depressing
2:30- TEFL session 2
4:00 Prepare for Practicum*
a side note to clarify, Practicum is teaching. 4th day here. without really knowing anything about teaching, we began teaching every night at a church to people who didnt know english. We had to teach 40 minute lessons and had about 3 hours to prepare them, and eat dinner. For someone who doesnt know anything about teaching, this was difficult.
6:15-9:15 Go to Practicum
9:30 debrief with group.
And start all over again the next morning.
Hence, why hardly anyone has heard from me this past month. Ok, that is my first blog, I will write another one about the cool stuff about training when I get back from getting food!
Monday, July 14, 2008
One Last Hurrah!
I know it doesnt look like much, but the forest was so green and just awesome!
Me, rocking in the boat!
This is my brother-in-law, Ivan. This picture I love, so I put it up.
I am now realizing how soon it will be until I leave. I have 5 days left. I'm excited. I talked to a few people tonight online for the first time that are pretty new in my life. First I talked to Zach Barnes, which, if you havent read my earlier blogs is the guy who I am taking over for in Czech. He was up late and in his final days there. We talked about the anticipation for both of us starting a new period in our lives. His time in Czech ending while mine just beginning. He was even kind enough to give me a tour (since it was a video chat) of my future home. I'm not picky on where I live, so it looks great to me!
I also got to talk with Britt Baumgardner tonight. Britt is one of my fellow teammates. Basically I just harassed her and kept her company while she finished up packing. She is bringing me a pen that says "if your smoking around me, you better be on fire." I'm pretty excited about that one. I guess Britt is the first person on the trip that I really know, even though we havent met. It will definitely be nice to have someone familiar when I get there... you never know, there might be a serial killer in the group... so alliances are needed!
My schedule for the week is finish driving back home to Abilene tomorrow (we only made it to Dallas today), then Brady, Ivan and I will hang out, I will masterfully dominate Ivan at chess. I have to finish up some web design stuff for my mom's store. Tuesday I bring Brady back to DFW to fly back to Nashville. Then drive BACK to Abilene. I have to finish moving the last of the boxes out of my house. Say goodbye to Cody, Jenni, Chase, Crystal, (peeps from work!) probably have a final drink and hookah with Brandon and Cody. Double check all the stuff I have packed, and on Saturday, I fly out! And it will be another 11 months until I set foot on Texas soil!
Thank you to everyone who has sent in responses to my support letters. Your prayer and financial gifts have been amazing. I feel such a peace and excitement about this transition and I know that this is where the Lord is wanting me right now.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
1 month to go
So I officially have 3 weeks and 4 days until I fly to California to begin my training and transition into a new period of my life. Days are flying by, and I am trying to make sure I get everything finished before I leave.
Last weekend I had a garage sale to raise money for the trip. We went to the warehouse and cleaned out anything and everything that had been setting up there for a while. I made a big decision to sell the majority of my dvd's, my surround sound system, and a lot of my electronics... I'm sure it isn't a big deal to most, but to a guy who loves watching movies, it is. especially the dvd collection. So Saturday we had our first customers at 7:10, we officially started at 8, and by 8:00, we had already sold over $200 worth of stuff. I felt very blessed. God kept the rain away, kept people coming, everyone was buying something, even if it was just a dollar or two. By the end of the day, we had raised over $900. Amazing!
That is 1/10th of what I need for my total support. Pretty awesome, just from old stuff.
So, now that the garage sale is done, I am going to be following up with friends and family that I mailed support raising letters to. I got them out late, my fault... well, my oral surgeons fault for making my recovery for my wisdom teeth surgery last almost 3 weeks... but I think I will be getting some responses soon.
I also just got my new macbook!!!! its pretty awesome. I decided to go ahead and bite the bullet and get one while I could still get a college discount. not only did I get $200 knocked off the price, but I got a free Ipod touch. Its pretty cool. not nearly as much can go on it as my 80 gig (the new one is only 16 gig) but 16 will still hold a lot of music and I can just update it if I need to before trips.
I also just bought a "Learn to speak Czech" program. It has 15 hours of language training.. and I can put it on my ipod and listen to it as I am working or traveling. I really hope to at least have a small base of the language before i get there. It was the Pimsleur program, which cost a bit, but I felt I would rather spend the money and get one that was well known and had good reviews than a cheap one that didn't work. I should get that in in a few days. I will let you know how that goes.
On the financial side again, I have raised/made/donated myself altogether around $5250, pretty cool. but I still need around $4000 more for the year, $2000 of that before I leave in August. Please all be praying about that.
My last day of work is on the 3rd. My office is having a going away party for me and 2 other co-workers that are leaving.. but that will give me 2 weeks to hang out with friends and family before I go. If you want to hang out and see me before I go.. let me know!
Also, if you want to be on my newsletter list, send me your address: atrector@yahoo.com
Prayer requests:
Mental preparation for the transition
Finish all logistics of moving out and tying up all lose ends.
My team that I will be serving with in Czech.
Finances
Start praying for my health.. I know I will be stressed, and I get sick when I get stressed.. and I don't want that.
That I will find someone on my team who can be my travel partner!
That I have a blast!
Love you all!
Aaron
Last weekend I had a garage sale to raise money for the trip. We went to the warehouse and cleaned out anything and everything that had been setting up there for a while. I made a big decision to sell the majority of my dvd's, my surround sound system, and a lot of my electronics... I'm sure it isn't a big deal to most, but to a guy who loves watching movies, it is. especially the dvd collection. So Saturday we had our first customers at 7:10, we officially started at 8, and by 8:00, we had already sold over $200 worth of stuff. I felt very blessed. God kept the rain away, kept people coming, everyone was buying something, even if it was just a dollar or two. By the end of the day, we had raised over $900. Amazing!
That is 1/10th of what I need for my total support. Pretty awesome, just from old stuff.
So, now that the garage sale is done, I am going to be following up with friends and family that I mailed support raising letters to. I got them out late, my fault... well, my oral surgeons fault for making my recovery for my wisdom teeth surgery last almost 3 weeks... but I think I will be getting some responses soon.
I also just got my new macbook!!!! its pretty awesome. I decided to go ahead and bite the bullet and get one while I could still get a college discount. not only did I get $200 knocked off the price, but I got a free Ipod touch. Its pretty cool. not nearly as much can go on it as my 80 gig (the new one is only 16 gig) but 16 will still hold a lot of music and I can just update it if I need to before trips.
I also just bought a "Learn to speak Czech" program. It has 15 hours of language training.. and I can put it on my ipod and listen to it as I am working or traveling. I really hope to at least have a small base of the language before i get there. It was the Pimsleur program, which cost a bit, but I felt I would rather spend the money and get one that was well known and had good reviews than a cheap one that didn't work. I should get that in in a few days. I will let you know how that goes.
On the financial side again, I have raised/made/donated myself altogether around $5250, pretty cool. but I still need around $4000 more for the year, $2000 of that before I leave in August. Please all be praying about that.
My last day of work is on the 3rd. My office is having a going away party for me and 2 other co-workers that are leaving.. but that will give me 2 weeks to hang out with friends and family before I go. If you want to hang out and see me before I go.. let me know!
Also, if you want to be on my newsletter list, send me your address: atrector@yahoo.com
Prayer requests:
Mental preparation for the transition
Finish all logistics of moving out and tying up all lose ends.
My team that I will be serving with in Czech.
Finances
Start praying for my health.. I know I will be stressed, and I get sick when I get stressed.. and I don't want that.
That I will find someone on my team who can be my travel partner!
That I have a blast!
Love you all!
Aaron
Monday, April 21, 2008
The Beginning
Hey everyone! Today is April 21, 2007. Today marks the beginning of my year long adventure across the globe, to the Czech Republic.
So this blog isn't going to be my newsletter but more of just more of a way for me to update everyone on things. I will be sending out newsletters to everyone's email's as well. But this is also more of a way for me to be able to look back on my whole experience.
For those who not know, I recently got a job with TeachOverseas, formerly Educational Services International (or ESI). They are a Christian organization who uses teaching as a tool for ministry. As of today I have 3 months, 3 weeks, and 5 days to go before I fly out to California for 4 weeks of training, then after that time, I fly to Prague to begin my year long adventure of teaching, travel and ... snow.
I know only a few things right now.
1. I will be staying in a city about 12 miles north of Prague called Kralupy. I have a roomate named Joseph who I will be sharing a small flat with.
2. I will be teaching English to high school kids.
3. There is a group of 20 teachers, 6 men & 14 women who are broken into many different teams, but all living in the Czech republic that I will be training with and will be in contact with while I am there.
That is really all I know right now. Not much. So here is what all I have to do before I leave.
*Finish this semester of school
* Take a Maymester
* Raise $8000 in support by the time I leave for training.
*Figure out if Cingular international plan is worth it
*get my wisdom teeth taken out
*buy a laptop
*sell my big video camera to buy a smaller one for video blogs
*smoke hookah with cody
*get traveler's insurance
*Pack
*move out of my place
*plus im sure a lot of stuff that comes up along the way... I am going to be busy the next few months
So I have been in communication with Zack, who is the guy I am taking over for. He has an awesome blog at http://zbarnes.blogspot.com
Blogging my journey was already something I wanted to do, so it was good to see one that I could model mine after. here are some pictures from his blog of the place I will be moving into. Obviously I havent seen anymore than these photos as well, so this is all I know of my future home.
Here is the floorplan for the flat. I am sharing a room with Joseph.. so back to freshman year of college!
The Kitchen
Living Room
Living Room
Entrance
Bedroom
Bedroom
clothes line room
So, as you can tell, I will be living in style! Thanks to everyone who is supporting me and following along the ride
So this blog isn't going to be my newsletter but more of just more of a way for me to update everyone on things. I will be sending out newsletters to everyone's email's as well. But this is also more of a way for me to be able to look back on my whole experience.
For those who not know, I recently got a job with TeachOverseas, formerly Educational Services International (or ESI). They are a Christian organization who uses teaching as a tool for ministry. As of today I have 3 months, 3 weeks, and 5 days to go before I fly out to California for 4 weeks of training, then after that time, I fly to Prague to begin my year long adventure of teaching, travel and ... snow.
I know only a few things right now.
1. I will be staying in a city about 12 miles north of Prague called Kralupy. I have a roomate named Joseph who I will be sharing a small flat with.
2. I will be teaching English to high school kids.
3. There is a group of 20 teachers, 6 men & 14 women who are broken into many different teams, but all living in the Czech republic that I will be training with and will be in contact with while I am there.
That is really all I know right now. Not much. So here is what all I have to do before I leave.
*Finish this semester of school
* Take a Maymester
* Raise $8000 in support by the time I leave for training.
*Figure out if Cingular international plan is worth it
*get my wisdom teeth taken out
*buy a laptop
*sell my big video camera to buy a smaller one for video blogs
*smoke hookah with cody
*get traveler's insurance
*Pack
*move out of my place
*plus im sure a lot of stuff that comes up along the way... I am going to be busy the next few months
So I have been in communication with Zack, who is the guy I am taking over for. He has an awesome blog at http://zbarnes.blogspot.com
Blogging my journey was already something I wanted to do, so it was good to see one that I could model mine after. here are some pictures from his blog of the place I will be moving into. Obviously I havent seen anymore than these photos as well, so this is all I know of my future home.
Here is the floorplan for the flat. I am sharing a room with Joseph.. so back to freshman year of college!
The Kitchen
Living Room
Living Room
Entrance
Bedroom
Bedroom
clothes line room
So, as you can tell, I will be living in style! Thanks to everyone who is supporting me and following along the ride
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