Today we have an "ice" day, meaning there is no school due to too much ice on the road. We have many kids who come from downtown Budapest, so it's just safer to stay home. It was a pleasant surprise to me. I really didn't think we'd get a free day due to weather. It's been cold, but there's been very little snow and just yesterday we got icy weather.
Actually, the staff at ICSB was allowed to go home early yesterday (2:30 pm) instead of staying after school for our weekly meetings. Any after school activities were also cancelled. Needless to say I was really excited to come home early, but then I remembered that I teach english to Hungarians on Wednesday nights. Since there is no way to contact all of the people coming to these free classes, we still had our classes. So, Justin and I just stayed at school until my class was over (it's from 6-8 pm). I got a lot done while we were at school, which was great, but I really did want to go home!
And my class started with three people and ended up with five! And only one of which I had taught before (a 13-year old). So, I was happy that I had new students to get to know. (Since this is an outreach to the community, anybody can come if they'd like to learn English, so I have all ages that I teach, from 13 years to about 60 years! One of my newest students is probably around 60 and he reminds me of Santa Claus!) It's an interesting class, but despite the difficulty with teaching different maturity levels, many have said how much they appreciate me and that they are learning from me. That makes me feel so great, especially since I am a science teacher by training and background. (I have to say, I am learning more about the english language myself!)
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Christmas Break
We've been on Christmas break since December 18. It's been so good to get such a long break! We've been sleeping in VERY late, which is unlike me. But I guess that's what I will want to do now. Monday, January 5, we start school again. It will be a hard week for everyone, I believe.
December 17th was the night we had our staff Christmas dinner at Trofea Grill in Budapest. It was so nice! Here's a pic of us from that night.
December 19 through 21 we visited Krakow, Poland. Because of the train strike, we had to drive 7.5 hours to get there. Going through northern Slovakia and into Poland, it snowed. We arrived in Krakow around 2 pm and met up with a lady to show us to our apartment. It was so cozy and warm! I loved it. After meeting with her and putting our luggage in the apartment, we walked around. The location of our apartment was great! It was in the Old Town and when we turned the corner, there was one of the main streets all decorated with Christmas lights. The only thing I didn't like about visiting Krakow was how cold it was. We always had to duck into a shop or cafe to get warm, instead of being able to comfortably walk around as long as we wanted. Plus, I get tired more easily now. But I am glad we went and go to see some sites. I think going back in warmer weather would be more enjoyable, but who knows when we will be able to do that with a baby.
at Wawel Castle
Sadly, Justin got sick Christmas Eve and so we had to cancel dinner with the Andersons Christmas night. We were going to make grilled pizza again!! :( But I did make it to our other friends, the Rickard's house for lunch, minus Justin. It was nice and we had ham and all the sides: mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, bread, strawberry Jell-O. It was all delicious. There was another friend/co-worker of ours there without her husband too. He was also sick. It was nice, but would have been nicer with Justin.
Instead of going to the Andersons that night, we went ahead and opened our gifts. (I had stopped by school to pick up three packages!) That was fun and I think made Justin feel a bit better as it was a small escape from feeling terrible. Receiving an iPod helped too. :) Check out our web album of that time.
On New Year's Eve we went to a party of another family, which was a lot of fun. We met some new people and chatted with friends while munching on artichoke dip, cocktail weenies, mexican dip and chips and drinking punch. Dessert was also delicious with some hot chocolate. Around 11 pm, Justin and I participated with two other couples in The Newlywed Game. None of us were newlyweds, but it was fun nonetheless. We tied with another couple and learned a few things about each other for the next time we play it. :)
Other than that, we pretty much hung out at home, slept late, and watched movies. My brother will be proud to know that we watched the first three Die Hard movies in one day. Also, we watched Wall-e(thanks Mom and Dad!), A Christmas Carol with Patrick Stewart, National Treasure 2, Transporter 3, and A Night at the Museum. Not in that order, though. (I did get to hang out with my friend, Andrea a few times too.)
And tomorrow...the vacation ends. But I am anxious to hear about my students' holidays. They LOVE to share what they did.
Happy New Year!
December 17th was the night we had our staff Christmas dinner at Trofea Grill in Budapest. It was so nice! Here's a pic of us from that night.
December 19 through 21 we visited Krakow, Poland. Because of the train strike, we had to drive 7.5 hours to get there. Going through northern Slovakia and into Poland, it snowed. We arrived in Krakow around 2 pm and met up with a lady to show us to our apartment. It was so cozy and warm! I loved it. After meeting with her and putting our luggage in the apartment, we walked around. The location of our apartment was great! It was in the Old Town and when we turned the corner, there was one of the main streets all decorated with Christmas lights. The only thing I didn't like about visiting Krakow was how cold it was. We always had to duck into a shop or cafe to get warm, instead of being able to comfortably walk around as long as we wanted. Plus, I get tired more easily now. But I am glad we went and go to see some sites. I think going back in warmer weather would be more enjoyable, but who knows when we will be able to do that with a baby.
at Wawel CastleSadly, Justin got sick Christmas Eve and so we had to cancel dinner with the Andersons Christmas night. We were going to make grilled pizza again!! :( But I did make it to our other friends, the Rickard's house for lunch, minus Justin. It was nice and we had ham and all the sides: mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, bread, strawberry Jell-O. It was all delicious. There was another friend/co-worker of ours there without her husband too. He was also sick. It was nice, but would have been nicer with Justin.
Instead of going to the Andersons that night, we went ahead and opened our gifts. (I had stopped by school to pick up three packages!) That was fun and I think made Justin feel a bit better as it was a small escape from feeling terrible. Receiving an iPod helped too. :) Check out our web album of that time.
On New Year's Eve we went to a party of another family, which was a lot of fun. We met some new people and chatted with friends while munching on artichoke dip, cocktail weenies, mexican dip and chips and drinking punch. Dessert was also delicious with some hot chocolate. Around 11 pm, Justin and I participated with two other couples in The Newlywed Game. None of us were newlyweds, but it was fun nonetheless. We tied with another couple and learned a few things about each other for the next time we play it. :)
Other than that, we pretty much hung out at home, slept late, and watched movies. My brother will be proud to know that we watched the first three Die Hard movies in one day. Also, we watched Wall-e(thanks Mom and Dad!), A Christmas Carol with Patrick Stewart, National Treasure 2, Transporter 3, and A Night at the Museum. Not in that order, though. (I did get to hang out with my friend, Andrea a few times too.)
And tomorrow...the vacation ends. But I am anxious to hear about my students' holidays. They LOVE to share what they did.
Happy New Year!
Finally....another entry
Ok, so it's been a LONG while since I last said anything on this blog. A really cool thing has happened since my birthday...
We are PREGNANT! I am in my 18th week of pregnancy and am doing great. All doc appts have gone well and I've had no morning sickness, can you believe it? I've been tired a lot and get headaches more frequently than I ever have and my pelvis is sore. I've been reading a lot about being pregnant and labor and taking care of a baby from two books that our parents have sent: What to Expect When You're Expecting and Great Expectations. (Thanks, Moms and Dads!)
6 weeks (confirmation of pregnancy)
10 weeks
16 weeks
We are PREGNANT! I am in my 18th week of pregnancy and am doing great. All doc appts have gone well and I've had no morning sickness, can you believe it? I've been tired a lot and get headaches more frequently than I ever have and my pelvis is sore. I've been reading a lot about being pregnant and labor and taking care of a baby from two books that our parents have sent: What to Expect When You're Expecting and Great Expectations. (Thanks, Moms and Dads!)
And I am only one of many women at our school that have recently had babies or is pregnant. The recruiter at our school, Kim, who is 8 months along, has told me that in this past year there have been 8 pregnancies! God is so good! We are really blessed to have so many new moms to go to if we need anything.
Justin and I will have our baby here in Budapest. Because of so many births recently and in years past, we know that the medical care for being pregnant and giving birth is safe and good. Our OB-GYN works at a clinic called First Med and the birth will take place at a hospital called Telki Hospital. We really like our doctor because he is a very sweet man and very caring. Surprisingly, we've had four ultrasounds already! They do them far more often here than in the States. It has been so great to see our baby growing inside me! Here are three pics:
6 weeks (confirmation of pregnancy)
10 weeks
16 weeksIt is so cool to see the heartbeat AND hear it!!! :)
Praise the Lord with us at this exciting time!!!
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