Alright alright alright.
I've been home in Abilene for six months.
In one month I'll hop on a plane to Argentina. I've got a few contacts for jobs and housing. I've acquired some mad social skills in the past few years. Feeling like I got this on lock.
So as witty and awesome "The Blog From Prague" sounds, you'll now have to go to "The Blog from Buenos Aires".
See you there in a month.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Friday, June 22, 2012
Time to update!
The Blog from Prague will soon be coming to a close. Because I'll soon be leaving Prague.
Thanks, Carl.
Emotions, they are mixed. Logic, is at peace. Bags, are not packed. Friends and students are sad to see me go, which is always a good sign. I could stick around and be fine, but nothing much is going to change unless I were to make plans to settle down here permanently and I'm just not feeling that. I'd rather be one to do a good stint and move on, or stay forever and ever, but not in between like so many seem to.
Anyway, since the last update I've been to Berlin. It was awesome. It's all very new and rebuilt of course. Very gritty and arty. I learned a lot and put together a lot of history. Been enjoying the sun and beer gardens in between spring/summer rains. Hanging out with friends, watching television, teaching, making future plans, etc.
I had an awesome birthday back in May. I'd wanted to just hang out at a beer garden all afternoon and let people come and go whenever they could. Too bad it was cloudy and 50/10 degrees. Called off the park and turned it into a dinner. It was still great though, about 15 people came to dinner, some came and went just for drinks after. We moved from there to one bar, then when that closed to another bar, then when that closed home (since it was light outside by then). It was an epic one. I've been 24, 25, and 26 in Prague. Weird.
Not much new otherwise. We'll see what plans pan out in the future.
The Blog from Prague will soon be coming to a close. Because I'll soon be leaving Prague.
Thanks, Carl.
Emotions, they are mixed. Logic, is at peace. Bags, are not packed. Friends and students are sad to see me go, which is always a good sign. I could stick around and be fine, but nothing much is going to change unless I were to make plans to settle down here permanently and I'm just not feeling that. I'd rather be one to do a good stint and move on, or stay forever and ever, but not in between like so many seem to.
Anyway, since the last update I've been to Berlin. It was awesome. It's all very new and rebuilt of course. Very gritty and arty. I learned a lot and put together a lot of history. Been enjoying the sun and beer gardens in between spring/summer rains. Hanging out with friends, watching television, teaching, making future plans, etc.
I had an awesome birthday back in May. I'd wanted to just hang out at a beer garden all afternoon and let people come and go whenever they could. Too bad it was cloudy and 50/10 degrees. Called off the park and turned it into a dinner. It was still great though, about 15 people came to dinner, some came and went just for drinks after. We moved from there to one bar, then when that closed to another bar, then when that closed home (since it was light outside by then). It was an epic one. I've been 24, 25, and 26 in Prague. Weird.
Not much new otherwise. We'll see what plans pan out in the future.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
April.
When not one, but two whole people mentioned that I hadn't posted anything in a while, I knew I had to act.
It's true, I have not updated the world on myself lately. Other than a trip to Krakow, there is not much to tell. Teaching is much the same. I got a small raise but it really adds up at the end of the month. I still like it, and like most of my students. Still with mostly the same friends. Some people have left before me and I'll leave before others. It seems like I meet new people but don't really get close to them or initiate hangouts like I did when I first got here and met somebody else who spoke English. I've been making solid plans to leave Prague recently. The people are definitely what I'll miss the most but I figure I won't miss them more than I've missed people at home. And now I have friends from all over the world to visit. This spring hasn't been as nice as last year, but then the winter wasn't nearly as bad either. Definitely ready for consistent warm weather and sunshine though!
Krakow: Went with Canadian friend a few weeks ago. We took the night train (woowoo!) and arrived in the city around 7am. Hit the town as it was waking up. It's small and beautiful in the main square. The neighborhoods seemed nice, but a little run down or not well kept. We took a free walking tour and learned how superior Krakow is to every other European city. It used to be the capital before Warsaw got bigger and took over. Vienna stole the ring-design layout of the city. And it has the best, most educated, well trained tour guides ever. Our guide finally got to the historical walking part of the historical walking tour. Very cool stuff though. Beautiful architecture; similar to Prague in a lot of ways. Lots of churches and statues, a castle, a river, bridges, etc.
In the afternoon we met up with a Prague friend's friend who is another English teaching expat there. C and I agreed to hang out with him first before agreeing to sleep on his couch. Luckily he was very normal and cool. In fact a tall, gangly, British guy who talks too much named Jack. (....So I may or may not have a "type".) He took us to his place to drop off our stuff and we chilled out and chatted a while. Then he took us out to a late lunch/early dinner at a really cool nice cheap Polish place. The Goulash had veggies in it; different. The beer was good...and locals often drink it through a straw. I couldn't bring myself to join. We met some of Jack's friends, mostly Polish but a few other expats and went to a couple of bars. The city is cheap and small so it was a nice night. We never took a tram anywhere, just walked.
Sunday was a bit disappointing. We didn't get moving early enough to make a tour to either Auschwitz or the nearby salt mines. And there were less tours on Sunday. However, we hit the town again and tried more Polish food and watched people. Took the night tram back to Prague (slept pretty good actually) where I went straight to a class after pulling into the station. There's been a few cities that I feel like I can check off the list but others I'd go back to no question. Congratulations, Krakow!
It's funny how I pronounce certain cities the correct way and others the American/English way. It's "Krakov" and "Budapesht", but I still say Prague instead of Praha, or Vienna instead of Vien. Not sure why some stick and others don't. I think there might be a few small Czech trips and hopefully a bigger one to Berlin before heading home.
It's true, I have not updated the world on myself lately. Other than a trip to Krakow, there is not much to tell. Teaching is much the same. I got a small raise but it really adds up at the end of the month. I still like it, and like most of my students. Still with mostly the same friends. Some people have left before me and I'll leave before others. It seems like I meet new people but don't really get close to them or initiate hangouts like I did when I first got here and met somebody else who spoke English. I've been making solid plans to leave Prague recently. The people are definitely what I'll miss the most but I figure I won't miss them more than I've missed people at home. And now I have friends from all over the world to visit. This spring hasn't been as nice as last year, but then the winter wasn't nearly as bad either. Definitely ready for consistent warm weather and sunshine though!
Krakow: Went with Canadian friend a few weeks ago. We took the night train (woowoo!) and arrived in the city around 7am. Hit the town as it was waking up. It's small and beautiful in the main square. The neighborhoods seemed nice, but a little run down or not well kept. We took a free walking tour and learned how superior Krakow is to every other European city. It used to be the capital before Warsaw got bigger and took over. Vienna stole the ring-design layout of the city. And it has the best, most educated, well trained tour guides ever. Our guide finally got to the historical walking part of the historical walking tour. Very cool stuff though. Beautiful architecture; similar to Prague in a lot of ways. Lots of churches and statues, a castle, a river, bridges, etc.
In the afternoon we met up with a Prague friend's friend who is another English teaching expat there. C and I agreed to hang out with him first before agreeing to sleep on his couch. Luckily he was very normal and cool. In fact a tall, gangly, British guy who talks too much named Jack. (....So I may or may not have a "type".) He took us to his place to drop off our stuff and we chilled out and chatted a while. Then he took us out to a late lunch/early dinner at a really cool nice cheap Polish place. The Goulash had veggies in it; different. The beer was good...and locals often drink it through a straw. I couldn't bring myself to join. We met some of Jack's friends, mostly Polish but a few other expats and went to a couple of bars. The city is cheap and small so it was a nice night. We never took a tram anywhere, just walked.
Sunday was a bit disappointing. We didn't get moving early enough to make a tour to either Auschwitz or the nearby salt mines. And there were less tours on Sunday. However, we hit the town again and tried more Polish food and watched people. Took the night tram back to Prague (slept pretty good actually) where I went straight to a class after pulling into the station. There's been a few cities that I feel like I can check off the list but others I'd go back to no question. Congratulations, Krakow!
It's funny how I pronounce certain cities the correct way and others the American/English way. It's "Krakov" and "Budapesht", but I still say Prague instead of Praha, or Vienna instead of Vien. Not sure why some stick and others don't. I think there might be a few small Czech trips and hopefully a bigger one to Berlin before heading home.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
February
Aaand after January took forever, we're into February!
Today was the first day this winter that it really snowed in Prague. It's so pretty, and not as cold as it has been lately. It's sad when 20 degrees seems like an improvement.
I've been a sluggish, unmotivated, useless creature lately. Teaching is actually going really well. I've picked up quite a few new classes, and lessons in general tend to be smooth and feel like I've done something useful. Weekends are pretty eventful with socializing (despite the temperatures). It's just between classes or in the evenings I find myself doing absolutely nothing productive. I've caught up with television and watched a lot of movies. (The Godfather is really really good, by the way.) Going through a bit of a completist phase when it comes to my music. Started with getting every Radiohead album organized in iTunes. I've started a painting for a friend so hopefully that gets some more creativity going. It think it's partly the winter weather and partly other stuff. I'm going to give myself a bit more wallowing leeway for February but when March starts up it's going to be fitter, happier, more productive.
Birthday for Finnish friend this weekend!
Today was the first day this winter that it really snowed in Prague. It's so pretty, and not as cold as it has been lately. It's sad when 20 degrees seems like an improvement.
I've been a sluggish, unmotivated, useless creature lately. Teaching is actually going really well. I've picked up quite a few new classes, and lessons in general tend to be smooth and feel like I've done something useful. Weekends are pretty eventful with socializing (despite the temperatures). It's just between classes or in the evenings I find myself doing absolutely nothing productive. I've caught up with television and watched a lot of movies. (The Godfather is really really good, by the way.) Going through a bit of a completist phase when it comes to my music. Started with getting every Radiohead album organized in iTunes. I've started a painting for a friend so hopefully that gets some more creativity going. It think it's partly the winter weather and partly other stuff. I'm going to give myself a bit more wallowing leeway for February but when March starts up it's going to be fitter, happier, more productive.
Birthday for Finnish friend this weekend!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Christmas to now.
So yes, I went home for Christmas. It was great. I pet puppies and held babies and caught up with friends. But this is not The Blog From Home! This is the Blog from Prague!! Whaaaaat!
I got back into Prague a few days before New Years Eve. Jet Lag. Awful jetlag. New Years Eve was lots of fun with B and her Finnish boyfriend M and the Canadian friend C. Had dinner at M's then we went to a bar in Zizkov, then went to the hill in Riegrovy Sady, watched fireworks and drunk people, met up with Czech boy D, went back to the bar, and then crashed at C's since she lived the closest. They love their fireworks here, you could hear them going off all week actually.
The first week back to work was long. Not too difficult since a lot of students were still on their holidays. Just super slow to get back into the swing of things.
Took a day-trip to Dresden last Saturday. Check Germany off the list, although I do maybe want to go to Berlin or Munich. It wasn't very big, but it was pretty and quite interesting. Almost everything was bombed in WWII (like most of Germany), so everything has been rebuilt to look like it did. There's debate about where the actual Slaughterhouse 5 is or was, but it's where Kurt Vonnegut was a POW.
Last Thursday I had a Skype interview with a language school in Santiago, Chile. I think it went well but there were some tough questions about what I'd do in certain situations so I don't know how I did with those. I won't hear back until mid-March so I'm going to do more researching and searching until then.
This weekend was really busy in a social way. Got a couple of beers with some TEFL people on Friday night. Saturday there was a get-together at another TEFL person's flat with food and games, then I went to a pub for my Australian friend T's going away party. I always just saw her around at stuff, we never hung out on our own but I always really liked her. Sunday I helped B move and went to see "The Descendants". George Clooney looks hilarious when he runs.
I was all prepared for another iced over, freezing winter in Prague, but it hasn't even really snowed much yet. It's cold but still above freezing for the most part. About half sunny/half cloudy days. I tell the new ones how nice this is and how lucky they are.
Honestly, January is taking forever. It seems like New Years happened so long ago.
I got back into Prague a few days before New Years Eve. Jet Lag. Awful jetlag. New Years Eve was lots of fun with B and her Finnish boyfriend M and the Canadian friend C. Had dinner at M's then we went to a bar in Zizkov, then went to the hill in Riegrovy Sady, watched fireworks and drunk people, met up with Czech boy D, went back to the bar, and then crashed at C's since she lived the closest. They love their fireworks here, you could hear them going off all week actually.
The first week back to work was long. Not too difficult since a lot of students were still on their holidays. Just super slow to get back into the swing of things.
Took a day-trip to Dresden last Saturday. Check Germany off the list, although I do maybe want to go to Berlin or Munich. It wasn't very big, but it was pretty and quite interesting. Almost everything was bombed in WWII (like most of Germany), so everything has been rebuilt to look like it did. There's debate about where the actual Slaughterhouse 5 is or was, but it's where Kurt Vonnegut was a POW.
Last Thursday I had a Skype interview with a language school in Santiago, Chile. I think it went well but there were some tough questions about what I'd do in certain situations so I don't know how I did with those. I won't hear back until mid-March so I'm going to do more researching and searching until then.
This weekend was really busy in a social way. Got a couple of beers with some TEFL people on Friday night. Saturday there was a get-together at another TEFL person's flat with food and games, then I went to a pub for my Australian friend T's going away party. I always just saw her around at stuff, we never hung out on our own but I always really liked her. Sunday I helped B move and went to see "The Descendants". George Clooney looks hilarious when he runs.
I was all prepared for another iced over, freezing winter in Prague, but it hasn't even really snowed much yet. It's cold but still above freezing for the most part. About half sunny/half cloudy days. I tell the new ones how nice this is and how lucky they are.
Honestly, January is taking forever. It seems like New Years happened so long ago.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
2012!
November? Really? I'm the worst. Much has happened in the past two months. But nobody wants to hear me whine. So again, I shall share my emotions through the art form of gifs!!!
For a long time things be like:
Then various things took me off guard:
And then I was really lame for a while:
But after going home for Christmas and having a killer New Years things are getting back to:
...And some of this. ...This is Prague after all.
Perfectly clear, I'm sure! Or you could listen to Noah and the Whale's "The First Day of Spring". But you should listen to that anyway.
This afternoon I have a Skype interview with a school in Chile! So like, wish me luck on that.
I'll talk about New Years and work and going to Germany and future plans later. Here's to 2012!!!
For a long time things be like:
Then various things took me off guard:
And then I was really lame for a while:
But after going home for Christmas and having a killer New Years things are getting back to:
Meh. Sure.
Feeling better.
And back to my regular cool self.
With my super cool friends.
...And some of this. ...This is Prague after all.
Perfectly clear, I'm sure! Or you could listen to Noah and the Whale's "The First Day of Spring". But you should listen to that anyway.
This afternoon I have a Skype interview with a school in Chile! So like, wish me luck on that.
I'll talk about New Years and work and going to Germany and future plans later. Here's to 2012!!!
Friday, November 11, 2011
11/11/11
One year ago today I landed in Prague. Oh the things that I've done in this one year. Probably the biggest "anniversary" I've ever had.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Yay for Czechs and all their state holidays! Everybody had Friday off and I took an early morning train to the smaller town of Cesky Krumlov with the gentleman of interest. I've been meaning to go for a long time since I've heard so much about it. It's really really pretty and small and easy to get around and touristy but not too touristy. I think it was a good time of year to go. Not too many people but still lots of languages heard out and about. We just saw the sights, ate food, skipped rocks on the river, chilled in a chill tea shop, went through a mirror maze, etc.
Came back to a friend having a friend in town. We took her out. And out, and out, and out, and I went to bed unreasonably late. Still, fun. Sunday was quite lazy, the extra hour was appreciated.
Classes as usual but the current big news is me moving! I wasn't even looking that hard but happened to come across a nicer, less expensive place with fewer roommates. It's a little further away from most of my friends' places, but then nothing is that far away in Prague. Still just a tram ride away, and it's going to be freezing soon anyway. I was wanting a bit of a change, though moving has been stressful. I was told once or twice yesterday that I was in a weird mood. All is well now though. I'm even using the internet with wifi, moving on up!
Came back to a friend having a friend in town. We took her out. And out, and out, and out, and I went to bed unreasonably late. Still, fun. Sunday was quite lazy, the extra hour was appreciated.
Classes as usual but the current big news is me moving! I wasn't even looking that hard but happened to come across a nicer, less expensive place with fewer roommates. It's a little further away from most of my friends' places, but then nothing is that far away in Prague. Still just a tram ride away, and it's going to be freezing soon anyway. I was wanting a bit of a change, though moving has been stressful. I was told once or twice yesterday that I was in a weird mood. All is well now though. I'm even using the internet with wifi, moving on up!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
It amazes me sometimes how I can learn about a band, look them up, download an album, and put it on my iPod to take around town with me the next day.
But that's not what I'm talking about today. Today I'm talking about my favorite Australian's birthday that was on Friday! Finnish Friend recently moved apartments and discovered an amazing steak house nearby. It's amazing because for some reason it's hard to get good beef in Prague. There's some good burger joints but nothing just awesome. These steaks though, it was incredible. So obviously they can get/make good beef here, they just don't seem to know how. And it was for a good price!
We then went to a club that J likes. Unfortunately and atypically they were charging a cover. I don't go to enough clubs to know what kind of places charge and how much but apparently it was an outrage. So we went across the street. Where we also had to pay a cover there (what is the world/Vinohrady coming to?!) but it was less and came with a free drink. We chatted, we danced, we drank wine, we stayed out way too late. To a point where I figured we should just stay out later and watch the sun rise over the Vltava like wild beautiful things but I was told it was too cold and got dragged home. Lame.
But J said it was the best birthday ever and for that I am glad. Just hung around on Saturday, got coffee and ice cream with a friend. Today has been relaxed as well. Went to J's with A to hear him play a lot of music he's been working on and gave our opinions. Tomorrow brings an early, most likely cold morning.
But that's not what I'm talking about today. Today I'm talking about my favorite Australian's birthday that was on Friday! Finnish Friend recently moved apartments and discovered an amazing steak house nearby. It's amazing because for some reason it's hard to get good beef in Prague. There's some good burger joints but nothing just awesome. These steaks though, it was incredible. So obviously they can get/make good beef here, they just don't seem to know how. And it was for a good price!
We then went to a club that J likes. Unfortunately and atypically they were charging a cover. I don't go to enough clubs to know what kind of places charge and how much but apparently it was an outrage. So we went across the street. Where we also had to pay a cover there (what is the world/Vinohrady coming to?!) but it was less and came with a free drink. We chatted, we danced, we drank wine, we stayed out way too late. To a point where I figured we should just stay out later and watch the sun rise over the Vltava like wild beautiful things but I was told it was too cold and got dragged home. Lame.
But J said it was the best birthday ever and for that I am glad. Just hung around on Saturday, got coffee and ice cream with a friend. Today has been relaxed as well. Went to J's with A to hear him play a lot of music he's been working on and gave our opinions. Tomorrow brings an early, most likely cold morning.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Mama I'm comming hoooommmeee!
Busting out the Ozzy title since yes, I'm going home in December! For Christmas! And food and family and animals and driving my truck! Huzzah! I'm getting really excited. Christmas here last year wasn't really Christmas. It was cold and depressing and while I did hang out with a lot of people it wound up not being very fun at all. Although I did make a few really good friends out of that lame party.
The city is getting colder! Last winter was brutal but I feel more prepared this time. I didn't know what to expect. Now I do, and I'm equipped. With better cold-facing clothes. And like, a job to keep me busy during the cold, short, dark days. And more friends, those will help too.
Got together with what is left of my TEFL class last night. One of them is leaving soon. And then there will be three. It was good to see them, it had been a while.
Today is Friday! Only one class and a substitution today. Last weekend I had two friends with birthday parties which meant late nights and late mornings (afternoons) and short days with 0 productivity. Not this weekend though! Me and the boy and Canadian friend are going boozeless! I've brainstormed many ideas of things to do/accomplish. And downloaded a few movies in case the weather gets particularly bad. I think it should be cold but nice though.
The city is getting colder! Last winter was brutal but I feel more prepared this time. I didn't know what to expect. Now I do, and I'm equipped. With better cold-facing clothes. And like, a job to keep me busy during the cold, short, dark days. And more friends, those will help too.
Got together with what is left of my TEFL class last night. One of them is leaving soon. And then there will be three. It was good to see them, it had been a while.
Today is Friday! Only one class and a substitution today. Last weekend I had two friends with birthday parties which meant late nights and late mornings (afternoons) and short days with 0 productivity. Not this weekend though! Me and the boy and Canadian friend are going boozeless! I've brainstormed many ideas of things to do/accomplish. And downloaded a few movies in case the weather gets particularly bad. I think it should be cold but nice though.
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