Monday Monday... bah dah..... bah dah dah duh.

The list - angol nyelv = English language, and my outfit from today... ha ha Hungary - no socks!

Today was an interesting day (really… aren’t they all?).  I decided that I was going to start the week by doing a psychological experiment on the Hungarian people.  I went to school today, with  - get ready – no socks on.  It’s November 24, 2008 – and I didn’t wear socks OR stockings to school today.  I don’t know why, it just didn’t seem to go with the outfit (which as a whole didn’t really make sense anyway, but whatever.  I think I’m becoming less fashionable as I hang around with these people).  I had on leggings, a dress, a cardigan, a hat, mittens, a scarf and jacket – and no stockings or socks.  This was enough to basically stop traffic in Hungary.  I rode the bus to school today and was scrutinized at the bus stop, as I walked down the aisle of the bus, by other patrons who got on the bus, and then by teachers at school.  Edit wanted to lend me some stockings to wear because she “just couldn’t look at me” like this.  Granted, it was not that warm out, but mild enough that it didn’t bother me for the short distance I was outside (38-40 degrees Fahrenheit).  I knew it would drive people crazy – but man.  It’s still funny to watch their reactions.  Of course, I stood out at school today as well because the students didn’t understand why I didn’t have some sort of boot on – whether moon or stiletto, I needed a boot.  What can I say, I need a little excitement in my life.  Little did I know that it would come on a very important day…

Today was my “extra” lesson after school.  I was to do a “normal” lesson with the 9A students starting at 2:30.  I was told that maybe 10 8^th grade students would join us for the lesson to watch.  Never believe just what you are told.  Always assume that there is more to the big picture.  I realized that this was a bigger deal than I was told when I got to school today.  My name was first on a list of teachers – hanging prominently in the hallways – who were performing this “special” lesson after school today.  I learned today, (of course on the day of- less than 15 minutes before my lesson started) that it these are potential students for next year, and it’s very important to do a nice lesson.  I learned (5 minutes before my lesson was to start) that their parents would be there too.  Yoinks!  I went into my room at 2:28 and it was standing room only.  I had 18 9A students in addition to about 30 potential students and their parents in the room.  Holy bananas.  Lucky for me, I am just that good, and I had a stellar lesson planned.  We did a quick review of what they had learned about Thanksgiving (in their lesson earlier that day) then did a reading on Thanksgiving.  I gave them some questions orally to see if they comprehended, and then had them write about whether or not they would like to have attended the 1621 Thanksgiving celebration.  Last, I talked about the importance of thinking about what you are thankful for.  Each person is thankful for different things, and we should stop and think about these things every now and again.  So I had them reflect for a bit.  By that time, we only had a few minutes left – so I opened it up for questions from the peanut gallery, and there weren’t any.  They probably were all sitting there saying, “I’m not sending my kid to a school where the teachers don’t wear stockings in November”.  I probably blew it for a good 30 potential students.  Oh well.  I won’t be there next year anyhow.

Luckily, I got through my case of Monday crazies earlier that day.  I began talking about my weekend – which was fairly dull.  I didn’t go shopping with Antonia and her family – thankfully BECAUSE – there was a bomb threat at the mall they went to!  So ha – I knew I shouldn’t go mom!  And I didn’t go ice skating with the 9^th graders either.  I pretty much slept and watched Friends all weekend.  I had a “I’m feeling sorry for myself” weekend because of the pending holiday season I suppose.  But I tried making sugar cookies, after the cake went so well I kept going.  That was a disaster.  I didn’t have enough butter, and I added some other things to help make it more moist, and they ended up like hockey pucks.  SO – I’m telling my 9^th grade students about my cookie making extravaganza (knowing that “cookie” in Hungarian means penis – so I call them sugar “biscuits” – how very British…) but I referenced them as cookies, just to be funny. I said I made “American cookies” not “Hungarian cookies” thinking I’d gotten the uncomfortable giggles out of the way.  Not a chance.  Apparently some word that sounds like “hockey” means the same as masturbate in Hungarian.  Great – so now I’m talking about these cookies, and how they are as hard as hockey pucks.  Awesome.  I then made a reference to how I was feeling a little “looney” with all of this giggling, which started another flurry of giggles, since looney sounds like “nuni” which is Hungarian for vagina.  Geeze.  Thank goodness I didn’t use these choice words in my afternoon special session.  Yeesh.

 

First snowfall in Tata!

The first picture is looking at my school, the rest are of Tata - some of Calvary Hill (those should be obvious).  

Saturday morning was supposed to be my big trip to Komarom.  It's about 15 kilometers from my house here in Tata, and some students were going to show me around.  Unfortunately, the snow was blowing and it was really cold, so I cancelled the date.  When Antonia called me back, her response was so cute, it made me feel bad.  "Hello Carla, it is Antonia.  I have informed everyone of the changes, and it is okay.  My family and I are going to Györ, would you like to come with?"  Yoinks - no, I don't want to go shopping (an hour away) with your family... but thanks.  How cute?  I felt kind of bad for not going shopping, but that would have been MORE than awkward.  So, instead (since I was all bundled up and ready to go) I headed out to take pictures of Tata in the new snow cover.  I hope you enjoy.

Harmony Week

Last week at school was called “Harmony Week.”  There were activities all week to show the harmony? In our school.  It was interesting.  One day was “yin-yang” day – so you were to wear either white or black to school.  Then, at school the students handed out white circle necklaces to the girls, and black circle necklaces to boys.  The necklaces each had a number on it, and only after I’d committed to wearing it, did I find out that the owner of the number in the other color was to be your “love.”  Oh boy.  The point was to spend the day searching for your love in between breaks.  I gave it a good effort, but sadly there was no love to be found (thank God.)  Another day was “Free Hug” day.  I didn’t participate in that day… there were enough hugs to go around without me participating.  Another day was “Friend Day.”  On this day during the breaks, students could fill out smiley faces and send them to their friends.  It was confusing and seemingly disorganized, but the smiley faces all got delivered – even some to me.  One of them was signed “dumbass” which either leads me to believe that he gets my humor and respect me – OR he’s afraid of me because marks will be coming soon.  Interesting concept – not sure it worked entirely, but hey, gives the students something fun to do.

Class Excursion

So – I decided that it would be a good use of one period to take each of the 9^th grade classes to the Tata Public Library.  When I asked, all of the students but one had NEVER been to the library – so I decided we needed a field trip.  Also, selfishly, I wanted a library card, so I figured they could help me acquire one while we were there J.  We went on a Wednesday afternoon, I moved it up from Thursday because the weather was supposed to be colder on Thursday.  It was sprinkling and cold, but we forged on- it’s only about a 10-15 minute walk. We got all the way there, and sure enough, the Tata Public Library is closed on Wednesdays.  Damn.  Oh well.  We went again on Thursday and were successful – if you could call it that.  I don’t know much about libraries, but I know that we in the United States are beyond laminated cardboard sticking off of the shelves to indicate the placement of the Dewey Decimal number system… but whatever.  I found the English books (what a hodge podge of books) and we looked at the reference section and of course the DVD’s – which sadly they were most interested in.   Several students got a library card, and I found out how to get one – I needed my passport, so I haven’t yet gotten one yet.  At any rate, it was a good walk and an informative visit. 

Gotta love security guards

A couple weekends ago when I was in Budapest, I decided to head into a shopping mall.  I had a bunch of stuff with me since I was traveling to Gyula, but I was determined to find lockers, and get rid of my stuff, and enjoy the mall.  I located the lockers (which, like the malls in the US are in the hallway leading to the bathroom) but was baffled from the get-go.  Where do your coins go?  How much do they cost?  Is it 20 forint?  100 forint?  I was staring at the lockers trying to figure them out when two mall security guards approached and started opening all the lockers.  OK, well now what?  I backed away and left the hallway, but damnit, I wanted a locker.  So I returned to the lockers, said (in my best Hungarian) “bocásnot, sajnos csak egy kicsit bészel magyarul, hanem mennyi békerul?” (I think that’s how it’s written…) – “excuse me, unfortunately I only speak a little Hungarian, but how much do these cost?”  They looked at each other, and to my surprise, the elder – way elder- of the two guards stopped and helped me.  He showed me how to step by step program the locker with my own number and then how to open it again once I was finished.  AND – it didn’t cost anything.  SCORE!  I thanked him profusely and shoved my stuff in, programmed the lock and off I went!  Thankfully, it opened when I returned and off I went to the train station.  Victory again!

Cooking in Hungary

Check out all the different types of flour.  Geeze!

So – my charge for Thanksgiving next week is to bring a chocolate cake (originally it was 'lil smokies wrapped in bacon - but I can't find 'lil smokies anywhere).  Chocolate cake, no problem right?  Well, that’s what you think.  I looked up recipes on the internet, but each of them had some seemingly strange ingredient- white wine vinegar, pure cocoa powder (not sure Nestle quick would work) self-rising flour, baking powder (while not normally a strange ingredient, my Hungarian lessons have not gone that far yet).  I finally found a recipe that sounded good, and used self-rising flour.  In case I couldn’t find that, I did bring the recipe for the cake using white wine vinegar, but it was a bit more complicated.  So – I set off for the Interspar to try and find the needed ingredients.  I also had my mom send her recipe for Spinach Lasagna which I love.  I certainly don’t need an entire lasagna so why not make it as a vegetarian option for Thanksgiving.  OK –so I get to the Interspar and of course right off the bat I’m having cart coin issues.  I have two 10 forint, and a 100 forint, but they take 20 forint coins.  I finally asked and they sent me to the drugstore to change in my coins.  Ok, challenge one overcome.  Next, I was off to find lasagna and cake ingredients.  The lasagna called for (is that how you spell lasagna?  Is it lasagne? Anyways…)  two pounds of cottage cheese.  Lucky for me, here they come in 150 gram packages.  SO – I purchased about 8 of them, not knowing the conversion.  I also purchased the Hungarian version of cottage cheese to see how it compared, and it molded before I tried it.  Onto the next ingredient – lasagna noodles.  I found them easily enough, BUT they were $8.00 a package, and I bought two.  Seriously.  Next thing – frozen chopped spinach.  After three times up and down the frozen foods aisle, I settled on what I thought was the closest thing – and it turned out to be Spinach puree.  OK great.  Time for the cake.  Self rising flour.  Hmmm…. So I approached the “baking” aisle and started to scan.  Well, since there are about 40 different kind of flours to choose from, I called three friends and my parents to try and figure out my dilemma.  Neither my parents, Megan or Vivvi picked up, but Jake did – the linguist – thank goodness!!  He went to ask a colleague, and she didn’t know the word (or it didn’t exist in the country) so she suggested adding yeast to regular flour.  Ok – no problem, I know EXACTLY what to do with yeast and flour to make it self-rising.  Man.  Now, I start the 25 minute search for yeast… ugh.  Ok – so I found the yeast, and returned to get the regular flour – when I spotted “rizs” flour.  Jackpot – that’s got to rise right?  It looks like “rise”, it sounds like “rise” – it’s gotta be it.  So I purchase the yeast and the rizs flour and call it a day.  Well, I get home to find out that “rizs” means rice.  Damnit once again.  I ended up settling on a different cake recipe and it’s delicious.  Unfortunately I now have an entire “test” cake in my kitchen – ok, the first row of pieces is gone… ok, maybe more than the first row of pieces… this is exactly what I need, an entire cake to myself.  Sheesh. 

Postal Service abroad

I mailed one package and five letters all by myself last week.  I was thrilled because last time I had to coerce two students into coming with me.  It wasn’t a big deal, and they felt good that they could help, but still.  Independence is something that does not come easily in a foreign country.  At any rate, I have been trying to capture the postal deliverers in action since I first saw them.  They ride around on green bicycles with green “Posta” bags hanging on the handle bars.  It’s kind of funny, but I suppose it’s efficient.  What is going to happen now that it has snowed though?  Are they as tough as postal workers in the USA (Rain, sleet…)?

Presentation isn't everything...

So I was thinking as I arrived at the Keleti train station, Hungary doesn’t focus much on presentation.  Take for example the wine – large dirty gas can.  Hmmm… I thought about this as I stared at the man standing outside the “tourist information” booth at the train station.  He was chain smoking, standing at the gate of his establishment.  It doesn’t make me really want to go to his info booth if he’s smoking and puffing in my face.  Interesting way of trying to get business.  The picture is blurry, but trust me - it was not inviting...

Fishing Experience

While I was on fall break, the annual lake-emptying/fishing party took place.  I realize that in traveling I missed the celebration of the 1956 revolution and the fish tradition, but I heard a lot about them both.   As for the fishing, I don’t really see it as we see fishing in Minnesota.  First of all, they drain a significant amount of water from the lake for the winter, second, they use HUGE nets and just kind of lure them in.  I’m not entirely sure why this process occurs every year, as we leave fish in MN all winter long, but it’s a part of Tata – so it lives on.  I was able to catch (pun intended) some of the last parts of the fish catching as you can’t get them ALL in one weekend.  Let me tell you, I’m a bit scared of some of the things they found in the lake.  There are a crapload of carp (which I learned last spring were the junk fish that you threw away) and they then sell those carp at the Tesco.  BUT – there are some HUGE fish, I have no idea what they are, but in the pictures, they are in the boat- check them out! 

The whole process is interesting as it seems to bring together the community, but I find it to be one of those interesting cultural differences.  Apparently there isn’t much for ice fishing here J

Weekend in Gyula

The pictures go in backwards order, but Megan is bundling up on the train, as you can see, we are the only ones in our car... Vivvi with a homemade birthday  cheesecake that was divine (thanks Kati and Suzie!),  Kati and Suzie, at Vivvi's apt - Ellen, Csabi, Rachel and Ashley. 

Saturday had an interesting beginning.  I had originally planned on taking the 6:01am train to Békéscsaba- looking around for a bit and then heading from there to Gyula.  That plan failed after the late night with the choir.  SO – I would take the 8:15 train, same plan.  That plan failed too – because the bus was a few minutes late so I missed the express train.  I ended up catching the 8:22 train and I decided to do some wandering in Budapest.  And by wandering I mean shopping.  I have buckled down and decided to get a new back pack.  My green Jansport bag has lasted me since high school – it’s a great bag, but the strap is starting to come away from the bag and that’s the last thing I need is for my bag to break while I’m in Munich or something.  It will be sad when I finally stop using it – but at this point, I’m hoping I can bring it back and have my mom work some magic on it.  In the mean time, I got a new backpack and a winter coat as well.  So- after I wandered a bit, I grabbed a ticket for the metro and headed to the train station.  Luckily I left enough time because I got stopped by the metro police at the train station stop.  I purchased (knowingly) a “section” ticket instead of a “single” ticket.  The difference is a total of 50 forint –and there are currently 200 forint to a dollar.  Ok –so I was being cheap?  I don’t know why- I had just purchased a new coat and a backpack – and I needed to save this money on the train ticket?  Anyhow, the difference is that the section ticket is only good for three stops, and I was going 5 stops.  So, of course, I was stopped and told I had to pay 6,000 forint ($30).  Yeah right.  So- I claimed that I just asked for a ticket and that this is what the lady gave me, lie lie lie, and called Hajni (our in country contact).  She pretty much yelled at him on the phone telling him that I didn’t know any better and that I was there doing the country a service by helping the children learn English – yadda yadda… he still wasn’t going to let me go.  Bastard.  So, I told him “I can either go visit my friend for her birthday, or pay your fine – which one is it?” and he eventually looked at me and said “goodbye.”   Get  life Keleti-Palauydvar Metro guard.  (even though it was my fault…)  Oh well.  This trip was not off to a good start.  So – what do I do to solve that?  Go to McDonalds!!  At McDonalds I ran into Ashley and Ellen, and we ended up riding the train together.  So- all was well… but it was only noon… sheesh.  We took the three hour train to Gyula and met up with Vivvi, Rachel, Briggi and John.  Megan joined us later – I was so excited that she showed up last minute!!!  We went out that night to some fun bars in Gyula- though they were frequented by Vivvi’s students so that was a bit awkward.  I slept in Vivvi’s guest bedroom, which has no heat so it was a chilly night, then Megan and I got on a train that had no heat for the three hour ride home, so when we got to Budapest, we went to McDonalds to get a coffee and warm up.  Still working on the Hungarian, I ordered a “Jeges” Kave – which turns out that it’s and ICED coffee.  Shit.  I was hoping to just get some warmth into my body – no such luck.  My life is awesome.  Hmph.

Choir Concert

Friday night was our big St. Marten’s Day Choir concert.  This was the first official concert for me, as my debut performance was at the church near Pápa.  I made sure to double check this week on the uniform – yes it was still in fact a white shirt and black pants.  No problem.  I got home from school on Friday and packed some things for my trip to Gyula (for Vivvi’s birthday party) and got ready for the concert.  I think this was the first time since I arrived in Hungary that I applied eye makeup – as this was in fact a big day.  I hopped on the bus and headed towards the town hall for our pre-concert practice.  I felt fairly confident because I knew the bus system, I knew where to get off, I knew where the Town Hall was (or so I thought…) I got off at the stop near the church and started to walk down the street to the right.  I knew I was going in the right direction because I had been to this square before, it shouldn’t be a problem.  BUT – the only other times I had been to this square I was on foot.  Dang, this doesn’t look right.  Dang again, I thought I could turn here to get to the square that I need.  Uh-oh – I better turn around and try again… on the way back, I ran into one of the Lotzi’s (also in the Irish Band) and asked him if he was going to the concert tonight.  He said yes he was (I secretly got excited because I thought that I could just follow him…) and then he told me that he wasn’t singing, he was just going to attend.  Damn, there went my secret plan.  OK- so I’m back to the area where the bus dropped me off… oh yes – there is the post office, I was supposed to go left, not right.  No big deal, since I now fully operate on Hungarian time.  I was supposed to be at practice at 4:30… I took the 4:20 bus (which arrives at my stop 5 minutes later than the posted time) and then got lost, and when I rolled into the town hall at 4:50 I was the third one there.  Hmph.  I love Hungarians.  The town hall was a beautiful bright yellow building with marble stairs leading up to the large room we sang in.  There were about 100 chairs set up in the room, and a small table in the corner with figurines of the buildings of Tata.  There couldn’t have been a cuter place to sing.  People started trickling in, and Jozsi began to set up a slide show of pictures from our trip.  Oh no… please don’t show the pictures from the Pápa trip.  I look like a lost child in all of the pictures.  I’m always forlorn, and looking the opposite direction of where the action is.  I swear, it’s like they planted me to look like a foreigner without a clue… at any rate, there were the Pápa pics larger than life behind us as we began to warm up.  As I stood there, I noticed several things that were wrong with me in the picture.  First, at the initial performance I had, it was a white shirt black pant uniform, though it was so cold in the church, none of us took off our coats exposing our outfits.  This time, we were indoors and it was nothing if not warm in that room.  It was only then that I realized that the unspoken rule was a long sleeved white shirt – and sure enough, I had short sleeves.  Damn.  Strike one.  The second, and perhaps more pronounced difference, is that all of the men had on a maroon tie, and all of the women had on a maroon neck scarf that tied with a bunch of maroon roses.  No scarf for this girl.  Damn.  Strike two.  Last, but certainly not least, each member of the choir had a matching maroon velvety folder that held their music.  Me?  I had a one inch blue binder with plastic on the cover so you could insert a sheet of paper if you’d like.  Hmph.  Strike three.  Combine all of these factors, and then do the worst thing you could think of – place me front and freaking center – and then we have a choir concert worth talking about.  Seriously.  We left at about 6:10 and went to a different room to continue warming up for our concert.  We ran through several of the songs and then got ready to walk out into the big room.  On our way in, Kata threw a scarf at me (lord knows where she got it – I’m pretty sure it was hers- so I was at least semi prepared now)  As we paraded into the room, I noticed that the crowd was standing room only.  There were more people than chairs!  Could this be?  Yikes, now I was a bit nervous.  On top of it all, despite the fact that there was a “retro-disco” dance at the school, some of my students had shown up to watch me perform.  In addition, there were at least a half dozen other teachers from the school, and there certainly was some healthy pointing at the “American teacher” to spouses and friends.  Well, now I was officially nervous.  Of course, we started with a crazy Hungarian folk song that everyone and their mother knows, and it’s sung at warp speed.  So, as I was going through the initial “jojj megakát….” I just started laughing and went for it.  Anyone there who knew me, understood that I had quite a handicap going in and hopefully they appreciated the fact that I was trying.  If not, screw ‘em.  The concert proved to be not only more enjoyable than I had anticipated, but more professional as well.  Kata did some talking about things on a slide show – not sure what she said or what the pictures were of, but hey- it looked professional… and there was even a professional singer there who did some little interlude things.  Wow, we’re legit!  The kids enjoyed the concert and were impressed that I had even tried, let alone was successful in my endeavor to become part of a Hungarian choir. 

After the concert, there was a party at a “friend of the choir’s.”  What?  We have a fan club?  Weird!  There is apparently a husband and wife who really enjoy the music and the people – so they offered to host all of us and our friends at their house.  I was not sure what to expect as this was my initial fan club party, but hey – they always have a good time, I’m in!  I rode with Erika to the party, and was totally overwhelmed when I walked in to smell something so heavenly I knew I could only be in Hungary.  There was a pörkölt (stew) going, bread bread and more bread, and deserts abounding!  I could not believe it. There were picnic bench like tables and everyone packed in (sitting appropriately on a random seat cushion to protect the groin from a cold) for a nice meal.  There was homemade wine, both white and red, and water with gas.  Such a Hungarian meal.  I really had a chance to stop and think about how proud I am of myself for getting out of my comfort zone and sticking with this group.  They are the nicest most caring people, all of course concerned with whether or not I’m eating enough… After the meal was served and we were into the deserts, things got crazy.  Tibor (not my favorite Tibor, but the one who I think was handsome in his prime) broke out his accordion.  Yes, I’m friends with an accordion player.  He rocked that thing and of course, people sang along.  What a trip.  When I was just thinking of leaving, someone started klinking their glass, and it was time for a toast.  Little did I know that the toast was about me (until I heard Amerikai and Carla being said).  Istvan (Kata’s husband) was toasting me, thanking me for being a part of the group and officially welcoming me to their community.  I was being inaugurated into the choir officially, even though I didn’t have a scarf- how nice of them!!!  THEN, after applause and after some lady claimed I brought the average age of the choir down by 50 years, they sang a song to me.  The lyrics were something about being three friends all together as one and welcoming a new friend.  It was strange and wonderful all at the same time.  Having 40 people surround you – many of whom you don’t know –as they were friends of the friends of the choir-  staring at you, singing to you and you not knowing what the hell they are singing about.  It was fabulous.  

Choir... the wine

So here’s a good one… I don’t remember what I wrote about the wine I ordered from the choir group, but it came.  Boy did it ever.  A couple weeks before the fall break, there was a sheet passed around the group and people could order wine from the famous Tokaj region of Hungary.  It’s famous wine, and everyone loves it.  When in Rome right?  I said I like semi-sweet white wines, so put me down for whatever other people are getting and that would be great.  Ok, well, everybody was getting 10liters of wine.  Yoinks.  Ok, great – here I come alcoholism… They told us it would be delivered after break, so we could pick it up then.  Well, the first week after break, I was hosting the election bash of the century, so I didn’t go to practice.  They brought it for me last Tuesday – and I was thrilled… until I saw the container it came in.  Yes, you are seeing correctly – there are 10 liters (minus two glasses) of wine in the former gas can of a container.  What in the hell am I supposed to do with that?  After you have a glass or two, it becomes impossible to pour because there isn’t a spout and it’s freaking heavy!  What a surprise this rewonderful wine was.  Hmph.  I was instructed to maybe get some glass bottles and fill them up.  Oh, okay – I’ll just run to Tesco and pick up some glass bottles.  Sheesh.  On a lighter note, the wine is delicious, and it only cost 6,000ft – or about $30.  Quite a deal – the price is reduced because there isn’t much put into presentation… obviously.  J

New Gym class activity

Gym class has taken an interesting turn recently… apparently it’s okay to utilize the classes to rake leaves at the school.  I have seen at least one class a day used strictly to collect leaves from the school grounds.  Interesting concept, but is it humane?  I suppose it’s somewhat athletic… If I’m not mistaken, isn’t leaf raking one of the things you can do to “just move” in those commercials with the dancing fat man in the maroon vest at the doctors office?  At any rate, they get away with it at Eötvös, so they roll with it.