Csenge - my 5 year old "student"

I take no credit for her learning this song - though we did do a rousing version of "Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" today... isn't she a sweetie???

The man, the myth, the legend : Stanislaw Albro

Ladies and Gentlemen - Stanislaw Albro

Last weekend, I ventured to the small town of Gödölő, only 20 some miles out of Budapest. What drew me to Gödölő??? Stan Albro. Let me refresh your memory... Stan is a man in his late 60's early 70's who came to Hungary with my group last year. We were all very concerned about Stan's future in Hungary as he lost his glasses, wallet and briefcase several times just in the orientation period of one week. I introduced Stan to the internet the week we were together - he taught in the US, but paid someone each week to check his e-mail and tell him the important stuff. Stan is himself an enigma - and for some reason, I was drawn to him. He was like my long lost grandpa who I did nothing but razz and we had a great time.

Stan and I reconnected at the "farewell" dinner for the new teachers this year, and it's been best friends forever since- I guess... He invited me to his town to "share" lesson plans - which meant me copying over 30 ideas for him to use in his class. I had no problem doing this because I have experienced many different activities that worked in my classes, so I enjoy passing things on that I know can work with high school kids. So, we e-mailed back and forth, and basically I was told to show up at a particular school at 9am. Ok, well I had to check the train schedules and such, and figure out where said school was - but I was in.

SIDENOTE: on the train to Budapest, I was seated in a compartment with two Vietnamese tourists and three Hungarians. The two Vietnamese tourists were coming from somewhere in the Czech Republic on their way to Budapest for the weekend. They boarded at around 1:30am and immediately went to sleep - at that time it was only the two of them in their compartment. When they woke at 6:30am, they found that their brand new MacBook Air, a digital SLR camera, an iPhone and about $1800 US was stolen out of one of their bags while they slept. We found someone who was Hungarian and could speak English to help fill out a report with the Hungarian train steward, but we all kinda knew that they'd never get their stuff back. I felt so bad for them, and still don't really know how exactly it was taken, but word to the wise - be CAREFUL with your stuff when traveling anywhere!!!

Back to Stan : when I talked to Stan in preparation for the trip, he said that I should get off at the second Gödölő train stop - and I mentioned to him that I would be coming by "train train" not "commuter HEV" train. He told me to calm down, there was only one train. Then again, I had the cryptic directions to his school, "it's about a 5 minute walk." Ok - so off I went. I took the second Gödölő stop - which was in fact the main train stop, not "Szebed something" as I was directed by Stan. He also told me that he'd "try to be around" at the train station to meet me... and as I got off the train, there was no Stan to be found. Hmmmm... well, I better head towards the center of town - here goes nothing.

I followed the train tracks back towards town and veered toward the church steeple - the church is the center of most towns and villages here, so I figured it would be the direction to go. Next thing I knew - I had stumbled upon the school I was directed to find, though there were approximately 2,000 other people waiting for me there too. Not really, there was some sort of running race for kids - but it certainly clouded my ability to spot the man I was there to meet. Fortunately after about only a minute or so, I recognized a certain shuffle and navy sweat pants - I knew I'd found my mark. I hollered for Stan and we got down to business... well kind of.

He had a particular set of tasks that needed completing during the weekend. They included making several copies of 12 Angry Men for his students, correcting papers, going to a show at a Museum in Budapest, buying me lunch and hearing about my lesson ideas. I too had some things I wanted to do - namely see Stan's town. SO, I wasn't thrilled about the idea of hopping back on a train to Budapest... we agreed that the show would have to wait and we'd get as much done as possible in town. Stan was freaking out a bit about all the papers he had to grade, so I wanted to make sure he got some of his tasks done.

We were going to grab some breakfast (at the local hotel where he has breakfast every day) but we were cutting it close to closing time. On top of that, he didn't have his wallet and I had forgotten my camera so we went back to his apartment to retrieve his never used camera and his wallet. (he actually had his wallet with him the entire time, but he carries such a big bag that he loses things in the bag regularly.) After the initial shock at the state of his apartment, we were able to locate the necessary things and headed back out.

We got a light breakfast and talked about all different kinds of things. I told him a bit about where I teach in the US, and he told me why he (in not so many words) isn't comfortable going back to the US to work for another 5-7 years. If you're lucky, some day I'll tell you the story - but it didn't seem like something he really talked about a lot - so CETP teachers, I wouldn't ask him about it. We talked lesson plans and he was thrilled to have some additional ideas, and our next task to complete was the photo copies.

We got the copies made and headed out to walk around the town a bit. There is a big palace in Gödölő, and I wanted to see that - Stan had never been. We wandered a bit and had lunch at a really nice restaurant and headed to the palace. It was a beautiful building- and though there weren't pictures allowed, I snapped a few good ones.

Even though he'd had three cappucino's and two Diet Cokes, Stan was spent after the palace, so we went our separate ways - after I explained that the HEV train and the "train train" are two different tracks and different stops. He is a sweet sweet man- and lord only knows how he's managed to stay here and function on his own for over a year now. We gave a verbal rain check about seeing the show in Budapest, so maybe there'll be more Stan stories on the way :)

Stan reading my materials - I wish you could see more clearly his chain that holds his glasses... it's precious.

a festival in Stan's town - not quite sure what the occasion was...

a poster I thought was great - I'd like one for my classroom!!

Stan in front of his school

Stan paying for his copies - with his abandoned bag off to the side...

Stan's cell phone - (one of them anyway) with his number on a post it on the outside of the phone, taped down so it doesn't come off.

Stan eating his omlete for lunch. He's suffers from sleep apnea, so he's on a restricted diet - that he occasionally follows. This includes no caffeine in the afternoon (which he also ignored). Note the characteristic "Stan" large cup of ice that he orders with every meal for any beverage. He's ordered this every time he's eaten in this country, and hasn't learned how to ask for it in Hungarian... oh Stan...

My lunch - risotto with mozzarella balls - yum!

pretty flowers - dead grass

Stan in front of the palace

Stan in the palace

the coat of arms of some guy - he died and with his death the family line stopped, so the coat is upside down at his funeral. I thought it was interesting. The docent did not think it was interesting that I was taking pictures.

a relic of the Holy Cross - as certified by the Vatican (who knew there were so many pieces around Hungary!)

Stan reading some material about Budapest that I picked up for him

the palace

Sharing...

Let me tell you a little something about myself. I like to be in control of things. Perhaps that is why I became a teacher, but I thrive on knowing what I'm going to do, being able to change what I will do - eating when I want, traveling where I want when I want - I just like to be in control. I've gotten better at letting go - some might not agree, but really, I have. Until today.

I agreed to meet with a woman who wanted to learn English through private lessons. Great - I can do that once a week, no problem. Well, I met with her today to "discuss" things - and it turns out she wants me to speak with her in English, as well as her five year old daughter. Ok - that should still be okay. Then, I find out that I will have to be driven a half hour outside of Tata to their home (when she attends school 10 feet from my front door) because the daughter (who is incredibly shy I was told) would be more comfortable there. Ok, I get it - she's more comfortable in her own house, that's understandable. HOWEVER, this now adds an hour commute to the hour and a half I'll be "teaching" these two women. NOW, We have to decide on a day of the week - it turns out the daughter has swimming Tuesday and Thursdays, dance on Mondays so Wednesdays and Fridays would be best. Friday? Are you kidding? "No, Friday's won't work for me, so Wednesday it is." The mom stops for a minute and thinks outloud, "well, I don't know if she really enjoyed dance, so maybe we can meet Mondays too" oh really - okay great.

I don't even know what to do with a five year old who is an American and whose native tongue is English, let alone one who knows NO English and is shy. There are several reasons I did not pursue a career in Elementary Education - namely, I'm crass and sarcastic, and little kids don't get that. Additionally, I've never been one to get into the games and songs you'd have to sing every day. Flash back to my experience in Debrecen where I took elementary kids to play pool - that was about as "gamey" as I get. Now, I'm starting from SCRATCH with NO EXPERIENCE and NO IDEAS - TOMORROW! ARGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHG.

The only thing that could make this worse is if they invite me to stay for dinner and serve fish and pálinka. Hmph.

Never leave home without...

your Hungarian "hot pot" - interesting.

Budapest Pride!!

Back tracking a bit - I was in the Budapest Gay Pride parade the day before the half marathon. I knew it was taking place in town the day I went to pick up my registration pack and number, so I thought I'd check it out. For those of you who have not experienced a pride parade of any size, the Minneapolis one is a wild and crazy party. There are floats and groups and politicians - you name it, there is a group walking in the parade. The last one I attended in Mpls was hours long. So, I wanted to compare the Budapest Pride parade to ours. Well, there is no contest. The parade here consisted of one truck with lots of streamers and a stereo system, and a couple hundred people. Now, don't get me wrong, it was still a festive event, but the presence of so many police really kind of overshadowed the whole event. I guess last year there were Molotov cocktails and smoke bombs thrown into the group as they marched. SO - this year, they shut down all of Hero's Square, and lined Andrássy Ave with police men. No lie- there were probably a thousand cops in the area with full SWAT gear and protective gear on. I've never seen anything like it. So, as people were gathering to start the parade, I decided to join in. What the heck?! I support GLBT rights, so I went through the extensive security - they decided my bag of sandwiches and reading material wasn't hazardous to any of the marchers so I made the cut. I joined the group in the march down the main avenue and after about an hour I ducked out - which was not easy since the entire street was blocked off and secured for the safety of the walkers, but I made it out. I was glad to be able to support the Budapest and surrounding area GLBT community.

Hungarian flag and peace sign - I love it!

Two British guys

the cleared street - only those who passed the security check were allowed in

THE float...

cops

cops

more cops

Year two - or one point five I guess

So I started my second week of school on what is celebrated as "Labor Day" in the US. I remember last year joking with my students - "if I were at home, I wouldn't even be in school yet!" This year, I took a more positive approach to the holiday back home. I sat and (as I often do) thought about all the wonderful (and at times crazy) things that I have experienced in the last year. I stood in the English office, elbows resting on the window ledge, overlooking the beautiful lake that my school perches above. The view is like a postcard. It's so beautiful, I don't know what to do.

I changed my focus a bit, and I looked down at the 9th graders participating in the gym class on the grass below me. As I looked out the window and watched them struggle to run around the "track", I thought about the profession I have committed my life to. I have only known this group of kids I was watching a week (as they are new 9th graders), but how much you can learn in just that little bit of time. There are the boys who are going to drive me crazy, and already have. There are girls who have waited so long to be able to show off their skills in English, they can hardly wait until I walk into the room and they run up to ask me questions. There are the students who don't know ANY English and are scared to death of me. Students still intimidated to speak English freely so they'll write me notes. There are the "just a little bit strange" kids - like Zoli who informed the class that his hobby is Zombie Hunting and that his favorite English word is armageddon. Great - thanks Zoli! There are the flirts, and those who seek to be flirted with. There are jocks, introverts and brainiacs in each of the classes. In fact, as I sat there looking out the window wondering what I was doing in this strange country teaching a language that at times I don't understand, I realized that kids are kids - no matter where in the world they are.

I thought about how blessed I've been to be able to experience - to TRULY live and immerse myself in a culture. To take advantage of the hospitality of a country I knew so little about. They feel it's so important for me to be here spreading my language and culture, when all I want is to learn THEIR language and customs. How lucky I have been to be able to experience this culture, while doing what it is that I truly love - teaching. Sure, each year I go through a phase that will one day drive me out of this field. I become down and disgruntled (mostly with administration and bureaucracy- not the kids) and ask myself what else I could possibly do with my limited degrees. I always return to teaching- because I think it is what I was truly born to do, and I'm pretty good at it.

I felt so much more confident this year than last, for some obvious reasons - including acclimation to the culture and ways of things- it felt like I was returning to a natural fit, somewhere I am comfortable and am happy to go to every day. I am slowly realizing that despite a language difference, I am making a difference here too. I have students who watch CNN to ask me questions because they know that's all I watch. I exchange English books with students and discuss the books with them because they believe it's good learning for them. I teach students who are fluent in two, three or four languages, who are motivated and driven to succeed and move up in the world. I teach students who are curious about so many different things. Today, I had a 10th grader, not the strongest English speaker I teach, come and ask me if I've read the book "Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy." She wants to lend it to me and discuss it with me when I'm done. This week, I got invited to begin karate lessons. Why? It must be because I'm so fierce and they want me to learn new tactics to scare kids? I have no idea, but how thoughtful for a 9th grader to invite me. I have colleagues who - slowly but surely admit- that they speak English and have invited me to many different functions. I'm going on the "faculty trip to a wine cellar" next week, and I am on the list to travel to Budapest to see "Spamalot" - in Hungarian. I have minimal papers to grade, no discipline problems (that I can't handle), and I can teach about WHATEVER I want. I make my own curriculum to suit the students in my particular classes.

Even though I regularly scrutinize the path my life has taken, though it's different than many of my peers, I couldn't imagine my life without my experience here in Hungary. Sure, I have no kids, and I'm no where NEAR getting married, but sometimes that's not all there is to life. I have to keep telling myself that. I have done some amazing things in the last year of my life - and the 31 before that too I suppose.

I will return to Burnsville in January a better teacher, a different person, and a lucky lady to still be pursuing the career that made me who I am. I will continue teaching kids, and teaching them more than just history or English. They learn to be more open minded, tolerant and critical thinkers as a result of contact with me. At least that's the goal.

the aftermath... not for the weak stomached!

I knew about a third of the way through the race that I had some blisters forming. Here are the final results - look at my 2nd toe, and my big toe on the outside. Big blisters. ew. I wore special ($17) socks to prevent blisters, and also had a lubricant on my toes so they'd not get blisters. Hmph. I guess it's because I was running so damn fast :)

gross.

side of big toe, two on the 2nd toe and one on the ball of the foot. Yeesh

so I'll never be a foot model... oh well

here's the medal from the side.

Breaking news!!!

Well, I did NOT win the Budapest Half Marathon. I know this will come as a shock to many of you – but some days you just don’t have it. Ok – today was the big half marathon, and I’m glad it’s over. I raced well, not as fast as I’d liked to have – but what can you do. I finished in good shape and had a nice run – and took lots of pictures. I hope you enjoy them!

The day started out a little shaky because I always get really nervous with races. I was in Budapest yesterday to pick up my race number, and one of the metros was closed. So I got nervous that I wouldn’t be able to get to the start. I missed the bus this morning, due miscalculation of the time – an early Sunday morning bus has fewer people getting on and off at each stop, therefore comes quicker than other days. So, I had to walk to the train station, but I left early enough that it didn’t really matter. I got to the station, and of course, the gym teacher from my school was at the station with his bicycle- on his way to the start. That reassured me that I wasn’t leaving too late or too early – though he had his bike with him – I still had to worry about the metro once in Budapest.

I was worried that I didn’t have enough water, so I bought another one once I got to Budapest. The metro was fully functioning – and I joined many of my running compatriots on the number 1 line – the oldest subway line in continental Europe. (I always like to throw that fact in).

Once at the race start area, I headed immediately for the port-o-potties. It’s a habit my dad drilled into my head. Go to the bathroom, and then go again. So I did. Little did I know, that I picked the biff that was moonlighting as a ride. It was placed on uneven ground, so every time someone went in, it looked as if there was quite a bit of mischief going on inside. You had to laugh, even if it meant that urine was pooling up along the sides of the seat due to mis-management of male “aim” – probably while rocking back and forth in the unstable biff.

I got myself prepared – headphones on, water belt assembled, number affixed – etc. and I brought my bag to the drop off area. I used the biffs once more (stretching while in line) and was ready to roll with a few minutes to spare.

I had a decent race, I finished slower than my intended pace, but I took a lot of pictures and felt good at the end, so I am pleased overall. After the race, all participants got a free pass to the Széchenyi bath – so I made my way back to the dressing rooms. I happened to run into some of the new American soldiers stationed in Tata on my way – there were two first timers among them, and none of them really trained at all. They probably all beat me, but whatever. The pictures will tell the rest of the story J

three long strings of flags - go USA!

This is where I started from - planning to finish in less than 1 hour and 30 minutes (yeah right...)

Félmaraton = half marathon

the guys in maroon are the Tata Mustangs - our American football team!

Hero's Square

I'm there on the left in the pink shirt :)

running down the famous Andrássy Avenue

Fans with the red-white-green of the Hungarian flag

Ok seriously - if you followed my posting from the Tata mini-marathon - this SAME GUY (who is like 70+ years old) passed me and BEAT me then - and he did this morning AGAIN!

the famous chain bridge

cups... it's a water stop

another bridge - Elizabeth bridge? I don't know.

Weirdest water stop ever - sugar cubes, lemons and bananas

die-hard Hungarian - represent!

still looking okay... past the half way point!

The Freedom bridge

Crazy Hungarian with a 15 foot whip - I yelled at him in Hungarian when he almost clipped me with it - freak.

still smiling - almost there!

Parliament

up hill - "arms, arms arms" I told myself!

the multi-cultural finish/start!

finally DONE!

all the medals

wait - notice all the empty hooks - that's all the people who finished before me. Hmph.

me in front of the bath

finishers meal of champions!! This is for you Hanna!