Victory

It's another fresh and sunshine-filled day. I'll take it.

You'll (hopefully) be happy to hear that I graciously accepted Sidney Crosby's marriage proposal. Seriously though, what a proud proud Canadian moment. I was lucky to find live streaming online to watch the game (although it took me the first two periods to find a working link); I really only saw the third and overtime periods. I was on the Vancouver 2010 website though, for live updates, and Heather was on Skype to keep me posted, reacting to both highs and lows. I must have woken my neighbours with my screaming, shortly before midnight on Sunday, as with the time change, that's when I saw Sid the kid score the gold-medal goal. I can't imagine the energy that must have filled Canada's streets and skies at that very moment. I sure wish I could have been in the country for it. Nevertheless, I'm quite excited to be introduced into the hockey world, you know, with the engagement and all. If it doesn't work out with Sid and me, I'm hoping he can introduce me to Cam Ward....

Last Friday I went to Lipsko, a town about an hour from Radom, to teach (with my boss) a demo lesson at a construction company. My boss did the first part of the lesson, and I, the second. With me, I wanted them to practice the questions that my boss had revised with them, to find out information about me. Rather than sticking to the set questions, however, I was asked things like, "Why are you in Poland?" "What do you do in your free time?" "How old are you?" "Do you like Polish men?" (Hardly) (N)ever a dull moment. It's still not confirmed yet whether or not I will be teaching here on a regular basis...oh English College. Don't get me started.

"Leah, what is the beach where you don't wear?", asked one of my power plant men on Friday. Ahh yes, a nude beach. This class was also filled with talk of "in sexy clothes", "I sleep naked" (to which I walked out of the class), all because the textbook section was about "a girl's night out". Always a laugh (or ten) with this group.

After speaking with a friend on the weekend, I realised that some things I see every day here, I don't really think about. However, saying them out loud to someone not living here, they sound quite strange. What I am referring to are the women of the forest. On Mondays and Fridays when I go to Kozienice, I always see women, wearing fishnets and tall boots, standing along the side of the road. The road, a single-lane back road, is lined with trees and forest. The women separate themselves, and stand alone. Friday was especially busy, with the nice weather. Me and the Polish teachers I drive with were so tempted to pull over and ask them some questions:
-is this a reliable source of income? -who stops for these women? -how do they get there? -where do they come from? -do they have tents on hand? -what are the hours like?
Such a curious thing.

Heather and I baked up a storm on Saturday afternoon. SO MANY PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES! Please don't ask how many are left. (Big thanks again to Elise for the recipe!!)

My 4 and 5 year olds' behaviour has been slowly on the decline as of late. They really like to run around and turn the overhead fan on and off. Yesterday I introduced a sticker chart. They get a sticker for, say, opening their books, or answering a question, or working quietly. Let me tell you, as soon as one student has more stickers than another, all the others are at attention because they want one too. SUCH a 180. We accomplished so much! Not sure why I didn't do this before...I know it's not rocket science, but I was so much happier after that class yesterday!

On Monday, my teens were so great as to indulge me on their thoughts about their religious education system, and their thoughts on the church as an institution.

I apologise if my classroom tales are not that exciting, but this is my life right now. Travel is limited, as I am saving for some trips - Riga in April, Berlin in May, and Italy for June/July. Lots to look forward to! I am also currently applying for jobs in South Korea for an August or Septemeber start...! I will keep you posted! xo