We leave Slovenia tomorrow for a 10 day hip hop around the countries surrounding Slovenia. Our Itinerary looks like this...
Split, Croatia
Vienna, Austria
Bratislava, Slovakia(the basis for the film hostel)
Budapest, Hungary
and finally back to Vienna for our flight back
Should be a great 10 days. I'm excited for a return to Budapest for a Turkish bath, Split for the Croatian hunnies and Vienna for some spicy beer. Other then that I have no idea what we will do or what we will see, but I am certain that it will be one hell of a good time.
Friday, April 22, 2011
last day
Last day at Danile Kumar today and I didn't expect it to be as hard as it was. The students and faculty really welcomed us with open arms. A once in a lifetime experience that I will always cherish.
Plus they gave me this awesome hat!
Now for the classes...
8th
Teaching lesson #1
Don't have a project due the day before break, there are always student missing. The class is normally 7 students larger
Normal pictures are not as much fun as crazy ones!
7th
Teaching lesson #2
When you least expect it you are making a difference in a students life
6th
Teaching lesson #3
Mold your lesson to fit the classes dynamic
5th
Teaching lesson #4
Always have time for a laugh
Thanks to all the faculty and staff. Especially our principal Irena.
Where do I go from here?
Plus they gave me this awesome hat!
Now for the classes...
8th
Teaching lesson #1
Don't have a project due the day before break, there are always student missing. The class is normally 7 students larger
Normal pictures are not as much fun as crazy ones!
7th
Teaching lesson #2
When you least expect it you are making a difference in a students life
6th
Teaching lesson #3
Mold your lesson to fit the classes dynamic
5th
Teaching lesson #4
Always have time for a laugh
Thanks to all the faculty and staff. Especially our principal Irena.
Where do I go from here?
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Last day of student teaching tomorrow. It will be bitter sweet to leave the school. Its a very special place and I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to student teach there. Not its time to find a job. Anyone wanna hook me up?
Horse was good! NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM!
My 6th grade class! Great group of students who are very motivated at the moment, lets just hope puberty doesn't drag them down.
Horse was good! NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM!
My 6th grade class! Great group of students who are very motivated at the moment, lets just hope puberty doesn't drag them down.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Horse
Ate a horse burger today... and it was GOOOOOOD!
On another note its seeming like it might be a little tough to leave these students. I've had a good thing going over here.
On another note its seeming like it might be a little tough to leave these students. I've had a good thing going over here.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Chasin waterfalls
So it has taken me years of traveling, but I think I've found it! A GOLDEN TICKET!!! well not really, but I did find what I'd consider to be the most beautiful place I've ever been. Plitvice Lakes National Park located in Croatia right near the boarder of Serbia. There was rained and it hailed, but nothing was going to stop us from enjoying our time there. Picture time....
A 2 and a half hour drive and your welcomed to this!
I was so excited I had to do some Kung-Fu
Big Falls
I got a little too excited and almost fell over the edge.
SLAP! waterfall
It's almost as if your in another world.
Pictures never do the park justice, you'll just have to go see for yourself.
Yes, we played Pooh sticks and yes, I won! Don't mock us.
A 2 and a half hour drive and your welcomed to this!
I was so excited I had to do some Kung-Fu
Big Falls
I got a little too excited and almost fell over the edge.
SLAP! waterfall
It's almost as if your in another world.
Pictures never do the park justice, you'll just have to go see for yourself.
Yes, we played Pooh sticks and yes, I won! Don't mock us.
Our school is full of awesome people
This past week our principal took us out and drove us(very fast) around different parts of Slovenia. She showed us her hometown, took us up into the mountains and finally to some awesome gardens. Later that week she set it up for another teacher to take us to the coast of Slovenia. Now Slovenia doesn't have much coastline (46km or 25mi), but for what little they have they make the most of it.
Every year the Dutch send them thousands of tulip bulbs, the deal is at the end of the year they have to pull the bulbs and burn them.
The Street food of Slovenia is a Burek. A flaky pastyish food that is usually full of meat and cheese. Not to the level of a kebab, but for the price you can beat it. If you ever feel the need for a greasy meal this does the job.
As we made our way to the South of Slovenia we stopped at a castle of a glass of wine. We started talking with the owner and he took us for a tour of his wine cellar. His prize possession was a 800 year old bottle of Spanish wine. Quite the collection. After he showed us the wine cellar he proceeded to tell us about his GRAND vision for the restaurant and then complain about how difficult it is to get permits(unless you grease the right palms).
The Beautiful coastal city of Piran with 4 awesome people standing next to a statue of a dead Italian composer.
So it turns out 30 years ago someone had a vision of me and just had to sculpt it. I'm just glad I was able to find it.
Every year the Dutch send them thousands of tulip bulbs, the deal is at the end of the year they have to pull the bulbs and burn them.
The Street food of Slovenia is a Burek. A flaky pastyish food that is usually full of meat and cheese. Not to the level of a kebab, but for the price you can beat it. If you ever feel the need for a greasy meal this does the job.
As we made our way to the South of Slovenia we stopped at a castle of a glass of wine. We started talking with the owner and he took us for a tour of his wine cellar. His prize possession was a 800 year old bottle of Spanish wine. Quite the collection. After he showed us the wine cellar he proceeded to tell us about his GRAND vision for the restaurant and then complain about how difficult it is to get permits(unless you grease the right palms).
The Beautiful coastal city of Piran with 4 awesome people standing next to a statue of a dead Italian composer.
So it turns out 30 years ago someone had a vision of me and just had to sculpt it. I'm just glad I was able to find it.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Not feeling like typing much so I'll just give you some pictures and write about it later. Saturday spent at Bled and Saturday night spent watching the dogs win the ship at 4am
Bled, Beautiful and awesome
For some reason this picture refuses to do what I want it to, just flip your monitor over.
Two thumbs up
Cream Cakes! The pride of Bled.
Used our man-stinked to get up to the castle (top left in the first picture). Didn't want to pay to go in (7 Euros) so we hiked around it. Can't imagine the castle being any better than the views we found.
From where we sat we looked out towards this. Ben I think you would love it here.
Found! One babies footie in my room. I have no idea how it got there and is honestly freaking me out a bit.
Bled, Beautiful and awesome
For some reason this picture refuses to do what I want it to, just flip your monitor over.
Two thumbs up
Cream Cakes! The pride of Bled.
Used our man-stinked to get up to the castle (top left in the first picture). Didn't want to pay to go in (7 Euros) so we hiked around it. Can't imagine the castle being any better than the views we found.
From where we sat we looked out towards this. Ben I think you would love it here.
Found! One babies footie in my room. I have no idea how it got there and is honestly freaking me out a bit.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Had a slow day at school today, so I dipped out once I finished my one class and went on a bit of an adventure before the school talent show. I walked in the direction of the mountains and didn't stop until I was on top of a hill over looking the city. Decked out in my teacher cloths I climbed to the top to be given a wonderful view of the city. It was a good change of pace from the view on top of the castle from the middle of the city.
Teacher cloths in the morning, hiking cloths in the 80 degree afternoons
Flat bottom dress shoes make for difficult hiking
Panoramic from the hill
Panoramic from the castle
Look at those three all-stars
Good day, and my lesson plans are almost complete for tomorrow, just have to make a worksheet. We have a busy weekend ahead of us; I'm taking Chris and Megan on a little journey tomorrow afternoon. Saturday we are rolling out to Bled where apparently we have to eat Cream Cakes from some random place (It sounded like a crime not too) and then we are planning on taking a short bus trip to a place called Vintgar, looking at pictures it reminds me of Chester Creek (if it was on steroids).
Sunday our Principle, Irena will be taking us for a drive to a bunch of places that she said so fast I couldn't even guess what they are.
Hope your weekends are equally as awesome. Don't do anything I wouldn't do.
Hickel
I leave you with a picture of a sticker placed on our floor, not sure what it is, but I have my suspicions...
Teacher cloths in the morning, hiking cloths in the 80 degree afternoons
Flat bottom dress shoes make for difficult hiking
Panoramic from the hill
Panoramic from the castle
Look at those three all-stars
Good day, and my lesson plans are almost complete for tomorrow, just have to make a worksheet. We have a busy weekend ahead of us; I'm taking Chris and Megan on a little journey tomorrow afternoon. Saturday we are rolling out to Bled where apparently we have to eat Cream Cakes from some random place (It sounded like a crime not too) and then we are planning on taking a short bus trip to a place called Vintgar, looking at pictures it reminds me of Chester Creek (if it was on steroids).
Sunday our Principle, Irena will be taking us for a drive to a bunch of places that she said so fast I couldn't even guess what they are.
Hope your weekends are equally as awesome. Don't do anything I wouldn't do.
Hickel
I leave you with a picture of a sticker placed on our floor, not sure what it is, but I have my suspicions...
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Well it has been a while since my last solid blog post. I know letting you all know that I’m officially captain awesome was big news, but that didn’t fill you in on the week’s events. So while I illegally stream mad men I’ll get you updated on what is up.
Sad to say that captain awesome has not caught on with any of the other grades, although I think I could get the 5th graders to call me it if I made more of an attempt, but I think I’m alright with one grade (so are Megan and Chris) calling me captain awesome. What am I saying, I’d like all students to call me captain awesome, who wouldn’t?
Let’s go in order; the 5th graders are totally awesome, I get to help them with an inquiry project into the world of reducing, reusing and recycling. The 6th grade, where I’m known as captain awesome(I'm going to keep pushing this) has been by far my favorite class, not only are they fun, but they are intelligent and highly motivated. We are learning (I say that because I learn something every day) about ancient Greece and I have had the chance to create a variety of different lessons from debates to jigsaws. Way fun, which helps make up for the frustration and challenge of teaching the 7th years who continue to be a thorn in my side. I never thought I would see a group of students so into themselves, but that they are. I’m going to stop talking about them otherwise I might throw something at Chris (sorry Chris). The 8th graders are a good group, not as interested in learning as the 6th graders, but a good time to have in class none the less.
It is too bad no one over here has any idea what baseball is (other than a boring sport to them), I’m getting antsy to get a chance to watch a game.
This past weekend we had a three day professional development workshop brought to us by Mr. Burns.
Well not that Mr. Burns, but another guy who was incredibly knowledgeable about the brain and the development of the mind. I learned a number of helpful things to use in my classroom as well as some stuff to help me in my own life. Hearing about the stages of development and how different brain waves affect how you are best suited to learn was fascinating. After going on a Journey with Professor Dan I never thought I’d have wanted to learn about the brain again, but now I have a long list of books to pick up when I get back. I think I’m going crazy. My favorite part of the workshop was working with memorization. He placed a list of 20 words on a board and we had a limited amount of time to memorize it. Then we were expected to write all 20 down once he took it away. I did alright the first time, but then he gave us tips to help us improve. Here is the list, give it a try and the next time you see me bring it up and I’ll fill you on how I remember the list.
Give yourself a few minutes and then close the screen and try and write down as many as you can. Good Luck
1. Sun
2. Eyes
3. Triangle
4. Stove
5. Fingers
6. Stick
7. Can
8. Octopus
9. Line
10. Hen
11. Fence
12. Eggs
13. Black Cat
14. Heart
15. Fame
16. Drive
17. Magazine
18. Vote
19. Remote
20. Vision
After the workshop we had the rest of a beautiful weekend (upper 60s low 70s) to do what we wanted and that we did. I wondered off alone going on a few hikes around the huge downtown park (Man I love having a park right in the center of a big city). Chris had two friends come into town on Sat from England, Grace and Ben. I've met them a few times when Grace studied in Duluth for a year and it was a great time getting to know them a little better. Sadly, they both got a little sick (maybe of us) and ended up heading back to the UK a bit early, but nevertheless it was nice have a few more English speakers around for a few days (a little packed in our room with a mattress on the floor, I was often scared I’d trip over Grace in the morning).
Nothing too big going on this week, the school has a talent show tomorrow, 6th graders are doing a play on the Trojan war for my class and our principle is going to tour us around outside of the city. We are hoping for Bled (a beautiful city with a big lake with an island in the middle where there is a castle) or Postonja Caves which have a castle that reminds me of Helmsdeep (Is that nerdy?) built right into the rock.
Almost forgot, we went to a football (soccer) match the other day at their new stadium which happens to be real close to our place. It was pretty empty, but they had a solid contingency of avid fans who kept up some solid chants. It was a disappointing 0-0 tie (they were a man up for over half the match) and near the end of the match the fans were getting quite frustrated with the way they were playing. Next week apparently is the final four for former Yugoslavian counties in basketball. I’m thinking of attending, mostly to see the stadium, but also in hope of some crazy hooligans from Serbia. Hopefully its better than the NCAA final four, boy am I glad I wasn’t home for that Championship game, even though I called UCONN and was in the 97% for my bracket (Holla!).
Well I hope I distracted you from something important (work, homework, letting the dogs in). Although this is fun and all I want to do is find a teaching job abroad I’m pretty excited to get back home. See you all in a jiffy (pop).
GO DAWGS!
Captain Awesome signing off
Injured soccer player(who'd have thought) and hooligans chanting
Sienko I found you a job!
The Pitch
Sunset over the city
Ben, we fly back the 2nd. I'll snag some pictures of the park next time I'm there. I'm usually running (up to 10 miles!), but I'll see what I can do. Any other requests?
Sad to say that captain awesome has not caught on with any of the other grades, although I think I could get the 5th graders to call me it if I made more of an attempt, but I think I’m alright with one grade (so are Megan and Chris) calling me captain awesome. What am I saying, I’d like all students to call me captain awesome, who wouldn’t?
Let’s go in order; the 5th graders are totally awesome, I get to help them with an inquiry project into the world of reducing, reusing and recycling. The 6th grade, where I’m known as captain awesome(I'm going to keep pushing this) has been by far my favorite class, not only are they fun, but they are intelligent and highly motivated. We are learning (I say that because I learn something every day) about ancient Greece and I have had the chance to create a variety of different lessons from debates to jigsaws. Way fun, which helps make up for the frustration and challenge of teaching the 7th years who continue to be a thorn in my side. I never thought I would see a group of students so into themselves, but that they are. I’m going to stop talking about them otherwise I might throw something at Chris (sorry Chris). The 8th graders are a good group, not as interested in learning as the 6th graders, but a good time to have in class none the less.
It is too bad no one over here has any idea what baseball is (other than a boring sport to them), I’m getting antsy to get a chance to watch a game.
This past weekend we had a three day professional development workshop brought to us by Mr. Burns.
Well not that Mr. Burns, but another guy who was incredibly knowledgeable about the brain and the development of the mind. I learned a number of helpful things to use in my classroom as well as some stuff to help me in my own life. Hearing about the stages of development and how different brain waves affect how you are best suited to learn was fascinating. After going on a Journey with Professor Dan I never thought I’d have wanted to learn about the brain again, but now I have a long list of books to pick up when I get back. I think I’m going crazy. My favorite part of the workshop was working with memorization. He placed a list of 20 words on a board and we had a limited amount of time to memorize it. Then we were expected to write all 20 down once he took it away. I did alright the first time, but then he gave us tips to help us improve. Here is the list, give it a try and the next time you see me bring it up and I’ll fill you on how I remember the list.
Give yourself a few minutes and then close the screen and try and write down as many as you can. Good Luck
1. Sun
2. Eyes
3. Triangle
4. Stove
5. Fingers
6. Stick
7. Can
8. Octopus
9. Line
10. Hen
11. Fence
12. Eggs
13. Black Cat
14. Heart
15. Fame
16. Drive
17. Magazine
18. Vote
19. Remote
20. Vision
After the workshop we had the rest of a beautiful weekend (upper 60s low 70s) to do what we wanted and that we did. I wondered off alone going on a few hikes around the huge downtown park (Man I love having a park right in the center of a big city). Chris had two friends come into town on Sat from England, Grace and Ben. I've met them a few times when Grace studied in Duluth for a year and it was a great time getting to know them a little better. Sadly, they both got a little sick (maybe of us) and ended up heading back to the UK a bit early, but nevertheless it was nice have a few more English speakers around for a few days (a little packed in our room with a mattress on the floor, I was often scared I’d trip over Grace in the morning).
Nothing too big going on this week, the school has a talent show tomorrow, 6th graders are doing a play on the Trojan war for my class and our principle is going to tour us around outside of the city. We are hoping for Bled (a beautiful city with a big lake with an island in the middle where there is a castle) or Postonja Caves which have a castle that reminds me of Helmsdeep (Is that nerdy?) built right into the rock.
Almost forgot, we went to a football (soccer) match the other day at their new stadium which happens to be real close to our place. It was pretty empty, but they had a solid contingency of avid fans who kept up some solid chants. It was a disappointing 0-0 tie (they were a man up for over half the match) and near the end of the match the fans were getting quite frustrated with the way they were playing. Next week apparently is the final four for former Yugoslavian counties in basketball. I’m thinking of attending, mostly to see the stadium, but also in hope of some crazy hooligans from Serbia. Hopefully its better than the NCAA final four, boy am I glad I wasn’t home for that Championship game, even though I called UCONN and was in the 97% for my bracket (Holla!).
Well I hope I distracted you from something important (work, homework, letting the dogs in). Although this is fun and all I want to do is find a teaching job abroad I’m pretty excited to get back home. See you all in a jiffy (pop).
GO DAWGS!
Captain Awesome signing off
Injured soccer player(who'd have thought) and hooligans chanting
Sienko I found you a job!
The Pitch
Sunset over the city
Ben, we fly back the 2nd. I'll snag some pictures of the park next time I'm there. I'm usually running (up to 10 miles!), but I'll see what I can do. Any other requests?
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