Class Trippin' to Krakow

School is obviously in full force, as I haven’t blogged in a few weeks!  And by “in full force,”  I am referencing that I’m currently on a bus to Poland with the tenth grade class driving through the Slovakian countryside en route to Krakow.  We have advisory classes that meet once a week to do team building activities, announce important events, and do a Fall Trip each year. I feel fortunate to be a 10th grade advisor and able to add two more countries to my “visited” list! 

We have completed two full weeks of class filled with working hard, collaborating with co-workers, and getting our bearings.  It has been an adjustment to smaller class sizes, new students and routines, and taking deep breaths when making my own copies because Tray 4 on the copy machine is ALWAYS empty.  Most days, I only teach two or three of the five blocks, and then have planning periods the rest of the day. However, I always seem to have work to take home as well! #teacherproblems

My largest class is 21 students! Yes, 21!  Those of you back home are thinking “21?” in astonishment because it is a small number, while those here in Budapest are thinking “21?” in astonishment that it is a huge class by standards here.  I am teaching in the IB Diploma program, which is an intensive two year course load for students to earn this diploma along with their AISB diploma upon completion.  I am also teaching an 8th grade/high school combo Spanish I class, and a Spanish II class, as well as coaching JV volleyball.  Volleyball does not have a full schedule like in the states.  We may schedule some “friendly” games with other local schools, but as of now just have two tournaments on the schedule.  One is at AISB, and the other is a day tournament in Vienna.  There are a variety of levels of talent, and dedication, but we have a good number of girls out for the JV and varsity teams.  

In other news, I had my first “UGHHHH Hungary”  this past week.  I have been patiently waiting for my bank card to arrive so I could access my first pay check and housing stipend, and pay my rent and not get charged for withdrawing money using my U.S. card.  So, on Wednesday, I decided it was my day to go visit the bank.  I jetted out of school, and….arrived five minutes late at the first CIB branch.  Online, it said it was open for another hour, but I gathered my thoughts, and hopped on the metro to the Pest side of the city to the branch at another mall because it was open until 8:00.  Just kidding, it was 6:00, and I got there at 6:13.  Too bad for me.  Luckily, I was able to make it on Saturday to the one branch open in the city, only to find that they had mailed my ATM card to California. Awesome! :0.  So, hopefully I gave them my right address and I get my new card this week!  I got cash out, so life is good for a while!

I’ve also had my first houseguest here!  My former basketball player and student, Dani, stopped by on her European adventure for two nights.  I loved having the chance to share my life here with someone from home!  My favorite was spending Saturday afternoon (after the bank) at one of the baths that make Budapest famous.  We went to Schzcheyni, located in City Park, payed 5,000 huf (between $15-$20) and spent the day lounging in thermal pools, and saunas.  It was the ultra-relaxing experience that I will FOR SURE be indulging in frequently!  In fact, the plan is to go this weekend after a long week in Poland, and after Saturday’s Crossfit competition across the city of Budapest.  It will be a necessity, as I am throwing myself in this team Crossfit competition with three other co-workers without having done Crossfit in two months.  Should be fun….when it’s done! It’s not that I haven’t been doing anything, as I have been using our weight room/workout facility at school, as well as joining a group of mostly guys on Wednesday mornings to play Floorball before school.  Essentially, it is floor hockey, that apparently is popular in Canada and Europe, amongst other places.  It is a good challenge, and something different that I maybe wouldn’t have made time for at home.  

Lastly, I just wanted to address the refugee situation that is happening here in Europe and specifically Budapest that has been heard around the world.  At mass on Saturday, Father Michael gave us the perfect message.  We should not judge, but love.  It seemed appropriate for this situation.  I can’t say I am an expert on what is happening, but I’ve had a lot of co-workers visit the refugees at Keleti train station, and have shared their stories.  They are people in search of a life for themselves.  Desperate, they wound up in Budapest en route to Austria and Germany, and unable to continue on due to EU law because they do not have proper documentation.  A few bus loads were taken to Austria on Saturday, but more waves of immigrants are coming in.  It is important to remember that these are people.   It seems like an uphill battle before this situation will get better, but all we can do it hope and pray for positive results for everyone.   

Dani Hayward in Budapest!

Back-to-School Budapest Style

(From August 24th)

Today brought a mixed bag of emotions.  I awoke thinking about a year ago and waiting to hear if our family was going to be blessed with a little boy or girl, and then our lives changing completely by meeting my niece Caitlin!  Happy Birthday to the sweetest little girl!  I had a bit of sadness this morning, but also lots of excitement and restlessness as it was the first day of school.  I spent yesterday at school prepping today, as it had been a busy few days before.  And this morning, after a fifteen minute tram ride to catch the bus to Nagykovacski, where our school is located, and another twenty minutes on the bus, I arrived to the energy-filled first day of school. I loved walking by the elementary building and seeing a father taking a picture of his little boy in front of the school.  I hope that every little kid keeps the enjoyment of school they feel as a child for the entirety of their education!

Our school schedule is a bit different than my previous schedule back home.  We have eight blocks, and five classes a day.  Essentially, each class meets three times a week, a la college style.  I was greeted with some really wonderful, polite, and enthusiastic students!  But, you teachers out there also know that we recognize right away the classes that require seating charts :).  I had to chuckle at myself first period as there was no bell when the clock showed that it was time for the students to leave.  I had to ask my kids if we had bells at AISB! Just one of those small details that I never thought to inquire about.  For the record, we do have them, but it was just a different schedule, so they were not ringing at the correct times to start the day.  After a full day, I was thankful to be able to work out in our school facility, and then arrive home.  One positive about taking public transportation is that I actually get to pleasure read! I have read three books already since I have been here, and that is more than I had read in the last year.  It is a nice way to tune out and relax—there is definitely always a positive side to everything! :)  Not so positive is that the tram I usually take won’t be running Thursday and Friday, so I’m going to have to be creative in finding a way to school those days!  ’Tis the life of a non-car owning foreigner!

Yesterday (Sunday) was a well needed rest day after a busy social Friday and Saturday!  Friday was our school’s annual boat cruise to kick off the new school year.  We all chipped in a bit of money, got to dress up, and went on a two hour cruise down the Danube, soaking in the tireless views of this beautiful city by night.  It was a great way to get acquainted with new co workers, and have some fun.  We ended the evening at a restaurant called Kiosk, with the late-night crew.  It was a bit different, for better or worse, than starting the year with a back to school barbecue like back home!

AISB River Cruise

Caitlin turns 1!

Battling the Storms of Budapest

I was planning on writing last night, and got involved in Facetiming people back home, so that didn’t happen.  But, that’s ok-I now have a new adventure to share!  Last week, we had orientation, and today was the first day back to work with all new staff.  I scheduled a manicure today to treat myself to something relaxing after a full day of meetings, and my mind overflowing with new and exciting information!  The nail salon is on the top floor of the mall, about a seven minute walk from my apartment.  I enjoyed sitting at the nail “booth,” and helping the technician practice her English.  After a satisfying result, I headed down toward the exit. 

It had rained earlier today, as we had all been hoping for, as it has been SO hot and humid.  As I approached the door, I recognized what was happening.  People were gathering at the door waiting for the rain to stop.  With no umbrella, I had to pause and problem solve.  After a longer glance, I realized it wasn’t just RAINING, it was POURING, and FLOODING.  Cars were starting to flood, so I knew taxis were becoming out of the question.  I raced back upstairs to the sporting goods store and bought one of two ponchos left.  I placed the red, waterproof, poncho over my bags and took off-“now or never,” I thought! I wouldn’t have been worried, but my phone, and some school books were in my bag—things that couldn’t get wet.  For the next five minutes, I held my dress up with my left hand, curled my toes around my sandals, and waded through, at some points, thigh deep water.  The further I went, the “better” it got as I was walking uphill.  But, there were cars that were flooded, traffic backed up with no where to go, and some people (like me), wading through water and looking at the others thinking “WOW.”  One man even told me he had NEVER seen anything like that and asked me to take a picture.  I made it home safely and soaked and laughing tucked that experience in my memory.  It reminded me of a time I got caught in Spain in a rain and wind storm when bricks were flying off a building!!! I guess we learn here to not complain about the heat :).

This past week, I have crossed some things off my “to-do” list.  I hit up Ikea once again, and am finally satisfied with my apartment.  My credit card is also happy I’m done.  I am enamored with the character of the apartment, with high ceilings, and an amazing balcony that looks at the Parliament building.  For me, it is simply a place that feels like “home.”  I also finished a week of new staff orientation at AISB.  I have met many wonderful people, who are both professional, and welcoming.  It could be a bit overwhelming, but I think all of us newbies tried to soak in what we were hearing.  The school perfoms very highly on the international stage, and sends some kids to the best universities in the U.S. and Europe.  The focus is definitely on student learning, and I have observed a big emphasis on collaboration and documentation.  I am overjoyed to become part of a dynamic staff!

In addition to orientation, we were also treated like royalty by being taken to dinner by the director and administration, and then on another night, having appetizers and drinks at our director’s home in the Buda Hills.  At first glance, from a semi-outsider perspective, the staff emphasizes team building in activities outside of the school.  I find this an important and appealing aspect, seeing as though most of us are away from our families.  I have been impressed by the warm welcome of the staff.  I have also felt blessed to have been able to spend time with the other new teachers who are in the same situation as myself.  There are only three of us this year, and so we have spent nearly every night this past week having dinner, and discovering the city together.  From taking the rickshaw that we picked up in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica, and getting “advice” on where to go from the cute little bike rider, to wandering the streets of Pest (mostly because were were lost, with no Internet), it has been a great adventure, and many laughs thus far with Ashlee and Dennis.  

Individually, I’ve also found a little Catholic chapel in Buda that has mass Sunday mornings, so that has been some nice stability with a little piece of home.  Yesterday, I went to breakfast at Ashlee’s and then to mass with her, before heading home for some Sunday relaxation.  I ended up (after a nap of course), taking off on a bike ride to Margarit Island, that was filled with people.  It was a great ending to a week filled with laugher, growth, and adventure.   

Surviving the flood.  Thank goodness for the poncho.

My living room 

My cozy bedroom :)

This was part of our dinner view on Saturday night!

Langos, a traditional Hungarian food.  Kind of like pizza-fried dough & you choose your topping!

Catholic chapel in Buda

Just a little flash flood, no worries.

BUDAPEST Discoveries

My first week in Budapest: quick, majestic, filled with new experiences, and many opportunities to laugh….at myself.  The first impressions this city gives are incredible. I suppose it depends on the outlook of the person living the experiences, as with any new experiences of the sort.  I came into this new phase in my life with a promise that I would be willing to try new things, not fret the small stuff, absorb changes, experience trials, and celebrate the triumphs.

  My first seven days have been filled with repetitive “Szia,” (Hi/bye) and “Koszonom,” (Thank you)  with a large smile on my face hoping that the Hungarians will be accepting of someone making an effort to speak their language (partially).  Heck, the man who carted every single box I shipped over up my stairs showed me that he appreciated my effort.  I offered him “viz¨: (water) as his huffing and puffing each trip up didn’t go un-noticed.  The young guy who was unloading the truck must have won the bet, he only made the trek up once.  From there on out, each box he brought up, he taught me how to say the number on the box.  This was a great situation to practice the language with someone who doesn’t speak mine.  I have also been reminded the importance of learning-through-observation in situations like, for example,  in the grocery store and public transportation.  Where do you put the basket after you have loaded your items onto the belt?  How do you “unlock” the carts at the grocery store when they are chained together?  Who validates your metro pass?  What greeting will the cashier greet me with?  

I’ve also had to problem solve.  What do you do when Ikea is supposed to deliver your purchases to your residence, your phone doesn’t work internationally, and they don’t show up?  (Solution: have someone from school call for you and they arrange to deliver on Monday-your first day of work.  Awesome. A new problem).  How do I get this giant fan home that I purchased?  (Solution: carry it, and the million other things you purchased, you dummy).  Lots of fails, and therefore learning has also occured.  Thirst quenched my first day here, I confidently walked to the grocery store down the block from the Beatrix Panzio (my pension), entered the wrong way, and threw some waters in a basket.  Unbeknownst to me, when I returned to the hotel and thirstily and rapidly opened the water, I heard the “shhhhh” sound.  I quickly learned that the pink lid means flat/still water, and the blue lid, like the one I was holding in my hand, meant carbonated.  Duh.  In Europe, sparking water is king.  Fail.  Sparkling water doesn’t quench my thirst….but that night it made do!

Generosity and exploration have also played a significant role in my life this past week.  Multiple colleagues volunteered to help me move, meet up with me, and assist me when needed.  This is a gift I will certainly never forget, and hope to pass on to others in the future.  Budapest is also filled with endless opportunities for explorations.  I must admit that I did not know much about my new home before accepting this position, and many reactions from people back home were not always favorable when I shared where I would be moving.  I believe in great part, this was due to the changes this city has lived through in recent years.  In my eyes, this is a must-see European destination that will completely fulfill, if not exceed, expectations.  My first few days here I didn’t need to look for an apartment like I thought I did when I had the ticket booked, so I was able to play tourist in my city.  I jogged, and walked all over Buda (where my apartment is located), and into Pest.  I saw things such as the Parliament, Margarit Island, the Buda Castle, Andrassy Ave, City Park, Heroe’s Square, and also ventured out to Nagykovasci to see my school campus.  

At this moment, as I sit on my balcony looking across at the Parliament Building elegantly lit, and listening to country music, I feel blessed to be here in my new home, and reminded that each place I go is just another amazing piece added to my puzzle of life.  Each piece adds more clarity, but the pieces themselves don’t mean anything isolated.  It makes me happy to listen to my little piece of home, look at the pictures of my family and friends, and to add more pieces to this puzzle with each passing day.  A grand life indeed.  

                                       
                                         Buda Castle

                                       
                                          Heroe's Square

                                          City Park

                                          City Park

                                          Parliament

                                         Chain Bridge

                                      St. Stephen's Basilica