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!