McCains in Prague: October 2008

31 October 2008

English Lessons

I just got a job teaching English lessons once a week to the Ambassador of Moldova. Should be a great contact/experience!!

Although I am a little bit nervous, but it will be good, and I met him tonight, he is a good guy. I got the job through my former Czech teacher, who teaches to a few different ambassadors including this one.

Halloween is good so far. It didn't snow as forecasted. It was actually a nice day.

25 October 2008

Winter?

Clearly I was hasty in my post about Autumn.

Now, I don't consider myself a winter expert, but two qualifications I would use to determine the season is 1) snow and 2) below freezing temperatures

Please notice Oct. 30, 31 and Nov. 2.

23 October 2008

Random Bits of Czech

First off, I was going to the store the other evening and enjoyed a colorful sunset while waiting for the tram.

This is actually only 2-7minutes from our front door (depending on the cross-walk, or as the Czechs call it in English "Zebra

Crossing") If you look to the right of the picture just about in the middle, you can barely see a street coming off the main road: that is our street.

Now the next two pictures come out of a book my students got from visiting policemen. So the police did a little lesson about

safety.

Accompanying the lesson was a story about a bear who does

not listen.

In the story he does things like ride his scooter too fast and

knock over a lady,

or here he is taking candy from a stranger....

But then this is the very next picture in the sequence, following the bear taking the stranger's candy.

I was a bit shocked and amused. My kids thought nothing of it. Oh..the Czechs.....

We've started the oh-so-fun Visa process for Jace, and it is proving a bit stressful, but I think we've finally got it all sorted. I will be so glad when we finally have all the papers arranged. Mine is still pending, but I think it should be ready soon.

Overall, things are still going really well. Like I've said, we've made a good bunch of friends. Last Saturday night we went a friend's flat where they were hosting a 'pumpkin party' there was some carving and various pumpkin foods (we made pumpkin soup) and just a good excuse to get together and spend time with friends (most were from our church). I've found it remarkably easy to make friends here and I think the reason is the fact that you speak English gives you something in common and actually allows you to communicate. Its been great.

Autumn

I can not contain my excitement about finally living in a place that experiences all four seasons. Granted, the fall here certainly feels like winter to me, but I am getting used to it. I am also already getting excited about the prospect of snow. I don't know how much is actually snows here. The last winter I was here, there certainly was a bunch of snow as far as I was concerned, but apparently that was an unusual winter.

Look: the leaves actually change color here!

12 October 2008

Pictures from the Castle

Today we went to Prague Castle. The weather cooperated very well for us.

Brace yourself, there are quite a few. As always, click for a bigger picture.

11 October 2008

Working Update

Jace just finished his first full week of work! He is working at a preschool called Orangery. (going straight to the website, it will only be in Czech, but if you Google Orangery.cz there will be on option on your search results to translate the page.) He has really enjoyed it so far and truly likes working with kids. There are about 14 kids in the school from ages 3-6. He works 3 mornings and 2 afternoons each week.

Work for me has also gone well, still love the kids and the people with whom I work.

With both jobs in place, we have fully settled into routine, and it is simply bizarre how quickly time has passed. We have almost been here for two full months - wow!

As always, we miss everyone greatly and always love to hear from you!