First Day at My new School

Good AFternoon!

Today has been an interesting day.. one for all my MTI folks..one with lots of twangs.

I woke up early this morning (7am..hehe ugh) to a beautiful morning and knowing that today is my frist day on the job! I was excited and nervous. So much in fact that i pushed snooze for 5 more precious moments of sleep. I went one stop on the Hev ( a green train) and walked to my school. I walked in and said the normal greetings. Of course, many people were very nervous to talk to me in fear that their English was not good enough. I think I look Hungarian enough where people just straight up talk to me in paragraphs really really fast in English. I smile and nod and say good. hehe. TWANG (when im uncomfortable, or uneasy)

The meeting began. The Headmaster stood up and spoke and talked and talked and I'm sure that it was really nice, kind remarks, and wonderful wishes for our school year..but I honestly have NO CLUE (TWANG) what she said. I heard a few numbers, dates, class, thank you.. oh and she introduced me with the other new teachers and I stood up for that. That's it. SO.. after she finished talking I looked at some of my wonderful newly friended colleauges and said.. "What did she just say?" They explained the important things and I know when to come to school and what I need to be doing. That is the most important thing!!

I had my first true motiviation to learn Hungarian(TWANG).. so that I can understand what is going on at my school. Nothing is translated..the bi-lingual part is German..not English.. English is their 3rd language they learn. OH MAN. But all in all. It was a very good morning. I must be there every morning from 9-12 and then once the school year begins I'm there for the majority of the morning into early afternoon.

I'm blessed with great collegeaues.. Klari, Anna, Eva and many others. I'm so greatful!

So I'm off to meet with a friend for coffee, she is Hungarian and is apart of my friend Mark's English Club and we have become fast friends. Then its off to Hungarian Hour with my American Friends.

Pictures

Here is a link to some Air Show Pictures
Click here....


And here is a link to some new pictures of my life here..

click here...

update on visa/work permit

Today I went to my school to figure out if in fact I needed a work permit or not. Since I am not with a contract between Hungary and USA I have to have a work permit.....duh dun dun..

I had my wonderful headmaster fill out the paperwork and put the appropriate stamps on it and then I was off to the Work Permit/Employment office. I took the wrong bus..thinking it would get me there...wrong idea and walked all over comi condo park.. and finnaly go to the place. I read the Hungarian words..not knowing what any of them said except for informacio (information) so I pushed the button that looked right. I sat down in a waiting room and waited for my number to be rung.. (like at the DMV) I got to the desk and she looked at the papers and said the dreaded words.. .NEM JOL (not good). I looked at her and almost started crying. What do you mean not good.. I thought.

Then the dialouge began.. My name is Joanna Foley and I am an american. I will be an english teacher at this school. Do you speak English?

Yes she said.. I studied English in London for three years!! YEAHHHHHH. She said.. just fill out these withi your handwriting..no one will know. It will be okay. So.. just like that we sat there and spoke in English so no one could understand. GOD IS GOOD. I had no idea what to do and there was no way to get papers fixed until next week...so its all good and my papers have been submitted.

I am feeling much better about this process!!

I also found my schedule today.. I do not have any 7:45am classes! Hallelujiah! The wonderful thing about Hungarian schools is that I don' thave to go to school until its time I teach classes. I also found out the levels that I will be teaching and I will have them every day during the week. Only four classes and I think.. I only have 2 classes on friday..so that means I only have to be there for about 3 hours. I LOVE HUNGARY!

Well... that's the new news...not much ... Tommorow night I will have Hungarian Hour (Magyar Ora).. Yippiee..

Just in Case you want to send me a letter:

Joanna Foley
Kiskorona utca 10. IV/20.
Budapest
1036
Hungary

Have a great day!

Update on Books

I finished Harry Potter ..excellent..really perfect reading. Tid Bit of info..did you know that JK stands for Joanne Kathleen...(I know Joanna Kathryn is mine) crazy.

Here is what I am reading now..

.....still Henri Nouwen but also..

Max Lucado..In the Grip of Grace. Its really good. Very powerful and I am learning a lot.

August...and I haven't posted

So..its August..the 11th in fact. I don't have internet access all that often so as you can tell I have been lacking. In order to get internet in my new apartment it will be a big hassle so I am trying to figure my way around it.

I am all moved in. I have moved in every last thing and bought a few new items to make my apartment complete. All I need is curtains..which Shannon has been dying for me to get because she likes decorating my house for me. I've had friends over a few times and it has been wonderful to have a place to call my own. I have loved every minute of it and its a perfect location! I can take public transportation 24/7. There is never a time where I can't get somewhere in the city. It might take me a little bit but I can definitely make it!

I have been going to Coffeehouse every week and it has been a blast. This past Friday I helped "run" coffeehouse by helping with set up, making coffee drinks, serving forro csoki (hot chocolate) and tea. I had fun talking in Hungarian and taking orders.

On Thursday nights my friends and I gather for Magyar Ora (Hungarian Hour) where we learn new Hungarian phrases and words. Its a lot of fun and I am constantly learning! I keep busy taking notes, working on pronunciation and laughing at my own mistakes. Atilla helps us and he is a wonderful teacher.

I am in Szeged for the weekend and it has been sooo good to spend time with my friends the George's and with Arden. I hope to get some rest and work on lesson plans while here! Soon school starts.

I am in the process of working on whether or not I need a visa or a work permit. Its been kind of crazy..so any prayers projected upwards on my behalf would be greatly appreciated. I have been frustrated already and not carrying the fruit of the spirit of patience. I begin teaching September 3rd so it would be awesome to be able to have all of the necessary documents that I need to live and work here!!

So, that is what is going on. I am excited for some new changes in the next few weeks as I begin faculty meetings and teaching jobs!! I will keep you posted!