My Offical first day of teaching

I survived my first day of teaching. I got up at 6am.. And was out of the door at 710. I was at school at 730 to get everything put away and be in my first class at 745. I was eager, the students were..well let's be honest they were dreading that they had to be in school again. Nothing like a rainy day to make that worse. My classes went by with pretty good success. I had 11th, 10th, and 12th graders. I had 7 classes total.. And I dunno ..over 100 students.

The first day wiped me and I came home and ate lunch and took a nap. I started at 745 and finished at 1410 so that was nice. I was out of there in no time .. My colleague Szabi and I got on the Hév while over looking all of the students who were smoking outside of the school.

All to say.. I think I still like teaching ;-) I have one class that is going to be difficult. I was thinking while I was teaching.. I have these two students in this 10th grade class that TALK non stop. One is the class clown the other the jock. They reminded me of two guys in my class. At least the guys in my class stopped talking. They were distracting and I think they are going to be my hardest. I have them every day too. So.. Please pray for some extra patience in the 10c class. I know that I will be.

I have 13th grade for the first time tomorrow so I hope that they will be good, more advanced talking and so forth.

Well.. I just wanted to update you on my first day. Its rainy and cold here. So right now I'm drinking a cup of English Breakfast Tea and lounging in my sweatshirt and sweatpants. Comfortable :-)

I miss everyone.. Keep in touch!

Before my first day...

Its been a while since I blogged. I'm sitting in my apartment.. Just ironed my first day of school outfit.. (grey slacks and a white button down shirt). I'm really amazed that tomorrow is actually here. I arrived here two months ago and so much as happened since then. It really is amazing.. Wait. God is amazing.

I was at church today and Pastor Phil spoke about Matthew 7. He said many great things that were especially good for me to hear. One of the things that he said that hit home was that we as Christians should go into every day ministry with HOPE and Positivity. It was a great encouraging word for me seeing as I'm starting my first day tomorrow and I needed that advice.. I need to have great hope for my students, hope for my colleagues. I should have positivity no matter what happens. It shouldn't matter if the students aren't' getting concepts or anything but it is important that I stay positive with them. To remain hopeful with them. Jesus was the great teacher. He always taught with hope and positivity. Good words.

Its been a busy and tiring week at school. I have been at school everyday preparing lessons, getting stuff ready, understanding what I am supposed to do. I have no classes tomorrow but I do have 7 classes in a row on Tuesday. Good thing that it’s the introduction day. I will have 10th, 11th and 12th graders. I am excited. I have pencils and pens in my desk, post it notes for my books, some resource..(last min. teaching idea books) and other things. I sit across from Edina a last year university student teaching Math and beside me is Anna who I adore and also Eva who is teaching German. We don't have our own classrooms but we do have our own desk in one big faculty work room. I'll snap some pictures soon.

I saw Hairspray tonight. The weekend before school starts, Palace Cinema does this great thing where all movies are only 350 HUF (2.00) for any show. So a bunch of girlfriends and I got together and saw it. It was a lot of fun and helped me relax a bit for tomorrow. I have an apartment mate for 8 weeks. I'm looking forward to coming home and someone being here. Her name is Samm and she is from England. She and I have known each other since my first year in Hungary. She hails from Szeged and went to the school that Arden Is teaching at. Its been great ..soo great to catch up and hang out. So.. Its 10:18pm.. I'm pretty tired and I have to be at school very early.

I will write more about my first day and such soon. Please keep my work permit and work visa in your prayers. I am working on both of them!!

Thanks for staying in touch with me.

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!