I need these in my life!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Thumbs Up
(Yes, that is my thumb!) So in this special edition (well actually its the first but whatev) of "Thumbs Up" I am highlighting the zestful feeling of living on your own (without parents that is). College was special. I went out of state, and was all to happy to experience life without living with my mom. But college is a bit different. Thats like "play house" I had my own room, yes, but I still had to live with other people, whether it be in a quad, or in a house. And frankly, it was just a room. It wasnt REALLY living on my own.But now, I have my OWN apartment, and its wonderful! I come home and there is no one there. I cook whenever I want. I leave the dishes piled up in the sink, and I damn sure dont take the garbage out unless I feel like it. I can walk around naked if I want (which I rarely do) or do whatever else I damn well please without worrying about what mom or lil sis will say. And please dont try to hand me that "my mom is my roommate" crap. Who cares if you pay bills if you live with your mom. The fact is, you still live with your mom. And no matter how you spin it, you just cant do ALL the things you want, cuz til a certain point, you have to stay respectful (i.e you CANT walk around naked unless you take laps in your own LIL room).
Thats not to say that I wouldnt mind living with my boyfriend. Im sure that will come down the line. But as for living on my own in Bulgaria, it is FANTASTIC. It has however pointed out a few things to me tho. The #1 thing being IM LAZY AS HELL! Whenever the garbage gets full, I empty the bin, but leave the full bag near the door. I suppose I put it there to remind me to take it to the trash bin outside, BUT NO, its still there as I write this blog by my damn door. The dishes, yeah um, I let those pile up for sure. Im not always so lazy with this tho cuz my sink is kinda small, but still......Cleaning up in general. NO ONE comes to my apartment. No colleagues, no friends. Other than for my personal satisfaction, why the hell should I clean up? And by clean up I mean sweeping and mopping the kitchen and hallway floor, and sweeping the rug in my room. Its just gonna get dirty again!
So with that being said, I HAVE to be rich enough to afford a maid. Thats my one goal in life right now......But for real, living on your own is popping. I have time to myself to think and do whatever it is that I want. I am kinda a loner and dont mind being my myself for long periods of time. So living alone is great. I recommend it to all you duds who still live at home with mommy! hahahahahaha just kiddin (but not really!)
That was really bad.....
I just had class with the 9G. As you know, because they learn another language, the class of 26 is split in half. I only have 13 students at a time, while the other half is with the German teacher. It is much easier that way.
Today didnt go so well. The students usually study English and can read it, but when it comes to speaking, its a no go. Very strategically I throw in some speaking activities in the mix so as to help them become more comfortable with the language, and so they can practice the words they have learned.
Today we worked from the textbook. They were intented to spark debates. The topics we "discussed" were
Whats more important, What you say, or how you say it?
What is better, Learning from instruction, or learning from experience?
I asked the students to write their thoughts on their papers, after dicussing it with their partner. Of course most of them didnt discuss anything with their partner, and most of them wrote one sentence responses. Then we did a debate styled exercise, where I put something on the board, for example, English is very easy to master. They had to agree or disagree, stand with the people who thought like them, come up with a reason why, then say it aloud. You think this worked? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. They all just leaned on the wall in complete boredom. It was like pullin teeth to get them to talk to each other at all, let alone say anything aloud in english. And that was partly because most of the class didnt understand what was going on.
Ive noticed that most of the students are kinda like empty vessels. They never have an opinion about anything, and frankly dont like to do anything in class. I remember when I was in high school, teachers pushed us to be different, speak our opinions, think for ourselves. We did plenty of critical thinking exercises too. But maybe its different cuz this is not their first language. But even those students who speak ENG really well in my class, they are still very lazy. One kid refuses to stop cursing in my class. He just keeps sayin all types of ass, fucks, shits etc. I wish he would put more energy into using OTHER vocab words.
I left class today feeling very discouraged and kinda pissed off. Discouraged cuz it made me realize that I can push these kids all I want but its up to them to want to learn. And clearly from the look on their faces, they wasnt havent it! And pissed off cuz it is now March and they still act like they arent used to my class. In most of the classes we have together I ask them questions, try to get them to speak, and usually do fun activities with them like games and competitions, but to this day it still takes me forever to get them motivated to even play the games in the first place or to even do simple work like write in their notebooks. They are so damn lazy! I have to say 10 times write you answers in your notebooks, or walk around and be on their backs to make sure they are doing what they are supposed to be doing. When I was in school I understood that school work had to be done, and that is what pisses me off. The fact that they act like they dont have to do shit in school, or do homework, cuz they will still get good grades (cuz they are NATURALLY gifted! yeah right). And the sad reality is, they probably WILL still get good grades. But thats another blog post.........
Im frowning right now!
Today didnt go so well. The students usually study English and can read it, but when it comes to speaking, its a no go. Very strategically I throw in some speaking activities in the mix so as to help them become more comfortable with the language, and so they can practice the words they have learned.
Today we worked from the textbook. They were intented to spark debates. The topics we "discussed" were
Whats more important, What you say, or how you say it?
What is better, Learning from instruction, or learning from experience?
I asked the students to write their thoughts on their papers, after dicussing it with their partner. Of course most of them didnt discuss anything with their partner, and most of them wrote one sentence responses. Then we did a debate styled exercise, where I put something on the board, for example, English is very easy to master. They had to agree or disagree, stand with the people who thought like them, come up with a reason why, then say it aloud. You think this worked? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. They all just leaned on the wall in complete boredom. It was like pullin teeth to get them to talk to each other at all, let alone say anything aloud in english. And that was partly because most of the class didnt understand what was going on.
Ive noticed that most of the students are kinda like empty vessels. They never have an opinion about anything, and frankly dont like to do anything in class. I remember when I was in high school, teachers pushed us to be different, speak our opinions, think for ourselves. We did plenty of critical thinking exercises too. But maybe its different cuz this is not their first language. But even those students who speak ENG really well in my class, they are still very lazy. One kid refuses to stop cursing in my class. He just keeps sayin all types of ass, fucks, shits etc. I wish he would put more energy into using OTHER vocab words.
I left class today feeling very discouraged and kinda pissed off. Discouraged cuz it made me realize that I can push these kids all I want but its up to them to want to learn. And clearly from the look on their faces, they wasnt havent it! And pissed off cuz it is now March and they still act like they arent used to my class. In most of the classes we have together I ask them questions, try to get them to speak, and usually do fun activities with them like games and competitions, but to this day it still takes me forever to get them motivated to even play the games in the first place or to even do simple work like write in their notebooks. They are so damn lazy! I have to say 10 times write you answers in your notebooks, or walk around and be on their backs to make sure they are doing what they are supposed to be doing. When I was in school I understood that school work had to be done, and that is what pisses me off. The fact that they act like they dont have to do shit in school, or do homework, cuz they will still get good grades (cuz they are NATURALLY gifted! yeah right). And the sad reality is, they probably WILL still get good grades. But thats another blog post.........
Im frowning right now!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Say it Aint so?!?!
Just when I thought this town was that small that basically EVERYONE in it has seen me, I find out the opposite is true. I went to an art exhibition the other day and stay with a colleague after for a drink. I chit-chatted it up with her and some other people she introduced me to, one of them being a journalist.
The journalist asked if she could interview me, and of course I had no choice but to agree. The other lady was a bit younger and spoke some english. We got to talkin and they both said that they had NEVER seen me in town before. I was shocked and dismayed quite frankly. In my town there are only about 90,000 people. But I live in the center of town, where the food markets are and clothing shops are. I guess I assumed that everyone had seen or at least heard of me. The way folks stare me down REGULARLY, I feel like a damn superstar.
I suppose this just brought me back down to Earth......for a second! Bitches!
The journalist asked if she could interview me, and of course I had no choice but to agree. The other lady was a bit younger and spoke some english. We got to talkin and they both said that they had NEVER seen me in town before. I was shocked and dismayed quite frankly. In my town there are only about 90,000 people. But I live in the center of town, where the food markets are and clothing shops are. I guess I assumed that everyone had seen or at least heard of me. The way folks stare me down REGULARLY, I feel like a damn superstar.
I suppose this just brought me back down to Earth......for a second! Bitches!
Martenitsa
In Bulgaria, there is a holiday celebrated called Baba Marta. The symbol of the holiday is called Martenitsa. It is usually red and white, and is given to someone to wish you health, good luck and to throw away evil spirits. It is celebrated March 1st and people give each other bracelets, necklaces, and pins. They are made from yarn and also can take the shape of people, zodiac signs, and other things. Its quite cute. My colleagues and students gave me many bracelets and I have them stored at home. I am not supposed to take the bracelets off until I see a stork, which means Spring is coming soon. After you see a stork, you can take the Martenitsa off and hang it in a tree.
The Martenitsa on the left is in the shape of a woman holding some miscellaneous thing (the lady who gave it to me told me what it was in Bulgarian but I dont know the english word for it) and the one on the right is a random Martenitsa. I have 3 bracelets and also one on my coat.
Pot callin the Kettle Black
Well aint this some shit?!?! I was flippin thru the channels when I came across this foolishness. Some tv shoe actually was doin a story on famed soccer player Christian Ronaldhino (I believe thats how you spell it). They had the NERVE to post these pics with a "Gay-O Meter" which read "How gay do I look?" I believe it was broken down into straight, tutty-fruitty, and I forget the other one.
I find this VERY ODD when I think some Bulgarian men looked gay-ISH themselves. The summer when I first got here (I remember it like it was yesterday) some guy rolled into the ID office with some TIGHT white pants, and a PINK FLORAL shirt. I kept thinkin to myself how "tutty fruitty" he looked. Oh and of course he had some flip-flop/borderline open-toe sandals on. Ive also been out in the club or walkin down the street and have seen men wearing tighter jeans that me, very bright shirts and carrying purses (I believe the correct term is man bag...whatever....).
Aint this the pot callin the damn kettle black?!?!?! (altho I have to admit that first pic of homeboy and the one of him in those black shoe boots look a lil bit suspect. Im just sayin....)
Banquet
I went to a banquet last weekend with some of my colleagues. Usually they do these every so often when a holiday comes around. You pay in advance for food and drinks, and go and have a good time basically. Since I usually wear professional clothes to work, like slacks and button ups, banquets give me a chance to show off my feminine side. I usaully wear a dress, heels, and makeup. And on this occasion as you can see, I even pulled out the fake pearls! hahahaha
Other than eating and drinkin alcohol, there is also dancing. Traditional Bulgarian dancing called Horo, and regular dancing to pop music. Most people are very surprised that I can Horo. I dont think its anything special that I can. I have a lot of coordination, and I love to dance. A lot of people are always like "OMG you can Horo. Its so difficult. blah blah blah" ITs farely easy for me, and if I watch a Horo long enough, I can usually pic it up. As you can imagine, doing this makes people work up a sweat. AND THATS NOT GOOD FOR MY HAIR! After a while my hair started to frizz up, and by the end of the night I looked like a nappy headed hoe (hey Don Imus). I kept lookin around thinkin how much I hated Bulgarians for having straight hair!
Also, there is a lot of smoking. And when I say a lot of smokin, I mean I probably have accelarated Lung cancer from being here just 1o 1/2 months! These MOFOs chain smoke like its nobodys business. Cigarette after cigarette. I kept thinkin to myself " I know this shit cant be good for my hair, and my clothes are gonna smell disgusting when I get home"
And I also just wanted to say, that Bulgarians have mastered the art of socializing at dinner. I got to the banquet about 7:15 and naturally I was finished with my salad at about 7:16. LOL just kiddin, But I did finishe my salad farely early. Everyone else still had at lease half their plate covered with food and I was sittin there thinkin when was dinner comin. It didnt come til almost 10 and I thought by then I would die from hunger! In between the salad and dinner, there was a lot of smokin, talkin, drinkin and Horo. Its funny how I (Americans) are used to going to dinner then bouncing. At restaurants dinner is usually no more that an hour or so, then you go about your business. But here, dinners can last SEVERAL hours! I can remember sitting at dinner at people's homes, and in restaurants checkin my clock like DAMNIT people lets go home. The culture is just so different in that way I suppose......
Dinner was the BOMB (like tick tick hahahaha) tho!
Why look at what we got here....
Well Lookey Here....I was in the supermarket (thank god for Kaufland's) in the other day and literally STUMBLED on these joints right here. I was in the damn cake and cookie aisle lookin for anything with vanilla. I just happened to look down and see these lil waffles. I HAD to get these just so I can DROWN them in the Aunt Gemima syrup I have at home. THIS IS A BIG FUCKIN DEAL!
So big I almost ate them while STILL IN the damn pack. SyrupI love you!
Stop foolin yourself....
Those of you who know me, know that I love the kids right?
WRONGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG. That was obviously a lil test for yall. I really cant stand kids. Its the small ones from like age 0 to 14 that I cant stand (I have my reasons). Anyway, for this reason I have no reservations about postin blogs about those lil fuckers, especially my students. I make fun of them all the time (get used to it).
So today, Im in class and I hand back the book reports that my students completed. This one girl, who is one of my weaker students, STILL has not handed it in. She think she slick, like I wont fail her ass. So anyway, I gathered some incorrect sentences from their work and put them on the board so that we could go over them together. I wanted them to try to correct the mistakes first, then we could talk about why they were written incorrectly. The activity went smoothly and the students asked if for the last 10 minutes of the class, they could have some free time.
I obliged and they did they own thing. I look up from my desk, and low and behold, the chick who STILL has not turned in the book report has head phones in her ears, holding up a book entitled "An Outline of English Literature" I seriously had to chuckle to myself cuz homegirl cant write for shit, and really cant say more than Hi my name is such and such and I live blah blah blah. Her english is HORRIBLE point blank. So I found it mighty funny that she THOUGHT she was reading this book. I thought to myself, that shit MUST be a picture book, cuz she is straight foolin herself with that shit.....
Oh the games people play....
WRONGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG. That was obviously a lil test for yall. I really cant stand kids. Its the small ones from like age 0 to 14 that I cant stand (I have my reasons). Anyway, for this reason I have no reservations about postin blogs about those lil fuckers, especially my students. I make fun of them all the time (get used to it).
So today, Im in class and I hand back the book reports that my students completed. This one girl, who is one of my weaker students, STILL has not handed it in. She think she slick, like I wont fail her ass. So anyway, I gathered some incorrect sentences from their work and put them on the board so that we could go over them together. I wanted them to try to correct the mistakes first, then we could talk about why they were written incorrectly. The activity went smoothly and the students asked if for the last 10 minutes of the class, they could have some free time.
I obliged and they did they own thing. I look up from my desk, and low and behold, the chick who STILL has not turned in the book report has head phones in her ears, holding up a book entitled "An Outline of English Literature" I seriously had to chuckle to myself cuz homegirl cant write for shit, and really cant say more than Hi my name is such and such and I live blah blah blah. Her english is HORRIBLE point blank. So I found it mighty funny that she THOUGHT she was reading this book. I thought to myself, that shit MUST be a picture book, cuz she is straight foolin herself with that shit.....
Oh the games people play....
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