I'm going into labor...

No, silly, not that kind. So I officially set out today on my mission to become an employed part of the Czech nation! Yay! I started at the post office, where I felt entirely successful after ordering some sort of Kolek stamp for some application or other... I love how even the simplest tasks result in a feeling of such success, after navigating hurdles of language, location and just plain not knowing what's going on. I couldn't help celebrating with a red-cup Starbucks (uhhh.. what's a Pernikove latte? Gingerbread? AWESOME!) Then it was onto the labor office. Another major success in even finding the place across town! But alas, the girl (who spoke very little English) spoke just enough to hand me a whole new set of applications needing signatures, stamps and additional passport copies. So I set right off to school so my director could sign my papers...another huge trek across Prague, into the suburbs. Managed to get everything signed and stamped, stopped back at my flat to get my passport, and scurried back to the office o' labor for round 2. Problem. The number machine is not giving me a number, but rather a slip with lots of Czech on it that doesn't look promising. I stare at the slip for a few minutes, hoping someone will recognize me as clueless and Czech-less. No go. So I sit, the time ticking away as I'm supposed to tutor in an hour, and finally the last lucky man holding a real number gestures to me until I figure out that yes, the Czech on my slip does indeed say I've lost the labor game and the nice Czech lady who helped me before will have no sympathy that I have been all over town and back today! And that my tourist visa is up in 2 weeks...and I need my work permit ASAP...oh no. They are finished. Closed, before 1:30. And Closed on Fridays, conveniently! Le sigh. I will be returning yet again...and this time I'm getting a double shot Sbux to fuel the intensity.

I tutored the rest of the day, which I'm finding, is always a good time. Private in-home tutoring is not only relaxed, but a great insight into Czech culture that I might not get teaching adults in a school. I worked with my 15-year old girl for a while, and chatted at length with her mother about life in Prague pre- and post-Communism. She also made me some great flat cookies the size of my head that are made with some special water found in a special fountain in the Czech Republic. The cookie even has an imprint of this fountain on it. Then I headed down the road for my 90 minute conversation "class" with a couple of 20 and 22-year old siblings. Honestly, I feel guilty getting paid for these lessons, because we literally just chat about anything and everything for 90 minutes, and occasionally I'll eat things like homemade sushi or the like. And get to play with a really cute dog. They've told me so much about life here and I love learning firsthand how life is different here than at home. I know it sounds obvious, but it's really what makes the experience here so great- is not taking your lifestyle at face value, but realizing how every single thing you do is done differently in every single place around the world. It's fun to get a new perspective from people my age- who I have alot in common with. I was told not to go into work tomorrow, as all the kiddos are sick. :( Sad, because I missed them today running all around town! However, I am very incredibly excited, because I get to plan the entire week for next week, THANKSGIVING week!!! I am supposed to teach them all about America and turkeys and making cool hats and handprint crafts and songs and all this kind of shenanigans. And then I went to Tesco (Europe's Target+Macy's my new happy place) and everything was Christmassy and I just did a little happy dance. It's the MOST- wonderful TIME... of the YEAR!!!

11/11! Today I finally can't mess up the date by writing it American style!

But first, a brief continuation of the segment, "Random Things I Like About Prague" (because they far outnumber the "random (and not-so-random) things I don't like about Prague.")

So anyway, more random things I like.

*Preschool. Okay, on the first day, I thought, 'WHAT did I get myself into? This is not English preschool, this is Czech preschool with ONE English speaker: me! But, by day 2 I found out that these kids are ridiculously adorable and I'm going to know so many Czech kids songs by the end of all this!! Also, free lunch and snacks, heyyy.

*The Astronomical Clock: the tourist attraction which is deemed "the world's biggest disappointment!" Apparently, people come the world over to see the clock "come to life" every hour, and well, you should come see it for yourself! I personally love it. Which leads me to...

*The Trumpet Man who trumpets every hour, and who I also fo

und on the Mala Strana side of the Charles Bridge, tooting away his little tune and waving away..

*Completely justifying eating croissants/random pastries for breakfast whenever (errrr..often) because it's Europe, and that's what you eat for breakfast in Europe. Duh.

*Mr. Clean is Mr. Proper here. This is sitting on my washing machine.

*Complete lack of awareness of potential lawsuit situations.. let's just plop a 3 year old on a 6 foot high horse and hope he doesn't fall off! More on this later...

*24-hour places are called "Nonstop"..for some reason I like this. Aptly describes life in Prague has been ever since touchdown.

*The way that every single "quick" trip to the grocery turns into 20 minutes of indecision when faced with the 8 zillion types of cheese... I shouldn't be allowed to go to France at this rate.

*The people. On the outside, they are rather gruff; not smiling in the streets, or offering much in the way of false friendliness. But I have started private tutoring for 3 families, and everyone of them is incredibly genuine and hospitable! They go out of their way to make you feel at home, jelly donuts and homemade sushi included!! No, but really, it's not just the food :) Getting to know Czech people is one reason I'm so glad to be teaching English here, and not just solely hanging out with the expat community.

*The Globe- unexplainably delightful to have a bar/cafe/bookstore where by now, I can walk in there at nearly any time of day or night and meet up with someone I know. Practically all TEFL grads hang out there for happy hour, it's our little home base in Prague! Oh and also, it is the only spot that gives you the whole bottle of ketchup for free!!!!(!!!!!)

*Jumping photos. 'Nuff said.

*Free sangria!

*Random ways they help the environment. No, they don't recycle plastic.... But you must bring your own grocery bags or else buy one each time you shop!

*After 2 months and 3 days, I was walking home from my friend's flat and was struck with a new, odd feeling... it took me a minute to pinpoint it, but I realized- this place finally feels like home. Nothing will be home to me like Seattle! (over salmon pasta at school today (first taste of fish in 2 months), it spurred an entire explanation to my Czech coteacher about how much I miss shellfish and the ocean smelling the salty air and watching the big boats go by..) ...so I know where home home is, but I've found my Europe home, for now :)