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!!!
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