tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89691406245632937082024-03-05T17:55:25.401-08:00Ms. Peacock in the Conservatory"I SING the Body electric;" -WhitmanMs. Peacock in the Conservatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15310472495513850806noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969140624563293708.post-43775133210757794112012-03-31T03:53:00.004-07:002012-03-31T04:13:01.284-07:00Winter Sports Challenge Season: Part 1<style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-fareast-language:JA;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-fareast-language:JA;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;</style>Disclaimer: Quotes below, if not exact, are frighteningly close to what was uttered and are necessary to facilitate ones understanding of the events that occurred. In addition, this entry will feature a prominent and reoccurring character; sorry pan (man), this pani (lady) is taken.<br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">When I first met Bee Knees (who, from here on out, will be referred to as BK) our biggest concern was his knee.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We had many, almost tearful, conversations in November and December about the fact that he would not be able to snowboard this winter season—he is always heeding the Doctors orders.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>All the while, I am saying silent prayers of gratitude to the mystery in the sky, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Thank you... I will be able to avoid skiing for one season and this man won’t have to see me in my most vulnerable athletic state </i>(the state one is in when they have just fallen on their ass or face or in any other unbecoming fashion, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Epb5W2mPyfM">like this</a>. Unfortunately, and thankfully, these silent prayers were never heard.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {mso-style-priority:99; color:blue; mso-themecolor:hyperlink; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; color:purple; mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-fareast-language:JA;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style> </p><p class="MsoNormal">We started slowly at, what would become for me, Winter Sports Challenge Season.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>While BK was still following Doctors orders, he had decided that his knee was in a good enough shape to do some Cross Country Skiing. What is that?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Well, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax0XtXrd_Gg">here is a link</a>, but I can tell you that it is, quite possible, the most physically demanding winter sport. You are using two poles to propel your body forward on two, waxy, <a href="http://centreskiandbike.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/cross_country_skis_crop1_320x240.jpg">skinny sticks</a>, and trusting that they will assist you at gliding forward.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The night before our first challenge, my status as a novice winter sports girl was no mystery. I shared my qualms, admitting to BK that I had never done this before.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He seemed unfazed by my lack of raw talent and rather asked, “<a href="http://www.hopkins4k.org/images/photos/2007/h4k4674c96d4e21c.jpg">So, what did you do in Chicago?</a>” <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"></span>When I could not answer he simply said, “Oh Victoria, don’t worry about it, anyone can do it.”</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {mso-style-priority:99; color:blue; mso-themecolor:hyperlink; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; color:purple; mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-fareast-language:JA;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was a Saturday and we left at around nine for <a href="http://www.skiparkcervenavoda.cz/en/ski-park/cross-country-skiing"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">Červená</span> Vod</a><a href="http://www.skiparkcervenavoda.cz/en/ski-park/cross-country-skiing">a</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I laced up my borrowed boots, mustering all my anxiety so that the complete and utter terror would not show on my face. I looked at the mountain. I looked at BK, “<a href="http://www.skiparkcervenavoda.cz/en/ski-park/gallery">You want me to climb up that?</a>” <a href="http://www.skiparkcervenavoda.cz/en/ski-park/gallery"></a><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"></span>“Tak jo, šup, šup.” I waddled my way awkwardly behind him, the sticks (some people call them skis, but they are sticks) and poles banging up my shins because I could not carry them properly.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-fareast-language:JA;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style> </p><p class="MsoNormal">On the chairlift (I still don’t know how I managed to get on the first time, I think BK held my hand), it was beautiful – & with heated seats, who knew!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I started thinking; <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">I could ride this thing all day while he skis, brilliant!</i><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Apparently, this was not an option as the safely bar was quickly yanked from my grasp “Okay, we are going to have to get off now,” he looked at me knowingly. “Just stand up and push yourself off.” Easy for him to say.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He is not aware that the last time I hurled myself off a chairlift, on downhill skis, I could not stop. I slid right behind a snowboarder, who was tightening his binding, and bent him over in this most uncompromising fashion, in such a way that he became a bottom and I became a top (don’t look that up—see ski video above).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So, what happened this time (you all wait with baited breath….)? Of course I fell, and not only did I fall, I pushed BK down with me.<span style=""><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This would be the first of many falls that day, some less glamorous than this one.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There was no escaping the truth, BK would no longer see me as poised, graceful, Victoria (though I doubt he ever did), but rather I would become Victoria, who he sees more on her ass than on the skis (there are loads of video and photos of this)<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I cannot relay all the wipeouts of the morning, there were simply too many, but I will say that the majority of the morning was down hill.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When I say I cannot stop on skis, cross-country skis make that simple act even more impossible.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The epic fall came sometime after lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We had climbed a small kopec to reach our destination pro obed. As BK taught me that morning: what goes up must come down.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We had been lucky, while there were many other cross country skiers, the paths were not terribly crowded and you could move at a nice pace. At this point, I had escaped many collisions with others as I wobbly flung myself down the hills, but this time it was different.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>BK took off and I was feeling a brush of confidence at having completed 8km, albeit they being down hill, so I took off down this hill. As I was picking up speed, I noticed a family trudging up this hill on their skis, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">oh shit</i> I thought, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">this is not going to be okay</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As expected, I lost control, somehow catapulted myself, and tackled the mother of the family to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The crash tore off her off her skis, sent her poles flying, and put her in a position that looked as if she would be left for dead, and eaten by the wild bears that roam the mountains. Okay, so that is a bit exaggerated, but it was a bad fall.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Taking someone out like that is horrible anywhere, but taking someone out when you don’t know how to express complete and utter regret and humiliation is even worse, “Promi<span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">e</span>, promie” I said fervently, as I attempted to assist her with retrieval of her skis and poles.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Much thanks to BK, he was watching the whole thing, laughing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, he did contain his laugher long enough to help me.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">As the afternoon progressed, I wanted to kill BK less and less.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was actually having fun and only he tried to kill me once, which is a good afternoon for us. At one point he made think that we were going to have to ski down the hill, the skiers were on, that was not as funny. Eventually, the first day ended and somehow all my joints and limbs were still attached to a body I claim to be mine. Our first day ended up being 15 KM, which is decent considering I had never done Cross Country Skiing before.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">On the way home BK told me how proud he was of the progress I had made and that we would go again next weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We drove a little while longer and he said, “I think my knee might be able to handle a little snowboarding.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We should try some downhill skiing soon….” To which I responded, “Sure, zlatičko, of course.”</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">& That is where Winter Sports Challenge Season: Part 2 will begin.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Thanks to BK and Devendra Banhart “Now That I Know”, for getting me through the tedious task of displaying my humiliation via this medium. Tak <span style="" lang="CS">Čau.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="CS">What Czech winter looks like from the passenger seat of Emily (BK's car).<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1MYHMl2FEN1otvSXRq667aBLl7IAIQJa6yWK8_UPmhRi1ZuxwTEhXa4qC53kjW-ZzLJhAKd2tKwI0qcD58a9otTD4nS33Ccua5Rqkd8DwrHqe5jxWUhQre0o5Qu8HGntNpuLxlPZJdo/s1600/IMG_1614.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1MYHMl2FEN1otvSXRq667aBLl7IAIQJa6yWK8_UPmhRi1ZuxwTEhXa4qC53kjW-ZzLJhAKd2tKwI0qcD58a9otTD4nS33Ccua5Rqkd8DwrHqe5jxWUhQre0o5Qu8HGntNpuLxlPZJdo/s320/IMG_1614.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726015729247251170" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">What a leg looks like after you've cross-country skied and fallen as much as I had. Your body feels much the same, but, thankfully, doesn't look as bad.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1MYHMl2FEN1otvSXRq667aBLl7IAIQJa6yWK8_UPmhRi1ZuxwTEhXa4qC53kjW-ZzLJhAKd2tKwI0qcD58a9otTD4nS33Ccua5Rqkd8DwrHqe5jxWUhQre0o5Qu8HGntNpuLxlPZJdo/s1600/IMG_1614.JPG"></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugfS5b33sZl_Bm9MWl2ZfEfbWwBxgyGORctkJ7DJX2jQ4VsoM1xvRJ4OwII1ADuSj3Szu7GTQYWUoOhsdoGkHZ704DMMgTTl6Zt6-_7U3l3zbTt3HXHQ9nBFQ80iz4Ziv1arxB_8d-SI/s1600/IMG_1615.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugfS5b33sZl_Bm9MWl2ZfEfbWwBxgyGORctkJ7DJX2jQ4VsoM1xvRJ4OwII1ADuSj3Szu7GTQYWUoOhsdoGkHZ704DMMgTTl6Zt6-_7U3l3zbTt3HXHQ9nBFQ80iz4Ziv1arxB_8d-SI/s320/IMG_1615.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726015735431768178" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugfS5b33sZl_Bm9MWl2ZfEfbWwBxgyGORctkJ7DJX2jQ4VsoM1xvRJ4OwII1ADuSj3Szu7GTQYWUoOhsdoGkHZ704DMMgTTl6Zt6-_7U3l3zbTt3HXHQ9nBFQ80iz4Ziv1arxB_8d-SI/s1600/IMG_1615.JPG"></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">To show that not all of Winter Sports Challenge Season was dangerous and life threatening. By next year I will have perfected my backwards glide for video viewing pleasure. 2014 Winter Olympics: Vote Victoria<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugfS5b33sZl_Bm9MWl2ZfEfbWwBxgyGORctkJ7DJX2jQ4VsoM1xvRJ4OwII1ADuSj3Szu7GTQYWUoOhsdoGkHZ704DMMgTTl6Zt6-_7U3l3zbTt3HXHQ9nBFQ80iz4Ziv1arxB_8d-SI/s1600/IMG_1615.JPG"></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAR_lPiLdxHFt96KZJBdAjjGeOEEKdxv6DhmAQ3HBePQI34B7OltTS2w9VTpCDbfGrXShOJJAzBJA-UqtQew5ezmrXn0DY1SCRKHD4omyIN5fZNNA9VnHs0tYLzNFP7o5sPkI0WlnQ2C0/s1600/IMG_1643.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAR_lPiLdxHFt96KZJBdAjjGeOEEKdxv6DhmAQ3HBePQI34B7OltTS2w9VTpCDbfGrXShOJJAzBJA-UqtQew5ezmrXn0DY1SCRKHD4omyIN5fZNNA9VnHs0tYLzNFP7o5sPkI0WlnQ2C0/s320/IMG_1643.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726015744788146290" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1MYHMl2FEN1otvSXRq667aBLl7IAIQJa6yWK8_UPmhRi1ZuxwTEhXa4qC53kjW-ZzLJhAKd2tKwI0qcD58a9otTD4nS33Ccua5Rqkd8DwrHqe5jxWUhQre0o5Qu8HGntNpuLxlPZJdo/s1600/IMG_1614.JPG"></a></p>Ms. Peacock in the Conservatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15310472495513850806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969140624563293708.post-12778728430805952322012-01-24T12:22:00.000-08:002012-01-24T13:28:00.891-08:00Vánoce has come a little late in the Conservatory...<style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Courier New"; 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mso-level-number-position:left; margin-left:219.0pt; text-indent:-.25in; font-family:Wingdings;} @list l2:level7 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; margin-left:255.0pt; text-indent:-.25in; font-family:Symbol;} @list l2:level8 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:o; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; margin-left:291.0pt; text-indent:-.25in; font-family:"Courier New"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @list l2:level9 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:none; mso-level-number-position:left; margin-left:327.0pt; text-indent:-.25in; font-family:Wingdings;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:</style><span style="font-family:times new roman;">I am finally back to writing with the fervor and vengeance of 10,000 horses (okay, so maybe only one). But seriously, Ms. Peacock, two holidays come and gone with out a peep?</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;"> </span><span style="font-family:times new roman;">It is almost unfathomable to think that I have gone this long without divulging the secrets and whimsical traditions that are the Czech Christmas. </span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:times new roman;">First off, a much belated Krásné Vánoce to everyone. I spent the holidays in Chicago (begrudgingly) and all my recent free time has been spent adapting to my overwhelming teaching load, 2 am-barefoot-McDonald’s runs with my little brother, a serious interest in Czech cinematics (Peacock reviews flying to you in February) and some wholesome quality time with Bee Knees.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Perhaps these are lame excuses for the major lapse in my writing, but believe me, I am all in it now.</p> <p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal">So Christmas, or rather the preparation and events leading up to Christmas were incredible.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This is a summation of my three weeks of Czech Christmas before Chicago: </p> <p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:times new roman;"><span style=""><span style=""><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:times new roman;"><span style="mso-fareast-Times New Roman""><span style="mso-list:Ignore">1.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Christmas show with my skiddets (I taught them <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Twinkle, Twinkle Little Stars” </i>and we preformed <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrrA9j51tQ0">this</a>, which was hilarious!)</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:times new roman;"><span style="mso-fareast-Times New Roman""><span style="mso-list:Ignore">2.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Mama Pavla prepared a scrumptious Bromboraky (finally <span style="font-family:Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-hansi-Times New Roman"; mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:";" ><span style="mso-char-type: symbol;mso-symbol-">J</span></span>) & Bees Knees met the family.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:times new roman;"><span style="mso-fareast-Times New Roman""><span style="mso-list:Ignore">3.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>I gained 3kg in cukroví weight, mostly from two particular Christmas cookies <i><span style="mso-fareast-Times New Roman"">Linecké koláčiky </span></i><span style="mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-style:italic">(I made some of these with Iveta—rather she let me put the marmalade in and make the sandwich part) </span><span style="mso-fareast-Times New Roman"">and <i>vanilkové rohlíčky. </i></span><i><span style="mso-fareast-Times New Roman""> </span></i><span style="mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><a href="http://praguemylove.blogspot.com/2010/12/traditional-czech-christmas-cookiesand.html">Just look at the first two pictures</a> and you will know what I am talking about. <a href="http://czechvegan.blogspot.com/2010/12/czech-christmas-cookies.html">A platter of trouble</a>.</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:times new roman;"><span style="mso-fareast-Times New Roman""><span style="mso-list:Ignore">4.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Christmas Markets (even in Bratislava) are the best way to spend an afternoon waiting for the Czech Embassy to open, but be weary of drinking too much cherry medovina, lokša (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiHuWYjyUvY">funny</a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiHuWYjyUvY"> video</a>), and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZ_KDv2IEcA2FTJzARRBv2b5ElCZMi4WjJvj604iAD3Jie1_D3pBjJ3QVaLYZagr1eVG7NZNPwtYSdZdXIHOwDD2nnl6Cdar1TN-itOeEIKz42VrkikUGy4Asar9JVFhOSnKm6nXzGvc/s1600/HPIM0619.JPG">Cigánska Kuracia</a>-- soooooo good.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:times new roman;"><span style="mso-fareast-Times New Roman""><span style="mso-list:Ignore">5.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>I was spoiled rotten by all my students, friends, and the family with wonderful, thoughtful, gifts including; a Czech to English Picture book dictionary (courtesy of my gymnasium students), homemade honey and Christmas bread, Langoš, ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A1ngos), A Czech cookbook (which I used to make my Christmas Bramborový salát), a marionette puppet, & a DVD of the famous Czech Fairytale, <a href="http://www.csfd.cz/film/9430-tri-orisky-pro-popelku/">Popelku</a> (again, Peacock reviews flying to you soon).</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:times new roman;"><span style="mso-fareast-Times New Roman""><span style="mso-list:Ignore">6.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Bees and I spent owned1.5 hours trying to figure out how to put English Subtitles on Czech Movie Peli<span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">šky</span>. Note: Never let Bees Knees near a jablko computer, he gets very upset with them.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:times new roman;"><span style="mso-fareast-Times New Roman""><span style="mso-list:Ignore">7.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Endless Christmas shopping in the Litomy<span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">š</span>l Sqaure only to get to Chicago and realize I bought more gifts than I had people to give them to.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Many of these unclaimed gifts are sitting wrapped on a shelf in Chicago.</p> <p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal">So yes, I spent Christmas in Chicago and I will talk about that a bit later, but this blog is about Czech and everything stupendous about it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Tak, what are the traditions and customs of the Czech Christmas (Bullet points are my best option for this one).</p> <p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 39pt; text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Christmas Dinner: The traditional Czech Christmas dinner (Note: on the 24<sup>th</sup>, not the 25<sup>th</sup>, you American heathens) consists of<a href="http://old.radio.cz/en/html/vanoce2004_kapr.html"> Kapr</a> (Carp, which many of my students have told me is often substituted with chicken or, for some, steak because come on, who really likes carp?),<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Bramborový salát (potato salad, which I prepared and served at my families Christmas Eve celebration and accordingly, was a huge hit—even Neil liked it), Fish Soup (you know you want some more carp with your carp, but a Czech meal would not be complete without pol<span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">évka</span>) & of course, one thousand million bagillion septillion Christmas cookies.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39pt; text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Fasting for the Golden Pig: Some Czech families (for skiddets) fast the entire day of the 24<sup>th</sup> (or have a light lunch, which is a big deal!) leading up to the large dinner in hopes of<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“seeing the golden pig”, which is believed to bring the children good luck that year. (<a href="http://www.discoveringchristmas.com/Traditions/Traditions.html">Read: Czech Republic- Waiting for the Golden Pig</a>)</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39pt; font-family: times new roman;"> </p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39pt; font-family: times new roman;">Note: The Czech appear to be a very superstitious bunch, thus the traditions mentioned below will have everything to do with the Czech custom of inanimate objects predicting the health, fortune, well-being and up coming marriages of a family.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 39pt; font-family: times new roman;"> </p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>The Floating of the Walnut Shells: To be done only if you want your death predicted (kidding).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Each person in the family gets half an empty walnut shell and a small candle is placed inside so that it is standing up (we used hot glue, but you can use candle wax to make it stick up).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>All the shells are then placed in a bowl of water and if your shell-boat floats across the bowl you will have a long and healthy life (Success for Viktorie!), but if your boat-shell sinks, you will die or maybe you will have bad luck <span style="font-family:Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-hansi-Times New Roman"; mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:";" ><span style="mso-char-type: symbol;mso-symbol-">J</span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>Pouring of the lead:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When I first saw this in the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlfO3aYdg50">Peli</a><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlfO3aYdg50">šky</a> movie (Al</span>e<span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">š</span> finally got subtitles because he is the best!) I kind of wondered what the heck was going on, especially when he Jindoich looked at this blob of silver metal and said “D<span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">ávám bolševikům jeden rok. Dva nejvýše</span>” ( I give the Bolsheviks one year. Two at the most).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The pouring of the lead is when lead is melted over fire and then poured into a container of water. The shape is supposed to reveal something of the pourer’s destiny. Unfortunately, in Peli<span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">š</span>ky, Jindoich must have gotten something wrong.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjwwFz8gsbo">The Cutting of the Apple</a>:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After dinner many families will cut an apple in half at the core (horizontal) and the inside should reveal a five-pointed star, which means everyone will be together the next year in happiness and well-being.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Any other points less than five (a cross) is said to be a bad sign, meaning that someone will die or fall ill within the year.</p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in; font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol;" ><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span>The Throwing of the Shoe: My most uncomfortable Czech tradition occurred when my co-teacher Iveta made me throw a shoe at our classroom door (without telling me what this signified).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>According to the Czech custom, unmarried women are supposed to throw a shoe over their shoulder towards the door.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If the shoe lands with the toes pointing towards the door, the girl will be married within the year.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Luckily, for me, my shoe toes were pointing opposite the door, however, to Iveta this signified that I would most certainly not be getting married in Chicago, but of course, the opposite side meant that I would be getting married here in Litomy<span style="mso-ansi-language: CS" lang="CS">šl</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Thanks, Iveta.</p> <p face="times new roman" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal">& Finally, my favorite part of the Czech Customs and Traditions: There is no Santa Claus who climbs on your roof and magically stuffs his hefty body down the chimney. No, no, it is Baby Jesus, <span style="&amp","serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; font-family:";color:black;" ><a href="http://www.praguepost.com/pictures/1-20101222-6911-4408-pic.jpg">Ježíšek</a></span><span style="font-family:Calibri;">, who flys in through the window and delivers the children’s presents. I must admit this is much better than a fat man, in a red suit, who eats your cookies. <a href="http://www.praguepost.com/tempo/6911-local-holiday-tradition-is-tested-by-global-forces.html">& these guys agree with me.</a></span></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-Times New Roman"font-family:Calibri;" ><a href="http://www.praguepost.com/tempo/6911-local-holiday-tradition-is-tested-by-global-forces.html"><br /></a></span></p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-Times New Roman"font-family:Calibri;" > </span></p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-Times New Roman"font-family:Calibri;" >So this is my Czech Christmas story to you & there is a bunch I am leaving out like: the Christmas tree is decorated with ornaments and lights on Christmas Eve, sometimes people put fish scales under their plate to bring wealth (another superstition), after dinner the families sit together and watch fairytales, Christmas Eve is not for the big extended family just your immediate family… & I really hope my mom will consider letting me stay next year (kidding).</span></p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-Times New Roman"font-family:Calibri;" > </span></p> <p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Pictures from Baby Jesus….</span></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">I gave each of my Basic school students a mythical $1,000,000 CZK to spend on gifts for classmates and what 90% of my students give me as a gift? Lagoš and Pivo<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOL-ITJZ4WJhAh-GpVqpQ6Xfja1F8zEZrSTzbrfQf8BuUw5y3vSUXAsTNRcgoHC2GoM0Kx_xQNnoYaAQ8J1fwqAUyfZNq3zzO5YQ_BzXZGJS0awRfLRT_AOVoPkeULbcAnnPRfrH6LKXE/s1600/IMG_1564.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOL-ITJZ4WJhAh-GpVqpQ6Xfja1F8zEZrSTzbrfQf8BuUw5y3vSUXAsTNRcgoHC2GoM0Kx_xQNnoYaAQ8J1fwqAUyfZNq3zzO5YQ_BzXZGJS0awRfLRT_AOVoPkeULbcAnnPRfrH6LKXE/s320/IMG_1564.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701308202059284354" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal">Some walnut shell floating action with the skiddets.</p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqujdavSsJZSxEI70M2pYbvHLsUb8L6d3Gd3iAxbB79v97BcUdjMkhGU12aWI74dsrhmAuhv0Ky2vE5pbnP8tRWC4AL7_atIwRVxhMKP-Pq-Ueq8OMk19OPj0JkdUrDcUpANDEngOAJHw/s1600/IMG_1555.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqujdavSsJZSxEI70M2pYbvHLsUb8L6d3Gd3iAxbB79v97BcUdjMkhGU12aWI74dsrhmAuhv0Ky2vE5pbnP8tRWC4AL7_atIwRVxhMKP-Pq-Ueq8OMk19OPj0JkdUrDcUpANDEngOAJHw/s320/IMG_1555.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701308196938091346" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal">Yes, I know what this looks like, but it taste DELICIOUS! Lokša... [sigh] tukovy goodness.</p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fGfaL-O6cA-NuJfk6M-CeIkD8CF0NlnPRWnWB9iwYfpR-FowZa6XzHHsQPfC6ZXI21kfVAfGq3k21uGOBOMizgMhUHw7yyyrAYXQo9IbheuT9J460xlLEltSIDnzNFoj7vZKuO8MQ-8/s1600/IMG_1553.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0fGfaL-O6cA-NuJfk6M-CeIkD8CF0NlnPRWnWB9iwYfpR-FowZa6XzHHsQPfC6ZXI21kfVAfGq3k21uGOBOMizgMhUHw7yyyrAYXQo9IbheuT9J460xlLEltSIDnzNFoj7vZKuO8MQ-8/s320/IMG_1553.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701308158677031362" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal">Trouble in Liquid form....</p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxhY71m_CsZ-_kldtJED17n-KY2EbnfIzEWupwVjMYtbp1O1akKuI5Q_lEK0oLjxGawHmb3JJIJIyNzsRtK3yjkDAw1zcI06mC0CqWWAMZtDfR4oAhXJuz5cElfY6yGFnfLP2DNlfi84/s1600/IMG_1567.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxhY71m_CsZ-_kldtJED17n-KY2EbnfIzEWupwVjMYtbp1O1akKuI5Q_lEK0oLjxGawHmb3JJIJIyNzsRtK3yjkDAw1zcI06mC0CqWWAMZtDfR4oAhXJuz5cElfY6yGFnfLP2DNlfi84/s320/IMG_1567.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701311277520353346" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal">Famous Bratislava Christmas Market in Old Town<br /></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJ6d894KQZKTlK-_SlOpJN4zi7d4hNNgIlJJr6H4I8EQRyCz5rCfIRCnPEi6gyFV_qbR9eX5xfPT8lRTxU-Jc1_TqfmZpkrLEup0xbbr02HPsERawB05qrb_rLaL9vlGRo1ZIyZ9lDHM/s1600/IMG_1552.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJ6d894KQZKTlK-_SlOpJN4zi7d4hNNgIlJJr6H4I8EQRyCz5rCfIRCnPEi6gyFV_qbR9eX5xfPT8lRTxU-Jc1_TqfmZpkrLEup0xbbr02HPsERawB05qrb_rLaL9vlGRo1ZIyZ9lDHM/s320/IMG_1552.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701308153772082818" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal">The Lokša stand....<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJ6d894KQZKTlK-_SlOpJN4zi7d4hNNgIlJJr6H4I8EQRyCz5rCfIRCnPEi6gyFV_qbR9eX5xfPT8lRTxU-Jc1_TqfmZpkrLEup0xbbr02HPsERawB05qrb_rLaL9vlGRo1ZIyZ9lDHM/s1600/IMG_1552.JPG"></a></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTkogD0mXNVgpMN14FHr8fVDGU_NPosTE1HDcfpolNJAlp7ceiCkHds0NxDIi3stcD9-scF3ryTelhgIAidqcoUeHGhyBkZOk4-3U0l86uRo17eczm1cHZGgbOXmSP73OWhtPmIsdkg0/s1600/IMG_1551.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTkogD0mXNVgpMN14FHr8fVDGU_NPosTE1HDcfpolNJAlp7ceiCkHds0NxDIi3stcD9-scF3ryTelhgIAidqcoUeHGhyBkZOk4-3U0l86uRo17eczm1cHZGgbOXmSP73OWhtPmIsdkg0/s320/IMG_1551.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701311261712557554" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal">Yes, I swear by that Christmas tree that <span style="&amp","serif";font-family:";color:black;" ><a href="http://www.praguepost.com/pictures/1-20101222-6911-4408-pic.jpg">Ježíšek</a> came through that window and delivered those presents!</span></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="&amp","serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; font-family:";color:black;" ><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguE5bvpIMnHpSLIio1kuXk6Ufvhwi5DcNlJfNp0KZqtWW5ghA7WT7tMyV6PuqCjbUt0Yl8JX1uNhZvB0hM9ND3zel8rP2WIwfI7g5BCBngUaIMP0BsKapmKzxM8MyDrjBfjcRYRQqz4Zk/s1600/IMG_1548.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguE5bvpIMnHpSLIio1kuXk6Ufvhwi5DcNlJfNp0KZqtWW5ghA7WT7tMyV6PuqCjbUt0Yl8JX1uNhZvB0hM9ND3zel8rP2WIwfI7g5BCBngUaIMP0BsKapmKzxM8MyDrjBfjcRYRQqz4Zk/s320/IMG_1548.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701311255809603730" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal">My "Oh, So, Successful Bramborový Salát"</p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguE5bvpIMnHpSLIio1kuXk6Ufvhwi5DcNlJfNp0KZqtWW5ghA7WT7tMyV6PuqCjbUt0Yl8JX1uNhZvB0hM9ND3zel8rP2WIwfI7g5BCBngUaIMP0BsKapmKzxM8MyDrjBfjcRYRQqz4Zk/s1600/IMG_1548.JPG"></a></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGjLknss-DeLzsNBTKPukTJLpNB3s9kZehixsRfc8PWqNl1hgWWN2qirxoD0NX9QX__uiGBRZY_KxjBQaDInc0DnzSniaH1J53vgkHcF4Nkc0E9l7S9-fqQQlp68xS6IrUKgng3ZEwJc/s1600/IMG_1576.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGjLknss-DeLzsNBTKPukTJLpNB3s9kZehixsRfc8PWqNl1hgWWN2qirxoD0NX9QX__uiGBRZY_KxjBQaDInc0DnzSniaH1J53vgkHcF4Nkc0E9l7S9-fqQQlp68xS6IrUKgng3ZEwJc/s320/IMG_1576.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701308212810839618" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal">Given that most of these photos are of food, I don't want readers to think I only sit around eating... I injure myself too. & this is just a preview of what you will read about next!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGjLknss-DeLzsNBTKPukTJLpNB3s9kZehixsRfc8PWqNl1hgWWN2qirxoD0NX9QX__uiGBRZY_KxjBQaDInc0DnzSniaH1J53vgkHcF4Nkc0E9l7S9-fqQQlp68xS6IrUKgng3ZEwJc/s1600/IMG_1576.JPG"></a></p><p style="font-family: times new roman;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a style="font-family: times new roman;" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuX8F4MZ9xX2JqE_aIeoRcpa4oLkgNc5BGi4VfF7iu8jXBFjitMWIhlC45TimUzevI4oBGQOSjhtpb9fNCSnYUQn4KTv0-ujYy8-CtVvQwYoSClPSdx11_Bi4Wt1I3dZt5Ndjlj_KRUU/s1600/IMG_1615.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuX8F4MZ9xX2JqE_aIeoRcpa4oLkgNc5BGi4VfF7iu8jXBFjitMWIhlC45TimUzevI4oBGQOSjhtpb9fNCSnYUQn4KTv0-ujYy8-CtVvQwYoSClPSdx11_Bi4Wt1I3dZt5Ndjlj_KRUU/s320/IMG_1615.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701311282967161042" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOL-ITJZ4WJhAh-GpVqpQ6Xfja1F8zEZrSTzbrfQf8BuUw5y3vSUXAsTNRcgoHC2GoM0Kx_xQNnoYaAQ8J1fwqAUyfZNq3zzO5YQ_BzXZGJS0awRfLRT_AOVoPkeULbcAnnPRfrH6LKXE/s1600/IMG_1564.JPG"></a></p>Ms. Peacock in the Conservatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15310472495513850806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969140624563293708.post-23905162989946740562011-12-10T02:25:00.000-08:002011-12-10T03:27:41.674-08:00A look at Prosinec (December) and the 5th<style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-font-charset:78; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-fareast-language:JA;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} </style>Mikuláš <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.myczechrepublic.com/czech_culture/czech_holidays/saint_nicholas.html">December 5<sup>th</sup> </a>might be one of the greatest holidays of the Czech year.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The United States observes the same holiday, <a href="http://www.stnicksday.com/Traditions.html">St. Nicholas Day</a>, but the practice is rather analogous.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I remember hearing when I was younger that if I put a shoe outside my door when I went to bed, St. Nick would come and put some gold coins in my shoe.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Six and seven year old Vic woke with overwhelming excitement only to be gravely disappointed: not only were her shoes back in her room, but there were no gold coins in them. Blast!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">However, this year, as my student paraded around singing tunes about devils (<span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">čerti</span>) coming to take the naughty children away in brown, tattered, rucksacks, I could not help but giggle.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So, this is what this day is about.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I am remiss that I do not have the photos I took with <a href="http://www.google.cz/imgres?imgurl=http://www.vasevanoce.cz/vanocni-kalendar/mikulas.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.vasevanoce.cz/vanocni-kalendar/cert-a-mikulas/&h=375&w=500&sz=84&tbnid=XTxa-6VXD3Gs4M:&tbnh=91&tbnw=121&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dmikulas%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=mikulas&docid=bWqSpSxaapO4BM&sa=X&ei=djbjTvnxKOSj4gS1_bSZBQ&ved=0CFQQ9QEwBA&dur=1037">Mikuláš and his gang of Angels and Devils</a>, but I know the photos are circulating around with the teachers of the Kindergarten for pure amusement.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>At first, this idea of scaring children into good behavior (telling them that unless they are virtuous and wholesome a scary devil will toss them in a bag-pytel- and carry them to hell) was, admittedly, a little unnerving, but at a certain point, I began to warm to the idea.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>& So when the devils walked passed the children, especially my misbehaving maly Jakub (who was clinging to my leg for dear life), I could not help but make that tisk, tisk motions and say... ”<span style="" lang="CS">Když budeš zlobit tak tě čerti odnesou do pekla.“</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">It is Czech tradition that the evenings are far more dreaded and pure terror for the children.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>At school, they are safe; at home, it is a different story.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Older students and adults walk around the town, come into children’s homes, and quite literally scare them to tears &, supposedly, better behavior.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The next day we did notice a dramatic change in some of our more defiant little ones.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">With December 5<sup>th</sup> looming ahead I asked Bee Knees what he remembered of this day in his youth. “It scared me so much that I used to hide in the basement.”<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">To the children that I never will have: we will certainly celebrate December 5<sup>th</sup> in the Czech style.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">In other news, I am officially a legal citizen of the Czech…for 180 days. Thank you to the Czech Embassy in Bratislava for making the procurement of this visa more difficult than <a href="http://www.semesteratsea.org/our-100th-voyage/all-past-itineraries/fall-2005.php">travelling around the world</a>. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Today is the Christmas Market in Litomysl and I am two glasses of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulled_wine">punč</a> in and I can fly. Thanksween and Christmas Market?! How does the happiest girl get happier?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The first ever Litomysl Thanksweek. I had a little to much sleepy punč and feel asleep early than I wanted to, but they even made a Churkey (Chicken called turkey) & creppy finger cookies that were delicious!<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmwRisDvHPlwwfXWlgIOfSRUoUgOGq0CNWs5DNtk6V8xrRyYaIuDuCY2lNagzSyDZWaDCYeMdrDFMamHB3zfiho239zV95WrKZ5chlFSun1nZmKi9LqrhagZrpqkFNymxTwW0lDffNx8/s1600/IMG_1546.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmwRisDvHPlwwfXWlgIOfSRUoUgOGq0CNWs5DNtk6V8xrRyYaIuDuCY2lNagzSyDZWaDCYeMdrDFMamHB3zfiho239zV95WrKZ5chlFSun1nZmKi9LqrhagZrpqkFNymxTwW0lDffNx8/s320/IMG_1546.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684457975614312178" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">How the punč begins...<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRS4LI_QnTYgycBGDk2yks-6ZsJye632oDLI7mXDpDgyn20QMnQcdcoag7_PHpmHO5qFDPHceN4Q2bXlcYwKsOlFDsjlJZCAoXsCBV7KDl4fVpjMt71YMpP-9P-jaC65Uk0strmQ3SgQ/s1600/IMG_1541.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRS4LI_QnTYgycBGDk2yks-6ZsJye632oDLI7mXDpDgyn20QMnQcdcoag7_PHpmHO5qFDPHceN4Q2bXlcYwKsOlFDsjlJZCAoXsCBV7KDl4fVpjMt71YMpP-9P-jaC65Uk0strmQ3SgQ/s320/IMG_1541.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684457968930644850" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">and how the punč ends... No, it is not like a warm Sangria.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrBoDyYrbdbArnSvhoQYbuaRQymUvymrrmW4Gvr6G-6uNfHuWul_BgsGNAzNLv8IE98QsUdlDphdaaR7SpDT5jbGDAdjZQLNHsuAYF3_gFNfzOlUrKb1rMyKljZ1Zn9ij4Rt7p7trA_w/s1600/IMG_1542.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrBoDyYrbdbArnSvhoQYbuaRQymUvymrrmW4Gvr6G-6uNfHuWul_BgsGNAzNLv8IE98QsUdlDphdaaR7SpDT5jbGDAdjZQLNHsuAYF3_gFNfzOlUrKb1rMyKljZ1Zn9ij4Rt7p7trA_w/s320/IMG_1542.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684457986768533298" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Skiddets and their new favorite English toy. How could the čerti come and take them away.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflIaC5rD7FwnkNZUMN0zKxvmKXm9uTRaE8riQzw-DlwzBncVcD_hSrm7NROp-Rg_e4PsctPHqsKV48Wq5TTa9YFx8gCjsWOdrqo4FgoyPxB7HRMHBE_TYxXlamE8gsZbTLaeGzXs15gA/s1600/IMG_1536.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflIaC5rD7FwnkNZUMN0zKxvmKXm9uTRaE8riQzw-DlwzBncVcD_hSrm7NROp-Rg_e4PsctPHqsKV48Wq5TTa9YFx8gCjsWOdrqo4FgoyPxB7HRMHBE_TYxXlamE8gsZbTLaeGzXs15gA/s320/IMG_1536.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684457962243188706" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmwRisDvHPlwwfXWlgIOfSRUoUgOGq0CNWs5DNtk6V8xrRyYaIuDuCY2lNagzSyDZWaDCYeMdrDFMamHB3zfiho239zV95WrKZ5chlFSun1nZmKi9LqrhagZrpqkFNymxTwW0lDffNx8/s1600/IMG_1546.JPG"></a></p>Ms. Peacock in the Conservatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15310472495513850806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969140624563293708.post-15843120924089380112011-12-08T11:58:00.000-08:002011-12-09T15:05:59.786-08:00A continuation & then there was Brno.<style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Wingdings; panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:2; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 268435456 0 0 -2147483648 0;} @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {mso-style-priority:99; color:blue; mso-themecolor:hyperlink; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; color:purple; mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} span.hps {mso-style-name:hps; mso-style-unhide:no;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-fareast-language:JA;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSectio</style>I have been bad, very bad, because I have forgone updates in favor of travelling & visiting.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>How shameful.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That said, I must admit that I have been enjoying my time with a lovely new friend who I just think is the <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bee%27s%20knees">bee’s knees</a>, or maybe he just has bee’s for knees.<p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Where to begin.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Weeks three, four, & five of the Czech food Challenge have been met with raging success from Brno to Prague—mixed with a brief trip back to old time Americana for some apple pie.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">We should asterisk these:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://czechunderscope.com/culture/czech-cuisine/czech-recipes/czech-food-bramborak/lng/en/">Bramborak</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was okay… I blame it on the copious amount of Prague food vendors. Perhaps I should have done more research or rather used my brain. How could I expect to get delicious fried potato pancakes at an outdoor carnival in December? My new theory is this: One should only expect, and thus order, outdoor fried food in the summer when one’s skin is frying too. Maybe I will try indoor Bramborak.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://nyubaedeker.wordpress.com/2008/02/12/the-art-of-smazeny-syr/"><br /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://nyubaedeker.wordpress.com/2008/02/12/the-art-of-smazeny-syr/">Smazeny Syr.</a> I wish I had read this blog before I went on quest for the Smaz. Oh well, next time.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Best part of the Smaz?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Getting to eat it along with my little brother and a dark beer (this makes Vic a happy girl <span style="font-family: Wingdings;mso-ascii-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-hansi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings;" ><span style="mso-char-type: symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings;" >J</span></span>)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trdeln%C3%ADk%29-"><br /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trdeln%C3%ADk%29-">Trdeln<span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">í</span>k</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trdeln%C3%ADk%29-"></a> Delicious sugary thing? Yes, please. A most nutritious and hearty breakfast for this andelska divka. Watch them make it<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e9atxYH0XE"> here</a>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">While Prague appeared to be fried and friendly, Brno definitely added its own flavor to the challenge serving up the cult classics like: Pun<span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">č</span>, pizza, everything that my friend Irena’s sister made for me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Enough on food for now, but first, let me tell you that my recreation of Pun<span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">č at the first ever Litomyšl Thanksween is sure to be the best thing since my apple pie ala Brno. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="CS"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">On Prague:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">Highlights of this excursion were definitely the human traffic jam in the underground station at Stare Mesto.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It appeared that every breathing soul in Prague (& some not) joined the odyssey leading to the lighting of the Christmas tree.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There must have been someone there saving lives.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I went to a hookah bar-whoops!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="CS"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">Highlight number two was taking photos of my little brother and I wearing Staropramen box armor-like helmets. It never gets old dressing up. The drinking of the<a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.ratewall.com/cpics/98a163e1-7959-425a-ac7d-bb738cad47f5_beer_staropramen.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.ratewall.com/cnt/view_group.aspx%3Fcgi%3D393&h=400&w=220&sz=18&tbnid=BVSGejedAcO0cM:&tbnh=95&tbnw=52&zoom=1&docid=eN4YgY1wluF6zM&sa=X&ei=0U_iTreQEsn34QTPvv2FBQ&ved=0CFMQ9QEwBg&dur=41"> Staropramen</a> was enjoyable too. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Oh yes, let’s tie in looking for sushi in Prague at 11 PM.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="CS"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="CS">Serious highlights arrived the morning after.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This time I was wiser, I had some kind gents lead me to Charles Bridge so I could begin my tourist-trap-trek from there.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="CS">I got to tackle Kampa, which I equate as the Central Park of Prague.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Big open space, people walking their dogs, some humongous trees with the autumn season still tacked to their bodies, and of course sculptures of crawling babies reading books (should be in every park).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Kampa is beautiful, especially on a Sunday morning when all the smart folks are still in bed sleeping.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Upon further review, I will have to check out<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="CS"> </span><span class="header-main"><a href="http://www.myczechrepublic.com/prague/petrin-hill.html">Petřín</a> </span><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">for more greenery in Prague.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="CS"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">Just west of Kampa is John Lennon Wall & for all you Beatles lovers you will just have to take a look at the innumerable photos below.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="CS"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">A short distance from the John Lennon Wall is a sight not in the tourist book!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, it was a place I had been keen to find for sometime.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My friend Kat wrote a <a href="http://yourbookdon.com/2011/09/">great piece</a> on <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>this attraction a few months back</span><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">, or rather the novel that inspired the action/movement. A more revealing account can be found <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/23/italy-bridges-locks-of-love">here</a></span><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Locks of love not to be fooled with<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><a href="http://www.locksoflove.org/">Locks of love</a></span><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"> is a movement where lovers attach a lock to a bridge and then throw the key in the water as a symbol of their immortal and boundless love for each other.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A romantic concept, no?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="CS"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">Prague was wonderful, as always, but I was eager to return to Litomysl to see “Bees Knees“.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That evening we got lost in the forest and had to climb what appeared to be a small landslide (at least that is what it seemed like in the dark). Nothing <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>will solidify a new friendship like finding your way out of dark, large, forest, together.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="CS"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">On Brno:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="CS"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">Massive Malls, big "racket" clocks, Twilight, and an outdoor festival (“Yet another excuse for Czech folks to drink outside,“ Bees Knees), but not in this order.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="CS"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="CS">Last weekend I ventured to the second biggest city in Czech Republic, Brno. Friday afternoon, Irena and I set out on 90 Km of Czech Highway to visit her sister, Pavla, in what could only ascertain, given its breadth from the city center, as the Logan Square neighbourhood of Brno, which made jubilant.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>At last, a neighborhood haven in the Czech.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">Shortly after arrival Irena and I hit the most commercial and modern tourist attraction right outside Brno, Olympia.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is a shopping center or rather a <a href="http://www.google.cz/imgres?q=Olympia+Brno&um=1&hl=cs&client=firefox-a&sa=N&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1280&bih=666&tbm=isch&tbnid=-Eecqps1O_bFLM:&imgrefurl=http://www.trimo.si/reference/olympia-brno-shopping-centre/&docid=qmE2eytXeN7OkM&imgurl=http://www.trimo.si/images/iman/15-olympia-dsc01843u_7276.jpg&w=600&h=450&ei=mdzfTuyaIKHE4gSJ5pngBg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=579&sig=110798796935125365747&page=1&tbnh=134&tbnw=179&start=0&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:10,s:0&tx=81&ty=79">commercial palace in the middle of field</a>s.</span><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"> Rest assured, I was able to do plenty of shopping and I am finally outfitted with appropriate clothing for Czech </span><span class="hps"><span style="mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:CSfont-family:";" lang="CS">zimní.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">That evening we hit the “clubs“ and I partook in a substantial amount of Tequila and B52 drinking.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">Saturday was lazy and filled with Pavla and Rere sturtting around the house, modeling heels and designer jeans, while this lowly American made apple pie </span>:)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">Bees Knees ventured from his home in the center all the way out to Brno, Logan,<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>to take me for a walking tour and movie.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="CS"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">Highlights of our tour were the big astronomical clock or colloquially, and affectionately, referred to as the "racket" clock.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Unfortunately, because of winter darkness I was not able to get live photos, but hopefully these will suffice (<a href="http://www.google.cz/imgres?q=astronomical+clock+Brno&um=1&hl=cs&client=firefox-a&hs=owk&sa=N&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1280&bih=666&tbm=isch&tbnid=vW9dF_eyfwVpzM:&imgrefurl=http://www.orloj.eu/cs/ostrava_brno.htm&docid=ZLNF00bTHfN7QM&imgurl=http://www.orloj.eu/img/orloje/ostrava_brno/f/Brno_3.jpg&w=478&h=510&ei=Vt3fTs3FENPY4QTx-_WaBw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=417&sig=110798796935125365747&page=1&tbnh=145&tbnw=136&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0&tx=73&ty=39">here</a> and <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Brno_Astronomical_Clock">here</a>)</span><span style="" lang="CS">. I mean, come on, you cannot even read the time on that thing.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="CS">At last the tour of the fine city of Brno came to an end.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="CS">One piece of new found Czech Trivia:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">What is the longest word in Czech?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">Nejneob<span style="font-size:100%;">hospodařovavatelnějšímy (the gist being, the land where nothing grows)</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS;font-size:100%;" lang="CS" > </span></p><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" lang="CS" >Makes the longest English word,</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis">Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis,</a> seem lame<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="CS"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="CS">....................... & pictures</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">It's like the <a href="http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/">Magic Kingdom</a>, but better because it is in the Czech Republic<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4gl1l1E33Shb1Sk2q6nsz6JcxBShKQT-a05shtGHpS9u151qzYjCrf5nriEh31Pmf4kFJeP2z7l8VGwte5N668H2VvAbMqC5KJouhYH-abgFo9aTKvfGfvrfX_uemNmZmaePET4jnMw/s1600/IMG_0468.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4gl1l1E33Shb1Sk2q6nsz6JcxBShKQT-a05shtGHpS9u151qzYjCrf5nriEh31Pmf4kFJeP2z7l8VGwte5N668H2VvAbMqC5KJouhYH-abgFo9aTKvfGfvrfX_uemNmZmaePET4jnMw/s320/IMG_0468.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684198205826427426" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Makin' the "most" of the morning. HAHAHA!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojw2RyE7bDs8d4B8aeUePIMtMEsNRm7avjGZ5ZwYRFeInVBQf4tWD4Sfrzn3gAUzdbJpYjuPbXP_yPmavQFCJnVBzxr844tu1N6DypWXMnucyw6QRKQn7VWOJ7M-WmDq7wH-NojBPQrU/s1600/IMG_0461.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojw2RyE7bDs8d4B8aeUePIMtMEsNRm7avjGZ5ZwYRFeInVBQf4tWD4Sfrzn3gAUzdbJpYjuPbXP_yPmavQFCJnVBzxr844tu1N6DypWXMnucyw6QRKQn7VWOJ7M-WmDq7wH-NojBPQrU/s320/IMG_0461.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684198206140999474" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4gl1l1E33Shb1Sk2q6nsz6JcxBShKQT-a05shtGHpS9u151qzYjCrf5nriEh31Pmf4kFJeP2z7l8VGwte5N668H2VvAbMqC5KJouhYH-abgFo9aTKvfGfvrfX_uemNmZmaePET4jnMw/s1600/IMG_0468.JPG"></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">Babies reading books in Kampa, I wasn't kidding<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSDoZOSVMcqKekkabxeLdt7XO85VwqvV1W3dqbY13HBqcfM2ORxeAxCL8bZKx9ahi8Nch0xdEHH6Wn6zuv37x6zGWEUH9sR6Zbyju7QDpeDyYsIhF8OeRgmQ8oi-3zCH0G-oLdhAmvVY/s1600/IMG_0493.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSDoZOSVMcqKekkabxeLdt7XO85VwqvV1W3dqbY13HBqcfM2ORxeAxCL8bZKx9ahi8Nch0xdEHH6Wn6zuv37x6zGWEUH9sR6Zbyju7QDpeDyYsIhF8OeRgmQ8oi-3zCH0G-oLdhAmvVY/s320/IMG_0493.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684218001645120818" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">We have a matching chair in Litomysl--sister cities with Prague...</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbabPJXvqO43H93uRNh8uz024mDGCN64aZfPwPwFB4Ke9OgpJUpkFB0HOg0bGdQciGX6WiD0ITrsY6k83VoCV0D7Q2r1FKs5Axi2KPvKbnB3iQ0EDaQfMlfqTd8eQ8P-N9BD9qfBagng/s1600/IMG_0491.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbabPJXvqO43H93uRNh8uz024mDGCN64aZfPwPwFB4Ke9OgpJUpkFB0HOg0bGdQciGX6WiD0ITrsY6k83VoCV0D7Q2r1FKs5Axi2KPvKbnB3iQ0EDaQfMlfqTd8eQ8P-N9BD9qfBagng/s320/IMG_0491.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684217994781944626" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">The "love" bridge.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFibkhipulj99UpUi44fDPhwXuFbH3CX1Kv7igovQX0Us9d7eb8W7MCDkyx2xBhxCLsKBtvFi4OP-Kyc5DFhn5q887MialAyvDiHsRtqOK5teh3R7f3rZksPnrbhXuCGPt99D2uedVpx8/s1600/IMG_0479.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFibkhipulj99UpUi44fDPhwXuFbH3CX1Kv7igovQX0Us9d7eb8W7MCDkyx2xBhxCLsKBtvFi4OP-Kyc5DFhn5q887MialAyvDiHsRtqOK5teh3R7f3rZksPnrbhXuCGPt99D2uedVpx8/s320/IMG_0479.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684217974730003858" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">a lot of eternal love...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFibkhipulj99UpUi44fDPhwXuFbH3CX1Kv7igovQX0Us9d7eb8W7MCDkyx2xBhxCLsKBtvFi4OP-Kyc5DFhn5q887MialAyvDiHsRtqOK5teh3R7f3rZksPnrbhXuCGPt99D2uedVpx8/s1600/IMG_0479.JPG"></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichpOZ2xKY2IaWlZ_z7ADUG4Sit8J8avzZRARv45O0RY5eIJ7d_X4KrHJygq1ZxEYPI39bsnhrkeM2_Ex_J325Z9lSSoPY8JaTFiZEzyctL0caPUkVGnejlSTC5bYRDV7KbVVXY8UR6sE/s1600/IMG_0484.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichpOZ2xKY2IaWlZ_z7ADUG4Sit8J8avzZRARv45O0RY5eIJ7d_X4KrHJygq1ZxEYPI39bsnhrkeM2_Ex_J325Z9lSSoPY8JaTFiZEzyctL0caPUkVGnejlSTC5bYRDV7KbVVXY8UR6sE/s320/IMG_0484.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684217979648670546" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">It's all you need...</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGVpVGIUf1-GEVHGfoSs8vWlRpTzmetQvwzQgCromUC3X_0Zcsy2ErNB5z-AFfJvSo46Rf2LzZSgGPp6cJdMbYovp5e5eVHjlXfr6Ye6iSqDglU-0oCaNJhyOqaQD9F3kewOPmIovj0E/s1600/IMG_0475.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGVpVGIUf1-GEVHGfoSs8vWlRpTzmetQvwzQgCromUC3X_0Zcsy2ErNB5z-AFfJvSo46Rf2LzZSgGPp6cJdMbYovp5e5eVHjlXfr6Ye6iSqDglU-0oCaNJhyOqaQD9F3kewOPmIovj0E/s320/IMG_0475.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684198222849716050" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">John Lennon Wall.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrPmcFLJZ4X_eh2CUfL-cm51TbuQ8MF5Dui7bhOj4Gi04VcRuGgeW8JGn70GNFCCM9fgW3sNIipORZubfKcp4oyDNG4oU7VAzI59Bw5RXnByWxVY7dWVLLjPyevm3LS2NYZW46AKsW9I/s1600/IMG_0472.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrPmcFLJZ4X_eh2CUfL-cm51TbuQ8MF5Dui7bhOj4Gi04VcRuGgeW8JGn70GNFCCM9fgW3sNIipORZubfKcp4oyDNG4oU7VAzI59Bw5RXnByWxVY7dWVLLjPyevm3LS2NYZW46AKsW9I/s320/IMG_0472.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684198210141156370" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">One of the only clear indicators that this indeed was the Lennon wall.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrPmcFLJZ4X_eh2CUfL-cm51TbuQ8MF5Dui7bhOj4Gi04VcRuGgeW8JGn70GNFCCM9fgW3sNIipORZubfKcp4oyDNG4oU7VAzI59Bw5RXnByWxVY7dWVLLjPyevm3LS2NYZW46AKsW9I/s1600/IMG_0472.JPG"></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcsWJOk8oeDodjhybH41yuOM8esoGg-31bZau4qcw-_XQm03ajzjnAooegS3d3U95K6-5-fiTMZZrAaiZtj2fb5RdbQY0X8HDUUxV_jHPvFQMM1jTYfVqyveosrTyORkatjIcqQPU2rU/s1600/IMG_0476.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcsWJOk8oeDodjhybH41yuOM8esoGg-31bZau4qcw-_XQm03ajzjnAooegS3d3U95K6-5-fiTMZZrAaiZtj2fb5RdbQY0X8HDUUxV_jHPvFQMM1jTYfVqyveosrTyORkatjIcqQPU2rU/s320/IMG_0476.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684198239435482386" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">Giant tree that reminded me of Autumn in Winter.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcsWJOk8oeDodjhybH41yuOM8esoGg-31bZau4qcw-_XQm03ajzjnAooegS3d3U95K6-5-fiTMZZrAaiZtj2fb5RdbQY0X8HDUUxV_jHPvFQMM1jTYfVqyveosrTyORkatjIcqQPU2rU/s1600/IMG_0476.JPG"></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVnedDPUbf-yfVuwBFyWBZiCGWaTaa1rz7D5hPCPmKv_UtrXuB8c9Qk_PEChS8c1QbwQakn_smIKUG-A2DsamvRZVbzazML2dddBqJhOYeTsjuLBbF4y_lFp_Pwm3togtSYLWcPmSvqQ/s1600/IMG_0499.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibVnedDPUbf-yfVuwBFyWBZiCGWaTaa1rz7D5hPCPmKv_UtrXuB8c9Qk_PEChS8c1QbwQakn_smIKUG-A2DsamvRZVbzazML2dddBqJhOYeTsjuLBbF4y_lFp_Pwm3togtSYLWcPmSvqQ/s320/IMG_0499.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684218006850411074" border="0" /></a>The one, the only, great, Prague, tree. Somewhere out there a forest is crying for its long lost brother. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQeKdvXliIU&feature=related">Charlie Brown</a> would be disgusted<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrPmcFLJZ4X_eh2CUfL-cm51TbuQ8MF5Dui7bhOj4Gi04VcRuGgeW8JGn70GNFCCM9fgW3sNIipORZubfKcp4oyDNG4oU7VAzI59Bw5RXnByWxVY7dWVLLjPyevm3LS2NYZW46AKsW9I/s1600/IMG_0472.JPG"></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbabPJXvqO43H93uRNh8uz024mDGCN64aZfPwPwFB4Ke9OgpJUpkFB0HOg0bGdQciGX6WiD0ITrsY6k83VoCV0D7Q2r1FKs5Axi2KPvKbnB3iQ0EDaQfMlfqTd8eQ8P-N9BD9qfBagng/s1600/IMG_0491.JPG"></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7i1OvRViOmVli9LHGo3f5b5exdVjbdWonE6TsdWwLlK9fX18JvxZJ0w9WwyRXdSfmKZuBsI74Dap0V3ZdCC80KGxc7D7beZvanExQd7PAIlk4F7IjfaFzJWUJbcCgxsrw9muYEwEdnNA/s1600/IMG_0507.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7i1OvRViOmVli9LHGo3f5b5exdVjbdWonE6TsdWwLlK9fX18JvxZJ0w9WwyRXdSfmKZuBsI74Dap0V3ZdCC80KGxc7D7beZvanExQd7PAIlk4F7IjfaFzJWUJbcCgxsrw9muYEwEdnNA/s320/IMG_0507.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684221110534040818" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Unimpressed by this bramborak...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7i1OvRViOmVli9LHGo3f5b5exdVjbdWonE6TsdWwLlK9fX18JvxZJ0w9WwyRXdSfmKZuBsI74Dap0V3ZdCC80KGxc7D7beZvanExQd7PAIlk4F7IjfaFzJWUJbcCgxsrw9muYEwEdnNA/s1600/IMG_0507.JPG"></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIHnvIguZDlzv4XlK5Rud_aWsY4ODp5R-m7eeI0rQMwOq50Z9P4rK8MHMJmxuG29d8CI4-hwPImtsNtavPVYrmq3WLbKBoKyhwTMOL-FE21IChuQpc6NqHSOgdUowFopcDzbEvurfWJs/s1600/IMG_0509.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIHnvIguZDlzv4XlK5Rud_aWsY4ODp5R-m7eeI0rQMwOq50Z9P4rK8MHMJmxuG29d8CI4-hwPImtsNtavPVYrmq3WLbKBoKyhwTMOL-FE21IChuQpc6NqHSOgdUowFopcDzbEvurfWJs/s320/IMG_0509.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684221117715567074" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPJUBQd-PNM"><br /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPJUBQd-PNM">Minecraft</a> gear circa Prague 2011<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihoxu_iHDxSnZUN6V1eKw6Q1u15BQ-AxyvnvG7PQ4EC_Q15rlI8QzVPx3PEIGbo50tjFVeFlmPrGfTXqBIwjSBRdewSCoU0fh1p31-nUakbSgx12plgmS2bHsGerVqi_2B7aHgESDf4Q0/s1600/IMG_1529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihoxu_iHDxSnZUN6V1eKw6Q1u15BQ-AxyvnvG7PQ4EC_Q15rlI8QzVPx3PEIGbo50tjFVeFlmPrGfTXqBIwjSBRdewSCoU0fh1p31-nUakbSgx12plgmS2bHsGerVqi_2B7aHgESDf4Q0/s320/IMG_1529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684221161906883010" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The smaz....& first order of fries since I left the US.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyt-WgB4MMfwWQFdKoulWVUQgVHGOmGww2VB9HabAatcln-iVpLCddQaIJqi1lcIxB5ykMnuA7XyEtfZq2Ky5rHcu7n-N3riUw_s6lvWI5p7IABy1YrYO2RHSDyfZACyJgcsKYSdnC-44/s1600/IMG_1530.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyt-WgB4MMfwWQFdKoulWVUQgVHGOmGww2VB9HabAatcln-iVpLCddQaIJqi1lcIxB5ykMnuA7XyEtfZq2Ky5rHcu7n-N3riUw_s6lvWI5p7IABy1YrYO2RHSDyfZACyJgcsKYSdnC-44/s320/IMG_1530.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684266478599378994" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Breakfast...</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYo6dekXihbcqrOl99H2Q4H7t4xZp_pZcU3I9hpZPFtdHzlHaLh5Z8GdlPk60iIE4g0JpVIamNgCWNBFaOycYzFXH5QlrvYOKhRawTLZQynL08pYfbXliiYa2j2mRvyb9bal2YeoUQAc/s1600/IMG_0505.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYo6dekXihbcqrOl99H2Q4H7t4xZp_pZcU3I9hpZPFtdHzlHaLh5Z8GdlPk60iIE4g0JpVIamNgCWNBFaOycYzFXH5QlrvYOKhRawTLZQynL08pYfbXliiYa2j2mRvyb9bal2YeoUQAc/s320/IMG_0505.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684266474373931458" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Yet, another excuse to drink outside in Brno.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYo6dekXihbcqrOl99H2Q4H7t4xZp_pZcU3I9hpZPFtdHzlHaLh5Z8GdlPk60iIE4g0JpVIamNgCWNBFaOycYzFXH5QlrvYOKhRawTLZQynL08pYfbXliiYa2j2mRvyb9bal2YeoUQAc/s1600/IMG_0505.JPG"></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3qEVrGNJJ30c_jbbI-xdu-fWxU5zZ-kPoWG8nvGbz_r13_yVKH_hFaklli8_TT-XKeLiQCDOk8PB-AWwCYlyDkRAP2d9XMQLp5NkpftEHhCxGGRwbu6OB3WfhcXW0MoOtq-5sv8rIzk/s1600/IMG_1537.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3qEVrGNJJ30c_jbbI-xdu-fWxU5zZ-kPoWG8nvGbz_r13_yVKH_hFaklli8_TT-XKeLiQCDOk8PB-AWwCYlyDkRAP2d9XMQLp5NkpftEHhCxGGRwbu6OB3WfhcXW0MoOtq-5sv8rIzk/s320/IMG_1537.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684266489581832754" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Some semi-tangible evidence to prove that I actually was in Brno.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOFIuQ0zm-DU-qYj4dI3FWbMP6HTp7CYunB5xdOLuQzZeVi3zJBY3CFSZ9oRNaXALojUBWMSyXZjyQyfIkuAq-iaNHKxmZGa8ZDGy-QoBs6gEL1nsZHYvS_O8sntzCg-eK0M6RBiVbXw/s1600/IMG_1538.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOFIuQ0zm-DU-qYj4dI3FWbMP6HTp7CYunB5xdOLuQzZeVi3zJBY3CFSZ9oRNaXALojUBWMSyXZjyQyfIkuAq-iaNHKxmZGa8ZDGy-QoBs6gEL1nsZHYvS_O8sntzCg-eK0M6RBiVbXw/s320/IMG_1538.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684266494920184194" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The peak sight before Bees Knees and I got lost in the forest.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXCktrgUvxF7fHtT2uwL0IQ22EzNXtpGOI98ON6fcaN4uFY9NnDrbyd3hTX9B1-pe_e-TM6DynDbP3cQ3eEHTZD6OOUz6_lksLiWU08RyfR3_r8ESogGjyK_v4mrHJZv2KKowgY9NqrQ/s1600/IMG_0511.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXCktrgUvxF7fHtT2uwL0IQ22EzNXtpGOI98ON6fcaN4uFY9NnDrbyd3hTX9B1-pe_e-TM6DynDbP3cQ3eEHTZD6OOUz6_lksLiWU08RyfR3_r8ESogGjyK_v4mrHJZv2KKowgY9NqrQ/s320/IMG_0511.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684221125962729042" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOFIuQ0zm-DU-qYj4dI3FWbMP6HTp7CYunB5xdOLuQzZeVi3zJBY3CFSZ9oRNaXALojUBWMSyXZjyQyfIkuAq-iaNHKxmZGa8ZDGy-QoBs6gEL1nsZHYvS_O8sntzCg-eK0M6RBiVbXw/s1600/IMG_1538.JPG"></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4gl1l1E33Shb1Sk2q6nsz6JcxBShKQT-a05shtGHpS9u151qzYjCrf5nriEh31Pmf4kFJeP2z7l8VGwte5N668H2VvAbMqC5KJouhYH-abgFo9aTKvfGfvrfX_uemNmZmaePET4jnMw/s1600/IMG_0468.JPG"></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Ms. Peacock in the Conservatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15310472495513850806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969140624563293708.post-37577383828277630142011-11-20T10:25:00.000-08:002011-11-20T10:55:30.791-08:00The Two Week Eat-a-Thon or "Czech Food Challenge"<style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Wingdings; panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:2; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 268435456 0 0 -2147483648 0;} @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {mso-style-priority:99; color:blue; mso-themecolor:hyperlink; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; color:purple; mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-fareast-language:JA;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:Wo</style>Prelude: <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">On November 11<sup>th</sup> while many Americans celebrate Veteran’s Day, the Czech, and many other nations throughout Europe, celebrate <a href="http://fisheaters.com/customstimeafterpentecost15.html">St. Martin’s Day</a><a href="http://fisheaters.com/customstimeafterpentecost15.html"></a>. Some people compare it to the American Thanksgiving, as it is the “Feast of St. Martin”.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It celebrates the end of the harvest and the inevitability of winter. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">On this day the parents and children of my town gathered in the Kindergarten playground with lanterns and torches and we walked through out the town with “St. Martin” as our guide, passing out paper snowflakes to on lookers (<a href="http://www.google.cz/imgres?q=St.+Martin+and+lampion&um=1&hl=cs&client=firefox-a&sa=N&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1280&bih=666&tbm=isch&tbnid=crNQ0sOAA7PjUM:&imgrefurl=http://www.blogwiese.ch/archives/40&docid=qXqlYmR1Bppv9M&imgurl=http://www.blogwiese.ch/wp-content/Lampions.jpg&w=446&h=323&ei=RTrJTtr4OcXVsgaC3u3tBg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=703&vpy=170&dur=325&hovh=156&hovw=210&tx=152&ty=58&sig=110798796935125365747&page=1&tbnh=156&tbnw=210&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0">lampion festival</a>)<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Many of children wore antennas on their heads pretending to be beetles who begin their “rest” for the winter season. On a side note, I am happy to report that our St. Martin was not ‘riding around town on a white horse’ (<i><span style="mso-fareast-Times New Roman"font-family:";" >Martin přijíždí na bílém koni)</span></i>, which may just mean we are safe from the snow for a little while longer. To celebrate St. Martin’s Day, and the weeks before the Advent (which is kind of like the weeks of feasting), many of the restaurants in town have special dishes centering on husa, or goose.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have yet to try this.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">In honor of St. Martin’s Day (although past) and Thanksgiving (soon to be encroaching on the waists of my fellow Americans), I bring you my own version of the two-week eat-a-thon to celebrate the harvest bounty and the melding of my two homes.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I might even try goose!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Beginning: </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">For the past three months, I have had an overwhelming fear of the Czech restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not because I do not think I will enjoy the food, but simply because I feared not actually knowing what I was ordering. This week and the weeks proceeding, I have decided that the time has come to abandon this fear all together, thus the Czech Restaurant Challenge has been born. In homage to my hometown of the “good eats”, I will put Czech Cuisine head to head with some of the more infamous Chicago establishments (although, I will write, without hesitation, that <a href="http://www.kumascorner.com/food">Chicago still makes the best hamburgers in the world</a>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The Rules:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">There is only one rule:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>try a new restaurant or new Czech cuisine--one I have not already had served to me in my school canteen. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I am happy to report that this week our victories have been tenfold! Not only did I try a new restaurant, an altogether to new “experimental” dish, but also the lovely Ava, m<span style="mso-ansi-language: CS" lang="CS">ůj</span> rodiny Babi<span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">čka, prepared homeade Svičkova in honor of Aleš</span>’s birthday. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The ceremonious restaurant where I finally broke down and had my first official Litomyšl dining experience was the infamous <a href="http://ukolji.cz/">U Kolji</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am not quite sure if it is infamous, but I have had many people recommend it to me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is a Ukrainian Restaurant (but because it is in Litomy<span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">š</span>l it counts) and I was thankful that I could review the menu online several times before I made my way over, thus avoiding the potential of me staring blankly at the menu, crying, and going home hungry because is didn’t know what I should order.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The entire menu was enticing, but after much review, on this smoggy Tuesday, I finally decided upon the traditional Bor<span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">šč and Holbuci.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was not disappointed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The boršč was incre</span>dible as I had been told it would be.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Holbuci was also delicious-it is hard to screw up steamed cabbage wrapped around meat mixed with rice covered in a wicked cream sauce.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">One thing I have forgotten about eating such delicious food is that cramping that begins post a good meal. You know, where you have stuffed yourself beyond comprehension and you have to slouch because your posture has been swallowed up along with the food. Yea, that one, but it is so worth it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The second dining out experience occurred last Saturday after my friend, Tom<span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">áš, and</span> I returned from our walking venture in Budislav, where we nearly made it back to Borka before dark.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He took me to this little restaurant and gave me my first experience with tatarsk<span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">ý biftek</span>, colloquially steak tartare (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steak_tartare).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A skeptic at first; I was not immediately sold on the raw beef and egg idea. After a brief explanation of what this was (and yes, although not traditionally Czech) and a reference to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6QqSxmpRMM&feature=relmfu">Mr. Bean</a> I thought I was ready. It was sooooooooooooooo good. Okay, maybe not the most appetizing thing to look at, but it is really fun to play with. You mix the beef and egg with all these different ingredients and spices like: ketchup, dijon, capers, onions, dried parsley, and other UFO (Unidentifiable.Food.Objects). Then you spread it on toast. The best part was realizing that you could smear garlic on toast! This blew my mind--& yes, I have had garlic bread, but this was different.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In addition, thanks to Tom<span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">áš,</span> I have found out where the Czech hide the dark beer- in pubs hidden in the middle of nowhere. So happy to have dark beer back in my life.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">& Now I save the best for last.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Today, or rather Thursday, was Ale<span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">š Birthday (he is growing up so fast)</span> and today we had a huge, massive, epic, birthday lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After eating so much food, all we could do was roll around on the floor, but maybe that was just me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A couple weeks ago I met the families grandmother, Ava, and we shared some piva over at my favorite pub-Veselka.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We talked about Czech cuisine and my Czech Dad said that Ava made the best <a href="http://www.radio.cz/en/section/czech-life/svickova-a-czech-classic">Svi</a><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"><a href="http://www.radio.cz/en/section/czech-life/svickova-a-czech-classic">čková</a> and she promised that she would make it. Today she went above and beyond.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Svička means candle, so for the sake of my poor C</span>zech I almost want to call it candle meat, but it’s most certainly not.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is a delicious, tender, marinated beef that is served with knedl<span style="mso-ansi-language: CS" lang="CS">í</span>ky (steamed bread dumplings –yum yum <span style="font-family:Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-hansi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings;" ><span style="mso-char-type: symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings;" >J</span></span>) and om<span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">áčka </span>(sauce, and in this case a thick creamy sauce made from carrots, parsley, turnip, &… other goodness).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is not hard to understand why this is a signature Czech dish.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Incredible.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>To top it all off there was a cake that I cannot even begin to go into detail about.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Overall, I would call this first week of the “restaurant” challenge a raging success.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have a few other signature Czech dishes that I must try before I can consider this challenge a wrap.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>These include: <a href="http://www.google.cz/imgres?q=brambor%C3%A1k&um=1&hl=cs&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1280&bih=666&tbm=isch&tbnid=m142SjUWCqyTrM:&imgrefurl=http://bucifousek.webgarden.cz/hlavni-jidla/cuketaky-2.html&docid=AuS6o1ms_uoeAM&imgurl=http://bucifousek.webgarden.cz/image/5752744&w=600&h=395&ei=sUzJTvCyHYn1sgbIwv2JBw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=344&sig=110798796935125365747&page=4&tbnh=138&tbnw=198&start=49&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:49&tx=141&ty=34">brambor</a><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"><a href="http://www.google.cz/imgres?q=brambor%C3%A1k&um=1&hl=cs&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1280&bih=666&tbm=isch&tbnid=m142SjUWCqyTrM:&imgrefurl=http://bucifousek.webgarden.cz/hlavni-jidla/cuketaky-2.html&docid=AuS6o1ms_uoeAM&imgurl=http://bucifousek.webgarden.cz/image/5752744&w=600&h=395&ei=sUzJTvCyHYn1sgbIwv2JBw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=344&sig=110798796935125365747&page=4&tbnh=138&tbnw=198&start=49&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:49&tx=141&ty=34">ák</a>, <a href="http://www.google.cz/imgres?q=vep%C5%99o+knedlo+zelo&um=1&hl=cs&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1280&bih=666&tbm=isch&tbnid=-W4hmi5EvnNJwM:&imgrefurl=http://mesto-slavin.blog.cz/0905/ceske-jidla&docid=kyyiAudV5DEzSM&imgurl=http://cestina.jamu.cz/design/vepro_knedlo_zelo.jpg&w=400&h=300&ei=30zJTsShHMvTsgbOtr2WBw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=603&vpy=366&dur=509&hovh=184&hovw=248&tx=117&ty=144&sig=110798796935125365747&page=2&tbnh=133&tbnw=192&start=16&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:16">vepřo</a></span><a href="http://www.google.cz/imgres?q=vep%C5%99o+knedlo+zelo&um=1&hl=cs&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1280&bih=666&tbm=isch&tbnid=-W4hmi5EvnNJwM:&imgrefurl=http://mesto-slavin.blog.cz/0905/ceske-jidla&docid=kyyiAudV5DEzSM&imgurl=http://cestina.jamu.cz/design/vepro_knedlo_zelo.jpg&w=400&h=300&ei=30zJTsShHMvTsgbOtr2WBw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=603&vpy=366&dur=509&hovh=184&hovw=248&tx=117&ty=144&sig=110798796935125365747&page=2&tbnh=133&tbnw=192&start=16&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:16"> knedlo zelo</a>, & the notorious, <a href="http://www.google.cz/imgres?q=sma%C5%BEen%C3%BD+s%C3%BDr&um=1&hl=cs&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1280&bih=666&tbm=isch&tbnid=PUWJyw5KRin97M:&imgrefurl=http://www.panda-food.cz/home/%3Facc%3Dplzen-tesco-nabidka%26strana%3D4&docid=mfqaxum7CgrhjM&imgurl=http://www.panda-food.cz/data/jidla/smazeny_syr_s_hranolky.jpg&w=1024&h=700&ei=_kzJTr6QD8jrsgb298SVBw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=397&vpy=334&dur=967&hovh=186&hovw=272&tx=138&ty=111&sig=110798796935125365747&page=1&tbnh=134&tbnw=232&start=0&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:0">sma</a><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"><a href="http://www.google.cz/imgres?q=sma%C5%BEen%C3%BD+s%C3%BDr&um=1&hl=cs&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1280&bih=666&tbm=isch&tbnid=PUWJyw5KRin97M:&imgrefurl=http://www.panda-food.cz/home/%3Facc%3Dplzen-tesco-nabidka%26strana%3D4&docid=mfqaxum7CgrhjM&imgurl=http://www.panda-food.cz/data/jidla/smazeny_syr_s_hranolky.jpg&w=1024&h=700&ei=_kzJTr6QD8jrsgb298SVBw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=397&vpy=334&dur=967&hovh=186&hovw=272&tx=138&ty=111&sig=110798796935125365747&page=1&tbnh=134&tbnw=232&start=0&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:0">žený sýr</a>.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="CS"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">M</span>y only regret for this post is that I do not have pictures of our epic family meal nor many of my other restaurant ventures—next time.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Next week Prague, where my <a href="http://www.spejbl-hurvinek.cz/england/enhlavni.html">missions</a> are few, but grand!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Fotky</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Poor iPhoto shot of Lampion Festival and St. Martin--I should invest it a night time camera.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitK2pciGVHN4fhM7Wg0-d1UnI1gHNh0rNQHtEJ8fguxBehYWrthGN3L9h2fAedIgSdZ06piTF0lJ7XO4PnIhqzpwCvZqEQJv4LAWkeTsEzhOLXlzwoOO7J0w6ndi3m7kzOy_Yh9gls0U0/s1600/IMG_1479.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitK2pciGVHN4fhM7Wg0-d1UnI1gHNh0rNQHtEJ8fguxBehYWrthGN3L9h2fAedIgSdZ06piTF0lJ7XO4PnIhqzpwCvZqEQJv4LAWkeTsEzhOLXlzwoOO7J0w6ndi3m7kzOy_Yh9gls0U0/s320/IMG_1479.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677149151227932674" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">What I am happy St. Martin has not brought to Litomyšl, yet. He can so stick it in the mountains.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6D5dHF_Q0wnrt_RbGXjydWMn0ZcpFLELw7qequsi6lB2ypnDqek3YzNBbi7_uVja9-GiuCOqjrLmR0GhilXClDiPVAWq2CLScjeYF5ETQia8XfPkFADa6W803rMcltQlCjvBvmvWn_Y/s1600/IMG_0753.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS6D5dHF_Q0wnrt_RbGXjydWMn0ZcpFLELw7qequsi6lB2ypnDqek3YzNBbi7_uVja9-GiuCOqjrLmR0GhilXClDiPVAWq2CLScjeYF5ETQia8XfPkFADa6W803rMcltQlCjvBvmvWn_Y/s320/IMG_0753.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677149153577710626" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Borščing it.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugI1z98gYgFrJMbwZeD9avUnliBXiDSdDhL16FshAR7rwobB1mAVzSNOXit9QQo7JODQteCutaWcAelnNR2G5la1PQazjZ5bu4ByZa7f0JrAC4b2bIeGEb93pZI54t_7RczjCsURtlF0/s1600/IMG_1494.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugI1z98gYgFrJMbwZeD9avUnliBXiDSdDhL16FshAR7rwobB1mAVzSNOXit9QQo7JODQteCutaWcAelnNR2G5la1PQazjZ5bu4ByZa7f0JrAC4b2bIeGEb93pZI54t_7RczjCsURtlF0/s320/IMG_1494.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677150051064279218" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Tackling the Holbuci...</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhpy3IpHLPt6KYZOrfe6uemWKfa8QS0R0vO-7jsCGl6CpDV7dovYSeV4EGN_eF8ecPVSMZ9yuThD4tvbqywgFOMT5x1oHkS1AEoeuynBewZbZfnBuuF7EbcK7b6g4sl59qaRa6wqvW4o/s1600/IMG_1496.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhpy3IpHLPt6KYZOrfe6uemWKfa8QS0R0vO-7jsCGl6CpDV7dovYSeV4EGN_eF8ecPVSMZ9yuThD4tvbqywgFOMT5x1oHkS1AEoeuynBewZbZfnBuuF7EbcK7b6g4sl59qaRa6wqvW4o/s320/IMG_1496.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677149174733539698" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">A slouch worthy American meal-circa autmer (summer/autumn) 2010 New York<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2ooU0rVI4g7o2qBD6NpEELci-v9GvkF-L9XDR3sRr9s40SUNUMEtGYGHzInYPFLWdo19x75joJTyEG22h_NSE76K9LvgIi5wyDOaUIbZKGcbZIMJcNbg17NPcvOe7f6WTXh1mIeCuRo/s1600/IMG_0624.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2ooU0rVI4g7o2qBD6NpEELci-v9GvkF-L9XDR3sRr9s40SUNUMEtGYGHzInYPFLWdo19x75joJTyEG22h_NSE76K9LvgIi5wyDOaUIbZKGcbZIMJcNbg17NPcvOe7f6WTXh1mIeCuRo/s320/IMG_0624.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677150064612387362" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Working off the slouch from the eat-a-thon by observing others partake in physical activity- <a href="http://www.floorball.org/default.asp?sivu=2&kieli=826">floorball</a> (see floorball videos).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_aKDbEge1yVmYLN93m825894r5zpMuNIrRb72yFLGegNf8UMRfoLSddH_sniXXKQVarlFtQnHQQ61pTHKaDIW9X3s8Z7jxNi1cZG64w5bD1gtY4qD4n1ZBC2vpdIOniZgzdv9-0KJfU/s1600/IMG_1482.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_aKDbEge1yVmYLN93m825894r5zpMuNIrRb72yFLGegNf8UMRfoLSddH_sniXXKQVarlFtQnHQQ61pTHKaDIW9X3s8Z7jxNi1cZG64w5bD1gtY4qD4n1ZBC2vpdIOniZgzdv9-0KJfU/s320/IMG_1482.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677149168047928434" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">& the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDTZ7iX4vTQ">kicks</a> here are still the same.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrX46qlK7w-9ri4QRRfGevAwb2SI95lieiB7sKqCNMFGf-ybVxXejmgZ7Y2gxhV2IZHdoZp1_FoBE3HseJVVVqC7jxFn2Uc7FrhB0kXC-dPWG0M1c35cVsN3WZ_9Ce_shDt2QmdGwD4w/s1600/IMG_1501.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrX46qlK7w-9ri4QRRfGevAwb2SI95lieiB7sKqCNMFGf-ybVxXejmgZ7Y2gxhV2IZHdoZp1_FoBE3HseJVVVqC7jxFn2Uc7FrhB0kXC-dPWG0M1c35cVsN3WZ_9Ce_shDt2QmdGwD4w/s320/IMG_1501.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677149168877845026" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">It appears many of us in this home have an affinity for taking pictures atop children's toy riding horses. It's just too bad I don't have a sombrero on. :)<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTFvDdVAceYido5Ii188h9JYF8mWfhvLVwCFasNmDth8r8Oe-vGvEZg-J9lzwxAReFMlcB2LKvXAuDWRR1nsd3-OXcE24SEM0aiMRyR-7E0I58Pgvjll221y4BjDQyN1Wgwazg3lW3ew/s1600/IMG_1100.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTFvDdVAceYido5Ii188h9JYF8mWfhvLVwCFasNmDth8r8Oe-vGvEZg-J9lzwxAReFMlcB2LKvXAuDWRR1nsd3-OXcE24SEM0aiMRyR-7E0I58Pgvjll221y4BjDQyN1Wgwazg3lW3ew/s320/IMG_1100.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5677150045530968914" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Ms. Peacock in the Conservatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15310472495513850806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969140624563293708.post-81733191897347736462011-11-05T06:48:00.000-07:002011-11-06T02:54:45.985-08:00Kotelna-Music Clubbing<style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:fixed; mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {mso-style-priority:99; color:blue; mso-themecolor:hyperlink; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; color:purple; mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-fareast-language:JA;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:</style>On a note of full disclosure: While I am still recuperating form the events of last night, I was all to eager, to expose the Czech music scene that I was graciously invited to partake in yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Ale<span style="mso-ansi-language: CS" lang="CS">š</span>, you know you are the best. <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Last night was my first experience in the <a href="http://mckotelna.cz/web/">Kotelna, Music Club Litomy</a><span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS"><a href="http://mckotelna.cz/web/">šl</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This had been</span> a place of great intrigue, mystery, a place that I would walk by at least once a week always wondering when I, Victoria Sroka, would step foot beyond those red doors into the abyss, finally hearing, with my own ears, the music reverberating off the walls. Yesterday, it was finally my turn.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The first thing I noticed was how intimate the space is.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I love music, but get me in a big room like the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/philmarusa/3240896299/">All State Arena</a> or even <a href="http://www.panoramio.com/photo/32050178">UIC Pavilion</a> and I will freak the f*ck out.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Kotelna is great though and is a lot like <a href="http://www.doubledoor.com/photos/album/72157625752377105/photo/5376435507/free-energy-the-postelles-light-pollution-img_1428.html">Double Door</a>, before the indoor smoking ban.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">When you walk in it is a breeze, you’re not fumbling for your ID, there’s no bouncer looking you up and down, and while you have to push past people (literally I think every Litomyšlan from 18-35 were there) you are still able to sidle your way to the front without much effort and fewer beer spills.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The cocktails were the second thing I noticed, mainly one (for originalities sake and how it made me nostalgic for warm summer nights, watching movies projected of the balconies of friends apartments). This cocktail was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Russian_%28cocktail%29">“The Big Lebowski”</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I did not order one, although I was tempted, maybe next time.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Nothing gets me quite in the mood to dance my face off like vodka, Kahl<span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">ua</span>, & cream --read pop culture section. The gang and I stuck to beers and I was again reminded that my Czech language skills (specifically ordering) are not as up to snuff as I once thought.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I do not know what I would do with out my “designated translator” and the people of Lito<span style="mso-ansi-language:CS" lang="CS">myšl wh</span>o cut me some slack when I speak in English.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I shall reiterate that the concert was awesome! The band we were there to see was <a href="http://www.wohnout.cz/">WOHNOUT</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They are an indie-alternative band with a ton of endurance; I have never jumped so much at a concert! Back in the states my dance moves are notorious for being… well there is video somewhere, anonymously I hope. However, here I have finally found people who dance the same way I do, pointer fingers and all.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That is right, my finger dance is back! That said my dance moves were no match for the three, sloshy, older woman who were moshing and attempting to make out with the security guard for 80% of the show- I wish I had taken video.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">After the show, Ale<span style="mso-ansi-language: CS" lang="CS">š</span> and I accosted the band for signatures and I got all four of them to sign my ticket.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This might have had something to do with the fact that I am from Chicago and very few Americans can be found dancing like crazy at the Litomy<span style="mso-ansi-language: CS" lang="CS">šl</span> music club. They very friendly and took time to chat and take pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">& now pictures… </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Guitar player from unknown opening band. I talked to him briefly as I was leaving. Evidently he had been to Chicago, but actually just the airport.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPHUDsJWrekzodwvDJL42oEhZOewR-Auzn6tf4IEpsewJQCURroeDy8RfGvIB4b9GfTCSXKKBe3rTxBCBzzJCtlHtaAciNH2tOV84e9UK2G4pcHUsbw8VYMZt5fRk6Qs9lyJ8fOBSn98/s1600/IMG_1452.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPHUDsJWrekzodwvDJL42oEhZOewR-Auzn6tf4IEpsewJQCURroeDy8RfGvIB4b9GfTCSXKKBe3rTxBCBzzJCtlHtaAciNH2tOV84e9UK2G4pcHUsbw8VYMZt5fRk6Qs9lyJ8fOBSn98/s320/IMG_1452.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671831546107222546" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Saxophone from the opening band.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZkspLYDLVGbf9wYBl7aW3nW41peV6Y7B4oUXi_1WgejGXQsbye4oZ_XfB-J8qsrjlBH8_2wSDZhW1PDDAGAO-KPRpdxMd__AxbIi34FE89L2UDKHjZuyjapl3feBWBVTBnxX9WwWcAY/s1600/IMG_1453.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZkspLYDLVGbf9wYBl7aW3nW41peV6Y7B4oUXi_1WgejGXQsbye4oZ_XfB-J8qsrjlBH8_2wSDZhW1PDDAGAO-KPRpdxMd__AxbIi34FE89L2UDKHjZuyjapl3feBWBVTBnxX9WwWcAY/s320/IMG_1453.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671831562241134002" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">Wohnout!<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9unlBl3PoqWGiwKQ43nhg9jLiLTMtt2rA7Ottxeew8izDx9fOFxFV1IlkRwDGh3VsmuIigIboZSwxH44JXy1VwqhAnNRO826fLikBiYHcuMPV2zsy4i2PUHLvjBHN9zIJb7D5MvZb-Tc/s1600/IMG_1464.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9unlBl3PoqWGiwKQ43nhg9jLiLTMtt2rA7Ottxeew8izDx9fOFxFV1IlkRwDGh3VsmuIigIboZSwxH44JXy1VwqhAnNRO826fLikBiYHcuMPV2zsy4i2PUHLvjBHN9zIJb7D5MvZb-Tc/s320/IMG_1464.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671578307502134418" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">More Wohnout....<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvMKrMOEb7ho6r0vh6TgRWfIRqdZOoglRLKvFhfETK3IzplDEwI-mjuSlXRpdH1w6hxqkcQmVLUwjDj4gyEolaPxri_G3u1h2E5gA24cE9HYYmZv-vvYBGbB7A0ACph2nsvOlMzzVJGE/s1600/IMG_1461.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvMKrMOEb7ho6r0vh6TgRWfIRqdZOoglRLKvFhfETK3IzplDEwI-mjuSlXRpdH1w6hxqkcQmVLUwjDj4gyEolaPxri_G3u1h2E5gA24cE9HYYmZv-vvYBGbB7A0ACph2nsvOlMzzVJGE/s320/IMG_1461.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671578316228652034" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.wohnout.cz/bio/jan-homola/215.html">Jan</a> & I. He was sweet and told me that these guys would be in New York come January.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13cykzBe7v1RewLePhZo25oGENDq1509M0H1kbZe0jRuXImoGRd0KLwcYLoEb85DXpaACXl2EgeOBE8__QkQY-LTbRVZf7-Qs5JJPYekSne3aGPbU4Ulfq75RBia6zPzWXFs-JYvf9os/s1600/IMG_1466.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13cykzBe7v1RewLePhZo25oGENDq1509M0H1kbZe0jRuXImoGRd0KLwcYLoEb85DXpaACXl2EgeOBE8__QkQY-LTbRVZf7-Qs5JJPYekSne3aGPbU4Ulfq75RBia6zPzWXFs-JYvf9os/s320/IMG_1466.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671578286303249218" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">Wohnout Set list. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGeKHKVmVVo">Pepiěi</a> was fantastic<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitniTBgSkDkf5C9pcli-8hjphPFvAyDgyy0gthqEZ-SJK2NH18jRyuQqSGcorQfFD8c4_Wdw6XyU4NtmukP4sGniSnDi2Vm-rCyDQiSKEy_hCFDujlMoa5W4W1wKQrXQtXGZn6ZwzlO3E/s1600/IMG_1458.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitniTBgSkDkf5C9pcli-8hjphPFvAyDgyy0gthqEZ-SJK2NH18jRyuQqSGcorQfFD8c4_Wdw6XyU4NtmukP4sGniSnDi2Vm-rCyDQiSKEy_hCFDujlMoa5W4W1wKQrXQtXGZn6ZwzlO3E/s320/IMG_1458.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671833542714992802" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The evidence and proof.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WTFW1RtKOQHKQ2ga0PoxnE5w3sviq5_Kh6nUPYfgOKNJKMKuQCCQJhVhv26_B7bZHHNZFFVKWCvQLuMgUqNui03rlCrVQCx_BjZ8svy3ABCNVl_-0aO1SzycQ4VKPWnRmKetQ-k0eBc/s1600/IMG_1470.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WTFW1RtKOQHKQ2ga0PoxnE5w3sviq5_Kh6nUPYfgOKNJKMKuQCCQJhVhv26_B7bZHHNZFFVKWCvQLuMgUqNui03rlCrVQCx_BjZ8svy3ABCNVl_-0aO1SzycQ4VKPWnRmKetQ-k0eBc/s320/IMG_1470.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671578279610350882" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">& because it's funny...Czech polygamy.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8mZaTNrfHL0fR5i_fwgwFZzwY0dVcR-HhujWGZyV2ewwoMfJpM1fxnadWnaympJWfOmy3saGJIAb9aHLQzedisq8Bd_A29vUSiucqlGWBgK93WCvdkUXm4IDpyUcEzElujzWJDnnksY/s1600/IMG_1442.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8mZaTNrfHL0fR5i_fwgwFZzwY0dVcR-HhujWGZyV2ewwoMfJpM1fxnadWnaympJWfOmy3saGJIAb9aHLQzedisq8Bd_A29vUSiucqlGWBgK93WCvdkUXm4IDpyUcEzElujzWJDnnksY/s320/IMG_1442.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671831541966409090" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Ms. Peacock in the Conservatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15310472495513850806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969140624563293708.post-84419098122813679322011-11-02T15:25:00.000-07:002011-11-02T15:50:18.164-07:00Dušičky<style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-font-charset:78; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;} @font-face {font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-font-charset:78; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {mso-style-priority:99; color:blue; mso-themecolor:hyperlink; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; color:purple; mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-fareast-language:JA;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {p</style>Note: As a prelude to todays writing, I must warn that the ruminations below are a bit more somber than usual.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This is not because the writer is melancholy, but rather this day calls for commemoration and a greater restraint of humor in attempt to pay homage to the dead. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">In my latter years, I cannot claim to be a proponent of organized religion.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This is not to say I am not curious, nor does it mean that I do not entertain conversation surrounding the topic of faith and spirituality. Nevertheless, for me, religions primary function for the past several years has been to answer that lurid question of “what happens when you’re dead?” After several feeble and deplorable attempts to answer this question, I hung up the religion hat in a quest for something else.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">When I was younger, it was easier. Some how my Grandma June can always seem to recollect that moment when I was about seven and brazenly said to her, “You know, you are going to die some day...”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">However, today is not about this… entirely.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I have never particularly warmed to the idea of death and before today, walking in a graveyard at dusk was never something I felt inclined to do. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, remember, I am in Czech and my inhibitions have been left some 7,000 miles on the stoop of a distant castle. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">On November 2<sup>nd</sup> the Czech ‘celebrate <a href="http://czechfolks.com/2008/11/02/2nd-of-november-%E2%80%93-all-souls%E2%80%99-day-2-listopad-%E2%80%93-dusicky/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">D</span><b style="font-weight: bold;">ušičky</b></a>, which is something akin to <a href="http://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Du%C5%A1i%C4%8Dky">“All Souls Day”</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This holiday is practiced all over the world under many different names and forms, but the central theme of all the holiday is the same, a celebration and remembrance of the dead. You have probably seen pictures of <a href="http://www.jillrandall.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Photo-Library-789.jpg">Mexico’s Day of the Dead</a>, which is the same Holiday. When I first heard about the Holiday I mildly associated it with a Czech version of “Halloween”, which is supposedly ‘not’ celebrated here.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Given the Halloween extravaganza held at the gymnasium-school- I would beg to differ (evidence below).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Some people still claim that Dušičky is the “Czech Halloween” (i.e. <a href="http://www.prague.net/blog/article/29/dusicky-czech-halloween">Prague blog</a> ). Having now witnessed and participated in this holiday, I am a little ashamed to have originally thought this was simply another pagan holiday.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">After my students blatantly guffawed at my Czech pronunciation of<b style=""> </b>Dušičky (I am improving!) I asked them what this holiday meant for them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Perhaps it was difficult to explain with the language barriers, or the fact that at that age students do not want to talk to anyone, but what I got out of them was that there were many candles involved.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not knowing exactly what to expect and armed with only camera, candle, and salt to ward off the spirits, I embarked to the Litomyšl cemetery for my Dušičky adventure.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I am attempting to make light of this moment, but the sight of the cemetery was overwhelming and stirred emotions.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Unbeknownst, I found myself part of the mass exodus of Litomyšlans to the graves of their dead ancestors. For once, I felt I was part of the pilgrimage and part of this town.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I did not need language to be able to remember.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">When I took my first steps into the cemetery I was amazed at the amount of light and life that was inside.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not only were their many people, but also most graves had their own flower gardens atop the tombs with a host of candles. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I walked and watched the people light candles, brush the fallen leaves off the tombs, adorn the tombs with wreaths and flowers, and some stand huddled together. I watched the children giggle, the mother’s hold their children close, and dusk slowly roll into black.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I wondered whom the people were lighting candles for...<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The old woman. Candles for her Husband? Her Grandparents? Her Friends? Her Children?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I scanned the dates on the headstones, admiring the ages and the history these people had lived through. 1901-1987; 1902-1964; 1898-1916. a State creation, WWI, WWII, a Communist occupation, and separation from Slovakia, but here, in this cemetery, their lives are marked with brevity and numbers.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">A while back, Aleš, the family, and I went on an epic bike adventure around the outskirts of town. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>One of our stops was at an abandoned Jewish cemetery (strange to use the word abandoned). Jewish cemeteries were not allowed to be in the town limits.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>At this cemetery the stones we cracked and overlapping.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Communists had destroyed the headstones and cemetery during their twenty-year occupation.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Tonight I wonder if that cemetery is as lit up and alive, as it should be.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">It seemed almost fortuitous that I stumbled upon a black bird resting atop a gravestone.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The event and moment something directly out of an <a href="http://www.heise.de/ix/raven/Literature/Lore/TheRaven.html">Edgar Allen Poe poem</a>, but lacking the metaphor. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The meaning of my last name derives from the polish word magpie, or blackbird.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">It was not a full moon and the black birds tail didn’t have the swatches of a <a href="http://thepurposeofspecies.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/magpie.jpg_">magpie</a>, but I felt moved to remember at least one of my ancestors. & So this evening I lit a candle for my grandfather, Frank, who I have never met, but who I will always honor in the memorial I made for him, behind a large tree, at one of the corners of the Litomyšl Cemetery.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Felt strange to take pictures.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">From the unadorned, but remembered here...</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJX59qszXZbR_K5ATVFa33WJAKMi7kwxP0TLQg-39dWPJBad5jYLz_jgT96mCkYzgzyRaBR6LA-UtIkDjmtID82coNZuJW4HeyGf1Or01SRaH8bLN1vczitPyv6Y0YJN7TEoE0khcumw/s1600/IMG_0419.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJX59qszXZbR_K5ATVFa33WJAKMi7kwxP0TLQg-39dWPJBad5jYLz_jgT96mCkYzgzyRaBR6LA-UtIkDjmtID82coNZuJW4HeyGf1Or01SRaH8bLN1vczitPyv6Y0YJN7TEoE0khcumw/s320/IMG_0419.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670532232408637410" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">To the fantastical.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1L14PjPn8DhaQFVVlqHl9ejaDu5tcBq8MFzzOx8751SsnApFU9taaiuoRPMccOjHrroj3GwfBCmB2Ywe9LTYIZdSvaaUovVwE5as6BjTJT4y3pl6nFce7ZOlxDZQhOwI_L6BVytF8lA/s1600/IMG_0425.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1L14PjPn8DhaQFVVlqHl9ejaDu5tcBq8MFzzOx8751SsnApFU9taaiuoRPMccOjHrroj3GwfBCmB2Ywe9LTYIZdSvaaUovVwE5as6BjTJT4y3pl6nFce7ZOlxDZQhOwI_L6BVytF8lA/s320/IMG_0425.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670532235857347858" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Can you find the black bird?<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDXo8VgCORhRFhyphenhyphen0A4MFSkdTRNz1sjJiVFhVweAaKfOvN66vcEoMMRSXcnfDTkluk9WKaCm1xkLylZMj_Qj0jDZYFiH1CzCLE5mFSF0b-H1_EHc3uA3qkEMw2nO37IercZN5kRq7Vkqc/s1600/IMG_0414.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 203px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDXo8VgCORhRFhyphenhyphen0A4MFSkdTRNz1sjJiVFhVweAaKfOvN66vcEoMMRSXcnfDTkluk9WKaCm1xkLylZMj_Qj0jDZYFiH1CzCLE5mFSF0b-H1_EHc3uA3qkEMw2nO37IercZN5kRq7Vkqc/s320/IMG_0414.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670532216440237618" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The lighting of the Dušičky candle.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLuRjPlfjlMizBLvid0pvad_IPf3NpgXzPD2cEW0u68bWDfza8qBIxkN-t5osfNqT5TRzMqyYqdJ28kXYMT_G6djgG2bofEyY9EyjI1NQuE_NUPTFsFAGOUmQzvWlTESsuKsqIVvP0nKM/s1600/IMG_0427.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLuRjPlfjlMizBLvid0pvad_IPf3NpgXzPD2cEW0u68bWDfza8qBIxkN-t5osfNqT5TRzMqyYqdJ28kXYMT_G6djgG2bofEyY9EyjI1NQuE_NUPTFsFAGOUmQzvWlTESsuKsqIVvP0nKM/s320/IMG_0427.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670532207250636114" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Near the sight of my candle.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPRz_joPDoFPz98FzAehb5VeN4kAgvSmMRY_CDVGBC2tKmnL2R7ZqsaSf2yAb5fbyodZyJB7JmETs55ifr2FkNNYDfNmF7C3K4HhBpUph0pPk6wRgaEUBwRAUnclAn9IKKlFFTCl_jE8/s1600/IMG_0417.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPRz_joPDoFPz98FzAehb5VeN4kAgvSmMRY_CDVGBC2tKmnL2R7ZqsaSf2yAb5fbyodZyJB7JmETs55ifr2FkNNYDfNmF7C3K4HhBpUph0pPk6wRgaEUBwRAUnclAn9IKKlFFTCl_jE8/s320/IMG_0417.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670533786826745634" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Arlington, please.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4xPs7Hka6R6uhyEQtGkgINRXudIsX_mBw5rFzCUz3dIM9bJFB-S1PqqjKwrn2aG4EnEDJS0XR58K_BzYILFEJPNUxWpunV_tn4RjfM5TYBtnw8l0ypQH2sL5LLeHpyXL2hfDKVmHtIo/s1600/IMG_0435.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4xPs7Hka6R6uhyEQtGkgINRXudIsX_mBw5rFzCUz3dIM9bJFB-S1PqqjKwrn2aG4EnEDJS0XR58K_BzYILFEJPNUxWpunV_tn4RjfM5TYBtnw8l0ypQH2sL5LLeHpyXL2hfDKVmHtIo/s320/IMG_0435.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670533769786339266" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">....<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5ge615M48e84X5OmnbUgUq3fAazinsyReN2WN3AkPFoN5YwloE9mcUQ6iatqQkEDAKEzl7Oc4oSXhXBkuCFm7WGGmPrKrCmFK8IDWSUUuMC5vILIQHCbl1CFtxw9GE4N1qviXBlx1Ng/s1600/IMG_0453.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl5ge615M48e84X5OmnbUgUq3fAazinsyReN2WN3AkPFoN5YwloE9mcUQ6iatqQkEDAKEzl7Oc4oSXhXBkuCFm7WGGmPrKrCmFK8IDWSUUuMC5vILIQHCbl1CFtxw9GE4N1qviXBlx1Ng/s320/IMG_0453.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670532201611927698" border="0" /></a></p>Ms. Peacock in the Conservatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15310472495513850806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969140624563293708.post-35798987644503315172011-10-28T02:44:00.001-07:002018-05-13T23:58:25.861-07:00Imperative PostingWhile is there is much to report on:<br />
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*Josef Vachal<br />
*Contemporary Pelišky/Cinema<br />
*Eating Healthy in Czech<br />
*Current Curiosities<br />
*Vice documentary in North Korea<br />
*Publication<br />
&<br />
*General Wellness<br />
<br />
I would like to enjoy and celebrate the creation of Czechoslovakia via 28.10.1918. Even though it is no longer Czechoslovakia let's remember that there was some freedom, for a minute...<br />
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However, a recent photo opportunity has arisen and cannot be passed upon by this postee.<br />
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Yes, yes, as I was walking to work today I randomly spotted a roaming peacock. This simply reaffirms that I have found my appropriate destination. Finally, I am among my own kind.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0dnARs2_S93iKe0CBVEry8dthnj8ez9zxpBPx5_VyL27-va6xqz6-4pKhPUtxCAqdr7BFQRDF4XwBXiAmznCECJzjXFpbWAhKQGOGkNfyFNigMwAmX-wqSmMmYbCePDjj6cNdDPbjac/s1600/IMG_1376.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668480539154079202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0dnARs2_S93iKe0CBVEry8dthnj8ez9zxpBPx5_VyL27-va6xqz6-4pKhPUtxCAqdr7BFQRDF4XwBXiAmznCECJzjXFpbWAhKQGOGkNfyFNigMwAmX-wqSmMmYbCePDjj6cNdDPbjac/s320/IMG_1376.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 238px;" /></a><br />
"When you give a Czech child an iPhone" you will most certainly have 23 pictures of her and close-ups of nostrils.<br />
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The view from a new favorite place to sit in town<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4cCgvzGQYQtExXgi50jD9RDOsT3Y7YZEwdiKeuPr52Nwg350Gn4IxDvEgBffmK99hquX-V4T9M0Oy5KrzN-eDBzPVvCs2buxN_SlojoRDqgf_gEW6Lh0EQ4bnypT8wRn_dNKIiUZsVA/s1600/IMG_1333.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668480527792664514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4cCgvzGQYQtExXgi50jD9RDOsT3Y7YZEwdiKeuPr52Nwg350Gn4IxDvEgBffmK99hquX-V4T9M0Oy5KrzN-eDBzPVvCs2buxN_SlojoRDqgf_gEW6Lh0EQ4bnypT8wRn_dNKIiUZsVA/s320/IMG_1333.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 239px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
The kaštan games. Even the most uninspired adults can't help but feeling giddy when they find hidden chestnuts on the ground.<br />
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Why must this thing stare at me when I am trying to write? Thanks Váchal, for inspiring the owners of my coffee shop with your "Bloody Novel" musings.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPe0DIBfOsTOlqM6_yRLZx4ezleBOMhUo1JZyZefcuxgR3MCb-c8R78ZD1ASlF1YdWHZx4ZG2-uSLeeX0sGETfQIUBqDG6Ghyphenhyphen9bbyhYfsNBwrmgC2QYuwv0QMHijkgvsHXnXuzyZquVm8/s1600/IMG_1335.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5668480546248510354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPe0DIBfOsTOlqM6_yRLZx4ezleBOMhUo1JZyZefcuxgR3MCb-c8R78ZD1ASlF1YdWHZx4ZG2-uSLeeX0sGETfQIUBqDG6Ghyphenhyphen9bbyhYfsNBwrmgC2QYuwv0QMHijkgvsHXnXuzyZquVm8/s320/IMG_1335.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 238px;" /></a>Ms. Peacock in the Conservatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15310472495513850806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969140624563293708.post-78858369258415184032011-10-16T13:25:00.000-07:002011-10-16T13:52:55.858-07:00On life in Litomyšl and some other placesMy latest article for the TEFL Institute Newsletter w/ pictures. & Get this, now they are going to pay for little articles like this, snap!<br /><br />From sulfuric geysers in Iceland, to the pagodas of Burma, to the formerly tyrannical Red Square of Moscow, to the intense fusion that is small island of Mauritius; I have seen innumerable countries. However, at twenty-four, I was filled with lament that while I could boast a myriad of travelling experiences I had never lived, really lived, somewhere long enough to feel homesick, develop the routines of a host country, or fully know a culture inside and out.<br /><br />In January of 2011 I made a New Year’s Resolution that I would be teaching abroad by the end of the year. I walked into the TEFL institute office in Chicago and slapped down the largest investment I had made in myself since I graduated college three years prior. I signed up to take the nine-week online certification course and it was all uphill from there. While resolutions of this sort may seem idealistic and trivial, sometimes that lofty goal becomes important when you need to push yourself through the endlessly exhausting and horrifying tasks of: finishing the course, completing the practicum, applying for employment, leaving friends and family, acquiring a visa and/or necessary documents before leaving, and eventual acclimation to your new destination. If you have the goal in the beginning, by the end of it all you will be remiss if you an unable to acknowledge your accomplishments of making it that far (literally and figuratively). Having been through this process, and living here on my own, it is my whole belief that if I want to do something I can actually do it, which is something I never believed before.<br /><br />I had applied to forty-two positions in twenty-five different countries and had had eleven interviews before I chose my final destination. Needless to say, I was not actually sure where I wanted to go, but I knew I wanted to find an institution that fit all my needs including: the type of students I would be teaching, the location of the school, visa woes, medical insurance, and the actual economics of it (would I be making enough money).<br /><br />I eventually found my job on TEFL.com, but I found many tempting positions on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Tesall</span>.com and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">esljobsworld</span>.com. I have kept in contact with a few of these recruiters for my next adventure.<br /><br />I am currently living in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Litomyšl</span>, Czech Republic, which is about two hours east of Prague. While Prague, Brno, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Plzen</span> appear to be the hot spots for English teachers in Czech Republic, I had been living in a big city for five years and I was interested in testing out my big fish-little pond theory, as well as some of the more pastoral areas of Eastern Bohemia. My town is one of the most beautiful places. At the city center sits a massive castle and Cathedral, which are surrounded by a lavish town square, historic Jewish graveyards, great biking trails, and (to me) a large forest about ten minutes from my home. While I do not have some of the amenities of larger cities- i.e. many disco techs and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">cafés</span> open all hours of the night—I find that being one of two native speakers in a town of 10,000 definitely has its perks. Throughout the course of the week I am often invited to dine with a family, join one of my students for a hiking class at the gym, see a fellow teachers band play in the square, or even join new friends out for a beer. Given that the town is so small, there are limited degrees of separation. I can be at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">kino</span> (cinema) and someone will speak to me in Czech and I will politely and blushingly have to say, I’m sorry, I do not speak Czech well. Do you speak English? To this they will reply, Oh! You are the English teacher from the Kindergarten, I have heard about you! You are teaching <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Jakub</span>. I am his Aunt or “You live with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Dvořák</span>’s my daughter went to school with them.”<br /><br />I work through a language school that has contracted me out to work with one of the local kindergartens in town. This is the first year of any English curriculum at the kindergarten and the first time that many of the children have come into contact with a native English teacher. I love being part of an innovative curriculum project in a small town that is attempting to bridge the gap and connect people from different cultures and languages. While at times the task of teaching these children English can be daunting, and the pressure to make this class a success utterly overwhelming, it is worth it when you see the children recognize a color that you have said. I have a co-teacher who speaks to the children only in Czech and I speak to the children only in English. This dynamic has been working wonderfully so far and I am eager to see the continued language advancements of my students. One of the reasons I chose in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Litomyšl</span>, in addition to its beauty, was the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">opportunity</span> to teach and tutor older students in the afternoon. I had taught children back in the States, but I wanted to take this experience as the opportunity to try out different levels of teaching. I now tutor four adults and teach two basic classes throughout the week. Being able to teach these two different levels has been rewarding each in its own right.<br /><br />Living in a smaller town is often times more economically sound than living in a big city. To put it in perspective, this past weekend I had the occasion to visit some friends in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Praha</span>, and while out, I met a fellow English Teacher who was working behind the bar. According to him a lot of English teachers in Prague work a second job in the industry to make ends meet. He had been living in Prague for four months, but has been working seven days a week for three months. The pay, whether in a big city or small city, is much the same and your expenses in a smaller city are far less than those of a bustling metropolis. Don’t get me wrong, there are some days that I would love the be able to walk out my door and be overwhelmed with the possibility of going anywhere, but for now it remains a nice place to visit.<br /><br />Teaching and tutoring here in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Litomyšl</span> has been wonderful and I am anxious and excited to see what becomes of my Czech language skills and teaching over the next nine months. You can check out my adventures here. & best of luck to all on their upcoming teaching adventures.<br /><br /><br />Eye-Spy Victoria:<br /><br />Okay, so I am no in this one, but India is CRAZY crowded & alive with pizazz.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHiE-2ltNxwZZe6jaR3lH0seCCeHAPLmmtJh6pmYuXwoZeOiW7WFL18tL5_A-WnS5kIEXamBCxHvV7OI5oKMJGFjQARacQFvGatvXo_3cax6wOuHPClhlizP78cg8GTAOfX1Dqbf2EJY/s1600/SV300114.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHiE-2ltNxwZZe6jaR3lH0seCCeHAPLmmtJh6pmYuXwoZeOiW7WFL18tL5_A-WnS5kIEXamBCxHvV7OI5oKMJGFjQARacQFvGatvXo_3cax6wOuHPClhlizP78cg8GTAOfX1Dqbf2EJY/s320/SV300114.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664190796306744194" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Brazilian</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Rainforests</span> & large faces holding unknown bugs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiU3XFVtbEdhew-h70oBft13ndQfrxS_0jNaHpaufMFFZAELQFyBRmkCFqLthuq76EJjixjand-FTi_TIGrLm5NbhPYBDHwO2VwFLGwKiMrOZq4JB32CVtk7oNiP41WaYbn2AR3M90Vms/s1600/SV300039_3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiU3XFVtbEdhew-h70oBft13ndQfrxS_0jNaHpaufMFFZAELQFyBRmkCFqLthuq76EJjixjand-FTi_TIGrLm5NbhPYBDHwO2VwFLGwKiMrOZq4JB32CVtk7oNiP41WaYbn2AR3M90Vms/s320/SV300039_3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664189700821355586" border="0" /></a><br />Attempting to learn <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Tai</span> Chi on the piers of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Hong</span> Kong. Very bad at it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbfVpubL9LoEO7fWhooy_UiarHl6cwTrMvLcNhCtvxXup2Rplat4h-p-6_8qbdqz2W38KqYXAD-uroBkkce3G_KCG64noqvB9LrcdElxCdHy13WnmM3RQchk72Fl2kbkxF13V3Xe7-mc/s1600/SV300080.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbfVpubL9LoEO7fWhooy_UiarHl6cwTrMvLcNhCtvxXup2Rplat4h-p-6_8qbdqz2W38KqYXAD-uroBkkce3G_KCG64noqvB9LrcdElxCdHy13WnmM3RQchk72Fl2kbkxF13V3Xe7-mc/s320/SV300080.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664189701519932178" border="0" /></a><br />Waxing nostalgia for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">sulphuric</span> geysers in Iceland with Dad.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSTCn8x18TwqFFfU14Ypt39zcNkVNgu6_2PPNtKU262h-o51SyaeCWysDOvVLLDKAoP_rphFlWVL8DzdhTNfJhgvIdSiSMf_gu8IiotcIy1rIBgZikx06nPJes37lBxjGglTi4dmf7ak/s1600/Kissels+CD1+%252815%2529.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSTCn8x18TwqFFfU14Ypt39zcNkVNgu6_2PPNtKU262h-o51SyaeCWysDOvVLLDKAoP_rphFlWVL8DzdhTNfJhgvIdSiSMf_gu8IiotcIy1rIBgZikx06nPJes37lBxjGglTi4dmf7ak/s320/Kissels+CD1+%252815%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664190778762253266" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Notre</span>-Dame <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">de</span> Paris-whatever, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xc5wIpUenQ">I eat Bacon Strips</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIz9DtYLhTgaWAbIRqAiVaQPn6AkX1gQ1cgnBIxbSA5lb-VvW-E58hM7kvgLjjQJFttbR8lm4vUSp5Aa7AlTK86_SYuyHqlXtc5_VMJizGz0W_bqaZw0F99oniZ4kssdue6-TR3zlNyYE/s1600/SV300262.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIz9DtYLhTgaWAbIRqAiVaQPn6AkX1gQ1cgnBIxbSA5lb-VvW-E58hM7kvgLjjQJFttbR8lm4vUSp5Aa7AlTK86_SYuyHqlXtc5_VMJizGz0W_bqaZw0F99oniZ4kssdue6-TR3zlNyYE/s320/SV300262.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664190785412775458" border="0" /></a>Finding home 4 years ago in Prague, Czech Republic, but probably should not stand at a bus stop like that.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9apdzdIofEeiO2AB54KQx-KkMnq0_Vd9Fl1xpvgJkSsTWI_dKsWaFk1h7lMPC9D_Uskjkn-01ScA1mplrO6od_tJnLsbrRDS6Z0qsAF7hIGsk9oXxkmrUXV4dayl5cGWPNDPu-Q2pcw/s1600/SV300121.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9apdzdIofEeiO2AB54KQx-KkMnq0_Vd9Fl1xpvgJkSsTWI_dKsWaFk1h7lMPC9D_Uskjkn-01ScA1mplrO6od_tJnLsbrRDS6Z0qsAF7hIGsk9oXxkmrUXV4dayl5cGWPNDPu-Q2pcw/s320/SV300121.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664190778808819394" border="0" /></a><br />On my final days in Moscow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhahjCDbAAwA1db8ZdomexOpty6hrZ_CVDrFoWmECHKE9aipPC8Bepb9AHG-rky5Iq1e4IPnaQU_-IiZ9lbmm1IGku-xc7A_rgap6AurcN_UCjYe_4qF9ZQ0PemKybsrQRZldb2Veqcs/s1600/SV300041_1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhahjCDbAAwA1db8ZdomexOpty6hrZ_CVDrFoWmECHKE9aipPC8Bepb9AHG-rky5Iq1e4IPnaQU_-IiZ9lbmm1IGku-xc7A_rgap6AurcN_UCjYe_4qF9ZQ0PemKybsrQRZldb2Veqcs/s320/SV300041_1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664189729833258002" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Tsukiji</span> Fish Market in Tokyo that's how we all travel around. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Werd</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-J6w8LRD5nslD7fFtEJlhWiNEaodkztSnH-hE1WFsxVVbMFQ8jGxuUH7sPsWkx6RorTOfNVIxyPIgQVbS2-ZoMqQ2RHxCrmqqjEfpeUiUQT00yCdtRwqkaGBREN1SFaa1rbjWRuf6RA/s1600/SV300101.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB-J6w8LRD5nslD7fFtEJlhWiNEaodkztSnH-hE1WFsxVVbMFQ8jGxuUH7sPsWkx6RorTOfNVIxyPIgQVbS2-ZoMqQ2RHxCrmqqjEfpeUiUQT00yCdtRwqkaGBREN1SFaa1rbjWRuf6RA/s320/SV300101.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664189709266412706" border="0" /></a>Ms. Peacock in the Conservatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15310472495513850806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969140624563293708.post-86886821695836204482011-10-16T11:55:00.000-07:002011-10-16T12:30:01.537-07:00Takin’ the homepathsThese past few weeks I have been battling a myriad of illnesses and general laryngeal malaise, which I can only seem to equate to my current occupation of running around and frolicking with cesspools of bacteria and germs, i.e. children. Love them, but hate them when I cannot speak above a whisper and my digested food becomes a wicked sludge that chooses to exit out my throat and nose, lovely.<br /><br />I am thankful for these mishaps only in so much that they have exposed to me to the intriguing and mysterious Lékárna, or, to the non-Czech, pharmacy. Before coming to Litomyšl I was never so intrigued by health wellness and most certainly not the pharmacy. Sure the Walgreens is cool because I can get Cheetos, Coke, and 'medicine' in the same location, but the Lékárna is fascinating. The Pharmacy here makes it so you feel better. It's like going to the doctor without the hassle. First of all they don’t give you shit like <a href="http://www.vicks.com/products/dayquil/">Dayquill</a>, which is simply for the uniformed. Oh no, here it seems to be all about the <a href="http://www.wholehealthnow.com/homeopathy_pro/czech_republic.html">homeopaths</a>.<br /><br />At the Lékárna, where thankfully my friend, Alice, ventured with me, they gave me the magical, healing, wonderfulness that is <a href="http://halusky.co.uk/ceske-slovenske-potraviny/vincentka-0-7l-natural-healing-water.html">Vicentka</a>. Seriously, this stuff is incredible, it cures EVERYTHING. Runny nose, Vicentka; Laryngitus, Vicentka; Stomachache, Vicentka. With the mondo healing powers of this there is no need for anything else. However, I was in such bad shape that I caved and bought one more healing remedy, <a href="http://www.nationalnutrition.ca/detail.aspx?ID=1411">Homeovox </a>. I have no idea what this stuff does or what its for, but I know that after taking six of these sugar tabs that I could sing for days, poor children.<br /><br />For someone who has never been big on taking medicine (I don’t think I have ever finished a full prescription of antibiotics-sorry mom) I think I finally found a line of medicines that’s right for me.<br /><br />So, what have I learned this week:<br /><br />1. Never go to the Lékárna alone.<br />2. Take only homeopaths from now on.<br />3. Try not to get sick.<br /><br />If you want to learn more on homeopathy in Czech Republic, like I did, go <a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=cs&tl=en&u=www.homeopatie.cz&act=url">here</a> & get informed.<br /><br />Snappy, snap time:<br /><br />Oh yea, that's the good stuff!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VgGAYVpzSJRFkmzlerzqOy6AS-s0t2vohwOEmnmfUNEbgRkHYCRvjMqYMwGG9G51vUl6ZI_kL2w4Rh7P_MVaJeshFJ-Y0IYSOKsikWJjaquSWMEL83cgVBI-5Q9hpO-wH9BO0EIgUr4/s1600/IMG_1325.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VgGAYVpzSJRFkmzlerzqOy6AS-s0t2vohwOEmnmfUNEbgRkHYCRvjMqYMwGG9G51vUl6ZI_kL2w4Rh7P_MVaJeshFJ-Y0IYSOKsikWJjaquSWMEL83cgVBI-5Q9hpO-wH9BO0EIgUr4/s320/IMG_1325.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664168835771506466" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Paying homage to Steve Jobs does not stop at the coasts of America, no sir. Live from Prague.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQQlmRkHOFpmaCRDsXUSjP5R7mGqfxbxAXTC3X5Dq8l5vK-wQEl9W2oX2BgZt0IBvI0J6Gt_YNHF1tuv9Jzz5lcWVPUS_FwUyBXam5fnIjZi8DNhTxbn66mOPLngvNfisXaDpLsZDMI8/s1600/IMG_1284.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQQlmRkHOFpmaCRDsXUSjP5R7mGqfxbxAXTC3X5Dq8l5vK-wQEl9W2oX2BgZt0IBvI0J6Gt_YNHF1tuv9Jzz5lcWVPUS_FwUyBXam5fnIjZi8DNhTxbn66mOPLngvNfisXaDpLsZDMI8/s320/IMG_1284.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664168836656422338" border="0" /></a>Ms. Peacock in the Conservatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15310472495513850806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969140624563293708.post-10802507205415727722011-10-02T05:33:00.000-07:002011-10-02T09:45:11.520-07:00Titling is not my strong suit.Occasionally, one needs that reminder, or kick in the butt, to get over themselves and to be thankful for exactly where they are. Sounds trite and sentimental, I know, but it seems that as soon as I want to shut down, curl up in bed, put on “Party Down”, and commiserate with myself because I am feeling alienated or homesick for company, a fortuitous event occurs. Todays happening occurred when my door opened, but from my supine position I could not see who it was, which was odd because the shelves at the end of the bed are only 2 ft. high. Then I see it, a two-foot munchkin bouncing over to me with a plate of apple pastries. I know its playtime and she is so excited and giddy that even the most pitiful of human being cannot ignore her emphatic nature. It is all it takes for me to get up, quit wallowing, and finish everything I wanted to do before I chose to sit down and “be sad”. So thanks, Bets.<br /><br />All this aside life here is going plavá-ly (a variation on swimmingly). This past Wednesday was St. Wenceslas Day (Den české státnosti); you can learn more about his martyrdom <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Wenceslas">here</a>. Did you know he is also in a Christmas carol-wild! It was nice to have a day off and just as I thought the day was about to turn into a waste (coursing through new curriculum and preparing my write-up for the TEFL Institute alumni newsletters) my favorite person, Aleš, came knocking and invited me to go with the family to Budislav.<br /><br /><a href="http://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budislav_%28okres_Svitavy%29">Budislav</a> is the most scenic and majestic place. It is paradise, seemingly never ending, and far larger than my beloved Černa Hora. We walked for hours, passing innumerable studanká (plural?) or fresh springs. The most interesting part was Toulovcovy Mastal, the home/hibernation palace of Lawrence Toulovec, which took me a good 30 minutes of at home research (on both Czech and US VPN addresses) to learn more about.<br /><br />Tangent: If you are living abroad for an extended period and get frustrated when attempting to find basic information via the search engine in your host country then <a href="http://hidemyass.com/vpn/">check this out</a>. It will make your life abundantly easier when you want to gather information in your native language as opposed to having to suffer through, the at times horrendous, translations via Google. Bonus, if you are still interested watching some TV programs, changing the VPN will enable you to gain access to Hulu and Netflix.<br /><br />The story of Lawrence Toulovec is similar to that of a Czech version of “Robin Hood”, but he is very important figure to the history and people of Litomyšl as he built a hospital here in the town square scores of years ago. As I sent in an e-mail to my friend Dario, A man steals from the rich, hides in these wicked series of canyons with his mate, & gives the money to the poor. This area was great because you get to jump and climb on top of all these rocks, through cliffs and canyons, and I felt like a kid exploring. This is of course breaking it down to brass techs, but the story is <a href="http://www.mastale.cz/toulovec.htm">here</a> if you want to learn something of traditional Czech Fairy tales, history, and have the patience to decipher the Google translation of this story. It was a wonderful afternoon of walking and tracking around. Aleš, Tomáš, and I even found a <a href="lhttp://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=283731a3-730d-4438-a52d-bceffe178e45">Geocaching</a>! Ne kaše. & definitely no "cashing"<br /><br />In our questing, I also learned a great deal about the skills and senses required for mushroom picking. My conclusions are this: White and brown, good. Red with white spots (looking like a Mario, circa Nintendo style, <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?q=super+mario+bros+mushrooms&um=1&hl=en&biw=1280&bih=646&tbm=isch&tbnid=gI_7V3Y1mJSUeM:&imgrefurl=http://newsupermariobrosonline.com/games/super-mario-mushroom/&docid=e1HyBipRd3rVfM&w=300&h=300&ei=TWGITojROIfh4QT1kKGKDw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=484&vpy=165&dur=1037&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=117&ty=122&page=1&tbnh=129&tbnw=129&start=0&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0%29;">mushroom</a>, bad. In the words of Adam, “It’s good if you want it to be your last mushroom.” To my hallucinogenetically inclined kamarád, rumor/fact has it that these mushrooms may cause some wicked hallucinations. That being said, I am not about to play guinea pig to this experiment, but should I garner further information on this hypothesis of; If I take Mario Mushrooms from Czech Republic, then I will have hallucinations, I will report back and provide detailed ordering information for shipments back to the States.<br /><br />We ended the evening on another geocash search atop a “small” hill. At the base of this hill stands my Czech boyfriend, in all his wooden, clergyman, glory. Unfortunately, Tomáš has the only photos of our short-lived romance. But not anymore, thanks Aleš for making this <a href="http://data.alesdvorak.cz/P1020695.JPG">dream</a> a reality<br /><br />Yesterday I ventured to the original open-air market of Czech Republic with new friends Ján & Mišá, but I will report that next time. Along with that will be an impressive break down of my future taste tasting of Czech Beers because Ján says, “Staropramen is the worst beer in Czech Republic” & I have to trust him on that one. Go <a href="http://www.pivni-web.cz/en">here</a> to get educated Also, fear not, a reflection on a Charles Olson poem and a <a href="http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/m_r/olson/creeleyonolson.htm">mini biography</a> about the man written by Robert Creely.<br /><br />Picture Mania…<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Boo-ya, Queen of this kopec.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhcffI71JE3vf3IU3w0ZbxVPT2kXKYucpujdshYk_aF1Qz8Kqchoz0TyYlek51Zhmbud5XokSZzZCEX95ROVv3HGPbMVhjgzmHW6lk9niLbyH0WSstU6UyXWfsbySeuG4ge2fLGZIVJc/s1600/IMG_1214.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhcffI71JE3vf3IU3w0ZbxVPT2kXKYucpujdshYk_aF1Qz8Kqchoz0TyYlek51Zhmbud5XokSZzZCEX95ROVv3HGPbMVhjgzmHW6lk9niLbyH0WSstU6UyXWfsbySeuG4ge2fLGZIVJc/s320/IMG_1214.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658891117946846338" border="0" /></a>U.F.O.--Yet another unidentifiable Czech fruit object. Possibly a black currant?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnnlsFQFljbgIMIbIArTetVsaUpzXLE_U6Cvlhx2_D0BJ_X3tn0dz78Z_m3k8NLxgJqwoG1qkJZota9fnodtPSs1ZFL_sVmkjoRq13PrWoumhprou1NJmHczJfKiN6cE2hlpWUC1638U/s1600/IMG_1210.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnnlsFQFljbgIMIbIArTetVsaUpzXLE_U6Cvlhx2_D0BJ_X3tn0dz78Z_m3k8NLxgJqwoG1qkJZota9fnodtPSs1ZFL_sVmkjoRq13PrWoumhprou1NJmHczJfKiN6cE2hlpWUC1638U/s320/IMG_1210.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658891115514818290" border="0" /></a><br />Autumn fun for the skiddets.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSs0TF7HQ4N1KNKP4IuarkrxRv5FbfqWZEw6Kc1YH71VM4BKTezICWVoWfaQao3A97TrweHVSk5jUSyiCGeyGRI2bIqGjsHTUOWZ2-MEgIEIfeSZ-u-nJqek7ZR8HQb9O50Igml5Hpbw/s1600/IMG_1160.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSs0TF7HQ4N1KNKP4IuarkrxRv5FbfqWZEw6Kc1YH71VM4BKTezICWVoWfaQao3A97TrweHVSk5jUSyiCGeyGRI2bIqGjsHTUOWZ2-MEgIEIfeSZ-u-nJqek7ZR8HQb9O50Igml5Hpbw/s320/IMG_1160.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658889273694995474" border="0" /></a><br />Try to stump me again geocash!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFh6eNUzyYnDxzPLzi0vTgkPEvlshq2ZI4QbAc_QoPsPjaRKZ60AjsJGgHjCCZGhI-kGRg0dm-7Y8WAp3HGwkXALIq9-BP9Kz0RZnV6rT5P9shPleAzEUep__40cO-fH5cGZKD8Dm9ko/s1600/IMG_1206.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFh6eNUzyYnDxzPLzi0vTgkPEvlshq2ZI4QbAc_QoPsPjaRKZ60AjsJGgHjCCZGhI-kGRg0dm-7Y8WAp3HGwkXALIq9-BP9Kz0RZnV6rT5P9shPleAzEUep__40cO-fH5cGZKD8Dm9ko/s320/IMG_1206.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658891102820811266" border="0" /></a>Good mushrooms...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiz9114YB60pySwuiy_C9mu86XIYT3N80-6CWl_h46e8Y_oeDevfXeV9faQtjIuqk6r-7KCbKl1xDK7Psd1Flekur96znmV4InvjeT6TEJJ3hGLQAOtsdfM3AuPVYKBR0goDgYc_ujSjA/s1600/IMG_1171.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiz9114YB60pySwuiy_C9mu86XIYT3N80-6CWl_h46e8Y_oeDevfXeV9faQtjIuqk6r-7KCbKl1xDK7Psd1Flekur96znmV4InvjeT6TEJJ3hGLQAOtsdfM3AuPVYKBR0goDgYc_ujSjA/s320/IMG_1171.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658889274956544594" border="0" /></a><br />& naughty mushrooms.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-L5PqRT7THGguR8ssukqNAFij0aMb6XYu5G-4HaRtR0PZyCoD1b1676fx1V94IJ3F_OSTw6gsFHGmE-6-jWiGyljamOLh0naJt20us2zXIz43Z1FfzNiDyaxFu-BNibfH6jvjCDGzA_c/s1600/IMG_1182.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-L5PqRT7THGguR8ssukqNAFij0aMb6XYu5G-4HaRtR0PZyCoD1b1676fx1V94IJ3F_OSTw6gsFHGmE-6-jWiGyljamOLh0naJt20us2zXIz43Z1FfzNiDyaxFu-BNibfH6jvjCDGzA_c/s320/IMG_1182.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658889281203403570" border="0" /></a>Robin Hood ain't got nothin' on the Czech Knights hood. Do<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIRl08TIsQ5YVUcxBz_uN36A8sHopEVw9YZsBhU2lgiCG5_Dm07-caVs5ZwDoeq7eQv_mErhRsHWtaqx76JfnMloCcDGT5O_gkfptyQT-KFGM1kEYxh207o-cx2Ub4c1JVZ0kn7HP5IM/s1600/IMG_1198.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsIRl08TIsQ5YVUcxBz_uN36A8sHopEVw9YZsBhU2lgiCG5_Dm07-caVs5ZwDoeq7eQv_mErhRsHWtaqx76JfnMloCcDGT5O_gkfptyQT-KFGM1kEYxh207o-cx2Ub4c1JVZ0kn7HP5IM/s320/IMG_1198.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658889289018079954" border="0" /></a><br />Beautiful roots above ground= prime tripping for non-observant Victoria.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Uc2pLcSn2a_fXu9_SztNJqK1GkgM6fk8zmOL2Bnr79f8b5TuUzD5aAOLC6IBDdffO3h1pO6LLehzVp9WLlWtKLOC7m3B9r6eP8KDOSEUJYxu_0AlkGizeQPUUZXJqkqeo-GwAkIlsns/s1600/IMG_1191.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Uc2pLcSn2a_fXu9_SztNJqK1GkgM6fk8zmOL2Bnr79f8b5TuUzD5aAOLC6IBDdffO3h1pO6LLehzVp9WLlWtKLOC7m3B9r6eP8KDOSEUJYxu_0AlkGizeQPUUZXJqkqeo-GwAkIlsns/s320/IMG_1191.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658889283468379570" border="0" /></a>All up in it.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIdugFyDBHX_B4xRBdL4PdHUDypZQOeP0-m-uuRMObrIhTREdfCnA1gGSI5IrRsLh1t3pC_ytwlk3PrDtb1TLf19TzGlWWlqOt69N4oGq5IxDJc1hUSly8PEYcoSMT5Xq8bxNymgfUxA/s1600/IMG_1207.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIdugFyDBHX_B4xRBdL4PdHUDypZQOeP0-m-uuRMObrIhTREdfCnA1gGSI5IrRsLh1t3pC_ytwlk3PrDtb1TLf19TzGlWWlqOt69N4oGq5IxDJc1hUSly8PEYcoSMT5Xq8bxNymgfUxA/s320/IMG_1207.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658891111274795298" border="0" /></a>Just because I am feeling a bit egocentric and narcissitstic.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFNsErkLd7XkyeP6QVodPQ0NI29sz-Z0tC5RKhscxEuqoiSVraeqdfIq5xiouxK0zWRqPthk7WkVksvmMj50qTehdHWo62q5tzrErAu73R-yW8eeQk4FZwQaNKi-49WPdERE5yBB7oXs/s1600/IMG_1211.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFNsErkLd7XkyeP6QVodPQ0NI29sz-Z0tC5RKhscxEuqoiSVraeqdfIq5xiouxK0zWRqPthk7WkVksvmMj50qTehdHWo62q5tzrErAu73R-yW8eeQk4FZwQaNKi-49WPdERE5yBB7oXs/s320/IMG_1211.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658891114040820850" border="0" /></a>Ms. Peacock in the Conservatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15310472495513850806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969140624563293708.post-43169695547326576802011-09-28T12:49:00.000-07:002011-09-29T08:06:01.566-07:00Tak, we begin in Praha.Before we get to the meat, allow me to go on a tight literary rampage.<br /><br />A couple of weeks ago I re-read one of Nabokov’s early essays entitled, <span style="font-style: italic;">Good Readers and Good Writers</span>, which can be found <a href="http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:eboUMZEpivcJ:www.ridge414.com/files/Nabokov_Good_Readers_Good_Writers_1_.pdf+good+readers+and+good+writers&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjDdNRaIBWMwSAu0rhrtSUerYfqeAYRAaM4zozu0VzlLOWHLuJZq4j4K1qC6AI4-07BCOII723sxOXCG8eyf_xu_nnC7rGtZBv1JZH0AgxKmMMwZrCSw1wUPloZqjyF_0Dbkm3c&sig=AHIEtbSkNYKn0RcExmHhIwo_MVxnoG2Jaw&pli=1">here</a>.<br /><br />I have become obsessed with this idea of not only wanting to improve my writing, but making it something, something tangible that you can mold and shape on your own. Alas, I have already committed the first sin of a writer, 'creating an expectation even before the writing begins'. I guess what I am curious about is inorder to be a good writer must we only write fiction? Or is their room for a reader to write a memoir of their experiences without the illusion of being on a mountaintop of moss covered lament (s<span style="font-size:100%;">ee '</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="class4">But the real writer, the fellow who sends planets spinning and models a man asleep</span></span>...')? For Nabokov can non-fiction be good writing?<br /><br />Tangential segments ends.<br /><br />Tak, we begin in Praha.<br /><br />This past weekend I had the occasion to meet with some friends in Prague, Nové Město, where I was the final stop on binge drinking tour of Munich and, for some, greater Europe. Seeing friends was just what I need to pull through after what has been a long month of newness. My thoughts on Prague are this:<br /><br />1. The Jazz Boat Canal Tour is the best place to take a lady if you want to impress her.<br />2. The Drunken Monkey might not want to be the place you follow it up with.<br />3. Crying on the street definitely makes you look American.<br />4. If you are out till 4 expect to be in bed till 4.<br />5. You are probably better off not ordering four liters of Banana beer unless more than three people are interested in drinking it.<br />6. Never sit down and just order beers around dinner time because your waiter is bound to hate you.<br />7. Always sit next to the gentleman with the Burger King t-shirt sporting traditional German garb.<br />8. The best tours are night walking tours when you are not quite sure where you are headed.<br />9. Women always get in free at the topless dancing bar.<br />10. Go to at least one Irish bar because, like anywhere else, they will always find you.<br />11. My gig here in Litomyšl is pretty great.<br /><br />The trip was grand, but running into fellow English teachers in Prague who have to work industry jobs, on top of teaching, just to make ends meet, makes me me thankful for my job here. Admittedly, even though I have lived in a city for the past five years, the amount of people was a little overwhelming at first and I had a similar anxiety when I was in Bratislava as well. Perhaps I am just a bit more country than I thought.<br /><br />Sorry, Nabokov, but this world I cannot create without showing pictures.<br /><br />If only you could hear some of that Dixie Land that was playing downstairs on the boat... <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3P6HXHCYVc">wait!</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilDmkayQtIRl6VZJ-ifP_-X_xlQ3T3YYohxS0fA552Io9YrEhbgdPjCAhHxljLuIK8t_7Akusjtv_AmHWMYoFc-Y4asSSKT3pmrvBxF2JIzpp7eFTknCB2EITPCZ-Iwq9LDUFLM02piM/s1600/IMG_1120.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilDmkayQtIRl6VZJ-ifP_-X_xlQ3T3YYohxS0fA552Io9YrEhbgdPjCAhHxljLuIK8t_7Akusjtv_AmHWMYoFc-Y4asSSKT3pmrvBxF2JIzpp7eFTknCB2EITPCZ-Iwq9LDUFLM02piM/s320/IMG_1120.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657503662221090898" border="0" /></a><br />What happens when the Whirlaway, Chicago, meets Drunken Monkey, Prague.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwUWNN59nA5feCrb3XyJ5_vRkKnL0-s1QKqqAEOo1NlRTshdx6-ZpaFtNOTV0EtylPMCBj9xBjylHIUXlDDBE76XPBU_w0Ntmg7QAAzRbpf444N8mImEVRfVHbxyEOhjZ5NCCCh-I1wg/s1600/IMG_1124.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwUWNN59nA5feCrb3XyJ5_vRkKnL0-s1QKqqAEOo1NlRTshdx6-ZpaFtNOTV0EtylPMCBj9xBjylHIUXlDDBE76XPBU_w0Ntmg7QAAzRbpf444N8mImEVRfVHbxyEOhjZ5NCCCh-I1wg/s320/IMG_1124.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657503667258757362" border="0" /></a><br />Still smelling the rotting flesh of banana corpses with each belch-<span id="result_box" class="short_text" lang="cs"><span class="hps">na zdraví.</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjHBctSDmI7Ki_rnsFd5kPBU1UQjDiNgkbinO44iKXBVMSzKxgmJ-2bU1tv87xXNdUbOtK8eCUfxcrXFFjbbHiH6K0ViIXPUf_tss88ZwFMH5qLzWKvsLNRmsTjBPEUawtgwGXtX_1us/s1600/IMG_1130.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjHBctSDmI7Ki_rnsFd5kPBU1UQjDiNgkbinO44iKXBVMSzKxgmJ-2bU1tv87xXNdUbOtK8eCUfxcrXFFjbbHiH6K0ViIXPUf_tss88ZwFMH5qLzWKvsLNRmsTjBPEUawtgwGXtX_1us/s320/IMG_1130.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657503671927539522" border="0" /></a><br />Even from far away the castle is, well....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwE6oXtx9ZBCWq7Qm0kdKkjkVPDkOJ7GokigS3Iqu3vpr9f_UuYFEHuKfRfO9p79TPnTSdh4e_zaNsPQiV_4RzM_nGoRjAU1MoHOTf5J1fLXYPFjCWHNZCeBSGLcw5ffACeBiiTf2Gm8/s1600/IMG_1139.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwE6oXtx9ZBCWq7Qm0kdKkjkVPDkOJ7GokigS3Iqu3vpr9f_UuYFEHuKfRfO9p79TPnTSdh4e_zaNsPQiV_4RzM_nGoRjAU1MoHOTf5J1fLXYPFjCWHNZCeBSGLcw5ffACeBiiTf2Gm8/s320/IMG_1139.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657506244146452370" border="0" /></a>One of the main reasons I am excited to travel to Olomouc is to see the<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astronomical_clock#Olomouc"> second astronomical clock</a> in Czech Republic. This one is of course the famous one in Prague.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqPWBrFLSmxZGN_8XQRbIrwU9pw0_VO_NfnCrgYxO0UGN25bQHlmkjdqYOTRMQidkOOPR6YqSPl_-ip95xpxFRuozseHuKaSvJ9kKkE1Q1C1MMxacn84GtGBw1ZltUV0AEZhs3pD-rYc/s1600/IMG_1153.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqPWBrFLSmxZGN_8XQRbIrwU9pw0_VO_NfnCrgYxO0UGN25bQHlmkjdqYOTRMQidkOOPR6YqSPl_-ip95xpxFRuozseHuKaSvJ9kKkE1Q1C1MMxacn84GtGBw1ZltUV0AEZhs3pD-rYc/s320/IMG_1153.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657503682658589058" border="0" /></a>This was a beautiful sculpture in what I am assuming is Old Town. Guesses?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3C1VJHk_ZfgGswXfLmbF_6ayMWLInKhvQH4S_i2BaoxBkEJmIbFlOhczCQTJGdyJemfCADOnY-Ulu8w33Rgh4LucmtAq4mEBcFiUfdwqSHVFjNXizqLIRpZcLVMxrGpVou-optsifC8/s1600/IMG_1142.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl3C1VJHk_ZfgGswXfLmbF_6ayMWLInKhvQH4S_i2BaoxBkEJmIbFlOhczCQTJGdyJemfCADOnY-Ulu8w33Rgh4LucmtAq4mEBcFiUfdwqSHVFjNXizqLIRpZcLVMxrGpVou-optsifC8/s320/IMG_1142.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657506240319234530" border="0" /></a>& this is what I was happy to come back to.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLhZ2MTu1fzFWw5N5X2UkQvag0dM2mjBMrQvZjubzdjCGMoZcsq9UKNmKzigANonAxX_0j4JEr9jCOQ57Gcq9A-zIs7TDUIuikXsPiz601AUPajCOX4B_Yp7SGf6pq5SjdZmDpekrf4g/s1600/IMG_1154.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLhZ2MTu1fzFWw5N5X2UkQvag0dM2mjBMrQvZjubzdjCGMoZcsq9UKNmKzigANonAxX_0j4JEr9jCOQ57Gcq9A-zIs7TDUIuikXsPiz601AUPajCOX4B_Yp7SGf6pq5SjdZmDpekrf4g/s320/IMG_1154.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657503686667471746" border="0" /></a>Ms. Peacock in the Conservatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15310472495513850806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969140624563293708.post-39489792892231829872011-09-20T12:06:00.000-07:002011-09-20T13:10:56.221-07:00Traditions and Teaching TipsThe skies were a bit gray today, but I am told that they will clear up just in time for my weekend exploration to Prague. Two more weeks of summer despite the progression of the celestial calendar, but Happy Autumn to everyone!<br /><br />After three hours of coffee at my co-teacher, Ivetta's, home, I come home to write of new found knowledge of traditions and customs of a Czech wedding. Yesterday, I talked about lunch and how it is the most important meal of the day, but what I forgot to mention is the prevalence of soup (polévka) before the meal. For example, everyday at my school the children have soup before the main course (Yes! Did I mention my job includes a lunch time and snack time? That means traditional Czech Food daily!) Even when I have attended meals at peoples homes there is always a soup course before the main meal. It's wonderful, I love soup, and I suppose it doesn't seem all that different from someone ordering a soup or salad before their meal at a restaurant, but I have never consistently had a soup 'course' before a meal. How this relates to tradition and customs... Today Ivetta and her husband Mirek were showing me pictures from the niece's wedding and I can across one picture of the husband and wife covered and bound together by a cloth while eating from the same bowl of soup, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7IUhkCqKMgvB2HLq5NFhy09_C3MEIFRf7SmWS8h3R4fea_DtBtwHJjtZ6ab_6n6sm4NWDa9x7x1Fa9QFO0wOS7F4KHApVOdIonD37dS5crlK0sDjFGw2KAtrT0X4xerwM1LN1XGx_s4/s320/Bret+and+Lucie%27s+Wedding+028.JPG">example</a>. I had never seen anything like this, but apparently this a wedding tradition, <a href="http://www.destination-wedding.cz/czech-wedding-traditions/">read: eating the soup jointly</a>. I kind of like the theory behind this and it makes me think how lucky I am to have all that soup to myself!<br /><br />Tak.<br /><br />I have been asked by the TEFL Institute to do a little write-up for their newsletter and since I am going to include my blog in the write-up, I thought I should start adding some pertinent information for prospective EFL teachers. So this is for you future TEFL Institute Alum.<br /><br />1. Children love singing. No, really. Sometimes the only way I can get them to stop hitting themselves is to start playing a song. <a href="http://www.supersimplesongs.com/cds.html">Super Simple Songs</a> is a great place to start for Beginning learners. My students love "Walking, Walking" on CD 1 & bonus, they finally understand when I say stop. The videos for the songs and the teaching tips on the website are dynamite--the children love seeing the other <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrrA9j51tQ0&feature=related">children preform.</a><br /><br />2. Never underestimate the power of a talking monkey. A week ago I started integrating some of the <a href="http://www.cheeky.hk/">Cheeky Monkey</a> Material into my lesson plans and while the songs leave little to be desired that's where you can supplement with SSS.<br /><br />3. Children's attention span, especially when it comes to listening to someone who isn't speaking their native language, are fleeting at best. I've found that sometimes what works is having someone else do the talking for me. <a href="http://www.peppapig.com/">Peppa the Pig</a> has been a wonderful way to get the children to settle down and the episodes are short enough that the children do not become restless. Sticking children in front of a TV (computer screen), I know how it sounds, but if you use it in addition to other material it becomes invaluable as a reference to other areas you might have taught--i.e. my student are now obsessed with pointing out everything that's pink and whenever I say pig they all oink!<br /><br />While I primarily teach children in the morning, my afternoons are filled with adult tutoring and high school EFL Classes. I like that I am getting the opportunity to teach English to students of many different levels.<br /><br /><br />Sorry picture fans, nothing new, but after Prague...Ms. Peacock in the Conservatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15310472495513850806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969140624563293708.post-29750005155699753062011-09-19T10:55:00.000-07:002011-09-19T13:45:19.793-07:00VýborněIt seems as if I have been going through a period of what some might refer to as <span style="font-style: italic;">acculturation </span>(see third mini paragraph <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acculturation">here</a>), or colloquially coined, <span style="font-style: italic;">culture shock</span>, an assimilation to a new lifestyle. Apparently there are four stages of this <span style="font-style: italic;">culture shock</span> (see dippy article <a href="http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/cultural-services/articles/cultureshock-stages.html">here</a>). While there may be some validity to 1, 3, & 4, section 2 (dvě)<script>(function(){var src = document.getElementById('source');src.focus();src.select();src.style.boxSizing=src.style.WebkitBoxSizing=src.style.MozBoxSizing=src.style.MsBoxSizing='border-box';})();</script><div id="spelling-correction" class="gt-spell-correct-message" style="display: none;">Translate from: <a href="javascript:void(0)">Portuguese</a></div> <div style="display: none;" id="select_document">Type text or a website address or <a href="http://translate.google.com/?tr=f&hl=en">translate a document.</a></div><div id="file_div" class="file" style="display: none;"><div style="display: none;" id="select_text"><a href="http://translate.google.com/?tr=t&hl=en">Cancel</a></div><input style="display: none;" name="file" id="file" size="40" type="file"></div> <div id="autotrans" style="display: none; visibility: visible;" class=""><h3 id="headingtext" class="">English to Czech translation</h3></div>is for the birds. Perhaps this is why I have been a little preoccupied. 'Honeymooning', either in relationship or with a country, has always caused a bit of distraction and absence from reality. Admittedly, it has not been all rainbows and kisses/butterflies; I miss my friends terribly, I miss showers, & I would do anything for a <a href="http://www.culinary.net/recipes/RecipeDetail.aspx?ID=3033">cult classic Reuben</a>, but there are a scads of things that have been making the shift happen a bit more facilely: an awesome host family, devil sausage, storybook environs (thanks, Lady T), dirt-cheap pivo, & the arrival of another English teacher who seems hell bent on exploration. I'm continuing to grasp the ways of this culture & with a few more tweaks I should be able to consider myself an 'enthusiast' soon.<br /><br />1. Lunch. It is supposed to be the biggest meal of the day! For a while I was wondering if these siestas were normal. Lunch is HUGE, astronomical, bigger than a Big Mac... Adjustment to my afternoon siesta and later bed time were definitely required. So many potatoes... so much meat...<br /><br />2. Waking up early. Always a fan of early rising I thought I was the exception, along with the elderly who are up at 5 am, but no, Litomyšlans wake up early--unless they, like Alex, don't go to bed till early morning.<br /><br />3. Cafeing. Drinking káva/coffee in the cafe should take your around 90 minutes. Expect to sit down and enjoy it. I have yet to see someone with a take away/to-go coffee cup. Also, & perhaps this is unique to my language barrier issues, but so far I have been unable to order a 'black' cup of coffee that doesn't come with espresso grinds at the bottom. Tips from the gallery?<br /><br />4. Recycling. Everyone Recycles. Glass. Plastic. Paper. & even compost material. At the end of most streets are recycling hubs, which do not have places to throw non-recyclable (word?) garbage (this mistake I made and had to walk all the way to my school with a bag of trash). Grocery stores also have these spinning recycling centers where you can return empty beer bottle for 3CZK, which at the grocery store is 1/3 of the cost of a bottle of beer.<br /><br />5. ABBA. Last week I took what is called a "hiking class", which I will now take every Wednesday with one of my students, Alice. In a recent letter to my friend I wrote this: <span style="font-style: italic;">I am not quite sure why it is called "hiking", but I have never listened to ABBA for that length of time (people here love Abba, akin to the way Lady Gaga has her following of "little monsters"). Now, this hiking class is 45 minutes of power walking on an elevated treadmill with jazzercize steps thrown in, see for example the Ok Go video '</span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTAAsCNK7RA&ob=av3e">Here It Goes Again</a><span style="font-style: italic;">'. I think after two more classes I should be able to make a music video for at least <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RJPV7oIiR8">one ABBA son</a>g.</span><br /><br />6. Bratislava. Just because they work in the Czech Embassy does not mean they are going to be as friendly as Litomyšlans, they still live in Bratislava. Twenty minutes is equivalent to a knowing forty-five. I would choose Kournas over Euros, Czech is split from Slovakia for a reason. On Visas? You're better off going to Vienna.<br /><br />The Grad School roster is finally in. Can't you tell I am practicing for the GRE? Also, pitches are just about in to the Tribune, Red Eye, Reader, Herald, and a slew of unread travel journals.<br /><br />For you picture readers:<br /><br />Home on the bří pátů.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zFY_yvbrT-HIE8mqNSntpYpSN0um3Qdi_F6K7cVAboPz7IU8SK_RYeRyEKJc-u8JTtzqDy1z5PkE2HHajyEHDA5EsyP4Ti0X55Fchqziy9H5bflCQV0mFJH2bCT4Mx_Ln70DMyjJMGM/s1600/IMG_1030.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zFY_yvbrT-HIE8mqNSntpYpSN0um3Qdi_F6K7cVAboPz7IU8SK_RYeRyEKJc-u8JTtzqDy1z5PkE2HHajyEHDA5EsyP4Ti0X55Fchqziy9H5bflCQV0mFJH2bCT4Mx_Ln70DMyjJMGM/s320/IMG_1030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654153341477999874" border="0" /></a>All for the fancy price of 25 CZK--Take that $2.50 <a href="http://www.epinions.com/content_1022861444">PBR</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Eja42agS_JGOk7ghCloib1F3o3bLr-bm5gqsvs1q6xoIQB8RV5mLRA6oOC4Gb-sG70SqIRNPF57BCA6NQdB6HnC-Kp5I_dAhNrxVJoIf92FjCfkWibr0gG4f-2EZC_5S8t6e1I2T92s/s1600/IMG_1028.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Eja42agS_JGOk7ghCloib1F3o3bLr-bm5gqsvs1q6xoIQB8RV5mLRA6oOC4Gb-sG70SqIRNPF57BCA6NQdB6HnC-Kp5I_dAhNrxVJoIf92FjCfkWibr0gG4f-2EZC_5S8t6e1I2T92s/s320/IMG_1028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654155663617616434" border="0" /></a>$1000 in Vic Gratitude if you can give me the scientific name for Skeleton-Skull-Shell-Bug.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6q9N0yxbueHkEkGa0HGWgyLzHwLUYRzUUePbuRd_mmaQb7zKSuVN1t-B6ER72Aw0dPjFlk0TFkMy2tabh_7miZvvfbWlNDrc3EJNz_WEWID9LVHlDFzj37sEiAQdOyxAaMIbsXP5_Xc/s1600/IMG_1054.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6q9N0yxbueHkEkGa0HGWgyLzHwLUYRzUUePbuRd_mmaQb7zKSuVN1t-B6ER72Aw0dPjFlk0TFkMy2tabh_7miZvvfbWlNDrc3EJNz_WEWID9LVHlDFzj37sEiAQdOyxAaMIbsXP5_Xc/s320/IMG_1054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654155668474725762" border="0" /></a>I wasn't kidding about the mushrooms.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8HzQauCP_nC4fbA_hDE0WtXabdZG6pmM1FDCgJjqFpdePtW9b2eKbo6Z1WP_6XYzJ1ioe-9z5U7NT-C6cGgspcA4_L9NuKFXk7QCkM9X35ZKyHr4wGOqz-HRVBn5ZtFHc0efLnaS7c4/s1600/IMG_1062.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8HzQauCP_nC4fbA_hDE0WtXabdZG6pmM1FDCgJjqFpdePtW9b2eKbo6Z1WP_6XYzJ1ioe-9z5U7NT-C6cGgspcA4_L9NuKFXk7QCkM9X35ZKyHr4wGOqz-HRVBn5ZtFHc0efLnaS7c4/s320/IMG_1062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654155692589844194" border="0" /></a>What happens to your knee when running and you get distracted by patches of aforementioned mushrooms.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QDbDeqiTeH_ifFNzKO6Yi0TSSbgpjXwjfd_N3wFo2tas30rQwArQ3pGQ3m1je6fFQwNcMWMTXup-ePE-nLKR5xX_K7WAS1dpPPy16967R_WkgnybH_paH7YXKLpHFcjI4R75meWOTk4/s1600/IMG_1110.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1QDbDeqiTeH_ifFNzKO6Yi0TSSbgpjXwjfd_N3wFo2tas30rQwArQ3pGQ3m1je6fFQwNcMWMTXup-ePE-nLKR5xX_K7WAS1dpPPy16967R_WkgnybH_paH7YXKLpHFcjI4R75meWOTk4/s320/IMG_1110.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654160846907194946" border="0" /></a><br />Ghosting and haunting with <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058971/plotsummary">bílá paní </a>at the top of the watch tower in Litomyšl Castle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EZhOjQGtFz-3DkEE93Hc8bfQ_lQXHNfImOBO36bj73YUzuXmMOIRVLgScd7GO82VHMy-rTvV0NxPkf0E7VUlhRazaaLyK6u-3I8hVZUkKiIVm8oSKB-8tbi1Ui98Ka-Ozdu92sO0o8I/s1600/IMG_1097.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EZhOjQGtFz-3DkEE93Hc8bfQ_lQXHNfImOBO36bj73YUzuXmMOIRVLgScd7GO82VHMy-rTvV0NxPkf0E7VUlhRazaaLyK6u-3I8hVZUkKiIVm8oSKB-8tbi1Ui98Ka-Ozdu92sO0o8I/s320/IMG_1097.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654160831920467410" border="0" /></a>Sunset from the tower of the Chateau.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpb7N9USqmGMj7lMaO-Jug63ANxQeCQLruYCY2Wn8_Mvvn0CzUgKD8obYkyDjsaM8EJb_-jtXtPg2tn3FqlGC7i3ANCPF1oOFlPDU41L-VRWWgO7M1kDELR5GVIw_6VQv1cillacyF97A/s1600/IMG_1096.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpb7N9USqmGMj7lMaO-Jug63ANxQeCQLruYCY2Wn8_Mvvn0CzUgKD8obYkyDjsaM8EJb_-jtXtPg2tn3FqlGC7i3ANCPF1oOFlPDU41L-VRWWgO7M1kDELR5GVIw_6VQv1cillacyF97A/s320/IMG_1096.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654160839800052930" border="0" /></a><br />From the stage of the <a href="http://travelinos.com/castles/n22-17029-Litomysl_Castle">'oldest'</a> theater in Europe (1796 is pretty old).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqhGkpDfHwgtHFoV-nMPcfbiquOYaav27OfwhWx-vBzz39qmxc_YxhmRT2VWVAXKtJwLGKNDEsJIFnlnR1ilQYxgSGNC6UG_AGZexVwFUxDnc4p-rGcQiAPMkHTSAluK977uMuYv2c7I/s1600/IMG_1109.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqhGkpDfHwgtHFoV-nMPcfbiquOYaav27OfwhWx-vBzz39qmxc_YxhmRT2VWVAXKtJwLGKNDEsJIFnlnR1ilQYxgSGNC6UG_AGZexVwFUxDnc4p-rGcQiAPMkHTSAluK977uMuYv2c7I/s320/IMG_1109.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654155698574627794" border="0" /></a><br />Creepy, creepy, doll exhibit in the castle--especially when you are on a private tour and it's dark & toys are supposed to come to life with spinning heads.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmwfg3skPORcEOepPYeI1zfyVPlDo1vP57x0Xs80DhSDXR4bwHwFZn3IdncNujKT1q0xXf5Li6bRwax485yXUXDbiLGi9cL28NlMCQ1lKzdRJWPj5ENLJ2VfG2oisClcX37bRuQemtGk/s1600/IMG_1103.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmwfg3skPORcEOepPYeI1zfyVPlDo1vP57x0Xs80DhSDXR4bwHwFZn3IdncNujKT1q0xXf5Li6bRwax485yXUXDbiLGi9cL28NlMCQ1lKzdRJWPj5ENLJ2VfG2oisClcX37bRuQemtGk/s320/IMG_1103.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654160842826249890" border="0" /></a><br />Xanadu Part II. My favorite tree and accordingly the view from my new bench in černa hora. Akin to Palmer Square Park, no?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1gT2WnHmzFDtEHW5Cu28tRDwS09bGX5xBp61hYkrWc5CMk6oD340LG6V64VqLKsJRJdUrKW0KN42fM7hWyEeROiyHaLGg8ShZVeALyJIlQFQ50WL7Jev0JlxindBbrRRu5lF2Tl4Vq0/s1600/IMG_1059.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1gT2WnHmzFDtEHW5Cu28tRDwS09bGX5xBp61hYkrWc5CMk6oD340LG6V64VqLKsJRJdUrKW0KN42fM7hWyEeROiyHaLGg8ShZVeALyJIlQFQ50WL7Jev0JlxindBbrRRu5lF2Tl4Vq0/s320/IMG_1059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654155687702422946" border="0" /></a>Ms. Peacock in the Conservatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15310472495513850806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969140624563293708.post-56143171117765830742011-08-29T03:54:00.000-07:002011-08-29T04:58:05.185-07:00Serious Writing.I have been slacking for sometime now and while I have been good at keeping my personal journal, I have become a sham. I apologize for delaying my insight for this long.
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<br />After much walking and sweating early this morning, Tomas and I were able to secure and cross the first benchmark in my visa marathon around Eastern Europe. The next leg of the marathon will begin 12 September as I make an exciting trek to the embassy in Bratislava-details coming soon. Preceding this adventure, I should retrieve my visa and have it safely in my passport in time for me to return to the states for the holidays. Bureaucracy is, truly, for the birds.
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<br />This century is amazing with its seeming paranormal abilities to keep people in touch globally, whether they want to be or not. I have had many Google talks and Skype dates with my kindred and have been able to give walking tours of my homes more charming attributes (this mostly consist of the ever luxurious Bathroom & Kitchen) Who thought you would need two rooms? Nonsense!
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<br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">I have made it one week without a cellphone and this has been the greatest gift of all. Imagine a world where you don't have something ringing all the time—pure bliss. I promised Tomas I would procure one by the end of the week, but I am filled with dread. It’s not so much the postulation of having a cell phone, but rather the moment that I have to be able to ask someone for a SIM card. I am preparing a written translation today. I have also prepared a written translation for the post office where I will go tomorrow to get stamps. For those that I have promised letters, they are coming soon. Foolish? Most definitely.</div>
<br />Classes start on Thursday and I am a wee bit nervous about meeting the parents. However, I am excited to teach the children this song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCGKQvSz43s <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCGKQvSz43s"></a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCGKQvSz43s"></a> Well, maybe not, but the video should be quite amusing when you see it.
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<br />My school.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBOz_i3E-VYSQBwAYIvyiY3dJcClxZXOXNBCO9HbzaQHHeoSa4hUyyZur-ysz0dGAMY5m9i73WCjGLMnWu04OsQ2tVhwJxgoSb4wlYvu84lpOkfHCxcgtp24fEvcU8A5F83qLAi8medY/s1600/IMG_1002.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBOz_i3E-VYSQBwAYIvyiY3dJcClxZXOXNBCO9HbzaQHHeoSa4hUyyZur-ysz0dGAMY5m9i73WCjGLMnWu04OsQ2tVhwJxgoSb4wlYvu84lpOkfHCxcgtp24fEvcU8A5F83qLAi8medY/s320/IMG_1002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646243292390897746" /></a>
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<br />I have grown quite an affinity for XL Cappuccino, which I drink at Chocco Caffe daily. While it does not possess the attitude of some of my favorite neighborhood establishments back in the states, it makes a wicked XL Cappuccino, which would put any other coffee shops to shame. My tastes were validated today when I ran into some other English teachers who said this was the best place to get coffee in town. Alas! These teachers work at the Technical College in town and teach about horticulture. Finally, I have some resolve and explanation for why there are so many epically gorgeous gardens throughout!
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<br />Horticulturalist at work.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcdB-VtrT7e5NNwvpZJpDTrGyKrkjXmS30ZNXcjEWooaqMNoWXI-t6OSOCUK5sahS8CovedMSShLanO7ltpv2fwyW1In5dttM6pqW-KKdaPmhnd_bd9Wnt-458MsWTX19NqHMiD3x7wE/s1600/IMG_1015.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcdB-VtrT7e5NNwvpZJpDTrGyKrkjXmS30ZNXcjEWooaqMNoWXI-t6OSOCUK5sahS8CovedMSShLanO7ltpv2fwyW1In5dttM6pqW-KKdaPmhnd_bd9Wnt-458MsWTX19NqHMiD3x7wE/s320/IMG_1015.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646244078408489202" /></a>
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<br /></div><div>While here my diet has consisted of what one might refer to as the "jail bird diet". Lots of bread (which I hope is whole grain, otherwise I think I have a 5 lbs. bag of bleached while flour sitting in my tummy) and Prameita voda, otherwise known as bubbly water.
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<br />All for now, more pictures this week, and of course a report on adventures to the phone store and post office.
<br /></div>Ms. Peacock in the Conservatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15310472495513850806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969140624563293708.post-66088724053969513552011-08-28T16:04:00.000-07:002011-08-28T16:06:39.871-07:00The mission continues...On a mission to write something everyday, here is
<br />A beautiful poem for a beautiful day. & to my friend.
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<br />After a while you learn the subtle difference
<br />Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,
<br />And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning
<br />And company doesn’t mean security.
<br />And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts
<br />And presents aren’t promises,
<br />And you begin to accept your defeats
<br />With your head up and your eyes open
<br />With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child,
<br />And you learn to build all your roads on today
<br />Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans
<br />And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.
<br />After a while you learn…
<br />That even sunshine burns if you get too much.
<br />So you plant your garden and decorate your own soul,
<br />Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
<br />And you learn that you really can endure…
<br />That you really are strong
<br />And you really do have worth…
<br />And you learn and learn…
<br />With every good-bye you learn.
<br />—Jorge Luis BorgesMs. Peacock in the Conservatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15310472495513850806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969140624563293708.post-89908412185725502402011-08-27T15:24:00.000-07:002011-08-27T16:06:28.694-07:00Square, Statues, & Chickens oh my!Still living in a life of pictures. Perhaps once my lessons plans are truly underway I will be able to write more than pictures, but until then.
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<br />This is the square & the towns economy is centered here.
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<br />Statues in the Castel gardens.
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<br />& the chickens!!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV06fqOBuFyaOuZn4bWbb6iOF3NbJ2KzTgKHPAFM8MpmlKiGtWmqx7yx_cVxqHm4eYxR_EfdpW23ayALOST9XdWOOrZd74Mhu5oYal0jEbVmkPxk4k9d2oIroCH3iJ4nQcuWUVltquAvo/s1600/IMG_1010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV06fqOBuFyaOuZn4bWbb6iOF3NbJ2KzTgKHPAFM8MpmlKiGtWmqx7yx_cVxqHm4eYxR_EfdpW23ayALOST9XdWOOrZd74Mhu5oYal0jEbVmkPxk4k9d2oIroCH3iJ4nQcuWUVltquAvo/s320/IMG_1010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645668826319708690"></a>
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<br />Ms. Peacock in the Conservatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15310472495513850806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969140624563293708.post-30904261349338221762011-08-27T07:40:00.000-07:002011-08-27T08:03:53.428-07:00On LitomyšlThe most beautiful of beautiful towns. The castles sits at the focal point and can be seen from most every direction.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhgaEXYBahd48t1C3rQiLlyHVE6rbgSk3FMZ0aSV6xZnj7ob0Xif__8yEXFma3cFCkUF4gBIBF4e36luhdimcE_gyXgpg2veyfgnOdParo_92oeJhWb-3FnMBfRP2uBnzTdTHi2iqE80/s1600/IMG_0988.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhgaEXYBahd48t1C3rQiLlyHVE6rbgSk3FMZ0aSV6xZnj7ob0Xif__8yEXFma3cFCkUF4gBIBF4e36luhdimcE_gyXgpg2veyfgnOdParo_92oeJhWb-3FnMBfRP2uBnzTdTHi2iqE80/s320/IMG_0988.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645548137262606162" /></a>
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<br />I think this will lead me to Prague... maybe? Good thing I don't have to be there until September.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuIF0yO4F2wlBXmIBfmduhJjiVUQzyiMElaCJu-MQ0fKpYPNJMRAf06SvML-Fyn5Bb1H67TpcQdDcWIRSBL8tryhXQztuPN3B6ZWa7-LyIxgevPll-x3Tto6Mm9x6SF_TJF-yA_pJw3o/s1600/IMG_0997.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuIF0yO4F2wlBXmIBfmduhJjiVUQzyiMElaCJu-MQ0fKpYPNJMRAf06SvML-Fyn5Bb1H67TpcQdDcWIRSBL8tryhXQztuPN3B6ZWa7-LyIxgevPll-x3Tto6Mm9x6SF_TJF-yA_pJw3o/s320/IMG_0997.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645546992201059058" /></a>
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<br />Some discovered artwork in the alleys of the square....
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKM8p-oGUOhk6m71lpZeuVzacSBv-tCgr-BBapdO3HbwCMpU4qVqsuTqlalW4eSlXVrisiZvbK4kLi1iDsvrEzdzIcszG0nIN3wR4nNH-c6mEDRDOX4NBvcqZ7F4Act6SIt7g1gUW6Fk/s1600/IMG_0984.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirKM8p-oGUOhk6m71lpZeuVzacSBv-tCgr-BBapdO3HbwCMpU4qVqsuTqlalW4eSlXVrisiZvbK4kLi1iDsvrEzdzIcszG0nIN3wR4nNH-c6mEDRDOX4NBvcqZ7F4Act6SIt7g1gUW6Fk/s320/IMG_0984.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645546460323975922" /></a>
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<br />Cobblestone streets, hills, & more castles.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1zAKfvdBkzNe2vHTpldjWi5RW_YL8H4bEmmauXhB7PG4zeb-h37wy-tx4UUTB8bqGNOJ9g6LKy8Wkv9Iu0r_VO21REYhfEcJ2-_1vDW0PiNmU_DXf4_gRpcmJRe67ExbBaU7vQmFrqE/s1600/IMG_0989.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc1zAKfvdBkzNe2vHTpldjWi5RW_YL8H4bEmmauXhB7PG4zeb-h37wy-tx4UUTB8bqGNOJ9g6LKy8Wkv9Iu0r_VO21REYhfEcJ2-_1vDW0PiNmU_DXf4_gRpcmJRe67ExbBaU7vQmFrqE/s320/IMG_0989.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645549679551277954" /></a>
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<br />Ms. Peacock in the Conservatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15310472495513850806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969140624563293708.post-89340478566956148422011-08-25T03:12:00.000-07:002011-08-25T03:28:48.386-07:00Arrival in Czech RepublicAfter 16 hours of travel, I have finally arrived in the Czech Republic and although there is still an hour and a half long car ride to go, I feel a great sense of accomplishment in having gotten this far.
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<br />First order of business was to get a beer and although I think sleep would probably be a good idea I do not see that happening quite yet. & so now we write, but what about. My feelings leaving Chicago were not as emotional as I expected them to be. I have not cried, but rather I laughed a lot. I have a group of friends that all drew 'portraits' (or rather representations) of how they view me. Some people wrote their names and some people left them anonymous, which has made it all the more interesting to guess the artist. Some of my favorites are attached below & I hope that you enjoy them.
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<br />That is all I have to share. Tiredness is about to overcome as a result of the past two weeks of preperation.
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<br />Till we meet again.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvXpVQeRetA3voAYkuz_1MLHcNlB3N6veKHrNYOius83XCc1icEs0VrkWOFd16cjdx75FqNlqoUWO2MEu7pRO38yAOVdKW3k3ukYu2pFcdoFSxmuM9B8URF_q8AlNlfRK8QxpFtH6uhU/s1600/photo-2.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvXpVQeRetA3voAYkuz_1MLHcNlB3N6veKHrNYOius83XCc1icEs0VrkWOFd16cjdx75FqNlqoUWO2MEu7pRO38yAOVdKW3k3ukYu2pFcdoFSxmuM9B8URF_q8AlNlfRK8QxpFtH6uhU/s320/photo-2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644737843569297058" /></a>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LgHCnSFZI0zSRWjNG84yLsP0W7QcJeNaDT9-lkXOjByWmFHWd8KnaLO7c7kg_yfUu4U724hZYMXJyyyScbgkRgJ0hlLHraDwe-aofkhpKPDSd2qpF8KsmL27nA4xjzUvuf-UZ_1x3QM/s1600/photo-3.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LgHCnSFZI0zSRWjNG84yLsP0W7QcJeNaDT9-lkXOjByWmFHWd8KnaLO7c7kg_yfUu4U724hZYMXJyyyScbgkRgJ0hlLHraDwe-aofkhpKPDSd2qpF8KsmL27nA4xjzUvuf-UZ_1x3QM/s320/photo-3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644738107846255858" /></a>
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<br />Ms. Peacock in the Conservatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15310472495513850806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969140624563293708.post-1695056819038408082011-04-07T11:03:00.000-07:002011-04-07T11:12:39.849-07:00Spring SubmissionsSubmissions for the spring goes as follows:<br /><br />Rhino<br />Alice Blue Review<br />Conduit<br />Strange machine<br /><br />& I will be submitting video poetry of "Benjamin"<br />here- http://www.thecontinentalreview.com/ -<br />You should go there and come back here once every five times.<br /><br />Also, read this poem. I love Jack Gilbert, but I love this more.<br />http://therumpus.net/2011/04/national-poetry-month-day-7-jack-gilbert-by-p-scott-cunningham/<br /><br />bye for now.Ms. Peacock in the Conservatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15310472495513850806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969140624563293708.post-82016118299849117002010-12-16T10:05:00.000-08:002010-12-16T10:10:15.898-08:00On SylviaFind this painting "The Triumph of Death" by Pieter Brueghel<br /><br />& then read this poem by Sylvia Plath<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Two Views of a Cadaver</span><br /><br />1<br />The day she visited the dissecting room<br />They had four men laid out, black as burnt turkey,<br />Already half unstrung. A vinegary fume<br />Of the death vats clung to them;<br />The white-smocked boys started working.<br />The head of this cadaver had caved in,<br />And she could scarcely make out anything<br />In that rubble of skull plates and old leather.<br />A sallow piece of string held it together.<br /><br />In their jars the snail-nosed babies moon and glow.<br />He hands her the but-out heart like a cracked heirloom.<br /><br />2<br />In Brueghel's panorama of smoke and slaughter<br />Two people only are blind to the carrion army:<br />He, afloat in the sea of her blue satin<br />Skirts, sings in the direction<br />Of her bare shoulder, while she bends,<br />Fingering a leaflet of music, over him,<br />Both of them deaf to the fiddle in the hands<br />Of the death's-head shadowing their song.<br />These Flemish lovers flourish; not for long.<br /><br />Yet desolation, stalled in paint, spares the little country<br />Foolish, delicate, in the lower right-hand corner.Ms. Peacock in the Conservatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15310472495513850806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969140624563293708.post-26552256556044476372010-12-06T10:40:00.000-08:002010-12-06T10:42:56.903-08:00As Fragile as a ShellThis was a beautiful that was sent to me by my friend Emily. I hope it is read and enjoyed.<br /><br /><br />a translation of Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill by Derek Mahon called <br /><br />"As Fragile as a Shell." <br /><br />As fragile as a shell<br />cast up on a rocky shore,<br />I stand outside your door<br />in the afternoon. The bell<br />rings deep in the house,<br />echoing in the long, empty rooms.<br /><br />The kitchen radio howls<br />rock music and, for a moment,<br />I feel a surge of hope; but then<br />I realize it is only there<br />to deter thieves<br />and a long wait lies before me<br />with no sound of your step.<br /><br />I ring again, and the echo rises<br />among high ceilings, wooden stairs.<br />Peering through the letter-box<br />I recognize in the Georgian proportions<br />an intricate crystal-like structure<br />which bodies forth and hides a god.<br /><br />A red rose stands in a vase<br />on the hall table; a sweater<br />hangs from the banister.<br />Unopened letters lie about<br />carelessly on the floor;<br />but nowhere is there a sign<br />of you to be seen.<br /><br />On the drawing-room mantelpiece<br />a postcard from your lover<br />boasts that hers is the first<br />mail in your new house; it shows<br />a simple tourist view<br />of the tumulus at Newgrange.<br /><br />There is a reference<br />--not lost on you, of course--<br />to the hieros gamos, the marriage<br />made in heaven. Outside<br />the warm conspiracy of your love<br />I stand, a nobody,<br />an orphan at the door.<br /><br />An icy wind blows through the cold porches<br />of the farthest pavilions<br />in the depths of my soul;<br />the rivers of emotion are frozen solid,<br />my heart beats wildly<br />like strange and treacherous seas.<br /><br />Damn my wooden head, my feather brain,<br />why am I waiting here<br />at your closed door?<br />When the bell peals inside<br />like the Angelus, do I really<br />expect the sky to open<br />and a dove<br />to descend upon me from above?<br /><br />It is only in the soul<br />that the miracles take place<br />of love, forgiveness and grace;<br />it is only in dreams<br />that the sun and moon shine together<br />in a bright sky<br />while day dawns on them both.Ms. Peacock in the Conservatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15310472495513850806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969140624563293708.post-43008820461050020322010-12-02T12:36:00.001-08:002010-12-02T12:37:17.852-08:00<a href="http://paxjournal.com/?q=node/195">Wondrous</a>Ms. Peacock in the Conservatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15310472495513850806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969140624563293708.post-49580667270823519892010-12-01T15:20:00.000-08:002010-12-02T11:27:39.317-08:00The Emotional Stability TestThis post is published with gratitude and credit going to the females "MV", the voices behind of the brilliant site <a href="http://fallopia.net/">Fallopia</a>. Thanks to copious libations and genuine insight, these geniuses were able to concoct this comprehensive piece of trickery entitled "The Emotional Stability Test". Upon a recently devastating, but informational break-up, I have come to apply this test as the foreground of any conversation with a person of the opposite sex. This test is an ace in determining if the man to your right, left, or behind is one that you should risk getting to know biblically. My gateway to further emotional conversation. Tackle the test if you dare.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Emotional Stability Test</span><br /><br />This is an assessment to determine whether an individual is capable of entering a romantic relationship. It is a gendered test, designed for males. It is strictly pass/fail. Send answers, along with your age and location/neighborhood and I will pass on your result. <br /><br />All data will be anonymous and is for research purposes only.<br /><br />TEST:<br /> Have you ever been in a serious relationship?<br /> Do you live alone?<br /> Have you ever had to let someone know that you just weren’t that into them?<br /> Who is the most questionable musician/band you listen to?<br /> In a pick-up game, do you play shirts or skins?<br /> Honestly, do you call, do you text, or do you forget?<br /> What is a good date movie?<br /> What do you think if she makes you cookies?Ms. Peacock in the Conservatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15310472495513850806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969140624563293708.post-10632750946769004042010-08-24T22:42:00.001-07:002010-08-24T22:46:39.599-07:00To study; W. G. Sebald & Sandy Posey.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjVZB34ibNo&feature=fvw"></a>Ms. Peacock in the Conservatoryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15310472495513850806noreply@blogger.com0