Pictures on facebook instead of blog- i got confused

so, i made it through my intensive week of classes/teaching practice in Prague!!! (ugh/yay). everyone is probably wondering how my 45 min. class went, it went well for a first timer like me! i did immediately recognize what i did wrong, where i screwed up and do my best to correct it and not do it again, but for the most part i enjoyed it! i taught my class (my trainees and i have the same class and each go after the other and teach the same "formatted" lesson like reading) about an article relating to the human eye and how everyone has different eyes. they read the article, discussed together and spoke in class about the reading. i wrote words they didn't understand on the board and tried to have the students figure out what it meant, if they didn't i would tell them but MADE SURE they could define the word and explain it themselves later, that is very important when teaching.

one thing my trainer told me that i was thrilled to hear about during my critique afterwards was that, "during your lesson, you could tell you were happy to be there and that you are in the right profession, we could all see you like to teach." this is great news people! i don't hate my job! i mean, i knew that i didn't hate it, but it helps to have someone tell you that you have a great presence with you students and that they can see you genuinely like it. so good things all around.

that evening, i was blessed to meet up with the Smith family (steven smith, a recent PC graduate, is on a eastern european tour with lynn and mike, what fun!) they came down just to see me in prague, they rock! we went out to dinner that night, and about halfway through the conversation steven says, "oh yeah, and its my mom's birthday today." WHAT? dude, why didn't you tell me sooner? it was so great ms. lynn shared her birthday in prague with us. later on, the Smiths said goodbye and i hung out with Steven for a while. We walked by the Vltava River and then went to get dessert and coffee. this time made me realize oh crap, i'm in prague (having a friend right with you to slow down the pace makes you realized things like that). prague became very real for me because my PC bud was there, and i didn't feel homesick, just a little shocked and excited.

so-my job after the TEFL course. i can't get a job is western europe anywhere (it would be illegal to do so as an american, apparently there is a EU law for teachers- they only want UK and Australia). so, no italy or greece for a job unfortunately. so, right now, i'm still thinking hard about my decision, but i may stay for a longer term in prague, i don't think i've given it a fair chance. the transportation is great and i have more than one connection here for a job. so, i'll keep you updated, nothing is set in stone and i don't have a job yet so mom- don't get that plane ticket just yet!

anyways, i went out to celebrate one of my fellow trainee's birthday's last night at a pub, we had a great time. i slept in today and will probably be doing work the rest of the afternoon. tomorrow, i want to venture out and be a tourist for the first time since i got here, i want to go see the castle and church and the old town square! i'll take many pictures and try not to get pick-pocketed. love you all!

-rachel