Parent-teacher night Pt. II

About a month ago we had a night where the parents could come in and talk to us about their kids. Sanyi decided it was a good idea and scheduled one again. We sat through an hour of him talking about different things for all the kids, not eating lunches, snacks, messing around in the school and so on. I wasn't really paying attention, but then I heard my name. I don't really know exactly what he said, but Ili told me it was something like, "Tara has some teaching techniques I have never seen before, but they seem to be working because the kids are still learning." I am sure there was more to it than that, but I guess I will never know.

We spoke to both classes about the kids, spending more time with 2a. Dezi's and Zsofia's mothers are still trying to convince me to stay longer. I said maybe.

I now have to start on my Farsang costume, I just hope it works out how I have planned it in my head.

Wednesday I leave for Serbia. YAY!

PIES!

Here are some mini apple pies I made. They smell really good! I just hope they taste good too.

Timi called me in to the office today and showed me the county paper. She had sent in pictures from our Halloween party, and the paper had finally included one.

Here it is:




I know the quality isn't good, but it is a picture of a picture in the paper.

And, something for you Briggi. When we went to Eger a couple of weekends ago, we went to Teca's cellar and I found this!

A heartbroken Mark

I knew something was up when Mark came in to the classroom and put a handful of candies onto Fanni's desk. Fanni said nothing, she just put them into her desk. All morning, Mark kept looking over at Fanni, I was just waiting for something to happen.

I came back to the class after they had a concert and Mark was really upset. He wouldn't say what was wrong. I had drawn a dragon in his memory book and hoped that would make him happy, but no.

We went outside for a little bit and Kata and Ili were talking about Mark. They said that he likes Fanni and that she did something to him. Ili had a word for it in Hungarian, but did not know how to translate it.

I felt bad for him. He has become a better student, but I guess there was always going to be the day when his heart was broken. He still has lots of time though, he is only 7.

Memory books

My 1a and 2a kids have been bringing in books all week and asking me to draw in them. I can't count how many fairies and princesses I have drawn in the past week alone, but it has been fun.

I really like the idea, because it is a way to keep track of their classmates throughout the year, even though they don't usually change.

I will bring in a book of my own starting next week and ask all of them to draw and write something so that I will remember them.

I am going to miss them so much when I leave, but the memories will be wonderful!

Remembrance Day

It is Remembrance Day. Here is a poem for you to enjoy

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

I got the kids to make poppies. It was an interesting thing to watch them try and cut out the parts, but in the end, it worked out.

Ili also gave me a bottle of hand disinfectant and said, "this is for Serbia."

For some reason, I could not stop laughing.

Terrible Tuesday...

Today, I finally realized that my neighbours moved out. Yes, it took me three days to notice that I no longer have anyone living right beside me. I was a little concerned with where Palacsinta was, not being within the gates for the last few days. I was walking by their house and noticed that it was empty. I had no idea they were leaving.

I am sad that I now no longer have my pets, Palacsinta or Borszokany, but I do like the fact that I will no longer have to hear chanting at any time during the day.

The other thing that happened today was when I was on my way to school. I went to look at the clock and saw that there was no power. This, was not really surprising, as you may know from my last experience with having no power a few weeks ago. It only got worse as I got to school and found out that there was no power there either. It wasn't expected to be back on until 4:30 either. Boo.

It is really not much fun trying to teach in a dark classroom, or venturing in to the windowless storage room to get things for the kids during PE.

I only hope that they have fulfilled their power outage quota for the next 8 months. I really enjoy using lights and heating especially when it is so dark out!

Letters to Santa

My 2a kids were starting to write their letters to Santa yesterday. It may seem a little early, but, here, Santa comes on December 6th. A few of them showed me, a few of them kept it secret.

What made me smile was when they started talking about writing letters to Jesus, the one who brings presents on December 25th. They had no problems about writing the letters, but questioned how they would get them to him. A couple of the suggestions were to thrown them up in the air until they didn't fall down and the other, to put them on a plane that would fly to Jesus.

I don't think they have come up with a final solution, but there is still time.

Everyday randomness

This week meant back to school.

Monday, I was "lucky" enough to go with the upper classes to Nyiregyhaza and see a show. I was told that my lacking a grasp on Hungarian would not be a problem was not a problem, it would be mostly dance.

The description of the show was about a boy trying to find his ideal girl, but having a lot of problems on the way. I am pretty sure that in the end he married a robot. The show was full of crazy dancing, music and people dancing in their underwear. Honestly, I was in shock for most of the performance.

Tuesday, Ili gave me a book that used to be hers. It is from a long time ago. It is also in Russian. My goal for the new future is to learn at least a few of the letters of the Russian alphabet. I would then be able to pronounce some things, even though I would not know what on earth I am saying.

I started teaching one of my girls, Blanka, mother today. She took English in college and has a really good grasp. She just wants to practice and make sure about things in the different tenses.

I also thought about doing a short version of snow white with 2a for Farsang. I need to either find a script that would be appropriate for 7 and 8 year olds with a bit of English, or write my own.

I also am starting to plan my trip to Serbia! Yay, it is 3 weeks away from now, but I am starting to count down the days. I haven't left Hungary in a while, so I am really looking forward to heading off!

The week is half done!

Halloween!

Here are some pictures from last night! I hope you had a safe and happy Halloween!