Today was the birthday of the newly 4 year old niece of the people I live with. We went to the parents/grandparents house to celebrate this momentous occasion. As usual, the table looked as if they had severely overestimated its capacity, and there was plenty of wine. My lack of desire to join in the wine has gotten me in trouble on more than one occasion previously, and it was to be no different this time. It seems that if I do not drink, I must not be happy. What could possibly be wrong with me? This causing of problems for this family is just one minor reason I am glad to be leaving; I am not so sure I really want to even try to fit into this culture anymore!
Anyway, they toasted the 4 year old, all night, and we enjoyed the various foodstuff that graced the table. Unfortunately, I was unable to partake in the conversation, and the people I actually know were elsewhere in the house, so I was actually quite bored most of the time. I did get to see some of the news about Egypt though! (It was in Georgian, so I couldn't understand it, but the pics were interesting!)
I don't know why I even agreed to go to this little get together. I really don't like crowds, and I knew I wouldn't be able to understand anyone. It was just one more way that I show myself that I don't belong here (whether it be by choice or not). It was still an alright time as the food was good and the cake added a sweetness that has been missing. And of course what meal would be complete without the nice hot coffee to finish it off? I am just glad to be back and able to relax... I am sooo tired!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
School Happiness
Friday was the day for amazing happenings at school. It wasn't such an unusual day; it started much the same old way. The two students I live with were not going to school (one was getting sick, the other is still a mystery), and I was feeling like someone took me out the previous night and poured 20 glasses of Ch'ach'a (Georgian grape vodka, as in made from not flavored) down my throat! Not having had any alcohol the previous night made me think that perhaps I am not as well as I thought I was.
My first class or two went as normal as usual: the students weren't really interested, the teacher insisted on translating, and I felt kind of useless. My fourth grade class, however, was fabulous! I arrived early for some unknown reason and watched as they ran around chasing and hitting each other. The boys pulling the girls' hair reminded me of something out of "Little House on the Prairie". I was thinking about attempting to stop them, but then I figured if the Georgian teachers aren't saying anything, who am I to interfere? Besides, it is much better to have them like this now than in class!
After the bell rang, they semi settled down. We took out our books and started to go over the body parts they had learned the previous lesson. They were still confusing 'hand' and 'head' but they got the general idea. Then we moved on to the next lesson of body parts. The Georgian teacher didn't want to because they didn't fully have the other ones down, but I convinced her it was good if only for a preview of what was to come.
So, we went over the new vocab and just when the Georgian teacher wanted to not do anything more, I decided that we should sing. She thought it was a good idea, but didn't have the CD (not sure why she thought we needed the CD for this one!). And what did we sing? Of course: "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes". The students loved it! They became all wild again, but within the confines of the song. They didn't quite get when to change to the face parts or get all the words right, but we went through it 5 or 6 times as a group.
Then, as one of the children who never even smiled in class before, had been participating all day, I asked her if she could do it by herself. This turned into everyone wanting to take a turn (something they are used to doing is standing up and reciting). Quite an adventure in 4th grade land.
After my classes were finished, I still had to stay for the remainder of the day. I went and watched my 6th graders attempt to play Mafia. It is interesting to hear the directions in Georgian, and then to watch them play as if they knew what they were doing. Of course they were playing wrong! I didn't attempt to correct them, though as that would have been too much work, and one of their mothers was there to do that for them anyway.
Then I went home and did nothing for the rest of the night, which was just what I needed to do!
My first class or two went as normal as usual: the students weren't really interested, the teacher insisted on translating, and I felt kind of useless. My fourth grade class, however, was fabulous! I arrived early for some unknown reason and watched as they ran around chasing and hitting each other. The boys pulling the girls' hair reminded me of something out of "Little House on the Prairie". I was thinking about attempting to stop them, but then I figured if the Georgian teachers aren't saying anything, who am I to interfere? Besides, it is much better to have them like this now than in class!
After the bell rang, they semi settled down. We took out our books and started to go over the body parts they had learned the previous lesson. They were still confusing 'hand' and 'head' but they got the general idea. Then we moved on to the next lesson of body parts. The Georgian teacher didn't want to because they didn't fully have the other ones down, but I convinced her it was good if only for a preview of what was to come.
So, we went over the new vocab and just when the Georgian teacher wanted to not do anything more, I decided that we should sing. She thought it was a good idea, but didn't have the CD (not sure why she thought we needed the CD for this one!). And what did we sing? Of course: "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes". The students loved it! They became all wild again, but within the confines of the song. They didn't quite get when to change to the face parts or get all the words right, but we went through it 5 or 6 times as a group.
Then, as one of the children who never even smiled in class before, had been participating all day, I asked her if she could do it by herself. This turned into everyone wanting to take a turn (something they are used to doing is standing up and reciting). Quite an adventure in 4th grade land.
After my classes were finished, I still had to stay for the remainder of the day. I went and watched my 6th graders attempt to play Mafia. It is interesting to hear the directions in Georgian, and then to watch them play as if they knew what they were doing. Of course they were playing wrong! I didn't attempt to correct them, though as that would have been too much work, and one of their mothers was there to do that for them anyway.
Then I went home and did nothing for the rest of the night, which was just what I needed to do!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Fire watching
Sitting by the fire place watching as the flames dance and crunch away at the wood reminds me of my youth. The only thing I seem to be missing is either hot chocolate or a nice cup of hot apple cider! There isn't much that compare to the cinnamon and apple flavors mixing so nicely in their own little spicy hot tub releasing their vapors for all to savor.
I have decided that I also hate the fire! It seems that I am a little more obsessive than I have previously expected. I put wood on the fire as it was getting low. However, the wood didn't burn evenly; it was burning only in the front and on the right hand side. I couldn't believe how frustrated it was making me. I am usually so laid back about this sort of thing... Could this possibly mean that I am just stressed?
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Healthy?
I went to school today after two days off. My coteacher asked how I was feeling, to which I replied "fine." Then she asked if I had a fever. I wonder if everyone is supposed to have a thermometer and take their own temperature whenever they feel a little ill. Of course I don't have one, so I had to tell her I didn't know. Then she asked about my pressure! How am I supposed to know? Of course the previous night my host was telling me what her pressure was, so perhaps it is just something that people are supposed to know, like their blood type. They sure know how to make one feel stupid for having to say "I don't know" to such a strange question!
They day itself went fairly slow. I taught 3rd grade early because one of the teachers wasn't there, so we did English as a way to have something for them to do. This meant, of course, that I would have nothing to do for 5th - 7th periods and leaving is not really allowed. I tried not to sleep during this time, but I am not sure I was totally successful.
They day itself went fairly slow. I taught 3rd grade early because one of the teachers wasn't there, so we did English as a way to have something for them to do. This meant, of course, that I would have nothing to do for 5th - 7th periods and leaving is not really allowed. I tried not to sleep during this time, but I am not sure I was totally successful.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Another Lazy Day
Ok, I got up this morning at the right time, took my shower (such as it is), and prepared my things for school (why do I still insist on calling work 'school' as if I were a student and not a teacher?). All of this done, I decided that I would catch a few more winks. This was a rather stupid idea for me if I actually want to get anything done! I fell back asleep and didn't wake back up until about 12:30pm!
True, it is not the end of the world, but I still feel bad for missing two days in a row. I think it was good for my body though: yesterday's break told my body it was ok to be sick, and today's gives it a chance to get better! I am still a little sore, and my head feels congested, but I am not nearly as tired; perhaps this is the end of the nasty bugs.
Of course, due to my late awakening, I have not been very productive today. I have sent a couple of emails that needed to be sent, and I am updating my blog. I will feel much better getting back to school tomorrow where I will hopefully feel like I am doing some good (though it too often seems like I am wasting my time. Sometimes I wonder what I am even doing here!).
True, it is not the end of the world, but I still feel bad for missing two days in a row. I think it was good for my body though: yesterday's break told my body it was ok to be sick, and today's gives it a chance to get better! I am still a little sore, and my head feels congested, but I am not nearly as tired; perhaps this is the end of the nasty bugs.
Of course, due to my late awakening, I have not been very productive today. I have sent a couple of emails that needed to be sent, and I am updating my blog. I will feel much better getting back to school tomorrow where I will hopefully feel like I am doing some good (though it too often seems like I am wasting my time. Sometimes I wonder what I am even doing here!).
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Sick Day!
Today I stayed home from school. I got up later than I normally would have, but I was still exhausted! My host told me that she thought I was staying home today, and that if I wanted to, the school wouldn't die if I missed just one day. I decided that was the best of ideas.
I slept until about noon. I got up and ate some mashed potatoes and "kasha". I am not quite sure what it is, but it is a type of grain. I only know that the Russian is 'kasha', and I had a lot of it when I was living in Ukraine. I followed this up with a cup of coffee and went back to sleep.
It may have not been a very productive day, but I think I got some much needed sleep! Perhaps tomorrow I will be ready to face the students once again. Is this what I really want?
I slept until about noon. I got up and ate some mashed potatoes and "kasha". I am not quite sure what it is, but it is a type of grain. I only know that the Russian is 'kasha', and I had a lot of it when I was living in Ukraine. I followed this up with a cup of coffee and went back to sleep.
It may have not been a very productive day, but I think I got some much needed sleep! Perhaps tomorrow I will be ready to face the students once again. Is this what I really want?
It Definitely is Who You Know!
Yesterday after classes (though before school was officially over), my co-teacher went with me to the clinic. I have been feeling overly exhausted all the time recently as well as quite sore. My host told me that I should go to the doctor and that her mother worked there, so to text or call her when I arrived. I don't like doctors, but I did as I was asked.
The teacher and I waited for a while before she stuck her head into the office of two of the doctors. She knew them, so it took a couple of minutes to say hello and all that. Then we were told I needed to go down the hall where a doctor would take my blood to be analyzed. I was then to bring back the report for her to see. However, when we got to the room, the doctor was not there; we would have to wait until the following day!
My co-teacher went and talked with the first doctor who sent us to another building where they also analyze blood. I waited for them to finish with someone else, and then they stuck my finger and took a few small vials of blood. This was supposed to cost 7 lari, but they told me I didn't have to pay! They also said that instead of having to wait around for an hour, they would send the results to my host's mother and if there were anything wrong she could tell my host who could then tell me! I guess patient-doctor confidentiality has no meaning here, at least not for those of us who don't speak Georgian!
But I did get to see another doctor who told me that my blood pressure was low. There didn't seem to be anything else wrong with me, so I should take vitamin C unless something came back in the blood tests. It was interesting that during all of this they never once took my temperature. I wonder if that is something I should have already have done at home. The world may never know.
But, as it seems, my being a foreigner with the mother of my host working in the hospital, I was able to circumvent lines, waiting periods, and minor obstacles such as missing doctors to get what done what I needed. Sometimes it does work for you!
The teacher and I waited for a while before she stuck her head into the office of two of the doctors. She knew them, so it took a couple of minutes to say hello and all that. Then we were told I needed to go down the hall where a doctor would take my blood to be analyzed. I was then to bring back the report for her to see. However, when we got to the room, the doctor was not there; we would have to wait until the following day!
My co-teacher went and talked with the first doctor who sent us to another building where they also analyze blood. I waited for them to finish with someone else, and then they stuck my finger and took a few small vials of blood. This was supposed to cost 7 lari, but they told me I didn't have to pay! They also said that instead of having to wait around for an hour, they would send the results to my host's mother and if there were anything wrong she could tell my host who could then tell me! I guess patient-doctor confidentiality has no meaning here, at least not for those of us who don't speak Georgian!
But I did get to see another doctor who told me that my blood pressure was low. There didn't seem to be anything else wrong with me, so I should take vitamin C unless something came back in the blood tests. It was interesting that during all of this they never once took my temperature. I wonder if that is something I should have already have done at home. The world may never know.
But, as it seems, my being a foreigner with the mother of my host working in the hospital, I was able to circumvent lines, waiting periods, and minor obstacles such as missing doctors to get what done what I needed. Sometimes it does work for you!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Return to Georgia... for the moment
I don't know how I keep falling behind in my blogging, but I guess it is normal for one such as I. I was away on vacation and having a grand time during the holidays, but now I am back! I arrived back in Georgia a day or so later than I was supposed to. My first flight from home was canceled, and while the one the next day was on time, the one from Chicago to Warsaw was delayed as was the one from Warsaw to Tbilisi. I was not feeling the best when I finally arrived.
Fortunately, I was met at the airport by a taxi driver (actually he searched me out for business, but that is pretty much the same thing). He took me to a boarding house where I slept the day away. I spent the next day at the boarding house as well, and returned to my host family on Saturday while they were away.
As a way to pass time, I visited my old host family who once again asked me to return. I have to go through my company in order to do this, so I did send them a message (albeit 3 or 4 days later). I am not sure, but that may have been a bad idea. Thursday was my first day of school, and things with the teachers were fine. Friday was a different story. I have no idea what was up, but the timing was interesting.
This weekend was horrible. I slept/hid in my room for most of it. I didn't come out from when I arrived home around 4pm on Friday until around 3pm on Sunday! I have been overly exhausted and sore. I am not sure what is up, but I think I may have a touch of something. I am sure my host family thinks I am either mad at them or just crazy.
We shall see what the days will bring.
Fortunately, I was met at the airport by a taxi driver (actually he searched me out for business, but that is pretty much the same thing). He took me to a boarding house where I slept the day away. I spent the next day at the boarding house as well, and returned to my host family on Saturday while they were away.
As a way to pass time, I visited my old host family who once again asked me to return. I have to go through my company in order to do this, so I did send them a message (albeit 3 or 4 days later). I am not sure, but that may have been a bad idea. Thursday was my first day of school, and things with the teachers were fine. Friday was a different story. I have no idea what was up, but the timing was interesting.
This weekend was horrible. I slept/hid in my room for most of it. I didn't come out from when I arrived home around 4pm on Friday until around 3pm on Sunday! I have been overly exhausted and sore. I am not sure what is up, but I think I may have a touch of something. I am sure my host family thinks I am either mad at them or just crazy.
We shall see what the days will bring.
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