I have arrived in Prague and it has been a bit of a roller coaster ride. It's exhilarating to be here but the journey was long and tiring and stressful. Now that I'm here, it is rather annoying to be in a hostel but I am doing my best to look for apartments in all my free moments.
Orientation was a bit overwhelming but luckily other people were feeling the same way and I met a bunch of cool teachers and we've worked on some of our paperwork together and gone through some annoying steps together so that really helps to feel less overwhelmed!
Monday I start my official, full-time teaching career. Luckily, all my Mon and Wed classes are at one or two of the official school buildings. Tuesdays and Thursdays I'm gonna have to travel all over the cities to businesses and homes etc but it'll help me to get to know the city and transport better.
I now have a three month travel pass for which I will get reimbursed by the school. This covers my bus, metro, tram, funicular and is valid 24/7. So whoopee for free travel!
OK, i'm not feeling inspired to go into details...gotta go get going on my enourmous list of stuff....bleh
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
it's back
It is with a heavy heart that I prepare to leave. As I look out from the lofty heights of my porch with the best view one could hope for, I have to admit to myself that one more figment of my imagination is slowly being tugged from me: my security.
This little nest has always been a haven, an oasis of sort. I can handle everything else because I know that I can crash here. I know that I am surrounded by loved ones and that when the entire world is going crazy, this place, at least, remains untouched. Kingdoms may rise and kingdoms fall; wars ravage and politics tear assunder but in this place I will be hidden. I can retreat here and be swallowed up for a time to rest and recuperate before heading out into the world. Heartaches and tragedies are both surmountable because of my knowledge of a safe place where everything is "as it should be".
Until now.
Now I'm not so sure. My beloved haven is starting to bear signs of unrest. Much has changed since my last time here two years ago. Now, grumblings are arising and rumours of evil tidings swell and the waves of crime grow to lap against our feet. Tonight I witnessed the fear and frustration in the eyes of my sister as she learned that her home had been the target tonight. More tragic than the financial loss however, was the loss of security; the feeling of violation of something private; something sacred. All around us, this violation is happening. While it has not yet broached my doorstop I can dare to hope. Perhaps we are protected. Perhaps my nest will remain safe. In the face of this uncertainty, whispers talk of protected condiminiums which, in light of our beautiful home in the middle of a coffee plantation must be little more than a reverse prison and for me, would seem to be the worst fate of all. It was hard enough to give up my old home, but at least I retained my illusion of freedom and nostalgia. Yes, I love Costa Rica but home for me cannot be elsewhere in this country but on this lofty hilltop and I will not run away from it. And yet, isn't that excactly what i am doing?
NO! I am exploring only because I know that I CAN return. I am not running and if I am needed I will remain here!
Oh this awful fear that cannot be soothed. It creeps in and leaves me cold and nauseous. I thought it was gone. I thought that time and reason had done its job. But now, years later, it returns, more rational and therefore more frightening than ever. Am I destined to spend my life seeking merely to dull it? Go away! Oh withdraw your tentacles and leave me in peace for once and for all!
This little nest has always been a haven, an oasis of sort. I can handle everything else because I know that I can crash here. I know that I am surrounded by loved ones and that when the entire world is going crazy, this place, at least, remains untouched. Kingdoms may rise and kingdoms fall; wars ravage and politics tear assunder but in this place I will be hidden. I can retreat here and be swallowed up for a time to rest and recuperate before heading out into the world. Heartaches and tragedies are both surmountable because of my knowledge of a safe place where everything is "as it should be".
Until now.
Now I'm not so sure. My beloved haven is starting to bear signs of unrest. Much has changed since my last time here two years ago. Now, grumblings are arising and rumours of evil tidings swell and the waves of crime grow to lap against our feet. Tonight I witnessed the fear and frustration in the eyes of my sister as she learned that her home had been the target tonight. More tragic than the financial loss however, was the loss of security; the feeling of violation of something private; something sacred. All around us, this violation is happening. While it has not yet broached my doorstop I can dare to hope. Perhaps we are protected. Perhaps my nest will remain safe. In the face of this uncertainty, whispers talk of protected condiminiums which, in light of our beautiful home in the middle of a coffee plantation must be little more than a reverse prison and for me, would seem to be the worst fate of all. It was hard enough to give up my old home, but at least I retained my illusion of freedom and nostalgia. Yes, I love Costa Rica but home for me cannot be elsewhere in this country but on this lofty hilltop and I will not run away from it. And yet, isn't that excactly what i am doing?
NO! I am exploring only because I know that I CAN return. I am not running and if I am needed I will remain here!
Oh this awful fear that cannot be soothed. It creeps in and leaves me cold and nauseous. I thought it was gone. I thought that time and reason had done its job. But now, years later, it returns, more rational and therefore more frightening than ever. Am I destined to spend my life seeking merely to dull it? Go away! Oh withdraw your tentacles and leave me in peace for once and for all!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Prologue
I am not about to attempt to explain the name for an explanation wouldn't bring you any more englightenment towards the subject than silence. I will only go so far as to say that "streaks" can be read as either a noun or a verb. Both are correct.
As I got this blog in order to chronicle my Prague doings, I am going to enter my first update (Unless you can't update what hasn't been "-dated" yet)"
I have bought my ticket. D-day is September 22.
As I got this blog in order to chronicle my Prague doings, I am going to enter my first update (Unless you can't update what hasn't been "-dated" yet)"
I have bought my ticket. D-day is September 22.
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