Pictures from Bogota

Here are a few… I still have another roll to develop...

I hope you enjoy them. J

http://picasaweb.google.com/MadameMonique/Colombia?authkey=8DZY_an448A

2:16 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

lost in thoughts
Current mood: indifferent

I do not know which impulse was stronger in me when I began to think: the original thirst for knowledge or the urge to communicate with man.  Knowledge attains its full meaning only through the bond that unites men: however, the urge to achieve agreement with another human being was so hard to satisfy.  I was shocked by the lack of understanding, paralyzed, as it were, by every reconciliation in which what had gone before was not fully cleared up.  Early in my life and then later again and again I was perplexed by people's rigid inaccessibility and their failure to listen to reason, their disregard of facts, their indifference which prohibited discussion, their defensive attitude which kept you at a distance and at the decisive moment buried any possibility of a close approach, and finally their shamelessness, that bares its own soul without reserve, as though no one were present.  When ready assent occurred I remained unsatisfied, because it was not based on true insight but on yielding to persuasion; because it was the consequence of friendly cooperation, not a meeting of two selves.  True, I knew the glory of friendship (in common studies, in the cordial atmosphere of home or countryside).  But then came the moments of strangeness, as if human beings lived in different worlds.  Steadily, the consciousness of loneliness grew upon me in my youth, yet nothing seemed more pernicious to me than loneliness, especially the loneliness in the midst of social intercourse that deceives itself in a multitude of friendships...

The painful stimulus that was philosophically decisive was the question how I was myself to blame for the insufficiency of communication.  The insufficiency was indubitable fact.  But the fault could not lie only with the others.  I, too, am human like them.  The same sources of inhibition exist in me as in them.  The interaction, by which I train myself, had to illumine my self-concealment, arbitrariness and obstinacy, as to compel me to strive towards a revelation that can never be completed.  The philosophical insight became possible precisely through my own failure.  We can only recognize that evil which is in ourselves.  What we cannot be at all, we cannot understand either.

7:40 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

A Wonderful Memory... a classic Monique moment
Current mood: amused

From Jeremy's Blog:

Sunday, May 01, 2005

Crazy Monique talks with the Jeremy

Jeremy: I was in a band with a guy who was dead for 2 minutes. He took a family pack...I call anything that you can buy in package with more than what one person would need--a family pack (pop tarts, paper towels, condoms)...anyway, he took a whole family pack of caffeine pills, and his heart stopped. They had to shock him back to life.

Monique: Man, he must have been really tired...

4:36 PM - 2 Comments - 1 Kudos - Add Comment

Coming Home
Current mood: annoyed

Coming home is always a tug of war effort.  You can see the things that you left behind, and head towards the sun.  Moving on will always break your heart.  Keeping your courage will only make you stronger.  With every step, you learn about yourself in precise measurements.  It changes you.

Since the age of 10 years old, I have always been a firm believer in human rights.  I feel so blessed to have the family that I do.  My Step-Dad's (whom I always call Dad, since he has been in my life since I was 2) family is Colombian and Mexican and so incredibly strong.  They are what keep me alive.  So, I'm sure that you can understand that when I hear people complaining on how many "Mexicans" there are in our country would make my blood boil.  I love my family.  They are everything to me.  They have taught me everything I know and vise versa. 

At my sister's wedding I was asked by a friend's husband, what exactly I was doing in Prague.  My answer: Teaching English to children and I had a few adult classes.  I was then asked why I didn't decide to move to Mexico to teach there.  My answer: Well, actually, there are quite a few language schools in Mexico and I have been seriously considering doing that as my next step.  This man responded that I should teach in Mexico because "they" don't know a damn word of English when "they" come over here.

I was completely speechless.  I could never cause a scene at my sister's wedding... Never. 

There are so many Americans that complain about the same things.  Why?!  Our country is completely built upon people from different countries who wanted to give themselves a better life.

Its disgusting.  The people who make such comments as that have absolutely NO idea what it is like to move to a different country.  To not speak the language... To be scared about what will come tomorrow... To cry yourself asleep because you miss home so much... To work your ass off for hours in a day to only get paid a fraction of what you are worth...

When I come home, I'm considered a hero...  Why?  I am no different than anyone coming into our country.  The people who move to our country wish for a better life.  To expand their thoughts and ideas... To create a better home for themselves and for their children.

How dare you?!  You have no idea what its like. 

I would like for anyone who could possibly make such a comment to move to a different country and tell me a year later what their thoughts are on the subject.

I'm not ready to move to such ignorance again.  I moved away to better myself... The end result: I'm not the same me... I'm much stronger.

11:29 AM - 3 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

This makes me want to change the world....
Current mood: sad

This video is incredible.  One of the most beautiful birds in the world... and you can really see how humans have taken over and care about nothing but themselves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuFyqzerHS8

Damnit...... :(

12:29 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Life experience continued

My time in Prague has indeed been a stimulating voyage.  Filled with unexpected events of all kinds.  Several acquaintances that have come and gone.  Jobs that seem to slip through your fingers when you thought you have the perfect grasp.  Cultural differences that you thought you had an understanding about will still come out and surprise you.  In truth, I walk these streets with wide eyes.  Curiosity takes hold and changes us all.

My flatmate Tracy has started a new nickname for me.  I should explain that we have been calling each other silly little names ever since I crashed in Munich for Oktober fest.  Without failure, when we're having the most difficult days of struggle it will always bring smiles to our faces.  No one ever said that coming out here would be easy… but no one told us that it would be this hard.  If you are thinking about teaching in a different country prepare yourself for something great indeed.   I'm currently in a very comfortable position, but I have had my share of abuse.  English teachers are the rats of the city.  There are 10,000 Americans here alone.  Therefore we are treated horribly and tested several times to make sure that we are serious about being here or if we will just run away like the track record of English teachers in the past. (not just Americans... all English teachers as a whole)  All you can do is laugh.  Vent.  Or in my flat, call each other names just to bring a smile. The latest nickname that was given to me was Polar Bear… mostly because I'm white as hell but also because we look cute and sweet but we are also tough and a survivor.  That's what English teachers are…  Bears, of all kinds.

I was recently hired to direct an after school program at a pre-school in Zizkov.  The pay is horrible but the freedom that comes with the position is vast.  (I'm able to take my students, usually 1-3 per day, and take them anywhere I want to and it is completely paid for) I have never before seen such an unorganized school.  The pre-school alone lacks structure so in turn you'll find students running a muck, sitting on top of tables, and saying no to their teachers.   I'm not exactly the pre-schoolers favorite teacher.  When I'm not trying to recollect the dignity of the school, I'm busy correcting the students and are much more strict with them than the other teachers.  Tough love, baby.  The students are incredibly bright but will never learn English if they are always speaking in Czech.  The teachers are impressed, so they let me do my thing.  Maybe its just me, but I don't like to come into a school where the kids walk all over the teachers.

Public urination is a typical thing to see here.  Forget decorum…Little girls holding up their skirts in the middle of the street or  little boys directing themselves towards trees or behind cars...  Then of course there is the drunken madness that involves pissing wherever they feel like it, just like every other city.
Sometimes you'll even see a random man start to declothe right in front of you on the night tram.  Its shocking when you first come here but you learn to get used to it.  The other day I was at the park with my student Terezka.  She let me know that she had to poo.  I said, ok, no problem lets go back to the school.  Terezka instructed me to come with her… she lead me a bush that was bare.  My first reaction was that this was obviously a secret club and I was invited to join the group.  I fed the fire until I realized that little Terezka was gathering leaves… I asked her what she was planning to do, Terezka said quite clearly that she is going to poo right here on the leaves and I was going to collect it and throw it in the bin.  Ummmmmm….. No, sorry Terezka.  We have to go to the school.  After a few minutes of her trying to convince me that this was the only option for us because she wasn't ready to go back to the school… she wanted to continue to play in the park. Ummmm, nope, sorry Terezka.  Park time is over, we'll come back later today.  Needless to say, Terezka didn't talk to me the remainder of the walk back to the school.  Who would have thought I would have a 6 year old angry with me because I wouldn't let her poo on the leaves.  Sorry, not on my watch Czech girl.

Not too long ago, when I was riding on the metro, there was a
handicapped man that walked on…  He sat across from me and began to look at me until I looked back.  I turned my head, smiled and said, "dobry den." (which means, good day)  The man said nothing… but obviously wanted to tell me something.  His personality was kind and warm but his appearance was hard to witness.  This poor man was in an accident at one time in his life.  It didn't take much to understand that he was now mute.  He gestured to me that it was a motorcycle accident.  Pointing to where half his skull used to be, he started to tell his story with just his hands.  From what I could gather, he was on his bike and hit something and then was thrown off and flew clear down the street.  He hit a giant bolder headfirst.  This accident made him loose his voice, half his skull and his ability to walk straight.
I didn't know what to say… what can you say when someone doesn't speak the same language as you and the only form of communication is through body language.  I tried to signal a tear being wiped away and gave a thumps down.  He smiled and shook my hand.  When he left the metro, all I could think about is how it's a miracle that this man even survived.  Then to tell me his story.  It makes you think how precious this time we have here is.  Goodness, I hate motorcycles.

On Wednesday I took my students for the day out to Old Town Square to take photographs.  I thought it would be nice to have them take photos of whatever they wanted and I would develop and print the best image to give to their parents as a gift.   It went really well.  Their photo ideas were fairly good for 6 year olds.  Of course, there were several photos taken of me and of their stuffed animal from their happy meals.  The tourists are back… so when other Americans heard my accent they did the usual small talk thing.  My students were impatiently sighing and requesting the we go to buy ice-cream.  I don't blame them.  I was stopped at least 4 or 5 times throughout the afternoon.  There was an ice-cream shop just around the corner so we popped in for a minute.  After we left we were happily enjoying our treat and I was talking to my kids about what photos they would like to take next.  Giving them options and pointing to different directions that we could walk towards.  The next thing I know there is this tourist photographer in my face… getting my attention with just a hello.  Snap Snap Snap.  He said, enjoy your ice-cream. Snap Snap Snap and then walked away. Oh, the joys of tourists.

I was talking one night with my work colleague Milan.  He was talking about his cottage outside of Prague.  I'm not sure if I have mentioned this in the past but almost everyone has a cottage.  They love their time outdoors.  I mentioned this to Milan, about how much I admire Czechs because of the time that they allow for themselves.  Milan told me that its just something that we are used to doing because of communist time.  Our cottages were the only thing that we could retreat to… that it was the only place where communist soldiers couldn't touch us.  That before in '64 (I think that's the right time) the soldiers where allowed to kill people if they didn't deliver proper information and then the Russians came down and stopped it… then there was the time of the spies… that the soldiers would knock on families doors and threaten the family that if they wanted everyone to live that they will operate as a spy and tell them everything about their neighbors and the people they work with… and if they did not it would mean that their family would be in danger.  It got to the point where so many people were operating as spies that no one here knew whom to trust.  So their cottages were the safest place you could go.  Somewhere peaceful.  There's nothing like the truth about the world to make you realize how rich and spoiled you are.

I'm getting sad with the idea that I will soon leave Prague.  Its time for notices to be given, letting my students know and finding a replacement for my flat.  I wish my sister had decided to get married this summer so I could have finished the school year but there will always be other times to return.  The first year being abroad is the hardest, its when you are beaten the most with the differences.  Without even realizing it, you have changed.  In truth, it's the best gift you can ever give yourself.  Everyone responds differently.  No matter what it is, it will always be positive… in one way or another.  It wakes you up.  It makes you passionate about your beliefs again.

You know you did a good job when you can always make your students talk and laugh.  The best is when they look at you with the utmost respect.

Until next time.

Ahoj!

9:00 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Czech Pictures

It will just be easier to load my page if I place my pictures in my blogs...

4:48 AM - 2 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Random Memories of Prague

Today on the way to the gym I was thinking about how many random but interesting stories I have sense I have been here that I have never shared with you...

1) The time where I jumped on top of a moving vehicle because he was backing up and didn't see that there was a guide dog and a blind man just inches behind him... Screaming at him with all the Czech that I knew... I attracted people's attention from this act and had 5 more people slamming on this guys windows telling him to stop.  One older woman went off on him.  Basically he stopped... and hopefully is more careful next time.

2) Caroline (my flatmate) and I decided to walk home from the center one evening... We walked passed a stag party (British bachelor party) which isn't that uncommon...

The Party: Excuse me ladies, we are looking for some pretty ladies to escort us to our hotel.  We are nice looking chaps and we would be very interested if you came with us.

Me: Sorry, were not prostitutes.

The Party: We wouldn't pay you

Me: F*ck off

3) I witnessed a baby bird fall and explode onto the ground next to me.  I was in complete shock for the rest of the day and I felt the tears build up within me.  I took it as a bad omen.

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That's all I can think of at the moment... but I'll add more as it comes to me.

xoxo

1:03 AM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

David Beckham
Current mood: annoyed

I stole this from my friend Isabel... I just can't believe it myself!
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David Beckham just signed a contract with LA Galaxy.
(For those Americans that don't know, David Beckham is one of the world's best Futebal players and LA Galaxy is a futebal club (not team) here in the US.)

now why...i don't know...but they must be desperate to get futebal popular here in the US. Because Beckham is not cheap. He is one of the most expensive player.

What pissed me off is the the American news was saying...just wait of Posh Spice to arrive they are going to get all the paparazzi all over them. Only in the States Beckham needs his wife to get that kind of attention...everywhere else in the world he does...cause he is one of the futebal gods.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Beckham_Los_Angeles_Galaxy_contract

4:51 AM - 2 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

My time in Indianapolis
Current mood: loved
Category: Blogging

I have had so much fun while being home... I'm surrounded completely by the people whom love me the most.  The idea of leaving them is heart breaking.  In fact, its true... I did cry once, late at night, not wanting to go back... It was almost as if I could feel the courage draining out of me...

Thank you to everyone who picked me up for a good time and bought me drinks.  I had a wonderful time with you.

I have to get back to my compilation making and packing.  We will talk again soon!

9:04 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment