My English Life... urmm Polish Life: May 2005

I Did It!

Saturday was mostly productive - I wrote four of what I thought would be five pages of my paper. I come to finish it today and it actually becomes 7 pages but that's ok! I'm glad to be finished with it - hopefully it is good enough! I have already printed it out so I'm not going to look at it again!

Tomorrow is my last Polish class - which I need to review for a little so it doesn't look like I haven't learnt a thing! :) I also will turn my paper in - just to come home and start writing the next! It's going to be a busy last week.

I can't really think of anything exciting to write because not much has been happening - time is going very fast, which is both a very good thing and a very sad thing. It is going to be so nice to be at home but then I'm also a little hesitant because I know I am always sad not knowing when I'm going to be back in Europe - not to mention all the work I have to do when I'm back!

Polish here I come.... I will know something tomorrow!!!!!!

Fridays' Failure!

Well I was not as productive as I would have liked...and considering I writing this as a partial distraction from my paper today, you could assume today isn't going wonderfully either!

Yesterday, I did get all my reading finished for Social Stratification, though, so that isn't so bad! I also went shopping at Galeria Kazimierz - a newish mall that I had not been to. I found a bikini (from probably the only happy shop worker in Poland) which I really like and also bought a new pair of shorts (I don't have any here or any that fit me at home come to think of it!) and two new tops. I am very happy with my purchases - definitely productive in this respect!!

Today I have been a little more work oriented. I did clean my room and do a load of washing, oh and pop to the shop before starting my paper - but I do have two pages written! Only three more to go - that's not bad at all! I can still have it finished by tonight.

Oh I almost forgot! I had the BEST ice cream ever yesterday. Apparently it is the most popular in Krakow so when I was coming back from the mall I joined the LONG queue outside. I figured it must be worth it if everyone - well every age of person - was waiting! It definitely was! I will be going back! I hope Esme likes ice cream... then I can take her there, too! haha!

Ok well I'm going back to my paper now! Wish me luck!

Friday's Goal

My plan for Friday: ambitious but doable (hopefully!)

1. Read Chapter 11 and 12 for Social Stratification
2. Finish my paper for Social Stratification

The second one, obviously a little harder, but I would really like to just sit down and finish it. I've put it off the last couple days focusing on other projects. I need to just do it, though, because next week I have to study for another exam (much harder than the first!) while also writing a summary of an interview I conducted today. It turned out to actually be more of a conversation about Poland and culture in general but I think what we discussed will still be relevant! I'll have to write a disclaimer on the top of my paper saying I didn't actually ask the questions I'd planned!

For tomorrow to be productive I must get some sleep tonight and get up at a decent hour - in addition to avoid the blazing distraction of the sun.

Good night all! x

WHAT A NIGHT - LIVERPOOL EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS

I'm speechless - still - but completely happy and content! I can't stop smiling.

To watch the match in Poland has been great, too. Jerzy Dudek, for those of you who don't know, is one of Liverpool's goalkeeper who if you can't guess is from Poland! And watching and listening to the Polish fans support the team and Dudek himself was completely amazing. Their love for him was fabulous with constant cheers for him during the penalties. He did the team, England, and Poland proud - along with the rest of the team after the most amazing come back I've watched!

Class No. 2 Finished!

Today marked the end of my second class! After hours of studying (really!) and sitting through Poland and the EU for two hours this morning, I took my first ever oral exam in the same class. It was completely painless! I actually can't believe I spent so much time studying for it!So now, I am done with both Comparative Gender and Poland and the EU and I have to say I did pretty great in both of them!

Now, however, I have to start focusing on my last three projects for the two other classes. I've done all the research for my social stratification paper but still haven't finished writing it. That is my goal for Friday. Tomorrow and Thursday, I am going to work on my paper for Modernity, Ethnicity and Nationalism. Mostly, I am going to write the questions for the interview the paper is based on Tuesday and then interview Dominik on Thursday. I probably won't write the report until after the social stratification essay though so I have a little more time to think about the interview.

Today I went for pizza, too. It was really really yummy! I actually got the same one I did last time I visited, but it was too good to pass up. In fact, I have leftovers and I am going to eat them now.

Have a good day everyone!

Coffee or tea?

coffee please...

Very big :)

A close up of the puddle in the next picture

I like....

How cool is that! I love it! It is the Filharmonia - completely awesome.

Saturday's Range of Emotions

Laid on the river bank and studied - very relaxing and somewhat productive.

Manchester United lost the FA Cup match on penalties - extremely disappointing.

Greece won the Eurovision Song Contest - slightly ambivalent.

I didn't think Greece was the best. But she was a clear winner so I guess most of Europe liked her! I'm feeling happy today so I don't want to think about the football match. Hopefully the productivity from yesterday will continue today, however, because I have much that needs doing and a highly sunny day trying to prevent me. I will not succumb. I may leave the flat though and study at a cafe because I seem to get quite distracted at home.

To do today: study for Tuesday exam, Polish homework, and read an article for Social Stratification.

What fun.

Working Hard!

Hard work and lots of sleep has begun. It is now the sprint to the end, which brings a whole range of mixed feelings. I am really excited to go home but at the same time, this has been the best place I have even lived. There are always the little aggravating things but overall, Krakow and Poland have been absolutely fabulous. I love life. I love my flat. I love my friends. I love trying to learn Polish - it brings some humorous moments. But more experiences are waiting for me at home so I will have plenty to love there as well!

My Aunt is coming to visit right before I go home. I think that will give me a good chance to have a nice look at the town again (and of course take lots more photos!) and a good way to end. I am really excited to have a visitor too, because then I have someone to share my trip with.

Right now, I am working on a paper. I wanted to have it done today, but I got a little distracted and sleepy! But I'm back on track and working hard. I'm even up early so I have lots of the day to complete most of it! Next Tuesday, I have my first exam - it is oral, too so it's my first of that type ever! I'm a little nervous about it because as most of you know I hate talking especially to people who know lots more than I do - I know it might not seem like it to those of you in classes with me in Krakow because I seem to talk a lot here, but I am generally very shy and don't give my opinion. And then, after that I will be working on an interview with a Polish friend for another class and then another exam right at the end! And that's all the work I have to do! Quite a bit to do so I better work hard! Speaking of which, I'm going to start writing my paper now!

Lazy Day

I gave in on Saturday. The sun was brighter and the air even warmer than Friday. I sat on my bed trying to focus and start reading for my social stratification paper about gender wage differentials. I am actually quite interested in the topic but the heat pouring through my windows was just too much. I walked to the river and decided to join the masses of people sprawled across the grassy banks. Boats were lining the river edge with cafes on the upper decks filled with laughing people. It was so pleasant. The sun was hot and bright - I love the completely warm feeling even when the breeze touches your skin and it is more of a relief than a chill. The water was sparkling with crests of gold from the sun. The grass even smelt sweet (despite what it was probably hiding in its long blades). Some how more than four hours past - I just laid there listening to music, writing my thoughts and dreaming. Eventually, I joined some friends that I saw along the river a little ways - the company was great. Allan and then Tom and his mum also joined as time passed. This was one of the most relaxing days ever - I am not sure if I needed it but it was definitely well worth it. Especially as now it appears that I have developed the beginnings of a nice tan!

Friday Afternoon

It is about 2 in the afternoon on a surprisingly sunny Friday. The weather hasn't been the best recently so it has been a little depressing with the almost constant showers and frequent thunderstorms (for those of you who don't know - I really hate thunderstorms).

I wish I were outside enjoying the day and celebrating with the rest of Krakow's student population because this is the week of Juvenalia - where students run the town! But instead, I am procrastinating. I really want to start writing my essay for Social Stratification today but so far I have found plenty of distractions. It is only 2pm though so I still have the whole afternoon. I am not sure if I am going out to tonight but I might have to escape at least for an hour or so for a cup of hot chocolate in Provincja, at least.

Last night, I was supposed to have class at quarter to six. We showed up and there was no-one there. Absolutely no-one. I mean, last week, there were students but the lecturer didn't show, but this week there was not a soul. Ennio and I went outside and eventually saw some others coming. We waited for awhile just to see if the lecturer would come - but we didn't see him. Eventually the others left, and Ennio and I decided to check once more before leaving. So how we had missed him and he had been sitting in the empty room for about 15 minutes. He was quite mad but was somewhat happy to see we had come. We talked to him for a few minutes about our final interview project and then left. I never know what to think about this module. The title and topic is truly interesting and the lecturer very intelligent. It seems that he is not confident speaking English, though, so he gets extremely boring in class. He will pause in the middle of a sentence for what seems like hours before continuing. I try to be patient but it is hard. If only he could tell that he spoke wonderful English and (as he probably knows) his topic is completely interesting!

On Tuesday, I am going to stop by and see him and ask him for a little guidance with my interview topic. I have to interview a native Polish person about anything to do with what we have talked in about in class (nationalism, modernity, ethnicity, gender, etc) in Poland. I am going to interview my friend Dominik - I have been editing his English papers so it is sort of a return favour. I am looking forward to actually doing the interview because I think it will provide some great insight into Polish culture - especially from a 20 something year old's perspective. My problem is that I'm not exactly sure what I want to ask! I thought about looking at Jewish relations but I'm not sure. I would ideally like to look at something related to languages but I'm not even sure it is related to the general class topic. I suppose it is a part of ethnicity... I'll hopefully have a more defined view on Tuesday.

Well I suppose I should get to work. I have some more pictures from the last week that I haven't posted yet. I will add them soon, I'm sure.

Have a truly wonderful Friday!

Just another look at the city!

The airport and some pretty cool skies!

Cool clouds and sun rays!

Some views of Krakow from above

It was cold, by the way.

We made it!

On the way up...

Ok...well is this actually better?

Me too!

At the bottom...before going up!

Going to the zoo!

Well actually, I already went but still! Here's some pictures from around the zoo of a few of the animals. There is so much in that tiny place! It was a really good day. That morning, I went tram surfing a little with Allan and stopped a really amazing market on the way home. I was thinking that clothes were really expensive (comparatively) here but this market had lots of decently priced stuff. I'm going back. After all that excitement and chili at Bagelmama (which sadly shut today for over a month while the owner is chef at the French Open), we convinced Tom to join us at the zoo and a walk up one of Krakow's mounds! Pictures will be posted of that shortly. I don't remember how to spell the name of the mound we went up - so if you know it, post it in the comments!

Today, we went on a trip to Nowa Huta - a visit to the steelworks, the central place area, and the first church built in the purpose-built communist town at the insistence of the then future Pope! It is a pretty amazing place. The town is actually more attractive than I thought it would be. Very practical, as well. I have a couple of pictures of the center of the town and the church, but unfortunately, we were not allowed to take cameras into the steelworks. They actually collected all the cameras from all the students on the bus. Oh well... I guess I'll have to try and describe it another time. I'm too tired to do it now.

My plan for the afternoon was to work a little bit more on a paper. Unfortunately, I fell asleep for awhile instead and then started posting some pictures! Tomorrow, will be more work focused, I think. Tonight, I'm going to go to bed pretty early! I think I've been way more active in the last two days than the rest of last month combined - except for in Warsaw maybe. It is all really good except that I just want to sleep for 12 hours!

Enjoy the pictures and my first video post!

Mum and baby in the tree.

What a cute bunch... the old man, the mum, and the baby!

And another...

Some really cool primates... can't remember what the name is though. There were two really small ones and another quite small one. This is one of the babies!

So cute! heh!

She wasn't that interested in much, though.

Roar...he was doing a lot of that!

Oh wait...another one for her, too! I'll have to edit them both a little.

A picture for my mum! :)

One of the camels...losing all of it's fur or skin or something....

This zoo has the a really broad range of animals.... it even had bison, deer, and elks.

The BEST shot of the day, I think! I wish I had taken a video, the noise they made was unbelievable!

Our friend...this bunny actually liked people - imagine that! (If you don't know my rabbit, she isn't the friendliest one I've known! She's still wonderful though! heh!)