Go(o)d luck

Today I've heard on the radio people saying how much luck the have when it comes to winning many different contest, or draws. One of the woman said that during the last two years she has won over 100 (!) prizes. I know it is possible, I mean winning a draw. One of my husband's friends won 15 thousands zlotys in an online competition, honestly. He just thought up a slogan to advertise on of the well known fast food restaurant. I do agree that such events happening in your environment mobilize you to enter a contest yourself, to try your luck.

I have rather bad luck... When I was nine, in one of the daily newspapapers there was a draw for children. For few days children had to sign the names of professions in the picture. My younger brother couldn't write yet, so I was signing two pictures - one with his name, one with mine. And guess what? He won!! And he, with our father, went to Dennmark to Legoland!! I felt so dissapointed - it was me who wrote his name there! Ah.

However, I do have luck in my life in different matters. For example, in university admittion. If it wasn't for easy questions, I would not be a pedagogy student now. Next, in finding job: I found a notice about a job as an english lector in kindergarten by chance. I wasn't looking for job as I have daily studies, but after a week I had my first classes :) and what's more, my boss is great and the salary is satisfactory. I have good luck in cooking new dishes and in fitting a big sofa and a piano in a small flat :D And of course, I have an incredible luck in my personal life - I had found the person I'm going to spend the rest life with and I am more than happy with him. So, I need to thank you, God, for being so lucky!

Do you think you are a lucky person?

My teaching career :)

My former IT teacher suggested a topic for a new post: Fancy teaching? I’ve already written about my teaching practice and I do think that they helped us in deciding if our career should be connected with teaching. Today, I would like to reflect on my current work, as I am a teacher since October.
I am fancy teaching. As I’ve written a year ago – I’ve always wanted to be a teacher and that’s the profession I find satisfying. That is why, when I saw a notice in TTC saying that an English lector is needed I haven’t hesitate to call the number. Luckily, I got this job and was delighted! But still, I felt a bit frightened and insecure when I first entered a classroom, especially that I was to teach kindergarten children. Not that I don’t like children, because I love them! But I have never taught them before, not the whole group of 15 kids! ;) I knew that the rules have to be made clear from the beginning and that children like a lot of movement and if I want them to be attentive I have to be attractive, I mean my lessons have to :) So, I planned all my lessons carefully and when I was carrying them out I needed to look at the plan. I felt stressed that I may forget to do something… to sing a song, to explain a new word, to play a game etc. I’ve learned a lot during my studies at TTC but we haven’t talked a lot about teaching very young learners. Keep in mind that those learners do not know how to write and read, they hardly know numbers, in some cases, they hardly say anything! I have to admit that the first two months were hard for me, but now I feel much more secure with the group of shouting, laughing, talking, jumping, crying group of kindergarten kids! :D I know how to improvise, how to change the plan so that kids will like it more, what to do when they do not remember a word we need to continue the lesson, how to make them listen to me and much more.
I love it when mi little students come to me and say: “I like English lessons. English classes are cool. Yeah, a game! Oh, I know that!” I love it when they know how to name an item we’ve learnt about, when they sing a song loudly, when they say hello to a new animal and are able to tell how old they are and how they feel. Sure, there are times when they don’t want to do what I want them to, when they have too much energy, when they prefer talking and playing on their own than taking part in the lesson, but these are only children and after two minutes they may come to you and say: “I love you” and your heart melts… :)

Moreover, the work gives me new valuable experience, which is especially important in the light of the specialization I study now – kindergarten and early primary school education.


So, as you can see, I want to, and I am sure I will, be a teacher! :)

Sun, please come! :)

While I am anxiously waiting for the spring to come (and I mean the real one, with sun shining all day long, flowers blooming, green trees above our heads and smiling people all around), I try to survive the bitter winter by coming back to the positive memories from our honeymoon trip to Majorca.
As I wanted to spend those winter long evenings creatively, I have made a short film showing our time on this beautiful island. Enjoy the sun and wait till the end of the clip! ;)

And for those who love winter I have a film with a special music dedication – keep in mind that it is the original music from the ski lift.

Our celebration

We are a married couple for almost seven months. That’s how long we’ve been living together. One roof, one body, one soul :) We are both working hard to get our lives well-organised and pleasant to live through, so we couldn’t deny ourselves a reward for a half a year together. We went for an original (why? see below :)) dinner.

The only thing Wojtek told me was: We are going out in the evening. When I asked him what I should wear, he answered: “It doesn’t matter”. I thought: “Right. He is a man. He doesn’t care…” He drove me to the city centre and we went to the restaurant. It was Dark Restaurant and it is not only its name. That’s how it is inside. What I mean is that it is really DARK.
You come in and meet with a waiter. He asks you whether there is something you don’t like eating or you are allergic to. Then, you specify how much you want to pay – the price depends on the meals you get. Finally, you get inside the DARKNESS. You can’t see anything. It is the waiter who, thanks to a night-vision device, is able to show you your table. When I sat down, I could only hear some voices and feel Wojtek’s hand. But the fun was to begin. The waiter brought food. At least, he ensured us it is edible :) At the beginning I tried to use a fork. (I haven’t even thought of using a knife in order to stay safe.) But soon, I gave up and was eating with my hands. That’s the best way of eating in the darkness. I was just wondering how the lady next table ate her dessert, because the waiter told her: “Be careful. It’s hot.” And then, there were some guys sitting next table who ordered a jug of water and I’ve overheard their conversation: “Steve, have you drunk already?” “No, I haven’t. Because of fear of spilling it all on me.”
Summing up, my husband ate out my hand :D

Look at Dark Restaurant’s website. Don’t hesitate to go there! Try something different ;) That's the first restaurant of this kind in Poland. And a great fun, indeed!

The use of Blu-Tack

When I was a TTC student, I got to know about Blu-Tack. It is a versatile, reusable putty-like pressure-sensitive adhesive. The product I own is blue, but, as far as I know, many colours are now available. My methodology teacher advised us to use it to stick some pictures and postcards in the classrooms. I have never had a need to have it as I wasn’t working with groups of students, but this year I finally decided to buy it. I was so proud with my purchase that I had to show it to my husband. And then, being a very inventive man, he successfully used Blu-Tack in our flat. He called it Blu-TOUCH! :)) It really works, just look! :D

If you still don’t have Blu-Tack-Touch ;), don’t hesitate to buy it! As you can see, it can be used in many ways. It is good for everything! :D For some more information, look at the offical site of Blu-Tack company.

NEWs too ;)

After the wedding we have moved to our newly renovated flat. It has two rooms, one of which is joined with a kitchen, a bathroom and a one-feet balcony :D
To be honest, in the beginning it didn’t really look like a great place to live…

But we have soon organized ourselves and I could use my lovely red kitchen successfully :)
Also, we have found place for my piano, our new TV, Wojtek's computer, a nice big table and a comfortable sofa ;)
The best thing about living on your own is that it is only you and your husband who are to decide where to put a flower, a computer, a picture, what to eat, what to buy. We have enjoyed decorating our flat, buying new furniture and household equipment, even new clips ;)
And then, when Christmas came, it was fantastic to buy our first Christmas tree and decorate it together, the two of us. I was delighted to decorate the rooms with some candels and other Christmas gadgets ;) It is great to have your own place, especially when you know how much work you put into making it so cosy.


In addition to this, we didn’t have any problems with deciding who does what or who takes more shelves in the wardrobe – it was me, obviously :D I am fortunate to have an easy-going, helpful and hard-working husband who knows how to repair a computer and how to mop the floor! What is more, I am lucky to have fantastic parents-in-law… :) They like each other with my parents so Christmas dinner with them and our brothers went great. Happily, all my guests liked turkey and ginger bread I have prepared. I really feel good as wife! It was simply a good choice :)

For this new 2010 year I wish you to find your place in this hectic world! Your peace, love and happiness.

Have a blessed, joyful and delightful new 2010 year!