What Country am I...

Hi Everyone, Today as I was leaving the supermarket that I shop at I had a strange "deja vu" experience. I heard playing softly over the store's speaker system a certain American song. The song was a classic holiday song. I've heard it many, many times back in America. But I reminded myself of a couple things... it is too early to be hearing Nate King Cole singing "Merry Christmas" and the commercialized holiday shopping experience is even here in the Czech Republic. So I had to laugh a little and remind myself that no I am not in America but in Brno :)

Take Care until next time.

Blessings,
Colleen

Maybe Here to Stay for awhile...

Hi Everyone, As I was heading to church this morning it started to snow. Well, the white stuff kept coming and coming. By the time I left church there was plenty of snow. In fact I went to lunch with
a couple of my friends and I felt like I was turning into a snowman. I had snow all over my black coat and backpack :) Last winter we didn't get much of this stuff but we are starting early this
year. I don't mind--the snow really is quite pretty especially when it covers the branches of the trees. I'll have to snap a few pictures to show you what I mean. We've had colder temperatures so I was prepared when the snow started to fall. I am getting back into the routine of living in an area where there are four distinct seasons:)

But for now take care until next time.

Blessings,
Colleen

Pictures of the City of Olomouc

In October, I was able to visit one of the most historical cities in the Czech Republic. The name of the city is called Olomouc. First documented evidence of the city dates back to 1055. It is truly a very beautiful place. One can see the religious history throughout this dynamic city.

Hunting for Wild Mushrooms

Hi Everyone, The above pictures were taken at the end of September during my second trip hunting for mushrooms. Here in the Czech Republic the autumn season brings this favorite pastime for Czechs to do. It is like going on a treasure hunt and you have to be careful to pick the "right mushroom". As Czechs like to say "all mushrooms are edible but some only once". Czechs use the edible mushrooms they pick for cooking. For example--The middle picture is a kind of mushroom that my friend Eliska makes in a Czech goulash dish. Her husband Jirka told me it is one of his favorite meals. Wild mushrooms also are fried up or cut up and dried on white paper than used as a seasoning (especially used in soups). It is interesting to note some of the most colorful mushrooms we saw were poisonous--beautiful to look at but deadly to eat :)

Gearing Up for Logos Week-end

Hi Everyone, Hope things are going well. Happy November to you...as usually the previous month flew by. I had a busy one and next week I will post pictures of what I have been up to--I promise. The pictures are in my digital camera and I haven't found the time to download them onto my laptop. I've been busy these last two weeks preparing for this week-end because in less than an hour from now I will be leaving for a full English week-end. Our church during the year offers a program called Logos which allows Czechs to learn and practice English (taught by Czechs). This week-end students from the program will go on a retreat together. I will be one of three native English speakers teaching the students. There are three levels of classes (beginners, low intermediate & high intermediate) and I will be working with the beginners. The theme for the week-end is Occupations/Jobs. I am looking forward to being with the Czechs and getting them to speak the English that they know. Of course the challenge is figuring out what English they know ;) I can so relate to my students since I am a beginner in learning their native Czech language. Czechs continue to help and challenge me to speak the Czech I know. Sometimes I am surprised at how much is already stored up in that brain of mine :)

Well, just wanted to drop a quick note and I appreciate your thoughts and prayers during the week-end.

Until next time take care!

Blessings,
Colleen