I wasn't intending to go to the new teacher farewell dinner on Monday night, but the thought of escaping the clutches of Obudan limits along with the chance to see Laura and Emily again sent me tramming and metroing over to Budapest's Bagolyvar restaurant near Heroe's Square.
Even though I was exhausted the next day (only having gone to sleep at 11:30ish *pathetic*) it was worth going.
First, I got a great dinner of csirke paprikas (paprika chicken) the old Hungarian favorite, which I haven't had in some time...for free, courtesy of our directors.
Second, I got to find out that Laura really didn't chop her hair off into a David Beckham mohawk like she had previously informed me over the phone.
Third, I got to talking to a new girl who is teaching in Gyula this semester to find out if it's what she wants to do for the rest of her life. The eager shine in her eyes replenished the dull glaze in mine.
I told her honestly that teaching has worn me down a little. She responded with the only thing you can say to a person you've just met, 'ahhh it's the winter doldrums.'
Maybe it is a little. Maybe it's not. But all I know is that I do still have a spark, a spark to teach. Right now, it's very small. It's the glimmering orange light that you see on a match head that has not completely gone out.
Fourth, it was refreshing to get out into the city and breathe the fresh night air while glancing up at the castle lights on my way to the restaurant, even if it's not appropriate late January cold.
***
I remember when my CETP group 2005-2006 had our farewell dinner in late August of 2005. Everything was so different, new, challenging, and exciting. Sometimes, it's easy to lose these things after some time being here. But, at the same time, it's only natural. One adapts to a place after some time and Hungary has become a comfortable place for me to live, still holding challenges and differences.
Not only was the night air refreshing, but the attitudes of the new teachers coming in. It lifted me up a little, stirred the teaching spirit within.
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2 comments:
I completely agree! For me, it was sitting through all the orientation classes again. So of the information Maria and Hajni were desperately trying to force into us went over my head the first time. This time, after teaching for a year and a half and finally being comfortable in my school, it was so good to take in what they were saying and think that I might actually be able to apply some of it. I was so inspired that I created two weeks worth of solid lesson plans.
and knowing emily, that's a whole ton of inspiration!
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