świetnie! (perfect!)

I am so happy right now.  I am on cloud nine!  I just got home from kolacja (dinner) at Katarzyna's!  She is the principal of my school and my third host mother.  She had a special 4th of July dinner for me with red/white/blue ice-cream and all!!!

The science teacher, religion teacher (and future host dad), secretary, Muni (current host father), Kasia (principal), and her husband (Mariusz) were all there!  We spoke English and Polish.  They taught me a lot of Polish words.  It was wonderful.  Everyone was so willing to help me spell out the Polish words and pronounce them too.  They'd be so happy when I tried to speak.  So warm and welcoming.  We laughed, ate, drank (vodka), and played bocce ball.

I think speaking English and learning some Polish is what really made me feel good.  I felt very included in what was going on and I felt like I could have a good time with everyone.

Also for today--my first English lessons!!!!  I taught about the 4th of July.  For the younger kids, we learned the colors red/white/blue, which they actually already knew! Impressive.  Then we made our own Polish flags and American flags, then labeled the colors on each.  Next, we talked about the food eaten during 4th of July; then they drew which foods they liked to eat and labeled them in Angielsku (English).  The older kids were a little different.  We played a classic ice-breaker-name and adjective describing you.  Then I played the Star-Spangled Banner while they filled in missing lyrics on a paper.  Next, I had them put the lyrics into their own English words...which was pretty difficult for them, but I think they enjoyed it!  We had some extra time, so then I made a KWL chart with them about America.  They gave me some pretty funny stereotypes of Americans (fast-food eaters, rich, save the world everyday), but they also knew some factual stuff about us too!

Anyway, overall, it was a wonderful day.  Stressful at times when teaching for the first time....nerve-wracking and scary...but I got through it.  And it turned out to be a wonderful evening that truly showed me the hospitality, lovingness, and culture of the Polish people.

Do branoc (doe-bran-nots) (Good night),

Katie