Czech blog

2010-04-21T15:06:00.002+02:00

I just want to state this in ink or rather typing.

I am sorry for not being a good person who should update everyone every month. As you can tell I am not one who is good at making updates but rather I'm one who enjoys talking one on one with people.

I could also say that I have been busy but that would be a lie. I could say that I have written updates but haven't put them on here and that's true but I never got to clean it up. I could go on and on but I think you get the idea...

So, would you please forgive me for not doing what I thought I would be able to do.

Thanks

Derick (Irresponsible one)

NEWSLETTER January 2010

2010-01-17T20:45:00.000+01:00

Newsletter

Sorry that this is rather late. I really don’t have a legitimate excuse other than I just haven’t been motivated. This winter season doesn’t help with the lack of motivation. Anyhow, On-word I go.

As you all know I have been living in the Czech Republic for about 5 months and counting. These past 5 months have been an up the hill battle, so to speak. Being thrown into a new culture or rather a new world has been exciting but that was the first of the experience. Afterwards it has become an overwhelming mess.

I came willing to study the language and I wanted to meet new people and all the things coming with being in a new place but alas after a few weeks it has become more of a task to even go to the grocery store or even getting on the train/bus. The simple things in life have become harder than I thought they would be.

With learning the language, it never really happens nor is it happening. I can understand more than I can speak and this makes it that much hard to communicate what I want. I have pretty much given up on studying the language because I have lesson planning to do and things that come with living on your own. But, I am glad I can at least understand some words (in context). I guess that is a positive thing! I get all giddy when I understand someone and what they want or even what they like.

Shopping is going well but I really don’t know what to cook other than potatoes, pancakes, cereal, and eggs. So, if you have any ideas feel free to send some simple recipes. That would be WONDERFUL! Also, who knew that there were five different types of flour?

I do miss the simple things in American life. Going to the store and being able to understand everything they say and them being happy to serve you.

Things aren’t always sad, frustrating and overwhelming but they can be happy and exciting. Traveling has become a big help with being in a different country were you don’t understand the language but know English. I have walked to Germany and I also took a night train from Budapest to Prague (talk about a sleepless night). It always is an adventure with funny stories to go with the different places I go.

I have seen many different kinds of people through out my travels; from the men who befriended me on the night train from Budapest to the great couple I met in Budapest. The two men and I watched a movie together and I was lucky that one of them spoke English and so we chatted for an hour then watched a movie (in English with Czech subtitles). The way I met the couple was because I lost my camera on the tram, I didn’t know that I lost it until I got off of the tram. When I realized that I lost it I had to wait until the tram came back to just see if it was still there. I had a friend who told me I wasn’t going to get it back and that it was lost among the hustle of the trams. But as soon as I go on to the tram I had a man come up to me holding my camera. Him and his wife told me that I left it and they were coming back to see if I was at the stop that I got off at. I was truly blessed to have them give it back. This was a great Christmas present!

I could write more about my happenings here in the Czech and also talk about how much I miss you but I feel as if these words can’t do it justice, if you would like you can always contact me on Facebook, Skype, or Email. I also want to know what is going on in your life as well, feel free to contact me anytime.

This is where my newsletter comes to something I dread to even talk about, money. As you all know I needed to raise $10,000 for my services over here and also in Pasadena. The count of what I have raised is $4,000 which leaves me at about $6,000 that I still owe. If I don’t pay it while I am over here I will be forced to pay it as if it was a loan. So, I am asking for help (it isn’t easy to ask), if you can help at all with $10 a month or even $5 that will help me to not stress out about this debt. I know with the economy these days are hard. I know because my father has lost his job because of it, but if you can give anything that would be wonderful, if not could you please pray for me and my family or at least my family.

People here are less likely to become a friend as quick as it is in America. They hold their friendships dear and being here it is wearing off on me. So, if you are my friend/family you are so important to me and I would do anything for you. Our friendship is what I live for. God has blessed me with a life that is worth living not only for me but for you. I am always here for you and I know that you are always there for me and I thank God for that everyday!

Thank you for all your prayers and support!

May God bless you with an eventful life!

In Christ

Derick

Information about support: You can go to this website and they have it all written out for you. J http://teachoverseas.org/contribute.php

You can also check out my YouTube videos. Search Czech Vlog

Quick update

2010-01-12T19:28:00.000+01:00

Here is a quick little update. I have a newsletter in the making so be looking forward to that. I hope to have it within the week.

Well, classes are back in full swing. I have been teaching for the last week and a half and it hasn't been as bad as I thought it was going to be, so we can praise God for that one! But, things are still kind of hard with not being with family during Christmas and still seeing that I have 6 more months to go. It was weird not doing the typical Christmas family get togethers. But life goes on. Right?

Onward, I have a friend named Martin and him and I go out or at least try to go out once a week to chat and talk about guy things. Martin is a teacher at my school and he knows English really well. I am glad there is someone willing to talk with me in English! It's difficult to find someone willing to just chat with you when you don't speak their language in return. He has truly be a gift from God that has helped me with being in this new culture. He tells me about the Czech and what's good to do and wants not so good to do. It's also nice to have a guy to just talk with about guy stuff.

I want to thank you for all of those who have sent up prayers. They are helping me get through life just knowing that you all care so much to take a minute out of your day to pray for my well being to a God who deserves more than any of us.

Thanks again!

In Christ

Derick

P.S. There is a newsletter on it way! If you want it sent to you via E-mail just send it to me at Derickrowe@gmail.com

November/December blog

2009-12-02T14:52:00.000+01:00

These past few weeks have been an up and down experience. But I think this time of year it is almost the same as every winter. I get stressed and sad but once winter fades so does my moods and bad feelings. I hope I will get better and maybe even stronger than before with these feelings.

God has opened several doors that has helped me to get involved in the community. I will be playing in a floorball game this Saturday as a goalie (floorball is like Ice Hockey w/o the ice) with some other teachers from my school. We are playing against all the other teachers within the city. So, wish me luck!

I also have a doctor that I have been meeting with here in Sokolov. She just wants to practice her English. So, we've gone out for coffee and stuff like that. But it's kind of stressful because I don't know how to help much.

I have also been asked to spend time with a 2nd grader. His mother wants me to speak English around him so that he won't lose the English he already knows. They've lived in America or Canada for about 2 years. It sounds like babysitting but it could be fun. Me and my roommate were thinking about swiching off and on. So, I will have to update you on that once it happens.

I've also been helping with an English club here in Sokolov. We just started it just a few weeks ago and it has been going really well. We are slowly getting more students as the time goes by and they seem to be having a lot of fun but we only have a few here and there. So pray for it so that we can get more students. I also help at another English camp in Cheb (ch=hk like in Hebrew) with the girls that are in the same program as I am and that one has been a huge succsess.

I have a few stories to tell you or maybe just one.
Well, all of you know that I have a tattoo on my wrist that says Christ in Greek. So, I had this girl in one of my classes who asked me what it was. I then proceeded to tell her and her eyes lit up. So, after class she came up to me and asked me if I was a Christian and I said yes and she got so excited that I think she was about to cry and she was beaming from ear to ear because she is also a Christian. At this time I wasn't all there and I wasn't as excited as she was but looking back this makes me think about how happy she was to know that her teacher shares the same faith. While I was leaving the classroom she said, "God Bless you" then it hit me.. WOW! This is why I am here!

I hope you enjoyed these stories. If you have any questions or remarks just let me know either on here, Facebook, or E-mail me at Derickrowe@gmail.com

Soon I need to send a news letter. So, if you could send me your e-mail and others that would like to hear how things are going just send me them to the e-mail above. That would be great!

Keep praying for my health, heart, and mind also that I may focus on God and the things he wants me to see while I'm over here.

THANK YOU and GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

Love
Derick Rowe aka Mr. Rowe :)

These are a few things that I have been up to and I hope that there's more doors to open.

2009-11-03T15:22:00.001+01:00

update #3 or is it #4?

2009-10-14T17:02:00.000+02:00

Ahoy!

Well well,

Life has been nice recently. Things have been more of a get up go to work, get back to the flat get on facebook (when we have the internet) and then go to bed (9:30). It is nice to have a constint schedule but I am sure I will get tierd of it soon.

With my students it has been pretty much the same ole stuff. They won't listen to me but once I yell at them they get to work and do what they are supose to do (sometimes).
I have a student who walked up to me after class and asked if I was a "Christ" (meaning a Christian) and I said "yes" and then he said "cool! Me too!" After that I gave him a high-five. Then the next day (today) He came up to me and gave me a high-five and asked if we were friends. Now this is why I was meant to be here for. To show those who might not have another Christian friend and me being the one person he can share this experiance.

God truly is working through me. Not sure if all of it is good but I do know that this one is. I can't wait to see what else he has for me to come.

On another note. The program that I am over here with has just added my visa bill to my account making my total that I owe is $6134. This is also added to the amount that I owe for my loans back in America. I don't want to have to ask because I am a very prideful person and that is one thing that I need to grow out of. So, if you could help out any that would be fantastic! You can help with $5 a month and that's not to much to ask for. And if you know of anyone who would be will to help me out that would be great if you can tell them and show them my Blogspot or they can add me on facebook and I update that about everyday. I am always willing to tell everyone how things are going if you just ask me.

I will hopefully add more in the next few days when we finally have the internet back in the flat. If you want to skype sometime just let me know and my address is Derick.rowe

In Christ
Derick

P.S. The place you can give is at Teachoverseas.org/contribute.php and make sure you put my name on the list. THANK YOU ALL! Much LOVE!

Fall is here!

2009-09-29T17:47:00.000+02:00

Dear readers (all seven of you),

I am sorry I haven't updated in awhile. I was going to update this past weekend but got side tracked. Anyway, enough of my excuses.

Things here have been going well, for the most part. I have been to Prauge for the second time to visit with some friends/fellow English speakers. It is always nice to be around someone who speaks your language and you don't have to slow down and say every word one letter at a time. Going to prauge is fairly cheap. For a two hour bus ride it is about $7.00, isn't that awesome! So, once I get my first pay-check (yes my first) I will start saving so that I can go visit all of my other friends here in the Czech and maybe just maybe visit another country.

Eventhough my support has stopped completely I want to use the money that I earn here to feed myself and also visit this place that they call Europe. I really think that this will probably will be my last time here in Europe. So, I want to see as much as I can and it's fairly cheap.

Anyway. Some good things that have happend here..... hum.... I am getting to know my fellow teachers. They are some of the nicesest people. They are all willing to help me out when I do something wrong or if I need to know where a place to eat or if I need to go to Karlovy Vary they are willing to take me. And they all want to get to know me. Maybe not all at once but they ask me questions here and there. I am sure God will open a door soon just so I can have a deep conversation.

Now on the God note.

I have been thinking about what it is that God wants me to do in life and also about me being myself no matter what that is. I am slowly learning that I am not always going to have everything figured out and I might be in a place that I don't want to be in but God has put me in this place to learn something for the next place I will be (which might not be a place I want either). Romans 14:19. States what it is I have come to peace with not only myself but for others.

If there is things that you want me to talk about or even more about let me know. I just don't know what it is that you all want to hear from me. Sometimes I feel like I just bable about nonsense. Anyway, I hope all is well with life there in the states and Peru and wherever everyone else is.

In Christ's love!
Derick

P.S. Pray for me for I am sick and I have been taking a lot of vitiman C but it's not working. May God bless me on this journey. And photos will be up soon on photobucket or flicker one of the two because it won't let me put any on here. When I do I will give you all the address and password so you can print and give them to everyone!

Update #2!

2009-09-14T19:01:00.000+02:00

Hello!

Where do I start.....

Well, I am going on my 4th week here in Sokolov and thus far things seem to be going quite well. With having a flat that over looks part of the city and having a nice 30 minute walk to my school everyday has helped me to think about life and how much I don't know things that I thought I knew. It has also helped me just to clear my mind and focus on what it that God wants from me.

I have felt God more in these 3 and a half weeks than I have seen our Creator all year. I am not one to say that I have always been that great and perfect "Christian" because that is a complete fallacy on my part. I am no better from anyone else out that and that is such a great feeling! I would be glad to talk more on that with you if you would like but finding the time I know is hard.

Now on with my students.

I have about 265 students. Yes, that is a lot! It is really hard to get their names memorized but I am working on it. It is nice that there is only a hand full of names that are used. Some cultural thing that I don't quite understand just yet.

Anywho, my students range from 5th grade to 9th grade and the age really doesn't matter on their knowledge in English because I have some really smart students in my 5th grade and some 9th graders who don't know anything. But I am willing to be patient for all of my students. Most of them know so much!

That is one thing that I wish I could have done when I was in school, take another language. These students are taking Czech, German, AND English. How crazy is that? I can speak a little Spanish and read a little Greek and Hebrew but being able to speak all three of those is unimagine. One of these days I will be able to speak two languages. Not sure what but I will.

None of this really flows but I just want to tell it.

This past Saturday there was a fair in the town where they had midevil plays all around. It was one of the coolest things I have been to since I've been here. It was nice to see people on the street and also nice to see some of my students. You don't realize how much you miss seeing people you know on the street. Sterling and Blackwell was great with that.

Well anyway, I don't want to hang those three of you who read this from their work. So, I will end with this. Always say hello when you walk in the room no matter what. Or they are going to think you are rude.

In Christ's Love!

Derick

Day 6

2009-08-26T14:53:00.000+02:00

Ahoj from Sokolov!

Hello! from the town who is always rumbling with sirens and people speaking a language that I don't understand just yet. The town if full of people walking back and forth from school, work, play, and I can not forget the most important thing, walking their dogs. It seems as if everyone has a dog. This gives a whole new meaning to "Everyone and their dog." In a town of 26,000 people that means there is at least 30,000 dogs in this town. The dogs range from little ugly things to beautiful Golden Retrievers. Seeing all these dogs makes me want one, but I can not afford anything like that. One day I will get one and I will name her Pheobe.

Now on to what has happend the last few days.

I have been pretty much walking around the town just getting use to where I need to go for food and all the jazz. Speaking of food, I am feeling really great about my ablility to cook and keep myself and my roommate feed. But I have been spending all my money on food and it doesn't seem to be enough food to even last a week. I am trying to get use to the idea of prepairing food for the future be it can get to be much. I am sure I will get use to it once I get my first pay check in October.

Enough about food, it's making me hungry.

Today I went to a meeting with my school. All I had to do was sit in for just a little bit so that I can get introduced. Boy was that fun! When it came to be time to be introduced and so I stood up. Meanwhile some of the ladies were giggling to each other a little but until I said Dobre den (good day) they all just busted out laughing. I then asked my Head Teacher what was it that they were laughing at. It took her a little bit to tell me that they were laughing at me when I said dobre den. I guess they didn't think I know a little of Czech. Hum? O well.
While they were in their meeting I was going through some of the lessons I will be teaching. Looking over everything makes me feel great! I now know what it is that I will be teaching soon!

The classes that I will have range from grades 5th to 9th some of them have had english four years, three years, and all the way to one year, and that one year is a 9th grade class. This will be hard but I am sure it can be fun. I will have 22 lessons to teach a week. I don't know how I feel about that yet but I am sure you will find out soon enough. HA!

Once I was done with the school for the day I went to the foreign police. I had to show them my visa and tell them that I am a real person. It only took a few minutes. Afterwards I was going to get a bank account here so that my paycheck can just go straight to the account. But, they were about to close for lunch. I would have to waite for about thirty minutes but I was hungry and I am still not able to order food yet in confidence. I just ended up walking home to eat something. So, I will go back tomorrow and get that all squared out.

For this weekend we are having a retreat in Prauge on Saturday. This is a retreat with everyone within the Central European crew. Me and Matt are thinking about leaving on Friday so that we can stay all day Saturday and come back on Sunday. So, wish us luck!

God really hasn't shown to much to me about the people here because I haven't really had the chance to meet to many people and have converstations with them. Unless you count the interaction with the people who randomly come to your door asking to use your phone or ring your door bell and start speaking Czech. That just happend just a bit ago while I was writing this. One thing I want God to do for me is to help me learn Czech and be able to have a conversation with those who don't know Czech but are willing to talk. That is one thing I wish God would help me out with.

Anywho, I don't want to keep you all from your busy lives. So, I must go and get things squared out with this weekend and also for my classes. NICE!!

In Christ
Derick

P.S. My spellcheck is only checking for Czech and not English. (wow so many checks). So, I am sorry for the wrong spelling on things. I will try to put up some photos as soon as I figure things out on this thing.

First night/day

2009-08-22T12:27:00.000+02:00

Well, Things have been very interesting. Got to my flat (after a long flight) with no bags.
Matt and I had some time before we would crash, so we went to the store to get some food for the weekend. Boy was that a fun time! The store is only a 5min walk from the flat. Once we got to the store we have to "buy" a cart. It's kind of like Aldis when you put the coin in the slot on the cart and then when you drop of the cart you get your coin back.

Any-who, We got into the store will a list of things to get. The first thing was water and with the water we didn't want gas in it or also known as mineral water. I couldn't find any with out gas, but alas I found some! Next was butter. That was easy same as the milk. We were looking for something to eat so we thought frozen pizza would be great for the first meal in the Czech Republic. After the pizza we went at got some eggs and the don't come in a dozen but only in tens. With my eggs I like salt and pepper. So, we went to look for them and only found the pepper in herb section. No slat to be found until we were walking down a different section and there we found salt.
Now that we have some food for the weekend we started to check out with a lady who didn't know any English. It was then i realized that this is not going to be easy. In America they put your stuff in bags, right? Well, here we have to buy the bags and put them in ourselves. I didn't see any bags around so I was trying to ask the lady for a bag and boy was that fun. When she rung up all of our food she finally knew what we were talking about with the bag and it was to late to put it into the total. So, we had to wait for someone to fix it but she go really tired of us so she rung it separately. She then talked with the ladies behind us as we were leaving talking about us. because that is one things a do understand is Americy.
This morning I woke up and made my eggs and ended up getting my bags. Now I am just hanging out until Wednesday for my school meeting.
This has been quite a ride so far and it has just begun. Keep me in your prayers please! I need tons of the just to keep me sane. Thank you all! LOVE!

Almost there!

2009-08-10T21:56:00.000+02:00

Hello!

Sorry for the lack of updates.

So, I am in Pasadena going through training. And let me tell you. It is not easy at all. Things have been stressful and overwhelmingly difficult. I never knew how hard it is to teach English. I have forgotten how much I knew but realized how hard it is to explain. But on the possitive side, I have learned a lot about myself and how much I love people. I am so ready to head over there and become someone who is willing to get to know the culture and become one with the culture. I know that it will be hard but God has me on the right track here at training.
Things have gone by so fast and it gets me one week and a few days closer to leaving. This has been something I have been looking forward to since I applied to the program Teachoverseas.org.
I will be there for an entire year and maybe even more. That will detemin on what God has for me.
I miss you all and hope to hear from you! If you have any questions about what I am doing just let me know! E-mail is Derickrowe@gmail.com or Facebook! Oh, and my address there....

Zakladni skola
Rokycanova 258
35601 Sokolov, CZ

In Christ!
Derick

Pre-Graduation

2009-04-15T16:11:00.000+02:00

Hello all,

The times are coming to an end within my college realm. If you don't already know this, once I graduate I will be heading to the Czech Republic in mid-August to teach children English. I have found out that I will not be teaching High schoolers like I thought. But I will be teaching Middle schoolers. I don't know how I feel about it but I am sure there is a reason with this ultimate decision.
My within this preparation has been difficult because I am not only working on getting ready for my year in the Czech Republic but also with graduating in just a few days. That means I have finals and papers to complete while trying to get my visa for the CZ.
So, needless to say I am a little stressed out with all of this and that means I can always take more prayers. With that I want to thank you for all that you do and I wish I could show more. If you want to talk with me just let me know and call me sometime after graduation.

Thank you all!
Derick

2009-01-26T16:24:00.000+01:00

So, This again a time to post about my life thus far.
I am awaiting a reply from Teachoverseas.org with working in Central Europe.
I will be teaching English within a high school setting or I could be working in a coffee shop and having lesson to teach during that time. I am ready to get out of this place to see where God will lead me. I need to raise $9,000 to be able to do this. So, if you are willing to help that would be great. I will soon send out a support letter as soon as I find out where I am going to be. If you could send me your e-mail address at Derickrowe@gmail.com that would be great.

On the school side of things. Wait just a bit my wife is singing about me (Taylor Swift, Love Story). Now a I am back. Alrighty, I have two jobs same as last semester. It is a lot and I really want to quite one of them but I have school to pay for. So, I can't quite quit. I am also in the Musical Beauty and the Beast as the Beast at the beginning and the end but not in between. It's complicated. It is the weekend of the 20th of Feb.

Other than all that I have a ton of homework that I better get to.

Derick

blub.

2008-12-12T05:21:00.000+01:00

I am new to this whole thing on Blogspot.

I just want to state that life in not the most easiest thing there is but it is worth living for. Does that even make since? O well it's close enough.

I have one thing to say........The whole roommate thing is great but it is really frustrating if I try and try to please you and I get nothing back really really sucks. thanks man. thanks a lot.

Okay I'm done.