I Just Voted
13 January, 2006. 11.00 pm. Trnava, Slovakia.
I voted in the Canadian Federal Election today. I had to register with Elections Canada as an out-of-country voter. Today a courier arrived with my special ballot. For anybody interested, I voted in the Saskatoon-Humboldt riding, since this was the riding I last lived in. I also could have voted in my parents' riding in Ontario, but since all of my ID says Saskatoon, it was easier to vote there (and I also plan to return to Saskatoon one day, unless.....well, I don't want to think about it). I've been reading about the polls on CBC.ca. I can't bear to read other reports.... Harper as PM? I just can't imagine it. I think I'll take-up praying..... In any case, if you or any of your friends can't be bothered or find the time to vote, just think of me.... I voted, and I live in Slovakia!! There's no excuse!!
In addition to voting, this week was eventful because it was my first FULL week teaching at Obchodna Akademia. Although I've been on staff there for almost a month, as circumstance would have it, I never had to teach on a Friday until today. So there were two classes that I hadn't met until today. The week was otherwise uneventful from a teaching perspective--no more dirty Slovak words..... On Monday I met with the Deputy-Head of the Language Department of Slovak Technical University in Trnava. Next week I'll start teaching an evening course at the University. It will run until June. I look forward to teaching at the university since it will mean my students will be closer to me in age and interest.
I "discovered" Tesco this week. Tesco is a British box store that has recently invaded Slovakia. In Trnava, the Tesco is clear across town from my dormitory, so until this week I'd never ventured there. But after looking high and low for a reasonably priced kettle in the centrum, I finally resorted to taking a trip to Tesco. I have to admit that the convenience of everything in one place was...well, convenient! And I found a kettle too, so now I can have hot meals on the weekends in my room (i.e. soup).
Although I never took to watching the Idol programs in North America, I've become a bit of a fan of Slovak Superstar (like Canadian Idol). I'm not into it serious, or anything, but it makes for a nice social evening. Usually I watch it with the Ralbovska family, but tonight I watched it with the Evangelical Americans. These Americans have a facility called "The Building" where they hold Bible studies and other less-religious events. They are nice people and they have a really good facility--it's obvious they get a lot of support from churces back in America. They have tvs and dvd players, etc that the schools in Slovakia can't afford. Even Obchodna Akademia, which is the nicest school I've seen in Slovakia, doesn't have a dvd player. I am considering buying one and donating it to the school... I know they'd get good use out of it.
In other news, I finally found a musical instrument store today. My friend Lubica and her son showed it to me. I will probably buy a used classical guitar. During communism the Czechs and Slovaks made pretty good (and inexpensive) guitars....
I voted in the Canadian Federal Election today. I had to register with Elections Canada as an out-of-country voter. Today a courier arrived with my special ballot. For anybody interested, I voted in the Saskatoon-Humboldt riding, since this was the riding I last lived in. I also could have voted in my parents' riding in Ontario, but since all of my ID says Saskatoon, it was easier to vote there (and I also plan to return to Saskatoon one day, unless.....well, I don't want to think about it). I've been reading about the polls on CBC.ca. I can't bear to read other reports.... Harper as PM? I just can't imagine it. I think I'll take-up praying..... In any case, if you or any of your friends can't be bothered or find the time to vote, just think of me.... I voted, and I live in Slovakia!! There's no excuse!!
In addition to voting, this week was eventful because it was my first FULL week teaching at Obchodna Akademia. Although I've been on staff there for almost a month, as circumstance would have it, I never had to teach on a Friday until today. So there were two classes that I hadn't met until today. The week was otherwise uneventful from a teaching perspective--no more dirty Slovak words..... On Monday I met with the Deputy-Head of the Language Department of Slovak Technical University in Trnava. Next week I'll start teaching an evening course at the University. It will run until June. I look forward to teaching at the university since it will mean my students will be closer to me in age and interest.
I "discovered" Tesco this week. Tesco is a British box store that has recently invaded Slovakia. In Trnava, the Tesco is clear across town from my dormitory, so until this week I'd never ventured there. But after looking high and low for a reasonably priced kettle in the centrum, I finally resorted to taking a trip to Tesco. I have to admit that the convenience of everything in one place was...well, convenient! And I found a kettle too, so now I can have hot meals on the weekends in my room (i.e. soup).
Although I never took to watching the Idol programs in North America, I've become a bit of a fan of Slovak Superstar (like Canadian Idol). I'm not into it serious, or anything, but it makes for a nice social evening. Usually I watch it with the Ralbovska family, but tonight I watched it with the Evangelical Americans. These Americans have a facility called "The Building" where they hold Bible studies and other less-religious events. They are nice people and they have a really good facility--it's obvious they get a lot of support from churces back in America. They have tvs and dvd players, etc that the schools in Slovakia can't afford. Even Obchodna Akademia, which is the nicest school I've seen in Slovakia, doesn't have a dvd player. I am considering buying one and donating it to the school... I know they'd get good use out of it.
In other news, I finally found a musical instrument store today. My friend Lubica and her son showed it to me. I will probably buy a used classical guitar. During communism the Czechs and Slovaks made pretty good (and inexpensive) guitars....
posted by BFRE at 11:01 p.m.
2 Comments:
Congrats on voting. Sorry I was so annoying by asking what riding you were voting in so often. It completely makes sense to vote in Saskatoon because you are likely returning here. Duh, eh? :) For my part, I hope if nothing else Harper isn't PM of a majority and I hope my vote will help keep him out of that, but I guess I'll have to wait and see.
I hope you don't visit the Tesco too often - maybe the distance will help that. As convenient as it is, it really isn't since you have to go so far to get there. Glad you found what you needed, at least!
Is Slovak Superstar how they pick their Eurovision candidate or is EuroVision something completely different? Either way, I highly recommend watching at least the final. It was huge when I was in Ireland and, judging by its popularity in Ukraine, it was just as popular in eastern Europe. Maybe with the guitar, you can be the next Slovak Superstar!!! ;)
Well, by now we all voted. So Brendan, will you ever come home again?
Jen J
Post a Comment
<< Home