*Insert Something Witty Here*

Morning all! How're things going?

Life in Prague is ... life-like. You know, work, eat, sleep, rinse, repeat. I'm incredibly grateful that my students have ceased with the 8 million business trips and skiing holidays, and have therefore also ceased cancelling 3/4 of their lessons. Finances are pretty well back on track, and life is good. I'm even managing to not be too stressed about the fact that my life in a month is a complete and total blank, and I really have no idea what I'll be doing. Cross that bridge when I get to it!

The week has been good so far. I'm really missing Lucy, who went home to be with her dad who's in hospital. Please pray for him! Fortunately, there are still my other friends here, and I'm spending lots of time with them. Hopefully I'm meeting Adrian, Rob and Marta for dinner tonight, then tomorrow's the pub, Saturday I'm going to Dresden with Ruth and MJ, Sunday to Karlstejn with Tiffany and her friend... well, I'm keeping busy! I've only got a month left here, so I'm squeezing in all the friends and living that I can.

Hopefully I'll get to go to Karlovy Vary (a spa town in Bohemia), and one or two other Czech cities of interest sometime in April. I also want to spend as much time as posisble with all of my Prague friends - it'll be some time before I can see them again. And then it will be time to think about taking my books back to Skrivanek, mailing home my winter coat and quilt, and packing up. I get a little weepy when I think about coming home - it's going to be so incredibly hard to leave everyone here behind, but I know that April 27 is the right day for me to go home. Wherever that is.

Right now, I'm in a holding pattern re: grad school. Dal will tell me my wait list ranking around April 14, and then I'll have to start thinking again. It turns out that they had 308 applications for 30 spots... so competition was tight. I think that if I'm 5 or higher on the list, I'm REALLY going to have to think, but if I'm 6 or lower, I will accept the UofA's offer. The UofA is a great school, with a great reputation - so it's not like it's a terrible fate to attend there! I just set my heart on living on the East Coast and doing the 3 year program instead. But 2 years in Edmonton will make me just as qualified, and I'm sure they'd be great years, too. *sigh* Life's never easy, is it? :)

Love you all, hope all is well.

Love,
Elizabeth

Ups and Downs

Hi all! Just got home from a WONDERFUL weekend in Cesky Krumlov, a small town 3 hours... some direction from Prague. It's a UNESCO site (well, at least its historical centre is), and so everything in the centre is historical. It's lovely and small and twisty with a castle, and a river, and an empty moat that bears live in. Bears!

We stayed in this little hostel run by an old Czech man that looked Father Christmas on hard times. He was great! He showed us the cheapest pub around, and we had a great time eating dinner there Saturday night.

If you're ever in the area, you should check this place out. It's absolutely gorgeous, and very peaceful. It was great to be somewhere that smelled nice (not like city smog), and the rain smelled like real rain (the rain in Prague doesn't smell. Weird, I know.)

The down part of the title is that Dal didn't choose me in their first round of candidates. I know, I know - what were they thinking?! ;) But for now I've applied for the wait-list. The tricky thing is that I don't really know how any of this works, especially timing wise. The UofA is going to want to know fairly soon if I'm going to accept a spot with them, but I'm not sure when Dal will put its wait-list together, and furthermore, how far down that list I'll be. Aaargh! There is much praying going on. I really want to go to Dal, and I felt that desire was from God, but maybe it isn't. Or maybe he wanted me to desire it, but then to go to UofA??... I just don't know. I'm really, really confused right now. I should hear if I got either of the scholarships I applied for by the end of this week (I'm not hopeful - I imagine competition for those babies is STEEP), and maybe that will help me sort all this out. Anyhoo, I could really use your prayers and support right now, because I'm confused, and disappointed, and frustrated.

But what will help is a good night's sleep, so I'm off to get one.

Love you all! Thanks for loving me!

Love,
Elizabeth

Budapest

Hi guys! Well, we finally got away on the 7.30 Friday morning train. One of our group slept in, though - and didn't make it! Tiffany headed out on our adventure, and getting there was terrible! It turns out that the 7.30 train takes a different route than the overnight train does, and we hadn't paid enough money for the amount of travelling we did in Slovakia. The conductor said we could pay to stay on the train, which we thought meant buying an additional ticket. Since it was that or spend the night in Bratislava (where the new horror movie Hostel is set!), we went for the extra money. The train was about to leave, but the conductor hauled us into the station, to the ATM (we needed Slovak crowns), and ran us back to the train. I kept trying to give him the money, but he wouldn't take it til we were on the train. Turns out it was "black business," and we didn't buy an extra ticket, we just paid him to let us stay on! Crazy!

We finally arrived in Budapest at about 5 (2 hours late), and got settled at the hostel (so nice!), and went for dinner. We met some nice Americans and ate with them. Then we met up with Rob and Marta (who had taken the overnight train), and sat in the pub in the hostel for the evening.

Saturday morning Tiffany and I did the baths at the Gellert hotel. So posh! So warm! So many naked ladies in the thermal bath area! It was lovely and relaxing. That afternoon we went with R. and M. to look at the Fisherman's Bastion (it was defended by fishermen back in the day) and the castle. Then we went back to the hostel for a nap, out for dinner, and down to the pub again.

Yesterday we went up to the Citadel (a very long, steep climb!) to see the view and the vendors. Then it was a quick lunch, and back on the train for home. Budapest is a lovely city (especially when the sun shines!), and I liked being there. I still like Salzburg best, I think, but I'd love to spend more time in Budapest. Especially at the baths. Those were great!

In other news the UofA accepted me into the SLP program as one of their first round choices (I feel like a first draft pick in hockey!), and said I had an outstanding application! I'm pretty freakin' excited! I'd still like to go to Dal, but it's thrilling to have been accepted at UofA, because it means that no matter what, I'M GOING TO GRAD SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER!! Maybe I'll be eligible for some scholarship money, too. That'd be great!

That's the news folks, and I'm off to work now. Love y'all!

Elizabeth

Hi Liana! Hi Keely!

Hi everyone else! *waves* Sorry I haven't posted in over a week, but it's been a busy one. I haven't spent much time at the flat at all. In fact - I shouldn't be here now! I'm supposed to be almost in Budapest, riding an overnight train. Unfortunately, there was a mix-up with our tickets. We actually got ON the train, and the man said "tickets?" and we handed (what we thought was) ours over, and he said "nonono... this is a reservation, not a ticket!" So we're attempting to sort that out, and will hopefully be on the 7-something train this morning.

Why was this week so busy? No idea, really. I've just been spending a lot of time with my friends, and my classes have ceased to cancel 1/4 of their lessons. I go home in 6 weeks less a day, so I'm very 'people oriented' right now - and I'm also exhausted. I keep staying out way past my bedtime - but I'm enjoying hanging with my friends! On Monday Chris and I went for dinner, only we couldn't find a cheap restaurant, so we walked around for quite a while (maybe an hour?) before settling on a place to eat. Tuesday I met with Lucy and Adrian, and we all taught til late, so we didn't order our food til 20.30 or 21.00. Wednesday Chris cooked dinner for me (aw!), and yesterday, I went to the train station at 22.45 only to discover we couldn't get on the train! So that's my life.

I got an email from dad this morning saying the SLP Dep't at the UofA wants me to call them. Do you think this might be a good sign? I'm kind of afraid to hope. Perhaps they want me to phone them so that they can say "Elizabeth Huebert? Oh yes. We just wanted to let you know that you will never, in your entire life, be a good SLP, and you should quit now. In fact - we wouldn't let you near any old people, you nut-job you!" Kind of like the immortal alien in Hitchhiker's Guide, perhaps the UofA is calling each rejectee to insult them! :) Or not. Anyhoo, dad's going to call them for me (good thing I gave permission for them to speak to my parents), since it's a) hard to call from here with the time change, b) incredibly expensive and finances are tight. It sounds like the soonest they'll be in their offices is Monday, so I guess I might know something on Tuesday morning. *nothopingnothopingnothoping*

Ok, I'm off. Love you!

Elizabeth

Hopes Up...

Hopes down.

The phone interview went well, but they unfortunately declined to invite me to the second round of interviews. Guess it's back to the hunt!

I must admit, I'm feeling a bit blue - it sounded like a pretty awesome job. But such is life, eh? Suck it up, princess!

Elizabeth

Just an hour more...

Oy! Just a bit longer, and I'll be having a phone interview. Dagnabit, I'm nervous, as per usual. I'm not as bad as I was in highschool, but I still find interviews incredibly stressful. I have visions of me blurting out something ridiculous, like "I don't have the experience you require, but that's not going to be too big a problem, is it?" The good thing with this interview is that I do, in fact, have the necessary experience, so I shouldn't have to battle too hard to beat down that particular urge.

It's been a good week so far. I'm doing a pretty good job of not thinking about the stressful stuff too much (UofA, would you PLEASE let me know if you want me or not? Thanks.) And I'm keeping busy - the cancellations have finally started to slow down! Hurrah! Um. Had dinner with Ruth and M.J. on Wednesday, and their friend Emily, and that was fun. Yesterday was the pub, and that was also fun. Sitting around, shooting the breeze with everyone is a great way to spend an evening. Ooh, and Chris has the Fawlty Towers DVD, so I watched the one with the deaf old witch in it yesterday, and laughed til I cried.

"I reserved a room with a view!"
"What were you expecting, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, perhaps?"

Well, that's all that's new. I'll let you know how the interview goes. As if I could stop myself. ;)

Love,
Elizabeth

Interview

Hi all!

Guess who has a job interview on Friday? Ok, Ok, so that was an easy question. Of course it's me. At 08.30 Edmonton time I'm going to be interviewing for the position of Project Officer with the Canadian Petroleum Institute. The position is split between Edmonton and Calgary (but mostly Edmonton, I think), so this could change my summer plans substantially.

When I applied for the position back in January (January 28, according to my cover letter), I wasn't certain that I'd be contacted for an interview, since it would require an overseas phone call, and many places aren't comfortable hiring someone that they haven't met in person. However, I received an email yesterday morning indicating the company's interest in interviewing me! The job sounds intense, but right up my alley. Dealing with international clientele (I have experience in that! Yeah, me! I work with international clientele every day! My friends are international! *lol*), and being super organized. Oh yeah baby, that's got Elizabeth written all over it.

I've been doing some research into the company and what its goals and such are. One thing that I've noticed repeatedly is that, at its international conference, the Czech Republic sends delegates. I speak a bit of Czech, and am used to working with Czech people, so maybe that'll be helpful.

I'm torn about getting my hopes up. On the one hand, it seems like a pretty good job, right up my alley, and it likely pays quite well (bonus for grad school!!). On the other hand - I really want to go to Campbell River this summer! Oh dear. Guess I'll just pray about it, do my best, and leave it up to God and the CPI. After all, it's not as if they've offered me the job yet! I haven't even interviewed! :) Ah Elizabeth - always getting ahead of herself.

I've copied the job desciption below, so you can read it if you like.

Hope you all are well!

Love,
Elizabeth

**********************************************************************************
CAREER AND PLACEMENT SERVICES (CaPS) JOB BANK INFO AS OF
**********************************************************************************
Mar 07, 2006
Faculty of Arts
School of Business
General (All Faculties)

TARGET:
Job Responsibilities: Project Officers are required to assist the Canadian Petroleum Institute management team in the organization, administration and facilitation of its annual international Executive Program scheduled to take place from July 3rd to 28th, 2006. The Executive Program supplies participants with the latest tools and resources for managing petroleum activities. Evening and weekend work is a requirement of this position. Immediately before, and during the four-week Executive Program, Project Officers can expect to work considerably long hours. Project Officers will work both independently and as part of a project team to meet necessary program deadlines and goals. Therefore a high degree of project team experience is a primary requirement.

Specifically, Project Officers will:
- Support the delivery and presentation of advanced course material in Petroleum Management training by assisting in the coordination of instructor participation and the technical and extra-curricular schedules;
- Organize, transport and accompany participants on-site visits to businesses and service and supply companies operating in the Alberta oil and gas sector;
- Coordinate and facilitate the daily schedule of the four-week Executive Program both in Edmonton and Calgary;
- Assist in the planning, coordination and facilitation of other training programs as required.

Qualifications: Applicants must have a valid Class 5 Motor Vehicle Operator's License. Applicants should have most or all of the following expertise: teamwork experience, experience working with international clientele, ability to work to deadlines, computer skills, balance priorities and pursue multiple project timelines in a high paced environment. This is a highly time intensive program which requires a very high level of professional and personal commitment over a 15 week period.

Pictures - Courtesy of Liana

The Old Town Square. You'd think you could get closer to the front of that church, but you can't really. It's kind of odd...

Czech folk have their priorities straight - no guns, no dogs, no ice cream

Elly, Chris, Elizabeth and Tiffany. We're such a hot group!

Elizabeth and Tiffany. I love Tiffany. I love that top. Tiffany + Top = A Lot of Love.

Chris, Elly, and Liana. Liana is wearing my sweater, so when I look at this pic, I think it's me. Weird, eh?

Chris, Elizabeth, Liana and Tiffany on the Charles' Bridge at night. I love the bridge at night, and quite enjoy wandering across it. It's very beautiful. You should come and see it, just like Liana and Elly did!!

Elizabeth and Elly. Double Elizabeth! Double the Fun!

Moi, in front of some church near my favorite market. Aren't I cute?? (Don't answer that!)

Chris, moi, Tiffany and Elly. We were having dinner at the dirty cafe. You can't see the naughty pictures... darn, eh??

Chris and Elizabeth, being schmoopy. It's hard not be occasionally schmoopy when you live in a city like Prague.

Our intrepid photographer! Everyone say "thank you Liana, for providing Elizabeth with blog fodder so that she finally posted something. And yay, exciting that the something is pictures!"

Thanks Liana!

Love,
Elizabeth

Happy as a Clam

Hi y'all,

I'm going to give up on apologizing for the sporadic posting. That's just the way it's going to be! :) Things here in the city of spires are good. I can't quite believe that it's March, but I'm working on accepting that.

It's been a mellow week so far. Classes have gone well, and I had an especially good one on Tuesday morning. I love it when natural conversation takes over during an ordinary activity. My students gabbed away for 1/2 an hour in natural English! wOOt! :D

Tomorrow I'm subbing a day-long intensive course, so it's the equivalent of 4 1/2 90 minute classes. My April 15 paycheque will be LOVING it.

I didn't make it to the zoo this past weekend because, as I feared, the weather sucked. Maybe I'll get there this weekend? Not sure what my plans are yet. One of my students has tentatively invited me to her cottage on Saturday (on the Czech-German border), so if that becomes a concrete offer, I'll be there! I also need a new pair of shoes. I bought a cheap ($15) pair, thinking they'd last me the next couple months, but they're already falling apart. I think I might splurge and buy a nicer pair that'll last a while.

Well, that's all that's new here. I'm looking for work in CR, and Michael and Amy are helping me with that (thanks guys!!). I'm also still waiting to hear from UofA and DalU. Fingers crossed!

Love,
Elizabeth