Cooking with Grade Dva (2)

I said a Brrrr

Dear San Diego, please do not ever complain about anything because you have the most desirable weather in the world. The weather in Prague is basically crazy. One day it can be sunny and in the mid 40's and then the next day foggy, dark, rainy, and freezing where you see your breath coming out of your nostrils! I hear this weather is nothing that is about to come as it is still in the +degrees still! YIKES

I never realized how hard it is to shop for winter clothes. What are winter clothes first of all? In San Diego, you just put on a sweatshirt and you are good to go. Here, you need to prepare, have the right equipment, and layer, layer, layer. It is such a pain though because once you walk inside, like the metro or a store, it is so hot that you begin to sweat and have to take off all the layers. It snows here in Prague so I need to find a good pair of snow boots, warm pants, warm snow jacket, hat, socks, gloves...oh man the list is endless. I get a lot of comments in my school when I wear my UGG boots. The students and faculty always comment, "Why are you wearing snow boots inside?" I tell them, I'm from California and it's just for fashion and I didnt know they actually served a purpose. I mean, I would explain that girls would wear them with mini skirts, so California is kinda clueless when it comes to proper winter attire.

Speaking about my students, they are absolutely wonderful. I have 14 students and all are adorable 2nd graders. I find it fascinating how they can use only my name with different tones to get my attention...They can use, "Alisoooon?" which lets me know they have a question. "Alisin" if they are joking around. "ALISUN!" if they are frustrated. Also, my students make the best sound effects that I have ever heard. When they describe something to me they use hand gestures and sound effects. When they play in the gym, they make sounds of lasers, squishing noises, explosions, car crashing, honking, aliens, you name it. Hollywood can use these kids as special sound effects and save tons of money.

In class, I taught my students for the last two weeks how to cook. We learned kitchen equipment, safety, measurements, and table manners. It was so cute to teach them table manners, like sitting up straight, sipping a tea cup, and most important having the boys push in the girls chair and letting the girls go first. I am teaching the next generation that chivalry is not dead! As a class, we watched a cooking show and I showed them an episode of my idol, Ina Garten! We then headed into the kitchen at school and made a recipe for Egg Salad Sandwich which they really enjoyed to my surprise. We also made Lemon Vinaigrette, Brown Cows (Pepsi and Ice Cream) and Rosemary Grilled Chicken Breast. It was interesting to see that their least favorite was the Brown Cow! I guess my second graders really have sophisticated taste. Each student created their own CookBook with their picture on the front and own handwriting for all the lessons we did in cooking.

Finally, we learned how to set tables and wash dishes (You are welcome parents). Here is a fun fact, did you know that they used to catch American spies in Europe based on how they ate?! Every culture holds their fork and knife differently when they eat. In America, you eat with one hand. Here in the Czech Republic they use both hands and shovel the food with their knife onto their fork. Interesting huh?

I am still loving my apartment and rearranged my room to make it even more amazing. I bought a plant from IKEA which is growing pretty much into a tree it has gotten so big. My roommates Mylene and Sarka are the best roommates I could possibly have. I am happy and there are moments where I look around and think, "Wow, I am in Prague" and thankful every moment.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen, Denmark

My visit with Anna in Copenhagen, Denmark

Fall break is here and I decided for the long weekend I would fly north and visit my high school friend Anna who lives in Copenhagen, Denmark. I left Thursday afternoon and it was an easy hour flight from Praha to Copenhagen. When I landed, I found in the airport a Starbucks and I recall Anna said that the only Starbucks in Denmark was in the airport, so I bought us a couple Grande Cafe Lattes. The cups starbucks have are huge! In Prague, I get a cafe latte at the train station and the only size coffee shops serve is the size of a kids coco cup, very small.

I met Anna at the airport and we took the metro to her place. I was shocked how clean the metro was compared to the metros in Prague.

We arrived at her apartment where I was graciously welcomed by her adorable dog Milo! I also met her boyfriend Anders and got a tour of their cute apartment. Anders made a delicious dinner of pork with pears.

The next morning, Anna had class called "Flash of Genius". She provided me with a bicycle. In Copenhagen, it is flat and the main source of transportation is not only cars but bicycles. EVERYONE rides their bike. It took me a couple tries but I got the hang of riding a bike. The rules tho were a little difficult. For instance, slow riders stay on the right hand side and if you are in the left side going too slow, they ring the bell basically telling you to move over! You also have to use hand signals if you turn or slow down. I do not have any balance while riding so it looked like I was having a seizure when I was just trying to give a turn signal. We also passed an old woman and I rang my bell thinking I would let her know I was coming by her. Anna was like, "um, you dont have to ring your bell if she is in the right lane"....great I am like a driver in Los Angeles who honks for no reason.

I thoroughly enjoyed sitting in Anna's class and missed the feeling of school. Then I look around and saw their notes and homework and projects and that feeling quickly disappeared. After class, we went shopping and had lunch. We had a bagel sandwich and for dessert this most AMAZING marshmellow covered in chocolate. I forgot what it is called and Anna I know you are reading this saying, "I told you the name ten times dang it!" But it was amazing! The people in Denmark are beautiful and so well dressed. In Prague, people do not dress to impress but I figure with everything they have been through they can do whatever they want.

We then relaxed and Anna was having her friends over for some cocktails and the head to a bar called Ruby's. Anna's friends were extremely friendly and very international. I met a couple of girls from Iceland! ICELAND? People live in Iceland?! They told me that in summer it's a treat to go outside and wear just a sweatshirt!!! In San Diego, for winter I only wear a sweatshirt! We enjoyed delicious cocktails Anna made that were Halloween themed. We then headed to Ruby's and had fantastic cocktails.

The next day, we slept in til noon! Whoops. Since the day is almost over, I really wanted to shop and get a pair of boots! I found some great deals and got a pair of boots! That night we were invited to go to a Halloween party. We met up with Sarah (Anna's friend from Texas) and she made us some peppermint chocolate and rum cocktails. They sure do know how to have drinks in Copenhagen! It was a lot of fun and I dressed up as SALT the Russian spy!

Anna has the cutest dog Milo who loves people. I slept on the couch and he would snuggle with me. However, he is a sneaky dog because he would leave and go to Anna, then leave Anna's bed, come back to the couch. We are on to your sneaky ways Milo. But a very very cute dog.

Sunday, as my last day, Anna and I went on a boat tour through Copenhagen. Everyone was telling me to see the Mermaid Statue but just my luck, the mermaid was in Beijing for an expo! I joked that the mermaid swam away. Just like Prague, Copenhagen has lots of history and old unique buildings. But I also like that the new buildings do not try to fit in with the old. Instead, it is very modern. After the boat tour, we went back and Anna made traditional open face sandwiches which were tasty. I then headed to the airport after sadly leaving Anna and Anders. In the airport, I had Joe and Juice which is a Jamba Juice but they only hire good looking men. Someone has the right idea in business in Copenhagen. They also opened up an Abercrombie and Fitch in Copenhagen and to promote the store had a dozen topless CHISELED men standing outside. OF COURSE, I had to get a picture with them :) Like I said, Copenhagen has very good looking people.

I had a wonderful time in Copenhagen, Denmark and so happy I finally got to visit Anna and see how great she is doing there. Now I'm back in Prague and my next stop, SAN DIEGO for Christmas :)