Stasni Novy rok! Happy New Year!
I hope all of you have a wonderful 2006! I am expecting lots of good things! This afternoon, our friend from the Army base near by will pick us up and take us to a party on base. I am excited to spend New Year's Eve with some Americans, especially Americans who have volunteered to protect me and my loved ones.

Winter Wonder Land
It's been snowing almost everyday since Christmas. It's pretty white. I had a nice relaxed Christmas. I got a crochet kit at the ESI party. I've already started my first project, a scarf. I now have another way to kill time on these long winter nights. I also got a very nice pen and ink drawing of Cheb from my principal's family.

Translator
Last night as I was walking through the hospital campus to my house, the security guard started to call, "Hello, hello, hello." I turned around and told him in Czech that my flat was over there, pointing toward my building. (I live behind the hospital.) He asked me if I understood Czech and I said a little. He tells me this young man who is standing with him has a big problem and doesn't speak Czech, could I help. I was a little afraid because my Czech skills are really limited to restaurants and trains stations. The security guard tells the other man, "English," and motions towards me. So the guy says in very broken English that he has lost his identity card and mobile phone in Prague. He has his passport and a little money but his bank card is gone too. And I'm like, ok but what do you need. Then the police show up and I'm trying to tell them in my horrible Czech what this guy's problem is but I don't know the words for lost or stolen. I finally realize that he just wants to make a statement so he can drive back to Prague and go to the Slovenian Embassy. The police man finally understands this and they tell him to get into their car, they will take him to the station and he could use their phone. I asked the police man if he spoke in English because he had said yes a few times. He was funny. He told me in Czech that he only knew how to say, " Dobry den a mam hlad." Which means hello and I'm hungry. Then he said he knew how to say another beer. This made me laugh.

The security guard was very nice. He told me he remembered as I was walking by that I spoke English. He was glad he remembered and happy that I could help. Then he wished me a happy new year and then spoke something in Spanish to the Slovenian guy. I thought this was funny and surreal at the same time. I don't feel like I helped that much. I don't think I will take up translating Czech as a profession anytime soon.

That's my funny story of the week. I hope you are safe tonight! Jess