A Day Late, A Koruna Short

Okay, three days late. It was the weekend. Was recovering from Thursday's escapades and eating horrendously spicy things at the chili pepper festival, and then home improvement shopping (i.e., buying more containers. As Donut says, IKEA probably has a alarm rigged to go off whenever I'm in the vicinity.). So here I am, slightly late (nothing new) and with a lot to catch up on. So here goes...

What's one thing you most wish you were great at?
Why one? I want to be great at all things!

• Singing. Because here I disprove the rule that practice makes perfect.
• Speaking Czech. Because here I don't  know if practice makes perfect, because I don't.
• Making bank. Because, obviously.

What has been the most difficult thing you've had to forgive?

Easy - being put far down on the priority list of someone who was at the top of mine. And I did forgive, over and over and over and over until I realized that it wasn't worth it to keep fighting for that top spot and that there are something things you just can't or don't want to compete with. So I stopped fighting it and let it go. And I do forgive, completely and wholeheartedly. I think it's really difficult in the moment to take a good look at your relationships and be honest with yourself. You fight for things to work out of a sense of obligation, of "this is how things are meant to be", out of indigence ("WTF is wrong with him? He should be counting his lucky stars!"), and because the status quo is a lot safer and more comfortable than having such a giant space ripped into your world, but eventually you realize no amount of work is going to fix the problem. And sooner or (much, much) later you get to a point where you're okay with what happened, and happy that that person came into your life and happier that you know how to move past it. You gotta follow the advice of Ma$e - just "Breathe, Stretch, Shake, Let it Go". Ohmmmmmm.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?

Prague! I know it baffles my students, but I absolutely am 100% in love with my new home. It's the perfect sized little city - small enough to navigate easily but big enough to always have something to do. The people are friendly (mostly), it's full of culture, history, modernity and beer, and it's just.so.freaking.beautiful. There is not a day when I'm travelling around that I don't think to myself "Ohhhhh... look at that gorgeous little street!" or "How scrumptious do those pastries look?" or "I'm commuting past a flippin' castle!" Every single day brings some holy crap moment where I'm either shocked/stunned/surprised/educated/impressed by something. I love the life I have here and the people that are in it. 

This isn't to say that I wouldn't be open to moving somewhere else fabulous for a bit (Paris, peut-être?), but Prague has my heart. 

Okay, all caught up - will try to be better in the future, but only have ten days to go (though have been late fairly regularly in the first 19 so...). 

Ughhhh

Slightly overdid it last night and had a rough morning. How come the older you get, the more likely it is that you so much as look at alcohol, it's an automatic hangover? I find this completely unacceptable.

Today's post is...

What are your five greatest accomplishments?
Uhhhhhhh...

• Moving to Prague. Not exactly the bravest, greatest, most inspiring thing anyone's ever done, but it was a really hard thing for me to do, and I'm glad I did.

I can't find original artist info, but this was posted here: Polo and Vines

• How I did at my last job. You guys, that job was the worrrrrrrst. But I was good at it. I kicked ass in it. My spreadsheets reigned supreme. So that's nice to know.
• I'm an excellent student. I actually really, really liked school. And if it wasn't for one awful little troll in "Voice and Speech Improvement" who told me I sounded like a six year old sucking helium, I would have had a perfect college GPA (while finishing early, natch). So, summa whaaaat?!
• This blog. It makes me happy that I get to entertain you (or try), and it's really awesome to get to look back and see what my life has been like the past year or so. It's not churning out advertising revenues or garnering a massive following, but I'm pretty proud of it. 
• I'm proud of the fact that I neither weigh a thousand pounds or have a serious drinking problem after living in the Czech Republic.. but don't worry, I'm working on it. ;)

Grrrrrrranimals

The sunshine's brief appearance has passed, and we are in the midst of another grey, cold, foggy day (with snow, if you're lucky enough to be in the 'burbs, as I was first thing this morning). Had a midday cancellation, which means I forget how to tell time, show up 50 minutes early for my next class, and am now killing time eating a grey Caeser salad at KFC (now I understand why you get such a giant dressing packet, it's to mask the flavor of dead lettuce), sharing a verrrrrrrry tiny table with an ancient man who is carting around a bag full of keyboards and sneaking suspicious glances at me every time he gets up, as if I might do a runner with his pile of junk.

Thanks for all of your feedback about Agog in Prague - it means a lot! I'm glad I can entertain, or at the very least give you something to do when you really should be doing something else much more important.

Luckily today's topic is a quick one, easy to type out while shoveling this graveyard bowl of greens into my mouth.

If you were an animal, which would you be and why?
Is this a job interview? If so, I can start immediately.


My usual answer is a monkey - social and clever (I can use tools!), and I really like bananas.

However, I have consulted this website: Animal in You for a professional opinion.

It keeps telling me I am a wild cat. This is the explanation given:

"Of all God's creatures, there is only one that cannot be made slave of the lash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve the man, but it would deteriorate the cat." ~Mark Twain

Wildcat personalities do not differ substantially from their domestic cousins and exhibit the aloof behavior that is common to all felines. I am quite aloof. With their well-deserved reputations as creatures of comfort, wildcats jealously guard their independence while indulging in the finer things in life. So... I'm bougie. But we already knew that. Attractive, solitary, creative and curious, these individuals are quite happy to observe the world from a distance.

The wildcat would never take a conventional route and prefers to explore life from off the beaten track, relying heavily on its instincts and powers of observation to guide it safely through the jungle. Its air of indifference and need for privacy keeps it on the outskirts of society, but its love for comfort always brings it back. Who am I, Henry Thoreau? Outskirts? I don't think so. 

Exceptional personal hygiene is a hallmark of the wildcat personality, and from their hair to their fingernails they are immaculately groomed. Well, on a good day. Shopping for clothing or personal-care items spices up long, dreary days. I think that's just called being a female.

When someone wrongs a wildcat, they make it their business to even the score. Displaying superb patience, wildcats will even wait years for the right moment. When the occasion comes to strike, they gather all their force and attack. In the face of a ferocious display of hissing and blustering, their surprised victim has little chance of escape. I love it, makes me sound like Emily from Revenge. Don't really think this is the case though - who has that kind of energy? 

The wildcat differs from its lion relatives in its approach to its social structure. With an aversion to the complex family organization of the lion, the wildcat finds freedom and self-indulgence to be far more compelling. As a natural explorer it disdains staying in one place for long, preferring the freedom of solitary roaming in exotic locales. This wanderlust makes it ideal for a career as a travel agent, explorer, mountain climber, researcher or writer. Can someone even be an explorer these days? What's left? And if I was a mountain climber, it would be a short lived career. I'd be a splat on the ground ten feet up my first attempt. 

Although wildcats are uncomfortable performing in front of large groups, their grace and lithe bodies make them natural dancers or gymnasts. Haaaa. If tipsy SYTYCD sessions in my living room have taught me anything, it's that I am neither a gymnast nor a dancer. 

Well guys, there you go. It's science, so you can't really dispute it. 
_______________________________

I'm pretty sure most of my dancing looks like this guy's:

I AM the Power

Describe 5 strengths you have...
Abs of steel

1. I'm level-headed. It's going to take a lot to make me fly off the handle. Most of the time I'm generally rational and undramatic. (Please note: This does not take into account the effects of a couple glasses of wine. Then all bets are off.)
2. I'm driven. When I know what I want, I work hard to get it. It's figuring out what it is that I want that's the problem...
3. I'm confident. I don't mind being up in front of people, doing my thing. Useful for a teacher, meant I kicked butt in Public Speaking class, and handy for moving to a new place and having to meet new friends. Useful for decision-making, as I trust my instincts. I like myself, which sounds incredibly corny but is pretty damn important. However, this confidence doesn't make me an automatic extrovert. It has nothing to do with not joining you on that bar for a drunken karaoke rendition of Waterloo (Ask me to sing it sober, in the privacy of my own apartment however, and you've got yourself a deal). I may not do wild and crazy things, but that's not because I'm embarrassed or full of self-doubt. I just don't want to look like an ass. 
4. I'm creative. I see potential for awesomeness in lots of things. However, this also means that I have a billion half-finished projects lying around, and that I refuse to throw anything away, just in case one day, I might really need that former salsa jar or (Czech) business magazine. You never know!
5. I'm positive. Probably pretty closely related to my level-headedness, I don't let things rattle me for too long. I try to keep an optimistic outlook, find the humor in all things, and recognize what's important and what shouldn't take up an iota of my concern. 

Of course, there are many, many more things that are wonderful about me, but I don't want to bore you. Feel free to let me know how fabulous you find me, a girl always likes a boost.

Also having a lot of fun spamming your inboxes with all these posts - anyone have any ideas for a challenge for next month?

Work Out

Today's Laura 101 topic is...

Describe five weaknesses you have.
My upper body strength leaves something to be desired, I suppose.

1. I have a hard time standing up for myself. I'd much rather keep the peace then be involved in an argument. I totally adhere to the belief that you don't need to attend every argument you're invited to, but there are times when I don't speak up but definitely should. I end up doing things I don't want to do, spending time or money on things I shouldn't have to, and put up with stuff that I don't need to. Until it gets to the point where I blow up. And by blow up, I mean do something completely passive aggressive, or bitch to a third party about it. 
2. I have almost no willpower. I will only have two cookies. I'll go for a jog. I will say no to that last glass of wine. I will do that boring work project. Lots of good intentions, not a lot of follow-through. 
3. I lack direction. I'd like to think that all people in their twenties go through this, but I'm pretty sure the window of time where this is acceptable is running out fast, and I still am sitting here wondering what I'm supposed to actually be doing with my life.
4. Once I decide I don't like someone, I have a reeeeeeally hard time being nice to them. Luckily, I like most people so this is rarely an issue, but still. I feel slightly bitchy about it, but sorry, I'm not sorry.
5. I can't say no. I feel guilty and end up with too much on my plate that I don't want to do. Surprisingly, am not nor ever have been a drug addict, so there's one situation where "Just Say No" sunk in. 

Other than that, I'm completely perfect. ;)

A Day in the Life

Today's topic is...

Describe a typical day in your current life.
Thought it'd be easier to just live blog. Except not, because my computer weighs a solid ton, and I'm not lugging it around all day. So instead looked like sketchy, strange pseudo-writer constantly jotting things down in my trusty notebook... well, more than I normally do.

7:30 - Wake up. Ugh. Whyyyyyyyyy, Monday? Proč?
7:40 - Get out of bed. Attempt to comb hair into some type of look that says I didn't spend night sleeping in a bush. Get my life together, as it's currently strewn around Donut's apartment from my afternoon of "working" (i.e., checking Pinterest and looking for DC deals on Groupon).
8:00 - Donut drops me at the tram station. Hmmm... am getting hungry.
8:17 - I think it's time for a pastry.
8:30 - Settle into my bed with the heat on, pastry in hand ready to catch up on last night's Downton Abbey. What foolery is this? It wasn't on?? Opt for Covert Affairs, commence watching.
8:35 - Stop and make tea.
8:45 - Stop and give myself a French manicure.
8:55 - Stop and check email.
9:06 - Two cancellations this week. Yay no work, nay no money.
9:10 - Laundry.
9:40 - Finally finish Covert Affairs. Not entirely sure what the episode was about.
9:45 - Shower.
10:00 - Consult Pinterest for outfit inspiration. Nothing to bloody wear.
10:15 - Realize I'm out of hangers. Begin reorganizing closet, put away summer clothes.
10:25 - Try to winterize summer clothes. Will this work if I add a sweater? No. You look ridiculous.
11:00 - Put away mound of clothes now that I have all these free hangers.
11:15 - Hair is approaching the slept-in-a-bush phase again. Zap it with Saharan level heat. Roll back the clock with some carefully applied makeup. Fresh and glowy.
11:30 - Check DPP website to determine what the absolute latest time I can leave is.
11:33 - Check www.postsecret.blogspot.com
11:35 - Realize I have to blog again. Check today's topic. Start this.
11:42 - Dammit, will be late. Scramble to get my life together and in the right bag.
11:48 - Get outside to wait for tram. Realize it's stupid to wait ten minutes when the tram literally stops outside my door, but know if I don't, I will miss it.
11:49 - WTF is the sun??
12:01 - Right on time. New, fancy tram, get a seat, yay. Bust out Kindle, continue reading Freshwater Road by Denise Nicholas. Am thankful I don't live in rural Mississippi during Freedom Summer, but would not be opposed to a bit of that Mississippi heat right now.
12:04 - Pass a circus at Letna. See two zebras. Didn't expect that one.
12:20 - Lemme off this thinnnnnng!
12:30 - First class of the day. Love these guys.
1:30 - British food and British versus American English. Black pudding and pants amuse them greatly.
2:03 - Christmas tree up at Andel. Too soon, Nove Smichov, too soon.
2:04 - Hmmm... pretty hungry. Should have had two pastries this morning.
2:20 - BioMarket. Fruit here looks questionable. Peanut Butter and Chocolate Big Corny instead.
2:57 - Student tells me to go to Siam Orchid, by Billa Labut, for yummy Thai food. Am writing it here so I don't forget.
3:30 - Hour and a half to kill. What to do, what to do.
3:50 - Hmm. Took a lot less time than I anticipated to get my work done for the rest of the week.
3:55 - Who is paying my insurance? I'd better send school an email about this important thing so that they can ignore it until I reforward it in two weeks asking again.
4:00 - British Council website. Will use this, and this, and this, and this...
4:40 - Will walk to next class.
4:42 - Why are there so many cops out?
4:47 - Why are there so many cops out?
4:49 - Huh, that was fast. Should I get a pastry?
4:50 - No.
4:51 - Yes.
4:52 - No.
4:53 - Maybe my student feels like giving me some tea if I get there early.
4:54 - Yesssssss, tea. One hour to go. What am I teaching? Oh right, auxiliary verbs. What are those? Not important. This is boring. Grammar is boring. How are my nails so effed up? I only painted them this morning, it's not like I work in a quarry slinging rocks all day long.
4:56 - Gosh, the men who work here are boisterous.
4:57 - I should really write some of these posts in advance. Maybe I'll write some more tonight, after I make spicy noodles.
4:58 - Should I make spicy noodles? Does Peej want to go out for a birthday dinner, in which case the spicy noodles are extraneous? I hope he likes his gift. He better. It's cute. I suck at getting people gifts. Steph is really good at that. I should email Steph, see if she has any suggestions for Christmas.
5:00 - Lesson Time
6:03 - I want a beer. Hope Peej's home and wants birthday beers.
6:27 - Damn. Peej is either sleeping or not home. Hope he didn't go for birthday beers without me. Guess I will make spicy noodles.
6:44 - Birthday hugs for Peej! Making spicy noodles, nomnomnom.
7:13 - Big bowl of spicy noodles, new episode of Scandal. Awesome.
7:56 - Alerted to a leak on our balcony (perhaps?) from Katka. Discuss other issues to tell landlord, like the bathroom wall is falling apart, and it's not our fault.
8:12 - Finish 10 influential people post. blahblahblah, too emotional.
8:27 - Start typing up this nonsense.
8:57 - Massive shock to see how late it is already!
8:59 - Shocked and slightly appalled by how little I actually get done during the day. Whatever, it's Monday, leave me alone. Will make myself a big cup of tea, try to do some Pink Crocodile work, and get to bed. And it all starts over again tomorrow...

by Pete Joisen of inklinegraphicdesign

Playing Catch Up

Now these are completely out of order, but I don't care, and neither should you.

List ten people who have influenced you and how.
This is in groups, because I cannot limit myself to 10. Also, this is in no specific order, before you start getting all uppity about your place in the list.

1. My parents, and not just for the good looks that have worked their way into my genes (wink), but I also got Dad's even temper and Mom's love of creating beautiful (sometimes, in my case) things. They're super supportive, lots of fun, and wonderful for all the reasons I've listed here before.
2. Ben, Jenna & Lili. While we haven't always been really close, they mean the world to me. I hope Jenna and Lili enjoy their last days of taking my stuff, cuz when I come back in December, it's all coming home with me!
3. My girls. They're just the most awesome, amazing, fun, crazy, wild, lovely, ridiculous, loud, dramatic, supportive people I know. I love all of them for different reasons. Together they have taught me how to be a stronger person, how to be a more caring person, how to speak my mind, how to lean on others, how to put on eye shadow, how to properly chug Irish car bombs, how to cook scallops, how to mix margaritas, and how to dougie. They're the best. I feel sorry for everyone else who doesn't have the coolest friends in the world. Nahnahnahnahnahhhh.
4. Peeeej. I've said it before - I am so lucky to have a little slice of home here with me. I'm grateful for him pushing me to come to Prague, I'm thankful for all his help once I did get here, and I'm so happy for his porch party accompaniment where we can rant Jersey-style about the tomfoolery that happens around here sometimes. 
5. Donut. He's so adult, it boggles our minds sometimes (we being silly children with fake jobs and whatnot). I've said it a gazillion times, but I am incredibly lucky to have him in my life - he is so smart, so kind, so much fun to be around. He's always up for an adventure, does excellent translation work, and constantly has me smiling. I can't wait for everyone from home to meet him this Christmas and fall in love with him too! Okay, this is corny and way too mushy for me. Moving on...
6. Grandma and Grandpa. I think it's fairly obvious that Grandma is literally the ONLY person I'm related to who could possibly have passed down a love of cooking. 
7. Nanny and Grandad, who tackle everything with a fantastic sense of humour and can laugh in the worst of times. 
8. Moji přátelé v Praze - most of them have left and moved on to new adventures all over the place, but each one of them has made this city a wonderful place to live, I've made memories with them to last a lifetime, and they're just plain awesome. As all of my friends are. I'm seeing a trend here.
9. The Highs and Lows of my dating history. If I'm being as legitimately honest as I should be, I could leave this off the list. For better or for worse, this ragtag group of boys has shaped how I view relationships. They've taught me what I want, what I want to avoid, what things I can deal with and what is non-negotiable. They've taught me how to love, detest, forgive, forget, and shown me that true besties will always be there (with vodka!) when you're pissed off/sad/lonely/happy with/embarrassed by/stunned by or just need a good laugh and a strong cocktail about the one you just can't stop drinking about.  
10. Tuck. Okay, I realize Tuckie is not a person, but I love him and it's my list and that's that. I told Ry once that I didn't think I ever wanted kids because I couldn't imagine loving a screaming infant as much as I love Tuck. I know this is insane. I get that. But Tuck taught me how to care for something else. No dog will be as strange looking, well behaved, adorable and just plain awesome as Tuck is, sooooo, sorry, your puppy's cute and all, but nah. 

I meannnnn, come on.