Dobre rano! [Isn't my Czech getting good?]

Hallo everyone. I have recently learned some distressing news and I
feel the need to share it with you all.

It was 72 degrees in Charlotte.

This news spread like wildfire through the Institute. Because it was
SEVEN degrees here last night.

Yeahhhhhhhh...

Anyway,

While I have been recovering from the horrible sickness that
infested me, I have been trying to take it easy so I don't bring it
back with renewed force. But, all bets were off on Monday morning,
when I escaped the prison disguised as the penzion. I have never been
happier to be outside. That morning I had Literature and Philosophy.
I really enjoy Lit. We discussed their creation legends, kind of the
Czech version of the King Arthur legends. Their founders lived in a
fortress called Vyshrad, about 500 AD. The structure still exists, so
our Professor is going to take us to Vyshrad one day [when it gets
warmer]. Today during our class time, she is taking us to a branch of
the National Gallery in St. Agnes Convent in Old Town. This gallery
focuses on the earliest Czech artworks, from the time of Vyshrad. I
am really excited to go!

In Philosophy, we are discussing Hume's views on religion [to be
compared with today's lecture on Kant's views on religion.] It is a
very cool class and I'm glad I'm taking it.

Yesterday, I had Czech language and Beekeeping. I am beginning to
get why Czech is the hardest language in Europe. All of the nouns
change forms, there are WAY too many consonants, and no rule works
100% of the time. It is frustrating for me to be missing so many
basic words and phrases. When I don't know what to say, I blurt out
the phrase in any [and all] languages I know.

Recent incident: [What I meant to say: where is the bathroom?--->
Kde jsou toalety?] I walk up to the register at a coffee shop...ok it
was Starbucks...what can I say, it reminds me of home. Anyway:

LP: Dobry den!
Barista: [small laugh] dobry den! [I had already ordered my coffee,
so this was the second time I had said dobry den to him]
LP: Kde je...um...uh....kde....donde....um...el bano...donde esta el
bano? I mean, I'm sorry.

It was just sad. He spoke English, thank God.

Back to school. Beekeeping is interesting. Since honeybees are small,
they fall outside of my debilitating fear of bugs. A+! The professor
doesn't speak great English, so that might be difficult, but I think
it'll be OK.

On Monday, the whole group went bowling. It was so much fun, but I
forgot what a bad bowler I am. Oh well.

And last night, we all went to a jazz performance. I have always
thought of jazz as a very American art form; Duke Ellington, BB King,
MJQ. At first it was odd to see pasty Eastern Europeans jamming out,
but they were awesome! I plan on going back to another jazz club soon.

It is snowing right now, but I am still at the Institute. It seems
odd to do stuff while it is snowing. Don't they know that you sit at
home do nothing every time it snows?

I'll write again soon!