Expat Living in Malta
What This Course
Has Made Me Do
1. Because I've had so much work in this CELTA class--at home--after 9 hours of the class itself--I haven't done a wash in a week. No time. Two days I ago, I spilled chocolate on my bathrobe. Finally, I licked it off. And then I gained a pound from that.
2. I also haven't washed a dish in a week. Now I have to throw some away. Those are the ones that my cat didn't lick. At least those I could put back in the cupboard without drying.
3. They told us to talk to ourselves in the mirror at home, practicing what we're going to say to the classes we teach. Well, I don't know if my students are learning English, but my cat is. (No, R and B--I'm not getting like Grandma was--not yet, anyway.)
4. Yesterday, I finally got the nerve to go up to a Maltese vegetable vendor (I've been scared to since I've been in Malta), and he threw a banana at me after I corrected his English.
5. We have a lunch break but we don't have time to go anywhere and eat because most of the break is for getting ready for the class we're going to teach right after. So I have to make my lunch every day. On Wednesday, I brought my trash instead of my lunch bag. And I ate it. And I gained a pound from that.
6. My cat scratched me last night when I went near her bowl. For God Sakes, I was going to leave her half! Doesn't she know that by now?
7. The other night I ate eight Mozart marzipan chocolate candies. And then if that wasn't bad enough, afterwards I had dessert.
The worst thing this class has done is to prevent me from responding to your comments--which is my favorite thing. This blog is the only thing that calms me down now. It's the only place I can say what I want freely and not in a controlled, choreographed way. And I appreciate all your support and encouragement. And I will be getting to those comments. I promise.
Hi Malta Girl,
No, I'm not officially....but was in a past life for sure. xxx Ilene
Posted by: Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name) | March 01, 2009 at 04:28 PM
Rehearsals were long and often miserable, but performing was wonderful. I had ten costumes and even learned to put on make-up, it was quite an experience! Sounds like you may be of Mediterranean ancestry, lol.
Posted by: MaltaGirl | February 23, 2009 at 05:22 PM
Dee...That Panto sounds wild. Did you enjoy it? Thanks for telling me about something I would have never imagined. I could do the hairy legs guy part if I put away my shaver for three days or so....Ilene
Posted by: Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name) | February 16, 2009 at 05:43 PM
The Panto is a British tradition exported to Malta - it's a Christmas show (musical theatre) that is usually a twist on a traditional fairy tale. The hero and heroine go on an adventure and generally get married in the end. One of the main characters is the Dame (usually the hero's mum), played by a man with very hairy legs in a dress. There's lots of political satire for the parents, lots of magical moments for the kids, and lots of Panto traditions to look out for. Sweets are thrown into the audience, some kids get to go up on stage, an adult male is selected from the audience for public humiliation, the audience is supposed to boo the baddie very loudly every chance they get, there is a sing-song competition at the end... it's just a great show :-)
Posted by: MaltaGirl | February 16, 2009 at 05:37 PM
Hi Lynne, I'm half-way through the course now. They say the third week is the hardest because you have to do two papers in one weekend plus all the other stuff. Thanks for all your good wishes.
Posted by: Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name) | February 16, 2009 at 05:35 PM
Oh, Gaverit! There's the sense of humor that I know and love! So sorry it's starting out so tough for you, but please don't resort to fighting with your cat for dinner! And trash for lunch??? YUCKY!
I will be sending you an email shortly - found out something interesting about someone we knew way back when...
Hope your days get more tolerable as you go through this course. And stop tormenting those veggie vendors!
Posted by: Lynne | February 10, 2009 at 07:19 PM
Dee, I just ate 8 more marzipans tonight!
Hey there, Malta Girl--what is the Panto? Maybe I'll do that after this. I hope you're right about it being worth it in the end.
Alan, Don't apologize; I'm happy to make you laugh. What happened to you? You mean, because you live in Gozo you can't get to the school? Get in touch with me; I want to hear more about this. Please don't starve. Do you like marzipan?
Posted by: Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name) | February 09, 2009 at 05:03 PM
Sorry but your comments really made me laugh. Welcome to Malta! I only came here to do the English course to teach and now can't. After months of calling and emailing to arrange and confirm transport I moved here to find it was impossible for me to attend whilst living in Gozo!!! So now I am starving and jobless. Perhaps a good tip for dieting, move to Gozo:)
Keep at it though and just hope your future students don't throw fruit at you. Especially tinned peaches:)
Posted by: Alan Austin | February 09, 2009 at 08:39 AM
I just did Panto at Christmas time, and I had three months of going straight from work to rehearsals to bed. I was doing laundry at 6am, so the quickwash cycle would finish before I had to leave for work. At least there wasn't any washing up to do because I was never home long enough to actually eat there...
Just keep saying to yourself, it will be over soon :-) Hang in there, it will be worth it in the end.
Posted by: MaltaGirl | February 08, 2009 at 06:12 PM
p.s. Forgot to say, love the picture...a picture is worth a thousand words! or some such thing.
Posted by: Dee Owen | February 08, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Tough course! Sounds like you need a maid and cat minder! Throwing a banana at you...thats mean! Marzipan chocolate...I'd die for one of those! Hang in there...'this to shall pass'.
Posted by: Dee Owen | February 08, 2009 at 10:55 AM