El Fin de Semana

Hello All.  Good week of library time and lots of studying.  My weekends are more relaxed due to the amount of studying I do during the week.  Friday we went out quite extemporaneously.  A group of us got together with the intention of getting dinner but those plans escalated to going out.  It was really fun!  There are so many little places around that are hidden and off the beaten path.  Our friend Michal, who has lived here for a while as he completed the pharmacy program here and now doing the MD, took us to a place called the shot bar.  It was quite small but we had a great time.  Saturday was a study day then to a nice little dinner down in the Rynek, again in a small little place.  Sunday studying all day.  I might meet with some friends, Valerie and Jacqueline, who are ordering in later.  Another thing I wanted to add, which I thought was cool, is that when it is someone's birthday, instead of wishing them simply a happy birthday, Polish people say Sto Lat.  That means 100 years.  Basically wishing them 100 years of happiness.  It snowed a bit this week, nothing too much but it is cold again so any moisture falling will be in snow form.  I brought my camera to the Rynek on Saturday, the first time I have had it at night.

Biophysics

panoramic of biophysics with Elena jumping around in front.. slipping and almost falling

The video uploaded not centered correctly relative to the control buttons so to make it work you will have to put your mouse over the first zero of the 0:00/0:00 movie time display and then move it directly up.  Slightly into the frame the mouse will turn into the click finger and the play button will light up.  Click there to play the video.

Ola studying for her anatomy exam

Histology book and notes

Me showing off my pen twirling trick I learned recently

Fil and Ola (very happy about her anatomy)

Some residual Christmas decorations

Rynek at night

The tram stop near Freedom Square

Been A While

Haven't written in a week.  Typical busy week, studying as much as possible.  We have some tests coming up.  Histology, anatomy, biophysics, chemistry.  I'm hoping the late nights studying will pay off.  I don't think I will have to take 2 integrative tests, which will give me more time to prepare for the finals.  In another I might get an extra half grade on the final.

Last week Fil, Ola and I made some food and watched the Bears game.  She is from Chicago and loves the Bears so it's nice to have a buddy with whom to watch football.

This weekend it was a good friend's birthday, Lena.  There was a little fiesta in the dorms I attended then we went out after, it was a great time with a very good crowd of people.  Tonight, Saturday, we went to TGIF for dinner with the birthday girl.  The restaurant was in a huge mall.. Poland and their malls.  I got a Jack Daniel's burger.. yummy.  The mall was on the outskirts of town, cool to check out other parts of the city.  It is surprisingly spread out.  Following this, we went to a nearby dorm to visit El ProfessOR.  We had a discussion today about my blog and he was upset that I didn't have the appropriate stress on certain syllables in his name.  I call him El ProfessOR with a large emphasis on the ending of the word so from now on I will type it that way.  I saw Tomek and his girlfriend Ola, along with Machal and others.  It was nice seeing them because it has been a couple months since the last time.  They were going out but I decided against it.  I need to get a good night's rest so I can go to the library all day tomorrow, well until it closes at 4pm.

This week is going to be fairly typical, histology will take precedence over some courses as it is in a week and a half.

Fil and Ola in the kitchen

Meat hands (she was making the patties)

Yummy burgers

the other ones we made had BBQ sauce in it, avocado powder, and onions

Ola's ranch not depicted here

Dishes

Biophysics 1/15/11

Some Russian champagne for mimosas and honey with the bee's honeycomb in it to go with the French toast.. DELICIOUS

Salad, tomatoes, bell peppers, avocado, jalapenos, chicken strips, mashed potatoes

biophysics 1/22/11

Dennis and Elena (the birthday girl)

g'day

Hello all.  I am alive and well, doing the study thing.  Last weekend was fun at Czekolada, the club we always go to.  I'm still amazed at how late things get going here.  I was pressured into going out (glad I gave in) at about 12.. we got to the place and it was pretty dead.  We thought a lot of our friends were going to be there then everyone showed up and by about 3am the place was crazy.  Great time had by all.  Saturday I went to dinner with Maja, Jackie and Valerie.  We ended up staying for about 6 hours talking, fun and very relaxing night.  Sunday was spent mostly studying then Ola and I went to Fil's and made some breaded chicken strips, salad (avocado, tomato, bell peppers), and mashed potatoes while watching football.  Great night!  Crazy games the other night, the Pats lost and the Lakers lost to the Clippers, at least the Ducks won!

Today I spent about 9 hours at the library getting through a bunch of material.  We have some tests coming up and people are beginning to scramble.

There is no more snow as it's been about 40 degrees for a couple weeks now.  I'm sure it will snow again soon.  Nothing too much else to report.  I hope everyone is well.

Tuesday

Been busy, especially today.  Had anatomy and Polish class til this evening.  I mixed in a little gym and threw some food together.  I'm supposed to go to the library to teach some Norwegian girls anatomy.  I got a new membership to the gym for 300zl.  Not too bad.  I read in my phrase book how to say month, I forgot that from class.  I entered and said hello I'd like 3 months please and he said skad jestes (where am I from)  I answered jestem z amerykii.  He asked again because he wasn't sure what I said so I answered again the same.  He then asked in English where I was from and I said America.  He thought I was Polish and heard me correctly but thought I didn't hear him because he didn't think I was American.  He said my Polish was really well and he thought all this time (3 months of going to that particular gym) that I was Polish.  He said I looked European.  We then had a nice conversation in English.  He asked what I thought of Polish people.  I said they were really nice and other things and he said that most Polish people think that they come off as very cold.  I agreed, but I wasn't about to tell this huge Polish guy that initially.  It was a nice complement that I didn't stand out too much and it makes sense that people speak to me often in Polish and are surprised that I don't understand them.

My new warm clothes are awesome, along with the coffee maker, cutting board, pot/pans, hot sauce, etc etc..

Dinner is over, must head to the library.

<3

So stoked for my sister Amy who is having a GREAT time in Italy!

First Class Back

We had Polish class yesterday.  Kind of strange getting back in the swing of things, especially Polish because I haven't spoken it for a few weeks.  Here is a video my teacher sent us about Poland, it's pretty cool but long.  33 Minutes in they travel to Poznan for a bit.

http://www.vbs.tv/en-pl/watch/from-poland-with-love/from-poland-with-love-full-length

After Polish I had biophysics, which went pretty well.  I was glad to finish my 3 weeks with this certain lady who has epically difficult quizzes.  Following biofyzika, we went to a restaurant Sphinx.  It has half off student deals on Friday.  Many Norwegians like to Hashish so I agreed to join them at this really cool underground bar near the Stary Rynek.

We then ordered pizza late at night and listened to some pretty wild old school music.

Today, I'm going to go to the gym so I don't have to do PE this week then probably head to the library!

Sphinx (Osbjorn and Baard yes 2 a's)

Hooka

Ozzy Maja Valarie

Back in the POZ

Sorry for the lack of blogging the past month.  It was quite busy with tests then traveling back to the states. I won't update you on much of the break because I saw pretty much all of you.  The flight back wasn't too bad.  I flew for about 13 hours and had about 10 hours of layovers.  Kind of weak, but my luggage made it here safely.  I was worried because one of the flights was cancelled so I needed to go to Munich then to Poz instead of straight there from Frankfurt.  I had about half clothes and half necessary items like hot sauce, ranch dressing, a pot, etc.  It was quite funny watching my mom and I repack my luggage into 2 bags to even out the weight.  

When I was home it was great seeing the Contreras' and spending an extra few days with my cousin Mike. Unfortunately my beloved Grandfather Bill passed away, but fortunately I was home to partake in the service.  Christmas was also great with spending time with the Contreras' and my family.  I got a bunch of warm clothes!  Much of the other time was spent with friends.  My mom and I did mix in a ducks game and I hate to say it but I think I am good luck as the 2 games I went to they were largely victorious.  

My mom and I at the game against the Flyers

I was stoked to see SO many Lindros #88 Jerseys 

Upon my arrival my lovely sister had a funny sign for me.  Timek, my pseudo-polish name.  

I also wanted to comment on my sister being in Italy at the moment.  She is there for 3 weeks with a professor and students and will learn of culture and art among other things.  I'm so proud of you!  

Today I will head to the P i P and get some groceries then go to the library to get ready for biophysics tomorrow.  Fortunately yesterday during my many hours of layovers, I was able to study quite a bit!

I'll try to keep this blog active every couple days.

History

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Quld5950v6w

I encourage you all to watch this short video on Polish history.