Negative News, Images that are Put in Our Heads, Difference and/or Escapism

Constantly hearing negative news from Yemen or Syria makes me wonder how this utterly negative press, this constant referring to „terrorist attacks“, assaults, strikes, etc. causes the creation of a certain image in our heads. Being bombarded with dark and bad pieces of information from certain countries causes us to think about these countries in a very specific way. It seems to be that it is almost impossible that people are living there in peace. But what about the boy and girl who go on their first date, the old granny who goes shopping, the friends who meet in a café to discuss political, personal and social issues. This is an image which is not allowed in our head or rather not imaginable. Would it not make more sense to provide information about positive things as well. Well, I know news is all about negative things, because this is what humanity is interested in... but this constant negativity can damage the image of a country which most likely is a beautiful place. Yes, there might be war going on, yes there might be drug problems, etc. But still there are also many good things which we are not even able to think about or which we totally forget as we are exposed to a constant negativity. So instead of hearing that in Yemen people kill each other, it would be good to hear that people were courageous enough to step up against inequality. Or that in Colombia more and more young people are starting to perceive their country as a beautiful country of opportunities,… Should it not be our priority to destroy common stereotypes. Languages and nowadays also visual images shape our way of thinking, and constantly talking about "the poor people in Africa or India", creates a very one-dimensional image.

bubble tea with dan at Chinese new year's celebration in brum

Being away from home has heavily influenced me, the experience of being the foreigner shapes my identity, and sometimes I am even defined by it. I might be referred to as "the Austrian"...but what does that mean?! On the one hand, I notice how patriotic I get, might it be an “inferiority complex” we Österreicher suffer from, as we don’t want to be seen as Germans, no offence... Or might it be that one appreciates things more once they are not that easily graspable. Anyways, whenever I go home, I realise how much I miss my friends. It is always absolutely lovely to see them. And even if we only see each other once in a while, it is as if I had not been away...

having lovely Austrian food with my gals!

happy reunion with Miss Parlamentsassistentin ;)

Just a week ago or so, I went on a German-exchange trip with my two year 12 students to Baden bei Wien. The girls stayed in host families and Maggie and I made sure they were alright as well as getting exposed to as much Austrian culture as possible ;) Coffee house culture, arty Vienna, historic Vienna...

Hundert Wasser Haus Wien

After having lived for a year and a half in England now, I am able to see certain things with different eyes. On one of the days we went to an Austrian grammar school. While observing a lesson, I just realised how much I have integrated into the “British school system” and how much I have been indoctricated with dear “Ofsted criteria” which influences my perception and consequently influences my judgement. Strangely enough, things that have been so normal and familiar to me, and somehow still are, have at the same time become more alien and different. But then again, here in Britain, I am not a Brit…and as I said, I might be referred to as "the Austrian". But them being back in Austria, I am also not quite Austrian, which was pointed out by one of my students who said “you are not Austrian Miss”. What am I then?…. I still consider myself as Österreicherin, but than not quite as österreichisch as people who live in Österreich…

Well, I suppose, I could now use the en vogue terms from academia and refer to myself as a “global citizen” or “cosmopolitan globetrotter”…but, not really. I am not too fond of those labels, which are just fancy terms without real substance. Maybe I am a wanderer who has not yet found her destination…It can be very liberating as everything is possible, but of course everything always has a flip side as well…it can also be disconcerting…Is a constant wanderer somebody who does not want to commit? Or somebody who is eager to discover new things.

It makes me wonder, why living abroad is so appealing. Is it because you can be openly different, because you ARE different – different language / cultural background blabla – or is it a form of escapism, an easy way out?! Would I also be different back home? But would it there then be perceived as being weird?! Well, to be honest I don’t know. Hahaha I seem to be going on one of my philosophical rants! I just thought about it when I went running – yep I went running, because of all those Christmas meals and nice coffee and cake breaks in Austria I need to get into shape now!

Wiener Kaffeehauskultur...just unique

I will have to start applying for jobs, either in the UK or somewhere else…I should probably do my NQT so that it is done and dusted with. But then, you know I have once decided that I do not need to do things the conventional way. I was always quite certain and focused about what I want – school – A-levles – uni…but then I decided it should not be that way…it can be so exciting to do different things and get a bit off track. We’ll see what happens!

 

university of Vienna....good memories

Ta-ra

“This is beautiful this is!” About strange Brummie Lingo, another 25th and Identities

Hiya my lads and lasses,

park next to my house

Things are going well, I have settled in and I start having a bit more of a social life ;). School is good too. Tonight we are going for Christmas dinner with my department, which should be good and then there is only one more week to go and I’ll fly home – can’t believe it how fast time is flying by. But it’s a good sign, that’s for sure.

The other day I visited another school – my second school experience, as I’ll not be teaching at my school in January. It will be weird, because it feels so normal to go there every day. Even so the second school looks really good, it is a grammar school, thus completely different to what I am used to now. I start getting a bit more the hang of things and I have the feeling that I am starting to be a proper “teacher”, though I still make lots of mistakes and have not quite found the balance between being very strict and still fun and nice to motivate the learners – well I wouldn’t want to get a reputation as an old bag would I, though who knows maybe that doesn’t matter…

But enough teacher talk, I am constantly talking about this. Let’s talk a bit about Brum. It is good, I start liking it more and more. I reckon that’s the natural thing isn’t it?! I remember when I went to Valencia my expectations were not terribly high, as I thought I’d rather go to Barcelona. And in the end it turned out to be one of the best years so far…gosh I still miss it – such a wicked city, would go back there within a second, if only Spain would not be in such a horrible state. But then again, it is mainly the people who make a city…many of my friends have left, which is a shame, as going back to Valencia would be suddenly weird… But anyways I am rambling, what I wanted to say is that when you don’t have high expectations you can only be surprised positively – this is the case with so many things, I’d say. Thus, as some of you might know I was rather negative about Birmingham in the beginning, but I was not too bothered, because I thought that this year will be about work and that is it… however, it has turned out that Birmingham has much more to offer than one might think at first. It is quite easy not to look behind a façade and judge something or somebody by the outside, or by things that other people have said. It is so important to experience things yourself, to make mistakes, to try out things, to takes risks and to find out for yourself whether you like something or not. Sometimes we are just too scared to try out new things, and we fall into a routine of doing the same thing over and over again, or we constantly listen to what other people say, instead of seeing for ourselves. I am even starting to like certain parts of the city … so to put a long thing short – I have settled in ;)

One example of me settling in is the fact that I’ve the feeling I am picking up some Brummie lingo – if that is good or not … well I am not so sure. I notice it sometimes in my intonation, because Birminghamians ;) sound a bit…mmmh how should I put it, maybe as if they were falling asleep while they were talking, no offence, but the intonation is quite funny, somehow very flat, but then again in the end it sometimes rises a bit…Apart from that I’ve also noticed another thing, so many people say things like “this is beautiful this is”, “this is interesting this is”. What is all that about – wrong grammar, weird sentences!? Well I don’t know. Fact is that unfortunately I am saying it more and more often. I think it is cool to pick up colloquialisms, but I am not so sure if I really want to pick up things that are wrong…mmmh how arrogant of me, me thinks ;)

Archeries Re-united

hubby and sugar muffin ;)

A couple of weeks ago I went up to leads to celebrate Chris’s birthday, Shannon’s return and Olly’s last weekend. It was great to catch up with all the people there – it still fills like home. Though, things are also changing up in Yorkshire, people are leaving, new people are moving in – cycle of life… Anyways, Leeds was great fun! Shannon, sugar muffin, visited me before in Bham – it was great to catch up with her. How I missed those girly talks, we haven’t seen each other in ages. It did not feel that way, though, but I guess all those social media sites, etc. are an advantages, it makes it easier to keep in touch, doesn’t it? It makes you believe that you are still part of somebody’s life, because you have the feeling you know what is going on, even though it is on a very superficial and selected scale, as we choose what to put on their, and thus essential how we want others to see us.

going out with Dan, Chris and Cyrielle

Anyways, it was my birthday the other weekend, which was great. Chris came down and we had a lovely time, going out, eating yummy Sunday roast and having cake – couldn’t be better. It was a blast and I got lovely pressies. I can be glad to have so many good friends!

lovely bday flowers

As you can all see things are going well, I am going home soon which should be good. It will be interesting to see how things are there, how things have changed and also how I have changed. Because every experience that we have changes us doesn’t it? I was talking about “identity” with my Colombian student today…who would have thought, well it is my all-time favourite topic, that’s a given. It is such an amazing thing who we are, and how we change, and how other people and places influence and shape us…Being here in Birmingham, picking up certain expressions and modes of talking are only minor signs…I  meet people from different walks of life, I am able to see things from different perspectives…so the verdict is again – going abroad is great as it can offer you so much…but also coming home is good, and I am looking forward to seeing many of you guys soon! Well I am off for some dinner now, I am starving!

Challoner MFL department's Xmas due

ta-ra

Ta Luv

about first months in Brum, shout festival, custard factory, the south....

Ta, Hello, Guten Tag, Hola..

my street in Brum

As I have thought I have not really gotten the time to update my blog on a regular basis, which is a shame. I thought today, after having had my first formal observation from Cilt (the organisation with which I am doing my training), I don’t do anything and give you a quick update about what is going on. I am still here, still breathing and still the same old me – I am just way too busy lately…

I am slowly settling in. Things are mental though, I seem to be constantly working. But I knew that before this year anyway. It is busy, different, exciting, exhausting, and educational, it is a challenging year that’s for sure. Good that I am not afraid of challenges.

in Harborne with Olly and Dan my new housemate

Although it is lots of work, I also have had some great moments here. Half term was wicked. I did not do anything for one week which was amazing. 

reunited with Olly and Chris

Dan, Eve, me and Olly

Olly and Chris came on Friday and we chilled out and discovered Birmingham during the day. At night Evelyn joined us – with her suitcase, in a bar, discovering B’ham’s nightlife. And the next day it was rugby, footy and any sport that certain people might enjoy. We girls took off and explored Brum, talking and talking and talking as one might imagine.

standard picutre with B'ham's symbol the "bull"

posing in the custard factory

happy because everyone was there!

After that we headed down South where we stayed at Chris’s and spent a couple of amazing days. 

Old Harry in Dorset

some luvely food

lovely village next to Corfe Casltle

Dorset Coast

Durdle Door

It was just great to get up in the morning and not have to think about school. We had lovely food, took some great walks, saw gorgeous places, drank lots of whine and caught up properly, which was desperately needed. On our way back we visited Shakespeare country, dropped Eve at the airport and headed to the bullring to go shopping (I bet Chris wished he did not have agreed, once I am in a shop there is no stopping me….). Like always time passed by way too quickly, and sooner as I wanted I was back at work…

Iron Bridge George_West Midlands

 

Besides working hard, I also managed to do some things sometime, those moments are rare but I really cherish them! I try to go running once a week –who would have thought, I have to say I quite enjoy it, it just helps to take my mind of work.

A friend with whom I lived in Palo Alto visited me spontaneously in Brum. It was so god to see him, to think back about my time in the States, to talk for hours and hours as we used to do! As well as he always pushes me in my thoughts and makes me think outside of the box!!

I also try to do some stuff in terms of culture vulture blabla…The other day I went to see a play. Finally something social, something that is not related to school… Currently Birmingham is hosting the “Shout Festival”, a queer festival, where different performers are showing their art. I went with a fellow GTP trainee to see the show. It was quite funny and peculiar because the location of the play was very interesting. One must know the play was about homosexual love and the adoption of children. The setting was a church. So who would have thought? And the couple were a white British and a South Asian British woman, from Bradford, which is way up North, just next to Leeds. This made me reminisce about my year in Yorkshire. What a good time that was! In tune with the content of the play (very intimate and private), the audience was likewise extremely small, which perfectly suited the topic. The actresses were very good, bringing poignantly across the frustration and difficulty of adopting and raising a child, the ignorance homosexual couples have to deal with, etc. So, all in all, a very good play.

A couple of weeks ago, I managed to see a spoken word performance, as there was the art festival in Brum. Spoken words are essentially a mixture of hip hop, poetry and singing. The poet was a young poet from Birmingham, who besides poetry has a passion for boxing. Very interesting combination I have to say. He gave a poetry workshop for young kids who got coached for two hours and then performed in front of a small audience. Nerve-wrecking that is! They were great though, some of them did just amazing performances and I wonder how it is possible that they are so young and so creative. Who knows if their potential gets fully encouraged in school or by their parents…

Noah and the Whale

So, as you might have already gathered, I start liking Birmingham, besides my initial inhibitions... There is lots going on in terms of arts, music, ect. I did go to two concerts: Noah and the Whale and Sarah Blasco, which were both very different but brilliant in their own way.

best carrot cake!!

I start discovering many small independent coffee shops and artistic venues. One of my favourite spots is the “Custard Factory” as you can find small quirky shops, different artists exhibiting their art, small performances, etc. It is a thriving place. What a shame that I haven’t got more time. But at least I am trying to take some advantage of it!

Apart from that I have been busy, learning something new every day about myself, about England about the school system, about the world ;). It is a very exciting year. I could not have been luckier with my school, as I’ve got an excellent mentor who pushes me and supports me a 100%. The kids are nice (well at least for most of the time) and I enjoy working there.

I’ve even managed to start a Spanish class, which I was not sure if it would really happen. But it did, and it is great. I love every Wednesday because the kids are enthused about the language and I can just teach them and enjoy Spanish with them, without any exam pressures, schemes of work whatsoever. I am coaching a Colombian girl for her A-levels, which is quite funny, considering that her Spanish is definitely better – but then again I can speak “the proper” way and I know how to write essays, etc. which helps her! So it is brill!

Well enough blabbering. This was only a short update for all of you whom I have terribly neglected in the last couple of weeks. Sorry for that. Not sure when I’ll have time for a new update… I’ll probably be back home already, as I’m coming home on the 17^th of December…which will be great. I am looking forward to all the Xmas cookies, the mulled wine, being spoiled by my mum and seeing all you guys! Have a nice advent time!

Ta-ra!

Michi

About B’ham, Brummie Housing and New Starts

me in Mosely (south Birmingham)

So Ta Luv is back…at least for a bit, I am not sure if I’ll be able to update my blog on a regular basis, as this time life is going to be busy busy, as I start teaching and also have to do lots of course work for the GTP course. For those who don’t know it yet, I am officially back in the UK, doing a work-based course in teacher training. Which means that instead of working for one year in Austria, to do my UP (Unterrichtspraktikum), I’ve decided to do it in the UK and thus also gain the status of a qualified teacher in the UK. It’s for sure going to be an exciting, stressful year in which I’ll have to go beyond my boundaries…

Moseley cool area in Brum

my new school

So far so good. First news from the city of Brum. What is new? What is going on? I have been in lovely chubby Birmingham since Thursday …time is flying by. I’ve walked a lot, seen many parts of the city, gotten to know many new people, seen the rough side of Birmingham, but also met many nice and helpful bus drivers who helped me find my way, landlords or tenants who welcomed me in their houses, etc.

sunny main square in Birmingham

Well, every time when you start in a new city it is exciting but also a bit annoying. Those who’ve experience in it will know what I mean. It’s just this sense of being kind of lost, everything is new and strange…it always takes some time to get used to the new environment, to learn how the city works and to find one’s way. There are some things that I noticed straight away – the buses stop in general even without indicating, you have to have the exact amount of money to pay and you don’t say “ta or thank you” when you get off…verdict from this trivia: Brum is much less friendly than Leeds. It’s common knowledge that Birmingham, cradle of the Industrial Revolution, is a bit rough. Normally people react to the news that I’m in B’ham with “oh…be careful that you don’t pick up that horrible accent…you better watch out, people are a bit rough…” Birmingham’s reputation is not the best to be honest, and also when you ask people in the hostel I am staying in, “Why Birmingham?”, they don’t really know why….Well to defend the city a bit it also has its nice spots, a gorgeous main square, a huge shopping centre, interesting architecture where new meets old, some cool suburbs and a good life music and art scene (which yet has to be discovered by me).

old meets new_Bullring

Even so this all fluffy warm feeling of “it is so good to be abroad” has not yet entered my body… maybe it’s due to the fact that I’ve been running around frantically looking for a place. I think in the end, it will be alright, I am sure that the city will grow on me.

the Selfridge, what a funky building

The hostel I am staying in is amazing. I’ve already stayed here once a couple of years ago when I was travelling with Judith throughout the UK. It is a great place that feels almost like home. The owners are Hungarians and super friendly. When you come home from flat hunting there is always someone there who asks you about your day. There is a big screen where films are shown, food is served for breakfast and dinner and there is coffee and tea as much as you want. What else would you wish for …

Birmingham Backpackers_isn't that cool?!

Flat hunting is more difficult than I thought it would be. 

I’ve seen sooooo many places. Either the place was strange, really far away or the people were weird and unsociable. So under the top three of “no thank you” are the following: Place three a house with three Indian guys of whom two were sharing one room (mind out of economical, not sexual reasons), they were all nice and friendly, but it would be a bit weird to live there, considering that the room was super tiny and the windows darkened with cardboard. Number two was a house where a bunch of Estonian guys and an old Brummie were living…bit dirty and strange. And the first place goes to the house above a snack shop, where I would not be allowed to cook pork (not a prob because I’m not a big pork fan anyway), where the walls and the windows had holes.

But then again there were cool houses with faked grass instead of a carpet and a beach as a garden….The best viewing I had was about ½ hrs away from where I am going to work. Dan, at the moment the sole tenant of the property welcomed me with coffee and cake in his house. What a great viewing. Right now I am almost sure that I’ll take this place, if it is still available…I’ve a couple of more viewings tomorrow which I’d like to do and then we’ll see…so fingers crossed I’ve a place to live by Friday as I want to head to Leeds to see everyone up there…

having coffee

Good enough rambling. All in all, I am well, I took some time today to do some sightseeing, I had some lovely coffee and cake in a funky café in King’s Heith – “Cherry Red” (might even become one of my favourite spots), I met a friend for a drink, I walked around town, checked out my school and sun bathed, … now I am knackered and soon off to bed.

Ta-ra

Michi