*GASP* an early Update

Due to the fact that I will be in the Tetras Mountains of Slovakia this weekend, I'm going to be updating early!

Well, not much dreadfully exciting happened. I finally found the English speaking church, which actually is within walking distance from my home here in Bratislava. Frankly, after one service, I don't like it very much. It's almost Presbyterian, and I don't feel comfortable there. Communion involves wine, and those little wafery things, which, in case you're interested, taste a lot like Styrofoam. However, until I get a little bit better at Slovak, it's my best option. There is a Methodist church a little down the way, but, as its services are in Slovak, it's not too helpful at the moment. I'm not the only one who feels that way; Beth agrees with me on my opinions. She and I are going to church together, you see.
After we went to church, we went to Aupark, one of the malls in Bratislava, ate some lunch, and wandered a bit. We successfully got there on our own, using the public transit system. After Aupark, we went downtown, stopped by the place where you can get international magazines, and went to Tesko so I could get a folder for school. Yes, I actually need one. I'm getting handouts in French and English, as well as the occaisional copy of a math assignment from Niki.
Last night, we had the Rotary meeting at the National Bank, which is run by one of the Rotarians. It's a rather nifty place, and it was cool to be able to see it. What wasn't cool was the fact that its sides are mostly windows, including at least one side of the elevator shaft. We were on the thirtieth floor. Those of you who know me well know that I don't like looking over the balcony by The Road at church down to the floor below, and can imagine my determination not to look out the glass part of the elevator as it went down. Wouldn't you know, Dr. Huraj, the Rotary Youth Officer for the club, just had to ask me about my opinion of the display out the window. My explanation of
"Well, it's pretty, I suppose...", glancing out the window for a second, then very firmly turning back to stare at the wall infront of me prompted
"You don't like high places?"
"No. Not at all." Loads of fun, that, I assure you.

I have also managed to get hooked to a tv show here in Slovakia. It is called Cesko Slovenska Superstar. Basically, it's American Idol for Slovakia and the Czech Republic. I don't understand everything that's said, but I still really like it. I've had a lot of fun watching the preliminary auditions, now I can't wait for Sunday, and the start of the closed auditions! Here's a link to a YouTube video, featuring one of my favorite auditions. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoxxEq4aFgI This one took place in Bratislava, actually. If you squint, in some of the shots from the Bratislava auditions, you can see our house! Miša told me that on the day they were doing auditions, she walked past the place where they were being held to walk Mates, the dog, when they were getting started, and it was absolutely crazy.

School's going well. My English teacher is very fond of the United Kingdom. I think Catriona would have more luck with her. She asked me where my family was from before we were American today, and was certain that the reason my English was so good was because of my Scottish origins, because Scotland is, after all, almost England. I didn't have the heart to tell her that it had more to do with my parents cramming proper English grammar down my throat since I was a small child. Actually, I don't think she would have listened if I had. As Niki told me earlier, don't try to contradict her. She won't believe you. At least I managed to convince her that the phrase is "It's all Greek to me", not "It's all Greece to me".
I have my first exam on Thursday. It's in French, on verb conjugations, so I'm not too worried. I am studying, though, mostly the subjunctive, and the Slovak infinitives of the verbs so I can recognize them. Wish me luck!

And that's all there is. There isn't anymore.