Money makes a difference

In Czech Republic nor in Slovakia students do not pay for their university studies. Basically, the only expenses they do have to cover are books, housing, food and their leisure. In Nebraska, USA students do have to pay for their studies. Apart tuition there are many different fees such as technology fee and whatsoever. The results are following:

• students can borrow laptops for free
  
• teachers can make as many copies for students as they need, nothing like "we do not have enough paper bla bla bla"
• there are no lines for computers - and there is big computer room even in our dorm which is open during the night as well
  
• computers are fast!!! new!!! and work properly!!!
• computers have new software
• there are music rooms with pianos in our dorm
  
• it is possible to borrow bikes for $10 per day
• any other outdoor equipment can be rented in recreation center for really good price as well as equipment for indoor sports (squash racket for 50cents heh)
  
• university is very well equiped
• recreation center is wonderfully equiped
• etc
  

Well, you can really see the difference comparing to my home university.

Connections

My father went to Monte Negro one month ago. I told him to send me a postcard. He did. But it did not arrive. One month passed and there was still nothing in my mailbox... I was angry and sad, complained about American post services a lot (also because of three other letters that I sent to Slovakia and Czech Republic and which never arrived).

Yesterday I dreamed about the postcard. In my dreams I got it. In the morning we went to the front desk to ask about opening hours of our cafeteria during fall break. Our mailboxes are just next to the front desk. I said to my friends: "Today I dreamed about the postcard from my father." I opened the mailbox ... and it was there ...

:-)

Piano lessons

In the basement of the Selleck Hall (the place where I live) many interesting things could be found. Apart computer and study rooms, there are also music rooms. Three of them. And in each there is one piano.

I somehow always wanted to be able to play at least one song on piano. And of course, my dream is to play the guitar. Therefore, when I realized that I have free access to piano and moreover, I have person willing to teach me to play very nice song, I started to practice. It makes me really happy :-) I spend every other day maybe 30minutes "relaxing" in the music room. When I need break from studies, or when I just feel like playing, I go there. Usually, in the afternoon none of the rooms is taken.

I am already able to play both hands together, however, I will need much more time to be able to play it the way Linkin (my piano teacher) can play it. But I will manage :-) and then I will play it for my parents during Christmas time :-)

Let's go for a coffee!

There is one thing that I love about USA. And that is American coffee and American coffee houses. It might seem surprising but it is absolutely true.

In the country where "the culture" is said to be unknown word, I have found the strong coffee culture. And I totally fell in love with this aspect of the American way of life.

At the very beginning of the semester, we were desperately looking for some nice place to chat, to have fun, something with atmosphere and charm. We thought there was none. Heh not true. There are many of them. And the coffee they brew is just delicious. Never ever had a better one. I love take-away option or in case I have time and nice company, just sit in Kopeli's and observe people studying all around, or the one at the Haymarket where they have tons of books and huge muffins.

Uuuuhm :-) Let's have a coffee!

Climbing weekend in Blue Mounds in Minnesota

With my climbing class we went to Blue Mounds National Park in Minnesota to spend one weekend climbing on the real rocks. It was wonderful weekend, I only regretted that I could not spend more time in the nature.

The first day the weather was wonderful. But unfortunately, during the night there was horrible storm, thunder and flash hehe I never experienced such a heavy rain while sleeping in the tent. These are the moments when one realizes the power of the nature. I simply loved it!!!