scottie1113
5 Sep 2009
Food / Your all time favourite Polish Dishes! [108]
Golabki is great, pierogi is boring. I love bigos and golonka.
Golabki is great, pierogi is boring. I love bigos and golonka.
scottie1113
6 Sep 2009
Work / Are there any Americans teachers left in Poland? [38]
I'm an American teaching English at Bell in Gdansk. I've been here for two years. I love it and I'm going to stay here for the rest of my life. I didn't come here because of a woman. I came to experience life in Gdansk.
Having said that, I'm going to get married nest next to a wonderful Polish woman I met before I moved here. I've known her for five years, but she's not the reason I came to Gdansk.
There's another American teacher at my school. He's been in Poland for six years. I know of several other Americans who teach here, so to answer the question posed in the title of this thread, yes, there are still a few of us around.
Interestingly enough, my students tell me that they prefer American English to British because it's easier to understand. Whatever. I use books written by Brits and know the difference between flat and apartment, pavement and sidewalk, etc. I teach both.
I'm an American teaching English at Bell in Gdansk. I've been here for two years. I love it and I'm going to stay here for the rest of my life. I didn't come here because of a woman. I came to experience life in Gdansk.
Having said that, I'm going to get married nest next to a wonderful Polish woman I met before I moved here. I've known her for five years, but she's not the reason I came to Gdansk.
There's another American teacher at my school. He's been in Poland for six years. I know of several other Americans who teach here, so to answer the question posed in the title of this thread, yes, there are still a few of us around.
Interestingly enough, my students tell me that they prefer American English to British because it's easier to understand. Whatever. I use books written by Brits and know the difference between flat and apartment, pavement and sidewalk, etc. I teach both.
scottie1113
8 Sep 2009
Work / Are there any Americans teachers left in Poland? [38]
Yes, I have a CELTA.
Michal, someday you'll understand what you read. In this case, obviously you didn't. Let me say it again for your benefit. I didn't come here because of a woman. What part of that don't you understand?
Thanks, Scottie. do you have a teaching certificate?
Yes, I have a CELTA.
Michal, someday you'll understand what you read. In this case, obviously you didn't. Let me say it again for your benefit. I didn't come here because of a woman. What part of that don't you understand?
scottie1113
9 Sep 2009
Work / Are there any Americans teachers left in Poland? [38]
Michal, you are so far off base that it's not even funny. It's apparent that you judge everyone by your own misguided perceptions and self conceived realities. After all, you're the guy who thought that Sopot only had one train station. Get a grip, man. You don't even know your own country any more, and based on your opinionated posts I doubt that you know very much about people. I feel sorry for you.
No man goes to Poland to teach English for any other reason BUT for a woman. I understand very very well.
Michal, you are so far off base that it's not even funny. It's apparent that you judge everyone by your own misguided perceptions and self conceived realities. After all, you're the guy who thought that Sopot only had one train station. Get a grip, man. You don't even know your own country any more, and based on your opinionated posts I doubt that you know very much about people. I feel sorry for you.
scottie1113
10 Sep 2009
Work / Are there any Americans teachers left in Poland? [38]
Sopot Wyscigi, Sopot, and Sopot Kamienny Potok. That's three.
Sopot Wyscigi, Sopot, and Sopot Kamienny Potok. That's three.
scottie1113
14 Sep 2009
Law / Poland - Temporary Residence card - Karta pobytu - required documents [142]
Interesting. I've been living in Gdansk for two years with a karta pobytu and and am in the process for applying for the third time. I've done everything here in Gdansk-no need to go to Warsaw. And every time I've needed slightly different docs. For example, this time I needed five photos whereas in the past it was just four. No big deal.
It's definitely easier to go through the renewal process than the initial application.
The Schengen area has made it a little more difficult for non EU citizens to get residency because of the 90 day thing, but it's certainly still possible.
Interesting. I've been living in Gdansk for two years with a karta pobytu and and am in the process for applying for the third time. I've done everything here in Gdansk-no need to go to Warsaw. And every time I've needed slightly different docs. For example, this time I needed five photos whereas in the past it was just four. No big deal.
It's definitely easier to go through the renewal process than the initial application.
The Schengen area has made it a little more difficult for non EU citizens to get residency because of the 90 day thing, but it's certainly still possible.
scottie1113
16 Sep 2009
Law / Poland - Temporary Residence card - Karta pobytu - required documents [142]
Usually they do, although I've never had one. I'm told that this time they may come to my school to do this since I'm seldom at home during the day. Remember, every office is different so I'm only speaking about my experience.
Usually they do, although I've never had one. I'm told that this time they may come to my school to do this since I'm seldom at home during the day. Remember, every office is different so I'm only speaking about my experience.
scottie1113
17 Sep 2009
Law / Poland - Temporary Residence card - Karta pobytu - required documents [142]
That's my understanding as well. And yes, 45 days before the visa expires is correct. I can't remember if the decision comes in 30 or 45 days after application,but unless the application is rejected you're OK.
That's my understanding as well. And yes, 45 days before the visa expires is correct. I can't remember if the decision comes in 30 or 45 days after application,but unless the application is rejected you're OK.
scottie1113
9 Oct 2009
scottie1113
10 Oct 2009
Food / Polish Pizza !! The best in the world? [330]
The "anywhere in the world" part made me laugh. As for vegetables, all I can say is you obviously have never been to a market in California. Vegetables in Poland are few and far between, and can't hold a candle to I used to eat there.
The title of this thread should have been: Polish pizza-the worst in the world.
The "anywhere in the world" part made me laugh. As for vegetables, all I can say is you obviously have never been to a market in California. Vegetables in Poland are few and far between, and can't hold a candle to I used to eat there.
The title of this thread should have been: Polish pizza-the worst in the world.
scottie1113
30 Nov 2009
Food / Your all time favourite Polish Dishes! [108]
\
I didn't like it in the US where it's called borsh (not sure about the spelling) and I don't like it here because I just don't like beets. I love golambki (cabbage rolls), bigos, golonka (either baked or boiled, but boiled is much more common). It's always tranlated as pork knuckle, but it's really a joint from a leg. I recently ate some incredibly good Kashubiam pierogi and that's moved up a lot higher on my list. I didn't mention any seafood because I don't think of it as a Polish dish. Carp's not seafood (it's a freshwater fish) and it's just crap spelled another way. Disgusting.
barszcz
\
I didn't like it in the US where it's called borsh (not sure about the spelling) and I don't like it here because I just don't like beets. I love golambki (cabbage rolls), bigos, golonka (either baked or boiled, but boiled is much more common). It's always tranlated as pork knuckle, but it's really a joint from a leg. I recently ate some incredibly good Kashubiam pierogi and that's moved up a lot higher on my list. I didn't mention any seafood because I don't think of it as a Polish dish. Carp's not seafood (it's a freshwater fish) and it's just crap spelled another way. Disgusting.
scottie1113
11 Dec 2009
Law / Poland - Temporary Residence card - Karta pobytu - required documents [142]
Every office in Poland has different requirements. I didn't know about the police check before I got here and I didn't have one, so I merely signed an affadavit that I wasn't an axe murderer, and voila! Kata pobytu approved. Ah, what they don't know...
Every office in Poland has different requirements. I didn't know about the police check before I got here and I didn't have one, so I merely signed an affadavit that I wasn't an axe murderer, and voila! Kata pobytu approved. Ah, what they don't know...
scottie1113
13 Dec 2009
Law / Poland - Temporary Residence card - Karta pobytu - required documents [142]
Because he isn't on this site site at the moment? Give it a rest and be patient.
Because he isn't on this site site at the moment? Give it a rest and be patient.
scottie1113
16 Jan 2010
Food / Polish Pizza !! The best in the world? [330]
I have finally eaten very good pizza in Gdansk! Da Grasso opened here recently and they make very good pizza, almost as good as what I was used to in California. Try it, you'll like it. And they deliver.
I have finally eaten very good pizza in Gdansk! Da Grasso opened here recently and they make very good pizza, almost as good as what I was used to in California. Try it, you'll like it. And they deliver.
scottie1113
16 Jan 2010
Travel / Driving to Poland from Ireland end of jan, Need Advice [26]
All the advice given has been really good. My fiancee and I drove from Dortmund to Gdansk on 3 January. We left at 4 pm and arrived in Gdansk at 6 am because we took frequent rest stops. Although it had snowed a lot in Germany and weather was below 0, the highways (motorways/autobahns) were pretty good most of the way. We didn't drive fast because of the weather and because it was at night, and the trip was uneventful.
Gas (petrol) in Germany was about 1.36 euros/liter, less in Poland. We saw plenty of motels/hotels every time we stopped for gas so you shouldn't have any difficulty in finding a place to sleep.
Her car, a 10 year old Volvo V70, is in good condition and has winter tires-a must! We bought a battery just before we left and had non freezing liquid to clean the windshield, which we did frequently.
Be prepared and you'll be fine.
All the advice given has been really good. My fiancee and I drove from Dortmund to Gdansk on 3 January. We left at 4 pm and arrived in Gdansk at 6 am because we took frequent rest stops. Although it had snowed a lot in Germany and weather was below 0, the highways (motorways/autobahns) were pretty good most of the way. We didn't drive fast because of the weather and because it was at night, and the trip was uneventful.
Gas (petrol) in Germany was about 1.36 euros/liter, less in Poland. We saw plenty of motels/hotels every time we stopped for gas so you shouldn't have any difficulty in finding a place to sleep.
Her car, a 10 year old Volvo V70, is in good condition and has winter tires-a must! We bought a battery just before we left and had non freezing liquid to clean the windshield, which we did frequently.
Be prepared and you'll be fine.
scottie1113
10 Feb 2010
Life / Bilingual kids in Polish schools [30]
We do.
Ugh, I wish we spoke a seperate language sometimes :(
We do.
scottie1113
10 Feb 2010
Life / Bilingual kids in Polish schools [30]
What do these mean?
Actually there are differences between lots of different kinds of English, whether it's British, American, Australian, Carribean, etc. And the most common English spoken in the world today is English spoken by non native speakers. No big deal.
SAE and AAVE.
What do these mean?
Actually there are differences between lots of different kinds of English, whether it's British, American, Australian, Carribean, etc. And the most common English spoken in the world today is English spoken by non native speakers. No big deal.
scottie1113
10 Feb 2010
scottie1113
17 Feb 2010
Life / Feeling ashamed of my Polish heritage. [237]
I be thinkin I's be better.
Start with The Polish Way by Adam Zamoyski.
All in favor of "I is" or "I's", please speak up.
I be thinkin I's be better.
Maybe I should crack open a history book or two
Start with The Polish Way by Adam Zamoyski.
scottie1113
19 Feb 2010
Life / 3 reasons why winter is the best time of the year in Poland [58]
Not for me. While I'm loving this cold winter, I'm looking forward to spring and summer. I love it when it's 30C. My Polish and British friends think they're going to die of the heat. I just smile and enjoy it.
Being cold is better than being hot
Not for me. While I'm loving this cold winter, I'm looking forward to spring and summer. I love it when it's 30C. My Polish and British friends think they're going to die of the heat. I just smile and enjoy it.
scottie1113
5 Mar 2010
Life / BEFORE Poland.. what did you do then and what are your plans now? [29]
Ok, my turn.
Education. University of Washington, Seattle. BA in French.
Residences. Born in California, then lived in Virginia, California, Japan, California, Virginia, Japan (high school), Washington State (university), California (university), Washington State (university), Virginia, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Vietnam (not exactly fun in those days), Washington State, California. My father was in the navy and I was in the Marines, which is why I moved so much. I guess I've got itchy feet.
Jobs. 12 years as a Marine officer, then 25 years in sales and sales management prior to coming to Poland.
Why Poland? 1. As a US citizen, it's almost impossible to get legal residency in the older EU countries, eg France, Italy, Spain, etc. They were the countries I first looked at when I decided to move to Europe since I speak French and some Italian and Spanish. 2. I've been interested in Poland since I started reading WWII history when I was about 10. I visited 3 1/2 years ago to see the country firsthand, liked it, and moved to Gdansk 2 1/2 years ago.
Plan to stay forever? Yep. My girlfriend is Polish and we plan to get married this year or next. I met her on an internet site 6 years ago, met her during my initial visit and we clicked. She's not the reason I came to Poland, and even if it doesn't work out, I'll stay here. I have a lot of Polish friends here, and I really like the people. Lots of other reasons as well, but that'll do for now.
Did I speak Polish before I came here? Not much. I had Polish in 4 Weeks (it's not possible) and knew a little, but I've learned a lot since I got here. I now know four words in Polish: tak, nie, piwo, but I've forgotten the other one. Actually my Polish is OK, and I learn more every day.
Ok, my turn.
Education. University of Washington, Seattle. BA in French.
Residences. Born in California, then lived in Virginia, California, Japan, California, Virginia, Japan (high school), Washington State (university), California (university), Washington State (university), Virginia, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Vietnam (not exactly fun in those days), Washington State, California. My father was in the navy and I was in the Marines, which is why I moved so much. I guess I've got itchy feet.
Jobs. 12 years as a Marine officer, then 25 years in sales and sales management prior to coming to Poland.
Why Poland? 1. As a US citizen, it's almost impossible to get legal residency in the older EU countries, eg France, Italy, Spain, etc. They were the countries I first looked at when I decided to move to Europe since I speak French and some Italian and Spanish. 2. I've been interested in Poland since I started reading WWII history when I was about 10. I visited 3 1/2 years ago to see the country firsthand, liked it, and moved to Gdansk 2 1/2 years ago.
Plan to stay forever? Yep. My girlfriend is Polish and we plan to get married this year or next. I met her on an internet site 6 years ago, met her during my initial visit and we clicked. She's not the reason I came to Poland, and even if it doesn't work out, I'll stay here. I have a lot of Polish friends here, and I really like the people. Lots of other reasons as well, but that'll do for now.
Did I speak Polish before I came here? Not much. I had Polish in 4 Weeks (it's not possible) and knew a little, but I've learned a lot since I got here. I now know four words in Polish: tak, nie, piwo, but I've forgotten the other one. Actually my Polish is OK, and I learn more every day.
scottie1113
5 Mar 2010
Life / BEFORE Poland.. what did you do then and what are your plans now? [29]
I think a little more than umieć. Where were you in Japan? I lived in Yokohama.
I learned French for 4 years but at school. I remember a lot. I lived in Japan for 2 and picked it up quite well.
I think a little more than umieć. Where were you in Japan? I lived in Yokohama.
scottie1113
7 Mar 2010
Travel / Best place to exchange money in Poland? [98]
I just go to a kantor. Since I seldom exchange money and only in small amounts when i need euros, and the rates are about the same, it works for me.
I just go to a kantor. Since I seldom exchange money and only in small amounts when i need euros, and the rates are about the same, it works for me.
scottie1113
7 Mar 2010
History / Is There A Polish Foreign Legion? [35]
I have a medal for exceptional duty performance from GROM (thunderbolt), a Polish special forces unit. In fact, I have two medals and a cap.
I have a medal for exceptional duty performance from GROM (thunderbolt), a Polish special forces unit. In fact, I have two medals and a cap.
scottie1113
21 Mar 2010
Work / English teaching books in Poland: villains and heroes [30]
New English File is the best. New Inside Out is pretty weak, especially the speaking exercises. Skip them and make up your own, even on the spot. Ready for FCE is OK, and they still need grammar at this point, but I always bring some outside material for them.
New English File is the best. New Inside Out is pretty weak, especially the speaking exercises. Skip them and make up your own, even on the spot. Ready for FCE is OK, and they still need grammar at this point, but I always bring some outside material for them.
scottie1113
24 Mar 2010
Work / English teaching books in Poland: villains and heroes [30]
Most students who take the FCE exam do well in speaking, reading and listening. The difficult parts are writing and Use of English. Guess what we do a lot of in my classes. I use the Cambridge exams book extensively. After every exercise, say in word formation, we do a speaking exercise to practice what we've just studied. And we do a lot of free speaking exercises as well.
One good book which hasn't been mentioned yet is IDIOMS ORGANIZER, by John Wright. There's also another called Phrasal Verbs, or English Phrasal Verbs. I tried to find it in the teachers room today but someone must have been using it. I'll try to get the exact title for you.
Most students who take the FCE exam do well in speaking, reading and listening. The difficult parts are writing and Use of English. Guess what we do a lot of in my classes. I use the Cambridge exams book extensively. After every exercise, say in word formation, we do a speaking exercise to practice what we've just studied. And we do a lot of free speaking exercises as well.
One good book which hasn't been mentioned yet is IDIOMS ORGANIZER, by John Wright. There's also another called Phrasal Verbs, or English Phrasal Verbs. I tried to find it in the teachers room today but someone must have been using it. I'll try to get the exact title for you.
scottie1113
30 Mar 2010
Food / Where can I buy lamb in Poland? [89]
Very difficult to find lamb in Gdansk but from time to time a local shop can get it for me. It's just not very popular in Poland. I need a leg or two for dinner and curry for a party I'm having in mid April. My Polish friends tell me the only time they eat lamb is when they're at my flat.
Very difficult to find lamb in Gdansk but from time to time a local shop can get it for me. It's just not very popular in Poland. I need a leg or two for dinner and curry for a party I'm having in mid April. My Polish friends tell me the only time they eat lamb is when they're at my flat.
scottie1113
11 Apr 2010
Language / Polish in 4 Weeks CD-ROM [46]
Polish in 4 Weeks is a decent start, but it's pretty weak on Polish grammar. Get a copy of 301 Polish verbs by Lara Janecki. Priceless. Also Hurrah po polsku 1. It's also got a CD, but it's entirely in Pollish, which is a good thing if you're serious about learning.
Polish in 4 Weeks is a decent start, but it's pretty weak on Polish grammar. Get a copy of 301 Polish verbs by Lara Janecki. Priceless. Also Hurrah po polsku 1. It's also got a CD, but it's entirely in Pollish, which is a good thing if you're serious about learning.
scottie1113
27 Apr 2010
Life / Smoking vs. Grilling on Balconies / High Rises in Poland [66]
When I lived in the US, I owned, at various times, two condos and two houses, and also lived in several flats (apartments. I grilled in all of them. Never a problem, and the only policeman who ever showed up was a friend I had invited for dinner.
A T-bone in Poland. HA! I've never seen one, and a Porterhouse or rib-eye is out of the question. No matter. There's still a lot of stuff to grill. Going to fire mine up soon.
No one in the right mind would allow you to grill on the balcony here. ( in the U.S) they would call the police on you.
When I lived in the US, I owned, at various times, two condos and two houses, and also lived in several flats (apartments. I grilled in all of them. Never a problem, and the only policeman who ever showed up was a friend I had invited for dinner.
A T-bone in Poland. HA! I've never seen one, and a Porterhouse or rib-eye is out of the question. No matter. There's still a lot of stuff to grill. Going to fire mine up soon.
scottie1113
3 May 2010
Genealogy / The last name is Krzywoszyja. Help? Am I Polish? [30]
LOL! This is SO true. Thanks MG for bringing a smile to my face.
If you can answer "yes" to at least three of the above questions, there is a very big chance that you are indeed Polish.
LOL! This is SO true. Thanks MG for bringing a smile to my face.