A letter from Mary Rose

A letter from Mary Rose

This is a letter from Mary Rose that was emailed to me recently. I think it is a nice letter that should be read by all. For those of you who are lazy and just skim I put some of it in bold. I will be out of toch with many of you and will be missing the Balaton gathering so I too hope all well if I do not see you before you leave. laura

Thanks Everyone for the Great Job of Teaching this Year!
This is Mary Rose back in Portland. All year you’ve been so great about sending me invitations to all of the festivals and get-togethers, and each time I’ve been pea-green with envy!
But more than that, I want to thank you for the great job you’ve all done in your teaching careers! You know how Hungarians are—so no news is truly good news. We’ve acquired quite a few new schools for the coming year, due not only to Hajni’s efforts, but due also to word of mouth. The schools are happy with our wonderful CETP teachers and are spreading the word.
I have a favor to ask (but really, I wasn’t just buttering you up!) A couple of our teachers have mentioned that our website features photos and quotes mostly from before 2000. You’ve been such a great group and seem to have had such a wonderful time—would you be willing to write short blurbs for us to add to our webpage and also send photos of you teaching, traveling, and just living during this year? I am working on updating the website and this will be of great help (plus you will be slightly famous!)
OK, I have two favors to ask. If you’ve had a positive experience, would you spread the word about CETP? Hajni and I are so proud of our organization—like Hungary, it seems a little hidden jewel—but we’d prefer that it not stay hidden! Talk to your friends, write a nice message on Dave’s Internet Café (that would be a BIG help!), or whatever comes to mind. I mention CETP whenever I can—just last week a man walked his dog past my house and after he mentioned he was retiring this summer, I said, “Why don’t you come teach English in Hungary this fall?” He’s seriously considering it, as is my mailman, who retires next year. It pays to speak up. Talk to your folks—wouldn’t they like an adventure? Have them come teach!
I’m so happy that so many of you are coming back for another year! Last year we had about a quarter of our teachers return, and this year it’s more like a third. And for those of you who are following other dreams, please let me know if you would like me to write you a recommendation letter. My new email address is cetp@comcast.net, although I have kept my cetp@att.net address as well. Unfortunately, AT&T blocks most email from Hungary due to excessive spam from certain Hungarian ISP’s (I feel so fancy when I can throw around a term like that). For months I couldn’t correspond with Hajni via email so I finally switched to high-speed internet and I must admit I love it.
If any of you are going to be in or near Portland this summer (I know you are Rosemary), let’s get together at Jim and Patti’s for coffee.
For those of you leaving, enjoy your last weeks in Hungary, and good luck with whatever you decide to do. For those of you staying, hopefully I’ll see you in Budapest for orientation. I’ll write more about orientation when I know more.
Again, thanks! You’ve been a great group. I remember how proud I felt when we all met for the welcome dinner and there were tables and tables full of exuberant faces (maybe you were all jet-lagged and dazed and I just misread your expressions). Now a new group will be coming in. I know that you who are returning will help them feel at home just like you did during winter orientation. Won’t it be fun to be an old-timer?
If there is anything I can do for any of you, please let me know. Last year at this time you were mostly all just names to me with a few resume-type facts to go with, but now you’re all friends and I’ll remember you forever. If you would like to be listed on the web’s alumni page, let me know and make certain that we have your current email address.
Mary Rose