almost a milestone!

It's later then I usually do my blog and I want to try to get to bed a little earlier.  When I say that in the states it never happens and I don't know what makes me think it will happen in B.  Once again I'm kinda at a loss for what to write.  I'm over (knock on wood) my cold but several of the teachers I work with are getting colds too.  Before I forget I will not be here Thurs pm or Fri and so may not blog.  Who knows, I just might.  I have my mid-service (strange isn't it??!!) Dr's appts. It hardly seems like it's been almost (16 days) 1 year since I've been in B!  I've been telling people it's like the first year is spent building trust, integrating, and figuring out what to do, what to focus on.  By the time that's done a year has gone by and you look at all you want to do and say "my gosh!  I only have a year to do all this?!"  I really find it hard to believe it's been a year; time has gone so incredibly fast!  Part of me looks back and sees all that has been accomplished this past year and I am in awe.  The other part of me thinks of all that as just a beginning and a good foundation; the second year is for the "REAL" work!!  If you would have told me a year ago I would be able to travel a foreign country alone, have a good handle on another language, be imersed in another culture I would have looked at you like you were crazy!!  I had no idea really what to expect when I boarded the plane to meet 86 other people wanting to be in the same boat as me a year ago!  I will say though, having an organization like the Peace Corps behind me settled my nerves a little!  When you think about it, and I do remember having this thought several times during pst, people are just people wherever you go.  I choose to focus on the good.  What it all boils down to is this...everybody has the same basic needs.  To some extent you will be understood, language aside.  People are just people.  Love and hugs!  Thinking of my sis' family in their hunting!

Easter

Happy Easter everyone (if you celebrate.)  I spent the day in bed and watching tv with the worst cold I've had since I've been here!  Luckily I think it's a 24 hr thing.  Anyway enjoy the day and remember the reason for this day!  Love and hugs!

Earth Day

You know how it is when you do something wrong and someone catches you?  Well the same feeling of, hopefully, embarrasment a person feels for getting "caught in the act" is equal to the sense of pride one feels when getting "caught" doing something nice.   I just happen to have the perfect example of this!  My kids organized a trip to the woods today for about 10 students from the 8th grade.  We met others along the way.  Being Earth Day and all I figured I'd take my bags and pick up garbage along the way and in the park.  I have to admit it was mostly me, I don't mind doing it at all, but the students did help every once in awhile.  For the times they did, I'm grateful.  On a whole it was kinda like pulling teeth to get them to care about Earth Day and help actually pick up trash.  I do have to give them credit though, they did help and every litttle bit counts.  There were times when I had to be firm and say "no, I'm not going to stop" and stand firm about why I was picking up trash and all.  So, we're walking back home with the bags that we were filling up on the way when all of a sudden who should appear?  Someone who works in the governmental building of our municipality, kind of like a township.  Anyway, an "important" person.  He stopped, he had a car full of people, and talked to the students about what we were doing and our efforts for Earth Day.  Now granted I did not understand everything he said but the gist of what he said was "good job" and "you should tell your Mayor" and things like that.  The students told me he invited us to come and have lunch on him!  One time, I did hear a chuckle in the car from a lady, the guy asked me a question and one of my students started speaking for me.  I put my hand on my students shoulder and calmly said "can I answer?"  I didn't really say answer but it was implied.  Anyway  I couldn't have planned it any better!!    The reason to do something nice and helpful, at least in my book, isn't because someone might see you and then you'll get recognition, but it's sure a great motivating factor.  After the car left and told my kids"see what happens when you do good things?  People see you and recognize your good works and are appreciative!"  The 8th grader who did most of the talking to the carfull of people, and was one of the least receptive of the whole "picking up trash" thing, smiled and sounded excited that our efforts were recognized.   I hope they remember this situation.

Valek Den

So I just came from the kindergarten where my 5 year old class was painting hard boiled eggs for "Valek Den", or Easter, on Sunday.  Having been told this earlier, I switched my plans to continue with the alphabet knowing it would probably be a crazy day.  We talked a little about Earth Day tomorrow and then played a game with a ball passed around, music, and when the music stopped the person with the ball had to think of some way to help take care of the Earth.   It worked in one of the classes and didn't go as planned in the other but, hey, that's the way it goes I guess!  I am going on a picnic with some students from the 8th grade tomorrow and just happened to think "hmmm, I have some big plastic bags left from April 9th (the day designated as "The Day to Clean Bulgaria").  I'll just take them along tomorrow."  Not exactly sure where we're going, somewhere in the woods, but it should be fun!   I had a last minute idea, a lot of my ideas turn out that way, for a bulletin board posting for Earth Day at the English School.  It was pretty cool if I do say so myself.  Because it was last minute, our students left for their homes at 12:30 today and there is no school tomorrow, I was working frantically in the staff room trying to get it done so the students could see it for a few short hours before they left.  So to all my blog readers, don't forget Earth Day tomorrow!!  We all have to do our part to make this planet livable for generations to come!  Happy Easter everyone if you celebrate.  If not, have a great weekend.  Love and hugs!!

some questions answered

My Aunt sent me a letter a few wks ago, a package actually-thanks Nan, with some questions and I thought maybe I'd share with all of you in case there are others wondering the same thing.  Actually this is good, I kind of need to start over anyway, or at least back up.  "Do you get to teach very much?"  I don't teach, at least at the English school I don't.  I go to the English classes with the E teachers if they want me to for speaking or such.  I do teach in the Kindergarten 1 hr a week to 5-7 yr. olds.  I will be starting an E class for the adults of my town as soon as I can find a place to have them.  "Do you have the language mastered or at least enough to get by?"   Mastered-DEFINITELY NOT!  I feel confident enough to get by and can travel with my B.  I used to worry a lot more about how much I'm not speaking B and then I re-examined my reason for being here.  I'm here to speak E with the students at the school.  I speak E with the E teachers because they want me and I want them to be able to hear a native speaker.  I speak B to everyone else and am still learning; I have lessons Mon and Wed for 1 hr.  I'm here for my E and am not going to beat myself up anymore for speaking (mostly) E!  As long as I continue to learn and try, that's good enough for me!  I do need to seek out more chances to speak B and that is my own fault.   "Have you driven a car recently?"  I am not allowed to drive a car while in B.  I think I can if I am in another country but that isn't even something I'm thinking about.  I have riden in quite a few!  It will be quite interesting when I take my Corolla for a spin after 27 months of no driving!  I've heard "driving is just like riding a bike, you never forget" and "it is definitely interesting to drive after 27 months"; we'll see!  "  Do you get a chance to watch tv very much?"  I have a tv in my apartment and limit myself to B tv during the week and let myself have a break and watch E tv on the weekends.  This next sentence I never thought I would say.  I do have to watch more tv during the week.  I need to surround myself with B to help me learn.  I usually watched tv, in the states, during dinner.  Well, since I eat dinner in the stol so I don't watch tv then and it just seems like other things need to be done later at night.  On the weekends I watch Gilmore Girls and am kind of hooked on it!  "What is considered important in B?"  Family is important in B.  The older generation is more respected here then what I've seen in the states.  It's not uncommon at all for every weekend to be spent in the village/town where, say people my age,grew up helping your parents.  You do whatever you need to for your family and sometimes that means splitting the family between countries.  I know several people who have kids, parents, or spouses in different countries.  They do this because their jobs are there and they support the family that way.  "Is politics polarized there too?"  I try to stay as far away from politics as I can, even with fellow volunteers!  "Do the people relate to the Japanese people?"  Right after the earthquake and tsunami a teacher at our school had all her students make paper cranes and they hung them outside on a tree.  They made a Japanese flag and had some pictures of the devestation up on a bulletin board at school.  "Do you have earthquakes?"  I think earthquakes and flooding were the 2 natural disasters we talked about could happen the most when we covered safety concerns during pst.  "Is there a sport that is widely popular?"  That would be soccer.  Volleyball is also kinda popular but "futbol" is the most popular sport here.  "Is the weather more moderate now?"  It's Spring so it's chilly but warming up.  "Do you get to spend time with other PC volunteers"  I do but I have to admit I'm not the best at visiting or keeping up with my fellow volunteers.  Weekends are, at least 2 a month, "free" and we can travel in B without using vacation days.  The problem is is that I get a lot of my work done on the weekends and sometimes do things with the students who live here.  I was with 4 other volunteers for a short spring break trip and had fun.  I do realize being with my fellow PCVs is part of the whole picture but I like where I am and have to catch up on so much after I get home when I leave.  I do get to see my family on skype (usually) every weekend and have family and friends who do an awesome job of writing me letters and sending me things!!  I'm not quite sure where I'll be for Easter quite yet but if it's curled up with a book, glass of wine, and a movie I'll be fine!  Not planning a trip as of right now which is just fine by me.  Love and hugs!!

breakthrough!

I consider myself to be a friendly person.  I can be a little shy when I first meet people but open up when I know a person and then sometimes you can't get me to be quiet!  That's why, when I first got to B and was taking a walk with my sister, I was confused when she told me that here if a person doesn't know the person they see walking towards them in the street they don't say hello.  Now there are VERY few B things I just dismiss (after all I am here) and decide not to follow, but that was one I must say.  Of course in the states I don't greet everyone on the street!  But if I happen to be walking in close proximity to a person I will say "hi" or some kind of greeting.  After doing this for awhile I got used to not hearing anything back and at first it bothered me a little.  So when I got to my permanent home I kept saying "hello", "good morning", or other forms of greetings.  Sometimes I would wave.  Over time I forgot to even listen for a comeback greeting; it wasn't about that anymore it was about just being friendly and showing my face around my new home.  Over time I heard "good morning" back (sometimes in English by those who wanted to show me they know a little English) or other greetings.  HOWEVER, the morning this all changed for me was the morning after a coworker stayed with me and I accompanied her to the bus stop.  My coworker lives in another town so isn't seen that much around my place.  We got to the bus stop and before I knew it this lady looked at me and said "good morning" and I hadn't said a thing.  Of course all this is in B.  I could not believe it!  A little while later this older man rode by on his bike and waved.  I could not believe my eyes and ears!!   Maybe you are reading this and thinking "what's the big deal?" or "sure they would say good morning."  Now I don't mean to come across as B's are rude and don't talk, totally not the case!  This, my greetings, was something I was told was new and just not done.  I skyped my friend and told her all about it right after I got home from putting my friend on her bus.  Again this may sound like something very little but I took it as a "yea!  Maybe I'm rubbing off!"   It's been drizzling on and off most of the day and (knock on wood) I think it may have stopped!  Today we laminated the flashcards and lots of the teachers took a turn.  I think they really enjoyed it !  The Principal even came in the room while we were laminating and watched for awhile.  Totally off subject but I have to comment on the lawnmower I hear outside right now.  Now if that doesn't take my mind to the states nothing will!!  Love and hugs!

teachers

"Gospozha" or "Gospozho” is what all the female teachers are called.  Literally that means “lady” or “madam.”   “Gospoden” is what a male teacher is called and that means “mister.”  Coming from a place where “Mr. Allen” or “Ms. Jackson”  is how teachers are referred to after Kindergarten age (I’m guessing here) it was a little difficult for me to understand this.  When students ask a question in class they address the teacher with “Gospozho” (or some other form of the word) and then ask their question.  That is the only word they use; there are no other names said.  So you can imagine how confused I was, and still am, when students would come to the teachers room, stick their head in and say “Gospozho?” to a staffroom full of 5 teachers.  Now of course, as has happened only a handful of times, if the student is speaking English I can be pretty certain they’re talking to me.  Even the way I was first introduced to my collegues was different to me.  In the states when I worked with Kindergarten and under I was “Ms. Lisa.”  When I worked in a school I was “Ms. Miller” and I think that is still how it is in schools, Ms. or Mr. and your last name.  Actually no, now that I think about it I was introduced to everyone with a Mr. or Ms. in front but followed by their first names.  However, when one of the teachers wants to get the attention of another teacher they call each other by their last names.  I know most of my coworkers by their last names and call them by their last names.  Now that I actually stop and think I guess it’s about half and half.  When I was having a B lesson one day my teacher let me know that “Mr.” followed by their first name or “Ms.” followed by their first name isn’t appropriate.   I have to admit the “Gospozho” to a room full of female teachers still confuses me but it’s been this way and will continue to be so I have to get used to it.  It’s just a little different.  I’m helping some of the 8th graders put on a mini-skit for the 9th of May which is the European Day I think but I’ll have to find out more.  They are also reciting the poem “...If you think you’re outclassed, you are...You’ve got to think high to win the prize...”   I can't remember th name of this poem but it's so inspirational and true!   I hope they take this to heart because it is so true!  Love and hugs!

THE DIFFERENCE WORDS MAKE

This is something I have had on my mind to blog about for awhile now but just haven't done it.  That would be about the subject of small talk.  I have never been great at it in English and am FAR worse in B!  In the states when I don't know someone or am alone with someone I can generally think of something to break the ice.  That's much harder in B!  Like in the teachers room at school when everyone is quiet and not doing anything I think you myself (sometimes) "now's my chance; I need to say something."  But really besides talking about the weather (I know it's clique but believe me it's one of the things I can do!) or asking about someone's family I don't know a whole lot else.  It's just something I never really thought about before I got here; how important those "little conversation fillers" are.  Even if I hit on a subject that gets people talking eventually it gets to a point where I don't know what they're saying or have exhausted my vocabulary on the subject!  oK, I DON'T KNOW WHAT i DID BUT THIS WILL HAVE TO DO FOR NOW AND I WILL FIGURE OUT WHICH BUTTON i ACCIDENTLY PUSHED AFTER I'M DONE WITH THIS.  ANOTHER THING THAT IS ALONG THE SAME LINES AS SMALL TALK HAS TO DO WITH CHANGING THINGS UP.  AT MY JOB IN THE STATES I USED TO THINK I WAS PRETTY GOOD AT DOING THIS.  IF THE KIDS I WAS WORKING WITH WERE NUTS I'D THINK OF SOMETHING ELSE TO DO TO KEEP THEIR ATTENTION.  SOMETIMES IT WORKED AND SOMETIMES IT DIDN'T.  IN THE CHILDCARE WORLD WE CALL THESE TRANSITIONS.”  MAKES SENSE DOESN’T IT?   FOR INSTANCE, IF I’M TELLING A STORY OR READING AND THE KIDS ARE TALKING MAYBE I WOULD STOP, HAVE EVERYONE LINE UP BEHIND ME, AND RUN AROUND THE ROOM OR SOMETHING ELSE TO “GET THE WIGGLES OUT.”  HERE, NOT SO EASY!  i CAN’T JUST SWITCH FROM ONE THING TO ANOTHER LIKE I USED TO BECAUSE I DON’T HAVE THE WORDS.  EVEN SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS EXERCISING ISN’T THAT SIMPLE.  IF I WANT TO “JUMP UP AND DOWN 10 TIMES” I HAVE TO MAKE SURE I KNOW THE WORDS FOR “JUMP UP AND DOWN 10 TIMES.”  YES I TRY TO PREPARE FOR TIMES LIKE THESE BUT EVEN THEN, IF IT DOESN’T ROLL RIGHT OFF YOUR TONGUE USUALLY YOU’VE LOST THE KIDS, WHICH KINDA NEGATES WHAT YOU WERE TRYING TO DO IN THE FIRST PLACE.   I’M FINDING OUT HOW MUCH I TOOK WORDS FOR GRANTED!  HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!  LOVE AND HUGS!

Ladies first!

 I noticed something last night during game night.   The stol only has 33 chairs so some(4) people were standing.  2 female students came in about 7:30 after we had been playing quarters for awhile; this was one of my favorite games to play with the students at my old job in the states.  Anyway while I was tring to think of what to do, start a game on the floor or something else that hopefully would have come to my mind, I noticed 2 of the male students got out of their chairs so the young ladies could sit down.  Then this morning when I was walking to the 8th grade Literature class I waited for one of the male students who was not far behind me.  When we got to the gated door to the school he opened it and then moved aside for me to go in first.   Shivalry, what a novel idea!  I have to say it's nice to see that kind of respect, especially from young men!  Once again I think the states, or at least what I've seen in Indiana, could take a lesson or 2 from these young men!  I think the whole reverance for babas (grandmothers) says a lot about this culture!  I've said before that if you need anything you go to a baba.  If someone is bothering you, you go sit by a baba and that will solve your problem.  If you are lost in the airport in Rome (gee, I think that happned to me!) and unsure where to go or even who to ask, ask a baba.  Grandparents are much more "important" in the B culture, generally speaking, then in the American culture, again generally speaking.   I think babas have the hardest jobs followed closely by maikas, or mothers.  Thinking back to when I first got here and set foot in a classroom, the students stood when I entered the room.  They also stand for guests and their teachers.  I must admit that's nice to see although I'm not sure how much it happens for the teachers anymore; the students are usually standing anyway when the teachers get to their rooms.  I appreciate the politeness, sense of shivalry I've seen thus far in this culture!  Now granted I've only seen a small portion of their culture and a small portion of the place I call home but I'm still impressed!  One more thing if you'll allow me to toot my own horn for a brief moment.  I went to a SIP class, special classes held in the afternoon-yesterday we did English vocabulary with the 8th grade, yesterday with counterpart and a couple seconds afer I walked in the class, 23 students, started chanting "Lisa, Lisa," and on and on.  Not quite sure what I did to deserve that but it made me feel good; I like that class!  Love and hugs!

This is going to be a quick daily recap because I have to prepare for the game night I'm having tonight after dinner in the stol.  I forgot to tell everyone!  I say a stork yesterday!  It was flying away from me so I could not see it very clearly but I'm in the clear to put my martinitzas on a fruit tree!  I went to a couple classes today with my counterpart and helped practice a skit some of the students will put on on the 8th of May I think.  Not really an actress but I did get into some of the characters if I do say so myself!  It's slowly warming up; it as probably in the 50s today and sunny.  THe dogs are out in force and I have been timing them barking while on the computer.  Last night this one barked on and off, mostly on, for 30 minutes straight and didn't make my headache any better.  Tonight we're going on 25 minutes.  We're coming up on the mid-service point and I have check-ups at the end of the month.  The last, and probably only, time I went to this many doctors was when I was trying to get IN the Corps!   For lunch today we had my favorite, basically cream chicken and biscuits only I use bread for the biscuits.  Not sure what else to say; another day in B!  Love and hugs!

cheers!

Alright...Most of you guys know by now of a potent drink over here called Rakeya.  It's usually homemade, or at least the times I've had it it usually was, from pretty much any kind of fruit.  For special occasions, or not even special-just an occasion, rakeya is served.  There is always something to eat with rakea, usually this is a salad with tomatos, cuccumbers, serine.  The one thing I've noticed is that the B. people are very good about not drinking and driving and not drinking on an empty stomach.  I happen to think the states could take a lesson or 2 from  them!     So when everyone is sitting down and ready to eat there is a toast.  Anytime there is any type of alcohol there is a toast.  Here the toast is "nzdrave!"  The most important thing when toasting is to look the person in the eye who you're toasting.  Sometimes this can make a person dizzy depending on how many people are toasting and how much a person has had to drink.  I'm not exactly sure what happens if you don't look a person in the eye but the volunteers were warned from day 1 that you look people in the eyes when toasting.  Of course everyone clinks everyone elses glass and there is the "nzdrave!" instead of "cheers" like we do in the states.  IF you happen not to be drinking alcohol you don't toast.  I have to admit I've seen this both ways but on the whole if you're not drinking alcohol you don't "nzdrave!"   I have to say I kind of like the idea of looking people in the eyes when making a toast and clinking the glasses.  I'll see what more information I can dig up on this and fill in some of the blanks.  But for now that's it from here!  Love and hugs!!

Spring Break pics!

an old train car.  Ben and I just had
to get in!

again in the train!  It was
pretty cool!  Ben and I
were the only ones who
wanted to see what
the inside was like!!  

this is me of course.

this sign says (basically) that
this is the transportation
museum.

Pyce has some very nice rock
formations I would never have
found if  I hadn't been walking
around with these guys!

you wouldn't know it to look at him
but Ben is SUPER strong!!  That and
a good sport!

I'm really learning how to use
the timer on my camera!  Of course
this is the second picture; I
didn't make the first one.

We went into a second hand store and
Ben "highly suggested" I try this
mis-match outfit on.

This is the front view of me
"blowing kisses" to all
my fans.  I won't quit my
day job!  Promise!

Not sure if the side view is any
better!  I just had to buy the
pants.  Now that I think about
it I should have bought the
jacket too.

Chris, Jez, and April.  What's up Chris????

We found a place with hamburgers
 and french fries.  They were ok.

April was nice to take a picture so
I could be in it.  The timer thing
didn't work.

Here Jez is modeling the HUGE
chocolate bar I bought.  At night
we usually played some games,
drank some wine, had some snacks,
and solved all the world's
problems.  It was nice to
be able to chill and relax with
friends!!

Boy, she really wanted that chocolate
bar didn't she??!!  It was very
good!  A great time was had
by myself, Jez, April, Chris, and Ben!
Looking forward to next time!

heeheehee!

This blog is for my mom who mentioned I should blog about this subject.  Now I'm not a comedian by any means but sometimes I can be kinda funny, or at least I think so.  I learned pretty fast when I got here what I think is funny and what B's think is funny are 2 very different things.  I just quit trying after awhile.  Even the people who have a nice grasp of the Eng lang. don't snicker even a little after I've said something I thought (at least) deserved a chuckle.  Same goes for their jokes or at least the ones I've heard so far.  Even after they have been explained to me in Eng. I usually don't think they are funny.  There is a humor capital in B and it is the city of Gabrovo.  If I remember right it's because lots of humor books came from there but I can't be positive on that.  The B. word for a joke is "shega."  My counterpart is getting better at putting up with my (sometimes) lame attempts at humor.  She did get me good for April Fools Day!  I was leaving for my trip to Pyce and had looked for a bus the previous day and saw there was one at 9:30.  Neither of us had anything to write the times down on so we would have to remember and since it looked like 9:30 was a good time didn't seem like it would be that hard to remember.  So it's Friday morning and we are having coffee, yes coffee, and she says to me "I called the bus station (just in case we had forgotten the times) and there is no bus at 9:30 anymore.  Now it's at 10."  Well I was pretty sure I had remembered correctly 9:30 and so reacted in surprise and said "I could've sworn....."  and that's when she said "happy April Fools !"  Different strokkes for different folks!  Oh!!!  I was going to mention this and am so glad I remembered!  My blog about the weight thing and how everyone has to step on the scale when they go to others' houses and all.  The explaination I was given for this was that it's a recent thing for people to have scales in their homes and it used to be in bigger cities peoople would sit out on the streets and charge people to stand on their scale.  As I was walking around Pyce the other day I saw a man sitting by the street with a scale in front of him charging 20 stotinkas for people who wanted to weigh themselves.  Go figure!   I think that's it for today!  Love  and hugs and let's get something worked out so the Govt doesn't have to shut down.

Spring Break #2

I just noticed something today, yesterday now,  that I hadn't before but is worth pointing out.  They drive on the same side of the road as we do in America.  I was headed to pay my phone bill, or so I thought, with a coworker who was going that direction and noticed that after being here almost a year.  I guess since I can't drive I don't pay much attention.  Well my Spring Break mini-vacation was super fun and relaxing; just what the doctor ordered!  Some other volunteers and I went to explore Pyce.  I found a laminator and wanted to get one and bought one over break.  I was SO EXCITED!!  Now the flashcards that all my kids worked so hard on can last even longer!  We went shopping in a thrift store and one of the volunteers, thanks Ben:), "highly encouraged" I try on these mis-matched, gaudy jacket and pants.  It was pretty funny!  I'll post pictures but I'm not with my camera right now.  I don't think I'll quit my day job; I don't think I'd make it as a model.  That wasn't very nice of me to tempt you all like that was it!?  At night the 5 of us sat downstairs in the kitchen, drank some wine, played some games, and solved the world's problems.  Not really but we did chat quite a bit!  It was my kind of vacation!  We didn't really have a schedule so just did whatever.  My friend Jez was all excited, like me, because she bought a popcorn popper.  A bigger mall opened up in Pyce, I swear the corps sent me to Bulgaria:), and we went to check that out one day.  It was a hike and we were tired when we got back to our hostel, my legs definitely let me know, but WE WERE IN HEAVEN...or very excited.  I FOUND DR. PEPPER!!  For those of you who know me that is my drink-the diet form anyway.  I bought 6 cans!  I ended up spending 9 leva but it was SO worth it.  They didn't have any diet but that doesn't matter when I have been away from it in any form for this long!  well it's time for dinner and my battery is wearing down.  Love and hugs!!

svekvam- "used to"

(I'm trying to make up for this weeks blogs by posting 2 times today).  It's funny how people get used to things.  Forever after I first got to my home away from home here at site people would ask me (and thank goodness my counterpart was with me because I didn't know what they were asking) if I was used to B yet.  I can't tell you the exact word for "used to" or "accustomed to" and have never looked that word up but after hearing it a number of times I know it.  Anyway, I have been away from "home" since the 29th of March for a )in the process of traveling back to my site, and blogging about it, one time I said I was "headed home."  At the time I thought nothing of it but looking back at it after she poined it out to me it did seem like something a little out of the ordinary.  Back to now.  The last portion of my time away from home this past week + has been with other volunteers for a little spring break trip.  As I was headed for home yesterday I realized how much I missed my site home (here).  I boarded the bus and heard a song that is always played at parties here.  One of the seniors here has a character he plays, along with 1 or 2 other boys, when we have parties and is super funny!  (Probably kinda like the Marx Brothers but I don't know enough about the Marx Brothers to compare them)  They do silly skits and just plain act silly.  I was reminded of him when I heard one of the songs in his "act."   I missed here and just wanted to be back.  Here I'm primarily with Turkish Bulgarians; the last part of my trip I wasn't.  I was with Americans and ethnic Bulgarians.  In America, well anywhere i guess, I'm a WASP, or White Anglo-Saxon Protestant, and have a way of life and basically hang out with other WASPs.  I'm used to that life.  Put me in, say, a Hispanic or any other ethnic atmosphere for a little whie and I would miss my WASP way of life.  I've been here at site for 8 months now and this is home; I'm "used to" it.   The little things I missed, or maybe had to remind myself weren't the same as home.  Here almost everyone knows Turkish and some of the older people don't speak B very well, they rely mostly on Turkish.  Taking that into consideration I have learned how to say hello in Turkish (much to the dismay of my students I want to go no further in that language right now).  I had to remind myself that I couldn't just say "salam" to an older person while traveling and assume they would know what I meant.  When I got on the bus back to site one of the students from the other school, Hristo Botev, came passed me and said hi (and in English to boot!)  It's just so very interesting how someones mind gets used to one way or place and misses it when it's not there.  Love and hugs and GREAT RUN BUTLER!!!

newbies #2

Continuing on the theme of my last blog, I remember when I first met the family that would become my lifeline for the first 10 weeks of my service.  During our first week we  had  voluneers come and speak to the "newbies" (yes it's kinda hard to remember we were once in this position) about anything and everything surrounding the life during PST, pre-service training.  I remember one of the guys saying how attached he got to his family after only 10 wks, how they kept in regular touch, and how he went to visit them after his pst.  I thought he had to be exagerating!  How could anyone get so attached to someone after only 10 wks?  I thought he was nuts and wrote him off, quickly forgetting what he said.  What do you know!!  Flash foreward 10 wks and I was tearing-up at the a bus station saying goodbye to my host family.  I never thought it possible but I was saying goodbye, now I know better, to a family who had taken me into theirs and loved me like one of their own for a time.  They showed my the B. lifestyle, showed me how to make some of the B food (I DID take notes, I just don't cook!), took me places, and even let me listen to "Gentlemen and Ladies!  Start your engines!" at the dinner table!  I say I didn't say goodbye for long because I've taken my mom and step-dad to visit them for several days and as I type this am sitting in my Baba's apartment and spent most of the day with my "other" family.    I remember that car ride to my new house and how anxious things were.  Other volunteers asked me if I was nervous to meet my family and I told them I wasn't because "they're just people."  The day after I met them we had our first B. lesson with our B tutor.  My sister walked me to the training center where we had classes and then went home.  The next day was Tues and I knew the way; the training center was real close to my new house.  I set out, walked only about 3 minutes when I heard someone screaming my name.  I looked around and saw my teacher leaning out the window shouting for me to turn around.  It was so close to my house I had passed it!  I remember when we were learning how to order in a restaurant and all about foods and we practiced in class.  I didn't feel like I had a handle on it so a sitemate and I went to a restaurant to practice.  The menu had pictures and we thought "great!"  We ordered by pointing at the pictures and thought we knew exactly what we were getting because we had ordered by the pictures.  Imagine our surprise when our meals came and they weren't what we (thought we) had ordered.   I told my host mother about this and she invited me to go to lunch with her and then I could practice with her at her favorite lunch place.  When the waitress got to our table I asked for 2 menus and the waitress looked at my host mother questioningly and then left to get our menus.  After lunch was over I asked why she had looked at my host mother funny and she said because she always has lunch there and doesn't need a menu.  Oh well!  I really can't thank Dani,Aleksi, Krisi, and Vesi enough!!  THey did so very much for me and treated me as one of their own and I am now part of the family.  Before this gets too long, this just might have to be the subject of tomorrow's blog; I'm kinda having fun, I'll just say the B27s have their work ahead of them!  You learn so much about yourself and otherwise during the first 10 weeks!  It's hard work and at times the last thing you want to do but it's all necessary.  You learn how to work as a group even when sometimes that's the last thing you want to do.  You develop friendships with your sitemates, some of which will last a lifetime.  It all seems like forever ago!  Love and hugs!

newbies

Yesterday, 2 days ago now, a new group of trainees arrived in Sofia.  I did not go to meet them at the airport but know people who did and was very happy to be greeted by volunteers when I arrived.  I can't help but think how I felt in their shoes when I was coming over in May 2010, almost a year ago-how can that be?!!  I felt so little and almost helpless but ready to start my "job" with (then) 86 other trainees.  This week was like a blur!  We had interviews with our program staff (youth development staff for me), elementary language lessons, lessons on safety, B. culture, history, anything else that we would need to know about living here, shots and medical exams/interviews, as well as getting to know the people who would become our lifelines and support system for the next 27 months.  So when I say it was a blur, I mean it was a blur!  We got our language books, 3 of them, english/Bulgarian dictionary, and blue pst binder.  On Sat night they will find out, if it's the same schedule I had, where they will spend the next 10 or so weeks and who from their group will be with them.  If this isn't stressful enough on Sunday they will meet their "family" they will be living with for the next 10 weeks.  I remember my first interview with my program staff, who I am so familiar with now and wouldn't hesitate to call for any little thing, I was so nervous!  IT all seems like such a long time ago and went by so fast!  I remember on the bus from the airport to where we stayed that first week I sat beside Bao, someone in my training group that I knew a little better.  It's funny to think of how much better I know her now and how very little I knew her then.  At that time the 87 of us had been together for an overnight in Phili, a bus ride to Newark, and 2 LONG airplane rides, plus layovers.  It's amazing to think what you can do when forced to do it.  I remember blogging about this before but the 87 of us had no choice but to get along and get to know each other!  We knew from that first overnight in Phili we were going to have to be each others "American" family in B, each others support system.  I remember being overwhelmed with the feeling of being a part of this group of 87, the B26s, and how impressed I was with my group who I felt, and it's no different now, really wanted to make a grassroots difference in B.  Now as I see things others are doing for this country and read on our weekly newsletter the happenings and things other volunteers are developing I can't help but compare myself to others and say "gee, I'm not doing anything cool like that" or "good idea, why didn't I think of that?"  However, after I realize I can't compare myself to others and remind myself that it's a team effort, I am very proud of what we are doing here!!I I was talking to my counterpart the other night about what I want to get done, me leaving (it's right there in the back of everyones minds), and what has been done.  For me, and I don't think it's that different for other volunteers but I won't speak for them, the first year is spent integrating, getting to know the community and gain their trust, figuring out who you can ask to get certain things done, figuring out WHAT needs to be done.  By the time you figure all that out the first year is behind you and you only have a year left and I can't help but think "I want to do all this and I only have a year?"  I should say "we" because I can't do it alone, I will be working every step of the way with local people.  Anyway this has turned into a very fun blog for me and will be my subject for Monday's as well but I have to sign off now to go have a little Spring Break with good friends who I have only known for 11 months and a big chunk of that time has been spent apart!  Funny how that works huh??!!  Love and hugs and still have yet to see a stork!