volleyball

This past Saturday was a school day here to make up for the non-school day last Monday.  Our school had a volleyball tournament.   Anyway I learned some things about volleyball here that's not quite the same as the volleyball I grew up playing.  At first I found myself thinking "why are we playing sports on a study day?'' but then I thought about it.  Every school I have gone to or worked at in the states has a field day at the end of the year.  So then I felt better.  But I got a little confused when I saw one of the players from one of the teams kick the volleyball over the net because he/she couldn't get their hands under it in time AND win the point.  Come to find out in very recent times the rules have been altered to include the fact that kicking the volleyball is acceptable.  I think you can even use your head here but that I'm less sure about.  I tried to look up the rules to American volleyball, I'm fairly certain we don't have those rules but am not a volleyball person so can't say with 100% certainty we don't, and didn't get very far.  I found that quite interesting and the students had fun and sure can play!!!  CONGRATULATIONS 8 CLASS-YOU GUYS ROCK THE SCHOOL...in volleyball that is.  Speaking of students I'm going to try something tomorrow night which may not work at all and some may even say it's boardering on stupidity!  But as my great friend Jez always says "there's only 1 way to find out!"  Let me back up a bit.  Since one year has passed for me here, I've had a chance to reflect on what more I want to do this next year and so on.  Over the past week I made a schedule for myself on exactly WHEN I'm going to do these things, or at least try.  One of my goals is to try to have an activity in the stol for the students every Wednesday.  This Wednesday I'm going to try to have a study night.  1 hour after dinner for homework or studing for tests or whatever.  My counterpart, one of the English teachers, is going to show up and she offered to help the students if they have questions.  Yes it's high school and yes it's nice outside and yes they would rather be in the kafe drinking with friends.  I know all that.   If no one shows up I'll know not to try it again, or try it during winter, and if one student shows up, it was successful.  That's is from here!  Love and hugs!  Prayers are with the people of Joplin!!

like I never left!

When I first learned I was coming to Bulgaria I was happy but have to admit I knew, well..., nothing about the place I would call home the next 27 months of my life starting in May 2010.  I'm sure I knew it was in Europe but that was it!  Now that I've been here for a year, and since I've moved to my "permanent" home, I very often find myself thinking "it's like I'm back in Indiana!"  You think that's funny and not possible but I've said that very thing a lot since I've been here and here's why.  First of all, this sticks out because yesterday was the Indy 500, I hear skreeching tires and people trying to be Dan Weldon (I feel so sorry for J.R. and especially since I didn't hear Weldon mention anything about him in his post race interview!  Yes I listened to part of the race) every day (and night) outside my apartment.  I want to tell them exactly how bad that is for their cars but my efforts would be futile.  Then yesterday, I still find this incredibly ironic, there was a car/motorcycle race here.   Of course the 2 can't be compared but a car race is a car race!  Another reason this feels like Indiana is because of all the fields and CORN!  It's like they knew!  When I was on the bus coming here I couldn't help but look out the window and think of the similarities.  I'm surrounded by fields!!  I think everyone, ok most everyone, reading this knows Indiana IS fields (and a little more but for the sake of this blog it's fields)!   Ever heard the saying "there's more than corn in Indiana!"?   Again, it's like I never left.  Going along with the fields and corn, not a day goes by (and more now since it's summer) that I don't look out my window and see a HUGE piece of farm equipment going down the road.  Yes I come from a farming family (grandparents and parents when younger) but I can't name lots of the equipment and I'm sure it's not the latest and newest machinery but I have seen some hay bailers and pretty nice size John Deere tractors (those names are kinda easy to remember).  One of the things I had gotten into the habbit of doing before I left was every morning started with a cup of green tea that I would drink on my 25 minute drive to work.  I wasn't sure if that would continue and was planning on it not continuing actually.  I was pleasantly supprised when my host mother asked me that first morning before school if I wanted tea or coffee and when I said "tea" the first choice she gave me was "green tea."   Come to find out it's very available and I start my day with a cup of green tea as if I never left!  Then there is the weather.  Very similar as well...apart from the natural disasters the states has had and all the snow this past winter.  From what I hear though this past winter was unusually warm for B.  I know I find myself thinking "it's just like Indiana" for more reasons then I wrote about but no others come to mind right now.  When they do you can bet I will blog about them.   For now, love and hugs from here!  No matter where I am, In my house in the states or my friend's house in B, it never fails that I get tears in my eyes when I hear "God Bless America", "Indiana", The "National Anthem", or "Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines!!!"

graduation

Graduation here is a little different then when I graduated from North Central a few years ago;)  I graduated with 679(?) other seniors whereas the school where I primarily work has only 4, and next year 2!  From what I gather the word "ball" is an all-encompasing word use to include all the graduation festivities and not a dance.   The last day for the seniors is May 24th, the same day Bulgaria celebrates the Cyrillic alphabet.  I had a big ceremony in Market Square Arena where I walked across the stage and recieved my diploma from someone important that for the life of my I can't remember now.  I apologize if any of the former staff is reading this; I still have the picture of me recieving my diploma at home in the states.  Our school had a small ceremony last Friday in front of the school for parents, teachers, and the "underclassmen."  Oh yeah!  I forgot to mention!  What they wore that day put me and, if I remember right, the majority of my classmates TO SHAME!!  THEY WERE DRESSED!!  Part of me is so impressed because of how little I dress up, REALLY dress up.  The other part of me is impressed because this says to me "this is how it's done" and, regardless of the different attitudes I run into about school work and the like throughout the year, they take graduating  SERIOUSLY!!  They looked so beautiful and handsome!!  Not like they don't everyday but there's something different between jeans and a nice dress or suit.  I did not see then get a diploma that day and not sure how that works.  These past few weeks I have been hearing a lot of chanting of "(your school here) ima ball" repeated over and over and over again.   That is the graduation chant which literally means "my school has a graduation!"  Since there are so few seniors I'm sure our "ball's" are a little different than other schools.  When I was in Varshetts for PST I went and saw their seniors celebrate.  There were maybe 20 seniors.  They all decorated their cars, kinda like we do after someone gets married, drove them like in a parade for everyone to see, stopped in front of the school and got out (this is where an underclassmen friend helps-they can drive your car afterwards) and started chanting on the school steps.  More students, bigger celebrations.  A fairly common practice here is to go to the Black Sea after the "ball."  Our former seniors are there now with their "form" teacher, the teacher from our school who is mainly responsible for their class, and will be staying 3 more days.  H.S. graduation is a very big thing here as it is in the states!  However the opinion I get is, with the expense of higher education and the need to start making money, fewer seniors here continue their education compared to the states.  Because of that fact I think H.S. graduation is an even bigger deal here.  Families start setting aside money for dresses, shoes, the trip to the Black Sea, and everything else that comes with a "ball" years before the event and maybe even earlier.  Their families are proud and some even cry.  They take pictures and even video record the event if they have a recorder.  Of course chocolates are given out.  I forgot!  They also give roses to the teachers.  At the ceremony at the school the principal spoke as well as the person who funds our school.  I'm going to try to post some pictures so I'll sign off now.  On second thought the pictures will come next week I promise!    Love and hugs!

yes means yes

Time completely got away from me yesterday and I realized I hadn't blogged at about 10!  Sorry!!  So before I start blogging about all the festivities that are happening right now Iwant to elaborate on something that confuses me.  Bulgaria is the only country where a head shake yes means no and a head shake no means yes.  I knew this was going to be a problem for me but have to say have gotten quite used to it.  In fact when talking to family on skype they probably get confused because it's second nature for me now.  HOWEVER, since the rest on the world is opposite this I think some people  here try the "backwards way" (for them) with yes being yes and no being no.  So sometimes when I asked someone a question I kinda know the answer to and they shake their head like we do in the states, I have to ask them to clarfy which "yes" or "no" they mean.  When I first found out about this I thought there was absolutely no way I would get it, after all I have been doing the various head shakes for 38 years!  Even as recently as last July when I had my final interview with my program staff from the Corps I told Zhana I didn't think that would ever come!  It takes a little getting used to but after awhile of seeing it over and over again it becomes second nature!  I also realize how much I actually use my head when I say yes or no.  I never thought I did that much but I'm finding out I do!!  So when I get back to the states and someone asked me if I want some ice cream and I say yes but shake my head (like would be a no everywhere else but Bulgaria) I might get some strange looks!  Happy birthday a day late to my niece and congrats go to my Seattle family!!!  Love and hugs!

a "hidden" reason

I am not a dancer.  I have to admit I am much better at slow dances than the fast, latest style of dancing.  That being said I have always wanted to learn but just never had the overwhelming desire to take lessons.  Bulgaria has a rich history of traditional dances that most EVERYBODY knows.  In fact during PST we were taught 2.  Anyway, I am committed to dancing here.  Other Volunteers do a much better job at this than I because they have classes close to them.  I don't but that doesn't hold me back;  I can make a fool of myself just like anybody else!  I am happy to announce (mom) that I know 2.   But this blog isn't really all about dancing, only partially.  I'm sure everyone reading this blog remembers the attitude in the states right after 9/11.  There were no political parties and no agendas.  We were all citizens of the U.S.; we were united!  That same feeling, I'm assuming, is the feeling that the citizens here get when a traditional song is played.  It's doesn't matter who you are, if you're a citizen living in B. that's part of your identity; it's YOURS.  I have always wondered, especially after I tried a dance in Hissar recently and didn't do well (really!  A man watching us actually left his seat to come and help me!) what Bulgarian people thing of Americans/foreigners trying to do their dances and sometimes, I'm speaking for myself, looking like bumbling idiots.  Sorry, I have to back up a tad.  The Bella Rosa is the traditional dance and is a must at all PC gatherings.  So the last night while at the Life Skills Training a big group of us, Bulgarians and Americans, went to a restaurant with live music assuming they would play the B.R.  They did and several more.  So after the evening I asked my counterpart what her opinion of other people trying to do traditioal B dances was and what she thought Bulgarians in general thought.  She said it gives her pride and she is very proud that we want to do them.  (now is when you have to follow closely my train of thought)  Bulgaria is at a time of transition right now.  Lots of people leave because of the lack of jobs and money.  I believe, and have been asked by a couple B's, that B will be strong again; that it will happen for B!  If you're a Bulgarian reading this I mean no offense; I live here and am proud to be a B citizen!  So putting all this together I realized: maybe one of the reasons (I'm sure this is written somewhere but I just thought about it) we are here is to build pride for Bulgaria among Bulgarians.  I'm not saying there isn't any!  I'm just thinking that if this sense of pride is "added to" (for lack of a better word) maybe it will make someone think again about living here or somewhere else.   One of my goals for this next year is to learn more dances!  Let me tell you, they can dance!!!  Love and hugs!  Thoughts and prayers go out to Missouri and the rest of the South!

this time of year

It's very interesting how almost overnight things can go from people staying inside and doing their "winter/cold weather routine" to the "summertime/warm weather routine."   It's been warmer for a few weeks now but today was reminiscent of what I first remember when I moved here.  Monday is the pazaren den, or day where there are lots of vendors selling fruits, vegetables, clothes, and housewares.  It's summertime!   I know it's summertime because as I was coming back from the pazar my neighbors were sitting outside and asked if I wanted to join them for coffee or tea.  This time I had coffee.  This is what I have to do!  In addition to their offer of coffee I got another while at the pazar.  I love this time!  Yesterday I made a partial list of things I want to do differently this next year; now I just have to incorporate it into my daily schedule.  One of the things I want to do (I can't say differently because I really didn't do this last year) is learn how to prepare Bulgarian dishes and asked my neighbor lady if she could teach me.  Another thing I need to do differently is being more proactive about speaking.  Summer is a great time for that because everyone sits outside and there is absolutely no way a person will not find a group of people and be invited over!   I got into the habbit last summer of sitting with my neighbors and talking so it won't be hard to find a place to do that. Tomorrow I will start writing about the topics I came up with while I was away and the special days here but I just had to blog about the start of the summer season (for me.)  Funny story:  Last Friday our seniors had their "ball", or graduation ceremory.  Our school is funded by a Muslim organization, the "leader" of the Muslim people here is Bulgaria.  He spoke on Friday and directed a question towards me.  I had no idea I would be spoken to during the ceremony and wasn't with any of the teachers who could translate for me; I wanted to get pictures so was where I could see better and the teachers were off to the side.  When he started talking to me some of the teachers told my counterpart, and translator, "oh no!  You're her translator and she's over there!"  She had confidence in me, more than I had but I was shocked I had no time to be nervous, and when he asked if I knew B. all the teachers said yes and told him to go slow.  I UNDERSTOOD!!!  Hindsight being what it is I could have said more and, this isn't supposed to reflect badly on me in any way, I really could have messed up big time in front of parents and should have been more nervous but I wasn't and answered well.  PHEW!  I'm sure you all have been in situations where you could mess up royally in front of a VIP.  Anyway, time to go make my first tomato and cucumber salad, I don't have any sirene yet, of the summer.  Thoughts and prayers are with the people affected by the terrible flooding in the south.  Love and hugs!!!

I'm back...again

Sorry about that!  While trying to silence my smoke alarm one day last week I pulled the chair from my desk...that unfortunately had my computer cable around its leg.   My computer fell and worked for awhile and then stopped.  I took it to get repaired and got it back today.  How is it that the same repair in the states would run hundreds of dollars but cost me only 16 leva here.  That's hard for me to believe.  Anyway I've been using the school's computer for emails and such but didn't want to take up as much time as it takes me to write my blog so haven't blogged for awhile.  Unfortunately during this time I had a very close church friend of mine pass away; not the best time to be without computer access in my apartment.  So if all the praying people reading this blog would add Luanne and her family and friends to their list it would be appreciated!  Now that I have apologized for going awhile without blogging I'm going to do it again although this time the reason is better.  I'll be at a conference learning.  I'm actually very excited!  It's on Life Skills which I think will be interesting.  I'll be there until Thursday and I'm not thinking I'll get around to the blog.  Things are good here!  The seniors had their last day of school yesterday (even though they weren't in school) and the year is winding down!  It's still chilly here in the mornings and sometimes warms up a little in the afternoons.  I'm doing fine and have lots to reflect on today as it marks the 1 year anniversary of me being in B!  While I was without a computer some good "blog topics" happened so I have plenty to write about when I gt back!  It's good to be back!!  Love and hugs!

alcohol

I'm not sure if I've blogged about alcohol yet, and don't feel like sifting through a bunch of archived blogs to find out, so I'm going to do (another) one.  There is no drinking age here like in the states.  It is nothing to see my students having a beer, or stronger.   I was asked by my counterpart to speak to her 9th grade class about American foods and drinks, places to vacation, and another topic that we didn't get to; the topic turned to why I am here and all which I never mind sharing!  In the process of talking about food and drink one of the things I mentioned, I knew it would get their attention, was the fact that we have a drinking age in the states, for the life of me I couldn't remember what-21 right?  I told them that if their parents or anyone over age is caught giving alcohol to someone underage that person will get in trouble.  I was right, they did find that hard to believe.  I have been to several gostis where alcohol was made available to my students.  It's just so commonplace here no one thinks twice about a young person having a drink.  It's my opinion from my experience here so far, one thing B does beter than the states is with the issue of drinking and driving.  I'm not talking about sobriety check-points or commercials detailing the problems with it, I'm talking about accountability between people.  When I went to the 8th March celebration with some of my fellow teachers and students (International Women's Day) we took the school transportation and a 12th grader drove.  Everyone made sure he didn't have a drop of alcohol!  Now I know in the states there are people who do that, my brother-in-law won't even touch a drink if he's driving.  However I think that is pretty rare.  When I was in the 9th grade class the students told me B has a problem with drinking and driving too and I'm sure they are right, they are the ones who have lived here for 10+ years, I  just haven't seen it.  Maybe that's because there are fewer people who drive here or maybe it's because I can't drive so I don't see the problem.   Either way I think maybe the states could take some lessons from B in that area.  Again, from my experience.  I did decide though that unless it's a very special occasion I'm not going to drink with my students; it just doesn't feel right to me.  Love and hugs!!

my 12 step program

"Hi, my name is Lisa and I am 39 years old and was afraid to go to Sofia by myself."  That may sound very funny coming from someone who is choosing to live in a different country for 27 months on the other side of the world (I don't have a globe right here but we'll go with it) from where she spent the first 38 years of her life!  A person would think that if I could give up (not how I see it but again, we'll use that for the sake of this blog) the comforts and security my country brings, why is traveling to a big city any different?  Let me elaborate a little on that...  Sofia has trams and trolleys (that go both directions so a person has to be sure they are going the right way or else face a LONG walk back the other direction!) and city busses and lots more cars than I am used to here!!  Plus I have heard stories from other volunteers about getting kicked off trams and such for not having your ticket punched or punched wrong.  Did I mention you have to buy a ticket each time you use public transportation?  It makes perfect sense but only adds to the list of things I have to do!  So I wasn't really "jumping into this trip with both feet."  This is the time where I thank my great friend and fellow volunteer Jez for all her help.   I wasn't nervous or scared when I realized I was leaving the states for B for 27 months, now I don't quite remember-everything was such a blur so my family might have a different opinion, actually I was excited.  I knew I would be exposed to different things and the language was the biggie!  HOWEVER navigating ALONE around a big city was something else!  Coming to B I knew there would be 86 other people in the same boat as me as well as PC staff that would hold our hands.  Not that the staff won't help us, quite the opposite, but things are different now.  So after I arrived Fri am in Sofia I (yes it's true;) )  procrastinated going to find where I needed to go for awhile; the bus station was familiar.  Finally, after giving myself a little pep talk, I set out to not get lost.  You know how you are so afraid of doing some things, even putting them off for fear something will go wrong (I NEVER do that! You can stop laughing right now mom) and then after you do them you think "why was I so afraid to do that, it was no big deal!"  That was kinda how I felt after the trip.  Now of course 2 is always better than 1 and I'm not chomping at the bit to navigate Sofia by myself again but I know I can do it if I have to make a return trip.  Being here another year + I'm kinda sure I'll have to make a, if not several, return trip.(s)  "Hi, my name is Lisa and I am 39 years old and was afraid to go to Sofia alone...but I did it and it really wasn't that scary after all!"  Love and hugs!