mish mash3

I know it's been awhile but I have been pretty busy and I'm sorry for not blogging.  Everything happened at once it sems like and I'm leaving tomorrow to go get some friends from the states, do some traveling, and then have some me time.  So all this to say that I will be on a blog break until the 10th of October.  Last night I had an informational meeting for the adult English class that is finally happening.  Nargis and I had a bet how many people would show up; she said 25 and I said 40.  We were both wrong although I was closer and she owes me a chololate bar!  I have 3 classes of 15,14, and 15 during the week and 2 classes of 12 on Saturday.  Neither Nargis or I could believe it, they just kept coming!  So I really could use your thoughts and prayers as we begin these classes.  See, it seems like the opportunity for those classes just came up within the last week.  Then I have been preparing for the Kindergarten; this year I'll have 3 groups instead of 2.  So things have gotten busy all of a sudden!  You know, one of my collegues said today about the new English classes that they were very glad for the P.C. and that the Corps is very lucky.  You know I think it is us who are lucky enough to be able to promote our America!  Of course it will be extremely hard but that's to be expected!  Love and hugs and talk to you the 10th!

Bulgarian Independence

I'm going to take the next couple days off from blogging probably.  I really do have a lot to finish up.   Tomorrow is the Bulgarian Independence Day.  I looked at what I wrote last year and didn't like it that much so will do a new one this year, but short.  The B's got their Independence from the the Ottoman Turks in 1908.  The 6th of this month was Unification Day, the day that the Southern part of B became independent and the northern and southern parts of B were unified, both being independent.  There is a lot of history to write about, names and dates and the like, but I'm going to save that for another time when I have more time!  The moral of today's blog, not like there usually is, is don't be afraid of making mistakes!  That's how you learn!  In my opinion there's not enough of that here; you don't do something unless it's RIGHT!  That way there will never be learning.  You can't be afraid to get it wrong!!  Trying and getting something wrong is much better than not trying at all!!  Love and hugs from here!!  Thoughts and prayers are with my language tutor's family and especially her brother Ali.

it's finally happening!

Once again this is going to be pretty short.  I just got done walking all over town putting up fliers for the English class I'm finally having.  The Director of my school was nice enough to let me use the school during the evening to have the classes.  Exactly how many classes I have no idea yet.  We're having an informational meeting on Monday and that should tell me a lot.  The number of people who show up will determine how many different groups I have and how many classes I will have during the week.  I'm prepared to be very busy!  Well, technically I'm not all the way prepared yet but I am ready to be very busy, that's why I'm here!  Nargis and I made a bet as to how many people would show up for the meeting; she said 25 and I said 40.  We'll  see!  Anyway that was this afternoon.  I'm trying to get this report done before I leave on a vacation so I won't have it hanging over my head while I'm trying to have fun.   A couple from my church back in the states is going to be in the neighborhood and decided to drop in and see me!  I leave next Wednesday and will be gone until October 10th but not all of that is a vacation!  Today was fairly windy and kinda cool when the wind blew but very nice!  It made me think that I can't believe we're having this nice of weather and it's the middle, almost end, of September!  That's it for now!  Love and hugs from here!

How did I do that???!!!

This is going to be short and sweet and to the point!  I was working all day, missing my blog time, on a report for the corps and I finally got it opened!  Not sure what I did differently that it opened; whatever it was I was glad I did it!  I went to school this morning thinking I was going to write "welcome" in different colored cardstock and decorate one of the plain bulletin boards.  I asked some teachers if they wanted to help me and that led to a whole different idea from one of the teachers!  I was more than glad to push my idea aside, especially because it involved bubble letters which had seen better days!  I've never been good at bubble letters.  Then I found out that I'm going to be pretty darn busy this year!  The English class for the adults of my town is starting soon and will be a challenge!!  In addition I have 2 more hours at the Kindergarten than last year.  Sorry but that's what you get tonight!  Now that school has started I'm trying to stick to my new schedule which means I'm supposed to be in bed in 7 minutes.  Oops!  Love and hugs from here!!  Prayers and thoughts are with my language tutor's family!

first day1

Now that school has started my blogs should become more regular.  I'm starting to sound like a broken record but sorry about not having a blog yesterday.  Yesterday was more of a halfday really.  The teachers, students, staff, and some parents gathered outside to hear various addresses from the Director and our school's financer.  You know it just now occured to me that on the 3 occasions we have had reason to hear different speeches outside like today (graduation, the last day of school, and now the first day of school) it has been sunny.  Who knows what we would do with everyone if it ever rains?!  I'm assuming inside the school would be plan B.  The different grade levels stood together along with their form teacher which is a little like a homeroom teacher.  After everyone spoke the different classes met together with their form teachers for a little and then the day was done.  Nargis, her husband, and I headed to a town nearby for their festival.  We did some shopping and walked along and looked at all the venders selling their items; everything from plastic guns to bras!  I bought a sewing "goblin" with larger holes to stitch through and actually might be able to sew this one!!  It was a nice day and again on the drive home I was reminded how I really am living a dream.  I was the passanger in a car driven in another country coming from another town in that country with people who genuinely want to show me all about their culture!!  It was another "pinch me" moment!  Love and hugs from here!  Thoughts and prayers are with my tutor, her family, and especially her brother Ali.  Please pray for him if you wish!

frst day

Sorry about yesterday!  I went to the next town over and had lunch with the volunteer there.  I had lasagna that wasn't bad considering I as eating an Italian food in Bulgaria!  So tomorrow is the first day of school here.  Last year I was in Samokov for a youth development thing and missed the first day festivities so tomorrow will be new for me.  I think the non-my town students are moving into the hostel maybe even as I type this.  I think tomorrow is more of a formality thing than an actual school day.  We also have school this Saturday and then have a 3 day week next week because of Independence Day on the 22nd, the actual holiday, and the 23rd, the day everyone gets off because it's the Friday after a holiday day.  This is going to be a boring blog because I have to get ready to leave in a little.  This is going to be a better and more productive year for me as far as activities are concerned!  There are a couple things I want to try and start and several things that will continue from last year.  Things are fine and it has gotten hot once again.  Love and hugs from me!

worth it?

The idea for this blog came from a letter I got from my mom today.   She was telling me how everyone always asks her about me, am glad I joined the pc, and if I feel like what I'm doing is worthwhile.  First of all let me thank all of you who I know and don't know who are asking about me, thinking about me, and praying for me!!  I really believe I couldn't do this if it weren't for you all!  The support I get is just awesome!!  I know there are people who pray for me and support me that I don't even know and for that I say a big thanks!  You all have a big part in whether I feel what I am doing is worthwhile.  My blog is helping to meet the 3rd goal of the corps:  "Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans."  By all of you reading my blog you become more immersed in the B culture and learn more about B's.  Just because I am who I am I will probably always feel like I can do more.  A short story kinda to this point.  I was sitting down with my neighbors the other day, maybe 2 weeks ago, and they asked me if I would forget them when I leave.  I said "no" and then to further illustrate my point more I asked them if they would forget me.  Before I could even finish the sentence they all nodded and said "no!"  I said "see, you guys are my family over here; how can someone forget their family??"  I will admit that sometimes when I'm sitting in the teachers lounge at work and not doing much of anything I can't help but think "why am I at school when I'm not doing anything?"  But it's then when I have to stop myself from thinking that way and tell myself that I am doing something, even if I don't feel like I am.  I'm practicing my language and learning about B culture.  By me being there I'm helping meet the 2nd goal: "Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of Bulgarians."  Everytime I get a letter or new pictures or a package I either tell my collegues the latest story about my niece deciding she didn't want to go to school, share new pictures, or share treats from my packages.  I took the little wind-up bunny my aunts sent me to school and watched the teachers play with it.  The recordable card with my aunt's voice on it was a big hit!  There's also the English classes I go to and the students who know English better because they get to practice outside of class (the credit goes to them).   There will always be stuff I should do!  What I have to focus on is the more intangible stuff, the relationships that I build with people.  One of my favorie sayings that I'm not sure where came from is "build people, not monuments."  That's how I see my job!  As for am I glad I joined the corps?  YOU BET!!  From the first bus ride from Phili to New York to catch our plane here by way of Munich I was so impressed with the people I would spend the next 27 months of my life with (sorry English teachers).  It was so refreshing for me to see 80+ people so eager to lend a hand!  It kind of restores your faith in people, kind of like the line to give blood instead of the line to get gas did after 9/11.  I have met people who will be lifelong friends, both B's and Americans.  I wish that everyone had the chance to travel at least once in their life.  I think everyone should be exposed to another way of life, another culture.  We have so much to learn from each other no matter which country we're from!  I'm enjoying myself!  The ''American "in me will always think I could and should be doing more!  The truth is, just being over here is 3/4th the battle!  Love and hugs from me!  And GO FEVER!!

Ramadan

This is my long overdue blog about Ramadan.  Ramadan is broken into 2 different celebrations about a month apart.  The start of Ramadan is always different I learned b/c  the times are based on the Arabic calander which is lunar.  The first “part” ended about a week ago, maybe 2.  This is called Eid al-Fitr.  From sunup to sundown observing Muslims fast.  In addition to going without anything to drink or eat, there is no smoking, foul language, or sexual relations.  There are certain people who are exempt from abstaining from nutrients; women who are on their cycle, the sick and elderly, and pregnant or breast feeding women.  I also read something about if a person is traveling a certain distance during the day they are exempt.  THere are certain people who, if they can't participate, have to "make up days" while others have to exchange fasting for feeding the poor.  Come sundown, let the feasting begin!  The mosque by my apartment looks so pretty at sundown!  Illuminating from the top windows is a neon green light signaling it's the appropriate time to eat.  This meal is started by eating 3 dates.  The last 3 days of this Ramadan are feasting and family/friends days!  People make baklava and other sweet things.  As my counterpart says "this is the sweet Ramadan!"  Money is also given to children.  There is so much more for me to learn and I'm sure there are even things I've included here that are not the most accurate!  But it's all new and different to me and I'm enjoying learning and so appreciate the willingness of people here to allow me to participate!  That's it for my blog.  Let's not forget the events that took place over this weekend 10 years ago!!  The United States became more united for awhile, and then wasn't as united.  It's one of those things I'll never forget where I was and what I was doing.  When I was little and my mom would say something about how she remembers exactly where she was during such and such a time, when Kennedy was shot for example, I thought she was nuts!  How can someone remember such minute details years on down the road?  Now I know how.  I shall never forget.  Love and hugs from me!

BLAH!

I am so sorry to have ignored you all the past couple days!!  I have some friends coming to visit (YEA) and I've been trying to get our trip planned.  Now that sometimes I'm at work too, the actual school building, my usual blogging time comes...and goes.  So between working on the trip and going ha gosti I haven't blogged the past 2 days.  Sorry about that and I plan to tomorrow!!  Love and hugs and HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTER OF MINE!!!!

Unification Day

So today is an official holiday, Unification Day.  Today is the day that, in 1885,  Southern Bulgaria, called Eastern Rumelia at the time, became united with North Bulgaria and won it's freedom from the Ottoman Empire.  Northern Bulgaria was an independent entity as of 1878 due to a war between Russia and the Ottoman Empire where Russia was victorious.  However Eastern Rumelia still belonged to the Ottomans as an Ottoman province.  This was called The Treaty of Berlin.    Well, the Bulgarian citizens didn't think this was very fair and on Feb. 10, 1885 Eastern Rumelia revolted against the Ottomans.  The end result was the part of B that had been under Ottoman rule, the Southern part, joined Northern B as being Independent.  I asked my neighbors this morning about today and they equate these happenings to the Civil War; The United States (North and South) became united and Bulgaria (North and South) became united.  B also has another Independence Day, I guess this is more of a day when the 2 parts were united then an actual Independence Day, on September 22.  Of course more on that later!  Love and hugs from here and hoping things in Texas don't get that out of control!  Say it aint so Peyton!!

bubble days

It's a little later than I normally write but "you get what you get and you don't throw a fit!"  I've tried to translate that into B so many times but it just doesn't come to me; I need to sit down and figure it out.  Today is a non-work day because tomorrow is a holiday.  Strange you may say or just an excuse for a day off.  When I think about it I really like the idea but don't think it would go over too well in the states.  Tuesday is a non-working day; it's a holiday (more on that tomorrow).  Who wants to end the weekend by going to work on Monday just to turn around and not working on Tuesday?  It's a little pointless and quite frankly, kinda a waste (my opinion).  So when a holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, and maybe even Wednesdays but I'm less certain about that, Mondays and Fridays are also non-working days.  However the Monday or Friday non-working and non holiday days are made up the previous or following Saturday.   So today and tomorrow are non-school, for teachers-the students don't start until the 15th, and non-working days for everyone but to make up today (non-holiday) everyone worked this past Saturday.   I know France does this too because my sister told me in France they call these days(days like today that are off but not holidays) “bubble days,” at least I think that’s what she told me.  Of course no one is thrilled about working or going to school on a Saturday but you get used to it.  They have a good plan for illneses too.  If a certain % of students in a region have, for example, the flu, the Ministry of Education calls off school and childcare for that region for a certain amount of time.  I know I go to work when I don’t feel the best or just have a little cold (I‘m talking in the states) and then I have the potential to spread my germs and make others sick, which only makes things worse.  If I don’t have the option to go to work and parents don’t have the option of sending their children to school/childcare when something is going around, all the better.  Of course then a whole different set of problems arise, like what to do with your child while the parent is at work, that need attenton.  Of course the students could care less; they get to stay home from school, and I think the teachers think the same in that they get a break from their students!  Anyway, this is how it’s done here and I think both are nice ideas.  Again, just my opinion!  Love and hugs from here!!

nyakoi otgovori

I thought for today's blog I would answer some questions my aunts included in their letters to me.  For me the summer flew by!  I did get to travel some but for work.  I went to Hisar and Sliven for 3 Life Skills conferences and Tryavna for my mid-service conference.  My actual "vacation" was to Vurshets to see my host family from pst.  I traveled to help a friend with her 4th of July party in her town but that was on the way to our msc.   I am looking forward to this school year in terms of building on what we did last year here.  I will admit that I need to step it up in terms of my actual "job-job", the youth development part.  I am enjoying living here and the experience!  I see myself looking at things in a new and different light.  For instance:  I love the Colts and Pacers and don't know what I would d if they weren't in Indy anymore, but when I hear someone is holding out for more money or complaining about whatever, this goes for every athlete, I just have to sigh and think how much even a fraction of that money could make a huge difference here.   I look at how hard people work here "just because" it's necessary for survival.  No complaining...well kids will be kids no matter where you go.  To me the hardest workers here are the babas, the grandma aged women.  Seeing things from the view of another country certainly gives one a different perspective!  It is very hard for me to believe I (we) are at the 1/2 way point of our service!  When I look back on the last year and how much I (we-meaning my town) got done or how much I didn't get done I think "man, if only I could have last year back than I could get so much more accomplished!"  But what I forget is that nothing I get accomplished this year would be possible without all I accomplished last year, the connections I made and the relationships I established.  So I look forward to this year, doing different things and building on some things we did last year!  Oh yeah, there have been people extend their service for another month to a year after they close their service but it goes year to year and no one knows about our group; the B26s, yet.  Love and hugs from here!

my visit to the mosque

Sorry about yesterday!  I was talking to one of the English school students on skype and they told me to come gosti to their house.  By the time I got back it was later and other things got in the way!  I'm very excited for this blog though!  Last Friday I went to the Jimea (or Mosque.  Nargis even told me another name but I forgot) and had a wonderful time!  I have to admit I thought I was going for the Friday "service" {Christians have church on Sunday and Muslims have their service (that's what I'm going to call it for the blog) on Friday} but it didn't turn out that way.  The lady who took me with her cleans the mosque and took me along while she and a few other women cleaned.  She explained things to me.  I have to back up.  Knowing I'm going into a mosque I know the longer the clothing the better.  It was also hotter than all get-out.  Do I wear a (longer) short sleeved shirt with words for Jesus and God on the back in the shape of a cross and walk into a mosque with God and Jesus images on myself (highly visable) or do I wear a plain (much shorter) sleeved t-shirt?   I chose the longer sleeved t-shirt with words in the shape of a cross on the back much to the shugrin of another volunteer friend I was telling about my day.  She, my friend Nevrea,  showed me the prayer beads; beaded necklaces used to pray and each bead represents a wish.  So here I am in this holy place in a different country and a different religion from my own, being careful what I touched, what foot I used to enter with, the right, and treating everything with kid gloves (very carefully).  I'm sure a little part of my friend, Nevrea, and the other ladies we were with were looking at me and saying to themselves "why is she being this hesitant with everything and treating everything like a prized posession?"  Let's face it, if someone wanted me to show them around my church in the states and handled everything SUPER carefully and was SO impressed by everything I would be thinking "come on, it's just a church!"  After she showed me the prayer beads she asked me if I wanted some (I have to admit from the first time I saw them I wanted some) and I said "I can?" and she told me I could and brought all of them over so I could choose.  She showed me this one with the name of Muhhamad on top and a name symbol on all the other beads and told me this was the original one.  I told her if that one was the original, not really quite sure what that means here, I did not want that one and she told me I could if I wanted.  So that's the one I choose.  After we were done there she asked me if I wanted to hear women reading and I said I did if it was possible.  She took me to the smaller mosque, shoes come off when entering, where 13 Muslim babas were reading from the Quran.  W read left to right, they read right to left.  They kinda sang/chanted it.  When they got to a stopping point they motioned for us to join their circle and we did.  Since the language that was spoked was Turkish Nevrea had to translate for me.  I went around the circle and shook hands and introduced myself.  While I was doing that they were reaching into their bags and throwing wafers to the spot where I was to sit.  We listened some more and then left.  I thanked them and told them how interesting it was and, of course, was invited back.  One baba did speak to me in B and she asked me why I was here, if I was alone, if I believed, and other things I can't remember now.  I have assurances from several people that they will include me when they go to the mosque but we'll see.  Since school will be starting shortly I'm not sure how much more during the week I'll be able to go visit but I look forward to it!  Prayers are out East with all the flooding and people who lost family memebers and/or their belongings!  Love and hugs from here!