life..

It has been a while since I posted..but, too much happening not to post. I am very happy to say that in my opinion, I have one of the best cities to work in, in Bulgaria. Not only are the people enthusiastic and welcoming, but I live next door to a transportation hub, and also next to a great college town.

I had fun this week meeting with many of the kids and Directors of the different schools here this week. I got to help out in the High School’s ‘Ecological Day’, and help make traditional dolls, and go on a nature hike with a group in another class. I think there is a lot of potential in working with the older kids in a business class, and talking with the younger kids about the environment and importance of recycling. I’ve got notes everywhere, and it has been a real challenge trying to stay organized. Having these meetings has really helped with my Bulgarian speaking skills. I’m sure half of way I say still makes people say, ‘what the?’..but for the most part, they seem to understand me, or I can at least get my point across.

I have been teaching an English class for adults in a nearby village. The first class was a little rough..since after all, I have never taught, much less in Bulgarian language. But, by the second class I could feel my confidence coming around. Tomorrow is the third class, and I think I’ll be starting a kids class shortly..that should be interesting.

So..what have I been up to for fun? I have some really fantastic Bulgarian friends here. It seems as though we often wind up in group discussions about America and Bulgaria. Almost always these include my good friends Katya and Elena; and Zuza and I go to dance classes together, and I have found some pretty entertaining and fun outdoor group activities to participate in. It’s pretty easy to talk about America, as everyone has questions about it..and Bulgarians are always excited to share information about their history and traditions. I went to a RockFest last weekend and a club after..that was a fun evening. I tend to wind up at unexpected ‘na gosti’s’ often.

I am, of course, still doing my running. It’s what keeps the stress away for me, and a great way to start the day.

It’s funny to me, that I get a little nervous everytime I go to a meeting or have a group of Bulgarians I am meeting up with, because I am always a little anxious about if I will be able to say what I want to say in Bulgarian..but you know what, things have pretty much always turned out well. Either someone in the group will know a little English, or I start remembering more of my Bulgarian.

Another first..my Bulgarian instructor gave a frozen rabbit. Yep, I cooked it and ate it. I couldn’t eat it the first night though..because you see the four legs and body of the cute bunny. My mom had told me ‘it tastes like chicken’, and mom, you know what, you’re right..pretty tasty. But it’s still not fun to cook.

Hi Silky..Hi Navigator. I haven’t had a chance to write you two back. Hope you’re still out there on those beautiful bikes of yours. I’ll be thinking of you both when you’re hopefully riding in the Halloween rally to Salem!

Last think..i don’t think I’ve mentioned how Bulgarians answer the phone, and to me it’s the funniest thing. The closest I can come to what it sounds like is Alo, only with a ‘w’ instead ‘Awo’. Say it a couple times. Tell me you don’t think it’s kinda funny :)

Take care all..send me some e-mails and posts!

Motivated to learn the language

There's nothing more motivating to learn Bulgarian than sitting at a table with a group of Bulgarians in a political discussion, defending our President and country..what an interesting evening, from out of the blue. My friend / translator got a little caught up in the heated discussion, and as much as I could understand what they were saying in Bulgarian, I found it very difficult to express my views in Bulgarian. But..there will be a round two without a doubt. I have a feeling there will be many more of these evenings.

Frustrations

I can already see the frustration on my colleagues faces as they gather to speak about me and how they should present me to the city. And, even though I am right in the same room, and offer to help, it really sucks to be basically ignored due to my lack of Bulgarian speaking skills. I mean, it is my work history and life they are discussing after all; who better than I to answer the questions. This has been a frustrating week already, and it's only Tuesday. I'm at the point again where it feels as though the more I study, the less I understand, if that makes any sense.

Yes..I am aware that there is a long initial learning curve; I just wish that my counterparts also knew. It is mentally draining listening and trying to understand Bulgarian all day long..trying to ask questions, and then trying to understand the answers. The smallest task, such as a simple introduction to the Police Inspector in town, or reheating leftovers without a microwave, or even just figuring out what to cook and how to cook it..they're all much more difficult here. I am really looking forward to that time when I look back and see how far I've come.

PICS

Ok..so the link for some of my photos is down below, listed under Tricia's links. Click on the link Tricia's pics, and it should take you to some of my pics.

Post PST PC

OK…so I made it through the difficult time, PST (Pre-service training). For those of you lucky enough not to have heard the many complaints I had during PST, here is a quick synopsis:
- Outhouses, and worse yet squat toilets in the outhouses
- Animals that lived right outside my window (roosters, chickens, my puppy, goats) and of course the rooster crows day and night..really makes for a sound sleep
- One day I forgot I had a long skirt on bent over to pick up my puppy “Rocco” and my skirt fell in a pile of crap..didn’t even realize it until I stood up and it spread onto my legs. My host dad is standing there just laughing so hard..my host mom insists I take my skirt off almost in the front yard..when I say absolutely not, she really does not want me to go into the house with the animal crap on my clothes..
- Or there’s also the time Spas (my host father) gave me a kitten to play with for a bit in my room..however, it jumped off the bed and behind the wardrobe (which does not move)..Spas and I use flashlights and sticks and everything to try get that kitten out...but it is determined to stay in there, and basically keeps me up the entire night meowing, and it wouldn’t come out..i was not a happy camper the next day.
- And of course there is the first night we all get to site with our host families, and we all decide to go running that evening. The problem is that none of our host families will let us out. I literally had to run around my host dad who had planted himself directly in my path, and grab my cellphone and call our language trainer, Mitko. Mitko finally got me released from my family, and then had to go and talk to each of the other volunteers families..so in the meantime I waited with Ursula at her families house..We waited..and waited, and waited some more..when all of a sudden I see a guy walking in our direction..I’m so relieved because now that the other volunteers are headed our way, we can start our run..so I jump up and shout Hi, thinking it was one of the volunteers, Ken. Yep, you guessed it, it was not Ken..but the fellow insisted on coming in the gate, kissing my hand and chatting with me and Ursula. Ursula just cracks up laughing J

OK..so there’s many of these silly stories that have happened, but the point is, I made it through PST! I’m at my permanent site now, and have my own apartment. Maybe not quite like my apartments in the US..but still, all is well. Despite these silly stories, I will dearly miss my host family and my village..they were awesome, and I plan to go back and visit often over the next two years.