Today was mask-making day in Maxim Raykovich..I’m helping the 5th-7th graders pull together a Halloween party. It’s great to see the creativity of the students. We are having 2 contests..one for the best mask (scariest, prettiest, and unique), and the 2nd is the scariest story (which they will tell in the gym, with the lights turned out and Jack-o-lanterns lit). I have seriously been visiting English classes all week long to have discussions about Halloween in the USA..all the teachers have a short history of Halloween (in English) with quizzes for the students. Everyone has started bringing in all kinds of materials for Halloween (of course including carved jack-o-lanterns..I’m impressed with their participation. This Friday, we’re going to bake chocolate chip cookies in the cooking room downstairs..i’m thinking I might have to limit the participants..i got a little overwhelmed with the number of kids who showed up for making masks. We also made a bunch of spiders out of construction paper..now we just need the spiderweb, and one group made some awesome glow-in-the-dark bats. But I have to admit..I’ll be happy to be done. Even with the help of the teachers and students, it’s a lot of preparation.
..and unfortunately, my online newspaper team is slightly behind schedule for our first issue to be up on November 1st. I have a motivated team to work with to develop Maxim Raykovich’s first-ever online school newspaper. We have found a site to host us. We have stories, video clips, essays, a poll, a photo gallery..and our first issue will come out November 1st (hopefully). I will post the link to my website when it’s up. The majority of the paper will be in Bulgarian..however there will be a section from me..strictly in English, and many interesting pics in the photo gallery.
..and my Business English class and Junior Achievement started this week. I am really excited about the Junior Achievement class..but the students seem to be more excited about the Business English class. We’ll see, as the weeks progress.
..and most of all, I am looking forward to my reward to myself for working so hard to get everything up and running with the new organizations. Halloween weekend, I’m headed to Croatia. I’ve got my fingers crossed for good weather, and a relaxing trip..even though I know when I travel with Bulgarians they talk, they drink (rakia), they dance, they shop, they go, and go, and go. I’m sure it will be a fun trip.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Bulgarians and Americans often ask me, ‘Do you like Bulgaria’, or ‘Why do you like Bulgaria’. This past weekend is a perfect example of what I really like about living here. Hiking, visiting interesting historical places, meeting new hiking friends and chatting, seeing wild pigs, eating, drinking, and dancing till early morning. I understand very well that Bulgaria has many problems..but I also like to them to recognize how rich they are because of their beautiful nature, and close knit families.
I headed with one of my favorite hiking groups to Byalarusse where we saw the ‘Medieval’ town of Cherven..this town was a thriving center, including many types of craftsmanship before before being conquered by the Turks. If you look through my recent pictures, you’ll see only the remnants of the city. We also went to see the Ivanovo Monastery in the Rocks..long ago it was a functioning church, built right into the rocks..many of the wall paintings were still there (my camera didn’t take very good pics..I only kept one), but you can see many other pictures at this site: http://www.bulgariamonasteries.com/en/ivanovo_monastery.html
Then, we went to a functioning monastery in the rocks, Barsarbovo Monastery, very pretty. But, one of my favorite parts is always the festive evenings. Everyone brings a little food to the Hija (hut), and it turns into a feast of food, drinking, and dancing. No one is standoffish like many of the social functions I’ve been to in Boston. Everyone sings. I wish I had taken a video clip, but I was having too much fun.
I headed with one of my favorite hiking groups to Byalarusse where we saw the ‘Medieval’ town of Cherven..this town was a thriving center, including many types of craftsmanship before before being conquered by the Turks. If you look through my recent pictures, you’ll see only the remnants of the city. We also went to see the Ivanovo Monastery in the Rocks..long ago it was a functioning church, built right into the rocks..many of the wall paintings were still there (my camera didn’t take very good pics..I only kept one), but you can see many other pictures at this site: http://www.bulgariamonasteries.com/en/ivanovo_monastery.html
Then, we went to a functioning monastery in the rocks, Barsarbovo Monastery, very pretty. But, one of my favorite parts is always the festive evenings. Everyone brings a little food to the Hija (hut), and it turns into a feast of food, drinking, and dancing. No one is standoffish like many of the social functions I’ve been to in Boston. Everyone sings. I wish I had taken a video clip, but I was having too much fun.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
School, Horo dancing, Art..it's good to be busy
Wow..school starting again means the cities and villages seem to wake up, and I am excited to be overwhelmingly busy again so quickly. The first day of school was September 15th. I don’t remember that our first day of school in the USA is quite like it is here. The students come to the playground, where a presentation is given, with speeches, and introductions (especially to the new first-graders, who sing, and the 12th graders are behind them)..on this first day, there are only shortened forms of the classes(maybe 15 minutes), and then all the teachers meet in the teachers lounge to receive a blessing and greeting from the churchman..by noontime, we’re all at a banquet, happily eating, drinking, and dancing..my feet hurt so much by the end of the day. After the banquet was Horo dancing class..seriously I danced like 5 hours that day.
On Friday, we (me and my great team) from a nearby village finished our HIV/AIDS training..the second part..the sports day, which our team will be doing a local radio interview about tomorrow morning.
There are 5 villages in the local municipality..I had been to 3 of those before this past weekend, and ended seeing both of the other villages, completely unplanned this weekend. There was a very interesting fundraiser by a group of English people..it was nice to hear everyone speaking English around me..it’s been a while. The fundraiser had some interesting ways to raise money..unfortunately I did not bring my camera. For instance, there were 5 shirtless guys (some of them quite hairy)..and they offered to the highest bidder, the opportunity to place 4 wax strips anywhere on the hairiest guy..I have to give it to the emcee, he got people to bid way more than I expected.
After the fundraiser, was a banquet for our Horo (traditional Bulgarian dance) group’s 1 year anniversary! I again, didn’t bring my camera..but, it was a fun evening filled with food, drinks, and always dancing..
The other village I visited this weekend was a surprise from my Bulgarian teacher, Petia. This time, I did remember the camera, and you can check out the new photos at the new pictures link at the bottom of the blog. We visited an artists’ house and workhop..it was amazing..the house, the workshop, their dogs (that look like mini lions)..the whole place just oozed creativity. And the woman that was the owner had won an International contest about 15 years ago in Japan. They have had visitors from all over the world. This is the website for Nadia Alexandrova’s workshop..I really like the second link, showing their house and workshop
http://nadyaartceramics.1gb.bg/english.php
http://nadyaartceramics.1gb.bg/family_and_art_shop_en/
So, every week, I have 2 villages I visit. One on Monday, and another on Thursday..or at least I’m working on getting it down to only that. But being there only one day a week also means a lot of work on that one day. For the first village, today we spent the day writing out our Q&A for a local radio broadcast about our recent HIV/AIDS events (training and a sports day), put together pictures and a synopsis for the newpaper, and finalized all the receipts and paperwork..along with meeting many new great people in the village. Both the secretary of the cultural center and I were drained of energy by the end of the day..she is a hard worker, which I can see by the respect all the people in village give to her, and by all her help in completing this project.
Oh..and if I haven’t responded to e-mails lately, I’m trying to..by this weekend.
On Friday, we (me and my great team) from a nearby village finished our HIV/AIDS training..the second part..the sports day, which our team will be doing a local radio interview about tomorrow morning.
There are 5 villages in the local municipality..I had been to 3 of those before this past weekend, and ended seeing both of the other villages, completely unplanned this weekend. There was a very interesting fundraiser by a group of English people..it was nice to hear everyone speaking English around me..it’s been a while. The fundraiser had some interesting ways to raise money..unfortunately I did not bring my camera. For instance, there were 5 shirtless guys (some of them quite hairy)..and they offered to the highest bidder, the opportunity to place 4 wax strips anywhere on the hairiest guy..I have to give it to the emcee, he got people to bid way more than I expected.
After the fundraiser, was a banquet for our Horo (traditional Bulgarian dance) group’s 1 year anniversary! I again, didn’t bring my camera..but, it was a fun evening filled with food, drinks, and always dancing..
The other village I visited this weekend was a surprise from my Bulgarian teacher, Petia. This time, I did remember the camera, and you can check out the new photos at the new pictures link at the bottom of the blog. We visited an artists’ house and workhop..it was amazing..the house, the workshop, their dogs (that look like mini lions)..the whole place just oozed creativity. And the woman that was the owner had won an International contest about 15 years ago in Japan. They have had visitors from all over the world. This is the website for Nadia Alexandrova’s workshop..I really like the second link, showing their house and workshop
http://nadyaartceramics.1gb.bg/english.php
http://nadyaartceramics.1gb.bg/family_and_art_shop_en/
So, every week, I have 2 villages I visit. One on Monday, and another on Thursday..or at least I’m working on getting it down to only that. But being there only one day a week also means a lot of work on that one day. For the first village, today we spent the day writing out our Q&A for a local radio broadcast about our recent HIV/AIDS events (training and a sports day), put together pictures and a synopsis for the newpaper, and finalized all the receipts and paperwork..along with meeting many new great people in the village. Both the secretary of the cultural center and I were drained of energy by the end of the day..she is a hard worker, which I can see by the respect all the people in village give to her, and by all her help in completing this project.
Oh..and if I haven’t responded to e-mails lately, I’m trying to..by this weekend.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Training
Training completed..I would have say today was a success! And from what I heard from our training team, they also agree. Today, we successfully held a training on HIV/AIDS for youth, by using interactive games. Our team, me, Veselina (Director of the cultural center), and 2 youth have worked closely the last 3-4 weeks to present our information. Today was the harder of the 2 days..the learning. Next week, we will have a sports day, that will include an invitation to the spectators during a half hour break to play condom volleyball. This was a great game idea from another PC volunteer. It becomes quite interesting, as it brings out discussions on facts and myths about HIV/AIDS.
Today was a bit long, as there was a session in the morning for the younger kids (13-16), and then a second session for the older kids (17-26). Surprisingly, it was the older group that was quieter. We were expecting the younger group to be shy, and laugh..but they did really well. Everyone was laughing at one point or another..but learning as well. If you want, you can take a look at some of the new pictures on the link at the bottom of the blog..and it’ll give you a bit more of a description of today’s events.
I have to say..I am also very proud of our training team: The director of the cultural center in the village, two youth, and myself.
I heard that there has been a bit of small earthquake activity in the Sofia area, the capital of Bulgaria recently..please don’t worry. I was nowhere near it.
Today was a bit long, as there was a session in the morning for the younger kids (13-16), and then a second session for the older kids (17-26). Surprisingly, it was the older group that was quieter. We were expecting the younger group to be shy, and laugh..but they did really well. Everyone was laughing at one point or another..but learning as well. If you want, you can take a look at some of the new pictures on the link at the bottom of the blog..and it’ll give you a bit more of a description of today’s events.
I have to say..I am also very proud of our training team: The director of the cultural center in the village, two youth, and myself.
I heard that there has been a bit of small earthquake activity in the Sofia area, the capital of Bulgaria recently..please don’t worry. I was nowhere near it.
September 6 - Bulgarian Holiday
..sometimes, I think I need to write a little more here about Bulgaria, and thanks to my new counterpart (my Bulgarian tutor and good friend, Petia) I can understand and explain these important dates in Bulgaria. This was all brought on by the recent September 6th holiday here in Bulgaria.
March 3 (1878) – This date celebrates the removal of the Turkish yoke..after 500 years, Bulgaria is finally freed with the signing of the San Stefano Treaty..that is, until the Berlin Congress separates Bulgaria. Control of the southern part of Bulgaria is returned to the Ottoman empire.
September 6 (1885) – Bulgaria had been split in two..for a long time – half was under Ottoman rule, and the other half was with Russia. September 6 is the day celebrating the reunification of northern and southern Bulgaria.
September 22 (1908) – This is Bulgaria’s Independence day (1908), from the ottoman empire..like our 4th of July
We had an long Bulgarian conversation about communism..because I am always so curious what it was like. I mean, I know what I heard growing up in the USA, and I studied a little during college, but it’s so much more interesting hearing it from my teacher..I mean, she had already been a teacher for 20+ years when communism was crumbling here. She has seen the changes, taught during the changes, and adapted with the times. If I thought my writing skills were good enough I’d write about it more..but for now, I try to make notes to myself about our discussions
March 3 (1878) – This date celebrates the removal of the Turkish yoke..after 500 years, Bulgaria is finally freed with the signing of the San Stefano Treaty..that is, until the Berlin Congress separates Bulgaria. Control of the southern part of Bulgaria is returned to the Ottoman empire.
September 6 (1885) – Bulgaria had been split in two..for a long time – half was under Ottoman rule, and the other half was with Russia. September 6 is the day celebrating the reunification of northern and southern Bulgaria.
September 22 (1908) – This is Bulgaria’s Independence day (1908), from the ottoman empire..like our 4th of July
We had an long Bulgarian conversation about communism..because I am always so curious what it was like. I mean, I know what I heard growing up in the USA, and I studied a little during college, but it’s so much more interesting hearing it from my teacher..I mean, she had already been a teacher for 20+ years when communism was crumbling here. She has seen the changes, taught during the changes, and adapted with the times. If I thought my writing skills were good enough I’d write about it more..but for now, I try to make notes to myself about our discussions
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