So I was all excited today, when I was shown a picture of myself and some other group members around our hub center in the local paper! I was like, I'm famous!! We really do have people who are interested in us being here... and they care!!
But wait... the article was not about the wonders of Peace Corps and the joy we will bring to our students... it was about the fact that we walked across the grass outside the building. Yes, an entire article was written about how disrepectful we are for walking on the grass instead of the sidewalk. Nevermind the gang innuendo spraypainted across the buildings, the littered streets, or the water so filthy and polluted that you can't drink from it... don't you dare walk on that grass!
We laughed. I guess you really can't please them all.
In other news, I observed an 11th grade class today. The textbook compared the abundance of bicycles to "dog shit on the side walk" (and that is verbatim). Only two of the students even had a textbook with them, and no work was accomplished whatsoever. The class was conducted primarily in Bulgarian. Some of the students knew more English than the teacher, in fact. One kid walked in 5 minutes before the bell rang... I was just like, seriously??My 8th grade class has been so sweet and observant... I've obviously been spoiled. It was definately an eye-opener for what life/class will be like after training.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
teacher of the year
So I had my first day of teaching. It was just "microteaching," a 20 minute mini-lesson. But it was great. The kids were actually very sweet and very participatory. I can only hope that this enthusiasm will continue throughout my training, and that I will get another good class when I am on my own at my permanent site.
The langugae is coming slowly, but surely. Everyone is very encouraging though. They get so tickled when I say something in Bulgarian, even if it is as simple as "it was nice to meet you." Either way, I'm trying my hardest! My listening skills are definately improving, which is also a big confidence booster. It's still pretty tough though and I have to study and work very hard.
I thought Easter was this weekend, but I think maybe it is next weekend? My little sister helps out a lot trying to explain things, but her English is very basic, so a lot of information gets lost in translation. They color eggs and what not here too though, so I am looking forward to the festivities.
I guess that is about all for now. I talked to my mother on Skype twice now and that was cool. It is nice to hear a familiar voice... and to have an extended conversation without having to struggle!
One of my group members has a birthday today. We will probably grab a beer from the local cafe. He didn't really want to tell anyone it was his birthday, because in Bulgaria you do not get taken out to dinner... instead, you are expected to treat everyone else to dinner and what not... and well, we have limited funds!! Can't say I blame him. Although, when it is my birthday, I hope to have a dinner party of sorts. By then, my Bulgarian will be much better, so it would not be too terribly hard to plan.
Lastly, speaking of birthdays, this blog goes out to Lindsey, whose birthday I was regretfully unable to attend. Cheers (наздраве!) to being 23 and fabulous! :)
The langugae is coming slowly, but surely. Everyone is very encouraging though. They get so tickled when I say something in Bulgarian, even if it is as simple as "it was nice to meet you." Either way, I'm trying my hardest! My listening skills are definately improving, which is also a big confidence booster. It's still pretty tough though and I have to study and work very hard.
I thought Easter was this weekend, but I think maybe it is next weekend? My little sister helps out a lot trying to explain things, but her English is very basic, so a lot of information gets lost in translation. They color eggs and what not here too though, so I am looking forward to the festivities.
I guess that is about all for now. I talked to my mother on Skype twice now and that was cool. It is nice to hear a familiar voice... and to have an extended conversation without having to struggle!
One of my group members has a birthday today. We will probably grab a beer from the local cafe. He didn't really want to tell anyone it was his birthday, because in Bulgaria you do not get taken out to dinner... instead, you are expected to treat everyone else to dinner and what not... and well, we have limited funds!! Can't say I blame him. Although, when it is my birthday, I hope to have a dinner party of sorts. By then, my Bulgarian will be much better, so it would not be too terribly hard to plan.
Lastly, speaking of birthdays, this blog goes out to Lindsey, whose birthday I was regretfully unable to attend. Cheers (наздраве!) to being 23 and fabulous! :)
Monday, April 14, 2008
cell phone!
So apparently, we are the first peace corps group to recieve cell phones! I am pretty excited about this... although I don't really know how to use mine yet. The instructions are in Bulgarian, but we are going to try and go over the logisitcs during my first class today.
Anyhow, today was such a great day! Our small group (Me, Amanda, David, and Richard) went to Dupnitsa to buy the cell phones and other needed items that cannot be purchased in our small village. We grabbed some coffee before we went shopping. I tried to use a little Bulgarian with our waitress, but she just looked at me. According to our teacher, she does not have a "sympathetic ear." Meaning, she's not going to understand our accents/attempts. I thought my accent was pretty decent too... oh well! I will get it eventually.
Also, I got a headset today to use for Skype. Only 14 leva! ($1 US dollar is about $1.25 leva, leva being bulgarian currency of course). So it was a good deal.
They had beautiful orthodox cathedrals and mosques in Dupnitsa. Right now, all the volunteers are in various villages around Dupnitsa. We all gather in Dupnitsa for "hub" sessions where we discuss our progress and share ideas on community projects about once a week or so. I will also be teaching in Dupnitsa (I don't remember if I mentioned that already). My first observation is tomorrow!! We will also meet our "counter-part," the Bulgarian teacher who will be working with us and helping us. I'm so nervous! But in a good way of course, I mean this is what I came here for! I like that they basically just shove you right in there, sink or swim.
All for now, I'm going to eat lunch and then class.
Oh yeah... last night, my host mom (moma) made what was basically cheese fries... but homemade so it was even better! It was great :)
Anyhow, today was such a great day! Our small group (Me, Amanda, David, and Richard) went to Dupnitsa to buy the cell phones and other needed items that cannot be purchased in our small village. We grabbed some coffee before we went shopping. I tried to use a little Bulgarian with our waitress, but she just looked at me. According to our teacher, she does not have a "sympathetic ear." Meaning, she's not going to understand our accents/attempts. I thought my accent was pretty decent too... oh well! I will get it eventually.
Also, I got a headset today to use for Skype. Only 14 leva! ($1 US dollar is about $1.25 leva, leva being bulgarian currency of course). So it was a good deal.
They had beautiful orthodox cathedrals and mosques in Dupnitsa. Right now, all the volunteers are in various villages around Dupnitsa. We all gather in Dupnitsa for "hub" sessions where we discuss our progress and share ideas on community projects about once a week or so. I will also be teaching in Dupnitsa (I don't remember if I mentioned that already). My first observation is tomorrow!! We will also meet our "counter-part," the Bulgarian teacher who will be working with us and helping us. I'm so nervous! But in a good way of course, I mean this is what I came here for! I like that they basically just shove you right in there, sink or swim.
All for now, I'm going to eat lunch and then class.
Oh yeah... last night, my host mom (moma) made what was basically cheese fries... but homemade so it was even better! It was great :)
Sunday, April 13, 2008
first weekend with the fam
My first blog! I never thought I would be a blogger, but I enjoyed reading all the other peace corps blogs so much, and this is the easiest way to keep everyone up to date. So here I am! Where to start? I am officially at my host family's house! Many of my fellow volunteers think that time is flying by, but right now, for me it feels like time has stopped. It's times like this when I am in my room alone that I really start to miss everyone in the states! But I am still very excited about what's to come. So far, I am very happy with my family. No one smokes (a miracle in Europe!) and I love my little sister. She knows a little English from school. Only a few key phrases, but she has helped so much. Without her it would a long, long road ahead. Now it's just along road ahead :) Either way, I'm already starting to feel comfortable around the house, which is always nice.
Last night we went to our neighbors' house. I probably understood about 15 words the entire time we were there... Music Idol, Mariah Carey, America, krastaveetsi (cucumbers), domati (tomatoes), dobray (good), etc. Oh well.
(Oh yeah, they have Music Idol... the Bulgarian version of American Idol. Even the judges are the same. There's a big guy (the Randy), a chick with brown layered hair (the Paula), and an old serious guy (the Simon)).
I'm still getting used to the food! Everything is prepared with LOTS of oil. Last night a very interesting dish was prepared at the neighbors': chopped up hard-boiled eggs, mixed with salt, red pepper, some green spice, and oil and vinegar! Needless to say, I'm definitely going to have to broaden my horizons for the next three months.
Anyhow, what else? In Bulgaria, they shake their head for yes, and nod for no. It is very hard to get used to! Since I can't really speak, I shake and nod more than usual... but I'm always like, "no wait! I meant yest!!" Also, they never wear their shoes in the house. They have slippers that they wear around inside and outside. You have to walk outside and downstairs to get to the bathroom and dining room. The dining room could be mistaken for a bedroom. There is a small table with two chairs, but one side is next to what seems to be a day bed, and that is used as a seat. It was like this at my neighbors' as well, so I a guess this is the typical arrangement.
My family has a few farm animals: chickens, roosters, rabbits, and goats. I'm not really sure what their purpose is at this time.. and I don't know how to ask. Also, they have a dog, Mary, who is so cute and sweet. She looks kind of like a shitszu, but with different hair. There are a lot of stray dogs around here. They bark late into the night. It is so sad to look at them, because they are always very mangy looking. I'm thinking of maybe trying to set up and animal shelter as one of my community/secondary projects.
This is getting so long! It's only because it is my first one though. The rest won't be as tedious... unless people want me to include all the details? We shall see.
Oh yeah, when I was talking a walk yesterday, someone was herding cows down the street! It was so cool, because they totally just followed this old man like the pied piper. He barely had to direct them at all.
Lastly, I have skype now. (I helped my little sister create a skype account and she was sooo excited. At least I helped with something, because I feel useless otherwise!) I'm in the works of getting a head set, but you can message on it, AOL instant messenger style. So add me if you have it: jab324. Bearing in mind that there is a seven hour time difference, so if you get on at 9:00 pm, don't wait up... it'll be 4:00 am here.
Peace(corps) and love!
Last night we went to our neighbors' house. I probably understood about 15 words the entire time we were there... Music Idol, Mariah Carey, America, krastaveetsi (cucumbers), domati (tomatoes), dobray (good), etc. Oh well.
(Oh yeah, they have Music Idol... the Bulgarian version of American Idol. Even the judges are the same. There's a big guy (the Randy), a chick with brown layered hair (the Paula), and an old serious guy (the Simon)).
I'm still getting used to the food! Everything is prepared with LOTS of oil. Last night a very interesting dish was prepared at the neighbors': chopped up hard-boiled eggs, mixed with salt, red pepper, some green spice, and oil and vinegar! Needless to say, I'm definitely going to have to broaden my horizons for the next three months.
Anyhow, what else? In Bulgaria, they shake their head for yes, and nod for no. It is very hard to get used to! Since I can't really speak, I shake and nod more than usual... but I'm always like, "no wait! I meant yest!!" Also, they never wear their shoes in the house. They have slippers that they wear around inside and outside. You have to walk outside and downstairs to get to the bathroom and dining room. The dining room could be mistaken for a bedroom. There is a small table with two chairs, but one side is next to what seems to be a day bed, and that is used as a seat. It was like this at my neighbors' as well, so I a guess this is the typical arrangement.
My family has a few farm animals: chickens, roosters, rabbits, and goats. I'm not really sure what their purpose is at this time.. and I don't know how to ask. Also, they have a dog, Mary, who is so cute and sweet. She looks kind of like a shitszu, but with different hair. There are a lot of stray dogs around here. They bark late into the night. It is so sad to look at them, because they are always very mangy looking. I'm thinking of maybe trying to set up and animal shelter as one of my community/secondary projects.
This is getting so long! It's only because it is my first one though. The rest won't be as tedious... unless people want me to include all the details? We shall see.
Oh yeah, when I was talking a walk yesterday, someone was herding cows down the street! It was so cool, because they totally just followed this old man like the pied piper. He barely had to direct them at all.
Lastly, I have skype now. (I helped my little sister create a skype account and she was sooo excited. At least I helped with something, because I feel useless otherwise!) I'm in the works of getting a head set, but you can message on it, AOL instant messenger style. So add me if you have it: jab324. Bearing in mind that there is a seven hour time difference, so if you get on at 9:00 pm, don't wait up... it'll be 4:00 am here.
Peace(corps) and love!
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