getting settled

So I'm finally in my permanent site! It's been great so far. There is much to be done, but my apartment fears have been cast aside. The apartment itself is pretty good by American standards, excellent by Bulgarian standards. There are a few drawbacks. There is no washing machine. I have been told that one will be purchased "soon," but I have learned that this a very relative term in Bulgaria. I thought I was a master procastinator, but I cede my title to the Bulgarians. Either way, there is a drycleaners nearby, I'm just worried it will be really expensive. We shall see this weekend.

Also, I have no television. Which isn't really as a big of deal as I thought it would be. At least not right now. I just use my laptop to watch all my movies and DVD seasons. (Big thanks to Lindsey for the OC and Mom for Sex and the City and Gilmore Girls).

The hot water situation is different. I have a hot water heater. It only takes about 40 minutes to get hot water, but when I take a shower it only lasts for 10 minutes tops. I do love long showers. No more though. I suppose it's better for the Earth anyway, right?

I am going to do a summer english course for the kids at my school, but it doesn't start until the end of July. I'm actually already a little bored, so that was kind of a bummer. On the bright side, 60 kids have signed up! I doubt all of them will actually come and/or stick with it for the whole summer, but it was still encouraging of course.

I'm really working on my language skills, but I need a tutor asap. It's freaking hard.

I helped someone in my building this morning. This younger woman was trying to get her baby stroller down the stairs. I asked if I could help, thinking I would just carry the carriage, but she just handed me the baby! It was seriously a newborn too. Babies make me really nervous. They are so delicate!! And all I could think was how I was going to accidentally drop this child and be exiled from Bulgaria. Obviously it turned out just fine. Usually, I don't really like infants, but this one was actually cute. It kind of made me want a baby. Not right now obviously. But perhaps one day. (I know you will read this mom and think that victory is yours-- but I make no promises!)

Anyhow, my city is pretty great. There are almost all the modern conveniences I could possibly want. Also, they have this store called Technopolis. It's seriously, JUST like a Best Buy. Until now I've only seen small little mom and pop shops. But this was like a real store. I was seriously in heaven... until I looked at the prices tags and realized it was completely out of my price range. Back to the lev store (dollar store).

I'm trying to decorate a little. At first, I thought I wouldn't care. But coming home to such emptiness on a daily basis kind of affects your spirit. So I bought one painting and one plant. Just those two items really brightened up the place!

I'm looking into traveling already. The first three months we are at our permanent site, we are really limited on where/when we can travel. You can only travel within the country, and you can have only one overnight per month. I understand the reasoning, and it's honestly not that big of a deal to me. I am hoping to do some traveling this Christmas. More on that later when the plans are better set.

I guess that's all for now. Overall, the permanent site is good. One person found cockroaches in their fridge, another girl's landlord lives below her and thus feels the right/need to enter her apartment whenever the mood strikes, and so on... therefore I'm pretty lucky.

the end is near

So, as the title suggests, the end is near. Training is coming to a close. We have two and a half weeks left. I can't believe it's almost over, but i think everyone is ready to move on. Training is just really stressful... and honestly, the volunteers themselves (my supposed support network) are the ones that drive me crazier than anything!! Some girl today claimed that she was "Jewish by blood." What the heck does that mean? This was news to me... I didn't know religion was genetic. Crazy. But seriously, it's dealing with nonsensical comments like that on a daily basis, that are really starting to get to me! Not to mention the incessant flea bites that are leaving potentially scarring marks all over my body. (and that's no exaggeration. i had tears in my eyes when i put on a pair of shorts...)

Overall, training has been an interesting experience, but one that i am looking forward to moving past. I love my host family, but the honeymoon phase is quickly ending. I'm just ready to wash my own clothes, prepare my own meals, and just have some peace.

On a more positive note, my last day of teaching was this past Friday. I was actually a little sad to leave the school. I really liked teaching there, and I really loved our partner teacher, Yanna. She was someone who I could have actually become friends with (had that been my permanent school). Also, my 11th grade class, which I considered completely apathetic, got me a going away present. It was a potted plant, more specifically Bulgaria's national flower, and it seriously made my year! Considering that the kids didn't even bring paper and pencils to class, nevermind a textbook, and they would paint their nails or just go to sleep during class, I figured they couldn't care less and saw me as horribly boring. I guess the moral of the story is that you can't let yourself get too jaded or disillusioned with your classes or the school system in general, because you really might have an impact on your students and not even know it.

I guess that's all for now. My mother is coming to visit in August and I'm really excited! I miss everyone a lot and a familiar face will be more than welcome. I also talked to my boyfriend today. Even though it was only for a few minutes, it was great to hear a familiar voice.

This weekend I'm supposed to go to Melnik, the smallest village in Bulgrian, but a popular tourist spot with a winery and monestary. Then next week I am scheduled to visit a current peace corps volunteer... not sure who or where just yet. Also this week, we are planting a tree near the municipality and having a "cultural festival" featuring both Bulgarian traditions and American festivities. My small group has also planned a day-trip to Sofia, the capital, which I'm sooooo excited about. I have heard tales of a Subway in the city limits, and I can't wait to get a turkey wrap with extra lettuce and jalapeños !!

Ok. That's really all.... busy weeks ahead. Till next time :)