Can today get any better!? First I have a great day at school. (That means a LOT). Then I come home and get a call from my host family...everything is good. Then I realize that one of my most beloved TV personalities is back on the screen! Who could it be??? It's ALF! He's on bTV 5 days a week from 6-6:30!

And it's not like watching re-runs either cause he talks in bulgarian now! Life is GOOD! Welcome back dude! Too bad you chose Bulgaria to come to because there isn't much peanut butter and the cats here are stray, dirty, and diseased! NO LUNCH FOR YOU THE SEASON!

Thanks baby for the fish face pictures. A smile a day keeps the depression away! How funny would that be to publish those pics!? Hey it's for the health and sanity of all PCV's in need of a laugh. Alright it's time to vote: Say "I" if you want to see Christina's fish face pics!?

Well you wouldn't believe it but things got EVEN BETTER. First I took the best shower ever. Maybe it was so good because it was the first I'd taken in a while but who cares...it was gooooood. So THEN I cooked up this awesome dinner. I was inspired by Stephanies Tomato basil salad. Well it was only the beginning. I also made this unbelievable pork-chop that was burnt just right on the outside and filled my plate with juice from the inside...the kind you can't EVER make again. Then I made some corn with the juice from the chop and had the rest of my red wine to satisfy the tastebuds! What a great night.

After that great meal, I'm finding myself tired. I will plan for a class or two and just lay down for bed...I deserve to go to bed b4 2am tonight!

Leka rabota i leka NO6T!!!!

P.S. Did the quote "Porkchops and applesauce" come from the Brady Bunch???? It doesn't really matter but it made me think of Mamma Chocolates applesauce from Thanksgiving. Steph will you pretty please (with sugar on top) make me some applesauce this weekend...I will bring the apples or pay you back for them...I'll buy you a sucker or somethin'. OMG you ain't had apple sauce 'til you've had hers. I LOVE YOU!!!!!

I just want to spend another moment of my sad life to express the love of a name. Eric is one of the coolest names on this planet BY FAR. I'm proud to have it and I wanna give all you others out there (Eric's with C's of course) your props and give a shout out to those of you I know:

Big Bro Eric C

EK

EU

Married Eric

Mexican Eric

White Eric

Eric B from Elementary school

Jackson

Karlavo Eric (please confirm the C)

3rd year Eric (please confirm the C)

PC Money Man Eric Y

Eric Clapton

You know it's hard being an Eric cause nothing rhymes with it!

I should totally join a group...I know there's one out there!

So I checked my temperature last night and I definately caught the grumpy mood flu. Sorry to anyone I spent more than 5 minutes complaining to. Today I woke up and was put into another cranky mess just being at school. I then took a little solo trip to Veliko Turnovo looking for canvases to paint on. I was at the store before and I thought I could find it again...WRONG! I never found the store and therefore I wasted my time going there...WRONG AGAIN. I actually had a good time getting out of the house and off my butt. I am home at a decent time and ready to plan from my classes. I think today went well. PLUS I got 2 dyuners in VT! I love those things and had no idea they had 'em there!

Even though, last week, I was counting down the days to the weekend, I am ready to go back to school. I need to have things to do during my days besides sit on my butt! I am going to make plans this weekend whether they are to go to Kourtovo, or to see some other volunteers. Y'ALL better be ready cause I'll be knockin' on your door without warning! I want to laugh this weekend. Anyone else? Together we can make it happen!

Leka rabota

Special thanks to Christina, Dylan, Mike, Mel, Jess, and Jeremy who were caught in the snot of my flu tissues!

Well Christina...you're the only one who can justify this to be true...

Your Seduction Style: The Natural

You don't really try to seduce people... it just seems to happen.

Fun loving and free spirited, you bring out the inner child in people.

You are spontaneous, sincere, and unpretentious - a hard combo to find!

People drop their guard around you, and find themselves falling fast.

What Is Your Seduction Style?

I just have to make a comment about how I love fast food and the abundance of fattening and delicious foods in America. I never felt hungry in American because I was always eating. Is there anything wrong with that!?

This morning I woke up around 11:30...well actually 10:30 (Thanks Christina)and I ate lots of chocolate until about an hour ago. I ate three hot dogs. Mike told me to at least make something gourmet-ish with my dogs but I don't have anything to add to it...so I decided that instead of JUST Luytenitsa I ate them with Luytenitsa and RANCH. Why not?

Yesterday was the same except my hotdogs were frozen so I had a can of Cream of Mushroom soup that I brought home from the states.

I've been saving this pic for a special occasion and it's time to bust it out. It is a perfect visual aid for the matter of food and my health in this country. There isn't a lick of good mean but their fruits and veggies ROCK.

I just want to be fat :(

So welcome back ME. I haven't touched this journal since I left for the states. I was getting addicted there for a moment so maybe it was a good break.

I'm not going to sum up my Christmas vacation in the states because it was just an overall great experience that can not be recreated through a short paragraph. I had a great time with my friends, my family, my girlfriend. I loved eating rediculously large portions of fattening foods and lots of sweets that don't have waffles in them. I had pizza without ketchup and mayo!!! I was able to drive drive drive! I cried a little but laughed a lot. Thanks to all those who made that possible.

I received a few cool things for the holiday. One of them was an iPod alarm clock that I broke about a minute and a half after I took it out of the package. Now I have to send it back to the states for a new one! Another was my power cord that allows me to plug my laptop right into the wall! What a life saver. Now when I travel I don't have to lug all my concerters around. Thanks D! I have to give Lisa her props for the awesome picture flipbook she made. All of Bulgaria will have seen in before long trust me! I got a new winter coat which I give credit to my mother, and getting all this was possible because my father loves me.

As soon as I got back, I suffered an even greater amount of homesickness than when I first left, but the 7 extra hours of teaching that they gave me on my first day gave me other things to keep my mind busy. Now things are back to normal. I've got my friends at home keeping in touch as well as the new ones here. I've cleaned the apartment and I'm wearing clean underwear. And like usual it's Saturday and I am bored out of my mind and have nothing better to do than to read an American History book. I guess it's about time, since I must have slept through in in HS...and Middle School...and College.

To better prepare myself for my reading...I think I'll take a nap with my new pillow. My baby wanted to make sure that I was never alone in bed...and if I was the other girl would know who was boss! I love you CGBG...

Well it seems that this will be my last entry in Bulgaria during the year 2005. I am having a horrible day. First of all I haven't slept yet from last night. I was up late doing some packing and had to leave really early in the morning. I finally arrived to Sofia and had the hardest time finding the Hostel, which by the way is called Hostel Mostel. Creative, eh?

I got here and everything was fine. I had some breakfast, and met some new peeps. Later I helped Melody to the airport and that's when it all went downhill. Melody cursed me by labeling me as having the worst travelling experiences. So of course I DO. ALL THE TIME. Don't let that discourage you from visiting me, getting lost only helps you learn. So I left the airport with Rich and we took this bus that was supposed to take us back to the center. Well it was the wrong bus of course, but it wasn't my fault. He asked about it and he's been here longer so I assumed his BG was better than mine. I guess it was cause he got off earlier than me and reached his destination point. I on the other hand got all mixed up and ended up on another bus and then finally gave up and took a freakin taxi back to the hostile.

NOW I am starving and waiting for Simona to call because she supposedly came to Sofia to meet me for dinner and then, tomorrow, will see me off at the airport. I can't decide if I'm more hungry or tired. If I don't hear from her at...let's say...5:30 I'm walking to the nearest McDonalds and having dinner. Some last BG meal, eh? Only 12 more hours and I am leaving for the airport to come home. It STILL doesn't feel real but I'm sure turning in my luggage will be a big wake up call.

Speaking of luggage, I have soooo much stuff in my suitcase that I'm afraid wont make it to the States. I have ceramic, glass, beverages of all sorts-including alcohol, chocolate, clothes, and even cheese and meat. They might as well arrest me at the gate. Please cross your fingers that they will let me in with everything. Also prey that my bag isn't too heavy, or else YOU aren't getting your Christmas gift.

It's time to either eat or sleep, and perhaps put on a jacket, IT'S FREEZING IN HERE!!!!

4estiti Praznitsi!

Thanks Steph and Mel for the visit. I had a great time catering for you two and cleaning up your girl hair from all over my apartment. Just kidding.

This weekend consisted of a great lack of sleep. BUT that's when you get most work done. Who works while they sleep...well, productively? I am the worst when it comes to grading papers when I'm tired. I like to write random notes on papers when I start to dream. NOT COOL.

Anyway so the girls and I went to Veliko Turnovo to do some Christmas shopping and had a really fun time. We ate good food, found some good deals, I found ANOTHER puppy friend (it's not hard in Bulgaria!). The lady who we barfed out our cash too, tried to scam me of more money and when that didn't work she just asked for it! Happy Holidays grandma! My mom called me just to tell me that my dad had a great gift for me and when I figured it out she blamed me for being sneaky. I told her that I could use a beating from her anyway...I miss my mom (don't act like y'all don't every now and then. We came back to the apartment and watched HIDE AND SEEK which was about a 3 star film in my opinion, and went to bed....well took a nap I guess.

This morning after showing the girls off at the train station I got back to work. P.S. It was really sad seeing Stephanie off knowing that I wouldn't see her until after the New Year. For Mel, it was a shove on the train and an "Ill see you Thursday" and I was on my way, lol!

I finished making over 50 Christmas cards for friends and family and left in the knee deep snow to get some food. I couldn't help but hit up the internet club for a few while I was out.

Tomorrow morning I have to get up early to head to Gabrovo because I forgot to pick something up that I was supposed to get in Turnovo. THAT SUCKS! Then around lunch I have a meeting with Simona, a 10th grader, and the Mayor about a new skate park we'd like to get money for. Then it's off to my second home - the workshop so I can GET IT DONE...FOR REAL, I'm working on threads of time here.

That's all for now...I'm realllly getting hungry now, so it's time to go HOME!

You Are "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer"

Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer

Had a very shiny nose.

And if you ever saw him,

You would even say it glows.

For you, Christmas is a mix of tradition and fun.

You're not about strapping on a red blinking nose for a laugh.

(SAYS WHO!!!!!! ~e)

What Christmas Carol Are You?

Today was a very good day. I had my first observation after moving to Tryavna and everything went really well. My PC Program Director came to my apartment this morning first to check out my apartment and to have a general conversation about my thoughts about my service. I tried to treat her with the kindness and warmth that I was taught to treat guests with. I provided tea and breakfast, and a WOW you look extravagant today! Nah, I'm not that desperate for a positive report. We then had a meeting with my school director and I swear she puts on the biggest face infront of PC officials. I thinks she likes me but even as my PCPD noticed...when we both arrived she greeted her and said nothing to me. In the meeting she asks as if we're pals and that isn't the case at all. We have to attend a 2 day meeting in February together about writing grants...that should be interesting. Perhaps it will bring us closer together. That or it will turn out like the Bankia meeting and drive us to the depths of out sanity like Simona and me. Anyway, my PCPD then observed my lesson and said that I did a great job.

After I finished the rest of my 3 lessons for the day, a bunch of teachers, who had invited me out to dinner instead of attending my course (THANK GOODNESS), headed to do just that. We shared some Christmas stories and they even gave me two bags of gifts to bring home to the family. Most of it is food and they claim it will last through the flight...We'll seeeeeee. Let's hope it makes it through customs. There are only a few good hiding places on the body and sneaking cirane isn't worth that much to me. Latex gloves were not on my Christmas list this year FO SHO!

The internet has been down here and there and it's driving me crazy!

I taught Melody to fish.

NO, Liz, I DIDN'T find notecards.

I, too, want a hippopotamus from Christmas.

I love being a teacher.

OH! This is really funny. I was asking my students what the word in English was for a consonant. I had to tell them. Then I asked about a vowel and they said, "sonant" and then tried "unconsonant". I just thought that was sooo funny. Maybe you had to be there.

That's all for today I am tired and have work to do as usual. After being so nervous about my directors arrival and just a long drawn out day, I am exhausted. I can't wait to get home, take off my shoes, and plan so I can GO TO BEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDD!

Leka No6t

PS. I have been told about many Christmas traditions and about food and such other things and when I am asked about OUR American traditions I am always drawn to a blank. I explain that as Americans there are many different traditions. Foods that sit at my table are a mix of Polish, Lebanese, and Normal American food (YOU try and tell me what category mashed potatoes falls into!!!). There are traditions here about what you eat on the Eve, the Day, and NYEve. If you can think of anything special, PLEASE send me an email with some things your family does so I can share more info with my friends and colleagues. Thanks!

Seasons Greetings!

It is only mid-day and it sucks. First of all the "a" key sticks on this keyboard and it's taking just as long to delete all the extra a's as it is to write this. HOW FRUSTRATING! The new teacher that is taking over my old 8th grade class is frustrated with me, and has good reason to, but it's just not the best way to start your day. She is frustrated because I didn't provide her with any information about what I have covered with them, but we don't have a solid textbook and I have been jumping back and forth with a grammar book and making up lessons for them. I had no idea they would be taken from me and given to another teacher. It's okay though, her mommy works at the school and she can complain about me all she wants.

My new 8th graders are great kids but I'm working with a completely new textbook and it's just going to take some time to get used to.

I am being observed tomorrow and I have a lesson planned for today and a follow-up lesson planned for tomorrows observation. However, I just found out that the lesson I'm teaching today and tomorrow isn't really in their curriculum and I don't really have to teach it. In other words, I'm not prepared for my observation. UHHHH. I also haven't updated my year plan since I wrote it and I'm sure my PC director is going to want to see it. It's going to take me allll night to update it. And I have lots of work at the workshop! It'll be a late night for sure.

I really, really, really need a huge stack of notecards, and for some reason when I went to the office store in my town they looked at my notecards as if they were foreign. Funny, cause they WERE, but they HAVE to have them here. I don't have time to travel to look for notecards. I will have to remember to pick some up in the states for Christmas. Too bad I need them NOW!a

Christmas is coming up very very very soon and I have to organize a few parties for my students, and plan lessons, finish my work at the workshop, and do a little "shopping". Where is the time? I'm going to go nutso b4 I even leave!

Speaking of leaving and going crazy...I was happy to hear that I am not the only one that is going a little crazy about going home. I have had this strange nervous feeling for the past week about going home. Almost to the point that I didn't know if I could do it. Why is that? I guess it's a combination of what am I going to say to everyone, what am I going to do first second third, will there be enough time, what if I run out of time, will she still think I'm a sexy beast, will they still enjoy my company, will I disappoint anyone???????? All those questions and more have been circling around in my head and they're adding to my insanity. I found out this morning that I shouldn't feel guilty about my thoughts because the love of my life had the same feelings. Awww we have butterflies again, let's just home we don't barf on eachother when we first see each other. That would definitely break the ice!!!!!

Leka rabota, i priqten den!

I miss having a "paper checking" partner. It's just not as fun alone.

Today was a productive day, with a MEDIUM production level. I woke up and made myself some french toast and ate it BG style, well sort of. I fried my bread in butter instead of deep-frying it in oil. But I did throw a ton of cirane and peach preserves on top. It was goooood. Then I cleaned my apartment because my PC program director is coming to check it out on Wednesday. I put up the Christmas tree I got as a gift from my 8th graders. I ate a block of cirane for lunch. Then I graded papers, and headed off to the workshop. That's when trouble occurred.

So there I was...we'll sayyyyyy about 16 weeks into my woodcarving (hey, I've been really busy) and just when things are going great, I decide to cut off my pinkie finger. BY THE WAY it's very very difficult to type without full use of the left pinkie! I don't know how it got in the way but in one instance it met the blade of my tool and kissed my hand good-bye! Blood was dripping everywhere and would not stop. I tried to stop it with the paper-thin toilet paper that we have here in BG but it OBVIOUSLY didn't work. So Svilen and I decided to count to three and just throw and bandage over the mess regardless of the faucet of blood. It helped and it was then that I realized I didn't cut off my finger it was just a cut. :) How did you like that one. Did it work? I'm going to try and freak Christina out tonight with that story...I'm pretty sure I'll talk to her before she reads this, so no heads up, alright!?!? In all reality I did jab a carving tool pretty deep into the tip of my pinkie and we did have a fun time with blood and bandages. And since it's wrapped to the size of a cherry tomato, I can honestly say it's taken me a good 20 minutes to type all this. Any similar stories about losing limbs?

I also wanted to add that haircuts here are no different here than in the states when they involve me. I can't remember a time when I was truly satisfied with a haircut. I usually paid $14 to get it cut, then I'd go home and cut it myself until I messed it up and then had to go back for the third cut in a row. Yeah, nothing new here. I finally decided to go back to the barber...NOT the one that cut ALL of my hair off and left me with NOTHING to cut on my own, and I told her to leave it long on the top and to just trim the sides. Well after a few days I realized that I looked like the "Creepy thin man" from Charlies Angels...so I went back and had it fixed. Сега, всичко е добре! Everything's great now! Gotta make sure I look sharp for the Ms. Claus that will be picking me up for the airport in a few days!!!!

Now it's off to work...That means to the kitchen table with a pile of textbooks!

If you have any...Priqtna rabota!

PS Thanks Mel's mom for the early Christmas gift I received in June...and thanks Jenny for getting rid of that ass-hole so I could have it...my very own Christmas bulb! he may bave been rotten but he had a cool name!

First, I would like to state that living in a town full of artists isn't always a good thing. I am working on a drawing and thought I was doing a FINE job until everyone that saw it had to tell me how to fix my shading, my color, my dimension. LAY-OFF! What ever happened to the good ol' "That looks great, Eric!" or "Very nice work, Kiddo." It sort of takes the fun out of recreational art if you know what I mean. I guess they all have positive intentions.

I love Bulgarian parties. Bulgarians celebrate in almost the same exact way all across the country. The same food, the tables are all set up the same, the same music, the same dances, and the same drinks. Sounds boring I know...but it's NOT. It's so comforting. These people enjoy their culture and believe in their traditions. It's so much fun to learn them as an American and take part in them as I become more and more accustom to them.

I went to a party with my friend Dencho and his wife Krasi to celebrate the holiday for university students. We all had a really great time. Again, great food, great music, and a lot of playing the horo! Christmas in America is going to have a Bulgaria twist just wait and see!

Oh and just a little side note about the great drinks. Rakia is something that Americans or anyone else that doesn't live in BG haven't had the privilege to try. To forewarn you it's dangerous. To prove my point, I had HOT rakia last night for the first time and was warned not to breath in the fumes as I drank it. What kind of beverage has ANY kind of warning label on it, especially one warning you against BREATHING!

I forced myself to watch 3 episodes of "Joey" starring joey from "Friends" earlier to give my hands a rest. Yeah if that show is still running, I urge you all NOT to watch it. I sort of have no other choice. Sorry Mel, but even though the show sucks, I'd take it over the dead people show in HBO anytime. :) Now I'm just finishing up some art...WITHOUT the suggestions of my friendly country mates...then going to bed. I have a big cleaning day ahead of me.

It's finally the weekend and I have activities to keep me busy. Usually I have a ton of work and I either spend my weekend doing THAT and not relaxing, or I have a ton of work and I do nothing but stare at the ceiling all day and feel even worse. Do you ever get soooo bored that you just CAN'T do anything. You have a million things to do and you just can't physically or mentally provoke yourself to do anything. Perfect example, and Dylan can understand this one: (PS the conversation should be read in monotone)

"What d'ya wanna do?"

"I dunno."

"You wanna go to the show?"

"No, I don't wanna get dressed."

"You wanna watch TV?"

"There's nothing on."

"You wanna go get some ice cream?"

"No, I don't have any money and...I don't want to get dressed."

Well just imagine being alone...having that conversation with myself just isn't as fun.

TODAY I have two projects to keep me busy. I can't mention them because they involve Christmas gifts, but I will not be doing any planning today. I won't be moping around counting the spiders taking up residence in my room. I won't lower myself to watch 5 episodes of "Joey" in a row to fill time. I'm going to "Get it DONE" today. Thanks for the quote Sean, I'll use it forever!

What are you doing today? GET IT DONE!

I've always heard of people trying to invent silly things, like the heated toilet seat! Is that available to the public to purchase, by the way? Well whoever thought of it was a genius. I am happy to say I've sort of invented my own cheaper concoction. I got the little space heater...you know the kind you stick under your desk to keep your feet warm. I have to put it in my bathroom like 45 minutes before I take a shower in order to preheat the room. It is SO cold in there that, like a frozen twig in the winter, you could shatter my nipples with just one little flick. So the space heater is at just the right angle that if it's pointing towards my toilet, it heats the seat as well as the room. This was a complete revolution for me, especially because it was a surprise. Imagine clenching my fists as I'm lowering myself down, preparing myself for the shock of a frozen ass, only to feel the comfort of a warm and cozy place for my ass.

You should try it. I can't say there's a heaven, but I know it would feel something like this.

MMmmmmmmm Arrrrbbyyyyy'sssss....

I've said it a million times before, but I must say it again: I hate the way my school is run. It isn't REALLY the school's fault...they aren't completely innocent though. The problem is that my schedule has changed at least a million times, if not more, this year...and it's only December! So starting on Monday I no longer teach the third grade, and I no longer teach my 8th graders, instead I teach a different 8th grade class. My 8th graders literally cried today when I told them. So that means they really liked me or I was just too easy on them and they're afraid of who's coming next. Not only did they change my classes but my entire timetable changes. It's actually better for me because I only work in both shifts 2 days a week instead of 4! YEAH!

Every day I miss the Christmas hustle and bustle and I'm getting more and more anxious to come home. So far Christmas just doesn't compare to the good ol' bright-light, over-stocked, road-ragged, musical, holly-jolly shopping season brought to you by AMERICA. I can't wait to indulge myself in the commercialism of it all.

I'm teaching my 8th graders "Nuttin' for Christmas". They are going to perform it for the local cable station and the German teacher will teach her students a song as well. I'm almost certain that my class will be the best! Wish us luck.

I wanna say a special I love you to my beautiful girlfriend:

You have been working your butt off lately and it had been so stressful for you, I know. It shows that all that work was worth it. Am I right? You had 4 opportunities to interview with/experience the top firms of your choice for an internship. What's even better than that is that they want you too! All this happened before the internship-interview-season even started. I love you for your dedication to a successful life and most importantly for you dedication to a successful relationship. That's why you're my baby-girl.

Right now I'm home and it's Friday...not much more to say. I feel great, I'm talking to Lisa I feel like I have so much time to do nothing. I think about that every Friday night, though. And then when Tuesday rolls around, I'm running around like a chicken with his head cut off completely stressed out. I'm going to enjoy it while I can.

Leka Ve4er

4estit Praznik! Congratulations to those who study in a University. Today is a holiday for YOU. All your hard work is paying off, see, all of the world...I mean Bulgaria is celebrating all time you put into drinking away your weekends, and sleeping through your classes! 4estit Praznik!

It's Thursday night and I should really be in bed right now. Since I'm not in bed right now I should at least be planning for my English course tomorrow. I always end up planning the course at the very last minute. If I keep this up I am going to be grey or bald before I finish my work here.

Today I had an okay dinner which tasted DELICIOUS. I went to the store and purchased some "party bites" and fried some potatoes to go along with my RANCH DRESSING! Yeah that's right I said RANCH. Thanks to CGBG I was able to sit back and enjoy the taste of Hidden Valley's greatest creation ever. The only thing that was really missing was a Chicken Pita from Linda's including breaded chicken, American cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, rolled up on a toasted pita, about 25 cups of GRADE B coffee, and a few good friends.

I can't wait to go home for Christmas...the countdown has already begun. 15 days!!! Alright Eric, let's try and make it that long!

Leka no6t