Spring has officially arrived! Thank God! Spring is beautiful in Bulgarian. The sunlight, the blue sky, fresh air, and the singing birds. Everything is becoming green and people are coming out of their hibernation.

Here are some pictures:

March has been a busy month for me. On the first of March, it was Baba Marta Day or Grandmother March. It is when martinitsas, or red and white bracelets are handed out to your friends, family and colleagues wishing luck, happiness and health. Although I did not buy or make them for my students or colleagues, I received a lot of martinistas, regardless. By the end of the day, I had around 26 bracelets that covered both of my wrists. It was nice to be thought of and wished luck and happiness. Next year, I will hand out my own.... and maybe even make them by hand (it will be a good winter activity)!

That night, I attended a concert celebrating Baba Marta Day and Bulgarian Independence at the cultural center or chitaliste. I was given the opportunity to dance the horo with some of the teachers and parents a few weeks earlier, however, I felt I was not up to par given I had no idea what the moves were nor had made much time to practice. Like passing out martinitisas next year, I hope to participate in horo with the teachers next year. It is a great group of women. I love seeing them enjoy themselves and smiling. I sometimes feel I don't get see enough of that here, or at school coming from adults.

Also at the concert, there were many performances by my students. Many of them danced the horo, while some played instruments or sang. It was nice to see what kind of activities they were involved with after school.

Here are some pictures of the performances:

Here are some of the kids who took the seats in front of me and kept on saying in Bulgarian "that's teacher Sara Rogers" and turning around to look at me and giggling. So I took their picture to retaliate.

Some great Buglarian singers. I think they even sang a song about Devnya. If so, I would love to get the lyrics!

Here are some flute players.

The teacher horo group

Two Babas reenacting the story of Baba Marta.

Here is a picture of two boys and a man playing the gaida, a Bulgarian verison of a bagpipe. After seeing their performance and loving the sound the instrument made, and I have decide that I want to learn how to play the gaida. With a Scottish background, I think it would be fun to learn and important. Why not address my Celtic hertiage in Bulgaria? To get it started, I talked to one of my fellow teachers in the dance group and she has helped me get in talk to the cultural center seceatary and then who has in turn, has made in possible to get lessons. Starting next Saturday, I will be learning the gaida!

The next holiday was two days later on March 3rd. The day celebrated Bulgarian's independence from the Ottomans in the late 19th century. We had a short concert at school, and had two days off. I went to Varna and shopped in celebration.

The third holiday was International Women's Day which is celebrated as a Mother's Day/Women's Day here in Bulgaria. As a "thank you" 1st through 3rd graders sang to us in our teacher's room, given flowers, and chocolates. We also had a lunch banquet at a nearby restaurant.

Here is a picture of some of the 3rd graders who sang to us. I have recently started an English club on Mondays and so we are now "buds".

Here is a picture of Monika, a really cute, smart girl who I tutor. She has a great future.

The reason for the title of my blog post came the day after International Women's Day when a troublesome 4th grade boy and a 5th grade boy harassed me by saying "suck my dick" repeatably in the hallway that connects the old and new building together. Normally in past, I have had taken these comments in stride. However, given the day it was (the day after Women's Day), how I was walking alone in the hallway, and how I have been having troubles gaining respect, I had enough. I grabbed the 5th grade boy by the vest (accidentally ripping it) and pulled him against a wall, which he didn't enjoy (he was trying to hold onto the doorway). With a crowd of students starting to surround us, I demanded the reason why he keeps on saying those words to me. In my limited Bulgarian, I told him that it was not okay, and that we were going to the director. I had enough. These words were not okay to me, nor to any woman, when they were said as a harassing side comment. I surprised the boy and the students who surrounded with my actions and comments. Fortunately, I also had one of my favorite teachers help me deal with the situation. She talked to the boy and all three of us went to the director. The boy refused to talk nor look up at any of us. I was told he was to be given help. While telling my side of the story, my colleague kept on saying "relax!" in Bulgarian. I told her that I was fine. Apparently, I was turning pink, and they were worried about my state. My pale skin, freaks them out a bit, I think

This past week, the amount of "suck my dick" have diminished. I only heard it once from the boy yesterday, and once from his accomplice in the 4th grade. Who teaches these things to them? Other words I hear are "bitch", "motherfucker", and "shit" from the rest of my students. In my classes, I have no tolerance for such language and I make them sit outside the classroom and apologize to me in English.

Tomorrow I am leaving for a visit to a B25s village to help out with an HIV/AIDS event she is putting on. I am exciting to see her place and to see how the event works. In a plus side, it is her birthday, so that should be fun as well.

I hate cellphones. Even though I have one (they are mandatory for PCVs), I can't stand them. Who in the world, are you talking to that is so important?

I got my first cellphone when I was 16. I didn't ask for one, nor needed one. It was a family deal. It was the time when cellphones were gaining popularity with highschoolers and the rest of the population was getting into the action.

I have never really enjoyed texting much either. I like conversations better.

Here in the BG, cellphones are everywhere. What is rather shocking to me is their availability. My 3rd, 4th ,and 5th graders have cellphones, rather nice ones at that, which they hang around their necks in small carriers. The only people that telephone them are their parents, who unfortunately call in the middle of an activity. This leads the child to say "Miss! My Mother!" in either Bulgarian, English, or Bulgarish while pointing their finger wildly to the phone. If and when I say no, you can't answer that call, the entire class yells, "But Miss, it's his/her mother!". Like that would change anything. It could be the President or the Prime Minister of BG, and I still won't let them answer the phone. If something bad were to happen, a school official would find out and take the child out of class.

In addition to these occurrences with the younger students, my 10th grade class and their love of the cellphone, has caused my dislike of the device even more. I teach the 10th grade class with my co-teacher 4 days a week. There is always an issue with the cellphone. One girl will be talking on her cellphone during class, while another will be listening to music and texting. There is always something.

This week, I had enough. I was teaching by myself, and there was way too much noise and disturbances. The students in the front row couldn't not even hear what I was saying and they were the "good" students. So, I did something about it. I took two cellphones from two uncooperative girl students; they were shocked. They tried coming to the front, yelled at me, tried to steal them back, but to no prevail. In the end, I gave them the cellphones to the their classroom teacher, who unfortunately just gave them back during the break. Ideally, she said something to them about being more respectful, but I doubt it. This happened on Wednesday, and on Friday, they seemed more respectful - although this may be due to my co-teacher (and the Bulgarian) returning.

I know I could have handled the situation more differently with less emotion, but I frankly I had enough. The cellphone issue has been a problem for a while. In my 6th grade class (the class I teach by myself), the students know that I will take away their cellphones if they use it during class. To get it back, they understand that they have to speak in English. They have to say "Miss, I am sorry that I used my cellphone in class, I will not do it again. May I get it back please?" For them, it is a good "punishment". Of course, this wouldn't work with my 10th grade. I think the only way it can get better when I teach by myself, is learning better Bulgarian. They don't take me or their education seriously, and that is a problem. If I could speak better Bulgarian, ideally, we could discuss (and I could understand) why they using their cellphones.

I can't believe I just spent an entire post on cellphones, but the issues that they cause have been on my mind for a while. For me, cellphone use is more apparent here. Maybe because it is a "new" thing for them? A method of communication that they couldn't use in the past? I don't exactly know. All I know is that I am still getting use to the interruptions that are made during a conversation by the ring, ring, ring of the cellphone.

Apologies to those who read my blog about the lack of posting. Life in the BG, since the beginning of the new year, has been good with some manageable ups and downs. Although these events have been worth writing about, I feel like I am in the stage of my PC service where I don't to need to reiterate such occurrence in multiple mediums - blog, personal journal, facebook, conversations with friends and family... Instead, I deal with things differently and continue with my life.

So here is an update about my life since I last posted.

My winter break was fantastic. Spent Christmas with my host family back in Krivodol. It was nice to catch up and be with a family again. On the December 27th, I spent the day in Sofia with my friend Lisa before going to the airport. Our main goal (or at least mine) was to find the Starbucks. I was in need of a chai skim latte. Here is a picture of me at Starbucks.

From December 28th through January 2nd, I was in Italy. I went with a fantastic group of other PCVs who really made the trip special. We travel from Sofia to Milan, where we spent walked around and ate great food for a few days. For New Years Eve, we travel to Rome and met up with my friend's best friend and her sister. In total there were 9 of us in Rome. It was a big group. Here is a picture of some of the people I went with:

Coming back from Italy was hard. Italy was organized and clean. It had a great transportation system. It was beautiful. It had great food.

Don't get me wrong. I love being Bulgaria. I think it is beautiful. However, it is not Italy. D* is not Rome nor Milan. It is a town with views of factories and broken down hills.

Bulgaria is tough. That is why is was hard to come back. Life as a PCV is difficult in Bulgaria. Although I have wi-fi, an apartment to myself, and a microwave, these are material things. Conversations in Bulgarian and developing relationships are difficult. Knowing I have difficulties ahead, made it hard to come back.

After returning from Italy, of course, we all got stuck in Sofia. I had to leave the following morning, missing a day of class to travel across the country. School was challenging. The students, I felt, weren't ready to come back to school. It was nearing the end of the semester, so tests need to be done, and progress needed to be shown. This was also the time when sadness hit my family back home as well.

On January 12th, my beloved Uncle Marksberry died in his sleep back in Minnesota. He had been acting strangely, and since he was widow (my aunt died in 1996), my parents made him say with them. It was my mom, who found him. He was 67 years old.

Here are some pictures of him:

During that week, I was sick with a sinus infection. Traveling across the ocean for a funeral while sick, is no fun. I left Thursday night and arrived Friday afternoon. The service, at my Uncle's favorite pub, was held on Saturday. The funeral, in Winona, MN, was held on Sunday. I left Monday. I finally got back to D* on Wednesday. It was a short exhausting, well worth it, trip. It was wonderful seeing my family and home. I lost it when seeing my three dogs - Toby, Daisy, and Buster - and receiving their many kisses.

Thankfully, I had only a few days at school. For 1 and half weeks, my school was on "flu vacation", where school was canceled in fear of a mass outbreak. I needed the time off before the second term started. A term, which, has been going great.

The holidays have arrived! Today was the last day of school. Classes were 20 minutes long and were finished by 10:45am. At 11:00am, there was a concert. Check out my facebook page for a video of some 4th and 5th grade boys and girls dancing to horo. The tallest girl is Radoslava who is my 5th grade class and participates in my 5 SIP class and my American Club.

Here are some pictures of last night's (and should I say this morning's) teachers banquet. From start to finish, it lasted 7 hours! I was exhausted!

This is a picture of one of my favorite cleaning ladies at the school. She calls me her "dear" in Bulgarian and gives me daily kisses.

The man on my right is a new friend. His name is Bobby and after consuming so much rakia he began to doze off and ask me the same questions repeatedly when he woke up.

Horo!

Bulgarian Dance Party.

My first Bulgarian blizzard! What craziness! Strong cold winds and blowing snow. Not much fun. After arriving to school via car (I now get chauffeured to school by my counterpart or my Bulgarian tutor and colleague), I went to our new pastry shop for a баница (banitsa, a pastry filled with white cheese called сирене (cirene), a банан (banana), and a кока-кола (Coke). What a challenge that was to walk! I looked like a баба (grandmother) bended over trying not to get snow into my face and eyes. My teachers thought I was nuts(which is nothing new) to go outside again. But I was hungry. One of them even brought sandwiches with them to share with us fellow teachers who came to school today. It was a nice gesture.

Another first, is my first snow fall - a literal fall onto the icy ground - twice - on Wednesday morning on my way to school. Let's just say, as a Minnesota, I am used to salt being on sidewalks and on roads. This is not the case here. The only shoveling I have seen here so far is with brooms, and in shovels in the hands of my students who I saw clearing some snow at my school.

Here are some pictures of the snow... and look, we have plows! Such excitement!

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My first Bulgarian blizzard! What craziness! Strong cold winds and blowing snow. Not much fun. After arriving to school via car (I now get chauffeured to school by my counterpart or my Bulgarian tutor and colleague), I went to our new pastry shop for a баница (banitsa, a pastry filled with white cheese called сирене (cirene), a банан (banana), and a кока-кола (Coke). What a challenge that was to walk! I looked like a баба (grandmother) bended over trying not to get snow into my face and eyes. My teachers thought I was nuts(which is nothing new) to go outside again. But I was hungry. One of them even brought sandwiches with them to share with us fellow teachers who came to school today. It was a nice gesture.

Another first, is my first snow fall - a literal fall onto the icy ground - twice - on Wednesday morning on my way to school. Let's just say, as a Minnesota, I am used to salt being on sidewalks and on roads. This is not the case here. The only shoveling I have seen here so far is with brooms, and in shovels in the hands of my students who I saw clearing some snow at my school.

Here are some pictures of the snow... and look, we have plows! Such excitement!

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Winter has arrived! After crazy warm temperatures and blue skies, D* finally has snow on the ground making it officially winter (to me). From experience living in Minnesota all my life, I know that snow and cold can get old very fast. But since snow has finally arrived in mid-December, I can gladly say "bring on the down coat, mittens, hats, and snow boots!"

Oh, and happy 7th month anniversary to me! It has been 7 months since I left Minnesota! Learning a lot, teaching a lot, and staying strong!

My parent's visited me this past weekend and it was a shock to have them here! Their visit made me realize how much I have changed, grown, and grown accustom to being alone. While they were here (Wednesday night to Tuesday morning) I was their translator and guide, two things I haven't really ever been for them before. Our relationship changed. They were now in my space, a space that they cannot really call their own. It was somewhat a role reversal in some aspects. I made sure they had coffee, that we had transportation, tickets, and know where we could eat with English menus. It was rather exhausting! It was a great stay, and it wouldn't have been so wonderful if it was not for my adoptive Bulgarian parents here in D*,who work at the school. They brought me to the airport to pick up my parents (and dropped them off as well), they drove us to the best restaurant in town which is several kilometers from where I live, and even held a "na-gosti", my parent's first one in Bulgaria, and my first one here in D* after we came back from Veliko Tarnovo on Sunday. My parents where shocked by their great hospitality and their feelings towards me. They kept on wanting to repay with money, food, and material goods to show how grateful they were. While, I too wanted to repay them with something, I understood the complexity of the issue. How do you repay someone who has done so much for you in another country when you don't know exactly how to do it? I didn't want to upset them by doing nothing, or doing to much.

The honeymoon is over... time to dig in, "saddle up", and work.

I haven't written for a variety of reasons, but I am here now, ready to write.

School is tough. Dealing with the students is tough. My 6A class alone is tough. Working with a co-teacher is tough. Working with colleagues who don't speak the same language is tough. But this is why I am in the Peace Corps. It's tough and it makes you a stronger person.

I have experienced several things the past month and a half since I last wrote. I have experienced my first earthquake that had a 4.2 magnitude. It was great. I experienced my seat being stolen off of my semi-new bike in my apartment's hallway. I have experience having my mechanic friends at school seeing that, and giving me a new seat to put on it. I have experienced the helpfulness of my colleagues. They are very welcoming and helpful, especially with my Bulgarian. If something is broken in my apartment (which has been a lot), it is fixed. I received a new heater, a fixed shower head, a fixed sink, and a fixed light in my hallway. I get daily assistance with my Bulgarian. Because of my colleagues, I feel at home.

I had a very productive day today at school. Things that I really needed to have done for myself. I spoke a lot of Bulgarian and discussed the things I needed with the school's assistant director and accountant. I recieved the materials needed for my Halloween Party this Friday, I wrote up my Halloween Party's schedule of events in Bulgarian which was received and understood well, I discussed the books I needed to have to lesson plan and to teach with (such as the workbooks and student textbooks that I don't have), and I discussed the students who are participating in my after school programs. Today was a good day.

I feel like I have turned a page in my Peace Corps life, and I look forward to the future starting new projects and continuing with my work.

The theme of this post is "relationships." This week I have been granted the privilege of getting to know my school colleagues, my students, some community members,and myself better than before.

My school is rather large in numbers. It is a comprehensive school meaning that it has 1st through 12th graders in addition students who are in Bulgaria's equivalent of "early education". I know know the exact number of students we have, but as a school, I am aware that it is important to keep that number because students represent money. The more students we have the more money we receive from the MOE.

Back home, I went to big schools, however, it was spread out. Here, children are everywhere, of all ages, running around, and talking loudly in a school that is most likely the same size as my elementary school. Students are assigned to their class rooms, and remain there for the entire day (i.e. the 8th graders stay in the 8th grade room). The teachers are the ones who switch, which I think personally, gives off a strange power dynamic in favor of the students. That being said, the teachers have their own room, which in my eyes appears as "heaven" after a 45 minute English lesson with my CRAZY 6A students. It is nice to come into a room where the teachers know how you feel and understand you emotionally (not verbally yet anyways).

This past week has made me realize that my Bulgarian needs to get better FAST. The class I teach alone is fully aware that my Bulgarian is not good, and they use that to their advantage. When I do speak Bulgarian, it is a show, which results in mad laughter. Thankfully, I do have a good bunch of students who actually want to learn. Today I only taught to them, ignoring the misbehaving students after I repeatedly told them to get their textbooks and notebooks out (which they understand). One by one, the other students (and some of the misbehaving ones) come closer to me near the front and got involved with the lesson. I yelled only once, and that was to the group of misbehaving boys who I had write down their names so they could be "punished" by their director (which probably won't happen, but hopefully their class teacher can get involved).

Next week I have my English help session, my 5th grade help session, and my American Culture Club starting on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday respectively. I am excited for these things to begin so I can work with and get to know the students who actually want to learn.

I am really enjoying my fellow colleagues. Everyone is welcoming and helpful, although, that being said, I have no idea what the majority of their names are. Even the people who I interact with the most -- the guard at the front door, the check-in lady, the two other English teachers (hard names to say), the maintenance men (who help fix things in my apartment when I break them), and the teachers who use the same lounge as I do, I do not know. They have all introduced themselves to me, but as in most Bulgarian words, it goes in one ear and out the other. This is something I have to work on.

"Здравейте клас. Казвам се Сара Роджърс. Аз ще бъда учителка ти тази година. Аз съм доброволка от Корпуса на мира на САЩ. Аз живея в Девня за две години."

This statement is not a new for me (grammar and speaking mistakes included) for the past two days. I have been using it often as my introduction piece to my students in the 5th, 6th, 8th, and 10th grade English classes that I teach along side with A Bulgarian partner, or individually.

It is strange to think that I am now a qualified English teacher in Bulgaria. Just last year, I was applying to many jobs while waiting for this Peace Corps journey to begin and I was either over-qualified or under-qualified for many of the positions. Today, I am qualified to teach English to Bulgarian students, teachers, and members of the community. I have a job to do and it is going to be difficult!

Thankfully, PST has prepared me in what to expect. From my training, I expected that the students in my school will be behind in their English; that they won't see the value in learning it; that they are crazy (because all pre-teens and teenagers are); and the majority of English class is in Bulgarian.

Teaching - individually and team-teaching - will be difficult. Both my Bulgarian partner and I are both new teachers. Not only are we new at teaching, but we are new at this school. The students don't know us, we don't know them nor their abilities in English. I feel like I have the "upper hand" in some cases, but the "lower hand" in many. I have had experience teaching to people in a Low Beginning English class in MN, and I have taught several classes here in Bulgaria. This has made me realize to expect the students to be at a lower level. As PC says, BE FLEXIBLE and to be aware of multi-level classes. Just because they are in the 5th class, does not mean that they are at the level.

This being said, that is my upper-hand. I don't speak the students' language very well, and I don't understand them when they are talking to get other. This is both a blessing and a curse. I don't know when they are being mean to me nor do I know when they don't understand. Sure, I can look at their faces, but that only goes so far. It takes class time figuring out what they do not understand without translation.

Teaching started for me on Thursday and I am expected to have between 2 and 4 classes a day. I teach the 6th grade A class by myself, and the 5th A/V class, 8th, and 10th grades with my Bulgarian partner.

Wednesday was the official first day of school, however, it was more of party than anything else. In Bulgaria, the first day of school is a celebration. Officials from the town's government show up, the School Director speaks, the students put on productions, and water is thrown in front of the first graders to symbolize good luck. It is a very touching ceremony and there are many tears in the crowd. What is also endearing are the giving of flowers from the students to the teachers As I am a new teacher, I didn't give many, but the teachers who have been at the school longer get A LOT! It is nice to see the appreciation that the students have for their teachers.

I have been on the job for a week now, I have yet to do much. Since last Wednesday, September 1st, the first day of school for teachers, I have studied Bulgarian, developed some lesson plans, and got to know a few of my colleagues. Everyone is friendly,nice,helpful and curious however, communication is still a problem. There is only so much Bulgarian I know and understand which produces short conversations. Thankfully I have my great co-teacher, Stella, who is young like me and is patient. She is able to translate when I need her to and has to be my Bulgarian tutor everyday.

Integration is tricky! Getting to know people in the town have been difficult. I recognize a few of my neighbors, the people who work at the neighborhood magazines and the post office, my landlords of my old apartment, and of course my neighborhood Babas, but that is it. Only a handful of teachers who work at my school live in D*, making it even more difficult. When the city's bus comes for them at 2pm they are out of there. Now, and when school starts (I saw this happen when I was on my site visit) this will happen. So what is basically left are my students. I have might a handful of them through my English course in August, in addition to meeting some on the street. I am always pleasantly surprised when someone says "hello teacher" is Bulgarian to me. I think it is due to the bike.

This past Saturday, I spent the day with my fellow PCVers in Varna in a hostel near the beach. It was great getting to know everyone better, especially the "older" volunteers - the B25s. The hostel was a cool place. It is owned by an Irish Italian man, who has just partnered with an PCV who just COSed (closed of service) just last month. It was great to see and experience familiar things. The hostel not only had PCVs staying the weekend, but also some Australians and Germans. It was nice to speak in English for the majority of the weekend and peruse English books and magazines left behind by the guests.

The next big event after the start of school for me is Halloween. Apparently a majority of PCVs spend the holiday together renting out a hostel somewhere in Bulgaria. Of course I will mostly like be attendance; after all it is my birthday weekend. I am thinking of being dressed up as Luna Lovegood, a character found in the Harry Potter series. I feel like we carry the same spunk.

Next, my parents may be visiting in early November. My father has work to do in Istanbul, and since Turkey and Bulgaria are neighbors, why not the visit? I am excited to show off my new community and home, and of course my new bad-ass Bulgarian skills.

After their visit, is the In-Service Training. This is the next time I will see all of my fellow B26s. This is still in November, though I have no idea when. Later that month is Thanksgiving, and I hope I can be apart of some PCV festivities.

So that is my update for now.

I recently opened my Microsoft Word program and I found a this quote in my document recovery:

"...Foreignness is intrinsically stimulating. Like a good game of bridge, the condition of being foreign engages the mind constantly without ever tiring it. John Lechte, an Australian professor of social theory, characterises foreignness as 'an escape from the boredom and banality of the everyday'. The mundane becomes 'super-real', and experienced 'with an intensity evocative of the events of a true biography'.

An American child psychologist, Alison Gopnik, when reaching for an analogy to illuminate the world as experienced by a baby, compared it to Paris as experienced for the first time by an adult American: a pageant of novelty, colour, excitement. Reverse the analogy and you see that living in a foreign country can evoke many of the emotions of childhood: novelty, surprise, anxiety, relief, powerlessness, frustration, irresponsibility. It may be this sense of a return to childhood, consciously or not, that gives the pleasure of foreignness its edge of embarrassment. Narcissism may also play a part. While abroad, one imagines being missed by friends and enemies at home [...]."

From The Economist, Dec. 17, 2009

I agree with these people...

I have not written in a while, and I can give many excuses, so here they are:

Up until a few days ago, it has been judiciously hot out making the idea of posting and having my computer sit on my lap unbearableI have been at a TEFL technical conference in Blagoevgrad, 12 hours away by train from D* for the last 8 days and I was either too tired to write, at class teaching or learning, or out having fun with the other PCVs (I went bowling twice, and saw the movie "Inception")

Before traveling to Blagoevgrad, my days in D* were rather smashed together and very similar - making the experience not very exciting and not fun to write about (I have tried to post, before deciding the post sucked)

I have been playing spider solitare and I have been trying to reach the score of 1181+I have been on my bike exploring D* and also have been visiting my Babas almost daily

In more exciting news, my first day of work starts Wednesday at the school. I am grateful for this, because this allows me an "in" with the community. Apart for a small group of people, I don't think a lot of people know who I am or what I am doing here. Hopefully, by working with the other teachers before the students arrive, I can establish a support system that will be beneficial my first year of teaching.

Today I went into Varna with my site-mate and we did some clothes shopping. I came away with a long cotton top that can be worn with leggings, a brown faux-leather jacket (very Eastern European), a skirt, a t-shirt, a plaid button up, and a sweater vest - all that can be worn for work. I have found that a majority of clothes have stretched out due to the hot weather, and my lousy handwashing skills making them unwearable for teaching in my environment where clothes maintence is mandatory.

Tomorrow on my last day before work, I plan on doing laundry and getting a haircut. Hopefully my haircut will turn out alright. Some of my friends have received questionable hairstyles making them wonder what in the world happened to them.

"It is like the 'Long Beach' of Bulgaria" is a phrase that I have used when asked about my town by fellow PCVs. Although it may be incorrect in saying this due to its location in the world, its population, ethnicity etc etc, the saying has helped me establish some familiarity within my new town. Plus, having Varna being so close, the city can serve as Los Angeles.

Both Long Beach, CA and D* share some characteristics. They are home to many important businesses to their respective state and country, in addition to being home to a busy port to large bodies of water. Where I live in Bulgaria is near the Beloslav Lake which brings in cargo from ships who sail the Black Sea. On my way to Varna via bus, it is hard not to miss the big cranes and huge metal boxes that are either being dropped off by huge ships or waiting to be put on board them. Both Long Beach and D* are also large industrial centers. My new home has many huge factories surrounding the area (some working and some not), and smoke stacks that can be seen from several kilometres away.

With that obeservation out of the way, life in D* has been very quiet, making it not very exciting to write in my journal or this blog. Soon after arriving, I had students who wanted to learn English. The class meets one day a week for an hour. This past week I reviewed the family tree, and had the students answer questions about their family. It was great to know a bit more about the students I will teach for the next two years.

Last Friday, I purchased a bike from a bike shop in Varna. I love it. Due to the lack of usable USB ports, I will describe my new love. It is black, with a headlight, 6 gears, a rack in the back, tire guards (that block the dirt), a basket and a bell. Everyting on the bike is low, so it is easy to get on and off. That being said, I did fall when turning a corner to hard bruising and cutting up my knee and palms.

I have been going to beach every weekend, though I do have to admit it is rather exhausting process.

One week down, and many to go!

My first week in D*. It actually went surprising fast, even though I did not teach, nor had a structured schedule. It was spent playing a lot of spider solitaire, washing dishes, hanging out with my counterpart, going to the school to get some PC paperwork done, listening to music, talking to people from home on skype, organizing the apartment, going on walks, going to Varna, and making friends with the Babas. This weekend, I spent a lot of time cooking, in Varna with some other B26ers, and cleaning my apartment which I unfortunately left a disaster, due to cooking (I attempted to bake brownies with a chocolate bar), before leaving for Varna.

I feel like the weather here on the East side of Bulgaria near the coast is different from where I was living in th Western part dear Vratsa. Both areas are hot, but the difference between these two places is the wind. There is actally wind in Bulgaria, who knew? There were many times in Krividol were I wished for some wind, and here in D* and Varna there is a lot of it. Earlier last week, we had such a huge storm with lots of windows that it broke my window (as explained before). I never had that issue in Krivodol nor the US for that matter.

I am now two-thirds done with my Bulgarian residency paperwork. Last Monday, I spent the day in Varna with my counterpart who took me to the Migration office to apply for year-long residency and my litcha carta. Let me tell you, lots of bureaucracy, lines, and paperwork! I had to bring many documents with me, go to bank to get a receipt, fill out paperwork in Bulgarian etc. It took a week to be cleared, so today I went back with my counterpart. More forms needed to be filled out, and money given. What a change from the United States! My residency has been cleared, and my litcha carta (is my ID like a US drivers licence but you can't drive with it.... there is a seperate card for that) will be ready in a month. Filling out the paper was somewhat evasive. They wanted to know my parent's names and birthdays, as well as well as my brothers'.

Unfortunately, reapply for this process is yearly, so I will have to do this again (fortunately at the police station in D*). Let's hope it is easier and less time consuming!

Now off the bed to read a 900+ page book on a man's life in India.

Here I am in my permanent site in my very own apartment in Bulgaria near the Black Sea. If you told me years ago that I would be here, living alone in Bulgaria, I would have laughed at you. Although I knew that I would be living alone if I joined the Peace Corps, it has not hit me until now. Do not get me wrong, I love it. I love that fact that everything around me in my small apartment, is mine (or the previous occupants' stuff which I can use). Everything I need is in this small space. Sure I most likely get lonely, sick of of this small enclosed space in winter, but for now I love it. I have a nice balcony where yesterday, I washed my clothes by hand and hung up to dry, and where today I put two plants that I bought at the market in the center.

When I thought of joining the Peace Corps five years ago, I imagined that I would living in a hut in Africa listening to the "thump, thump, thump" of African women breaking down maize. But, here I am in Bulgaria, in the non-stereotypical image of Peace Corps, and enjoying myself. I cannot imagine myself elsewhere.

My apartment is in one of those communist-style blocs which is surrounded by houses in the old part of the town. I leave near the bottom of the building, so it is unlike the bloc I lived in Krivodol where I had to climb up 100 stairs to get to the apartment. I have a long hallway (or corridor in Bulgarian) that has three doors - one to the living room/bedroom, another to the kitchen, and the last to the bathroom. My living room/bedroom is fairly large. I have a sofa (or divan) that apparently converts to a bed, a bed, a coffee table, and 3 bookcases with doors on them where I put my stuff. I also have wifi internet (which I apparently need for a laptop....) and cable with 1 channel (I will be getting cable next week). The last occupants of the apartment left a lot of stuff. I have lots of pottery, tools, cups, plates, silverware, and pots and pans. Two days ago, I inaugurated by oven by making banana bread using a receipe from the Peace Corps-Bulgaria cookbook. It was delicious.

In work-related news, I have yet to do much. Monday was spent getting residency papers sorted out in Varna (which is a beautiful city - I can't wait to explore it more); Tuesday was spent fixing a bathroom window (which broke in a storm); and today, I had a quick introductory meeting with some students who want to learn more English. We will meet every Wednesday to learn for an hour or so, and then play baseball.

Now off to a cafe to study Bulgarian.

The last day of structured Bulgarians classes have ended! Woo! I cannot believe it!! I have learned a lot of Bulgarian language, culture, and traditions over the last 11 weeks, and in the weeks, months, and years from, I am ready to so in a non-structured environment!

Here is the schedule for the next few days:

Tomorrow, we have our last HUB in Vratsa. We have to turn in some stuff in, and put some materials up (papers, books, packets etc) in return - which means more stuff to pack in an already overstuff suitcase.

Friday is Swear-In day. My host sister and mother are coming with me to Vratsa in the morning. There are going to two B26 speakers, in addition to some Peace Corps staff, host family members, and some high ranking Bulgarians. We will be asked to give an oath (the same one as President Obama) and then we will be presented with pins and be sworn in as offical Peace Corps Volunteers.

On Saturday, I leave Krivodol on a train that takes me to Mezdra. In Mezdra, I will take a train that takes me directly to D*. All together, it will take around 7 to 8 hours to travel from one side of Bulgaria to the other. I am riding first class (which is basically the same as second class but with fewer peoplewith a greater chance of air conditioning) due to the long journey and the luggage that I have to take with me.

This past Monday, was my LPI test, as I mentioned previously. It went well, I hope that I made made it to the mark (Immediate Low) that I needed to get too. It is, however, disappointing when you are speaking Bulgarian, and the Babas you are with, tell you that they do not understand English. This is what happened to me while I was No-Gosti-ing with Eti at Koko's house yesterday. I guess I need more practice on my speaking still!

Let a new countdown begin! One more week until I leave for the beautiul city of D*. As PST winding down, I am very thankful for my time in Krivodol, yet I am very excited to be on my own. I have never lived by myself, I have either lived with my parents or with friends.... I have never had my OWN place. How strange it will be to have my first place away from the US!

Nothing much has happened this week, although I did go to Sofia with my satellite group to see the Peace Corps office. Unfortunately we spent most of the time in city practically running to place to place, on public transportation, or in the Peace Corps office itself being interviewed, or waiting for them to begin or end. From what I saw, it was a beautiful city (at least the city central). It reminded much of Western Europe and a little bit of India (which I thought was strange). It was a rather strange feeling to be in such a big city in Bulgaria when I have been used to such small places. At first I thought Vratsa was big, but Sofia doesn't even compare!

On Monday, we have our final Language Proficiency Interview. I feel like I am much more prepared for this one in comparision to our Mid-PST Interview we had several weeks ago. I am spending the weekend looking over my notes, making some new ones, and practicing my Bulgarian.

I can't wait for PST to be done!

After having a great 4th of July weekend spending it in Vratsa, hiking, and playing baseball with students, I came down with my first illness in Bulgaria. According to the doctor I had food poisioning or a virus (which was going around the town and he assumed I got it). Regardless of what I had (or still have), it was not fun, and I am still getting over it 4 days later. To keep it short and pleasant, things were coming out both ends, I was aching all over, and I had sharp cramps in my stomach.

Since I wasn't able to take down any pills, I believe the PCMO (the PC medical officer) who I was talking to all night, made my host mom call the town doctor. He came to the apartment in order to give me a shot to help me stop throwing up and to check my vital signs. Of course I had really no idea what was going and in no mood to speak or understand Bulgarian. This poor doctor... host mom... and sister who had to help my smelly disgusting self!

After falling asleep around 4am, I woke up at 10:30am on Monday feeling better, but not 100%. I relaxed the rest of the day, and took a half day off on Tuesday. Each day is getting better, however I haven't eaten a whole lot of food (mostly carbs). I am going to see the doctor tomorrow at HUB for the headaches and cramps I still have.

So please readers, remain healthy and wash your hands!

After coming back from visiting my permanent site last week I feel refreshed, that this Peace Corps "thing" is something that I was meant to do and that I can possibly thrive at.

Gone are the days now of post-college life of needing to a get a better job, of waiting, of needing more money...

Now are the days of learning a new language in a way that is makes it easier and more fun, of hanging out with friends who are going through similar things, of going to the cafe down the street several times a day, of speaking English (70% of the day) of teaching children English and baseball...

I know my time in Bulgaria will not always be like this, in fact, it won't be like this next month. I am however, going to relish this time remaining in PST where I am comfortable in my familiarness.

Found below are some of my favorite pictures so far (most of them have been taken in the last two weeks):

Aaron "praying" to the "Bulgarian God" while attempting to speak Bulgarian. Elena our Language Trainer is in the background.

Here I am in from of an old road next to the Museum of Mosaics in Devnya. The ruins in the backgroud including the mosaics in the museum are apart of the old Roman city of Marcianopolis.

My Krivodol group of 6 during what we do best.... making a mess and not paying attention except our married couple.

The TEFL part of my group with some of our students from Model School, a 7 day school we are putting on for the community children.

What a crazy week it has been!

Last week I recieved news of my permanent site. I will be living in a town named Devnya, which resides 25km from the Black Sea. Here is the Wikipedia article on my town: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devnya Unlike the other B26 volunteer who is also with me in Devnya, I am not living in Povelyanovo ( a part of the city that was once its own village). I am living in one of the many centers of the town near the school in one of the bloc apartments.

I am happy with my placement. From my visit these past several days, I have gained several new friends and many new collegues and students. The only bad news is that I won't be able to take Elliot, my favorite puppy, with me. My landlord does not want him in the apartment and I don't think I could stand having him be tied up outside in the dead of winter without being able to move.

The title listed above is pronouced "no go-sti" meaning to visit. Visiting на гдсти style can occur (or so I have noticed) anytime of the day. For me на гдсти occurs mainly at night, where my host and I, go over to her best friends house. While my host goes over nightly, I tend to go over once or twice a week. I find it difficult to sit and listen to Bulgarian after an entire day of trying to learn it. At the same time, I find it very helpful to use my news words and verbs on these amazing people. For на гдсти it is necessary to bring something with you. In previously на гдсти's I have brought chocolate chip cookies that I have made and s'more making supplies. Both of which were hits. I have learned that for на гдсти you can bring extra food with you, candies, or beverages. You can also bring an odd number of flowers with you as well (if you bring a bring an even number of flowers, that can mean death).

I bring this up today because some of my site mates and I went на гдстиing to another sat. group near Vratsa up on a mountionous hill. We brought chips and chocolate cookies with us as proper на гдсти etiquette. To get to this sat. we had to get on a train to Vratsa and take a taxi to the location. It was a good day, and I may talk about it later in future posts. Now off to bed. I have an mid-PST language interview tomorrow! Wish me luck!

We have three cute puppies in Krivodol, who I have named - Ed, Elliot, and Elvis (who was previously called Eloise before discovering that she was in fact a he). Elliot is my favorite because he is the loner of the pack and the most friendly. Here is a picture of him, taken today while I was at the cafe studying.

While the two other puppies sometimes bark for their food, Elliot does not. He patiently and quietly waits for a small morsel to land on the floor.

He also comes when I call him. How cool is that?

Here are his brothers with a guard dog (not Momma, but maybe Papa) playing in the park across the street from the cafe and next to the cultural center. This photo was taken a few weeks ago.

You can tell the difference between them because:

Elivis has a white-tipped tail andfront floppy ears

Elliot has more brown fur speckles around his eyes and has side floppy ears

Ed has concentrated brown fur around his eys and has front floppy ears

The people who I see everyday (like my host, my language trainer, satellite friends, and now the cafe employees and their friends) all know about the puppies. Iam probably making a fool of myself while talking on and on about the puppies and petting Elliot, but I don't care. Hopefully my actions do some good and show some light on how some animals who live on the streets are not bad and who just need some love and affection. It is hard to see sometimes the treatment the puppies are getting (they are hungry and want something to eat), but it also very nice to see the kindness given, as well. For instance, last weekend, some young girls made a living area for the puppies (or a fort for themselves) underneath some trees. During that time, other people came around and started feeding the puppies and petting them. It was nice to see the kindness that other people besides us in th PC, give to the puppies.

Hopefully I won't adopt a pet while I am here. We recieve our permanent site placements next week. I can see myself getting lonely and missing my animals back home in MN. The PC allows you to adopt an animal with the conditions that you pay for its medical procedures and medications yourself, as well as not leaving it on the street when you leave.

Today also marks the one month mark since I left MN! What an experience it has been so far!

Life these days are amazingly busy, full of things new to learn, to teach, and to eat. I am very happy. Since the last time I posted, I experience Bulgarian "prom", learned more Bulgarian words, had my first education cluster, traveled to Vratsa twice, went to first HUB (where all 87 of us came together), co-taught 2 8th grade classes, taught 2 11th grade classes by myself, and traveled to Vidin with my host mom and sister to visit my Baba and other family members.

I was thinking in bed last night about my anxiety issues. I have not been anxious at all since I have arrived in Bulgaria (besides last night when I dreamt about being anxious). Sure I have been nervous about things, but nothing that I can't handle. I know everything will be alright, and that I can get through anything and everything. The Peace Corps takes care of a lot of things for me, and with the things they cannot do, I am preparedfor (such as student loans, which I deferred). I don't need much to be happy. Just good friends (which I have and have made), a supportive family unit(which I have in both Bulgaria and the US), food, pop, and chai. My job now is to do substantible work; meaning I need to make long lasting friendships with Bulgarians, teach English to the Bulgarian children, and stay healthy. I think and know I can do that.

Posted below are some pictures of my Bulgarian Life:

Here is a picture of my host family + my Baba in Vidin:

A picture of some friends and I jumping near our resort in the mountains.

Few of Krivodol outside my balcony

My sitemate and friend Lisa, at a fellow sitemate's host's cafe

I have been in Krivodol for the past few days. Those days have been filled with studying Bulgarian; going out to Koko's house (the best friend of my host "mom") to have chai; exploring the town (which consists of 3 sections; travelling to Vratsa on both the fast and slow trains; going out to dinner to celebrate my host's birthday; and observating 6th and 8th English classes at the local high school. Let's just say it has be a week that has been filled to the brim!

Since Tuesday, I have been returning back to the apartment for lunch. My host's apartment is very close to both the train station and the training center. While the others bring their lunches or eat at a cafe, I am able to come home (for the time being), be greeted by my host, and eat a delicious meal. I am grateful and spoiled!

Tomorrow I am team-teaching a 20 minute session in English with a PST buddy who lives in Krivodol with me. We are teaching about the differences between "hundreds" and "hundred". Next week we get to teach a 45 minute class to 8th graders. This is the most difficult class in the school. They are between 14 and 15 years old and full of hormones (The Bulgarians start school at age 7). I'm nervous, but I know it is do-able. I just need to speak slowly, pronounicate, take control, and have a good time.

This weekend is my host sisters graduation prom and celebration dinner. Prom is a very big deal here so I am very excited to see and experience it with my new family!

To see Krivodol's website, go here: http://www.krivodol.com/?lang=bg&r=home

My Pre-Service Training (PST) ends tomorrow. It has been a crazy experience! Tomorrow, I am going to meet my host family and the place that I will be living for the next 11 weeks. The town is called Krivodol, with a population of 3500 and located in the Vratsa district. Apparently, you can only reach it my road and train. No buses! I am going with 5 others. We are a mixed group. 4 of us are in TOEFL (2 Secondary (including me) 2 Primary) and 2 COD (Community and Organizational Development).

Off to dinner and dance to celebrate!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krivodol

Today I am in Bulgaria and I have been here since Wednesday. At arrival in Sofia, we (by we, I mean 87 other trainees) were greeted by PCVs, Peace Corps Staff, and the media. To the right are some pictures of some PCVs (Peace Corps Volunteers) who greeted us at the airport.

The whole process so far has been a range of emotions partly due to major jet lag, long informational sessions, good food, and Bulgarian language sessions. We are currently living at a mountain resort in the Rila Mountains until Sunday.

When things get to stressful or overwhelming, I have been taking walks around the resort. The area is very beautiful and the weather has been very warm. We are surrounded by snow-capped mountains, thick forests, and blue sky.

Sunday is the day we travel to Vratsa the central site where all of us will live around in small villages/cities with host families. I have been learning Bulgarian for the past several days, and it has been difficult. Learning new sounds and new symbols is not the easiest thing to do, but I have confidence that I will be able to pull it off.

If interested, check out these articles about my group, B26, arriving in Bulgaria.

http://www.sofiaecho.com/2010/05/10/898424_new-group-of-us-peace-corps-volunteers-arrive-in-bulgaria

http://novinite.com/view_news.php?id=116130

It's finally here, and I made it. After a long one and half year process, my Peace Corps experience starts tomorrow, in less than 8 hours. Before I begin I want to say "thank you" to all my friends and family who have been with me every step of the way since September 2008 when I started my Peace Corps application.

A few months ago, I read a book by Kapka Kassabova, a writer who wrote Street Without a Name: Childhood and Other Misadventures in Bulgaria. It was the only book I could find that discussed living in Bulgaria under the Communism, leaving the country after the Wall fell, and coming back to it in the early 2000s. Kassabova described Bulgaria is "a country living simultaneously, effortlessly, causually almost, in several different time planes" (334). I can understand this. Many people who I talked about Bulgaria with were surprised that the Peace Corps were even going to country. They thought that since it was in the EU, NATO, and other various international organizations, the program was not needed there. Sure, at first, I thought the same things. I was surprised when I was invited to serve in the country. But what I soon learned is that Bulgaria is the lowest income member of EU, with a declining population, I became intrigued. How and why is this so? Why am I, an English Secondary Education Volunteer needed? These questions, I hope will be answered soon.

According to Kassabova again, she states that "the map of Bulgaria looks like an animal hide spread out, with the head end looking to Europe and the rear end sitting at the Black Sea" (199).

For those who do not know, the country is located in south-eastern Europe, surrounded by the countries of Romania (to its North), Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia (to its West), Greece (to its South), and the Black Sea (to its East). The country is both mountainous, due to the Stara Planina and Rodopi mountain ranges, and flat, due to the Danubian and Upper Thracian plains.

I have no doubt that these features will keep me busy for a while.

So now I am off to bed with thoughts of Bulgaria on my mind, anxiously waiting for my new adventure to begin!

I'm in a weird funk. Something that I have been waiting for is coming up quick. I have ended my internship at the Minnesota AIDS Project and my volunteer job at the Neighborhood House, said some goodbyes, and even had a goodbye party. Yet, it is to early to pack. Sure, I have accumulated the stuff I would like to bring in a suitcase and a big box, but that was because I moved back home.

Although I haven't packed yet, I should have done somethings earlier that I have been. Things like learning Bulgarian. New sounds and symbols to learn. Lets say its far from English, French, and Swahili! I should have ordered my Chacos earlier as well. Through a company program, I am able to get 50% off, however, it takes awhile to get the coupon. Let's hope I can receive them before I leave!

Last week I went to LA to visit relatives. My cousin Kasia recently had a baby last November, and I wanted to see him (Asa) before he gets big. It was also my last vacation before going to Bulgaria, and I spent it relaxing and taking road trips with Kasia, and my Aunt and Uncle, around the area. My parents might move down there while I am away, and I wanted to see the area without them to get an unbiased view. The ocean and the hills were beautiful, but the weather was abnormally cloudy and rainy! I wish it was a little bit warmer, but what can you do? Make the best of it!

Next Friday, May 7th, will be my last day at Talbots, the clothing store I have been working at throughout college and after graduation. I am making a promise to myself that I will never work at Talbots or any retail store again. It is to easy to get "sucked" into this low-paying job. For this new "life", or new stage in my life called the Peace Corps, I am going to kick ass. Ideally I will be able to determine to what area I would like to get into. International Relations? International Development? Public Health? Human Rights? Women's Rights? Something else????? I just I will have to find out and get my mind open and expect the unexpected.

After much waiting and patience, I decided to start my blog today, April 11th, because it is now less than one month before I leave for Bulgaria. It is finally becoming real. It is something that I actually now need to get prepared for. Packing, saying goodbyes, finishing work, and leaving... are all things that are now in my foreseeable future.

While looking at other Bulgarian Peace Corps blogs on the web, it appears that I have known that I was leaving for Bulgaria much sooner than may others. My Peace Corps application process started back in September 2008 after I came back from studying abroad in Kenya. Experiencing the after effects of post-election violence in Kenya during the time when the Peace Corps was not even in the country in addition to witnessing and living at different levels of economic statuses was life changing. I knew that I wanted to get into a field that would allow me to help people, especially women, empower themselves. I find great joy in helping people better themselves because that not only helps them, but it also makes society prosper.

Although at first I wanted to be placed in a country in Africa due to prior experience and knowledge of the region, I am very much excited and thrilled that I will be living and working in Bulgaria. Bulgaria and Eastern Europe is my unfamiliar, my unknown. The history of the region and of my future home, is a history that I wish I knew more of prior to moving there.

Tomorrow I will be calling the travel agency to finalize by flight and passport information.