SUCCESS IS NOW MEASURED IN SMALL ACCOMPLISHEMENTS

Sandra succeeds at hand washing...

“OK let’s see I saw her do this, get the metal tub”. “OK fine, no problem I can make due with cold water”. “well I guess I should only put in 5-6 small pieces of clothing (preferably underwear since small)” “wow this is going to take a long time at this rate, oh well" . "now this isn’t so bad I’ve done this lots of time (though with delicate clothes, huh but this can’t be that different)” .“la la la jeez this is kind of hurting by back” . “Those poor pioneer women this isn’t so easy”. “OK, time to squat this is killing my back”. “oh COME ON how much more?” 15 minutes…. 20 minutes… “ la la la   come on Sandra slow down, give the last group as much attention as first or they won’t be clean”. “wow this is some dirty water, ick, I didn’t know clothes got this dirty, gross”. “ooohhh my hands are going to look like I’m 100 by the time I’m done with 2 years”. “la la la... wow in addition to rock hard legs from squatting in the outhouses women here must have really strong hands” .“huh jeans are really heavy and kind of  hurt wringing them”. “well in addition to strong legs and strong hands the women here must have strong arms too”. “OK finally!  time to hang on the line”. “ugh this metal tub with all these clothes is kind of heavy, oh Sandra shut up women have been doing this 100s of years“. “OH come on, why did it have to be the jean shorts that fell in the sand? Fine I’ll re-rinse later”. “la la la.... hey wait a minute, she had more clothes hanging and there are hardly any clothespins, what the heck? ok, fine, I can figure this out, it’s just a matter of math” . “OK check – add clothespins to shopping list” . “OH PUPPIES you are SO cute but get away from my feet!”

 

“OH NO PUPPY leave my panties alone! Oh crap, dumb puppy now I have to add those to the re-rinse pile I GUESS I’m starting”. “ok… if I use one pin on those but two on those I may be able to do this”. “huh… how did she do this? I KNOW, I’ll go get some clothes hangers from my room”.  “there I knew I could do this, hang shirts on hangers”. “ok… dang it, they slide off, that isn’t going to work, now I can add that shirt into the re-rinse pile”.  “Well there ya go! I did it! Hooray! Look at that!”. "oh I forgot about re-rinses down here“. "THERE I DID IT!"." wow, that’s a lot of big ass panties I hope no one can see them….”

 

And 3 hours later. "hooray, dry! I can put away".  "yikes these are crunchy, what I wouldn't give for a snuggles dryer sheet right now". "oooh dryer, washing machine...oh dream...." " oh my god, what is this going to be like in winter? Will I be able to stand my clothes up because they're frozen (this thought made me laugh)".

There ya go, all clean  clothes put away. Well... I admit, one shirt did not pass the underarm sniff test, "darn, must have been towards the end when I was rushing, I'll do better next time".

SUCCESS IS NOW MEASURED IN SMALL ACCOMPLISHEMENTS!

Swearing in

 

 

Hello my blog readers :-)

 

First things first, some of you were wondering how I spent my 53rd b'day. I was with  a few friends in the city, this was almost our last hoorah, a day later for our REAL last hoorah was McDonalds! Nothing like a Happy Meal to get you ready for the move to a remote town. We have stopped in to MickyDs a few times because they have the BEST bathrooms around. Janet's b'day was the next day so we had Tiramisu for our "b'day cake" it was AMAZING, honestly the best I've ever had. Hooray for Tiramisu in Moldova!

 

 

Connie, Janet and KC. Oh boy did KC and Janet win the award for the roughest placement.... yikes...

 

Well it's official, I'm a PCV (Peace Corps Volunteer), i.e. no longer a PCT Peace Crops trainee. It was a nice ceremony. Now unfortunately with all my computer savvy I managed to delete the photos off both my phone and computer. So if you're interested, here is a youtube clip, it's long but I'm at about 18:00 minutes, and if you feel you must watch a little more go from about 1:00 hr and on it's entertaining, fellow members did a dance and sang. Unfortunately about 90 % of the ceremony was in Romanian so I'm not sure what was said but I'm sure it was great, probably very inspiring (I apologize if these links don't work, guess you'll have to put in the harder way, typing it - unless copy paste works? But don't think so, sorry)
http://youtu.be/4jj1UrV8GJA

A great speech was delivered by our country director, it is from the inspirational Dr. Seuss, it was perfect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQRWeZy-S8Q

My partner teacher picked me up with a van, thankfully, because I, as well as everyone else, had an enormous amount of baggage, boxes, etc. to transport to our new homes. Not only did we COME with a lot we all had things shipped to us and the PC gave us enough books to open a library.
So now the settling in begins....

I had visited Taraclia about a month ago, I wrote about it back then... but now it's different, I live here, LIVE here! WHAT? How did I end up in a small town/village in Moldova?

So I can say without hesitation, and I will admit straight out, this has NOT been easy. I can't believe it's been less than a week. I have had a big problem with being sick. I don't know why, the food, water, outhouse, new smells which I hate, I don't know but since I've arrived in Moldova I have been sick about 8 times when at home it was maybe 1 or 2 times a year. My doctor has provided me with anti-nausea pills but sometimes even that doesn't help. It is making my adjustment rather difficult.

I had a very surreal moment the other night. As I made a run for  the outhouse to throw up the ramen noodles I tried to eat (brought from home thought I'd feel better eating American food - though surprisingly the sell them here - obviously they DIDN'T make me feel better) I only made it to the bushes, which is preferable to the outhouse so I was happy with the place I ended up. As my stomach did its thing I had a dog barking at my feet and I listened to the heehawing of a donkey and the clucking of chickens. This is when it hit me... "this can't be happening I have got to be in the middle of  a bad dream".  But nope.... here I am and there I was having a surreal life moment.

My first full day here I did make myself go to 2 stores, you just feel so darn helpless trying to do such easy mundane things! but I had to  do it and I am proud to say I came home with the 2 things. Some of the people here recognize the fact we are new Americans in town, I am lucky, they've had volunteers for about 5 years so they have seen us strange creatures around. Sometimes I  get very annoyed because I  think "oh come on that was close enough you had to have understood me" but I am told it just doesn't work that way. Now don't forget, we in the US are USE to accents and we are usually able to figure out what that person is saying, but think about other countries that have no exposure to people of different languages, if you say a word wrong, though it is CLOSE they just don't "get it".

Yesterday I met with another PCV from my own group, we muddled around town, she has been here a few weeks and is a bit ahead of me in the language. I have to get over the fear of looking, and sounding, stupid while trying out new things. So far I've spit out words, not sentences, that does seem to work, up to a point.  For example today I tried a real sentence "Ya Hachu Kupyet...." uh oh.... what is the word for ice cream? "I want to buy a.... uh oh" I tried "chocolat"? first they tried a glass jar of candy, then next they pulled a candy bar from the refrigerator, finally I had to break down and do it the old fashion way. I held up my hand as if holding a stick and pretended to lick it. Now that is attractive thing to do as a 53 year old standing in a pubic park. See what I mean about looking and sounding stupid?

Oh on a side note.... this is on the steps of my new home.... how cute is this?

 

Well just as I'm about ready to give up, after a few days, my host mama "Maria" had me sit with her on a porch. We sat under grapevines with ripe bunches of grapes hanging over us, flowers at our feet and an orange sunset in the background. It was simply beautiful. We did our best to communicate as always, I think we don't do so bad sometimes. Of course I smile and nod a lot when in fact I don't know what she's saying and I imagine she is doing the same thing.

Photos of my backyard, pretty isn't it.

 

So, now I have flashlight in hand, TP in pocket, and sandals on my feet I'm now ready for a last trip to the outhouse for the day (I pray it is, waking up at 3 am to go potty is a horrible thing, not like at home when ya stumble to the bathroom and back). I try to tell myself it's like camping... (doesn't work but I try). Those of you that have been praying for an indoor bathroom for me, please keep going, they've been working on it, PLEASE GOD let it be done before it gets cold. Keep praying please...

 

 

PS

 

I spotted this in the town that has been my "home" for the last 10 weeks.  It was a religious holiday over the weekend, it was nonstop with cars dressed in ribbons and horns honking. I will miss my town especially the pizza and beer, though I am sure we must have it in my new town since we do have restaurants. Funny... my partner Maria didn't really understand the concept of "take out food". So there goes that for a few years, going from twice a week at home down to 0 is not so easy. And by the way, though I haven't craved any particular food from America  yet just after being sick I did, and much to my surprise it was SUBWAY!

 

So over and out my friends,

Thanks for reading my blog, I appreciate any interest that anyone has in my story and in the country of  Moldova.
 

And still practice school goes on and on

And practice school continues… there are up days there are down, but one thing for sure we all work very hard. We teach 2 classes a day, have a seminar on some kind of teaching thing.. .I get confused at what since we are all too exhausted to really understand, we try to do well but it's not unusual for someone being called on to  say "huh"? One volunteer was called on and all he cold do is mumble "I have cookies in my mouth", we all had to wait for him to answer, they weren't letting him off the hook. I have had my share of embarrassments, once I said "huh? I can't hear the acoustics are terrible" Once I was so tired that one day as I was about to say "peer teaching" "beer teaching" just about slipped out of my mouth. Now beer teaching we all could have gotten into for sure.

Week one it was me and my "resource teacher" together. I was so lucky to get someone with 40 yrs of teaching experience and has trained PCVs for years. This is Silvia... she acts all tough, professional and serious and I was pretty scared at first, but her great sense of humor and kindness  sneaks out when you least expect it. We used a Mr. Bean youtube video and a "Home Improvement - Tim the toolman" blunders (remember him!) to teach some points to our students, she was hilarious watching them. She is from a town near my permanent site so I'll be sure to visit her.

 

This is Maria my partner teacher. She is fantastic, when I hear how  tough it's been for people with  their partner for the next 2 years, I realize how rare it is to find such a great match. Our trainer said we work together like we’ve always known each other, I am sure some of the others have great matches and the others, well they'll have to work harder at finding her/his role for the next 2 years.

(SEE all those visual aids!) look at the cute pictures my students have made. Word is that some students told my co-volunteers that they are loving our class, we try to have lots of fun. Right now we are teaching 8th graders. They don't sound scary but standing in front of any room is scary to me.

 

 

Now I hate to brag but sometimes ya just need to take some important good stuff to heart because it's what is keeping you going...

My teacher told my supervisor that I am a fantastic teacher, that I have "it" that is needed to be a great teacher and that in 6 months I will be one of the best PC volunteers they've had. She also said that Tarclia (my new town) is lucky to get me! Pretty great huh? Sure the Russian language is a frustration but this kind of made up for that.

 

Now as you have seen in past photos, we do our best to have fun outside of school. This is a good old' fashion American picnic. Many worked hard to supply chicken on the grill with awesome BBQ sauce (thanks Andrew and Chip) and others made potato salad, pasta salad and coleslaw, peach pie... and am happy to say I ended up with BBQ sauce on my face and even my arm, never thought I'd appreciate that but it was just SSOOOOO AMERICAN!!

 

 

 

By the way, I had to find this place, now those of you that know me know that finding anything just doesn't go so well for me. I took the "maxi-taxi" from my town and because it was so packed, I was standing and squished, and I couldn't bend down to look out the window for my stop.  But I did manage to see the next stop.! So I got off when I could, made a phone call to Andrew who managed to talk me through it.

Now on the way back I had to flag one down from the side of the road, yes there are a few stops here and there, but they don't stop either way unless you flag them down. They SLAM to a halt and they do NOT wait until you've sat down (or are hanging onto a bar if there are no seats), take off at warp speed.... not unusual to FALL into the place you will occupy for the next 10-15 minutes.  Andrew taught me today that putting your hand down gets them to stop, no wonder why so many times I waved UP they waved back and kept going.  They don't run often on Sundays so when you get one you get on.

 

This was by far one of the top 3 horrible experiences on them. It's funny, I'm friendly with some of the drivers (as much as I can be with limited language skills) when most people ignore them, this one saw me at the side of the road, laughed and shrugged as if to say "what are you doing HERE" and on I went. However I simply could not understand how to fit! So he smiled and explained with hand gestures. Put your foot down on the step you came in on, put your hand on the bar almost above you, bend over towards the windshield (try not to bump head) and put arm on the dashboard. Now... stand like this for 15 minutes, they swerve all over the road around bumps, the entire group of people are holding on for dear life, this is why you can't let your guard down and relax one muscle, trust me this leaves muscles shaking that you didn't know you had

Oh.. did I mention he picked up ANOTHER passenger to squeeze on after me? She kept saying something to me, all  I could do is squeak out "Americanka, Engliski" she said clearly in English, "push back" apparently she couldn't get to the bar to hang on with me there. Now when I arrived at the town I usually wait till the end of the stops, but when people got off at the entrance of the town  I opened the door and FELL out,  the driver looked at me and pointed forward to say "you going to your stop?" FORGET IT, I handed in my money and took a deep breath of fresh air and walked the rest of the way.... did I ever mention that Moldovans believe drafts of air cause illness? This means all windows and vents are shut and when you get off one this crowded you are soaking wet?

 

I went for a long walk/hike this past week. On the trail I had 2 choices

 

 

That darn goat again with the big horns... I know I know it's a goat.... but look at the horns!

Or through this.... lets just say my ankles are still healing.

 

This is what happens in former USSR countries, they pull out and many projects left undone

 

Something you'd never see in America, I came around the corner and this little boy was wandering around singing at the top of lungs! He loudly said "Buna Zeawa" - hello in Romanian, and followed me singing away, very cute

 

 

 

AND THIS is the reason you never look UP in Moldova - now see those red flags? THAT is rare, usually these markers don't exist. One day we came to school and there was a brand new sink hole in that wasn't there the day before, really, we learned in the beginning of training, NEVER LOOK UP!

 

 

BY FAR the oddest gate I've seen yet

 

 HHHMMM now why is everyone looking at me....

I am carrying a bottle of fluid as I walk

I'm above the age of 40sh and wearing shorts above the knee and sports sandals not pretty women's shoes 

 

 

And finally, I have never seen a man in a baseball cap never mind a woman!

 

And finally, just some walking around photos, said it before say again, MOLDOVA is a beautiful country

 

 

For all of you reading my blog - thanks for taking interest in my adventure

I miss everyone and home....

OH big news this week, received a huge package form Jim and Sharon full of treasures, by far the best package anyone has received. Taking it home piece by piece on the maxi-taxis. Some of the food they put in are like gold around here, just in case I need to trade something later, you never know. I've already promised one Velveeta macaroni and cheese to someone!

 

Over and out...