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...