Where in the world is Sandra

 

What country is this anyways....

 

This is olive oil and vinegar, took a small bank loan to buy it :-) No such thing as salad dressing here, everything is covered with oil and/or mayonnaise  - thanks to American friends Carolyn and Lisa I now have some!

 



 

 

Still cracks me up seeing M&Ms with Russian writing on it. By the way, it has been agreed that KIT KATs here are WAAAYYY better than in US! The chocolate is about 3 times the thickness. And this candy bar called "bubbles", I don't think it's in the US is it? It is awesome but the problem is that it's about 50% air, that means eating one takes a minute and then you want more.

It is very rare to find plain potato chips with just salt. Very odd, they even have KETCHUP FLAVORED and BACON flavored (doesn't taste like bacon at all - by the way, though I miss many things about America, crispy bacon is high on the list, mmmmm crispy bacon with French toast and maple syrup).

 

YUM!!! These are very expensive and I do not buy them often. They are available in one small market in town, not even the 2 large stores carry them!  Funny, they remind me of my Mom, she always had a supply at the nursing home and it is where I learned to love them.

 

There are stores and stores of beauty supplies  - here is olive oil soap I just bought. When I think of how much space I wasted, as well as how much precious weight I used, bringing these things with me form home it kills me. I am only about 1/2 way through the lotions I brought. And many of the supplies are American brands! In fact in the middle of the city is a giant AVON COMPANY!

 

Notice the  clothes soap - "MANUAL" oh I can't WAIT until I have a washer and drier again. By the way, no one has driers here - everything is hang dry. A friend in Serbia told me this years ago, didn't realize it was actually TRUE until I saw it for myself. The closest I've seen is an air-spinner thing to get the water out before hang drying.

 

 

 

Thai Spices!! And here I just had a friend send them from home never imagined I'd see them here! They are in the city at the "hypermarket".

 

MALL DOVA (get the name?) :-)

 

 

My first visit to the real mall in the city....

Talk about being confused as to what country you're in!? These are very expensive stores and as in all stores in Moldova the clothes range from  size 0 - 9ish. Middle-age and older woman are larger (and have another world of shops to choose from, where they are I don't know) but the woman shopping at these stores are TINY! Actually that goes for the young men too,  I had this stupid idea I'd find a new shirt.... I had a bit of a chance with men's clothes but I was too embarrassed to do it.

 

 

 

 

 

Another PCV, Sydney, and I found a food court in the mall!!

 

 

 

 

This is Sydney, we were beside ourselves with excitement when we found a MEXICAN RESTAURANT! It costs more than a PCV should be spending on a meal with our small budget, but that it what $$s are for. Not often I dip into my US account but this was a special occasion. We moaned and groaned with joy and appreciation throughout the entire meal.  Must have sounded like crazy people, but OH THE JOY!!!! 

 

 

 

Next visit was to KFC (two days later not after Mexican). Due to the fact that this isn't the healthiest food in the world I avoid them at home. Though once in awhile it is a treat, but here?! OOOHH HOW SWEET LIFE CAN BE!!! I thought what would Colonel  Sanders think if he could see his face on a wall in Moldova? A country that was communist when he was alive no less....

 

 

This was a case of "my eyes were bigger than my stomach" Ordered an 8 piece chicken strip meal, after 4 I began to force them down refusing to give up, though I felt I was turning a bit green. I made it to the 7th. Killed me to throw out number 8.

 

 

We saw a group of people with USA t-shirts, turns out they were indeed Americans! I tried to give that 8th to them, but no go... They were volunteers working with Moldovan youth. Americans pop up all over the place when you're in the city. At the hostel I stayed at there was a young man from BOSTON of all  places. He told me he is a self-proclaimed communist and spent a lot of time bashing America, like a good PCV I kept my mouth shut (while thinking 1. I am SERVING my country with this job that most likely means I'm PRO-AMERICA you jerk 2. If you don't like it then MOVE OUT OF IT! WE DON'T WANT YOU THERE).

 

When you hear English being spoken, as you can image it catches your attention. While in the mall a woman came up to us "do I hear English!?"She was a Canadian missionary working with young woman against sex-trafficking (Moldova is number 6 in the world for victims). We have a number of PCVs also working on this, I did several presentations in my classes, the kids are shocked to find out they are number 6.

 

We provide contact information and tell them to call before accepting a job out of the country. We also make sure boys understand it is NOT only girls this happens to. This is Anna, I asked her to make a  poster, I keep it hanging in the back of the room.

 

While sitting outside at McDonalds (one of my several trips I make each visit - again, due to the fact it is not the healthiest food in the world I rarely visit it while at home - now it is considered "gourmet" to me and a must-do for at least one visit. (Besides they have AWESOME bathrooms - real flush toilets). I heard LOTS of English around me, there were about 20 American Cadets, (very HANDSOME cadets  may I add). I asked why they were in Moldova, they responded something about getting to know the culture (huh?) As I thought about the situation in Ukraine, and the rumors of Russians, Americans and the rest of the world keeping an eye on Moldova, I felt it best not to ask for any details. 

 

MY FAVORITE FOOD - something I never thought I'd see in Moldova, in fact I just had some shipped from home, I'm looking forward to trying it.

 

Throughout the city are many cafes that look as American as it gets. I took this photo because I thought it odd they have a menu section "CANNABIS MENU Don't panic it's organic". I don't know what to make of it - is it real cannabis in the coffee? Maybe next time I'll try some, although... is it a good idea for me to be eating cannabis while in a foreign country where I get lost if I turn in a circle too fast and can't understand the street signs and am surrounded by languages I don't understand?" probably not unless I'm with a friend who can  be my "designated walker"

 

One thing this country is not short on is ICE CREAM! It was one of my first Russian words that I learned. мороженое, which soon graduated to  я люблю мороженое (ya loolblyou maroshinah)  I love ice cream)! Now THIS Basking Robbins is expensive on my little PC budget.... dipped into $$ again! Everywhere in town there are freezers full of ice cream - Dove bars, Eskimo bars, to name just a few.... haven't made it  past a store since spring without grabbing one for the walk home -  and I am a bit embarrassed to admit - sometimes I get one at the beginning of the walk and one at the end. No surprise my clothes are getting tighter.

My first ICE CREAM SUNDAY! YUM!

 

REALLY?! Huh...

 

 

Nor is this country short in any way of sweets, cakes, and pastries, this is just part of this display. This is at the "Hypermart" in the city, in my town there is a tiny section in each case. Next to chocolate my favorite dessert is tiramisu - much to my surprise what I've had here is BETTER than any I've had in USA. Despite the fact that a friend and I almost choked to death by accidently inhaling the 1/4 inch of chocolate powder on it, I still order it. :-)

 

 

 

 

Lipton tea display

 

 

 

My favorite city find.... AMERICAN CAFE!

 

 

 

American coffee

 

A wonderful couple opened this - he is from New York, his wife is Moldovan. Nicest people you could hope to meet.

 

 My very first TOASTED BAGEL with flavored cream cheese - oh it brings tears to my eyes.... the joy of it.... you never know what it is you will truly miss until it happens.

 

Doughnuts - hot dogs - corn dogs - pancakes

 

 

No surprise I ate WAY too much while visiting the city.

 

My next blog will be my 7 days, that-extended-to-10-days, in the city (I refused to go  home). I played Moldovan tourist and saw the sites, visiting monasteries, churches, a winery,  art museum, had fun with other PC members. This visit did WONDERS for my spirit, oooohhhhh it was MUCH needed. I said it before I'll say it again, though I show you the good stuff , THIS IS HARD very hard (I feel the tears welling up just thinking of it) :-(  It is very easy to get pulled down into depression and loneliness.

 

The day I decided to finally go home I came down with the flu. In denial (I thought it was due to coffee withdrawals as I stop drinking any fluid mid-afternoon the day before I get on a Marshrukta, that is torture in itself)  I went ahead and got on a Marshurkta (mini-bus) and bounced and was tossed around in my seat for 3.5 hours. TORTURE! Ate PEPTO all the way home, every muscle and inch of my skin ached. I should have extended one more day but it was too late. I had 4 heavy, awkward to carry, bags of supplies to lug home (much needed clothes, candy  - my favorite chocolate covered peanuts and peanut butter cups - not available here), spices, and more.  OH and a brand new NOTEBOOK COMPUTER thanks to the help of Lisa and Rob (thankfully it made it despite the iffy shipping situation, I said many payers to the postal-gods). NEVER AGAIN it's way to hard getting this stuff home.  I can't believe my luck that this Marshrukta went past my house and dropped me off at my door (many prayers to the Marshrukta-gods, next time I pray for less holes in the road but that is probably the road-god not Marshurkta god?). How I would have walked 45 minutes sick with 4 bags, I don't know. Oh and a cute thing, speaking in Russian I attempted to ask if he was going down my street. Mostly I grunted and pointed to the street though he had already started down it so I sort of had my answer.  The man behind me mentioned I was an English teacher (Maybe I met him before or he was on with me before) and the driver said something like "you were with Natasha" "DAH" I said. Then I was able to point to my home and he said "да я знаю" (da ya znio) "yes I know". That was a nice feeling.  I really do like that the people are so helpful, thank god! Who knows where I'd have ended up many trips back and forth from the city. There are many PCV stories of ending up in the wrong towns, scary....

 

Upon arrival I dropped everything and fell into bed, slept until 11pm, had some toast, woke up at 3 am and ran to the outhouse (managed to grab my flashlight first) and step into my "outside shoes"- I didn't make it in time (because of hesitating to grab my flashlight and to put on my shoes), no need for details here - lets just say at 3am I lugged a bucket of water in the dark for a quick wash of the floor (GROSS), carefully stepping over A MILLION SLUGS, some inside my front door. OOOHHHH YES... welcome back to reality.

 

Clearly I am feeling better because I am enjoying, immensely, my peanut butter cups from America while I write this (THANKS CAROLYN). Yum who would have thought throwing together peanut  butter and chocolate could be so darn good?!. 

 

OK Now, raise your hand if you thought I was in a foreign country!? In the PEACE CORPS! ME!? Right....  !!! Well didn't I have you fooled... but seriously, all of us realize the LUCK of being stationed in EUROPE, in Moldova. Just when you can't take one more day of daily life in a village you have the city with it's luxuries and sanity to run to.

 

OH AND ONE MORE THING....

 

to that young man that is a self-proclaimed communist America- hater  "GOD BLESS AMERICA YOU IDIOT, don't let the door hit you on the way out"

"this isn't a monastery is it?"

"This was supposed to be a trip to a monastery but it is sort of looks like a zoo?" You can imagine my confusion  when we pulled into a zoo instead of the beautiful monastery that I looked forward to seeing all week. I thought, well, what do I know, maybe you drive through a zoo to get to it? No... people started getting out of the 3 Marshruktas that were hired for the day. I thought wow, I must have really got that translation way off! The word for  monastery and zoo, do they sound alike? No...huh... "excuse me" I said to the woman leading the trip, Natalia, (she spoke English) "uuuummmm this is a zoo isn't it?". She explained that since we had a late start, stopped 6 times because kids needed to go to the restroom (so did Miss Sandra at times) we didn't have time  to go. huh.....

6 am load up. Happily I was with 3rd and 5th grade NOT the 8th who make me miserable.

There are no such things as seatbelts on these things.

 

Just thought I'd show this - all of the Marshruktas have religious icons hanging. Look close at the middle one is a CD! Pretty clever. The one on the left, well that is an air-freshener, though there is an  icon behind it.

 

 

So the planned trip was to go to Sorocca then to a monastery. This is a town WAY up North, 5 hours, yes 5 hours on these horrible vehicle, that's one way of course. But unlike the usual rides on these things,  this wasn't so bad, it was rented as a private bus so I had first choice of seats (upfront) and there was room for all, there were NOT 15 people crammed in the  isle. And we stopped for bathroom breaks. I won't get into what that was like.

 

As I've mentioned before these things are terrible to ride on, I take 3 motion sickness meds, starting  the night before, and still I have felt sick. Just so you know it's not my imagination, I lost count of how many of these children threw up into little plastic bags (CLEAR, YUCK) that Natalia brought with her.She's done this enough times to know, bring plenty. The thing about kids, they barf, and move on...... and thankfully they have little tummies. That many ADULTS throwing up in plastic bags, oh the thought of it..... Every stop we made, out went a few bags. After a child handed me one (ggrrrooossss) Natalia yelled at the children to not give Miss Sandra the bags hold on to them until we stop. Phew....

 

We climbed 650 steps in the burning sun to get to this monument, sure it's nice, the view was nice, the tiny inside was beautiful, but really, it doesn't look real different than ones we have in New England. And I couldn't understand a word of the history that we were being told about.  That's ok, the monastery will make it worth it.

 

 

 

 

We stayed about 30 minutes then went to downtown Sorocca. This town is famous for the fort and it's why we came this far.  Well it was CLOSED! On-line it said it was opened, but not. So we walked around outside for 10 minutes, again, didn't understand a thing that was being said about the history. That's OK the monastery will be worth it.

 

 

 

 

After driving back towards the south I started to think, huh, it sure is taking a long time to get to that beautiful monastery that I am so looking forward to seeing. But then I started seeing signs for the capital, Chisinau, that is on the way home. Hmmm.  I noticed we passed the zoo and I thought to myself  "Oh THAT is where the zoo is, I wouldn't mind going there some day" and then a YOU TURN suddenly happened and into the lot we went. Huh?  See in Russian it  is a ZOO too! Only it's pronounced ZOH, actually it's a zoopark  pronounced zohpark, if you call it a zoopark, not a zohpark, they have NO  IDEA what you just said. They CAN NOT wrap their minds around the mispronunciation of a word.

 

 

 

 

It was a lovely zoo as far as zoos go. The kids all scattered. I sat in a shady outdoor café and had ice cream and ice tea that I drank in 30 seconds. The day before I travel on these things I drink no liquids. If you were  trapped on an insane speeding, swerving, bumpy Marshrukta

  with no bathroom in site and you are to the point of tears because you are  in so much pain, and you  know you are 10 seconds from giving up and wetting yourself, well, you would understand the lack of drinking fluids before traveling. But even this doesn't always work,  I worry about it happening again, really really worry, it was a nightmare.  I would choose throwing up to that any day.

 

So with no fluids, climbing 650 stairs in the burning sun, stuffy hot Marshruktas (Moldovans believe that  a breeze will make them sick all vents and windows stay closed on the Marshruktas. 100 degrees,  packed with 30 people, doesn't matter) I had been fantasizing for hours and  hours about drinking - anything! God help that child that pulled out half a bottle of hot water, took all my might to hold back.  At the zoo, in the shade with a nice breeze on a pond with pelicans, inhaling the ice tea, well... it wasn't the monastery but I was feeling mighty fine.

 

Then onward for another surprise. That's the thing about not knowing a language I guess, you're in for many surprises. An amusement park was next on the agenda.

 

These kids are playing with my Kindle Fire (kids here are fascinated by the electronic book). I have one game, and they played and played.

 

Since my phone battery was almost dead I didn't have a camera but I thought that's ok, my kindle takes photos. So that is where the photos of the amusement park are and I am not smart enough to figure how to get them onto my computer. Logic says I go to my kindle folder, click on "pictures" and they'd be there, but no. And after googling and amazon help, I give up.

There were the typical amusement park rides, roller coaster, bumper cars, twirly wirly things, stuff I stay away from. However I had 4 girls tugging on me to go on a ride, though I said "no way!" Natalia said, "oh Sandra that is slow, you get a  beautiful view" so ok, I've never been afraid of Ferris wheels, they do go slow. This "wheel' had no cages like ones I've been on, just an open circle for 4 people to sit (sadly 1 girl was left behind). I thought "cool I can do this" but on the climb up and over the top I was frozen with fear. As the girls oooohhheedd and aaaahhheeddd looking over the edge my legs were like jell, I couldn't turn my head for fear of making it flip over. I kept telling myself "don't panic you  have 3 little girls here".  As we stared our decent I finally took a breath... however I was able to lift my hand with my camera for this one photo, beautiful view right?




These kids were lucky, they had the 2 cool teachers and a cool driver. The dance music was cranked up for hours. I loved it, time went by fast, there was a disco on the Marshrukta and the kids had a blast. See... no seatbelts. With each slam of the brakes (happens a lot)  or a screech around a corner (happens a lot),  it was better than the amusement  park rides for these kids as they squealed  and laughed as they flew across the vehicle. Only ONE flew and landed under the dashboard. Now you would think that since she was the child of the woman in charge that she would YELL AT THE KIDS TO SIT DOWN!!!! NOW!! Like I felt I should. But nope. So I spent much of my time with a leg or arm across the isle to catch flying children.

 

 

 The kids were having so much fun they kept yelling for me to dance with them, I gave the some arm pumps and yahoos and they LOVED IT! "MISS SANDRA DANCE" ok... so finally, well "everybody dance now..." song came on, so I did, I danced a bit. But I realized that me dancing rocked the vehicle, all of them dancing, not. So I sat down. Needless to say if any of these kids didn't like Miss Sandra before they sure do  now (of course they already did they are the young ones).

 

Now what do children do at amusement parks? They eat hotdogs, candy, drink soda, and ride on bouncy and twirly wirly things. Yes, this produced a new round of throwing up all the way home. But as I said, kids throw up  and continue on as if nothing has happened.

 

So a 10 hour trip, yes, it was fun and I'm glad I went and if I had been asked "do you want to go to the zoo?" I would have happily said "Oh yes!"  but a zoo and amusement park are NOT a monastery. So I give up on waiting for others to get me there. I have hired a private car for 2 days to take me to 4 of them next week.  Expensive, yes, but there is no way on earth I will ride on a public Marshrukta for 10 hours! This way I have my own guide and my own schedule for potty breaks.

 

 

LAST BELL! I made it....

LAST BELL celebration = HOORAY LAST DAY OF SCHOOL. NOW GET ME THE #!@ OUT OF HERE!

On the first day of school we had First Bell to open the year. Friday we had Last Bell... I  did it, I survived a year. Phew.... buh bye students, buh bye teenagers, buh bye school, buh bye "MISS SANDRA" ... hello SUMMER...!

Opening ceremony

 

 

And here are the children of Moldova dressed in their finest - black and white, suit jackets, ties, lace and bows and bows and bows.... big big ones

 

 

 

At Last Bell the children with 8,9,10s are called forward for awards. Here a few of them…

 

I adore this little girl. Each time she sees me she runs to me, wraps herself around me, I bend down and am rewarded with a kiss on the cheek.

 

 

 

It is very rare to see a girl with short hair, hhhmmm actually I can't think of one. This last pretty much through their 20's then the haircuts begin. Husband shopping has ended. the slide towards "babushka" has begun

 

 

 

Grading system in Moldova

The grading system here is 0-10 however, somewhere along the way teachers decided 4 is the lowest grade a student is to be given. A child who has done NO WORK, has not put one pen-mark in their test books, will receive the same grade as a student that has struggled through an entire test but has failed it. “How is this fair?” us American’s say over and over “you HAVE to give lower than 4s!”

In Moldova if a child fails or if their behavior is out-of-control, it is the teacher’s fault. It is one of the reasons why the students are so out of control. There are no real consequences to their actions, and the students know it. Teacher’s NEED their students to pass because if enough of your students fail you could find yourself without a job. So who can blame them? It is my opinion , as well as others, that until this changes the education system can not be successful.  It has taken much work to  get our partners to accept giving some students at least a 2.

 

A student caught red-handed cheating (last week 2 students left their cheat notes IN their test books.  want to fail the children if not for cheating, then for simple stupidity) they deserved to earn NOTHING. My partner would only accept us giving a 5. THAT is passing!! Masha and I have been giving out more and more 2s as our patience has grown thinner and thinner, "did you do your  homework?" At least 75% do not bother, some days enough is enough "NO? NONE of you did your homework then you ALL get a 2" Won’t stop TALKING and causing problems? "You have earned yourself a 2". Drive Miss Sandra to the point of walking out of class, "you got yourself a 2, ALL OF YOU!". "WHAT the entire class has a 2, it's not my fault" say the good children "sorry kids, talk to your  peers for getting you a grade of 2", some of them cry, it's terrible so really the kids who are good, whether we tell them or not, do not get the 2 recorded. Sometimes we will ask several students to stand up "all of YOU standing do not have a 2 today".

 

Cheating..... oh the cheating, Moldovan's cheat, they are raised to do it and many teachers in this country let them.  I'm sure I mentioned this before as it is an ongoing struggle for us Americans it drives us CRAZY! Test days are a nightmare. I walk around and around "STOP TALKING TURN AROUND EYES ON YOUR OWN PAPER PUT THE PHONE AWAY GIVE ME THAT CHEAT NOTE" for hours and hours.  After class I use a saying my partner likes "they will drive me to drink".  I have tried to get them to understand in their major exams which determine their futures they are  NOT allow to cheat. The country takes THIS very seriously. Their are 4 designated places in the country for the final exams that allow you to continue to college (my school is one of them). The have the most advanced security equipment available. Cameras that are also sensitive to sound. Magic "wands" waved over children to catch  hidden phones (you are required to turn yours in  at the beginning). I tutor some 12th  graders to help them prepare, even during THAT I say over and over YOU MUST WORK ALONE. This is just something most of them CAN NOT do. And hence the reason only 42% of students passed last year.

Miss Sandra established a reward system for 5^th and 6th. She has made a can for each class, if you score a 8,9,10 on your work, or if you worked hard, participated in class, your name goes in it.   Once a month a name is pulled from their can. I give candy, small trinkets, silly things, they don’t care what it is, they simply glow when their name is pulled. I also have a supply of stickers. But those have to come out of my pocket money so that is not something a lot of teachers can afford to do (although packages of candy are cheap compared to the reward you get from giving it out).  Positive reinforcement is what we are trying to teach the teachers.

OK so teens drive me crazy, I didn't like them in America and I don't like them in Moldova, but I will admit there are really many really wonderful ones, it's just the horrible ones make me forget that sometimes. Here are 3 of our best - they are 8th, I will have them next year for  9th. I have to believe that my presence here is appreciated by them and they will benefit somehow from it. Us teachers have to believe this, our group doesn't see instant results like many other groups do.

I met a cab driver once, he spoke some English. He told me that he had a Peace Corps member in class, a "face that is black" (none of them around here!) "It is because of him I learned any English he didn't make me feel stupid and yell at me". So you there you go.... maybe just maybe we make a difference here and there.

 

And here they are, the 9th form (they are not called "grades" they are "forms") ready to move on....but the questions is, to where will they be moving? Moldova requires children attend school until 9th form, they take their final exam in about a month. These exams determine their future - further education, or no education?  Continue on to high school or work on the farms. Some of them have always known they will work on their family farms so they have no interest in doing well in school. You can’t threaten them with a failing grade for misbehavior, they are expecting to fail.

 

The ceremony which last a few hours is full of poems, songs, dancing, awards (academic, sports, performances).

 

One of the things I have enjoyed the most about this country - maybe what I have enjoyed the most - is the music and dance. There is always dancing. More and more you see modern dancing joining in with traditional. This is the 9th performing.

 

Here are some of the little ones waiting their turn. As I looked at this little  girl lifting the skirt I thought to myself "all children are the same no matter where they are" they fidget, have no sense of modesty yet, they are  bored....

 

 

 

Yup.... bored...

 

 

Wouldn't be  a Moldovan celebration without the dancing

 

 

This was adorable!! A "goodbye backpack" dance (see backpacks? Same as the children of America, these tiny kids lugging backpacks heavier than they are).

 

 

 

 

And finally, the exit of the 9th form.

 

 

 

and the closing bell being rung, bye bye school, hello summer.

 

 

UUUUHHH Not done yet ....there was is the releasing of doves (oops no picture), such BIG smiles on the students that were given the honor of tossing one into the air, all the children watching them with joy (and teachers too) clapping and cheering. And then the RUN to get out!!!.....buh bye school... hello summer!!!

 

That evening a group of teachers went to a very nice restaurant, who is more excited about the end of the year? All teachers know the answer to that, it's hands down the TEACHERS!  Champaign and vodka, many toasts, many laughs some to the point of tears,unfortunately I couldn't understand them. It's times like this that I feel so lonely and frustrated because despite my constant Russian studying, I got nothin'.. a word here and there... but that's it.  My partner translated here and there, much of the conversation was about their husbands and men - just like American woman who gather for a night - again I thought of how people are the same everywhere. My camera was low on battery due to photos all day, I assumed I could recharge before going out, but oops.... power outage in my home. So no photos. These woman are dressed to the nines and gorgeous  - me? Jeans (ok at least nice ones) and a nice top.

 

Masha/Maria my partner. I am very very sad she will be leaving after our one year together (it was planned to be two). She is absolutely thrilled that she was able to get pregnant, she was told she most likely wouldn't (after the birth of her 1st, they have prayed for 6 years for another). Women in Moldova, as in most of Europe, actually most of the world, are given an extended leave when giving birth. She will be on paid leave for 3 years. She has the option to extend that 2 more, unpaid. We got along like two peas in a pod (which I've mentioned before). Things got a little rough towards the end with here pregnant with no want to work - short timers disease, who can blame her? She has been my lifeline when I need help in and outside of school. She is the one who worked hard to get a volunteer here, other volunteers,  it was the school director. Many of these partners are beyond irritated they have had an American thrust on them. We lost 4 teachers over the year, this is tough enough as it is, being treated badly, ignored, unappreciated by your partners, and students of course, it's too much... just too much.

 

 

 

So I'm thrilled for her but where does this leave me? I'm scared. I have met my new partner, here name is Aliona, she is sweet, young, and gorgeous, like so many woman here. She is  very scared. So you have two scared people who will need to figure out how to work together in front of 100s of students. She was trained years ago as an English teacher but has been teaching Romanian, she hasn't spoken the language for years. She is afraid of working with  me because the lack of her oral English skills, I try to assure her I am there to help her with her English. I tell her it will be just as much of a challenge for me to understand her. Her hope is to get pregnant this year,  maybe I'm good luck and she will find herself that way. BUT I hope it's AFTER I am ready to go home.

 

So how did I make my final exit? Haven't I said over and over "never look up in Moldova" well... I did it, stupid stupid me. In the rain and the dark I looked up to say goodbye after our wonderful celebration. A broken step, no surprise here, down I went (it was NOT the vodka and whatever the heck else I drank). Fortunately I broke the fall with my knee and  hand because it was my face, my cheek precisely, that took the greatest impact of the fall. It hurts like #@! today, but no damage, no bruise.... mostly I was embarrassed. So that was my grand exit from my first year of teaching, why just walk out of it when you can fall out of it, right?

 

I question my Russian skills everyday but when a husband of one of the teachers offered to take me home (thank god the long walk in the rain with holes in the road, just after that fall, was not something I was looking forward to) I was able to say Вы знаете, мой дом? ("Do you know my home?" He answered in ENGLISH "yes I do". Oh man.... Russian? English? you  never know....

 

Before anything can happen I have been buried alive in reports to create for PC, a 30 page spreadsheets with statistics on every child, how I have fulfilled goals using input and output indicators .... yes.... this really is a job...... I work for The Unites States of America and we all know what kind of paperwork they require. PCVs are no exception.

In the statistic gathering for our reports students are asked to make comments. I hate to say this, some are 5th, some are 9th and anywhere in-between, I can't tell the difference.

These are typed as they are written. Some make me laugh, some make feel good about  being a teacher, some make me want to scream, others - well -  obviously you didn't learn what we were teaching. Didn't we do personal pronouns over and over with games and videos?

Every Lesson is funny and interesting. always s techer is terested us and we understand theme quikly.
He is very interesting and fascinating, fanny.
Ms. Sandra is a good teacher she make muck placard. we play in muck gaiimes. she is very good,
My teacher is very good and he explained
I sometimes don't understand subject but afterwards understand and all good.

English lesson a interesting and i many knowing

I very like English E. Lessens was very interesting always did not coments Fank's to teather.
our teachers are the best. i know English language thank to our teachers
I like our teacher they are very good teather I like English
I like English! Aftiduge very well!
Skool year went well.

The lesson is very interesting and fanny.

I very good understand English and can speak with Mr. Sandra. She is good people with here I speak every lesssons.
I like English i want know English langue
Wonderful, excellent, I like this year

distinetly distinctly distinctly

lessons was good an very supera

all year good but tests very borning
academic yeaer passed quicly but he was last seen nice, normal, super, wow
nice cool interesting
year was happy I like this year

I like English language I would like to own it perfectly

My teacher is very nice, perfectly explains

the best very good

English favorite class vanii mi  laik English becos teacher favorite va nii

Great job, exelend, sunny good, super, funny, like English remarkable tenderness

I am Russian I understand Englis little i like speak Englisht vezy good good like object. my teacher very good.

I like English that is why decause goot teachers

I laic englis

Veri good on lesson very fani and interesting ticior very god they veri veri veri good

englig faning si ineteresing s mis Sandra veri well si class

I live English. mi like miss Sandra becos she funny i live English becos there har good cheater

exelend, funny, and mi very like solove of English

Mai like vis leson. englis bicos she interesting very very gug lices. i very like English tongue

we utilizion con and books and is good teacher.

lesson it is good about he is hard. i interested English

engliosh interesting i get knowledge

actitudy gud very

beautiful guud

English this is good

I like English bus i understand little

I like English and Mrs Sandra

relatively wel

i liketo study in engli sh i him respect

I belong to lesson English tongue very good

I lake English lesson becose  he vere interesting here becose i lak anglish lesson

heri good languge

my attitude to English is fine, good I'm glad we studi English

 

Many of these had duplicates due to cheating off each other. Can't even do THIS without cheating. EYES ON YOUR OWN PAPER PLEASE GOD JUST STOP I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE......

And there you have it - one year down - one year to go.

And now finely the summer.... 29 days through EE and the Balkans (A group trip with a company called GAdventures - for those who want vacations off the "tourist track"). 10 countries, hiking, kayaking, river rafting, tours....and as a bonus I am thrilled the tour is taking me through Serbia where I will spend 2 days to spend with my good friend Ivan, my on-line friend for 4 years after meeting for only 30 mins. on a  beach in Greece. THIS is what will make this year worth it. I am terrified of the International travel alone. But what choice do I have? I will be switching in Romania, Croatia, Rome. Deep breath....I wanted adventure!? I GOT IT! Now I'm afraid of it.... I can't win....

 

Russian names usually have a nickname -  after a year together I just remembered to tell my partner Masha (Maria) that my middle name is Marie "Why didn't you tell my your middle name is Marie?" This means my middle name is "Masha"  as is about 25% of the women in Taraclia. She said "my sister's name is Alexandra - Sandra/Sasha". WHAT!? "Well why didn't you tell me you have a sister named SANDRA"!!

 

So "Sasha Masha Gross" is signing off.... thanks for taking an interest in my life and reading my blog.