This is the story of how my birthDAY turned into my birthWEEK:
My last birthday in Moldova was a spectacular one. Like last year, my birthday fell during the Autumn vacation week and I was in Chisinau for the English Education volunteers' IST (in-service training) Monday through Friday. The difference between this year and last is that I was not a participant in the IST, I was facilitating some of the training sessions. It brought back a lot of memories and when I first arrived at the hotel on Monday, I was a little sad that none of "my people" were there. I really like the new volunteers and this past week was a wonderful opportunity to get to know them better, but that first night was a bit odd for me because my EE (English Education) volunteers were not there. Plus my group of volunteers had recently lost two of my favorite people making some of my memories from last year a little bitter sweet. Thankfully, Jonathon a volunteer from the group before mine was there and we hung out.
The week went really well and by Tuesday I was joined by some other M24s (Moldova 24-24th group in Moldova). The days were filled with training and the nights were filled with fun. We could not have asked for better weather the whole week (typically around 65 degrees and sunny). The night before my birthday, a group of us went to dinner then to a bar where others had gathered to celebrate the birthday of one of the Health Education volunteers. After the bar we moved onto a karaoke bar. Last year during this week, I went to a karaoke bar and (very badly) sang with some friends. This year, I just sat back and enjoyed the show! But at midnight, the group I was with wished me a Happy birthday and sang to me. It was great, because some of the Moldovans who were at the karaoke bar joined in. And one even purchased a song to sing in honor of my birthday. My favorite part of that night however we a duet by Jonathon and Kelley. They sang Scorpion's "Winds of Change" and it was one of the most entertaining and funny renditions I have ever seen in my life. We all got home really late and I was happy that I was able to sleep in a little before my session.
When I got to the school where our training was held, I was greeted with congratulations, happy birthdays and singing in both English and Romanian. It was awesome! After the day concluded, me and a small group of my closest friends (Dan, Annika, Jonathon, Matt, Erika, Mackenzie and Lindsay) went to a restaurant called Tulip. They have amazingly good Thai food and I left very full of Pad Thai and very happy. Later we met up with more volunteers at a nearby bar where again, as I walked into the room I was greeted with the birthday song (Thank you Dan). It was great spending time with everyone. I was greatly complimented and a little taken aback when one of the M25s Alex pulled me aside and said "Becca, only you could get this mix matched group of volunteers all in one place to celebrate. They are all here for you." For me, it was one of the nicest things anyone had said to me and I was smiling the rest of the night (even bigger than I had already been). As the group dissipated and volunteers turned in for the night, those of us who are hard core and night owls, decided to move onto the karaoke bar AGAIN! So we hailed several taxis and descended upon the small, Russian Karaoke bar. We jammed ourselves into a corner, ordered songs to sings, beers to drink and danced our butts off. I could not have asked for a better way to spend my last birthday in Moldova. And as a side note-Dan Falknor, one of my closest friends here, was the party coordinator for the night and he kept me moving from place to place in a timely fashion. Gotta say it was pretty nice not being in charge and letting someone else run the show!
The next day in a very hung over and tired state I made my way back to my village with Dan and Annika. Later we were joined by Tom, Matt and Erika. It was another wonderful night and relaxing night with my friends over a little Mexican food and some Margaritas!! The next day our little group expanded to 16 people as other volunteers came into Floresti for my birthday celebration. The weather was gorgeous and sunny as we walked through the piaţa to purchase food for the party. We even enjoyed a game of beersbee (frisbee drinking game). I had so much fun making dinner for all my friends, sipping margaritas and talking with everyone. After dinner, so as not to make all my neighbors angry, we took our loud group out on the town. We played a little Russian billiards then moved on to the disco where we danced the night away (and I tried to avoid making an ass out of myself in front of many of my students who were there).
After a long, busy (and usually late night) week and weekend I was exhausted! Sunday afternoon everyone went home except for Tom and his girlfriend Virginia who helped me clean my apartment and get everything back in place. When they left I kicked back for the night trying to rest before the first day back to school.
As I got to school I was greeted with a few "felicitare" (congratulations) from students and teachers who knew my birthday had been the prior week. But during the longest break between classes, the bell rang three times signalling a meeting. So I went with my partners. There was the usual business: reminders about staying current in the grade book, arrival of a new student, and information about a parent meeting occurring the next day. But then my director turned to me, smiled and started talking about an important day that occurred last week-my birthday. She gave a little speech about my being part of the faculty, how the kids like me, that I am a beautiful and open person which in turn makes others more open and that the students and teachers are lucky that I am here. It was really sweet! Then she gave me a bouquet of flowers and a coffee serving set from the faculty (I've included pictures of all my gifts). It was a wonderful gesture and I love my gift. I also received gifts from one of the faculty members Tanea (pronounced Tanya) our music teacher, from my 11th grade class and from my partner Elena.
This could not have been a better birthday in Moldova!! I felt love from all of my Moldovan family as well as family and friends in America. My cheeks are hurting from smiling non-stop since last week.
All of the lovely gifts I received
Flowers from the faculty
Lovely smelly stuff from friends and Tanea
My new coffee serving set-I love it!!
A new purse and scarf from Tom and Virginia
A handkerchief that my lil sis Sarah made for me
