Disclaimer: Get comfy, its a long one but has photos!
1) While on a long break when I didn't have any lessons, I decided to sit outside, drink some tea and read my book. Some of my students from the 5th grade class came outside and decided to talk with me. I was so proud that we could communicate with a little bit of English and Romanian. And they are just too cute for words, I love my 5th graders!!
2) Finally getting to teach my 9th grade class alone. I never met with the class the first week, the second week I taught with my partner and I was sick for the next class. But last week I finally got them all to myself. And they are great, a little rambunctious and they will definitely keep me on my toes!
3) While I was walking home after classes, I called Kyle (my site mate) to find out if he wanted to hang out for a bit. I noticed a girl sort of walking near me slowly and idling when I stopped to wait for Kyle. When I got off the phone, she approached me and asked if I was the American who moved to Floresti and was teaching at Miron Costin (my high school). When I confirmed this, she stuck her hand out to shake mine and introduced herself as Iulia (our Julia). She is a student from another high school and was bummed that I was not teaching there. I told her that I wanted to start an English club that would be open to all students in Floresti and she got excited. So we exchanged phone numbers and I told her I would let her know when I get the club set up. Yippie, I made a new friend!!
4) Speaking (or this case, writing) about clubs. I have several teachers at my school who have asked to sit in on my English classes or practice with me because they want to learn and in some cases, re-learn English. When I mentioned the possibility of offering some classes/club like activities for adults in the community they all got excited. And it spread like wild fire. I've had now about 15 different people come up and ask me about it. I think come November when I get some of these things started, I'm gonna be one busy girl!
5) This is a highlight from yesterday-Monday. I have a class of 11th graders who are learning English as their second foreign language. They have all been studying French since 2nd grade and are now learning English as well. But they didn't start until 10th grade, so they are still learning the basics. Well, I realized that this group is learning English just for the fun of it. So as a homework assignment I had them write the top 5 reasons for taking the class and what they want to get out of it. Basically, what do they want to learn, so I can better tailor the class to fit their needs/wants. I was surprised by one of the male students whose writing was really good. But he was having problems reading so I eventually figured that he probably had not written it. I was looking over his shoulder and skimming ahead so I could find words I thought I would need to help him pronounce, when I came to his last sentence. It said basically that his new teacher had big t*ts and he liked them. I was shocked and of course, stopped him before he read the sentence. I explained that the sentence was not very nice and asked if he understood everything he was reading. He said "in general" and I asked him who actually wrote it. I think at that point he realized that something was amiss, blushed, lined through the sentence and apologized. I'm sure there is a guy somewhere out there with a nice shiner at this point haha. Fortunately, we were able to continue with class event free. I hope he learned not to have someone else tell him what to write, or at least to look up the words before hand so he knows what he is writing.
Now for more about the last week!
Last Thursday (Sept 17) was my host mom's birthday. We had a blast. The neighbors came over, my host brother and his family were here and my site mate Kyle. We had way more food than we could eat, which worked out because more family came after we had finished eating. Big surprise of the night was that my host mom's sister was back from Italy. A lot of Moldovans work abroad in countries such as Italy, Ireland and of course Russia. There were tears, hugs and laughs. It was actually a very nice moment! I also got to have fun in the kitchen (to be specific-Kyle's kitchen). My host mom asked if I would make an American dish for the masa (the literal translation of this is table but is also used when talking about eating a meal or a party/celebration). Of course I was not going to say No. First off, she asked and its her bday. Secondly, I get to make some American food-this is good for two reasons 1) I get to cook/bake which I haven't really been able to do and 2) I will enjoy some American food!!!! So, I thought and though about what I wanted to make and what I would be ale to get ingredients for. I finally settled on a cobbler with some kind of fruit. I was hoping to make a berry cobbler like my grandma Ruth did when I was growing up, but they are hard to find this time of year. So I settled on peaches! I had a blast making it and was asked for the recipe by several of the guests. Glad it was a hit! Below are some pictures of the table and everyone. I have some video, but the files are huge so I need to play with them and try to get them smaller. If possible, will post later.
The table!
Just sitting down for dinner
As more people trickled in
My cousin Radu's accordion. I added it 'cause it was so pretty and shiny and you all know how I like my shiny objects!
This past Saturday, I took a day trip into Chisinau. I was hoping my packages from the states would be here, but they weren't. But I did get to catch up with some other volunteers and spend a nice relaxing day walking around the city. The weather was perfect, not too cold or too hot!! But I missed one of my buses back by 5 minutes so I had to wait an hour for the next which also meant that since its getting dark earlier and earlier, I was making the hike home in the dark.
And let me tell you, when the sun goes down and there is no moon yet, Floresti is DARK!! But it was a great chance to see a very beautiful and clear night sky. There were so many stars and they were so bright at times I felt like I could just reach up and grab one. Its wonderous being able to see the Milky Way and constellations that are barely visible in Sacramento because of all the light pollution (and lovely smog!). When my friends and I came home late during training in Costesti we would spend half the walk looking up at the stars and Saturday, I found I did the same thing. I actually wish I had a camera that could get a good picture of them and especially when we have a full moon here. Its so close and bright!! The only thing that comes close to being as cool as the stars here are the sunsets. They are so warm and colorful. I love watching the sun fall behind the houses. I've watched a lot of those since I've been here. I think because I actually have more time on my hands and without the use of a car, I find myself taking more time to get to know what's around me. I am greatly enjoying the slower pace.
On Sunday, I went to 'Hram' which is a celebration in each village and town in Moldova for the anniversary of that village. My host uncle lives in a nearby village so I went with my family to his house for another masa. It was great and I really liked meeting another part of my family. I love that this family is so warm and likes to have a good time. There were a lot of laughs, food and of course wine!
Me with some of the family and the kitten who was adorable!
And last but not least, a note about a little game I have made up for myself. One day while trekking to school, I saw a girl that looked like Staci (my best friend). I was so lost in thought when I saw her that it never occurred to me that I was in Moldova and she was in Sacramento so it couldn't possibly be her. I almost called out to her all excited about seeing her. Fortunately, I came to my senses before I embarrassed myself. But it got me thinking, I have this long walk and I see a lot of people on my way. So I started paying attention to those walking around me and I try to find those who remind me of my peeps in Sacramento. So far I have found a Staci, my uncle Chuck, my brother (a young version), Dana, one of my professors from Sac State, and Adam, an old friend. Its kinda fun, my own version of Where's Waldo or I Spy!!
