I went from this
to this
back to this
Besides my physical transformations, I have actually made some progress throughout the community. You'll be happy to know that I have friends...REAL friends!! Some are 8, others are 68, but they all love me just the same. I have still been playing lots of soccer with the youth around here and just the other day almost scored my first goal against the older kids. I tried to head it in and unfortunately it hit off my chin, but it was sooooo close to a goal. Some pics of soccer kids and the stadium.
I have had two PC conferences, one in Blagoevgrad (western part of BG) and one in Sliven (easternish part of BG). Other places I have travelled to (that are on this map above) include Belogradchik, Bansko and Mezdra. The country is really beautiful and right now the colors are starting to change as most of BG is turning into a fall wonderland. Here are some pics to show how gorgeous it is here.
Belogradchik Fortress
Bansko hiking with some friends
Ok, enough for the pictures. The first day of school in Bulgaria is September 15th. Every school has a big celebration and there is not much class on the first day. I was lucky enough to get an inviation from the school director to attend. It was really cool and I was presented with 2 bouquets of flowers...wonderful. Since then I have been working at the school a couple times a week. Mainly with a third grade english class, 10/12th grade geography class and first grade art class. I'm really enjoying it. The kids are terrific and seem to be glad that I roam the halls a couple times a week. The teachers are wonderful too and I have been able to sit in on a class for every grade, first through twelv...12th. I am excited to get the chance to work with the students here! They have already invited me to coffee and to go dance at the discoteka in the next town.
I have entered the WWS program which connects a PCV to a classroom in America. I am corresponding with my old (as in a long time ago, not age) neighbor Katy, who was a PCV in BG and is currently a 4-6th grade teacher in America. I am going to work with the 3rd and 4th graders at the school here and we will correspond with Katy's students. It should be beneficial for the kids involved.
I started my English Club/After School Program with some pretty good numbers. Right now, there are 25 students and for the most part, it seems like they are looking forward to learning English from an English speaker. I'm in the process of trying to hold the sessions at the school in a room that has heating so that people will actually show up during the cold winter. Cross your fingers for me please.
Tomorrow I have my first 'teaching' class at the kindergarten. There are about 15 5-6 year olds there. Basically, I'll be helping them learn the basics and we will also do some art projects and play some games. I am scheduled to work there 2 days a week, one for English and one for art. Sweet!
My adult English class is all set to start except we have no room to use right now. I am waiting for a response to see if we can use a room at the community center/pensioners club. I have talked with interested people as young as 21 and as old as...well I dont know how old she is, but her grandson is in his late 20's. It should be pretty interesting once I figure out the levels of all the participants and how many people will actually be dedicated to show up consistently.
I have been working with my tutor 2-3 times per week trying to improve my Bulgarian skills. It seems to be working. I am able to have more and more in depth conversations with the people here. It's exhausting to speak, listen, eat, sleep, live, play, Bulgarian all day everyday, and then come home and study more, but it's definitely worth it. The people I talk to encourage me to learn as much as possible because they are very supportive and I really want to get to know them. It's pretty awesome.
Other than work stuff, everything here has been pretty good. I have been to a lot of na gostis where I have been treated to some home cookin' and drinks. As I have said before, the people here are just unbelievably hospitable, generous and nice. It makes integrating here a little easier. The weather has taken a turn for the worse the last few weeks as mother nature is beginning to introduce me to her bitter side. On the bright side, I got rid of the mice that were enjoying the comfort of my home.
Also, I have to give a BIG shout out to my mom and dad for sending me what one of my PCV friends was, "Defiantly the best peace corps package i have ever seen!! ENJOY IT!" So THANK YOU! Here are some pics of the goodies.
I'm saving some of this stuff to entice friends to come visit me. We shall see how that works. Well hopefully now that I've got some different things going on here I'll be more inclined to update. But that's always what I say, so don't consider it a promise. Although I will try. I hope everyone is enjoying the fall weather out there. Thanks for reading and let me know what you think.
Chao!
