I made the big move this week (wtf... why is it that when i start typing, the jeep drives by again! its such a tease - especially since its snowing, it just adds to her beauty.) soooo... as i was saying, i made the big move this week into one room of my apartment. I've basically sealed off the others. In my one room, I have everything I need to survive. I have a bed, table, refrigerator, toaster oven, tv, computer, wood burning stove for cooking and heating the room, i have access to wood for the stove, exercise equipment, and my clothes. the only thing i need to leave the room for is laundry, showers and bathroom breaks. but lets be honest - laundry is a weekly or bi-weekly thing, showers are like... once every 2-10 days... haha ok, like 2-4 days... so yea. i live in my one room now. its kinda nice, but im sure i will go crazy (more crazy, crazier [i dont know which is grammatically correct]) But my wood burning stove is a fun experience. I am getting good at lighting and maintaining fires, and yesterday i learned the importance of the correct amount of air to feed the fire so it doesnt spew smoke all in your room forcing you to have to open the doors and windows to allow non-lethal/cold air into the room which in turn defeated all the warmth the stove produced. a valuable lesson. another valuable lesson - make sure the chimney is attached to the wall so it doesnt smoke you out either. i breathed a lot of smoky air yesterday...
Last weekend I went to Pleven with Dan and Cveti. Pleven is one of the larger cities in Bulgaria and is home to around 130,000 people or so. Which means it has all sorts of fun things to do! We went to a movie... we saw A MOVIE. IN A MOVIE THEATER. it was awesome. we saw Paradise Getaway or something like that, it was good and enjoyable and in English. After the movie, the 3 of us went to a pool hall and shot pool for a few hours... it was pretty awesome.
I think I am spending my Christmas Day at an orphanage with Dan to share the day with the kids there. After that, I have no idea what I am doing. I am sure I will be travelling a lot during that time. To Ashley's, Dan's, Cveti's, Rosen's, and around Koynare.
Uhm - yea, I dunno what else. It's cold, dark and winter. The holidays are coming and I'm in Bulgaria. Those are all facts.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
It's a Jeep thing. You wouldn't understand.
Welcome to my blog! or whatever. Things, I guess, are moving on cruise control. But the great thing about MY cruise control is that it's like putting cruise control on Ruby while offroading... I'm never in control and I never know what is going to happen next. Best thing to do is sit back with your seatbelt on and enjoy the ride... I have gotten pretty good at that too. I just go where I'm told, do what is recommended to my best ability and enjoy the ride. I am making more friends in town, none of them are my age. They are either kids in school, or people over 50. Cool by me, I like both groups. The older group has interesting stories, traditions and tricks. But those that know me well, know that I like the younger kids more because I am one, at least in my heart. Cveti is convinced I'm 13 years old!
I left work the other day and I started to cry. I got very emotional and was overcome with nostalgia for my previous life. Rory 1.0 was resurfacing and trying to get out of me. I felt a heavy weight compressing my chest and heat in my face. The tears were starting to show themselves when I was standing outside work by the road. Pepi asked me what was wrong. I told him nothing was wrong. I looked at him for a second, then I started to run down the road away from him, away from everyone and everything. I just ran - I didn't know what else to do. Everything in my heart and soul told me to run, it told me to go and be alone with my nostalgia. So I ran and ran the 15 meters or so to look at the dirty 2001 black jeep wrangler with off roading tires parked near my work!!!
haha - ok, I didn't really cry, or even get that sad, but I did walk over to it and admire it for about 5 minutes. Someone in this town bought a jeep wrangler. The thing is BEAUTIFUL. It literally took my breath away when I saw it. This is a bad thing to say, but I think it's true - If a supermodel in a bikini was posing for me on my left side, and a tricked out jeep wrangler was on my right side, I would turn my back to the supermodel to look at the jeep. It's kind of a problem. This jeep is the only TJ that I have seen in Bulgaria and it's black, with big tires and covered in mud. I am so excited that it is in Koynare! Pictures to come. haha!
So I got a big chunk of my firewood delivered to my apartment yesterday and I moved it out to my balcony. The wood was delivered from my coworkers shed to my apartment by a student in 7th grade with his horse and cart. Pretty awesome.
Oh, and let me tell you of a failure I had. Well, not a failure, but not a success either. On Saturday last week I tried to organize a "let's clean up the park near the school cause it's freaking filled with trash" day. During the whole week, I told kids about it and got names of kids that wanted to volunteer and all that jazz. Well, I was excited on Friday because I had about 30 or so kids that promised to come help us clean up! But on Saturday, Cveti, Dan (Brave Yankee came to help with the cause) and I went to the park at the time we were supposed to meet everyone. We waited. We got 4 kids. 4 kids came to help clean, and Pepi came. So there were 4 adults, and 4 kids. It only took us like 30 minutes or so to clean it all, but I was a little sad that (sorry for the interruption - I just saw the jeep drive by outside. It's raining outside so my vision might not be perfect right now, but I swear she winked at me.) we only had a few kids show up. Maybe next time we will get a bigger showing. (oh this jeep is teasing me... it just drove my again.)
So all in all - things are good. I am getting support and having successes with work. I have a great girlfriend. I am making more friends here. I have firewood to keep me warm. The dog that lives outside my apartment building has become my friend and now sleeps outside my door. If she wasn't so dirty, I would let her in but that would also result in lots of new stains, I'm sure. I dunno - today I feel good. But remember, I'm in a Jeep on cruise control while riding over unpredictable terrain. Who knows what the afternoon will bring (THE JEEP DROVE BY AGAIN!!!! AHHHHH!!! She is beautiful.).
Alright, I'm out.
Rory
Oh - Sorry, I forgot to mention this. Everything with my MRI is fine. Nothing to worry about. :)
I left work the other day and I started to cry. I got very emotional and was overcome with nostalgia for my previous life. Rory 1.0 was resurfacing and trying to get out of me. I felt a heavy weight compressing my chest and heat in my face. The tears were starting to show themselves when I was standing outside work by the road. Pepi asked me what was wrong. I told him nothing was wrong. I looked at him for a second, then I started to run down the road away from him, away from everyone and everything. I just ran - I didn't know what else to do. Everything in my heart and soul told me to run, it told me to go and be alone with my nostalgia. So I ran and ran the 15 meters or so to look at the dirty 2001 black jeep wrangler with off roading tires parked near my work!!!
haha - ok, I didn't really cry, or even get that sad, but I did walk over to it and admire it for about 5 minutes. Someone in this town bought a jeep wrangler. The thing is BEAUTIFUL. It literally took my breath away when I saw it. This is a bad thing to say, but I think it's true - If a supermodel in a bikini was posing for me on my left side, and a tricked out jeep wrangler was on my right side, I would turn my back to the supermodel to look at the jeep. It's kind of a problem. This jeep is the only TJ that I have seen in Bulgaria and it's black, with big tires and covered in mud. I am so excited that it is in Koynare! Pictures to come. haha!
So I got a big chunk of my firewood delivered to my apartment yesterday and I moved it out to my balcony. The wood was delivered from my coworkers shed to my apartment by a student in 7th grade with his horse and cart. Pretty awesome.
Oh, and let me tell you of a failure I had. Well, not a failure, but not a success either. On Saturday last week I tried to organize a "let's clean up the park near the school cause it's freaking filled with trash" day. During the whole week, I told kids about it and got names of kids that wanted to volunteer and all that jazz. Well, I was excited on Friday because I had about 30 or so kids that promised to come help us clean up! But on Saturday, Cveti, Dan (Brave Yankee came to help with the cause) and I went to the park at the time we were supposed to meet everyone. We waited. We got 4 kids. 4 kids came to help clean, and Pepi came. So there were 4 adults, and 4 kids. It only took us like 30 minutes or so to clean it all, but I was a little sad that (sorry for the interruption - I just saw the jeep drive by outside. It's raining outside so my vision might not be perfect right now, but I swear she winked at me.) we only had a few kids show up. Maybe next time we will get a bigger showing. (oh this jeep is teasing me... it just drove my again.)
So all in all - things are good. I am getting support and having successes with work. I have a great girlfriend. I am making more friends here. I have firewood to keep me warm. The dog that lives outside my apartment building has become my friend and now sleeps outside my door. If she wasn't so dirty, I would let her in but that would also result in lots of new stains, I'm sure. I dunno - today I feel good. But remember, I'm in a Jeep on cruise control while riding over unpredictable terrain. Who knows what the afternoon will bring (THE JEEP DROVE BY AGAIN!!!! AHHHHH!!! She is beautiful.).
Alright, I'm out.
Rory
Oh - Sorry, I forgot to mention this. Everything with my MRI is fine. Nothing to worry about. :)
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thanksgiving Weekend Recap
I just had a real fun weekend. On Thanksgiving afternoon - I decided that it was 100% required that I have a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner that was to be eaten on Saturday night. But as everyone knows - it takes forever to defrost one of those suckers if you buy it frozen. But what you might not know is that it is impossible to find a frozen turkey in any town smaller than 100,000 people... I am in a town of about 4,500 people. Well, I was running out of time. I had a small window to acquire a frozen turkey so it would be ready for dinner on Saturday. The window closed. I now had a small problem. I told a few people here of my problem and soon the resolution was reached - we must find a live turkey in Koynare, purchase it, kill it, clean it, and cook it. And that is exactly what we did. I found a turkey for 30 leva, had to explain to the man selling it that I wasn't crazy and that eating a turkey at the end of November is an American tradition and that I didn't want to wait until Christmas when it is customary to eat turkey here. So I bought the young turkey a month before he was supposed to fulfill his destiny. Pepi and I tied up his legs and tossed him in the trunk of the car. I was the proud owner of livestock. First time ever I owned something alive with intent to eat it. (Garden plants don't count. They can't blink). So that was Friday. Pepi told me that I was not allowed to do the actual killing of the turkey and that his wife would handle it for me. I had other things to do that night, like pick Cveti up from the bus station in a neighboring town, so I really didn't have time to clean the turkey.
So Saturday - the day of the big party - I was given my turkey, cleaned and in a bag. Got up on Saturday and per Thanksgiving tradition I spent the entire morning in the kitchen cooking. First I made dessert - Apple Crisp. The smell made me want to dance. Then Cveti and I cooked together the rest of the stuff all day long. We made homemade stuffing, creamed onions, gravy, mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, and of course the turkey. Dan came in the afternoon. During the day, we got bored waiting to put the turkey in the oven, so I made chocolate chip cookies. Literally, a whole batch of cookies was consumed by Dan, Cveti and myself within an afternoon. They were quite the treat. At around 8pm, Cveti had 2 of her friends come and they brought more food - traditional Bulgarian food - and we celebrated together. Per tradition, we filled our first plate to the brim with food. We finished it, then we went back for seconds, again filling our plates. The second plate proved a challenge. And of course, after we couldn't eat any more, the warm apple crisp with whipped cream came out and was delicious. We ate it all and wanted to explode. We sat at the table for the next few hours talking, listening to music, and having drinks. It was a grand Thanksgiving and I won't forget it anytime soon... Check the picasaweb site link for pictures.
On Sunday - we played football at the stadium. Cveti, Dan and I started throwing the ball around and soon we had a crowd of children with us playing too. It was like 60 degrees outside and sunny. A heck of a weekend.
Honestly - the memories I am making here are amazing. I am so freaking thankful for the opportunity to be here.
So with that said - I go to Sofia tomorrow for my MRI. Let's hope all is well. I'm nervous.
So Saturday - the day of the big party - I was given my turkey, cleaned and in a bag. Got up on Saturday and per Thanksgiving tradition I spent the entire morning in the kitchen cooking. First I made dessert - Apple Crisp. The smell made me want to dance. Then Cveti and I cooked together the rest of the stuff all day long. We made homemade stuffing, creamed onions, gravy, mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, and of course the turkey. Dan came in the afternoon. During the day, we got bored waiting to put the turkey in the oven, so I made chocolate chip cookies. Literally, a whole batch of cookies was consumed by Dan, Cveti and myself within an afternoon. They were quite the treat. At around 8pm, Cveti had 2 of her friends come and they brought more food - traditional Bulgarian food - and we celebrated together. Per tradition, we filled our first plate to the brim with food. We finished it, then we went back for seconds, again filling our plates. The second plate proved a challenge. And of course, after we couldn't eat any more, the warm apple crisp with whipped cream came out and was delicious. We ate it all and wanted to explode. We sat at the table for the next few hours talking, listening to music, and having drinks. It was a grand Thanksgiving and I won't forget it anytime soon... Check the picasaweb site link for pictures.
On Sunday - we played football at the stadium. Cveti, Dan and I started throwing the ball around and soon we had a crowd of children with us playing too. It was like 60 degrees outside and sunny. A heck of a weekend.
Honestly - the memories I am making here are amazing. I am so freaking thankful for the opportunity to be here.
So with that said - I go to Sofia tomorrow for my MRI. Let's hope all is well. I'm nervous.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
So this last week has been interesting - I always say that - but I am never lying. After our trip to Plovdiv, I noticed a small lump on my shoulder/neck that was deep and hard. It didn't really hurt but radiated pain down my arm, so I sent a note to the PC doctors and they got me in for an exam on Monday. So Friday night, Cveti came over, then on Saturday we headed to Moravitsa for my birthday party stuff. It was a Moravitsa kind of time... Dan came and so did Ashley and we drank until we couldn't anymore. There are many pictures floating around. Cveti has a love for photography and enjoys snapping many pictures. On Sunday, Cveti and I headed to Sofia for my doctor's appointment that was early in the morning on Monday. On Sunday night I took Cveti to the mexican restaurant in Sofia so she could try mexican food... After looking at the menu she looked up at me and said, "Are these prices real?" They were typical American prices on food - 9 Leva for a margarita, 20 Leva for chicken fajitas... that kind of place. Those prices are about 10 times what a typical meal costs here, so it was a real treat. Anyways, Cveti got the fajitas per my recommendation and I had a cheeseburger :) Taking her there and watching her eat these fajitas (which were delicious) was like watching my nieces and nephews rip through presents on Christmas morning. It was really awesome. And to top it off, football was on the TV. American football. :)
So Monday at the doctors... They felt something - took blood - and scheduled a sonograph for the next day. I had to stay in Sofia Monday night and Cveti had to go back home. So she left and I found a hostel to stay at. That was an interesting experience as well... So now we are on Tuesday, I go to the hospital for the sonograph. They see something - snap some photos and then send me on my way with the PC doctor. I go back to the headquarters to speak with her. She tells me that she thinks its a fatty deposit, but it might be touching on some nerves which is a problem. Now I am getting an MRI early next week to get more info. She said that if it is a problem, and there is something there that needs to be taken care of, I'll be sent back to the US for surgery and I will return to BG after I recover. So yea - that's fun to deal with. I must say, this is not an emergency situation and is totally benign. So don't worry.
Let's talk about Thanksgiving and what I am thankful for.
I am thankful that I do not want to return to the US. That means that I am thankful for all the people, all the experiences, all the opportunities and all the struggles that I go through here in BG. Thankful for the love and support I receive from the people here. Thankful for their patience and understanding. And not only am I thankful for their love, but I could not be doing what I am doing without the unfaltering support of my family and friends in the states. Everyday I think of the people back home, and my life would be so much harder if they weren't supporting me in my decisions and aspirations. So thanks. Thanks to all of you.
I had a moment last night when I got thinking about Thanksgiving, family, friends, memories, and traditions. It was not easy and a lot of hard stored up emotions over the past years came up and out. But while I was alone in my apartment, I was able to reach out (on skype) to a few friends here and they quickly provided the support and ear I needed. Never in my life has something like that happened. Never have I just let go and never have I reached out for help due to my emotions. I was amazed at how quickly they responded and how much love was shared. It was humbling, humanizing and meaningful. Just another experience that I never would have had if I stayed in my old life. And for that, I am thankful. Being in this life and living this way really teaches you how to love, appreciate love, and cherish life's real moments. And again, I am thankful.
So thanks for everyone out there that has stepped into my life. Some of you are bigger parts of my life than others, but everyone of you holds a place in my heart. You have all influenced me one way or another and we are a part of each other. Thanks a million.
I will keep you all posted on the MRI. Who knows, maybe I will be in the states for the holidays...
Much love and many thanks,
Rory
So Monday at the doctors... They felt something - took blood - and scheduled a sonograph for the next day. I had to stay in Sofia Monday night and Cveti had to go back home. So she left and I found a hostel to stay at. That was an interesting experience as well... So now we are on Tuesday, I go to the hospital for the sonograph. They see something - snap some photos and then send me on my way with the PC doctor. I go back to the headquarters to speak with her. She tells me that she thinks its a fatty deposit, but it might be touching on some nerves which is a problem. Now I am getting an MRI early next week to get more info. She said that if it is a problem, and there is something there that needs to be taken care of, I'll be sent back to the US for surgery and I will return to BG after I recover. So yea - that's fun to deal with. I must say, this is not an emergency situation and is totally benign. So don't worry.
Let's talk about Thanksgiving and what I am thankful for.
I am thankful that I do not want to return to the US. That means that I am thankful for all the people, all the experiences, all the opportunities and all the struggles that I go through here in BG. Thankful for the love and support I receive from the people here. Thankful for their patience and understanding. And not only am I thankful for their love, but I could not be doing what I am doing without the unfaltering support of my family and friends in the states. Everyday I think of the people back home, and my life would be so much harder if they weren't supporting me in my decisions and aspirations. So thanks. Thanks to all of you.
I had a moment last night when I got thinking about Thanksgiving, family, friends, memories, and traditions. It was not easy and a lot of hard stored up emotions over the past years came up and out. But while I was alone in my apartment, I was able to reach out (on skype) to a few friends here and they quickly provided the support and ear I needed. Never in my life has something like that happened. Never have I just let go and never have I reached out for help due to my emotions. I was amazed at how quickly they responded and how much love was shared. It was humbling, humanizing and meaningful. Just another experience that I never would have had if I stayed in my old life. And for that, I am thankful. Being in this life and living this way really teaches you how to love, appreciate love, and cherish life's real moments. And again, I am thankful.
So thanks for everyone out there that has stepped into my life. Some of you are bigger parts of my life than others, but everyone of you holds a place in my heart. You have all influenced me one way or another and we are a part of each other. Thanks a million.
I will keep you all posted on the MRI. Who knows, maybe I will be in the states for the holidays...
Much love and many thanks,
Rory
Friday, November 20, 2009
Plovdiv and Rory v1.2.2
so this last week was a lot of fun. all the volunteers out here went out to the second largest city in bulgaria, called Plovdiv. It is an absolutely beautiful town located in the south central region of bulgaria. Seriously, very pretty area and a clean city with a lot of history. all the volunteers were there and we stayed in a 4 star hotel! it was very cozy - not really feeling like the peace corps... more like a vacation. well - all day we had meetings and conferences, and all night we partied. we were there from sunday night to wednesday morning. on wednesday, we went out and wandered the town before heading home. ashley and i got piercings - i got hoops in my ears and she got an eyebrow piercing. something to remember the trip by i guess... haha
Ok - what i really want to talk about here. Today is November 20th. Exactly 6 months after I stepped into this country. 6 months after the start of the upgrade from Rory v1.0 to a greater, stronger, faster, more excellent version. On the upgrade scale, we are only about 22% complete... but from the rate of the upgrade, and how different i am just 22% into the upgrade, this Rory v2.0 is going to be pretty different from the other guy. I mean, the amount of things i have seen, experienced, learned about myself, learned about others, challenges met and overcome, challenges met and not overcome, laughs shared, lives interacted with, people taught, being taught...etc - the list goes on. I have lived more in 6 months than most people live in their lifetimes... its a pretty righteous feeling. i was thinking it would be funny to write a list of all the things i have done and seen in the last 6 months, but honestly, there is no way. i dont have enough time and i dont have enough space to type it all. everyday has brought a new experience. everyday. so know this. Rory v1.2.2 is alive and well today. He is now 26 years old, pierced, shaved face, with hair on his head, 20lbs lighter and a whole heckuvalot more patient. and he drinks espresso everyday. :)
6 months down - at least 21 to go! maybe more... :)
Friday, November 13, 2009
update!!
Stop the voting! i got em! :) i got two packages today and i did a jig. it was what i knew best to do. and i couldnt wait to dance til after i got the packages, so i just danced alone and the jig was the best dance i could come up with. i would have tried break dancing, but i didnt want to spend the evening in a hospital. I got a huge package from my mother with everything in it i could ever want, including a bag of homemade chocolate chip cookies! and i got another from Melissa Deets! it is full of food and spices (they must have snuck by customs) and a book. YES! a good day. a very good day. Thank you so much for everything and for thinking of me. its not easy or cheap to send something here, and know that i am forever in your debt. :)
a good day. :)
a good day. :)
life today
hey, im posting with not much to say - but i usually start my posts saying something like this, and they are always long. so sorry. I still havent received any packages from the states, and i know they were sent almost 3 weeks ago. so i am getting a little nervous/anxious. not sure whats going on. i think the lady at the post office thinks im crazy. everyday i show up asking. at this point she just nods at me when she sees me. and its confusing because a good "nod" - up and down with your head - means no. so that is a disappointment. i think i am going to do a little dance in the post office when i finally get the shake of the head - which means yes. and those who wonder if im crazy, will have their suspicions concerned.
speaking of crazy - i think i am. a little. not the bad kind, just the kind where i live in my head and do what i want, when i want. and i am already the center of attention and gossip here in town - so i dont really have anything to lose if i do a somersault in class because i want to. it just gives them something new to talk about. its my little gift. so a hearty jig in the post office with a box from the states might be a good gift to share with the town. maybe i wont do a jig, maybe i can swing dance with the box. or tango. ill take votes on this site - let me know which dance and it shall be done. you may have weeks to cast your vote, but i hope not.
another side of crazy... its been almost 6 months since i have been in this country. its not a bad place, but it certainly isnt as comfortable a life as i had in the states. i mean, its just a challenge here, everything. winter is coming for instance. what do i do? i dunno. ill figure it out as it happens. haha - crazy. so in the last month or so, two girls from my group that came here together have headed for home. both are from florida... i think the oncoming season scared them.... haha - not fair to say that, there were other reasons that are personal to them and im sorry to see them go. but its also an interesting thing when someone leaves. its amazing how fast it happens. someone decides, and they are home in a few days. no problem. like if today, i said - hey, im done with this stuff. i could be spending next weekend in chicago. craziness. but sorry for those that wish me home and in their company - im not going back to the states for a while. sorry again. im crazy.
crazy i tells you. crazy.
all this last week, the schools in bulgaria were closed because of a flu epidemic. my classes in the chitalishte were nearly barren, i would have between 1-5 kids per group all week. it was actually kinda fun, we just played games. but rumor has it that since the flu is still around so prevalent, next week they might remain closed. which isnt so bad for me because i will be at a conference in a large city from sunday to wednesday. so i will only suffer 2 days of boredom, instead of all 5. and next weekend, i might be celebrating my birthday in moravitsa, the weekend after that i might be going on a trip with the teachers from the school. i need to find time to celebrate thanksgiving, as it is one of my favorite holidays, and the 28th is my moms birthday, as well as my counterpart Pepi's birthday. So it will be a busy busy time.
anyways, all is well here - i have 2 cubic meters of wood chopped, 250lbs of coal and a little place to burn it all to keep me warm. i have some homemade wine in the apartment and a computer. friends are nearby and i got a girlfriend somehow. life isnt all that bad. :) in fact, i even kinda worked out a little in my apartment last night. it showed me how out of shape i am. its embarrassing.
speaking of crazy - i think i am. a little. not the bad kind, just the kind where i live in my head and do what i want, when i want. and i am already the center of attention and gossip here in town - so i dont really have anything to lose if i do a somersault in class because i want to. it just gives them something new to talk about. its my little gift. so a hearty jig in the post office with a box from the states might be a good gift to share with the town. maybe i wont do a jig, maybe i can swing dance with the box. or tango. ill take votes on this site - let me know which dance and it shall be done. you may have weeks to cast your vote, but i hope not.
another side of crazy... its been almost 6 months since i have been in this country. its not a bad place, but it certainly isnt as comfortable a life as i had in the states. i mean, its just a challenge here, everything. winter is coming for instance. what do i do? i dunno. ill figure it out as it happens. haha - crazy. so in the last month or so, two girls from my group that came here together have headed for home. both are from florida... i think the oncoming season scared them.... haha - not fair to say that, there were other reasons that are personal to them and im sorry to see them go. but its also an interesting thing when someone leaves. its amazing how fast it happens. someone decides, and they are home in a few days. no problem. like if today, i said - hey, im done with this stuff. i could be spending next weekend in chicago. craziness. but sorry for those that wish me home and in their company - im not going back to the states for a while. sorry again. im crazy.
crazy i tells you. crazy.
all this last week, the schools in bulgaria were closed because of a flu epidemic. my classes in the chitalishte were nearly barren, i would have between 1-5 kids per group all week. it was actually kinda fun, we just played games. but rumor has it that since the flu is still around so prevalent, next week they might remain closed. which isnt so bad for me because i will be at a conference in a large city from sunday to wednesday. so i will only suffer 2 days of boredom, instead of all 5. and next weekend, i might be celebrating my birthday in moravitsa, the weekend after that i might be going on a trip with the teachers from the school. i need to find time to celebrate thanksgiving, as it is one of my favorite holidays, and the 28th is my moms birthday, as well as my counterpart Pepi's birthday. So it will be a busy busy time.
anyways, all is well here - i have 2 cubic meters of wood chopped, 250lbs of coal and a little place to burn it all to keep me warm. i have some homemade wine in the apartment and a computer. friends are nearby and i got a girlfriend somehow. life isnt all that bad. :) in fact, i even kinda worked out a little in my apartment last night. it showed me how out of shape i am. its embarrassing.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Birthday Recap
my birthday was on Friday and it was probably one of the most memorable birthdays ive ever had. I felt like a superhero/king/celebrity. On Thursday, we were told that school was cancelled until November 16th, we have 10 days off, because there is a flu epidemic going on in Bulgaria and they are trying to curb the spreading of the virus. So i didnt really have work on friday. instead, i was told to come to work at like 10am or so on friday. Tsveti came over on Thursday and stayed the night, so on friday, she came to work with me at 10. there were about 12 or so kids from 5th-7th grade here that threw me a surprise party at work! i came in, they had music set up and food and drinks and blew up a bunch of balloons. i walked into the room and they all jumped out of hidden places and started singing happy birthday! it was great. we played games and laughed and danced and sang until noon. so i had a 2 hour party that was just me, tsveti and a bunch of kids! it was awesome - seriously heart touching.
at noon, we left for lunch and were told not to return until around 2:30 because the people i work with were going to have a little "something" for me. well, we returned at 2:30 as we were told and lets just say, this little party wasnt little at all... I entered the room to find a large table with about 30 people sitting, the band was playing, the speakers set up, a friend of mine dressed in traditional outfit holding traditional bread for me. i was greeted to cheers from everyone and a nice speech made by my supervisor. I was given a traditional outfit of my own, an emblem of the chitalishte, and about a thousand flowers. people after people came to me with flowers and kisses and wishes of long life, health, success and luck. Tsveti was with me and i felt kind of bad for her! it was so overwhelming as to how much was prepared for me! the table was full of food and drinks - everything was homemade. all the food, all the wine - everything. it was amazing. music was played, we danced traditional dance, i drank everyones wine because everyone wanted me to try their own homemade version! They made Tsveti and I slow dance in front of everyone while they cheered and clapped. it was really quite fun - the people there were excited that i was with a bulgarian girl and just a little disappointed only because she is not from Koynare!
The party started at about 2:30, by 4 oclock i was already a little drunk from all the wines i was being presented, and at around 6:30 i got a call from rosen saying that he would be arriving in about an hour! i quickly apologized to Tsveti because I knew what the night would turn out to be... and it did. Rosen came, we stayed at the party for an hour or so longer and at around 9pm we went to a cafe where we ordered more wine, food, beer and stayed until around 2:30am... it was a long night, a long day, and a day where i felt like a king! it was really a birthday for the record books. I was very sad that i couldn't spend it with my Dad (who shares the same birthday as me) and my family, but the people here made me feel like a part of their family. It was as nice as it could be.
Over the past few days after my birthday, i have been pulled aside by various residents at different times. they wish me a happy birthday, success, luck, health and long life - as well as giving me gifts. I have received a very nice clock, a wine bottle that has been decorated as an ornament, many - maybe like 6 - bottles of homemade wine, a bottle of cologne, an ornamental wine holder, and warm socks for the winter :) It really made me feel more a part of this community and now i walk with my head a little higher knowing that there are a lot of people here that do care for me.
all and all - a great weekend. on saturday, ashley and dan came. we drank and laughed all night. I heard Tsveti tell her friend on the phone that between friday and saturday she had so much fun that her face actually hurt from smiling. so that just kinda describes the general emotion of the past few days. Lots of smiles, lots of laughs, a lot of honest heartfelt emotions between friends, and a lot of memories.
Everyone in the states that i couldnt spend this birthday with, i missed you and we will celebrate together my 28th year when i get back.
And thank you to everyone that sent something - i havent received anything yet, and i heard there is a new change in custom regulations - so stuff might be getting held up there... not sure, ill let you know.
Much love and many thanks,
Rory
at noon, we left for lunch and were told not to return until around 2:30 because the people i work with were going to have a little "something" for me. well, we returned at 2:30 as we were told and lets just say, this little party wasnt little at all... I entered the room to find a large table with about 30 people sitting, the band was playing, the speakers set up, a friend of mine dressed in traditional outfit holding traditional bread for me. i was greeted to cheers from everyone and a nice speech made by my supervisor. I was given a traditional outfit of my own, an emblem of the chitalishte, and about a thousand flowers. people after people came to me with flowers and kisses and wishes of long life, health, success and luck. Tsveti was with me and i felt kind of bad for her! it was so overwhelming as to how much was prepared for me! the table was full of food and drinks - everything was homemade. all the food, all the wine - everything. it was amazing. music was played, we danced traditional dance, i drank everyones wine because everyone wanted me to try their own homemade version! They made Tsveti and I slow dance in front of everyone while they cheered and clapped. it was really quite fun - the people there were excited that i was with a bulgarian girl and just a little disappointed only because she is not from Koynare!
The party started at about 2:30, by 4 oclock i was already a little drunk from all the wines i was being presented, and at around 6:30 i got a call from rosen saying that he would be arriving in about an hour! i quickly apologized to Tsveti because I knew what the night would turn out to be... and it did. Rosen came, we stayed at the party for an hour or so longer and at around 9pm we went to a cafe where we ordered more wine, food, beer and stayed until around 2:30am... it was a long night, a long day, and a day where i felt like a king! it was really a birthday for the record books. I was very sad that i couldn't spend it with my Dad (who shares the same birthday as me) and my family, but the people here made me feel like a part of their family. It was as nice as it could be.
Over the past few days after my birthday, i have been pulled aside by various residents at different times. they wish me a happy birthday, success, luck, health and long life - as well as giving me gifts. I have received a very nice clock, a wine bottle that has been decorated as an ornament, many - maybe like 6 - bottles of homemade wine, a bottle of cologne, an ornamental wine holder, and warm socks for the winter :) It really made me feel more a part of this community and now i walk with my head a little higher knowing that there are a lot of people here that do care for me.
all and all - a great weekend. on saturday, ashley and dan came. we drank and laughed all night. I heard Tsveti tell her friend on the phone that between friday and saturday she had so much fun that her face actually hurt from smiling. so that just kinda describes the general emotion of the past few days. Lots of smiles, lots of laughs, a lot of honest heartfelt emotions between friends, and a lot of memories.
Everyone in the states that i couldnt spend this birthday with, i missed you and we will celebrate together my 28th year when i get back.
And thank you to everyone that sent something - i havent received anything yet, and i heard there is a new change in custom regulations - so stuff might be getting held up there... not sure, ill let you know.
Much love and many thanks,
Rory
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
OHHH this one is interesting...
hey yall. what a week or so. i have been shadowing the english teacher throughout the school all week and helping teach some of her classes. the ability level with english ranges greatly. there are a few students that speak very well, and others that dont know anything but the word "hello". so its been interesting. my actual classes started yesterday. I had 2 groups, the first one was a group of about 9 kids that are from 14-17 years old and can speak english well. the class will be more discussion based and just have them use english. the next group was a challenge for sure. it was a group of 15-17 year olds that cant speak english. i got a lot of really funny stares. and that class is full - 12 students.
my first lesson... how to say hello in different ways. i am so sick of walking through town or the school hearing "hello!" from every single kid - and then it is quickly followed by a "good-bye!" these are the only 2 words these kids know! So lesson #1 started off as "hello, i am rory. it is nice to meet you. how are you?" and a dialog similar to that. then they practiced with answers and such. but no one walks up to you in the real world and says "hello, i am rory. it is nice to meet you. how are you?" it usually goes a little more like this in a relaxed setting, after the first meeting. "hey rory, s'up? or sup man? or hows it going? or whats kicking? or how you been? - its not so formal. and hello turns into "hi" "hey" "yo" "aye" haha - so i taught them a few variations on the general greeting question of "how are you?" it was pretty humorous.
seriously. they thought i was nuts - but i am a bit nuts. they will learn my kinda english. my english is American English with a hint of East Coast, Colorado, Chicago and Indiana slang topped with a twist of Rory. After 2 years, they will all be speaking like this guy. haha... i might be doing more damage than good if i do that...
so i also have a girlfriend now. she lives in a town thats like 20 or so miles away, but it can take over an hour to get there. her name is Tsveti and i met her through another volunteer. she is bulgarian yes. and yes, she speaks english which helps a lot. we have hung out a few times and been talking for a month or so - we will see how this goes. i am certain that relationship norms here in bulgaria differ from the norms in the states...
i celebrated halloween in the new city our friend Brave Yankee lives in with another american. it was a good time. the only thing that differed from any other party here was that there was a jack-o-lantern on the table. but other than that, it was a table, with lots of food, homemade rakia and lots of other alcohols. we sat, ate, drank and talked until very late. it was a grand time. i think there are pictures on facebook that Tsveti put up.
Its cold. i sleep in my sleeping bag with a winter hat on. haha, its like i'll be camping until april/may when it warms up again...
I've made alliances with the stray dogs here. especially now that its getting cold and food is harder to find for them. soon i will form my army of stray dogs and we will wage war on the stray cats. these dogs have a lot of potential, they just need a strong leader with a focused vision of the future without the crying of cats outside my apartment during the night. i have not seen any evidence of the cats organizing and working together to prepare for the imminent battle of the territory around the dumpsters when winter strikes in all her fury. and for this, i rest easy, knowing that my dogs will easily claim their desired grounds while only suffering light casualties. wish us luck in these coming days. i am not sure what the future holds for us here on the front lines, and if i become mortally scratched by the enemy, know that i believe in this war with all of my heart and that i fell bravely amongst the trash heaps by the dumpsters defending the territory that was inherently granted to man's best friend!
next time - I'll try to keep my sanity.
Oh, and my birthday is friday. i hear some kids are organizing something for me. but shhhhh! its a secret. I'll probably have a small party on saturday or something. but when its your birthday, you have to pay for everything. so my party will be small - im on a limited salary. :)
honestly - i will be 26 years old. i think i have the mind and heart of a teenager. do you think ill ever grow up? i hope not. :) this way of life is too fun.
my first lesson... how to say hello in different ways. i am so sick of walking through town or the school hearing "hello!" from every single kid - and then it is quickly followed by a "good-bye!" these are the only 2 words these kids know! So lesson #1 started off as "hello, i am rory. it is nice to meet you. how are you?" and a dialog similar to that. then they practiced with answers and such. but no one walks up to you in the real world and says "hello, i am rory. it is nice to meet you. how are you?" it usually goes a little more like this in a relaxed setting, after the first meeting. "hey rory, s'up? or sup man? or hows it going? or whats kicking? or how you been? - its not so formal. and hello turns into "hi" "hey" "yo" "aye" haha - so i taught them a few variations on the general greeting question of "how are you?" it was pretty humorous.
seriously. they thought i was nuts - but i am a bit nuts. they will learn my kinda english. my english is American English with a hint of East Coast, Colorado, Chicago and Indiana slang topped with a twist of Rory. After 2 years, they will all be speaking like this guy. haha... i might be doing more damage than good if i do that...
so i also have a girlfriend now. she lives in a town thats like 20 or so miles away, but it can take over an hour to get there. her name is Tsveti and i met her through another volunteer. she is bulgarian yes. and yes, she speaks english which helps a lot. we have hung out a few times and been talking for a month or so - we will see how this goes. i am certain that relationship norms here in bulgaria differ from the norms in the states...
i celebrated halloween in the new city our friend Brave Yankee lives in with another american. it was a good time. the only thing that differed from any other party here was that there was a jack-o-lantern on the table. but other than that, it was a table, with lots of food, homemade rakia and lots of other alcohols. we sat, ate, drank and talked until very late. it was a grand time. i think there are pictures on facebook that Tsveti put up.
Its cold. i sleep in my sleeping bag with a winter hat on. haha, its like i'll be camping until april/may when it warms up again...
I've made alliances with the stray dogs here. especially now that its getting cold and food is harder to find for them. soon i will form my army of stray dogs and we will wage war on the stray cats. these dogs have a lot of potential, they just need a strong leader with a focused vision of the future without the crying of cats outside my apartment during the night. i have not seen any evidence of the cats organizing and working together to prepare for the imminent battle of the territory around the dumpsters when winter strikes in all her fury. and for this, i rest easy, knowing that my dogs will easily claim their desired grounds while only suffering light casualties. wish us luck in these coming days. i am not sure what the future holds for us here on the front lines, and if i become mortally scratched by the enemy, know that i believe in this war with all of my heart and that i fell bravely amongst the trash heaps by the dumpsters defending the territory that was inherently granted to man's best friend!
next time - I'll try to keep my sanity.
Oh, and my birthday is friday. i hear some kids are organizing something for me. but shhhhh! its a secret. I'll probably have a small party on saturday or something. but when its your birthday, you have to pay for everything. so my party will be small - im on a limited salary. :)
honestly - i will be 26 years old. i think i have the mind and heart of a teenager. do you think ill ever grow up? i hope not. :) this way of life is too fun.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
classes started
my meeting with my boss from headquarters was freaking awesome. we got a lot of good ideas flowing with the people i work with and i have noticed a real change in the way things are going. i am excited about it! i am going to use these english classes as a spring board into the next wave of projects. the kids that come and work with me this winter will be my ambassadors for the other projects i want to get started down the road! right now i have 25 kids signed up for the classes with rumors of another 10-15 that want to come as well! this will surely keep me busy.
last night i went out with one of my coworkers to a cafe for "a beer". well, a beer is never a beer. and a beer turns into 5 or so. and then i wake up with a killer headache and wanting nothing more than to lay in bed for the whole morning. but i was glad i got to work today because it was one of the better days ive had! even if i was slightly to extremely hungover. one funny something - i went to a 10th grade class today. there were about 10 or so people in it, and only 2 of them were guys. the teacher tells them i dont understand bulgarian and they must ask me questions in english. this is a daunting task. the girls giggle like crazy and want to ask me things, but they just dont know how in english. so i listened to many things said about me between the girls becuase they thought i couldnt understand the language. well, i understood everything. it was pretty funny - just stuff that 16 year old girls say about the new young teacher from america. so after answering a few questions about my favorite foods and about my family, something funny happened in class. so i laughed. well, the girl in the front said something along the lines of how beautiful my smile was. i quickly looked at her, said thank you and told her she had a pretty smile too... well this set off panic amongst the girls because they then thought back on all the things they had said about me during the class! every one of them turned bright red and i had myself a hearty chuckle over the situation.
during the afternoon, i had a whole bunch of 17 year old students come and take the test i had set up for them. its just a test to see how much english they understand. 3 or 4 of the girls that came dont understand english at all. and as i was later told by another student, they have no interest in learning english either - they just want to come to my class and get to know me. so yea, its kinda funny being the popular guy and i get a kick out of it. a little ego boost.
other than that, nothing too interesting is going on this moment. another day, another experience.
last night i went out with one of my coworkers to a cafe for "a beer". well, a beer is never a beer. and a beer turns into 5 or so. and then i wake up with a killer headache and wanting nothing more than to lay in bed for the whole morning. but i was glad i got to work today because it was one of the better days ive had! even if i was slightly to extremely hungover. one funny something - i went to a 10th grade class today. there were about 10 or so people in it, and only 2 of them were guys. the teacher tells them i dont understand bulgarian and they must ask me questions in english. this is a daunting task. the girls giggle like crazy and want to ask me things, but they just dont know how in english. so i listened to many things said about me between the girls becuase they thought i couldnt understand the language. well, i understood everything. it was pretty funny - just stuff that 16 year old girls say about the new young teacher from america. so after answering a few questions about my favorite foods and about my family, something funny happened in class. so i laughed. well, the girl in the front said something along the lines of how beautiful my smile was. i quickly looked at her, said thank you and told her she had a pretty smile too... well this set off panic amongst the girls because they then thought back on all the things they had said about me during the class! every one of them turned bright red and i had myself a hearty chuckle over the situation.
during the afternoon, i had a whole bunch of 17 year old students come and take the test i had set up for them. its just a test to see how much english they understand. 3 or 4 of the girls that came dont understand english at all. and as i was later told by another student, they have no interest in learning english either - they just want to come to my class and get to know me. so yea, its kinda funny being the popular guy and i get a kick out of it. a little ego boost.
other than that, nothing too interesting is going on this moment. another day, another experience.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
staying in touch
Hello world! So my work is coming together. I have gone to a couple classes in the school where i help the teacher and the kids to understand a native english speaker. its definitely interesting and i really enjoy it. i get a good energy from the kids and it makes my day a whole lot better. Yesterday I went to the school and then after that i ate in the cafeteria with a bunch of kids. one cute girl, about 10 years old, came up to me and gave me a leaf from a tree. I have heard that "leaf art" is actually kinda common since other materials arent readily available. so she gave me the leaf, i gave her my chocolates. haha i think she won on that exchange, but it was really cute!
well i left the cafeteria, saw some kids that were just hanging out and might be classified as "bad kids" - i approached, asked what they were doing and when they responded with "nothing" i took the frisbee out of my bag and tossed it to one. They were shocked, adults dont really play with kids here. so i got about 5 or 6 kids in a circle and taught them how to toss a frisbee. we had a lot of fun and it didnt take long for a crowd to gather and watch us play! we played for like an hour and i have a feeling that these kids skipped class to play. i asked if they had class, and was assured over and over that none of them had class that hour... i think it was BS. but i had fun, they had fun, and everything was grand.
I also administered an english test in my chitalishte to kids that are interested in furthering their english studies after school. i got about 8 kids to show up and take a test so i could find out what they knew in english. they were excited and hopefully i will get something started up that has meaning.
so yea, i dunno what else. my birthday is coming up. it will be interesting to see what happens with that. and Brave Yankee lives in Pleven now and i went to visit him and help him move in. Pleven is a city of over 100,000 people and has pretty much anything you could want. so he is going to have to learn how to budget that small amount of money that we get!
well i left the cafeteria, saw some kids that were just hanging out and might be classified as "bad kids" - i approached, asked what they were doing and when they responded with "nothing" i took the frisbee out of my bag and tossed it to one. They were shocked, adults dont really play with kids here. so i got about 5 or 6 kids in a circle and taught them how to toss a frisbee. we had a lot of fun and it didnt take long for a crowd to gather and watch us play! we played for like an hour and i have a feeling that these kids skipped class to play. i asked if they had class, and was assured over and over that none of them had class that hour... i think it was BS. but i had fun, they had fun, and everything was grand.
I also administered an english test in my chitalishte to kids that are interested in furthering their english studies after school. i got about 8 kids to show up and take a test so i could find out what they knew in english. they were excited and hopefully i will get something started up that has meaning.
so yea, i dunno what else. my birthday is coming up. it will be interesting to see what happens with that. and Brave Yankee lives in Pleven now and i went to visit him and help him move in. Pleven is a city of over 100,000 people and has pretty much anything you could want. so he is going to have to learn how to budget that small amount of money that we get!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Is that a light at the end of this tunnel?
oh my! its starting. its about time too... i was getting pretty anxious and i was really distraught for a while. Finally, there is organization and maybe a purpose for me here. My boss from headquarters is coming out here on tuesday and that news has sent a panic amongst my coworkers. my boss wants to know what work im doing, wants to see what im doing, wants to meet the kids im working with and all the other people in town i work with... well. its funny because i havent really been doing much of anything.
I knew she was coming since early last week and made passive mentions about it to my coworkers. then yesterday she called and actually talked to them about her future visit. and thats when the ball got rolling. i am getting all the broken stuff in my apt fixed... i went to the school today FINALLY to meet the english teacher and help with classes... i am getting a place set up in the culture center where i work so i can teach classes there... we are finding people that want to learn english... I HAVE WORK! so now i can finally breath a little easier. i have more freedom believe it or not because i am working. i have purpose. nothing has started yet, but now i am 100% confident that it will start soon. Oh Thank God!
i feel a large weight lifted off my shoulders. nothing worse than waking up in the morning with a lot of energy and good feelings and wanting to do stuff only to walk into an office, sit down and do nothing until 530pm. then do more of nothing after that. its draining. but now - i have something!
oh, and here is a fun story. well a couple fun stories i guess. yesterday morning i put some clothes in my new second hand washing machine and started her up. i sat down at the computer to get on the internet and after about 3 minutes i heard a thud and my power went out. i investigated my apt, nothing looked out of the ordinary and nothing fell, so i left for work. came home and still no power. i heard music... so someone had power. i found the buildings electric box and my fuse was blown - i flipped it and had power. i went to the washing machine to restart it... but apparently the electricity decided to show ultimate power on the washing machine and gave it a good hard lethal dose of shock. now my washing machine is dead. i bought it two months ago and paid a fair chunk of change. UGGGGGG. never catch a break.
and let me take you on a journey. close your eyes.... wait. that wont work. uhm, think really hard about it being Monday night. i was tired, i laid in bed maybe around 10pm. i sat in bed, awake, until around 2pm when i decided it was ridiculous, i flipped on the light and read a book til about 3. fell asleep at 3. woke up at 6am! why? becuase i was stressed about my life here and what the heck i was doing. so i get 3 hours rest. i go to work. i come home a little early, around 5pm and say to myself, "man, i just want to grab a beer for tonight (the beers are 2 liters or 6-12oz beers) and drink a little with dinner and fall asleep at like 7pm. so i leave my building to purchase said beer. i see a man that lives in my building. he asks me what i am doing and why i havent come to his apartment yet to meet his family. i told him i was doing nothing. he said, well lets go then. so i 180-ed and re-entered the building and headed to his apartment. this was 5pm. i was exhausted. i sat in his kitchen and enjoyed a glass of cola and some sweets with him and his wife. another woman entered, she was nice and we talked, she had cola too. then she left after an hour or so and i tried to depart at the same time. i was told to sit. i did. then our conversation resumed and many topics discussed. one being google earth. so we went to the other room to the pc and tried to find google earth. it wasnt there. so we downloaded it and visited many places. it is now 745pm, past my planned bedtime. i ask when the shops close and i knew damn well they closed at 8pm. i wanted an excuse. he said, why are you going to the shop? i said i have to cook dinner and need meat(a lie). he said, no no - you will eat dinner with us tonight. i said, ok thank you. (uhg, they are so hospitable here!) so we listened to music and watched a bit of some western movie. then dinner was served and it was good. dinner ended around 10:30pm or so. but i couldnt leave after dinner! conversation continued until past 11:15 or so when i was literally falling asleep in my chair. i finally stood, said i must go and thank you for everything. we made arrangements for another dinner tonight. i slept well last night - so i should be ok.
but that is just a small example of how you can never plan anything and in the blink of an eye, everything changes. my neighbor is an incredibly smart guy and very nice. so i was happy to meet him and spend the time there. its just that i wish i had slept the night before!
So things are looking up. except that my freaking washing machine and electricity decided to brawl. i lost some good money on that fight.
and dan the brave yankee is moving to a nearby city in a sweet apartment. im going there this weekend to help him move. dig it.
so long, farewell, and keep it real.
Rory
I knew she was coming since early last week and made passive mentions about it to my coworkers. then yesterday she called and actually talked to them about her future visit. and thats when the ball got rolling. i am getting all the broken stuff in my apt fixed... i went to the school today FINALLY to meet the english teacher and help with classes... i am getting a place set up in the culture center where i work so i can teach classes there... we are finding people that want to learn english... I HAVE WORK! so now i can finally breath a little easier. i have more freedom believe it or not because i am working. i have purpose. nothing has started yet, but now i am 100% confident that it will start soon. Oh Thank God!
i feel a large weight lifted off my shoulders. nothing worse than waking up in the morning with a lot of energy and good feelings and wanting to do stuff only to walk into an office, sit down and do nothing until 530pm. then do more of nothing after that. its draining. but now - i have something!
oh, and here is a fun story. well a couple fun stories i guess. yesterday morning i put some clothes in my new second hand washing machine and started her up. i sat down at the computer to get on the internet and after about 3 minutes i heard a thud and my power went out. i investigated my apt, nothing looked out of the ordinary and nothing fell, so i left for work. came home and still no power. i heard music... so someone had power. i found the buildings electric box and my fuse was blown - i flipped it and had power. i went to the washing machine to restart it... but apparently the electricity decided to show ultimate power on the washing machine and gave it a good hard lethal dose of shock. now my washing machine is dead. i bought it two months ago and paid a fair chunk of change. UGGGGGG. never catch a break.
and let me take you on a journey. close your eyes.... wait. that wont work. uhm, think really hard about it being Monday night. i was tired, i laid in bed maybe around 10pm. i sat in bed, awake, until around 2pm when i decided it was ridiculous, i flipped on the light and read a book til about 3. fell asleep at 3. woke up at 6am! why? becuase i was stressed about my life here and what the heck i was doing. so i get 3 hours rest. i go to work. i come home a little early, around 5pm and say to myself, "man, i just want to grab a beer for tonight (the beers are 2 liters or 6-12oz beers) and drink a little with dinner and fall asleep at like 7pm. so i leave my building to purchase said beer. i see a man that lives in my building. he asks me what i am doing and why i havent come to his apartment yet to meet his family. i told him i was doing nothing. he said, well lets go then. so i 180-ed and re-entered the building and headed to his apartment. this was 5pm. i was exhausted. i sat in his kitchen and enjoyed a glass of cola and some sweets with him and his wife. another woman entered, she was nice and we talked, she had cola too. then she left after an hour or so and i tried to depart at the same time. i was told to sit. i did. then our conversation resumed and many topics discussed. one being google earth. so we went to the other room to the pc and tried to find google earth. it wasnt there. so we downloaded it and visited many places. it is now 745pm, past my planned bedtime. i ask when the shops close and i knew damn well they closed at 8pm. i wanted an excuse. he said, why are you going to the shop? i said i have to cook dinner and need meat(a lie). he said, no no - you will eat dinner with us tonight. i said, ok thank you. (uhg, they are so hospitable here!) so we listened to music and watched a bit of some western movie. then dinner was served and it was good. dinner ended around 10:30pm or so. but i couldnt leave after dinner! conversation continued until past 11:15 or so when i was literally falling asleep in my chair. i finally stood, said i must go and thank you for everything. we made arrangements for another dinner tonight. i slept well last night - so i should be ok.
but that is just a small example of how you can never plan anything and in the blink of an eye, everything changes. my neighbor is an incredibly smart guy and very nice. so i was happy to meet him and spend the time there. its just that i wish i had slept the night before!
So things are looking up. except that my freaking washing machine and electricity decided to brawl. i lost some good money on that fight.
and dan the brave yankee is moving to a nearby city in a sweet apartment. im going there this weekend to help him move. dig it.
so long, farewell, and keep it real.
Rory
Monday, October 19, 2009
Zimata idva.
not much to write about today. ive kinda started work and i think tomorrow ill get these damn english classes started that ive only been waiting since july 25th to start. its cold out and rainy. and i have a little radiator that i drag around with me to the room im in. i wonder what my electricity bill is going to be? i was in moravitsa last saturday night and it was pretty chilly. i got a taste of how the winter will be spent. let me describe it to you.
Cafes will be crowded because it is warm in the cafe and you dont have to heat your own house to stay warm if you are sitting in the cafe. the doors are closed and windows are closed. everyone is dressed warm. alcohol keeps people warmer, or so it seems to the person drinking, so the drinking starts earlier. but not with beer, or not as much with beer, its mostly homemade wine and rakia. and i believe i have told you this before, everyone smokes here. if not everyone, at least 90%. so the rooms become like a cloud of smoke, everything you are wearing stinks and your eyes burn. the stove in the room is burning wood and coal and keeps the room incredibly hot. so a hot cloudy room full of people drinking and laughing and wearing warm clothes. and this is what i foresee winter being. oh, and i ate donkey meat. so in like 2 weeks time i have eaten both animals that i have seen pulling carts around town. donkeys and horses. donkey was gross, horse is better.
so i have a birthday coming up on the 6th of november and if anyone wants to be awesome and send me a little sumthin sumthin than that would be sweet. so here is the shameless plug. SHAMELESS and i feel bad about doing this, but this is the stuff i want/need as of now: http://amzn.com/w/2P9QL1CYSZYJ4 oh, and any types of spices are welcome. Ranch dressing and hot sauce too... :)
I will be indebted to you for anything that is sent. it isnt cheap to ship stuff but its also proving to be difficult to find these things here. especially books in english... and earplugs. which are needed becuase i live above a lively cafe with loud music...
Cafes will be crowded because it is warm in the cafe and you dont have to heat your own house to stay warm if you are sitting in the cafe. the doors are closed and windows are closed. everyone is dressed warm. alcohol keeps people warmer, or so it seems to the person drinking, so the drinking starts earlier. but not with beer, or not as much with beer, its mostly homemade wine and rakia. and i believe i have told you this before, everyone smokes here. if not everyone, at least 90%. so the rooms become like a cloud of smoke, everything you are wearing stinks and your eyes burn. the stove in the room is burning wood and coal and keeps the room incredibly hot. so a hot cloudy room full of people drinking and laughing and wearing warm clothes. and this is what i foresee winter being. oh, and i ate donkey meat. so in like 2 weeks time i have eaten both animals that i have seen pulling carts around town. donkeys and horses. donkey was gross, horse is better.
so i have a birthday coming up on the 6th of november and if anyone wants to be awesome and send me a little sumthin sumthin than that would be sweet. so here is the shameless plug. SHAMELESS and i feel bad about doing this, but this is the stuff i want/need as of now: http://amzn.com/w/2P9QL1CYSZYJ4 oh, and any types of spices are welcome. Ranch dressing and hot sauce too... :)
I will be indebted to you for anything that is sent. it isnt cheap to ship stuff but its also proving to be difficult to find these things here. especially books in english... and earplugs. which are needed becuase i live above a lively cafe with loud music...
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Dan - Brave Yankee.
So to keep you posted on the situation Dan is a-ok, he is moving towns to a nearby city where he will live, but he will still work at the same place. Dan called me last night because he was at dinner with a family, but he had received a phone call from his host family (from the first 2 months here) wondering if he was ok. They had heard in the news that a 25 year old american thwarted a robbery attempt in his town. well it turns out this is quite a story for the media. An american peace keeper has 3 men break into his house with weapons and the peace keeper thwarts the attempt using "karate and a knife" - good story. well they caught the guys with dans help and it turns out they had quite a criminal record and were suspected of multiple other crimes... here is an article. copy and pasted off a translater...
Pleven. U.S. peacekeeper revealed gang robbers. American Peace Corps, deployed in the town Pordim enter into melee with three dangerous bandits who broke into his headquarters.25-year-old Daniel Baker-Smith was attacked on Tuesday night. Like sitting behind your computer in 21 hours in his room in the balcony jumped up three Roma, armed with poles and a shovel. They climbed in gutters without trying to hide their faces with masks. Gypsies seeking money, but proved karatist Peacemaker. Brave Yankee applied them two or three tricks. He grabbed a kitchen knife and then resting in the throat of one of Roma. Aver onemeli panic-stricken and withdrawn. In their flight they even pulled off the iron fence of the facilities. The alien escaped without a scratch. The next day dark-skinned assailants were caught, but they recognized Smith in the police station. The chief Simeon Alexiev, 19 years Pordim been convicted 6 times. He was suspected for 22 thefts and robberies. Collateral his Veselin Benchev, 20 years from the village of Assen has a file with 15 robberies and three convictions.The third group - Stoyan Velev, 18, is criminals. Three have made a full confession before a judge in his complicity in the abortive attempt. Tiknati are in custody for 24 hours, police said.
Evgeni Goranov
Pleven. U.S. peacekeeper revealed gang robbers. American Peace Corps, deployed in the town Pordim enter into melee with three dangerous bandits who broke into his headquarters.25-year-old Daniel Baker-Smith was attacked on Tuesday night. Like sitting behind your computer in 21 hours in his room in the balcony jumped up three Roma, armed with poles and a shovel. They climbed in gutters without trying to hide their faces with masks. Gypsies seeking money, but proved karatist Peacemaker. Brave Yankee applied them two or three tricks. He grabbed a kitchen knife and then resting in the throat of one of Roma. Aver onemeli panic-stricken and withdrawn. In their flight they even pulled off the iron fence of the facilities. The alien escaped without a scratch. The next day dark-skinned assailants were caught, but they recognized Smith in the police station. The chief Simeon Alexiev, 19 years Pordim been convicted 6 times. He was suspected for 22 thefts and robberies. Collateral his Veselin Benchev, 20 years from the village of Assen has a file with 15 robberies and three convictions.The third group - Stoyan Velev, 18, is criminals. Three have made a full confession before a judge in his complicity in the abortive attempt. Tiknati are in custody for 24 hours, police said.
Evgeni Goranov
pardon the racism and the poor translations... but you get the gist.
Our new friend, Dan has a native-american name. Brave Yankee.
So yea - exciting times.
This week there hasnt been much other than the fact that it is getting COLD. and its funny cause its not that cold, its just that there isnt heat. my office isnt heated yet because they have to burn wood for heat, and thats a pain in the bum to get going, so we will just wait till its really cold. and my apartment has 3 rooms, a kitchen, a bedroom and another room with a small bed in it and its where i hang out most the time. well now i am debating which room to live in now. The room that i hang out in most the time is bigger and right above a cafe that plays loud music. so i dont really want to sleep there or heat that big room. I have one small electric radiator that is the size of like a large computer box.... not very big to heat a big room. it heats my bedroom fine. but when the real cold hits, im going to have to just live in one room. the others will be frozen. ive heard that the food in your refrigerator will freeze. so maybe i can save electricity and just keep my food on the table in the kitchen where it will no doubt be frozen. yee haw. im also trying to get used to the fact that my fingers and toes will be cold until...say... May. it makes typing fast no work so well. my fingers are moving slower than usual and my backspace button is getting a lot of use. so yea, summer is hot - no AC. winter is cold - limited heating. dig it.
i used to be able to only feel cold when i got in my car. but that jeep heated up in just a few minutes. the glory of having a gas guzzler... and i could wear short sleeved shirts to work in the winter because the office was always warm. but now... damn.
oh wanna hear something gross? my mother sent me another box of contact lenses not too long ago becuase i was running out. well, i think i lost those boxes which totally blows. but i tossed my contacts before i realized that i didnt have anymore lenses.... so what did i do? i retrieved my lenses from the garbage. washed them a lot, and put them back in. they work for now but ill probably only get a few more days out of them. then its time to stop seeing so well too... cold and kinda blind. its going to be a fun winter.
my coworkers are starting to get on the ball about me teaching and stuff. so thats good. and there is a rumor that a group of kids want to learn american football! so yippie! i might get to play some football!!
thats all for now. enjoy the central heating.
Monday, October 12, 2009
The weekend that Dan was here.
I find myself compelled to hop on my blog this rainy monday morning and tell you of the weekend. So Dan was with me all weekend. After the incident in his apartment, i spoke to our safety and security officer who advised dan to either spend the weekend in sofia in the "sick bay" at headquarters, or come to my place and hang for the weekend. I think it was an easy choice for our hero Daniel the Lion. So he came in on Friday and we did basically nothing. He got in late, hadnt slept much the night before, and didnt feel like going out. I think we watched a movie, but that was pretty much it. On saturday we went to a nearby town to go shopping and get some food. i picked up a dress shirt that was a XXL but in the states it would be considered a M or a slim L. Its awesome. Dan and I said goodbye to another volunteer that is in the area and finishing up his service next week. He is heading back to the land of the free and the home of the brave soon. i bet he eats some good fast food when he gets there... jerk. maybe at IHOP. wow. IHOP... what a concept. pancakes... coffee... Americans...sorry, i digress.
So dan and i picked up some food at a store and found what we were looking for to make PIZZA. The conversations we had with the women that worked in the store were hilarious, embarrassing, humiliating and memorable. but we finally found the yeast.
We went back - cooked some pizza and grabbed a couple beers (2 liter beers of course) and watched movies all night. It was actually (this is going to sound so odd) really nice to just sit with a buddy, eat pizza, drink beer and watch movies on a saturday night.
Yesterday, we were feeling the effects of the night before and didnt do much until... ohhh... about 7pm. and by not do much, we kinda just sat there and played video games on our computers... so nerdy. but anyways, at 7pm or so we headed outside to go to a cafe in town. we sat at a regular place, got joined by the 2 women that work there and had a couple drinks. it is typical when you sit at a cafe and drink to have some meat or something on the table to pick at. so the women brought a meat on the table and some forks. The meat was dark in color, looked like muscle and was covered in like an onion gravy. we asked what kind of meat it was (can never be too careful) and they kind of looked at us confused and didnt answer. so we shrugged it off and grabbed a piece. it was delicious. we looked at each other, said - "kinda tastes like beef. i like it." so we ate and ate and it was pleasant. at one point, a horse cart was being taken down the road with a guy driving it that appeared to be intoxicated. the horse was confused because the guy was just kinda going crazy with reigns. the horse didnt know what direction to travel in. Dan says, in bulgarian "If horses become aware and smart, then the people are in trouble." basically stating that horses are big strong animals that are too docile for their own good. Well this comment brings lots of laughter out of our friends at the cafe that are still watching us eat this food. after all is said and done, we ask again what kind of meat it is becuase it tastes just like beef! and there isnt any beef here... well, they smile and say the word "horse" in bulgarian. we say, "Horse?!" they respond with a hearty "Da" (yes) and we say, hmm... ok. well, it was good. and we both had another piece and smiled.
So if you ever want to make lasting friendships in this world there are things that help.
1. travel to a foreign country that you nothing about with them. try to learn the language. decide to live there for 27 months.
2. share beds frequently when sleeping on the floor is an option.
3. listen to your friend almost get seriously hurt during a break in while on skype.
4. eat horse together within that week.
Yep. Bonding.
And sorry to those this next comment offends - i kinda wonder when im going to eat horse again. its good.
So dan and i picked up some food at a store and found what we were looking for to make PIZZA. The conversations we had with the women that worked in the store were hilarious, embarrassing, humiliating and memorable. but we finally found the yeast.
We went back - cooked some pizza and grabbed a couple beers (2 liter beers of course) and watched movies all night. It was actually (this is going to sound so odd) really nice to just sit with a buddy, eat pizza, drink beer and watch movies on a saturday night.
Yesterday, we were feeling the effects of the night before and didnt do much until... ohhh... about 7pm. and by not do much, we kinda just sat there and played video games on our computers... so nerdy. but anyways, at 7pm or so we headed outside to go to a cafe in town. we sat at a regular place, got joined by the 2 women that work there and had a couple drinks. it is typical when you sit at a cafe and drink to have some meat or something on the table to pick at. so the women brought a meat on the table and some forks. The meat was dark in color, looked like muscle and was covered in like an onion gravy. we asked what kind of meat it was (can never be too careful) and they kind of looked at us confused and didnt answer. so we shrugged it off and grabbed a piece. it was delicious. we looked at each other, said - "kinda tastes like beef. i like it." so we ate and ate and it was pleasant. at one point, a horse cart was being taken down the road with a guy driving it that appeared to be intoxicated. the horse was confused because the guy was just kinda going crazy with reigns. the horse didnt know what direction to travel in. Dan says, in bulgarian "If horses become aware and smart, then the people are in trouble." basically stating that horses are big strong animals that are too docile for their own good. Well this comment brings lots of laughter out of our friends at the cafe that are still watching us eat this food. after all is said and done, we ask again what kind of meat it is becuase it tastes just like beef! and there isnt any beef here... well, they smile and say the word "horse" in bulgarian. we say, "Horse?!" they respond with a hearty "Da" (yes) and we say, hmm... ok. well, it was good. and we both had another piece and smiled.
So if you ever want to make lasting friendships in this world there are things that help.
1. travel to a foreign country that you nothing about with them. try to learn the language. decide to live there for 27 months.
2. share beds frequently when sleeping on the floor is an option.
3. listen to your friend almost get seriously hurt during a break in while on skype.
4. eat horse together within that week.
Yep. Bonding.
And sorry to those this next comment offends - i kinda wonder when im going to eat horse again. its good.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Floods, Another Let Down, and Unexpected Visitors
ok, i wasnt really planning on posting tonight, but heck - its been quite an interesting 24 hours or so. lets start where i left off. stick with me, this has been quite the day. so last night, after i got home from work, i sit down on the computer and start talking to my lovely sister, Molly, on skype. we get chatting for a while about the joys of peace corps and how she is doing in life. It's her birthday tomorrow, or in less than 2 hours for me, so wish her a happy birthday. anyways, we are talking it up and i start hearing water dripping in my apartment. well, it was a sunny and beautiful day yesterday so i start wondering whats going on. i let it continue for a bit becuase i dont really want to start investigating. i know it only means disaster and as everyone knows, ignorance is bliss. so after 10 or so minutes, i finally decide to see whats going on. i live on the second floor here, in this beautiful soviet concrete socialist blok apartment. It's an architects dream. i leave my second floor apt and start heading upstairs. i know that no one lives above me, so i go to the 4th floor where i find a Baba standing outside her open door. she says, "hubavo li e?" which means, beautiful isnt it? and i kinda chuckle, glance in her apartment and notice the multiple buckets that are under all the leaks. her apartment is like a big shower. i say sorry, and continue to the next floor where i find a significant amount of water coming from under the door and heading down the stairs. i knock on the door a few times and try opening it. its locked. i start calling all the people i know here that can help, but to no avail. no one answers. so i go back to my place on the second floor and continued talking to molly. later i heard people fixing the water while the Baba screamed. everything is a-ok now.
Rory
and for today... well, i woke up excited because i was going to be heading to the school to meet the people and start my project of teaching english! what a day! so i got up, dressed in my sunday best, and headed to work. only to find out that today was a day for painting the inside and staining the furniture! i asked why we werent going to the school and i was told that there is a problem with some forms and what not and i might not be able to teach there all year. granted, i was not happy. I was told i needed to help paint. i was dressed in good clothes, and angry about what i recently discovered, and told them i would not help them and i had work to do. so i wrote an email asking for help from my boss here at the PC headquarters. I was not happy. and i think things will work out eventually... I didnt paint, and i didnt do much of anything
sorry if all that was rushed, i want to get to the craziest thing that just happened moments ago. still on a little bit of an adrenaline rush from it. so, im on skype, talking to my buddy Dan who is out here with me and we are using skype like a phone. no video, just talking. after a while, he says, "hey, i think i hear something outside. it sounds like people, but they are being too quite to be close. but they sound close" a few moments later, he decides to check it out. so he says to me, "hold on a second". i start hearing him talking. it sounds like a cell phone call - calm, relaxed, in control. but soon it turns to him saying in english "Get the f@ck out of here!" and i hear another voice. then i hear him repeat this, each time getting a little more urgent. then after a few seconds... nothing... then a few seconds later, a loud crash.... then nothing at all.... then, after what seemed an eternity, i hear dans voice start screaming " GET THE F*CK OUT OF HERE!" and more of the same. the noise drifted off for a bit. then the drifting of the sound became silence. and a bit became 30+ seconds.... i started getting pretty nervous. (not that i wasnt nervous already...) I called dans phone only to hear it ring on the other side of the computer... So i called again, and again. still nothing. after about a minute or so, i heard someone enter the room. i was a "send" button away from calling the PC main security office to get the US Marine Corps out there to raise all sorts of hell. I yelled out, "Dan - is that you?" he said, yea. Anyways, after he called the police and the PC we had a moment to chat.
I guess 3 guys scaled his balcony, broke in, asked for food and money, and when he obliged to them for the food, they followed him into the kitchen, brought weapons like a shovel and some pieces of wood to beat him with, and dan quickly controlled the situation like the awesome guy he is by grabbing a better weapon, a kitchen knife, to keep them at bay. he demanded again that they "get the F out." to which they started to listen. He actually had to toss one of them on the floor, while wielding the knife, before they actually started moving. He eventually got them to leave.
I will say, the police in his town (i had video chat on at this time) responded within a matter of a few minutes and were combing the area. Dan is now at the headquarters filling a report, and helping identify the perpetrators. I also just received a call from our main safety and security officer here to make sure i was ok and to hear what i heard while i listened to this scuffle. We are all happy that dan is ok and was able to not only thwart the attempt, but to control the entire situation. Dan is in fact, The Man. Thank God he is ok and unharmed from what could have turned out very poorly. Good thinking Dan and way to keep control!
Anyways, hope that doesnt scare anyone out there. I am ok and I don't have any easy to access balconies here. Plus, the quick response of both the local police and the PC themselves was very comforting. Everything is ok and the night turned out well. but it was pretty interesting to say the least.
On another note, i think i have lived maybe 5 years of experiences in the 4.5 months ive been here.
I'm headed to sleep. what a day.
Rory
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
no water and bad "dreams?"
Well it's nice to see that i have like 25ish people already signed up and approved! Thanks! It makes me feel like i got some good followers here, people that actually care! yay :) This blog is giving me something to do during the day. I don't have a ton to say right now though. hmm - I went to bed last night and the water was not running and when i awoke it still wasnt on. i havent showered since sunday... everytime it is more than a couple days without showering, the water runs out! its like they just wait. i think there is a spy actually... someone walks by me or sits near me and takes a whiff... says "hey, he kinda smells. and looks like he will probably want a shower tonight... lets kill the water!" there is a diabolical plan out there. i am sure of it! the water only seizes when i have a sink full of dishes that i want to wash, dirty clothes that i need to clean, or a filthy body that needs some washing. hopefully when i return home this evening, the water will be running and i can smell nice again. i did brush my teeth this morning with a bottle of water i had laying around. but i also needed to use the toilet this morning... that little present is still waiting for the water to come back before he heads to his rightful home down the pipes.... pleasant.
Speaking of diabolical plans, i had a really nasty dream last night. ever seen harry potter? the newer ones? what are those things called that attack harry a couple times? they look like grim reapers and they suck the air out of the room and make everything really cold - they make all the happy feelings go away. well i had one of those visit me last night, i swear. i was having this pleasant dream about my family and we were just hanging out and what not. and i literally remembering thinking, wow -this is a pretty nice dream. well right when i thougth that, the dream went blank. just blank. and i felt something in my room - it was a black figure. and as it came closer to me, i got more paralyzed and scared. i felt the air go out of the room and i couldnt breath. i felt the figure lean over me while i was sleeping and i could see it there. i struggled to gain control of my muscles again as i laid in bed watching this thing and finally i was able to snap my eyes open and take a breath. it was pretty odd. pretty scary. maybe my ghost in the room got angry with me about something. he has only aided me this far, but that was kinda freaky last night. the rest of the evening i had crappy sleep and ended up waking at about 5am to just sit on the internet and email friends from the states becuase it was only like 9pm there.
my toast came quickly today. that was a happy moment.
Pepi is back - he was on vacation (in town) for the last 3.5 weeks. It's nice to have him back because he adds order.
I was told that a local newspaper wants to interview me. i wonder if/when this will happen. ill let you know.
Still havent gone to the school to start teaching. Still doing nothing.
Yesterday I negotiated a cell phone contract without using english. and i got the plan i wanted and talked her out of upselling me other phones/contracts. made me feel like i was in control! not a feeling i have been used to for a while. the first of many future successes, im sure.
I found a funny website that made me miss home. www.peopleofwalmart.com check it out. its so america.
if you know anyone that cant read this that might want to, let me know their email - ill get them signed up. (look, i have control of that too!)
I skyped like crazy last night. i talked to Rita for like an hour, my dad called me, i talked to my mom for an hour or so on there and then Mr. Bill Hilbish of Hudson Ohio, an old customer of mine, gave me a ring and we talked (like usual) for like an hour. Reminded me of our old conversations. i was a sales man then and i think we would talk technology for a whopping 2 minutes during an hour long chat. i wasnt the best sales guy.
Enjoy the states, enjoy the day, eat a cheeseburger with ranch fries for me if youre in the midwest, on the east coast, eat either an eggie or some new york pizza. and if you are near aunt cookies - have one for me ;)
Til another time.
Oh - and you are reading all about me. tell me what you are up to. im interested. skype me at roryjnolan or send me an email at roryjnolan@gmail.com. tell me whatever you want. i tell you whatever i want - its only fair. and i want to hear from you.
Rory
Speaking of diabolical plans, i had a really nasty dream last night. ever seen harry potter? the newer ones? what are those things called that attack harry a couple times? they look like grim reapers and they suck the air out of the room and make everything really cold - they make all the happy feelings go away. well i had one of those visit me last night, i swear. i was having this pleasant dream about my family and we were just hanging out and what not. and i literally remembering thinking, wow -this is a pretty nice dream. well right when i thougth that, the dream went blank. just blank. and i felt something in my room - it was a black figure. and as it came closer to me, i got more paralyzed and scared. i felt the air go out of the room and i couldnt breath. i felt the figure lean over me while i was sleeping and i could see it there. i struggled to gain control of my muscles again as i laid in bed watching this thing and finally i was able to snap my eyes open and take a breath. it was pretty odd. pretty scary. maybe my ghost in the room got angry with me about something. he has only aided me this far, but that was kinda freaky last night. the rest of the evening i had crappy sleep and ended up waking at about 5am to just sit on the internet and email friends from the states becuase it was only like 9pm there.
my toast came quickly today. that was a happy moment.
Pepi is back - he was on vacation (in town) for the last 3.5 weeks. It's nice to have him back because he adds order.
I was told that a local newspaper wants to interview me. i wonder if/when this will happen. ill let you know.
Still havent gone to the school to start teaching. Still doing nothing.
Yesterday I negotiated a cell phone contract without using english. and i got the plan i wanted and talked her out of upselling me other phones/contracts. made me feel like i was in control! not a feeling i have been used to for a while. the first of many future successes, im sure.
I found a funny website that made me miss home. www.peopleofwalmart.com check it out. its so america.
if you know anyone that cant read this that might want to, let me know their email - ill get them signed up. (look, i have control of that too!)
I skyped like crazy last night. i talked to Rita for like an hour, my dad called me, i talked to my mom for an hour or so on there and then Mr. Bill Hilbish of Hudson Ohio, an old customer of mine, gave me a ring and we talked (like usual) for like an hour. Reminded me of our old conversations. i was a sales man then and i think we would talk technology for a whopping 2 minutes during an hour long chat. i wasnt the best sales guy.
Enjoy the states, enjoy the day, eat a cheeseburger with ranch fries for me if youre in the midwest, on the east coast, eat either an eggie or some new york pizza. and if you are near aunt cookies - have one for me ;)
Til another time.
Oh - and you are reading all about me. tell me what you are up to. im interested. skype me at roryjnolan or send me an email at roryjnolan@gmail.com. tell me whatever you want. i tell you whatever i want - its only fair. and i want to hear from you.
Rory
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
added security, Tom's visit, and the pensionaires party.
howdy all. so i think i am going to password protect this blog because i got a comment on one of my posts that i dont think could possibly come from a friend of mine or anyone that i really care reading this. ill send an email to you with the password and if you dont get one... i dunno, because you wont be able to read this. sorry.
Well, i just did it and it looks more like an invite thing is sent to you. enjoy. and if you want to comment on my grammar, feel free because i invited you and dont mind if you do.
Well, i just did it and it looks more like an invite thing is sent to you. enjoy. and if you want to comment on my grammar, feel free because i invited you and dont mind if you do.
and now i can pretty much say whatever i want. that makes me feel better.
So Tommy Pattison came out here last weekend and it was awesome. I picked him up at the airport on Friday afternoon and we went to go visit my friend Ashley in a town about 1:30 away from the capital of bulgaria. We partied in Dolna Banya with her, but it was not as much fun as it could have been because within moments of arriving at her apartment, her kitten got loose and we couldnt find it all night. so there was kind of a dark cloud lingering. but in the end, everything is good- she found her cat. Anyways, on saturday Ashley, Tom and I went to Moravitsa. we met 3 other volunteers there. so the town of 800 hosted 6 americans! it was a lot of fun. i have a ton of pictures thanks to Krista stealing my camera and becoming the nights photographer. after a 5:30am bed time, we got up before noon on sunday and tom, ashley, dan and i went into sofia to check the place out. we stayed in a sweet hotel that tom paid for becuase we dont have any money. Thanks Tom! On sunday, we went and ate dinner at a MEXICAN restaurant that was full of americans from all over the states. and guess what they were watching. AMERICAN FOOTBALL! it was great! they were watching the giants game, and at half time they flipped the bears on for me. and it was just in time to watch Knox return a kickoff for a touchdown. just the way the bears like to do it. It made me happy. I had a burrito and a margarita there. mmmm... I've had a lot better mexican in my life, but never has it tasted so good! there was guacamole.
So Tom left on Monday and i headed back home exhausted. It was a great time and i was really happy to see him.
On Thursday night last week, so the night before Tom came to visit, I was invited to a party to celebrate the retired peoples holiday here. I wasnt really told much other than where the party was, that there would be music, food and beer for 5 leva and to show up at 7pm. i said ok, can do. well i got talking to Rita on skype and we were having a good conversation. so about 715 rolls around and i notice the time, dont really think much of it. then 745 comes around and i get a phone call from a guy i work with, he asks me where i am, i tell him im coming. then at 8pm, i finish talking to Rita and i head downstairs to the party. Well, i walk in the cafe and find that there is a nice long table set up with about 22 spots for dinner, 21 people were occupying 21 of the 22 spots. and they were all the retired individuals for whom this party was, and 2 people i work with. and my seat was empty, and they had all eaten dinner already... I felt like the biggest jerk in the world. i had no idea that it was THIS kind of party! so anyways, i eat a little, get a couple drinks and the music starts. off the 22 people, there were 5 guys. 2 that were not in the band. of the 2 men available to dance, i was the only one that wasnt retired. so needless to say, i was on my feet most of the night dancing with the Babas and getting sneak attack cheek kisses all night. it was pretty fun. i felt like the most popular person in the world!
so yea, life's good. the comment that i got on my one post annoyed me - so im sorry for having to add extra security or whatever. it was just uncalled for and i realized that if there are people that will take offense to me and my style, then its better they cant find this.
Hope you're well - till next time!
Rory
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Shaving, The Usual, Sausages(again), and the Mysterious Visitor from AMERICA...
Did i tell everyone that i have a totally shaved face now? well - i do. and it sucks. i hate shaving. i shaved this morning and for the 100th time asked myself why almost every man in America and in Bulgaria and many other places, finds the need to shave. a beard is comfortable, warm and manly and incredibly easy to maintain. you dont have to do anything! why do we shave? i dunno. but again, it sucks.
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Rorcho
oh - and i wanted to update you on the time it took for this mornings "toast" from the cafe. i arrived at 7:40 and didnt even have to say a word. i sat down, my coffee was brought to me and i knew the toast was coming. everyday this week ive done the same thing and now i am ordering "the usual" or "Obiknoveniyat" (literal transtlation to - the usual - i love when that happens.). and as usual, my usual made me 10 minutes late to work again. but i am a volunteer, so its hard for them to really reprimand me for being a little late... what are they going to do? reduce my pay? fire me? i guess they could just stop supporting me and seize all the projects i have going on... oh wait...
I slept really poorly last night. it was the kind of sleep i used to get when i was a working man at CDW. the kind where you are stressed out and stay up most the night with a mind that doesnt turn off becuase you are asking yourself a million questions. those nights in the past used to be about work, the expectations, goals, money, customer support and sales stuff. last night i think it was just based on the fact that i am so far away with such big goals and aspirations and receiving nothing but challenge after challenge with very little successes to date. hmmm... that actually kinda sounds like my old job... (sorry Tom, you are the greatest manager of all time, and John, the greatest academy manager ever.)(sorry Justin, Laura, Stan etc... you have my old customers.) except then i used to make a little bit of money, speak english, drive a car, tell jokes and talk all day, and eat american food. now i make just over 11 dollars a day here to buy food, drinks, pay for electricity, travel, internet bills etc... hahaha wow. next time you spend over 11 dollars for a meal, or ... i dunno, what costs 11 dollars? 3-4 gallons of gas? think about that. i used to pay like 15-20 dollars a day in gas just driving Rubi to and from work... poor Ruby, i hope she is doing well...
well, i like this posting thing now. hopefully i keep it up and dont bore you. its a good way for me to get out my thoughts on stuff because believe it or not, i dont really have anyone nearby to sit down and have a real in depth conversation with. I have skype too, if you have it let me know. we can chit chat.
Now for some pictures of me as a sausage in bulgarian fashion. Enjoy.
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I wonder how much weight I've lost. i think those jeans are a 34. last i was in a 34 i was in like junior year of high school. mwa ha ha! how skinny can i get? i kinda like it - dont worry, i have many shops nearby and stuff that i can buy food if i want. its just that i am eating how i want to eat. and thats pleasant. lots of veggies and there arent any quick food options here (as you can see by the simple sandwich i order in the morning) so you cant really impulse eat. dig it.
uhm. yep. sitting in my office doing nothing. maybe ill go back to reading about the poor invisible Tonino.
Tomorrow starts a great adventure. Tom Pattison arrives at 330pm in Sofia and i must meet him at the airport. then we are going to the mountains to visit my good friend Ashley. on Saturday we are heading to Moravitsa and then returning to Koynare Sunday and then back to Sofia Airport on Monday to see Tom off... so it will be a good time with lots of time spent on trains.
Til next week (fingers crossed, i want to keep writing)
Rorcho
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
a day, or two, in the life of... (both my thumbs pointing at me) This Guy!
ok - im going to try to be better at sharing my everyday wacky experiences with you all.
so lets start with yesterday.
Yesterday i wake up, get dressed and head out to a local cafe before work with about 20-25 minutes to spare. i am greeted by the lady that works there, who i must say is incredibly cute, my age and married, but anyways i order a coffee and a "toast" which is just like a sandwich with some cheese, salami, tomatoes, cucumbers, mayo and ketchup, toasted. its pretty delicious and it costs a single lev. so like 75 cents. i get my coffee quickly and start sipping it at a table. then 20-25 minutes pass and i am hungry and now on the verge of being late for work. so i get up to pay assuming that they forgot my sandwich. they didnt. they then went to go get it. i thought it was strange that a simple sandwich would take 25 minutes to make in a near empty cafe with a few people working. oh well, i say, and head to work.
at work, i find that it is just me and the lady who cleans the place. she is very nice and loves to talk. the other people i work with are in another town far away doing business of some sort. so we sit and talk all morning and it was pleasant. mind you, no english has been spoken yet during this day. i am also told that i will be working at the culture center/library alone in the afternoon. i must have the doors open, but if anyone comes, to tell them its closed. i didnt follow the logic, but as a good volunteer, i did what i was told. I came in, opened it up and sat down to get to work. which is doing nothing. i flipped open my laptop and started watching a movie. during this time, the only visitor of the day shows up looking frantic. i tell her that i am here alone, assuming she knows who i am, and that the others will be back tomorrow and that i am sorry. she looks confused and then tells me she needs a book. i tell her again, that i dont know how to work the library and i dont know how to find books, because im the new guy that does nothing there. well, she tells me she is from another town and cant come back the next day, so please help her. i say, ok - why not, im a volunteer, i like helping. so i tried. and failed. after a few minutes i called pepi who is on vacation for assistance. i told him the name of the book - he said they didnt have it. i dont quite believe that he knew the book's availability off the top of his head, but the lady bought it and left after i apologized for the 100th time.
so i leave work and head home. on my way, i decided that i wanted to do some laundry (in my fancy second hand automatic washing machine that i just bought!) and i didnt have detergent. so i went to the store and bought some. in the store, an older woman approached me and asked if i drink coffee in the afternoon. i think its an odd question and i tell her yes, sometimes i do. she asked if i would like to have some coffee now with her at her house. i saw no reason to decline, so i headed to her home with her. she served me a big cup of steaming hot coffee that was homemade, so it was like mud. and actually kinda tasty. so i had some coffee, some small cookies and some decent conversation. after the coffee, naturally, rakia was then brought out and served to me. i had a glass, thanked her for her hospitality and started to leave. this is when she presented me with a large bag of tomatoes and some peppers. i love it - they are so hospitable here. on my way to the apartment, i ran into a little friend of mine named Sisa. Sisa is about 10 years old, but looks 6. she is absolutely darling. she asked me when i was going to start teaching english to her. i said - heck, i have nothing to do ever at work, so come by tomorrow when you get out of school and we can start. i told her to bring any friends along too. i figured this was the best way to start my classes, word of mouth. get a couple kids in and tell them to invite whoever they want. a flawless plan. and not a word of english spoken all day by me. interesting.
the rest of that day is boring.
so then today happens. again, i wake up, head to the cafe with plenty of time, and order a coffee and a toast. again, the coffee comes quick and again i am late for work becuase i am waiting on the magical toast that takes 25 minutes to make. but while i was waiting at my table alone, enjoying the coffee and waking up, a gentleman sits down with me at the table, even though the place was at about 10% capacity. So i say good morning and he looks at me for a second and says, i dont know you. i responded, no you dont, my name is rory and it is nice to meet you. after which i extended my hand hopeful for a handshake and exchange of names. he just looked at me, smiled, and started drinking his coffee... it was strange and i left soon after.
So then i go to work, where i am greeted by the usual crew. i sit with them and after some time, i tell them that a person from Peace Corps is coming tomorrow to check out my place, see the town, where i work and to just assess my overall well-being. well they get all panicky and start cleaning like crazy. then they tell me to take the afternoon off so i can clean my 2 room apartment... as if it takes more than an hour to clean. but i tell them no, i am coming this afternoon because my friend Sisa is coming to study english with me and she is bringing friends. they say ok. then about an hour or so passes and they have a change of heart. they then tell me that Sisa is forbidden to come, and I will not teach her english today. because if i teach her english, then all the other kids will want to come and they will pester my coworkers as to why they werent invited. i replied that was exactly what i wanted, kids to show interest and to get my class started. but they said no - i would have to form a list of interested kids and start formally with this class. then they asked, how many students do i want. i said, i want as many as there are that want to learn english. they were baffled. i told them i will not refuse to teach a child english if the child wants to learn. again, they werent understanding. so i succumbed to their wishes, canceled the class for the day and spent the afternoon at home "cleaning" my apartment. again, no english words spoken out loud today.
oh, and i spent my morning reading a book in bulgarian about a small boy who wishes to be invisible on his birthday and gets his wish. he enjoys some small mischief around town and messing with his classmates, but then he becomes sad becuase none of his friends or family can see or hear him. im like 4 chapters in and understand maybe 25% of whats written, but i get the gist and its interesting for me to read a book in bulgarian. its not a small book either.
I guess maybe in a few weeks i will finally have something to do during the day that is meaningful, but until then, i just wait until this list magically appears or someone introduces me to the teachers/students so i can figure out who wants in my class.
So that's it - a snip-it of 2 days in the life of me.
everyday is an adventure out here.
everyday.
till next time!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Corn, cereal, princesses, sausages, the scottish and a friend.
So something funny just happened... someone from scotland just got dragged to my office with a woman and he needed help translating what he was saying. It was pretty funny. I got to translate! haha that was the first time ever. and the woman understood what i was saying! i feel proud. I guess this guy buys properties here for ridiculously cheap prices, like a house for $3000 with a 3000 sq ft garden... and then he rents them for 120 dollars a month to people from england. pretty good plan i guess. says he owns 12 houses in bulgaria and is making some good money.
Anyways, still not much to do here. i bought new clothes last weekend. I went with a girl from Moravitsa to go shopping. I basically just purchased everythign she said she liked. well, not everything. but damn near close. i didnt have any clothes for winter, so i needed some warmer stuff and some new jeans cause ive lost a bunch of weight here. so i ended up with seriously the tightest fitting clothes i have ever owned. i feel like a sausage. Bulgarians have no shame in big bellies with clothes that hardly fit - in fact, its fashionable. I honestly think its a game to see how tight you can get your clothes without ripping them. and another fun fact is that most clothes here have some sort of writing on them in english. no one really understands english, so it doenst matter if the words make sense in a sentence, or if they are spelled correctly or what. just as long as they look cool. For instance, there was a shirt i was going to buy that i thought looked neat. but when i read closer the sentence on it said "all the boys say this is the highest fashion" which to me sounded a little too much like i was interested in boys, if you know what i mean. especially since it was written in cursive and was all shiny silver. so i had to turn it down. i couldnt wear it knowing the words written on it. the girl i was with didnt understand why i put it down. it made for good times. Maybe there will be some pictures of me rocking the real fashion of bulgaria. All i need next is a chain necklace and new sporty shoes.
Actually, that scottish guy that came in told me i looked more bulgarian than most bulgarians... haha! yes!
Oh, and Tom Pattison from Ridgefield will be in Sofia all next weekend! I'm going to have a friend here! someone that has known me for longer than 4 months... funny to think, not one person within like 5000 miles has known me longer than 4 months... except Alex my cousin who is living in Europe. he doesnt count becuase then it wouldnt sound as cool... :) So yea, Tom is coming and I have no idea what to do with him. there isnt really much to do here other than sit at a cafe... maybe we could go for a walk. i dont have a car or anything to get around. we would have to take buses and trains. and that takes forever. so i dunno. stay posted, ill let you know what we did... or maybe i wont depending on what we do... :)
Well maybe that's enough for now. My thoughts are with my family and friends back home. i wish you all the best of health and happiness and successes. eat a bowl of cereal for me.
Rory
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The beauty of a new language.
I feel like each time i post, i start by apologizing... It's once again been like a month since my last post... oops. You would think i was incredibly busy, but its just the opposite. I'm actually not really up to much. Although each day is a challenge and a learning experience, i spend most of my work days in an office with no work to do. I mostly sit from 8-5:30 with a 2 hour break for lunch in a quiet office surfing the web or trying to explore ideas on what projects to start here and what my limitations/abilities are. I also study the language a lot. It's not an easy one, but day by day i am getting more efficient in it and am at a point where i can understand a lot of what's going on around me and what is said to me when i am talked to. the hard part is forming coherent sentences, properly formed and pronounced and then peicing them together to make thoughts and paragraphs...
I think everyone should take a few months of their lives and jump head first into a society that doesnt speak a lick of their language. as americans, we are lucky because in america, if you travel 2 or 3 thousand miles across the country, you will end up in a state where they speak the exact same language as you. here, if i drove 50 miles north, or 150 miles west, i would be in either romania or serbia respectively and have to speak a different language completely. it's just an odd realization for us that come from a land where language is never a problem. And if someone in america doesnt speak english... good heavens! how dare they not speak our language in our country!
I remember a specific incident that happened right before i left for Bulgaria. I was at an mechanics place getting Rubi ready for her new family and was waiting for her to get done. There was a man that had his car worked on and it was completed. He appeared to be of Indian descent and hardly spoke english. The man was confused because he thought he had something fixed on his car that cost one thing, but the person behind the desk was charging him a significantly higher price. Well, i guess the individual that didn't really speak english had agreed to something he was unaware of or didnt understand before his car went in for service. So he probabaly ordered the full package after the mechanic asked if he wanted it. he probably just nodded, which is what i do all the time. well that cost him some cash. But the interaction between this man and the attendant was what was most interesting for me to watch. Instead of the attendant slowing his speech down, using smaller words, and remaining calm to explain the situation and understanding - he got more and more upset and simply repeated himself louder and faster as he got angry. the man that was to pay got defensive and just walked out because he didnt know why he was getting yelled at! luckly he was able to call someone that spoke english to explain - but i know that situation all too well. and i think we should all be humbled by putting ourselves in a situation where the simple act of communicating a thought vocally is stripped from us. and when we do try to communicate it, we feel embarrassed and always questioning whether the words we are saying make sense and if they understand what we want.
it is so easy in this language to screw up the meaning completely. for instance, if i say "obicham te" it means i love you. if i say, "obicham ti" it means you love me. get my point? Ti vs Te. do you know how easy that is to screw up?! ugh.
Here is another fun little struggle ive run into - just for giggles. two days in a row i took trains to and from sofia. 4 trains total. i got on the wrong train 2 of the 4 times. not really the biggest problem because the trains ended up going to the same place, it was more the time they left and the amount of stops they made along the way... but do you know how nerve racking it is to just step on a train and only be like 70% sure you are on the right train? and then how fun it is to explain to the conductor why you have a ticket for the wrong train? yea. good times. luckly one conductor just shrugged, said no problem and moved on. the other was not so friendly and drilled me with questions. luckly the individuals near me saw my struggle, explained to the conductor and i was saved.
day by day.
well school has started now and hopefully i will have something to do now. maybe they will give me direction in terms of work.
I shaved my beard. i am like a 17 year old now. the people here like it though. and i have gotten some nice comments from the women, which is always nice. i am not sure how much i like it though. but oh well.
I have been back to moravitsa a bunch. its a good place with good people and it makes me feel like home. its a little safe haven for me when i need it. i wonder how i will repay them for all they have done for me. but the thing is, repayment is an odd concept here. Here, if i helped someone and provided everything for them for a long time while they got on their feet, i would never expect anything in return. in the states, it just doesnt seem like that would happen. and i feel obligated almost for my own self to give them something. i am in serious emotional and financial debt to them! but i should chill out - i honestly believe that i have been adopted by Rosen's family as a member. and recieve the same treatment as a brother would treat a brother. It's amazing.
I have also been making friends here in Koynare which has helped a lot. there have been a few times where i will be walking home from work and get "kidnapped" by some people at a cafe i pass. and that's nice. they want to hang with me. and i can hold my own in conversation enough that it's not pure silence. mind you - when i say i hold my own, i mean i can spit out sentences, nod when i understand, and generally answer questions. But they want to hang with me, and i could use all the company and companionship i can get!
There is also a woman i work with that has been wonderful. she takes me to the nearby town where there are shops and helps me buy stuff for survival. she also takes me out to the cafe and has invited me to her house as a guest. she is cool, has a good sense of humor and enjoys hanging out with me as far as i can tell. She has 3 children which is a little uncommon here, usually its only 1 or 2. and her husband has worked in spain for, i think, 8 years. she has only been there once to visit and he has only come back a few times as well becuase it is expensive to travel. i cant imagine that life. they talk everynight on skype. this is life here. i cant imagine.
it reminds me of the stories i heard from the people that came to america from south america/mexico to work. they come alone and take money. they send most of it back to their families in their home country. but imagine how incredibly hard that is for them! they are kinda like me... but married with kids. cant imagine. thats a hard life.
anyways - lets end this on a positive note! I'm making friends and feeling better about my language ability and koynare is going to be a good place to be for the next few years... it better! :)
Hope everyone is well out there in the world! Keep in touch. send me emails if you like, i will get back to you or if you have questions or just want to hear more unedited, uncensored stories :)
Rory
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