Thanksgiving in Stara Zagora...

...was more like a regular day than what you would think of as Thanksgiving. There was no turkey, mashed potatoes, or cranberry sauce. Instead, we enjoyed shopska salad (cucumbers and tomatoes and feta cheese), pizza, pasta or lasagna. But I can say, there was lots and lots of wine and laughter. (As you can see by our purple mouths.)

But dont fret, I managed to get a bite a turkey a few days later. I traveled up to Vidin for the weekend of thanksgiving. Vidin is located in the north east part of Bulgaria and it only took me about 9 hours of traveling on a stuffy bus. The company consisted of about 18 people total...some new and old volunteers and Buglarians. We had more than enough food and managed to cook a pretty standard thanksgiving feast. And I was most thankful to share the special time with all my PC friends.

Happy thanksgiving and gobble gobble...

We are thankful for...

Thanksgiving is tomorrow. And I am going to celebrate it with my students. Last year, we covered paper turkeys with feathers that stated something we are thankful for. And this year, we are doing the same. Except this year, the turkeys are different. Check out my naked turkeys I made. I have made a total of 7 turkeys for some of my classes. Soon they will have feathers.


On a similar notee, some people keep saying I shoud be a primary teacher after they see somee of the crafty things I come up with. And sometimes I think I may even agree with those people. But today, I think this is just a way for me to relax and release all my creative energy. Most days I am teaching rather tough yet interesting topics like the Rwandan Genocide, tabacco use, essay writing, short story writing, or other cultural topics or written tasks. But these are the days where we get to have a little fun and steer away from the traditional classrooml lecture setting. So, as much as I enjoy beeing creative and resourceful, I also very much enjoy teaching my high school students.

Gobble, gobble!

Just a walk in the park...

Over the weekend, my site mates and I took walk in the park...literally. We ventured up past my apartment to a hidden treasure we newly discovered. An absolutely beautiful and peaceful lake surrounded by a park. Although it looks a bit chilly and deserted, there were actually a bunch of old men, young couples, kids and even dogs sitting peacefully around the water. Most were fishing. I think I just found my new peaceful spot in Stara Zagora, and maybe even a place to go jogging.
















And on the way to this wonderful place, we passed by the Zagorka Brewery. That's right, the fabulous place they make Zagorka. The beer that is widely enjoyed by most Bulgarians and foreigners. And it is definately my beer of choice costing a whopping 1.50 stotinki (equivalent to one buck). Sorry guys, the brewery is not open for tours.





















The new guy in the pictures is Shane, the other new volunteer who took Matt's place. Remember, Ryan replaced Larry. And Shane replaced Matt. And then there is Alex, and me of course. So that makes up the Stara Zagora crew. Oh, and we cant forget Melody, the honorary member of the Stara Zagora team. So, that should fill get all of you up to speed at this point.

















(Note: Ryan, thanks for the pictures.)

A Sad Goodbye...

As you all read last time, the Stara Zagora crew had a big send off party for Matt. Well, yesterday was the day he finally got on the plane. And I was the one to send him off. His 2 years in Bulgaria were up and he was heading out for the next adventure. It was a day filled with lots of emotions, hugs and tears.


Matt and I have become best friends here in Bulgaria over the last year and a half. He has meant everything to me. He was always there for me. We shared so many stories, so many experiences, and were even lucky enough to travel together. It will be very strange without him around. Stara Zagora just won’t be the same without him. Without his cute smile, his quirky ways, and his just plain wonderful self. He is such an amazing person.

He will not only be missed by me, but also by all his friends here in Bulgaria, his Peace Corps friends, and all those he worked with. Each day leading up to his departure, he was always meeting up with people for coffee so they could say their last goodbye.

But for now, Matt is onto his next journey. As I am writing this, he has probably just landed in South Africa. He is working on a conservation project with a British organization for 2 weeks. Then we will travel around for an additional week before he heads to London for a week. And then, it is home sweet home.

So, as my life continues here in Stara Zagora, his life will continue back in the states. I am confident in our friendship and know it will last. But he will definitely be missed. I miss him already.

Some Things I Love

(Note: This is a post I saw on one of my friend's blog and I liked it so much I decided to do the same. Of course I changed the list to things I love. I hope you enjoy.)

Crawling into a freshly made bed

Hearing a song that I have heard a hundred time before

The warm windy nights of fall

Getting an email from someone I haven’t heard from in a while

Words that I cant pronounce but still make me smile

Coming home to a warm home with someone I love inside

Watching cats find interest in the smallest things

Traveling with someone that makes me laugh

Getting a package from someone who loves me

An unexpected compliment

Laughing till tears fall down my face

Knowing that someone has done something just for me

Feeling like I’ve accomplished something

Cooking a nice meal for someone else

Doing something for someone which I know he or she will appreciate and enjoy

Walking out of a class with a smile

Seeing lights on in the windows on the street at night

What do you love?

Matt's Big Party...

So, there comes a time when you have to say goodbye. And there is no better way to say goodbye to someone with lots of friends. On Saturday night the Stara Zagora gang decided to send Matt off in style. We did it up right. Alex, Ryan, Melody, Matt and I went for good food, lots of drinks and a night on the town.

We started out with some good chinese food accompanied by beer, rakia or vodka, depending on your drink of choice. After a couple of drinks we felt warmed up and headed out. We headed to the new bowling alley (yes, Stara Zagora now has 2 bowling alleys. Who knew there was such a high demand for bowling in one town.). Thought it would be a happening place on a saturday since it just opened that weekend. But we thought wrong. We decided to bowl a game anyways. And guess who won, breaking 150?? Oh yeah, that would be ME!

From there we headed to the better of the bowling alleys, Caribe Bowl. Put on our styling shoes once again, and bowled the balls down the middle. Ryan even managed to bowl a strike at midnight winning himself a free pizza. How cool is that?!

(The free pizza voucher for the strike at midnight.)

(The two winners of the night, me and Ryan.)

Because bowling happens to be an expensive sport here in Bulgaria, we headed off to the pool table, dart board, and air hockey table. The night was filled with lots of stories, laughter and good times. I am confident in saying a good time was had by all, especially Matt.

Madrid...here we come!

SPAIN!!!

Oh, how I miss thee. Soon enough I will be back to my old stomping ground. And these are the girls I will be traveling with. And the countdown is...1 month, 2 weeks and 6 days!! Cant wait.

Maybe I should brush up on my Spanish.

Toilet = Bano
Beer = Cervesa

I think that is all I need to know. See you soon Madrid.