Congressional Procession in Macedonia

A lot has happened in the past few weeks, so this is the first of a few blogs.  About two weeks ago I was called up to Skopje because a few Congressmen were here visitng, and one of them was Congressman Gerry Connolly from Virginia.   In total there were five Congressmen:  Virginia, Washington, North Carolina, California, and Minnesota.  For most of them it was their first trip to Macedonia, for the Congressman from California it was either his fourth or fifth time.  They visited five countries in five days and Macedonia was their last stop.  This "procession" as they call it is something they do about four times a year.  They come and meet with the political leaders in each country and give guidance.  It was a lot of fun getting to meet them all and telling them about Macedonia, the culture, the people, the food, and also what we are doing here as volunteers.  But I think the best part for us volunteers was raiding the American food that they brought with them!!!  Root beer, Dr. Pepper (my favorite), Oreos, Cheese-its, the list goes on and on. We, meaning the volunteers, had planned to go out to dinner afterwards, but most of us filled up on all the goodies. And of course you know we left with some of the food too..... doggie bags!!!

 Myself, along with other volunteers, and our Country Director (the gentleman in the suit and tie) talking with one of the Congressmen (Gerry Connelly) at the fancy Holiday Inn in Skopje.

 All of us, plus our Country Director, with VA Congressman Gerry Connolly and the American Ambassador (center).

Myself and a fellow Virginia volunteer, Jason, with Congressman Gerry Connolly.

As we were getting ready to leave we ran into the Congressman from Washington. He had just gotten back from buying a Macedonian soccer jersey and he put it on to take a picture with us.

It was a great time and it was an honor to be able to sit and talk to the Congressmen about Macedonia and what I am doing here. 

Getting Messy at School!

Our 3rd graders are starting to learn how to write this year. I know that it seems late to start learning how to write, but 3rd grade is when they learn how to write the Latin letters equivalent to the Macedonia Cyrillic letters. So according to the Macedonian curriculum, they combine the two so as not to confuse the kids. They have learned their letters and are now starting to spell words. As a fun review on Friday, Irena and I decided to get a little messy in the classroom. Once Irena finished teaching her lesson and the kids finished their seat work, those that finished got to come to the front of the room and "spell" with me.

 You can see the look on Stephanie's face that this is something they are not used to seeing. We put shaving cream on the desk and the kids had to use their "special pencil" aka their finger to practice writing letters and spelling words.

 The best part about using shaving cream is that if you mess up it is very easy to erase. And afterwards, it leaves the desk with a nice fresh and clean smell.

 One of the students had to spell the word "doll". The more advance students know how to spell the words that we have been practicing, but for most of them Irena and I had to help them spell the words. Also, another way to practice if they know their alphabet.

 Irena got messy too.

It was a cheap and fun lesson. Plus something new and interesting for the kids. When I pulled out the shaving cream, you could just see the looks on the their faces "What is Michelle going to do with that?"

Until next time, I will try and stay out of "messy" situations............but I make no promises.

Getting ready for the National Spelling Bee!

On Monday, we had our Spelling Bee Qualifier at school.  For weeks our kids have been studying and finally it was the big day. Each student had to write ten words correctly in order to pass and participate in the BIG Spelling Bee on April 7th. We had thirty kids show up and nine qualified! They were all sooo nervous, since they have never done anything like this before. We had five kids at a time come into the classroom and one by one I read off their ten words. Sadly, if they got the first word wrong, they were out, but happily I had candy and pencils for everyone that participated.

 Waiting for their turn to spell.

 Calling out the words.

 What? What is that word? Can you say it again?

 I loved the confused looks on their faces.

 Irena was there to give congratulatory hugs!!

These girls were sooo excited to qualify. They are all friends and the two waiting were more nervous and excited than the one who had to spell.

Next Stop the National Spelling Bee in Skopje!!! Don't worry Resen will be ready!!!

So Fresh and So Clean!

This past week, all of the MAK 15 group (my group of volunteers) met up in Skopje for our Mid-Service Conference. Yes, I know, we are definitely over our halfway point, but the Peace Corps staff needed some time to get ready once they got the MAK 16 group (the new group of volunteers) settled into their sites. This conference was originally planned for the beginning of February, but with the "lovely" weather we have been having, it had to be postponed.

During the conference, we had technical sessions (for the teachers: critical thinking, how to teach, writing a paragraph, etc) along with language lessons (I took only fun classes: travel, men's talk, and what do women talk about over coffee?). Two were taught by the language teacher I had in Lozovo, Despina. And my theory is if I don't have the language down by now, I am not going to; and then of course, there were Peace Corps mandated sessions (bystander intervention, and a little information about when we end our service).

Irena and the other counterparts came up and we overlapped on the last day. It was nice to be able to sum up what we have accomplished already (the English Library and the students new love of reading, classroom management, organization, etc) and also talk about what other idea's Irena had that she would like to do while I am still here (Reading Club, and doing a few small plays with the older kids).

Another part of our Mid-service is our one year check-up, both with the doctor and the dentist.  I was warned about this; but let's just say it was still very interesting, especially the dentalt part.  After living here over a year and seeing my students "rotting" their baby teeth right out of their mouths, I was curious to go to the dentist. The dentist that we go to is in Skopje; and according to the flag flying out front, they practice the "art" of dentistry.  It was a very nice and clean facility. It only had one room with two dental chairs.  They have all the new technology, computer screens with the dentist chairs, I even saw that they offer Invisaline instead of braces. The chairs do not recline back all the way, you more or less lean your head back. The dentist checked my teeth.....NO CAVITIES!!!  And then he "power washed" my teeth. Yes power washed.  No electric brushes, no toothpaste...just an electric water gun and what tasted like salt water. YUM!! Then I swished around some mouth wash and next thing I know I am walking out the door. In total, from the time I walked into the office from the time I finished my cleaning........10-15 minutes max. Then it was off to the Peace Corps office for my physical check-up, which is done by our Peace Corps doctors.....all good there....I passed!!!

Then I met up with a fellow volunteer and we grabbed lunch at where else....McDonald's (it's the perfect place to go once your teeth are all clean and the doctor says that you are healthy AND it puts a lump in your stomach for that 4+ hour bus ride back to Resen). See sometimes McDonald's is the right choice!

12 Reasons to Date a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer

In the spirit of Valentine's Day Peace Corps posted this on their website.....

12 reasons to date a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer:

1. We can woo you in multiple languages. Who else is going to whisper sweet nothings to you in everything from Albanian to Hausa to Quechua to Xhosa? That’s right. Only a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer.
2. We’re pretty good dancers. Yeah, we don’t like to brag, but after 27 months in Latin America or Africa we know how to move it.
3. We’ll eat anything. Seriously. No matter how bad your cooking, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers have had worse and will eat it with nary a blink. Sheep’s eyeball? Water buffalo gall bladder? Grasshoppers? Bush rat? Bring it.
4. We know all about safe sex, thanks to our very thorough Peace Corps health training. In fact, there’s a chance that we’ve stood unblushingly in front of hundreds of villagers and demonstrated good condom technique with a large wooden phallus.
5. We’ll kill spiders for you. Well, actually, we’ll nonchalantly scoop them up and put them out of sight.  Same goes for mice, geckos, frogs, snakes. Critters don’t faze Returned Volunteers.
6. We have great date ideas: wandering a street market, checking out a foreign film, taking in a world music concert, volunteering…. Romantic getaway? Our passport is updated and our suitcase is packed. With us, life is always an adventure.
7. We like you for “you”… not your paycheck. Especially if we are freshly back from service, a local joint with “character” will win out over a pretentious eatery.  Living in a group house? No problem. Does it have running hot water? What luxury!
8. You won’t get lost when you’re with a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer. Navigating local markets on four continents, we’ve honed an uncanny sense of direction. Or else we’ll ask for directions. We’re not afraid to talk to “strangers.”
9. Waiting for a late train or bus? Don’t worry, we’ve been there, done that. We can share lots of funny stories about “the bus ride from hell” that will make the time go quickly and put it all into perspective.
10. Our low-maintenance fashion style. Returned Peace Corps Volunteer guys are secure in their manhood and don’t mind rocking a sarong. Women often prefer flip flops to high heels. We don’t spend hours in front of a mirror getting ready to go out.
11. Marry us, and you won’t just get one family — you’ll get two! When we refer to our “brother” or “mom,” you’ll want to be certain we’re talking about our American one or our Peace Corps one. You might even get two wedding ceremonies, one in the U.S. and one back in our Peace Corps country.
12. And last but not least, we aren’t afraid to get dirty.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Poo Poo on TP!

When there is even the chance of flurries at home (Northern Virginia), there is a run on TP, milk, and bread.  Well not in Macedonia!! Since over a week ago, Resen has been covered in snow. When I woke up one morning and found about a foot of snow on the ground, my first reaction was "No School!" but sadly I was wrong. Since everything is so close, nothing shuts down.

 My walk on the way to school. After the first big snow fall.

 Heading towards the center of town. The shopkeepers were out "sweeping" (yes using brooms -- no Home Depot) the snow away from the front of their stores.

 Tractors are not only used in the apple orchards.

The front of my school. By the time I arrived, I was covered from head to toe with snow. The maintenance staff was sitting inside at the front of the school; and as I approached, they all started smiling and waving.  I was definitely a funny sight.

Later that week, I had events planned in other towns and was looking forward to heading North where it was a surprising 15 degrees warmer and they did not have any snow.  I had to wait over an hour for the bus to come, because it was snowing again. When I arrived in Bitola, only 30 mins away, I could see patches of green and brown.  I stayed in Prilep for a night to celebrate a fellow volunteer's birthday. Then the next day headed up to Skopje and Kumanovo. When I left Prilep it was only raining, but by the time I reached Skopje it had started to snow. In the end, all the events that I had planned (aka our Mid-Service Conference) were cancelled.  I come up North  to escape the snow and cold and sadly ended up bring it with me.

This past weekend, we got the most snow I have ever seen. From Friday to Saturday we got a total of 15 inches. That plus what we already had, leaves us with around 1 meter (3 ft) of snow on the ground. On Saturday, Maria, Irena, and I went out to go play in the snow.

 The pazar on Saturday morning. Nothing shuts down. I was able to go out and get all my groceries -- no problems!  Take note Northern Virginia!!!

 Can you tell what it is?

 Me, out playing in the snow. We took pictures next to it so you can see how much snow we actually have.

 Making snow angels. Since there were literally "walls" of snow it was easy to fall backwards and make the perfect snow angel. The trouble, since it was so deep, was getting back up.

 I lost my feet!!!

 Some of the kids made a snowman!!

Outside of my building. This guy drove to the little market below my building, but then could not get his car back out because of all the snow.

Luckily the snow has stopped, for now at least. The mayor finally broke down and cancelled school for the next few days. Hopefully, by then the main road will be clear.   But Irena and I are saying that we probably won't see grass until May.

Volcano!!!

Last week at Kids Club (which is at the American Corner in Bitola)  we played with Science.  Normally, I try to do an activity with the closest holiday in mind, but I wanted to do something different this time. We made volcanoes out of plastic cups and plates. I had not heard of the kids doing this activity at my school, so I thought Kids Club would be a good place for it. But some of the students said that they had done this activity in Science class, but were excited to do it again.

 Me showing the kids how to cut off the tops of their volcanoes so the "lava" can come out of the top.

 The kids decorated the tops of their volcanoes and then after they were assembled, we erupted them!!!!

 Waiting for the ERUPTION!!!!  We combined baking soda and vinegar together; and if you get the right amount, the liquid will bubble over the top of your volcano. The boys had a good time seeing whose volcano would erupt the most.

The after effect. You can see some of the "lava" at the bottom of the plate. I also had made a tornado in a bottle.  I just took a soda bottle and filled it 3/4 with water and then a few drops of dish soap. When you turn it over and shake it, you can see a mini tornado inside. The kids had fun taking turns making the tornado.  Even though it was a little messy and the Corner smelt like vinegar afterwards, we still had a good time playing with Science.