What to do...what to do???

I'm sitting here on a Sunday afternoon trying to figure out what the heck to do for my lessons this week.  The creative juices are NOT flowing, that's for sure! 

My kindergarten-big and preparatory classes this week are "reviews" of the past three weeks of family, bodies, healthy foods and exercise.  Then there are the little, bitty kindergarten-middle kids who just like to sing and dance. The second graders are probably going to get something with Thanksgiving and the first graders...who knows?!  

Seriously, I've been sitting at my computer for about three hours and I have nothing!  I've watched a lot of crazy videos on youtube, however.  I went looking for an "all about me" song and ended up watching pets reunited with soldiers coming home.  I hate how Youtube does that to you...makes you just keep clicking on random videos until you are FAR away from your initial intent. So, now it's going on 4pm and I am at a loss.  

This is pretty typical for my Sunday afternoons.  I've got weekend life down to a routine...ignore school completely until the last possible moment on Sundays! It seems to be working so far!  :)  Well, school won't teach itself, so I guess I better get back to it!

Oh, I taught a lesson to the kindergarten kiddies about brushing teeth a few weeks back...here are some photos I took of their beautiful smiles.  Enjoy!!

School days, school days...

School has started!!  After two weeks of teachers planning at school, the students have arrived.  Here is a little picture into what the first day looked like:

The Lauder-Reut complex is surrounded by very tall fences, which have large tarps w/pictures hanging from them, so there is not much view from the streets.  There is a locked gate at the entrance, with security posted at all times.  Today, there were also additional security guards, in full uniform, on the sidewalks leading to the school.  I don't know if this was because it was the first day, or if this is a normal occurrence.  To my knowledge there have never been any security issues at this school, but it's obvious that they take it seriously...which is nice!

So, after entering through the gate, there were tables set up with apples, honey and programs for the parents.  The director was there to greet people as they entered.  The kindergartners headed to the left, where their playground and building is, the all the other students headed right towards their building.

Around 9:00am the Kindergarten program started.  There were LOTS of moms and dads with their little kiddies, and even some grandparents.  The kids were running up to their teachers giving them flowers - LOTS of flowers!!!  Numerous television stations were there getting footage which, I suppose, will be on TV tonight.  The kids were then separated by their three groups with big signs held by the teachers; small, medium and big.  (I'll be working with the big group, which is the oldest group: 4 & 5 year olds).  A small choir sang a few songs to start the program.  The Director of the school then gave a short speech and introduced a representative from the Lauder Foundation in from the USA.  Then the Asst. Director of the primary school introduced the returning teachers and me as the new english teacher.  Afterwards a Rabbi gave a blessing and it was time for the parade of students to go into the school.  It was quite sweet...while the choir sang, the oldest kindergartners held yellow flowers up in the air and the little ones marched through them into the building!  

A little after 10:00am it was time for the next program, 0 (Preparatory)-12 graders!  There was a band playing, with students playing drums and guitar, and again, the choir singing.  After the Romanian and Israeli national anthems, it was time again for speeches, blessings, and once again, the older kids held flowers for the younger ones to walk through...plus a big, blue and white, balloon arch to walk through!  Quite the entrance!!

Today is not really a day with actual lessons, more a get to know you/get reacquainted day.  Therefore, I didn't need to have lessons planned.  I did, however, go to each of  my classes to meet them.  First stop was to the Kindergarten 'big group!  When I got there they were sitting in a circle, I sat down with them and  was introduced as their new english teacher.  At once they all started saying, "hello, my name is..., etc."  Pretty impressive for 4 and 5 year olds!!  We went around the circle and they each introduced themselves to me.  Very cute!  I helped out with their snack time and then it was on to the Preparatory class.  This was a quieter group, they were taking their bathroom and snack break as well.  One little boy was in the midst of a total break down...so sad!  Both his Mom and Dad were in the hall and each time they tried to leave he would seriously go insane!  I imagine those parents will be staying the whole day at school!!

I then visited the 1st grade and the two 2nd grade classes I'll be working with.  In both these classes I was able to talk at a normal pace and with very normal vocabulary...even joked with them!  I'm amazed at their english skills!  While in the 2nd grade I asked, "So, I will be teaching English Speaking...what do you think we'll be doing in class?"  At first they all just looked at me, then one boy said, rather hesitantly, "speaking?"  Bravo!  I then said, "This year we are going to talk, and talk, and talk, and talk...and, then what do you think we'll do when we finish talking?"  "What???" they asked, excitedly.  "We'll talk some more!"  There were a lot of smiling faces and it was confirmed that they do, in fact, like to talk, so I think we'll do okay!!

We only have two more days this week as Thurs. and Fri. are holidays...so it will be a nice short week to start out with!  Tomorrow I have preparatory and second graders, so I'll have to make sure I'm on my game.  :)

This school has such a great feeling to it, very warm, friendly, and very serious about education!  I think it will be a good year!  

Of course, I forgot my camera, so I'll have to bring it sometime soon and get some pictures of my classes and the school to post!  I hope everyone had a great summer and will have an even better autumn!!!

Barbara :)

I'm Back!

After a whirlwind visit home (and I'm not kidding...I did not have ONE day without something(s) on the calendar!) I am back in Romania! I arrived Wednesday afternoon after a long day of flying and have spent the last few days settling in my new flat and getting reacquainted with București.

If you have forgotten (or never knew!) I will be teaching English at the Lauder Reut Educational Complex.  This is a private Jewish school in the city - I'll be teaching mainly kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade.  I am looking forward to this new challenge!  It should be a lot more work than teaching in the Peace Corps, as we only had about 20 hours of teaching a week then.  Now I'll be on a normal 40 hour work schedule (hopefully not teaching the whole time!)  I was able to do some "practice" lessons at the school before I left and the kids are great and the teachers very nice/helpful - it should be a good year!

One thing that must get done before I can teach, however, is my work permit!  What a hassle this has been.  I won't bore you with all the details, but suffice it to say that it is quite an ordeal to go through!  I met with the Director of the school the afternoon I flew in, again the next day, and I will have to go back again Monday morning...hopefully to complete whatever else needs to be done!  Once I have the actual work permit I can sign my contract.  Once I have that I have to apply for a "long-stay visa"...don't want to get kicked out of the country or anything, right?!

I have a lovely flat to live in for the next year!  The school supplies it for me and it is quite spacious and nice!  Pretty typical with a kitchen, living room, bathroom and bedroom (actually, 2 bedrooms, but one is locked with school uniforms inside!).  Here's the totally exciting part:  There is a gas line in the kitchen - no more dealing with gas tanks under the sink!!!  I have two, yes, two air conditioners - one in the living room and one in the bedroom!  And, most exciting...I have a washing machine!!!!!  No more laundry by hand!!!  I can't tell you how thrilling that is! Here are some pictures...they aren't the best - took them through my computer.  Note, the walls are a bit bare - things will look a little more lived in when my belongings arrive from Severin! 

So, today (Saturday) I had the little adventure of finding an internet stick to use until I can get wireless at my flat (must have that darn work contract before I can get it!)  I started off by looking for some free wifi near my flat...to no avail.  Seriously, there isn't even a little cafe anywhere nearby, which is a bummer for many reasons!  I then took the metro to Piața Uniri and set up shop at the McDonald's.  Afterwards I went to the nearby Vodafone store to see about buying the stick!  No go...they didn't have any.  "Try Piața Română."  So, I get back on the metro and head there.  No go...they also didn't have any.  "Try the Obor stop."  So, back on the metro...no go!  At least this time they decided to try to find a place that may have some.  After a few phone calls I was informed there was one store - on the completely other side of town - that had one which they would hold for me.  I decided a taxi was in order!  They were not kidding when they said the other side of town.  I felt like we were driving to Bulgaria!  But, luckily, the ride only cost me 20lei!  I found out that if you catch a taxi ANYWHERE other than Piața Uniri, they will actually NOT screw you over!  How nice to find that out!  Internet stick purchased...now have internet at home...life can get back to normal!  How crazy that I was literally going crazy after only two days without internet!!  What have we become?!  :)

On my hot and tiring walk around town today I saw two interesting things...one sort of gross actually, and one wonderful!  

What was the gross thing, you ask??  Well...right next door to my flat, in the middle of the sidewalk, was a big, dead, flattened and decaying rat!  Seriously!  It looked like it had been lying there for weeks!  I was like, what, no one can even kick the thing out of the middle of the sidewalk?  Of course, I didn't kick it anywhere, cause it was gross...guess that's pretty much what everyone is thinking!  I wonder how long it will stay there?  :)

Okay, here's the wonderful thing!  I'm walking down a busy street - no clue what street - and a little, somewhat old, women steps out in front of me.  She looks like she could have possibly been homeless, or at least very poor.  She had on old, tattered sneakers, a long, dirty skirt and an equally dirty, ratty shirt, annnnnnd...wait for it...a big, white, fluffy, bridal veil!  Seriously!  It was awesome!  At first I was snickering a bit to myself, but as I slowed my pace to walk behind her I saw the little, jaunty style she had to her step.  She obviously felt like a million bucks!  Shoulders back, cruising down the street, feeling good!  Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all walk down the street like that?!  Wearing whatever makes us happy?  Maybe a tutu, a clown outfit, a wedding dress, or a silly hat!  I don't know, but just to have the confidence to be ourselves!  I watched the people walking toward us to see their reactions.  Some did a double take, some smiled a little big, and others completely ignored her.  I wondered...were they just taking her in stride or, sadly, were they completely oblivious to their surroundings and the people around them??  Eventually, I had to pass her up and be on my way.  I so wish I had my camera with me...would have loved to capture that moment!!

So, that's it for now.  I promise I will bring my camera next time I'm out and get some shots of my new neighborhood.  The next few weeks will be spent here, back in Severin and then at the Black Sea with some good friends.  School starts up Sept. 1st for the teachers and then the fun begins!

Thanks again to those of you I was lucky enough to see on my visit home.  For those of you I wasn't able to visit with, I am sorry and I promise next summer we'll get together!  Love to all!!

Almost done...

I will be home two weeks from tomorrow and I can't wait to see everyone!  Wish me luck that I don't go insane over the next few weeks!!  Packing, teaching, saying goodbyes...it's a lot to take in.  I am sad to be leaving Drobeta Turnu Severin...it's been a good home to me.  

Being home with friends and family will be wonderful, but too short.  I return to Romania in mid August to begin my new adventure in București!  I will continue blogging and share about my new life in the big city!!  Love you all!!!!

Here are my last few months in video slideshows...I think the pictures speak for themselves!  Just click on the links below to view.

Traveling with friends and Close of Service conference

A visit to Focuri, Romania

12th grade "Pay It Forward" project

Visiting gazdas, participating in a Habitat for Humanity build, and relaxing with friends!

Update and Thoughts of Departure

Today...

Per usual, I have been remiss in my blogging.  I don’t know why it’s so hard to sit down and write some words, but there never seems to be the time.  I'm forcing myself to take the time for update.  Sorry, no pictures at this time.  I have yet to upload my latest batch of pics, so they will come later!

It is once again, a beautiful, blue sky, sunny day in Drobeta Turnu Severin.  This evening I am sitting in an outdoor cafe having a dinner of chicken and salad.  The breeze is just a little chilly, but not enough to worry me.  Life goes on all around me.  The trees are blooming in a beautiful light green and flowers peak through the dirt.  Couples walk their babies and toddlers.  Friends walk arm in arm.  A little boy kicks a soccer ball with his father.  Teenagers roller skate, ride their bikes, skateboard and enjoy being out of school for the day.  Two old women sit on a park bench and talk.  A group of six old men slowly walk down the street with their hands clasped behind their backs...I love that.  The Romanian language surrounds me...sometimes I listen and try to understand, but mostly I just let it permeate my brain (learning through osmosis, right?!)  As always, there is Romanian rock music being (loudly) sent through the cafe speakers...the only disruption to this lovely evening.

Today I had five classes:  2nd grade, 8th grade, 4th grade, 6th grade and another 8th grade.  The second graders learned about clothing items and colored and cut out paper dolls.  They are all so smart and, of course, love anything they can color!  The fourth graders are preparing for their big end of year English test, so today we practiced answering questions such as: “Tell me about yourself/your family,” “Tell me about your town/country,” “Talk about your favorite holiday/birthday party.”  They are supposed to be able to talk for at least 30 seconds or more about these issues.  It’s hard, but they work hard and want to learn.  They are a joy to work with!  6th graders learned all about idioms using the word “time” today.  “In the nick of time.”  “Time on my hands.”  “It’s just a matter of time.”  And my favorite, “A whale of a time!”  This is a pretty advanced group, so it was easy to role play with them and have them use the terms correctly.  I bounced an eraser off one boys head until he could catch it, “in the nick of time.”  Ha!  Fun stuff!!  My 8th graders at each school are also quite advanced.  At school #3 they had biographies due.  I always make them read aloud anything they write and these were fabulous!  Stephen Hawking, Beethoven, Thomas Edison, Coco Channel, to name a few.  So proud of these kids - I have really seen improvements over the years!  My other 8th grade class at school #14 recently made a list of “American” things they wanted to learn/talk about over the next two months.  Last week it was 9-11 & Terrorism.  Today was all about the FBI.  Tomorrow it’s the CIA!  They are my most advanced class - all are fluent in English, so it’s fun to pick interesting topics to teach them.  Next week we’re going to watch the documentary “Super Size Me” as they wanted to understand the fast food culture in America.  We are all excited about their upcoming “prom” in May!  They are having it early so I can attend before I leave!  How nice is that?!

After school I met with a teacher from another school (whom I met while doing some trainings for local teachers) who wanted help with an upcoming inspection she is having.  We worked on 4 lesson plans together while sitting at a cafe sipping coffee.  She told me she had not been "out" since her son was born - almost 4 years ago!  I think she really enjoyed just being out and about more than the help I gave her!  She promised to me to her school to meet with her students next week.  

After completing dinner I headed home to work on tomorrow’s lessons and to finish creating a presentation on “Active Learning in the Classroom.”  I was asked by Peace Corps to go to Timișoara (about 4 hours away) and give a presentation to a group of about 30 teachers.  The Romanian PC Director and PC Program Director will be picking me up tomorrow and will be at the presentation with me...no pressure there.  

So...that’s a somewhat typical day for me.  Normally I don’t eat out at cafe’s, but since I was already there and it was soooooo beautiful, I couldn’t resist.  On a usual evening I would cook for myself and just work away in my bedroom.  But, since I’ve started packing up, the bedroom is now full of boxes and junk, so, not the best environment for working.

If you can believe it...I only have 8 weeks left here!  And, it’s amazing how much crap I have accumulated over the past two years.  For those of you who know me well, this should not be a complete surprise as I am a bit of a ‘keeper’ (note, I did not say hoarder!)  I now have to decide what to keep here for my move next year, what to donate away, what to bring home for the summer, and what to just toss.  It’s hard work as I feel compelled to keep everything.  Slow process, for sure!

I am excited to be coming home.  I can’t wait to see Mom’s new house and just hang out with her (although it sounds like she is busier than ever, so maybe there won’t be too much hanging around!)  Rumor has it she now has a HUGE garden in her back yard, so there will be plenty of work to do!  It will be wonderful to see Meg and Julie (especially Julie whom I haven’t seen since I left) and all the nieces and nephews!  Stephen will be home before I leave again, so that will be special as well.  Catching up with my friends will be fun - lots to do in a short time.  One thing I am not looking forward to is going through all my belongings.  UGH!!!  Again, deciding what to give away (or maybe sell!), what to store away for future use and what to just get rid of.  When you really have no idea what you may be doing, or where you will be living in the long-term future, this is not an easy task.

If the job in București goes well-if I like it and they like me, I may stay here.  If not, I may find another international teaching job.  My short term plan is to find an online Masters of Education (focusing on English as a Second Language) program.  I’ve been out of the education game for a long time and need to brush up my techniques, etc.  I’m not so sure about teaching back in the US, so for the time being I will continue the international gig.  I also plan to apply for the Peace Corps role of Director of Training and Programming.  This is a long shot as there are not many annual openings, but it would be great to work for this wonderful organization.

So, there are my thoughts.  Now, here’s a quick update on the last month or so.  Spent 10 days traveling with, you guessed it, Lindsey and Kelly.  We went to Brașov and Sibiu continuing on to our groups Close of Service conference, also in Sibiu.  This was a time to reflect and say goodbye to each other as well as learn about all the Administrative issues with leaving post.  Remember, this is a government organization, so some paperwork needs to be done!  After the conference about 15 volunteers came down with horrible head colds, so I spent the next week in bed feeling horrible!  Then it was spring break!  I headed north east to the far reaches of Romania to visit Kelly in Focuri and Grant in Vladen.  Both are small villages.  Kelly is really at the end of nowhere..it was an adventure.  I rode caruța’s and milked my first cow!  After spending 2 nights with Kelly and her Gazda (host) we headed to Grants.  Grant cooked up a storm for about 12 people one night and then a handful of volunteers stayed, visited, ate more and watched movies.  A pretty typical PC get together!  My trip home from Grant’s took a LONG time.  I left his village at 10:30 in the morning and arrived back to my apartment at around 4:00 am.  Traveling by train across the country is not the fasted way to go, but I actually find it rather pleasant.  It was worth the long trip to have time with special friends.

Next Day...

So, tonight I had dinner in Serbia...no big deal.  You know...just hopped over to Serbia for a bite to eat!  ;)  As I mentioned the Peace Corps Director, Sheila, and Program Director, Mirela, came to my town to take me into Timișoara for the training I am doing tomorrow, so we decided it would be fun to cross the Iron Gates and get a stamp in our passports!  We sat on the terrace of a lovely restaurant right on the Danube River and had a wonderful meal.  It was another perfect day and as we ate we watched the sun set behind the hills of Serbia.  Not a bad way to spend the evening.

Next Day...

Today we drove 5 hours into Timișoara.  We took the long, but beautiful, route along the Danube and it was worth it.  Amazing scenery along the way!  As part of Peace Corps Romania’s legacy project, I was asked to create and present a training to teachers on “Active Learning in the Classroom.  It was held at American Corners and there were about 20+ people in attendance.  I got some good feedback about the training and was actually asked to come back and do it for another group of people in May.  Nice!  After the training we sat in the Piața, enjoying the sunny, warm day.  After a drink we headed down to the Bega River and had another nice meal outside.  Tomorrow I head back home to celebrate Drobeta Turnu Severin Days...a weekend of community celebration!  Life is good!

Hopefully I will get one more post in before I leave, but if I don’t, I want to again thank all of you at home for your constant support of my little adventure.  It is so good to know that I have so much family and so many friends who care for me.  Mulțumesc frumos!!!

Barbara :)

Spring Update...

Has it really been so long since I last blogged?  Oh, that is horrible!  Well...I'll try to do a quick update. Don't want to bore you with too many details, right?!

For the holidays this year I spent a WONDERFUL two weeks in Ireland with my good friends Lindsey and Kelly!  We spent our time in Dublin and Derry!  What an amazing time we had.  I felt like I was 25 again (and probably acted that way too!).  Dublin is such a fun city!  This was my second time there and I can't wait to go back for more!  We stayed in great hostels and met lots of amazing people from all over the world.  A special shout-out to our new American and Australian friends...how much fun we had!!!  Our time in Dublin was spent pub-crawling, eating, drinking, sleeping...and that's pretty much it!  ;)

The best part of the trip, though, was out time in Derry.  Kelly has a friend of the family (Tony) who lives there and he graciously opened his home to us.  Poor guy...probably didn't know what he was getting into when he said the three of us could crash with him!  We quickly took over his home and made it our own.  We toured the area (which is beautiful) and got some first hand details about the history of Northern Ireland - very interesting!  

Some of my favorite moments in Derry...Christmas Eve:  After having a few pints at the local pub we headed to Midnight Mass where they had a wonderful choir singing John Rutter music...heaven!  Christmas morning:  we actually had presents to open!  Kelly's mom had sent a big package in advance with gifts for us!  New pj's, earrings, socks...how great was that!  Christmas evening:  after visiting some of Tony's friends during the day we had an amazing dinner at another friend's home.  A chef from Spain was visiting and he made all the goods:  turkey, ham, lamb, potatoes...but, forgot to cook the veggies!  No problem...we just ate a LOT of meat!  During the meal we played charades, told jokes and just had a marvelous time.  And, we had a real, honest-to-goodness Christmas Cake for dessert.  Yummm!

After a messed up flight home (I will not bore you with those details) and a cold New Years Eve in București with Kelly, I was back in Drobeta Turnu Severin for the beginning of the 2nd semester of school. 

School is going very well.  My classes are all good (well...maybe a few that are more challenging than others, but overall good!).  I'm also doing Adult English classes every week and I'm really enjoying those.  We have our final PC conference in a few weeks.  This is when we find out about all the paperwork we have to complete for closing our service...fun!  It will be good to see everyone again, but sad as well as this will be the last time I see many of the other volunteers.  :(

When I first started my Peace Corps adventure it seemed that 27 months would take forever.  Now, it seems like it just started and it's already almost over.  Each day that passes I realize how soon it will be over.  It makes me sad.  I feel so settled in now...school seems like a normal job to me and I have made this town my own - I'm very comfortable here.  It will be hard to leave.  Especially since I will be leaving early, before school actually ends.  I feel like there is so much to get done in a short time.  I only have about three months left and then I'll be back home.  And you can't help but ask yourself...has my service been meaningful???

Here's what I think makes it meaningful:

• One of my little 1st graders said to me in class (it was translated for me by another teacher-since my Romanian sucks!), "Barbara...did you know that if you're in another country and they don't speak your language you can speak in ENGLISH and you will understand each other???"  He was so amazed when he said this, like it was his discovery!  
• In my Adult English class one of the women came up to me and said...in English, "You have helped us so much...this class is wonderful and we all love it!"  Wow!
• A teacher friend had an inspection in her class.  The inspector is another teacher that I work with.  The inspector told her afterwards, "You did a great job...I can see a little bit of Barbara in your teaching style."
• Today, while hanging outside during break, little 3rd graders kept running up to me for hugs...they love to hug.  And, they always say, "Miss Barbara, I love you and I love English!"  How sweet is that?!
• One of my 8th grade boys, who could barely string a sentence together last year, always runs up to me, gives me a hug (with a, Miss Wilger, I love you!), and then has something obnoxious to say about one of the girls in class, i.s. "Did you know that Maria has a husband now?"  Of course, then Maria hits him and they run off. I know, it's silly, but he's actually speaking in complete sentences...and in English!

I may not have done a lot of big projects here, or changed the city itself, but I really do feel like I have made some individual connections and helped the students, and maybe even some of the teachers, realize more of their potential.  It's a good feeling.