May the odds be ever in your favor...

If I needed more indication that my life is different than it was a year ago, I traveled to another country just to see a movie in a theatre yesterday...I think it's official, life has changed. 
All my roommate wanted for her birthday was to see 'The Hunger Games' in the theatre. We are fortunate that we are very close to the border of Romania and the city of Galați  (guh-lots) is just o n the other side of the border. Holly found a movie theatre in a city just south of Galați called Brăila (Bry-ee-lah) that was showing the movie. When we first mentioned this jaunt, many were interested, but few actually went. However, it was the perfect combination. At first the idea of it sounded a little shady, wake up at 4am, get on a bus, go to a foreign city, take a train to another city, search for a movie theatre, get back to said bus at the perfect time so that the driver will take you back home...and yet, it all went smoothly, down right delightful. There were four of us that went, besides me and Holly, Erin and John also went too. Erin is a Fulbright scholar from New York and she lives in Cahul for the year. She's one of my favorite people although I'd never say that to her face. We all woke up at 5am to meet our private driver, Dimitri who picked us up outside of our apartment. It was still dark out. (I stayed up all night for those wondering how I came to be awake at that hour on a Saturday). The border cross wasn't even 20 minutes away and the border guards thought it was hilarious that this group of Americans was up at 6 in the morning to go see a movie. We were stopped a couple of times since we were coming from Romania and they do stop a lot of vehicles to check for smuggling but the police were very nice to us. Once in Romania we were treated to a beautiful sunrise over the Prut River. Our driver, Dimitri, was awesome. Although he was familiar with Galați, he was not as familiar with Brăila but he stopped and asked directions a multitude of times until he found the movie theatre we were looking for. It turned out to be a brand new movie theatre complex called Cinema City inside a new mall. For those of us who haven't seen anything like this in nearly a year, it was pretty damn exciting. We got to the mall at about 9am and the movie didn't start until 11:30 so we had some time to wander and to shop. There was a nice coffee shop to relax in, even an indoor ice skating rink. We got to eat Chinese food for lunch, a rarity and it was delicious. The movie theatre had stadium seating and popcorn and it was just heaven. The movie itself was fantastic. It was a wonderful day. We left John in Galați (not on purpose, he elected to go further south in Romania to do some exploring) and we headed back. We were back in Moldova by 4:00. It was just a wonderful day.
Other than that, I've been working with the film group on their new film. The three guys I work with Vlad, Viktor and Sasha are putting together their new film and I have had the privilege to go to their rehearsals. So when they asked me for some acting techniques, I was like 'wait...I know how to do something.' It's been so long since someone has asked me for something that I actually had knowledge and expertise in. So I gave them some acting exercises and they listened intently and we worked on it and it was awesome. I almost felt normal. I was showing Sasha some vocal warmups and he started singing a little bit and I said 'oh, let me play it for you on the piano.' We had been rehearsing at this cultural center and there was a piano in the room so I sat down and played some scales for him. And then played the piano for a little bit. It was damn near normal! When I think that I haven't done theatre or played music for nearly a year, it's almost mind-boggling. I mean I think I just tune it out (pun intended) for the most part but then when I actually think about it, it's so ridiculous. So now to be in this situation where I can not only participate but also use my own unique skill set, it is insanely gratifying. 
I have 29 days until I leave for my Spring vacation in London and Paris. I cannot WAIT to see my Too Faced girls. I don't know how it went from being 4 months away to less than a month away. April is chock full of stuff to do so I haven a feeling it will continue to fly by. Maybe the odds are ever in my favor. 

Life is Perpetual High School

I didn't hate high school. I know it's common to say it was hell, but I have to say that overall, I'm thinking I didn't have it too bad. My family was pretty well known in the small town having relatives in the administration and faculty so it's not like I could get away with anything. I was pretty well behaved, didn't drink, didn't do drugs (Seriously Mom, never once), was just really content in my little nerdy world of band geeks and cheerleading; yes I'm one of the rare exceptions to the stereotype rules. I loved the arts but also knew the popular kids. To be clear, I wasn't popular, I just knew them all. I wasn't invited to the parties, but I knew them all. I was always just on the periphery. I was never a good student. Not that I didn't like learning but I was super ADD. That didn't exist at the time but now it's pretty clear to me. Teachers would be lecturing and my mind would be off on a tangent somewhere else. If I had a great teacher, and I did have a few, and I was entertained, I could get good grades. When I wanted to, I could sit down and memorize a full chapter of history, but when I was 14, I just didn't want to. And I was big on not doing things I didn't want to do. My grades were always just average enough to squeak by, mostly because, and I always hate to admit it, I didn't 'apply myself.' If I had a freaking dollar every time someone told me that. But even then, I just wasn't interested in being normal. I didn't want to be a Straight A student. I was on the cheerleading team but it was so I could go to all the games, not so I could be popular. I was in the bandfront (or drill team) because I liked dancing and that was the only place I could do it. I was in the choir because I actually enjoyed music. But what was always pushed down my throat was that I needed to do better in science and math and get good grades so I could go to college and get a good job. Well I have news for you, when you're 14 years old, studying Biology just isn't interesting when all you want to do is sing. I went to high school before the internet (thank GOD!) and before cell phones. I am so grateful to have grown up in a time when we had to be creative to communicate. The art of note writing has disappeared, especially note folding at which I was so damn skilled. Making plans to meet somewhere had to be firm and specific because if you were wrong, it didn't happen. There were no 'where you at' texts to be exchanged. You just went home. 
I did hate gym class. I have some pretty athletic brothers and gym class couldn't have interested me less. I love watching sports, not playing them. Especially in a high school gym class where it's more obligatory volleyball games than physical exertion. 
What I did like about high school was the social aspect. Interacting with the same hundreds of people every day, seeing their faces, knowing their lives and making memories that I have to this day. I reconnect with these old friends on Facebook and sure we're rapidly approaching 40 now but I think of them as the 15 year old I would high five in the hall. High school is a weird place. For me, like I said, it was OK. There are clearly people who think it is hell. People who are bullied relentlessly or ignored mercilessly. Some react with violence, some react with isolation and some just plan to come back to the 10 year reunion and tell all these people off...I've seen it happen. 
I've watched dozens of movies about high schools and cliques and social circles and mean girls and every stereotype imaginable. The worst part? They're all true. I was friends with some incredibly mean girls who to this day are still, mean girls. My mother once asked me why I would be friends with such mean people and I didn't even realize it at the time, I just thought that's how girls talked to each other. Needless to say, I was always more comfortable around guys. I had a lot of brothers and it was just my comfort zone but there were the few girl friends throughout the years, still friends to this day. 
The thing is, 'applying yourself' to good grades in school when you're that age doesn't seem so important to the rest of your life. And I guess I didn't trust myself enough at the time. All I was interested in was the arts but I went in another direction on some bad advice and tried to make myself do what I 'should' do instead of what I 'wanted' to do. I won't go off on a 'follow your dreams' digression but why is it so hard to trust that instinct? At 18, I was studying accounting in a community college. Now, at 38, I'm living in Eastern Europe trying to enrich the lives of people by exploring the arts. Why didn't I do this 20 years ago?
So why the random rant about high school? Because I am back in high school. Being in a small country such as Moldova, everybody knows everybody's business and everyone likes to talk. Life is always going to be high school. There are always going to be groups of people you're not a part of or who don't like you for no apparent reason. You are always going to have to kiss the metaphoric head cheerleaders ass to get what you want. You are always going to have a crush on that boy that you think is so unbelievably unattainable that you never exchange words. (Sidebar, my HS crush is now one of my good friends. I have no idea at 16 why I couldn't approach him. He is one of the nicest guys ever. You would think I would apply that logic to my life currently...) You are always going to be fighting for the rights of the arts to be as rewarded as sports...and it will never happen. You will always enjoy the comradery and hate the gossip and competitive jealousy and politics.
Here in Moldova, life with 120 other Americans ranging in ages from 22 - 68, it is high school. There is an athletic crowd, there are mean girls, there is a popular clique, there are artists, there are cute boys that everyone's afraid to talk to, there are social politics, there are competitive natures, there are great friends to be had and great battles to be fought. They are 'teachers pets' and people who can't seem to do anything right. There are people who need to give you their resume when you speak to them so you are immediately impressed and give them credit for all that they do...and there are people who work hard and ask for nothing in return. There are people who are involved in every organization to build up the resume, there are people who are counting down their time here like it is a prison sentence and there are people who stay completely off the radar and do their own thing. 
So where do I fit in? I haven't decided yet. And I'm guessing that my perception of myself is probably different than that of 5 of my closest friends. But here's how high school is now different than it was in 1991:

• Texting can be your best friend and the devil at the same time. There is no intonation in texting and it is all up for interpretation. This can be detrimental to those of us with imaginations.
• College really isn't for everyone.
• I really wish everyone could go to college.
• There is always someone with a camera.
• Having a drink and drinking are two separate things. I find I do not desire to do either very often these days.
• Sometimes calling mean girls out on their mean girl comments turns them into balls of yarn.
• I really don't care what people think of me.
• I don't take anything personally.
• Singing karaoke is still really fun.
• Silent dance parties in your room with the lights off and headphones on are still a fantastic way to let off steam.
• It's great to be 'one of the guys' until you wish you were more than 'one of the guys.'
• Sticking up for the bullied instead of standing behind the bullies feels way better.
• Cute smiles can always make me blush.
• Sense of humor and intelligence are a trade off for looks any day. (To be fair, I would still marry CJ Murray if he asked...)

If only I had this confidence and fortitude when I was 15. Thank goodness, I have a niece who does. 

I don't think that Peace Corps or Moldova is exactly unique in this high school metaphor, it's just a lot more in my face here. I'm faced with the same group of Americans for 2 years and we are all in each other's business whether we want to be or not. The difference this time around is we chose to be here. We came back to high school. And we did it in a culture that we're not familiar with and in a language we don't speak. Are we gluttons for punishment or really just hoping for a second chance?

All I do know is that getting caught up in all this can distract us from the reason we are here. And that is frustrating. So when I wake up tomorrow morning, I'm going to be working on some grant proposals, some project ideas and some language lessons. Besides, I have dance class tomorrow night and I have to get home in time for "Pretty Little Liars."

(This midnight rant brought to you by Starbucks Via.)

Leap Day

Sarah and Pat

The past few weeks have been an emotional roller coaster. We got word that yet another 2 people were ET'ing (Early Terminating). This time, it was two of my favorite people and we were greatly saddened. They are a married couple from California that I met in CA before I left. They are truly sweet people and I miss them already. We all got together to give them a good send off. It as a bitter sweet evening as I was surrounded by my favorite people here and we were all together to say goodbye to two friends. It was the first time I've really felt emotional about saying goodbye and realizing that I'm in a unique circumstance here being surrounded by all these people. It's much like college. You just take for granted that these people are always going to be near you or at least a short bus ride away. But it, like everything, will come to an end. I finally realized that in saying goodbye to Pat and Sarah. We had a dinner per Pat and Sarah's request of their closest friends and ate a lot of food, drank a lot of wine and said our goodbyes. Only good thing? I think we looked around and realized the people in that room was a pretty special family and it brought us all closer.
This past weekend we all had to go to the capital AGAIN (I've been there pretty much every weekend in February) for our final language training. It's always nice to see everybody but at this point I was a little tired of not being at home so it was again, bittersweet. I did get to go to the opera again to watch "La Traviata." It wasn't my favorite, but the performance was still great. I'm so glad that I have that option for culture in the capital when I'm there. Afterwards, I stayed at Lindsay and Conrad's again (I should probably start paying them rent) and stayed up all night to watch the Oscars. Here they were on from 3:30am - 6:30am. Needless to say, I'm the only one stupid enough to stay up to watch them. I did enjoy them and kind of enjoyed my own solitude in watching them. 
When I got back here to Cahul, my Russian tutor, Viktor and friend, Alex were screening their first film. I, of course wanted to support them but didn't know what to expect. They were holding it in the culture center here in Cahul in an auditorium that holds 800 people. When I got there I was stunned as it was packed. There were close to 1200 people there. The police were called in to move people off of the balcony as they were afraid it would collapse from the weight. They showed the film which was entirely in Russian...and.it.was.AWESOME! I was so overwhelmed. Here's a bunch of young college students who always joke around about their film club and it's GOOD! The camera work, editing, acting, effects, it was SOLID! I couldn't believe it. I didn't understand the Russian (obviously) but I knew everything that was happening just from the acting. I was so happy. So now, I'm hoping to collaborate with them on doing more projects as well as releasing this film with English subtitles so I can post it here and on FB and get them some more exposure. It really made me excited to work with them.
Besides that, things are still slow here. It's really hard to explain to people the long periods of nothing that we go through as volunteers without sounding like losers. But coming in, we knew it was going to be an issue. So I do a lot of work at home doing translations and working on website and such but going to an actual job? No, not so much. I know it's hard to understand but it's just a different way of living so please don't give me a hard time about it. That's just the way it is right now. 
Please read this blog entry by a fellow volunteer in Africa, he really sums up what I'm trying to say very well. 
http://waidsworld.wordpress.com/2011/08/07/the-real-peace-corps/
What I have learned is that it's okay to not be busy. Why does everyone want to be? Why does everyone have to be? I just don't have the desire. I like walking down the street here and watching old men play chess and seeing how pretty the snow looks on the border of Romania and not having to rush into a job. Work is so secondary to everything else here and I really like that. When I tell people back home that it's like I'm committing a crime. Why? Because people are enjoying their lives and their families instead of just trying to make money? I'm not ashamed of what I do and what I don't do. I sat through a 45 minute film Monday night and afterwards sat and talked in broken English and Russian to 3 motivated 22 year olds and I can honestly say I did my job. And loved every second of it. Was it a long day? Was I stressed to my core afterwards? Did I get a huge paycheck? Nope. None of the above. But it was a good day.

Super Bowl - Moldovan Style

Why do I watch the Super Bowl? The overpaid athletes in a contest I couldn't care less about? Nope. Commercials? Eh, they're all right. Halftime show? Usually hit or miss. The food? That'd be the one. so how were we going to make that happen here?
Simple. Lindsay and Conrad had Jessica, Lyndsey and I over and we did what we could. Chili, nachos and hot wings. 
Chili...Lindsay is a vegetarian so we made a pot of very spicy vegetarian chili. Since I refuse to eat 'fake' meat, we made it with beans and vegetables. I have to say? Wasn't too bad.
Nachos. Tortilla chips aren't easy to find here so we usually either roast pitas or find the rare bag. On this day we were lucky and found some. we covered them with beans, hot peppers, scallions, avocados (another rare find) and sour cream. Success!

Nachos!

Chicken wings and homemade blue cheese.

Hot Wings. Luckily found some chicken wings at the market and cut them into pieces. Whipped up a hot wing recipe with some Sriracha sauce, ketchup, salt, pepper, garlic, onions and some Coke. (I know it's weird, but it was a Brother Bob suggestion and how do I question him?) It was delicious. Made some homemade blue cheese with crumbled blue cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, sugar and salt. Delish! Success #2! People were pleased with the results and finally it felt like Super Bowl Sunday. Problem was...with the time difference? The game started here at 1am! Luckily, some resourceful volunteers found a sports bar open 24 hours a day and had them satellite in the game. (Is satellite a verb?) By the time 1am rolled around, we were all pretty tired but hey; once in a lifetime, right? So we trudged through the snow over to the bar. The boys paused for a moment to have a snowball fight in the middle of Chisinau. Boys will be boys.

Matt, Conrad and John in a snowball fight.

There were about 40 volunteers there and we watched the game. I am thankful it was an exciting game because at least it kept us awake. 

Volunteers watching the game.

Madonna was the halftime act, and (sorry, Mom) I thought she was fantastic. Halftime shows are very polarizing I have learned. When people sing live, they are torn apart for how horrible they sound. I mean they throw up a stage in ten minutes and they're supposed to conquer the acoustics in that time with no sound check? When people do not sing live and concentrate more on the performance aspect of it, they are criticized. We can't have it both ways people. Madonna, never been the best 'singer' in my opinion, but she sure can put on a show. Was I entertained? Yes. Did I need anything more than that at 2:30am for 15 minutes of my life? Nope. Success. Well done, Madge.
The end of the game was fun. I'm not a Giants fan by any stretch of the imagination, but I do enjoy watching Tom Brady and the Patriots get beat. But by 5:00am we were all ready to get going home. Especially these two...

John and Conrad at the end of a long night.

We all felt it the next day. None of us are 18 anymore and an all night party just isn't in us anymore. However, it was worth it, if for the food alone. 
Sidebar, if you notice typing errors in this blog, please let me know so I can correct them. I do not claim to be infallible but as I write these posts usually in the middle of the night, I cannot capture all of the errors with my tired eyes. I make mistakes and I'll own them. 

January

Didn't realize how long it's been since I wrote on here. That's just a sample of how January sucks the life out of you. I know I'm not in a unique situation when I say that it's freaking cold! Today it is -9 F. W...T...F! I haven't felt this kind of cold in a very long time. People just stay at home. Schools are closed, businesses have signs on them 'closed for cold.' They just don't have the type of heating that can sustain in this cold for 8-12 hours a day. It's too expensive. It's a strange world.
This month has been the usual January, post vacation, a little blue trying to get back into the swing of things. My work partner, Vica, has been preparing for a month in Romania where she got a scholarship. Her husband, Oleg, got one too in Bulgaria so he needed a crash course in English. Vica's English is pretty good, but Oleg didn't speak a word. I spent most of the month trying to help him out so that he could at least have a basic understanding to get by. Can you imagine? I have been trying to learn 'basic Russian' for the past month and I still can't hold a conversation. 
So this past week, we had our 'Partner Conference' in which me and Vica, as well as the rest of the COD (Community Organization and Development) and ARBD (Agriculture and Rural Business Development) volunteers had to attend a conference in Chisinau where we learned about creating projects, writing grants, etc. It was dismaying to learn that the two groups were staying in two different hotels as we love to hang out with the ARBD's but I'm sure they separated us for a reason, after all, our work partners were with us. Lyndsey, Jessica and I came up a day early so we could hang out at Lindsay and Conrad's house and catch up for a night before we went 'back to school' for three days.
We arrived at our hotel on Wednesday the 26th and began the conference right away. There are 12 COD volunteers and about 9 of them had their work partners with them. It wasn't a huge group and it was actually information that we needed. At the end of the first day, the group of us went out for dinner. It was so pleasant catching up with each other and enjoying each other's company. We went back to the hotel and hung out in one hotel room and just had some wine and enjoyed each other's company. I kept looking around the room and thinking how just a little while ago that these people were strangers to me and now they were just family. We were all rotating our seats in the room so we could all catch up individually and it just felt very homey and cozy. It made me really happy.
The next day was a long one as we had the seminar from 8am to 5pm. But, it did provide many helpful tools to start diving into projects with our organizations. Also, since Vica is usually so busy, it was nice to have her undivided attention. She even mentioned that it was nice to be just the two of us so we could actually discuss important things. After the seminar, Jessica, Courtney and I made plans to go to the opera in Chisinau. I had heard that they did a good job there and it happened that "Nabucco" by Verdi was playing that night. We decided to bring our partners with us and we headed there.

The Opera House itself was really beautiful complete with marble stairs which when covered with snow provided opportunity for Jessica to slip and me to fall on my ass. The opera was fantastic. It was so nice to have some culture and see people on stage. It was sung in Italian and there were Romanian 'subtitles' on an electronic screen above the stage. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. A strange thing, at the curtain call when the actors come out for their bow, everyone claps in unison. It's not generic applause, it's a synchronized clap. I was really thrown off by it. In talking with some other people, I learned it is a European thing, but it felt very strange. I wondered if it was some leftover Soviet thing where everyone conforms to one clap but I may be over analyzing. We left the opera and Lyndsey text me that the rest of the volunteers were at a nearby bar saying goodbye to Joseph and Ashley, two volunteers who had chosen to ET. (Early Terminate). I decided to head to the bar to catch up with them and the rest of the ARBD's as I figured it'd probably be my only chance to see them. Despite the sadness that Joseph and Ashley were leaving, it was so fun to see all the guys. I'm always at my highest comfort level when I'm surrounded by guys. I blame my brothers for that. John, Jeremy and I were planning our upcoming excursion to the Ukraine (more on that later) and Pat, my musical theatre compadre and I kept breaking into show tunes. Conrad didn't seem too happy about it. He so rarely gets to be in the company of 'guys' and when he does, I get them singing show tunes. We had a good time though.

John, Chris and Conrad

Pat and John

My two besties, Jeremy and John.

The next day was a shorter day at the conference but Jeffrey (the country director) was the first speaker so we all had to be on time and attentive. Thankfully, he is a skillful public speaker and it was easy to keep focused. I had to say goodbye to Vica

From the back, Michael, Conrad, Jesse, Me, Andrea, Lindsay, Maria, Jessica, Courtney, Jen, Lyndsey and Tom in front.

From there, a few of us were going back to Lindsay and Conrad's house to hang out. The boys, Jeremy and John, were going to say goodbye to Joseph and they were going to meet me there later as we were going to the UKRAINE! When in my life did I ever think I'd say that? 

Courtney, Jessica, Lyndsey and I hung out while we made dinner at Conrad and Lindsay's. We made some fajitas and had a good time. Jeremy and John showed up about 10 and hung out with us. Our bus was at midnight so we left the house about 11:00pm. So why were we going to the Ukraine? Well, Jeremy and John had yet to take any vacation time and they were both at the point where they just needed to get away for a few days. They suggested the city of Odessa, Ukraine which is probably most famous for the scene in "Battleship Potemkin." It is a port city on the Black Sea and about a 5 hour bus ride from us. It's in the middle of the winter and it is a beach town so we got a lot of flak for going and to be honest, when they suggested it, I never thought they would go so I agreed. Yet there I was, boarding a bus with them. There were few people on the bus as the Ukraine isn't exactly a popular tourist destination in late January. We rode through the night, crossed the border without a problem and arrived in Odessa at 5:00am. The bus dropped us off, it was FREEZING, and the cabdriver we found only spoke Russian. It was tense for a few minutes but somehow we managed to convey to him where we wanted to go. Thankfully, John had converted some money before he left Moldova so we could pay him in the Ukraine currency. We had to do a little bit of searching to find our hostel as the front door was a little hidden from construction but we found it. They let us in and check in wasn't until 11 but they let us crash on the couches in the lobby. 

We all passed out. We awoke to the sound of "I know these guys!!!" We were all still really sleepy but when we came to, we saw Chris (another ARBD) volunteer standing there. We were stunned. We had vaguely mentioned this trip to him and told him where we were staying but never thought he would actually show. But he did. The owner of the hostel was an American and he loved having Peace Corps volunteers so he gave us a discount. And showed us around the place and the full kitchen. It was a really cool place. Jeremy was tired so he went back to bed while we checked in. Chris was hungry, as we all were, so Chris, John and I went out to breakfast/lunch at a Mexican place. The food wasn't totally Mexican but it was still really good. From there we decided to walk around the city. It was a pretty cool city. I tried to teach them as much of the Russian alphabet as possible so we spent the day trying to sound out words on buildings. A lot of them were conjugates so we could usually figure out what things were. The city is really cool and clean and since it was cold, pretty empty.

John and Chris

Cold weather doesn't stop Ukrainian Park Chess

John at the bottom of the Potemkin Stairs.

The Black Sea

The Odessa Opera House

Somehow, still don't know how, Jeremy found us and we had a drink at a bar called "Fat Moses." It was a cool little place and I ordered 4 Irish Shots (Baileys/Jameson/Absinthe) for us and we did a toast to my Dad for his 75th Birthday. It was great. From there we headed to a big sushi dinner. Sushi was probably the main reason we chose to get out of Moldova for the weekend. I haven't had sushi, or even fish, for the better part of a year so we were all salivating when the waitress set down the huge platter in front of us. We scarfed it down with no regrets. Being right on the Black Sea, the fish was incredibly fresh and it was delicious. I was so happy. 
We were pretty tired and John and I were actually thinking about calling it a night since we really hadn't slept. But Chris insisted that we keep the night going. And how does he convince a tired Jenn to stay out? Two words; karaoke bar! It was a cool little place down in a basement and we were pretty much the only ones there as it was still early. We perused the karaoke book and the selection was huge. They had every single song I could think of. I'd been wanting to go to karaoke for a long time and had been talking a lot of smack with Chris about it since he claimed that he was a great karaoker. So I knew I was going to be called out on it and I had to deliver. We had some drinks and Chris got right up and performed. The place had gotten more crowded and was filling up with really good singers so I had to give him credit. He did a good job but now the gauntlet was thrown. It was time to access the room. I don't consider myself a 'great' singer but I can carry a tune. The room seemed to be the kind of a crowd that wanted to dance. So I chose "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga. There are moments in your life when you have to put up or shut up and I had to stand up and do my best and show these boys that this was something that I can actually do. Mission accomplished. Everyone got up and danced, hooted and hollered and the boys all danced around me. At the end? Thunderous applause. (Not even in sync). It was a great moment in my life. How often do I talk smack about something and then deliver?

There was some drinking. 

And some dancing...

Chris performs "Doctor, My Eyes" by Jackson Browne.

John and Jeremy...the white man overbite.

I sing "Bad Romance." Apparently so good it hurt!

Friends in Low Places...indeed.

After the initial performance, it was way easier. Chris sang another song and I sang two more. Jeremy and John finished the night by dueting to "Friends in Low Places" and needless to say, we left shortly after that. It was about 3am and we had to walk in the cold back to our hostel. We got a little lost and ended up at McDonalds. Since the restaurant was closed we had to walk through the drive through and wound up having conversations with random Ukrainians while standing in the drive through eating Cheeseburgers. It was strange but really fun. We got back to the hostel to sleep about 5am. (I am so not 20 anymore...)

The next morning, however, I was up and fine and the three boys were suffering. I made them coffee and got them all aspirin and water. Lame! Chris had to take off as he was only coming for the night so we all went out to breakfast at this really cool Ukrainian restaurant. The food was delicious and we said goodbye to Chris. John, Jeremy and I walked around the city some more. We ended up back at the water because we wanted to get closer but it was so frigid on the pier, we wound up hanging out in the transportation lobby just to try and thaw out. However, the hour we spent in there laughing and just being silly was probably one of the best times we had. We were at the bottom of the steps so we had to get back up them and head back to the hostel. It was a really nice afternoon. Back at the hostel, we got a recommendation for a Thai place for dinner so we headed there and had some great Thai. We spotted a Blues Bar on the way home and went in there to listen to some live music. It was so pleasant. When we got back to the hostel, we were pretty tired so we watched some stuff on the computer and all went to bed.

Chris and I at breakfast.

A demonstration we walked by.

Finding Dr. Pepper in a store was one of my favorite moments.

The two navigators.

The three of us in the window reflection.

These guys...

They do love each other...it's creepy.

John and I at the Blues Bar.

The next morning we had to find a bus back to Moldova. Since it had begun snowing, we quickly discovered this would be more of a challenge than we had anticipated. With our limited Russian and negotiating skills it took us about 3 hours to figure out a way back. We finally found a bus to a village in Moldova called Stefan-Voda. The driver told us from there he could get us to Chisinau. We jumped at the chance. 

John and I at the bus station.

Moldovan Leu and Ukrainian...something...

Jeremy sleeping on the ride back.

Back to Moldova

We watched the Hangover 2, in Russian, on the bus ride back but we mostly chatted, well Jeremy slept, John and I chatted. We got back to Chisinau and wound up staying with Lindsay and Conrad because we were too late to catch any buses back to our villages.

What I did learn is that these guys are such decent people. Jeremy and John are two of my best friends. I always felt 100% safe with them and yet I can laugh with them for hours at the absolute stupidest things. And they didn't figure out I had a crush on one of them. Chris, I'm just getting to know but he is the real deal. Genuine, sweet, caring, smart and hilarious. It was just a small little weekend away but I'm so glad that I did it. I never in a million years thought I would visit the Ukraine and I did and it is so beautiful. I met John and Jeremy back in July at the Team Building exercise and knew then that they were my Bees (ring a bell?) but I couldn't be happier that 6 months later they are lifelong friends. I'm a lucky, lucky girl. I hope that shows in the smile on my face.

Happiness is...

So the majority of people here celebrate Christmas "old school" on January 7th which is the Orthodox Christmas as opposed to the Christian holiday. And New Years is on the 14th. Since some people celebrate the Christian holidays, the country basically shuts down for a month. Many travel, many come home, many just relax. I have been off work since December 14th and don't start up again until January 16th. 
I used this time to take my Christmas vacation to Vienna and Prague which was amazing if you've been keeping up, highly recommend both if you have the means, they are so choice. And few went back to the US. I don't think that is a wise move as going back to two weeks of full amenities and running water and the comforts of home and family, for me, would make it extremely difficult to come back. Not to mention the price tag on a plane ticket from Moldova. Europe is pretty cheap to maneuver around. However, some volunteers did do it.
Also, one of our staff members did. The senior staff in Moldova are Americans. Our training coordinator, Margaret, decided to travel back to Oakland, CA to visit her children and grandchildren. The day before Lyndsey and I left for our trip we walked by Margaret's office and she asked about our trip and shared her excitement about going to the US for a few weeks to see her family.
This morning, we were all informed that while visiting her family, Margaret suffered a brain aneurysm and did not survive. Everyone is in shock. 
During the summer, Margaret was in charge of our training program. She was an older lady and sometimes rubbed people the wrong way, myself included. But nobody ever wished her any harm. One thing that is comforting is that she was with her family and was extremely happy to be there. And she sure did love the Peace Corps and she loved Moldova. So I think it's a bucket of win for her.
The thing that is always strange to me is how people react to such news. I was not close to her but having dealt with so many deaths over the past few years, it does leave a pit in my stomach. Thinking of how I 'just saw her' and how quickly aneurysm's take peoples lives and life is short yada yada yada. And I go back and forth on the reactions. It's not my business but I know people who did not in fact like her who are now praising her saying she will be missed. So is it a fake appreciation or is it truly bygones now that all the pettiness didn't matter? I can never figure it out. But I'm going to go with the side that it doesn't matter now. Her life was well lived. She volunteered and then worked for this organization for the later part of her life so how could that be bad? She was a good person and dedicated her life to service and she died happily surrounded by her family. So for her, I guess she found her happiness even if her time came too soon. So reactions be damned, I am glad that Margaret lived a good life and was happy and that she will be truly honored here and back home.

2011

This is the first year in a while where we haven't had a major family tragedy. It feels a little weird. But overall, how can I complain? My one goal for the year was to end it in a foreign country and I accomplished that. Everyone thought I was crazy when I decided to go on this venture but even though they thought that, they supported me. I know it's hard on my family and friends and it's hard on me to see that life actually goes on without me. But, I'm doing something I've always wanted to do. I'm still not sure exactly what my purpose is here. It's taking longer than I imagined to find my footing but I still think it was the right decision. I could've easily stayed in Southern California at my job and been content for the next 20 years but I like to shake things up, find new challenges, live outside my comfort zone. Moldova is a strange country and there are things I love and hate about it but at least it's something different. Something I never in a million years thought I would be doing. I like learning Russian and Romanian and seeing another culture and it daily reminds me just how lucky I had it growing up in the US. And i have this opportunity to travel. I mean when in my wildest dreams did I ever picture I would spend Christmas in the Czech Republic? Not to mention all these great new friends I have. I feel like I've known some of them forever and it hasn't even been a year. So if my one goal for 2011 was to change my life, meet new people and live in a foreign land, I think that I did pretty well.
Resolutions? Ugh. I hate that word. So I'll just say these statements:

• I hope to further my knowledge of the Russian language.
• I will never understand people who don't eat meat.
• I am glad to live in a culture where material wealth means nothing.
• I am SO glad I am not in the US for the upcoming election.
• This year I will go to a minimum of 4 countries I have never been to. As of right now, I have been to 10!
• I am not a drinker. Always been surrounded by friends and family who are and I'm just not and never will be. As I get older, I am distancing myself more from people who still think that is the only way to have a good time.
• I'm so incredibly glad I grew up in the 70's and 80's when there wasn't the technology that there is now. I never would've left the house and I would've completely missed out on childhood.
• I will NEVER understand when people are vacationing why they have to update everyone on what a good time they're having. GET OFFLINE AND GO OUTSIDE!!!!! I don't care if you're on your phone. Turn it off and have a conversation with a stranger for God's sake!
• I'm so grateful I don't have religion in my life.
• I like that I'm confident enough in myself at this age that I don't succumb to peer pressure and can just laugh at it. And yes, I still deal with it.
• I miss my family.

Hope 2012 is a great year for me and everyone I love.