Scenic Moldova

I figured it was time for another update since it's been a few weeks. So, I thought I would include some of my favorite Moldovan scenery pictures while I was at it. Things are going well although I have been very busy. I feel like I haven't been at my site much at all as I have to keep going into Chisinau for various reasons. This past week, I had a training to teach, and a meeting to attend. This week, I will be in Chisinau for another meeting, and then language training for several days.It is good to be busy, but I feel bad that I'm not busy in my village more. I keep thinking things will slow down after "next week" or "next month", but other things keep popping up. So, we'll see. Maybe next month will be a slower month as far as being able to stick around my village a bit more. The weather has been great lately, not too hot, and not too cold. There have been several quick thunder storms that rush in and then speed away just as quickly. It's amazing how quickly a sky can cloud over and then pour rain! But it's beautiful too, and I have always loved thunder storms. There's something so dangerous, mysterious and suspensfully beautiful about them! All the crops are ready for eating. I have been eating such delicious fresh fruits and vegetables! Right now, watermelons are in season, and nothing beats a ripe, juicy, sweet watermelon. Yum! Plus there's tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, eggplant, squash, apricots, apples, plums, and so so much more!!! Moldova has some of the richest farming earth in the world, and the fruits and vegetables they produce are incredible! I have been running when I can, but because of my crazy schedule lately, I'm not always as consistent as I'd like to be. I am still training for a marathon, but I think I may need to postpone it 'till March or April. One great thing about my runs is the views I am greeted by as I explore the countryside more and more. Everybody grows sunflowers as they are the main source of oil here in Moldova. So, there are now fields and fields of bright yellow sunflowers everywhere, and it can be such a breathtaking sight! I've never seen so many sunflowers in my whole life! I can't believe I've almost been in Moldova for a year now! It doesn't feel like a year. The time is zipping by, and I can only imagine how quickly another year will pass, and I will be thinking about what I want to be when I grow up, again! I am hoping that some of you will want to come visit me while I'm here in this amazing country. It really is beautiful, and I am feel very at home here now. The language is coming along, and I would really like to start working on my Russian now, as it is spoken so frequently here in Moldova. Although I will never feel like a native-born Moldovan, I do feel happy and well-adjusted to life here in Moldova, and I am enjoying every experience and opportunity that I can find. If you come visit, I'll show you these beautiful scenic vistas in person! Now, how's that for motivation? :) It might even outweigh the outhouse (of which I've been told by several visitors, that mine is one of the most comfortable outhouses they've ever visited. So, it's really not that much of a sacrifice), the lack of running water, and the public transportation. Actually, in my mind all of those things are great chances for more exciting and unexpected Moldovan adventures, so they don't really bother me at all. Well, I hope you are all doing well, and would love to hear updates on life in the States. I hope that you are all having as much fun as I am, and look forward to hearing about all your stateside adventures!

 

La Multi Ani!

Last week, I also attended the joint birthday party of two friends and fellow Peace Corps volunteers. It was a lot of fun. Craig and Adam decided that since their birthdays were so close together, they would have a joint party. So, we all trekked out to Craig's house, spent the night, and then rented a boat to go on the lake for several hours the next day. We had barbecue, hamburgers, potato salad, bear, and a great time. Here were some of the people that showed up for the party: Top row left to right: Nick, Bryan, Amy, Bridgett Second row: Dave, Craig, Brad, me, Adam, Craig's host mom Bottom row: A local friend of Craig's (I forgot her name), Krista, Carrie, Andrea This is the boat we rented and played on for a few hours. The rest of the day, we just hung out at the lake and relaxed. Lots of fun! This was the birthday party at Craig's house. Adam, Carrie and I went a little chocolate crazy. Man, I love chocolate!! This bottom picture is a view of Craig's village, Sireti, from his second story balcony. That weekend was so much fun! 

Ermoclia!

About a week ago, I went to visit one of the girls that attended TARE camp. She was giving a seminar to some of the young women in her community, based on the information she had learned at TARE, and wanted me to be there to see it. So, I journeyed out to Ermolcia, and spent the night with Tanya, and her twin sisters: Ina and Inga. It was a lot of fun, and after the seminar, we goofed around all evening. Here I am with sunglasses they made me try on. I felt like a movie star. Down below: I am trying my hand at milking their cow. It's not as easy as they make it look! Below this: Don't worry mom and dad, it's just a watermelon! I swear it! Last picture in the bunch: Us goofing off. It was fun to just be a kid and be silly.