Howdy, ya'll!!

So today was just another day in Lozovo. You just never know what to expect here!! The school day was not as long as yesterday (thank goodness), and all of us seemed to be in excellent moods. My language group is so much fun, and our teacher was extra cool today. We played card games to practice counting in “Macedoncee,” and we learned an extensive vocabulary on fruits and vegetables. Fortunately, a lot of us have already begun expanding on our vocabulary of food, thanks to our host families feeding us like we are starving children,…so the lesson wasn’t too overwhelming. And I really feel like I am getting the hang of a lot of what I’ve been learning!! I find myself practicing even to myself. I find ways of exercising what I’ve learned at home too.

For instance, everyone seems obsessed with these soap operas over here. I’m not sure, but I think they are Indian soap operas, because they are all dubbed over in Macedonian. Anyway, I’ve been watching them for nights, because my mom and dad do. I’ve never know who was who or what was what, so tonight I practiced asking. I asked who everyone was, what their profession was, and how they were all related. The best part about it was that I asking everything perfectly, and I completely understood all of their answers!! IT WAS SO REWARDING!! Oh man I felt so legit tonight, hahahahaha

My communication with my family is getting better every day. I still don’t understand most of what they say and ask, but I can usually pick up at least 3 or 4 words out of a conversation…enough to deliver an answer. My mother brags about how well I can read and write in Macedonian, so that helps with my confidence!! Within a month, I hope to at least be able to follow a conversation, but I doubt I’ll be able to speak much…maybe by the end of the 2^nd month I will be able to speak more. It just takes me a hot minute to process what I want to say and how I need to say it. Their language does have its complicated twists and turns, so remembering all the rules is what hangs me up the most. I’m thankful I have such a good teacher.

Today, my mother took me to buy more minutes for my phone here. Somehow, my phone keeps picking up the wireless and using all the minutes for data. I finally figured out how to fix it, so hopefully there won’t be any more problems. My mom then took me over to Sarah’s house, who is another volunteer. Her and I had a giggle fit as we listened to our parents talk about us and how we need to gain weight. Again, we can only follow some words, but we know enough to know most of what they say about us. Sarah’s host brother is also super awesome and introduced us to google translate. Using his keyboard, he can switch between typing in Macedonian and English, and then it translates back and forth. We were able to hold a legit conversation for a while! Sarah’s parents fed us an awesome meal, and then a group of us got together for a beer. It was the first beer I’ve had since moving to Lozovo. It was SO NICE to sit with the other volunteers outside for a drink. I love everyone more and more each day. It is so sad to know we will all be split up in 2 months.

It hit me today that I’ve been in Macedonia for 2 weeks!! WOW!! The time seems to go fast and then slow. I’m hoping things do go fast, because it helps with the homesickness to imagine seeing someone familiar sooner than later. Plenty of people have said they’ll come visit, so I hope at least a couple are able to make it over…INCLUDING MY FAMILY ::hint hint:: Anywho…I will try to upload more videos and photos as soon as I can. I feel awkward filming a lot of the times when I’m not around the other volunteers, so I try to keep it to a minimum.

Miss and love you all!!

Another Day in Lozovo!!

So yesterday was MUCH better!! I spent most of the day at school venting about my previous day. School was extra long, because we had a technical session with the women who are introducing us to TEFL. I was still feeling mentally drained, so I wasn’t much fun. I spent most of the day talking to my closest friend here, Claire. She lives the farthest away from me here, which is a real shame, so I spend as much time during the day talking with her as I can. Her and Andres are my two closest friends here, although I am quite fond of everyone. Andres is the guy who is in a lot of my videos, in case you were wanting to put a face to the name. Anyway, we all decided to have an “American party” after school, as we all three were in need of some venting time.

My mother was waiting for me as I got out of school at 4pm. She’d gone into the city and picked up all sorts of groceries!! I asked/mimed if Andres, Claire, and Kenzie could come home with us, and of course she welcomed them. I made everyone Turkish coffee, and we sat in the den and watched the new episode of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. We were fed endless grapes, fresh melon, peanuts, and cookies. Then we turned on Pineapple Express (all of this done on our laptops) and watched that for about 20 minutes. My mother then asked us to sit in the kitchen. She’d prepared the best meal I’ve had yet for us!! We had pork, potatoes, peas, carrots, bread with two types of cheese, and figs. Oh man…it was awesome!! Andres, Claire, and myself all proceeded to sit and talk at the kitchen table for the rest of the evening. It was a PERFECT evening. And I was kind of worried about my guests overstaying their welcome, but my mother kept asking if I was happy, and I kept responding with “monogoo dobro,” which is “very happy,” and then of course I kept thanking her. I think she understands that I really needed all that after my prior day. I feel so much better, you just have no idea. I really love the friends I’ve made here, and I’ll never stop saying it. Haha

On a side note, I recently got my first home remedy!! I have been getting these awful bug bites here. I think they are mosquitos, but I am not sure. Some evenings, I’ll go hit my volleyball around with the volunteers in a huge open field. I always wear shorts while doing this, so I think that is why I’ve acquired so many bites. That being said, I translated in Macedonian to my mother and father that the bites were really bothering me. They pulled out the Rakia (spelling?), which is homemade Macedonian whiskey, and told me to put it on the bites. So I got a tissue, took my glass of Rakia, and put it on the bites. To my surprise, the pain went away!! I obviously still have the bites, but the pain isn’t even noticeable anymore!! And apparently, Rakia is the cure for most things here. They commonly apply it to their skin, even for cuts (I know…ouch!!), or they’ll drink it if they are sick.

They also have something here called “promia.” This is a belief that an indoor breeze is bad for your health. You can have a window open, but you cannot have a door open in the same room. If you have two outlets for a breeze to flow through, it is called “promia,” again not knowing if I am spelling it correctly. This breeze will be the cause of all your health problems, and they really truly believe that. Even in their cars, they will only roll down one window to avoid promia. Promia, I guess, carries bacteria and other negative consequences in it, and it will basically kill you. Just thought it was an interesting cultural difference you’d all find fun to know.

Tomorrow, I have more language classes. I’ve been kicking ass in my homework, but I am overthinking each lesson. I officially dream in Macedonian, so now I’m even studying in my sleep. Haha This weekend, a lot of MAK 15’s (last years group) are coming into Lozovo to visit their old host families. Chris, the previous volunteer from my house, will be coming into town, so I am really excited to meet him and talk to him about my experience. I am hoping he can give me some advice and tell me how my mother is feeling about me. All my teachers say my mom always talks me up to them. They all say she loves me, and I know she does, because she calls me her “American kierka,” which is daughter. I can definitely see us becoming much closer as soon as I can communicate with her!!

Anyway…that’s all for now. Sorry the blog posts are all so long. I feel like I could write for days!! Miss you all <3

First rough day

Here's a recent video....short, but to the point:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Bh5y2MMJpw

Soooo, I had my first official breakdown yesterday. It's kind of hard to explain really...it was a big combination of things. First, I've had a massive migraine. My host mother smokes nonstop, and the smoke really gets to me...so that was one factor. Then, there is the fact that I am in school all afternoon, trying my hardest to learn the language. Like I've mentioned, it is a bit frustrating, because I want so badly to be able to just come home and talk to my host family. Of course, I can't really. So my host mom insists that we study study study. I have moments where I can actually pick up on several words, and I have moments where I can't understand even the most basic of words.

So all that being said, I was enjoying a hefty lunch yesterday. I had 3 servings. My mother kept insisting I eat more. I kept saying "no more." Then, the smoking began again, so I went in the den to read. Reading has been a godsend here. It is the best source for me to relieve some stress. Well my mother followed me into the den, sat down beside me, still smoking, and then insisted we practice language. I just started crying. I got up and went into my room. I started to hyperventilate a bit, so I called my language instructor to ask for help.

Long story short, my host mom was freaking out that I was upset. She called everyone she knew to call in the PC, and told them all she thought she'd done something wrong. This made me feel worse. We did get the problem resolved though. I explained to my LCF and homestay advisor that I was homesick, had a headache, and was frustrated with learning so much and not feeling like I can retain it all. They told my family to give me some space to read, so they did. : )

By that evening, I'd rested in my room for an hour, along (which isnt common). I then hung out with my parents in the dark (more storms, no power at all...all night), and then we proceeded to play a Macedonian card game, which REALLY helped me feel better. Being alone in my room was helpful, but playing the card game with them really did the trick, because I didnt want to feel like I was isolating myself.

Today, I found out that a few of the volunteers also had stressful nights, and we all kinda promised to be each other's savior, no matter what. We are all really becoming as close as family. Having them has made this entire adventure even more rewarding. I want you all the know that I AM OKAY. : ) I knew I'd have some moments where it would all hit, but I am happy that I am here of all places. Lozovo is such a fantastic place.

Miss you all!! Send more emails!!!!

So we survived our first Macedonian storm the other night. One of my best friends here, a fellow volunteer named Andres, came over with his host family’s’ grandson. Here in Lozovo, there is literally nothing to do. People go and visit with one another about every hour, so it is welcome when guests show up at the door. We sat around and ate and ate and ate (because that is all we do) and then the storm began. I know the words for rain and storm and wind, so it was good practice. Then the lights went out….

In America, when the lights go out, you can still somewhat see. There is always a room you can go in where you can see. There is always a window emitting some type of light. There is always the option of going outside, and lights from somewhere will illuminate the world around you. Here, we had none of that. It was as black as you can possibly imagine. Even outside, there is nothing around us for miles. You cannot find a step, a tree, or a house, even if it is right next door. So my mother and I had to walk Andres home with my epic flashlight that Mimi and the wonderful women at Willowbrook helped me get. The flashlight was quite the hit!! Later, we came back and studied more.

I have to tell ya…the language is really difficult. I have never studied so hard for something. I carry around my notebook and Macedonian dictionary with me everywhere. I can spell and read in Macedonian, but it still takes time to look stuff up when trying to hold a conversation. Miming is still a favorite pastime. Last night, my mother asked what my mother back home does for a living. I looked up “auctioneer,” but they didn’t understand. So Andres and I acted it out, using all Macedonian numbers!! I think my mother would be quite proud. Funny enough, they still didn’t understand. So the explanation turned into about 15 minutes of looking up keys words. Finally, I achieved the “Ohhh!!!” from my parents, but I believe they still think I am crazy. Haha

Another thing that is taking getting used to is the time. Some families don’t eat breakfast, and most families eat lunch around 4pm. Dinner is typically at 11 or 12, and mainly consists of a variety of foods you can snack on. My mom REALLY wants me to gain weight, so whenever I say “sock-um kirikichi” (which is I love peanuts) they take it to heart and always have peanuts on the table. My mother also insists that I have about 5 Turkish coffees a day, because I said “monogoo dobro café,” which is I REALLY love coffee. Bad move. I did learn how to make Turkish coffee though!!

What I was about to say was that it is kind of looked down upon for you to have private time. It’s like you’re saying you don’t want their company…they just don’t function that way. Even right now, I am typing this at home (putting it online tomorrow) and my mother is cooking our lunch. She was disappointed I was one room over, and keeps coming in here to see if I’ll watch her. That being said, I must go. My best bet for private time is when I say I am going to bed, so I can read alone. J Still having a blast. So far, this is the most rewarding experience of my life!!

A long and much needed update!!

Ok, so I am officially a Lozovo resident!! I live with my mother, Melevka, and my father, MetreeThey are awesome!! My mother is a teacher at the school, and my father is an epic gardener. From the first night I was in their house, they prepared me a fantastic meal, complete with fresh eggplant, meats, cheeses, bread, etc etc etc. Their house is fantastic. Through the front gate is a walkway that is covered with grapevines. Grapes are literally hanging down from above, and you just want to jump up and eat one. To the left and right are gardens that stretch all the way to the next house. Peppers, eggplants, melons, cucumbers, and tomatoes are just a few of the many veggies they grow. We also have some chickens and roosters. I know this, because I hear them outside my bedroom windows, although they aren’t as disturbing to hear as you might think.

My room is pretty small, but they have two couches (one that folds out into a bed…a not so comfy bed J ) , a table with chairs, and a small wardrobe. They provided a few hangers, so I hung up some stuff and then cleverly fold and store the rest. I wish I had brought some nice sheets though, because the sheets and towels here are rough!! So far, that has taken some great getting used to. The toilets and showers aren’t bad at all. I still cannot put any toilet paper in the toilet, but we do have running water. Showers are all the handheld kind in a tub, although as of Saturday (when I am actually writing this) I have not yet been able to shower, because the handheld bit is broken.

The first night was a bit rough for me, because you know I can hardly speak any Macedonian. I can speak simple hellos, how are you, I like this, I don’t like this, no more that, and so on. So yea, the first night was all miming!! It was fun, but it was also really difficult. I felt like my mother and father get frustrated and wish they could communicate better with me, and visa versa, but none of us can do anything about it. I have honestly never been in a situation like this in my life…so out of my element…I cannot even begin to explain. That being said though, I am still feeling strong about the experiences, and Im going to work my butt off to learn the language.

So anyway, there are 8 of us here. We all have totally different situations. A lot of the volunteers have at least one English speaker in their family, which really helps them with being able to communicate and get things done. There are only a few of us whose parents literally speak no English. From what PC says though is that it is people like us who will learn the language quicker, because we will be forced to. So it’s a good and bad thing. Haha My parents have also had a volunteers from last year, so they spend a good majority of the time talking about him and Chicago (where he is from). I’ll get to meet Chris this coming weekend, so I hear.

The village itself is tiny. About 900 people, if that. Everyone knows each other….literally. I run into another volunteer, Kenzie, quite often, because his host father is my mother’s nephew. Yesterday, my mom swooped up Kenzie and me and took us into a city that is about 20 minutes away. At one point on the way back, my father stopped the car in the middle of a massive sunflower field…I’m talking MILES long and full of sunflowers. He got out of the car and disappeared for a hot minute before returning with some of the flowers. He wants the seeds!! So Kenzie and I ate the seeds right off the flower in the middle of a fantastic picturesque field. It was fantastic!

One thing to note, before my post gets too long is that I don’t have internet at home. Some people do, but I do not, so I will have to rely solely on the internet at school, which I can only access Mon-Fri, as long as they have it turned on. We don’t have internet cafes, or anything like it. It’s a village in the most literal sense. If you need to call me, call my mother and ask for directions on how to do so. Otherwise, feel free to email me…PLEASE EMAIL ME!! J

You know, I’ve shown everyone here photos of all of you. Especially my family. I have bragged and bragged about everyone. My family here thinks my life in America is wonderful. I miss and love you all more than you know!!