Last night in Komonavo

In case you haven't seen it yet, here is the 3rd video, AKA the "food edition."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_zoilx1k28

Well, tonight is my last night in Komonavo. Tomorrow, I will wake up early, eat my very basic breakfast, consisting of cereal, bread, and tea/coffee. Then, around 9:45am, I will find out where I will be living with my host family for the next 3 months. I AM SO NERVOUS!!!!!!! So, like I was sayin', I'll be living with my host family for 3 months. I'll be in a community where between 8-10 other volunteers will also be stationed. For the 3 months we are there, I will be going to training classes Mon-Fri and on some Saturdays. By about week 7, I will find out where my permanent placement will be for the remaining 2 years of my service....another thing I cannot help but anticipate!!

The EXCELLENT news is that I can have visitors beginning the end of November!! HELL YEA!! So if anyone wants to come spend Xmas or New Years with me, COME ON OVER!! I am sure I will be able to squeeze into a fellow volunteer's holiday shindigs if necessary, or simple create some of my own, but I am really wanting someone to come visit for Xmas!!

Oh, and last night was the playoffs for the semi finals for basketball. It was Macedonia vs. Lithuania...holy crap, such a good game, and I dont even really enjoy watching sports. Anywho, the game was so close, and Macedonia ended up winning the game!! The whole city went INSANE. It was what I imagine being in New Orleans after the Saints won the superbowl....really. I have over 55 videos....I need to get my act together with editing those down, but I have a feeling it may be about a week or so before a new video is up.....with the moving and all, ya know??

So yea, I am rally nervous about tomorrow. I can really only speak small-talk in Macedonian. I really hope someone in my family speaks at least a little American so that it isnt too terrible with communicating. Im just so afraid Ill get there and we wont be able to get to know each other at all. FINGERS CROSSED FOR ME, EVERYONE!!

I cant wait to update everyone on how things go. Feel free to send me updates and leave me comments. Hearing from you all is such a blessing over here....I cannot thank you enough. I miss you all terribly!!

<3

Day 3 in MAK-E-DON-IA

Hey ya'll!! Got another awesome video up, if I do say so myself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g9ZpZvl2L0

I am totally enjoying myself. Really. Let me just say one more time how much I enjoy the fellow volunteers. I am truly going to miss everyone when we all have to split up on Friday. We are all expressing how sad that day is going to be, but heads up for now!! We still have 2.5 days together.... : (

So tomorrow, we have the US Ambassador coming, so we all have to look extra sharp. Our language classes have been so interesting too!! I've learned the alphabet, but it was really difficult. For instance, their H sounds like a "nah," and their X sounds like a "huh." There are also a bunch of new symbols that are totally new. All in all, learning it has been so enlightening. I'm really enjoying it!!

Today, we began learning phrases. I now know how to say "Hello, my name is Morgan. And you? I am from America." etc etc etc....small talk stuff. I also finally know how to say "thank you" and even one curse word!! Not that I plan on using it, but it is really helpful to know when people are cursing at you. haha

We also got a rundown of some safety and security issues here. Apparently, our biggest threats, aside from simple theft, are earthquakes and being attacked by local dogs. There are no serious exotic illnesses here, but our bodies will be acting a bit funny for the first month or two while we adjust to the food and water and such.

Another thing that was really interesting was learning about some of the customs and traditions and attempts at medical healing in the homes here. Apparently, a lot of the families will try and remedy your illnesses with things like putting egg white on your skin, or wrapping potatoes in a towel around your head. They also try and cure everything with a homemade liquor, which I assume is much like our version of moonshine.

Anywho....more to come soon. I cant wait to get into my host family's house, so you all can see what it is REALLY going to be like for the next 3 months. Leave me comments, send me updates, I miss you!!!!!!