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

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!!

LOZOVO!!

Looks like I'm moving to Lozovo!!

I just found out this morning, and I am honestly so happy!! What I am most excited about, is that I was placed in a community with my two closest friends here!! Not to mention, the rest of the people who I will be training with in the community are AWESOME. Could not be happier with my placement. We honestly had a jumping up and down scream fest when we found out we'd all be together. SO HAPPY!!

That being said, I have about 40 minutes before I meet my host family. My language instructor told me that my mother was wonderful and that she is a school teacher at the school in Lozovo. That makes me super happy, seeing as how I'm a teacher too!!

The community itself sounds wonderful. It is a small village in the middle of the country:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lozovo_Municipality
Apparently, most people have gardens and grow most of their own food. There is also a big vineyard there, so we may be picking grapes before Fall rolls around. And I'll be about 10 minutes driving distance to a larger city, which isnt bad at all. The absolute best part of it all is that none of the volunteers in Lozovo will be more than 15 walking minutes from each other. Some of us may even be a few house over. YAY!!

I am so relieved to know that I'll be close to people I care about and visa versa. So much weight has already been lifted. Now, I just have to get over the event of actually meeting my host family (which I am now super excited about) and just dive on in there!!

My next update should be updating all of you on how awesome my host mom is : ) MISS YOU ALL!!!!!

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!!!!!!

I've made it!!

Well, ya'll...I've officially made it to Macedonia. Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwbzDiK83q4

After being awake for 29 hours and traveling my butt off, I was finally able to eat some good food and relax at the hotel we are staying at for this week. The food here has been awesome so far. They've fed us lots of cheese, fresh veggies, some chicken, soup, rice, coffee, etc. My room isn't too bad either. Although it is a bit small, the beds are surprisingly comfy, and we ever have an air conditioner!! The shower and toilets are a bit weird....we cant put the toilet paper in the toilets....still havent gotten used to that one.

I'm still totally loving the fellow volunteers. Ive really connected with some of the girls, and the boys are all fantastically entertaining!! Im really sad that we will all be split into 4 groups at the end of the week. So I'll only be training with between 8-10 volunteers in the community I'll be living in for the first 3 weeks. From there, it's all on my own. Already sad to think of leaving the people who I now already feel extremely close to.

Im going into town tonight with a large group to get our telephone numbers set up and to buy some essentials we are all lacking. Im looking forward to getting in and seeing more of the area. Today has been all training sessions, so we havent had much time outside of the one room we work in.

All in all, I am happy!! Im so excited to be here. I already miss my friends and family, but Im feeling pretty good about everything.

I'm in Vienna!!

Man on man....the last two days have been LONG. I flew into Philly on Friday, which was hell all on its own. The morning began with a 4am wakeup. After crying and saying goodbye to my mother and sister, I checked my bags for my first flight.

My departing flight from Nashville was delayed for 45 minutes. We were stuck on the plane for the whole 45 minutes, and I literally cried the entire time, because I just knew I was going to miss my connecting flight. Thankfully, my connecting flight in Memphis was also delayed, so I ended up catching the flight, after having a minor asthma attack. Finally, I landed in Philly with only about an hour to get to the hotel, check in, register, and begin training.

The rest of the day was packed full of orientation activities. By the end of the night, I enjoyed my last meal in America with some fellow PCVs, enjoyed some time with my hotel roommate, and went to bed. The following morning, we were out fo the hotel by 9am. We were bussed over 2 hours to JFK, where we sat for like 5 hours before our departure.

After 7.5 hours on a plane with a new found buddy from Israel, I managed to land safely in Vienna, where I now sit, typing to all of you. PHEW. From here, we have one last flight to Skopje, and then we hop on a bus for about a half hour ride out to our hotel. We will be at that hotel for the next week. Then, we get to move in with our host families!!

That's all for now. I haven't slept in about 20+ hours, so I'm a little loopy. I am already missing everyone terribly. <3

4 Days Left

I officially have four days left until staging. Things are getting so intense around here!!

I've moved out of my old house. I sold everything I could, and I donated most of the rest. I have compressed my 3 bedroom house down to one single room. I'll be kicking it at my momma's house for the remainder of the time I'm in Nashville.

I went to New Orleans last weekend to say my final goodbyes to all my good buddies there. It was sad, but we all pretended it was just another visit and that I'd be seeing them again soon. Since my return back home, I've been saying my goodbyes to friends and family. What sucks about it all is that I have to keep saying goodbye to the same people. Everyone wants just one more time to meet up real quick, and some people don't see that my final days here should really be just with my mom and sister. It's just really difficult for me to say goodbye to them....I feel like it will take me days to do so.....I haven't found an effective way to handle my last four days here.

So last night I made a list!! I wrote down most of what I need to do before I leave. I am going to begin tackling that list today. What I really need to focus on is packing. The group's FB page has been really helpful with packing advice, but I really don't want to stress over it too much. I know I'll be able to buy nearly anything I need when I'm there, so I want to avoid going overboard on the packing.

The next time you hear from me, I suppose I will have begun my journey. Remember....if you ever hear me being homesick, just tell me to suck it up. : )

Received that famous blue packet

Well, they said it would take 7-10 days, but I got my blue packet in only a few days!

Coming home from work yesterday, I had my mother on the phone. Upon getting out of my car, I SQUEALED!! We were both so happy to have been on the phone at the same time for that moment. Eager, I rushed inside and tore open the packet. It's amazing how much information they packed in there! Sure enough, it says I will be working as an English Resource Teacher for either secondary or primary students, leaving for Macedonia on Sept. 9.

More forms?!?!?!? Man....I thought I was just about done with filling out forms and other materials, but alas, there is more. Mainly, it isnt so bad....just things for passports, insurance, and other informative info on where I'll be and what I'll be doing. So I sent in my acceptance last night, and I spent the rest of the evening celebrating over nachos and margaritas with two of my closest pals.

Gotta say.....I was filled to tears with happiness. I was telling my housemate "Do you understand how many months I have waited for this?? Do you know how much time and money I've put into just being able to hold this packet?!" She was thrilled for me. : )

Alright guys....two months to pack and sell. Now comes the tough part.