COS Conference and Spelling Bees

This week was busy busy busy. Beginning on Sunday afternoon volunteers from my B26 group arrived in Sliven for our COS (Close of Service) conference. I was thankful to also be able to stay in the hotel even though the conference was in my city. I'll take time with friends and a bathtub over my place for a few days :) We didn't have a schedule on Sunday so I was able to have dinner with a group of people and just hang out. Monday morning started the conference with sessions all day. However, we were free for dinner so I was able to spend some time with the volunteers I trained with at a local restaurant. Tuesday was sessions all day again followed by our official dinner that evening. Some of the students from my school were able to dance for us to start things off which was wonderful. I always enjoy watching them. We ate on and off but the main festivities included a presentation from our amazing country director Mikel Herrington, a slide show, the presentation of our certificates, the receiving of new PC pins, and then the talent show. The talent show was filled with a variety of acts from singing to dancing to the reading of poems. It was a nice evening though ended all too soon as the hotel made us leave the hall just after midnight. However, I've wanted to complete Ellen's "Dance Dare" a few times behind some PCVs which was fun. Here's the proof:

Our COS conference ended at noon on Wednesday so I came back to my place to check on my cats however was then back at the hotel as I was asked to participate in the Legacy conference which started that afternoon. Since PC will be finished in Bulgaria in 2013 there are many plans on how to leave the best legacy, who to give our resources to, and who will be able to take over successful projects. This conference invited a small group of interested Bulgarians to learn more about what we have available and network. I presented on Thursday with the American Culture Club lesson plan I created along with the dates of the teaching workshops I will be facilitating this April and May. It was nice to be a part of such a positive group of Bulgarians who want their country to be successful.

Then came Thursday night which meant my school's spelling bee :) I was fortunate enough to have a few volunteers come with me to help judge and photograph the event. Things went extremely well thanks to my counterpart who did all the logistics for the event. Our school's winner Danny is a 6th grade student who won with the word "finally" :)

Friday meant a 2nd spelling bee for me to dictate and judge at another school in the center of Sliven. Their kids were more advanced than mine with the words and the bee lasted much longer. A girl ended up winning with the word "unbelievable" :)

After the busy week I'm happy to have a relaxing weekend just watching TV, looking into job opportunities and housing for Madison, and my to-do list.

Also, late Friday night there was an earthquake! According to the European Seismology Center the quake was a magnitude of 4, its epicenter was 10 km outside of Sliven, and it was a depth of 3 km. It was definitely a strange feeling and the cats were a on edge but it didn't last too long and I'm not aware of any damage so all is good.

Peace, Love, Literacy, and Reckless Curiosity.

I love March!

The weather has been beautiful and spring has arrived. Since I already posted a bit about my birthday I'll keep this post short and sweet. My week was made even better by finding out I got into Madison! I'm so excited to be able to start working toward my Masters in Library and Information Sciences this fall :) It feels great to have a post Peace Corps plan. Tomorrow is the start of my COS (Close of Service) Conference which goes through Wednesday where I'll get to catch up with my fellow B26 volunteers, then Wednesday marks the beginning of another conference I'm helping with for Bulgarians, plus I'm helping with 2 spelling bees this week. It's going to be busy :)

Peace, Love, Literacy, and Reckless Curiosity.

My beautiful, bountiful, Bulgarian birthday :)

Okay, so the alliteration is for my mom but I am having a wonderful birthday! 

The day's note even finished and my birthday is splendid (to use the word Mr. Erik Kraft wished me). Yesterday I made about 100 cookies of one recipe for the third grade students, about 50 cookies of another recipe for the teachers, and about 50 more cookies of a 3^rd recipe also for the teachers. Today they were enjoyed. When I was visiting each 3^rd grade class to give them treats I was presented with cards, flowers, and gifts. It made for a lovely start of the day. They all enjoyed the cookies, or at least if anyone didn’t they said nothing, so guess what we’re doing during English tomorrow? Sugar cookie recipe J 

Then I got all the goodies for the teachers ready in the teachers’ room. There were the cookies I made, popcorn, nuts, dried fruit, chocolates, hard candies, soda, and iced tea. Little did I know they had a HUGE surprise planned for me. Something I’ve definitely been wanting. They gave me a traditional Bulgarian outfit/costume from my region. It’s beautiful and I love it! I can't wait to show it off and wear if I get the chance to present about Bulgaria with students :) I was also gifted several other things including rakia, cards, and a traditional puppet/doll representing the women of villages who is wearing traditional dress. I love the history and traditions of this country. It’s something I think the US lacks. The whole morning was rather wonderful. This may be one of my best birthdays ever, dare I say. 

To top things off I received a beautiful short-sleeved sweater from my Bulgarian Baba in the mail yesterday which I was able to wear today. I also got to skype with my wonderful parents and amazing friend Miss Krista Ryan. The day was great and I received many wishes of health, happiness, and love. If today is an indication of the upcoming year, 26 is going to be fantastic!

Thank you to everyone who helped me celebrate weather is was in person, online, or through the mail :)

Peace, Love, Literacy, and Reckless Curiosity.

Ninety-nine

It's official, less than 100 days until I get on a plane back to Minnesota and reality is setting in. I'm really enjoying my time in Bulgaria these days which is wonderful. I've been thinking the last few days and I've come up with a just a few things and people I'm going to miss when I'm back in the US:

-My third graders smiles, compliments, and optimism.
-Being gifted random homemade products and food without any particular holiday or celebration attached.
-The mountains.
-My counterpart and the teachers I'm able to work with that go the extra mile.
-Chatting with my PCV friends about daily life.
-My cats (they'll be staying here).
-The traditions of Bulgaria. I love watching my students sing and dance.
-Horo, traditional Bulgarian Dance. I love the femininity the women possess and the strength the men possess while dancing gracefully together.
-Being able to pretend I don't understand when I want to get out of a conversation.

Just a few things I've been thinking about :)

Peace, Love, Literacy, and Reckless Curiosity.

It's Spring :)

It's springtime, one of my favorite times of the year. Though the weather has been cold and dreary today was a beautiful, sunny day which was perfect timing as it was my school's Sports Day. The swimming races were inside though I was glad the weather was good since the track is outside. The whole week has been wonderful as we've had lots of events going on.This week marked the school's anniversary so last night there was an anniversary/spring concert which was wonderful. I've added another album of photos titled "March 2012 at SOU 11". Check out the photos under the links section. I'm happy it's Friday, now some time at home to work on my side projects.

Highlights of the day:
-Seeing students from each grade level win their relay races on the track and in the pool.
-Teaching my 3rd graders "track suit" as part of their clothing vocabulary.
-The 3rd grade boys not believing I could play football (soccer).
-A student's mom telling me how much the 3rd graders love having me as their teacher.

And I'll leave you with a few videos of the performances from last night:

The traditional dance performance by the students in high school is unfortunately too long to upload but it is wonderful and leave me a comment if you'd like to view it as I can send it via FlipShare :)

Peace, Love, Literacy, and Reckless Curiosity.

Konstantin Konstantinov

For any of you reading who don't know, the school I work at is named "Konstantin Konstantinov". It is a 1-12 public school and this week is our school's anniversary!

For a brief history of K. Konstantinov...he was born in 1890 here in Sliven and went on to gradate from Sofia University with a degree in law in 1911. He worked as a judge, prosecutor, legal advisor, attorney, and was a chairman in the "Literature" section of the House of Science and Art. He began publishing his own works including short stories, essays, memoirs, and novels. He was also the author of several books for children which are well respected. Finally he is known as own of the biggest translators of Russian and French. He died in 1970 in Sofia. He is commemorated through a national award which was established in 2004 and is given for lifetime achievement, publishing, writing, and illustration.

Today started the celebration with the elementary students. Each grade celebrated by getting all the kids together into one large room and then getting on with the show. I went with my 3rd graders to their time slot. Things began with a PowerPoint presentation narrated by about 12 students (some from each of the 4 classes). The PowerPoint was not only about K. Konstantinov but also about Sliven and things unique to our school. Then a different group of students came to the front with one girl reading questions pertaining to the school and the other students reading their answers they had written. Afterward a third group of students all drew numbers and stood in a line in the front of the room (in the order they had drawn). They all had one of K. Konstantinov's stories and starting with #1 they began reading. A teacher would ring a bell signaling the next student to read. After this there were certificates given and our school's anthem was played with all students standing and singing along (the words were projected). It was a nice day and nice way to celebrate. There will also be a concert this Thursday so I'm sure I'll put up another blog Friday or Saturday. Have a wonderful week! Now for some photos:

For any teachers, students, Bulgarian friends, check the links to the side if you want to see more photos of the 3rd graders. There is one album for each class and one with a mixture of students.

Peace, Love, Literacy, and Reckless Curiosity.

Happy International Women's Day!

Today was International Women's Day, a holiday I enjoy here in Bulgaria. I started off the day meeting another volunteer for coffee. I then went to school and after school there was a concert for all the teachers put on by several different student groups. After dinner we all went out to lunch at a local restaurant. It's a great holiday filled with flowers, good wishes, and smiles. In total I received 2 carnations, 2 handmade candy flowers, a hyacinth plant, and several cards. Now for a few photos from the day.

 The cards I made (above) and the cards another teacher made (below).

 One of the students wishing the Director (Principal) a Happy Women's Day. 

 A skit complete with song by one of the student groups.

 Enjoying lunch together.

If you'd like a bit more info about the holiday, check out this link:

A bit of history

Peace, Love, Literacy, and Reckless Curiosity.

Happy March 1st!

Happy Grandma March! Честита Баба Марта!

Today is one of my favorite holidays here in Bulgaria. It is celebrated with people giving one another red and white bracelets, necklaces, or pendants in honor of spring coming and customs associated with Grandma March. This year I was given over 100 items. What a wonderful day :) Now for the photos:

Peace, Love, Literacy, and Reckless Curiosity.