neglected blog :(

How things have changed. I havent blogged for 2 days and I feel guilty. A lot has happened in the last two days and I had a very bad day yesterday as a result. I felt my head getting hotter and hotter as the day progressed till I had had SO much bad news that I thought I was going to throw up.

Things soon became better.

Blow number one was a personal problem that I need to deal with over time with a friend.

Blow number two was my apartment. The landlord"s" in question are getting greedy and they both jacked up the rent for the units because they are in competition with each other. So yesterday Peter calle Brent and I into his office to say he was so miffed at the two that he was considering putting us up in the hotel. I was really not pleased with this option and I let him know as much, so he agreed to proceed as planned and if they try to raise it once more, I will have to buy a place here.

Ironically, two Brits have taken my "apartment to be" for 2 nigths (they leave today and I move in tomorrow) and I went to dinner with them. They are brothers and very fun to hang out with. They are buying property here like its going out of style. I looked at some of the real estate papers they had and the most expensive property was 8000 Euros. They are out of town mind you, but they have land, and out of town is 30 minutes drive MAX! People commute twice that daily in Toronto, and the drive is not nearly as nice- nor is the house or property they occupy.

Blow up number three was again long-distance bad news. I wont get too detailed, but it involved a trip to England that is clearly not going to happen now. It was one thing after another, and I couldnt deal with it.

So I did what girls do; bitched to Petya. And she was calm, and told me that these were all things that can be resolved, and most are not even my problem. She said to decide what "I" want and stick to it. And so I did. No one controls my life other than me of course and I will control it in the direction I want.

Ironically, the next day, almost none of it bothered me. The apartmet thing was resolved, as far as problem number one was concerned, I knew I was in the wrong, and had to admit it to all parties involved, and hey, problem number three is out of my hands. But how it makes me feel is very much in my control. William Glasser once again! Choice theory!

Plus, you cant win em all. 2 out of 3 aint bad!

Good day Sunshine!

Well it is finally sunny again. As I went out just now to look into flights to London, I noticed something was different, and it wasn’t till I was breaking a sweat that I realized it was because it was sunny. I think the damp and fog have dulled my senses. How dense can I get?

I sat at the computer earlier and typed a great little blog entry, only to lost it when I hit “post”. It was a long one too. UGH! Computers. So this one is being typed in Word, and I will cut and paste it.

Flying from here to London is proving to be a major pain in the behind! Its only three hours for crying out loud, yet some flights- i.e. wizzair take upwards of 10 hours to drop you into Gatwick or that new airport starting with L. That is because they force you to sit in the airport in the Czech republic somewhere for hours and hours. No thanks. I did that on the way in and I am not into it.

Well, I just had a call from a friend in England and spoke for almost half an hour. My ear is steamy and I want to go home to Oscar man.

Asta mgnana

Boozing it up at work

Well, its Monday 4:30 pm and I am drunk. Why?? B/c it was the school doctors' birthday today and she brought in snacks and booze to celebrate, so I had 2 vodka and Sprites. And as most of you know, I am a cheap drunk!!!

Gotta love a place that encourages drinking at work. I dont know who hung that horse-shoe around me neck, but I feel like everything here is making up for all the S#*% in Korea. Thank you Goddess. Finally, retribution!

I am too tipsy to be eloquent right now, so I will write more tomorrow.

Happy Monday!

Well it's Saturday

And guess what? It's raining. But it has cut back to a drizzle now. Just enough to keep the sky dark, and keep me from doing my laundry. But I have a heater now, so I can hang clothes indoors.

I am at school. Yes, even on my day off, I came up the 6000 steps. I am here because I have to post some comments on the Glasser book. I also had an appointment to talk to a friend on Yahoo, but that may be cancelled. Something like that used to make me really mad. And honestly today, I wasn't too pleased, but I instantly laughed it off. One; because I got an email warning me of the reason of the possible cancellation, and two; because I have been there myself. Many a times. And hey, things come up.

On my walk with Oscar this morning I got to thinking about the quality of life most people have in this world. I thought about how diligent I am about keeping Oscar clean, feeding him and walking him on time, and giving him lots of play time, and not too much alone time. I realized I was a good mommy, and should I ever have kids, I will give the same attention to them and more (because they will cry), as I do to Oscar. And this would not be because I am a better person, or more caring, though I am sure that is true in some cases. But I think it is mostly because I have the means. For my current situation and location, I make a good salary. Five times the average salary here in fact. I have a free apartment, and I work relatively short hours. I organize my life well, and I make time for the important things. Most people are not that lucky and I don't have to look very far to see those people. In fact, not only do I have a better quality of life than over 50% (possibly much more) of the population of the world, but so does Oscar.

This got me thinking about something else that has been becoming very apparent in my way of thinking- mainly about my own future.

My life-goals have completely shifted. I used to want to be great. I mean, great in an international sense; like Jane Goodall, work for WWF, Greenpeace etc. I dreamed of doing humanitarian work (and still do from time to time). But today, I realized that I am not thinking along those lines any more. And why? Probably because I am happy doing what I am doing. I am teaching the importance of these very same things through my lessons, and my attitude. I am shaping these minds, however slightly.

Now I have no illusions of grandeur. I am not a goddess (some would argue), nor do I think my influence on these kids will be life-altering in every case, but it might be in one or two. Or I may just plant a seed that they will nurture, and make the right decisions down the road. Unfortunately there is no way of gauging these things, unless a student comes to me after many years, and tells me "It was because of YOU that I did this", as I did with Philip Stanbury.

But I think my conclusion is this. Now that I am in an environment where I am not an alien, where I seem to fit in and I am comfortable, I seem to be able to work these things in naturally. Also I am more confident in teaching, I allow myself to make connections with the students, and vice versa, and this also brings out the best in me. I no longer need to be Mother Teresa. I am happy teaching others to be just a little more careful about the every day things they do. All I can hope for and work on, is an cumulative effect.

Arbenasi

Beautiful Beautiful Arbenazi. Even in the rain.

Here are a couple pf photos of Brent, Detelina and me :)

How much can it rain???

48 hours. Its been raining NON stop. I fear for the people down the hill.

We have a 4 day weekend. At the end of next week, I get to play hookie for a day and go to Bucharest for a visa run. Looking forward to that. After that I will be legal here in Bulgaria.

I spent the day with Oscar, watching baaaad TV, walking in the rain and napping. Napping is important if you are a dog. It fills up most of the day- 20 hours in fact if you are a Shi-tsu. I am coming back as a Shi-tsu in my next life- but to a good family who wont eat me, or tie me up to a doghouse all day and night.

Thank-God for the rain the Alsatian is indoors again. So Oscar and I have been sleeping well. The apartment is rahter cold. It was 18 degrees in there last night so today I went to the market and bought a small space heater. It pumps out a lot of heat.

Last night, 4 co-workers came over to play scrabble. Detelina, Albena, the Hebrew teacher whose name I always forget and Brent of course. Brent was playing for the second time in his life and he creamed us! Detelina who is our department head and very competitive was second, and she was not happy about it. Brent got "Quiz" on a double word score for a total of 42 points. So he learned how to say 42 in Bulgarian and has been taunting Detelina ever since. All he has to do is say 42 in Bulgarian and she gets mad all over again. Its great!

So Oscar met the Bulgarian delegation and now has new found friends who admire him greatly. As he should be admired! He got many treats, and I had to clean up after him in the yard. Bulgarian cheesies are vile. Even Oscar snubbed them after a while. I miss Cheetos!

I may not blog tomorrow. Brent, Detelina and I are thinking of going to Arbenasi, a village near here that is supposed to be very nice. I hope we get some break from this rain. I want tot ake photos.

Will blog Saturday.

Rainy day

It has been raining for almost 24 hours. There are floods throughout Bulgaria and that is all they are showing on then news. It seems the 4 day weekend ahead of us, will best be spent at home. I have been invited to both Sofia and Rouse, but I dont know about either. I want to stay home and read, and possible go around to the neighboring towns here and take pictures. I think tis is a nice area with lots to see, and Brent wants to go too.

A little about Brent: He is American- without any of the stereotypical American behavior that was SO prevelant in Americans in Korea, from Iowa I think, and he is fresh out of University- or at least very recently. He is cute as a button, and all the female students will soon fall in love with him, I'm sure! He is mild-mannered, and bit nervous about teaching. He is nice to hang out with and loves Oscar. Need I say more?

So on October first, he will be moving into my apartment, which is actually growing on me to the point where I do not actualy want to move out any more, and I will move into the unit next door. I have changed a lot of things in my place and he will have a good home soon. I think living next to him will be easy, as he is really quite laid back. He is a good co-worker to have, and surely, will be snatched up by a lucky and smart Bulgarian beauty! I am glad he is here, as he has good music, can apparently cook, and seems to like the same things I do. Keeps us both from feeling isolated.

On a not so pleasant note, my director told my present landlord that I will be moving, and suddenly he isnt so nice to me any more. Last night, I went to tell them the dog had kept me from sleeping for 2 nights and he basically said "Too bad". Now correct me if I am wrong, but I think the true sign of a nice person is one who is nice when he has no reason to be. I guess that answers my quandary about him. That and the fact that I hear him screaming all the time. He is annoying and maybe its better that he isnt my landlord. Brent said he would be talking to him about keeping the dog tied up. Yeah, we shall see about that.

Well the bell just rang and that means I have a lunch date with Brent. Down the slippery steps we go. God help us, its still raining!

Recycling programme

I mentioned in one of my favorite grade 8 classes today that the Biology teacher and I want to start a recycling programme and the kids started clapping. Then I asked for volunteers and 5 shot up their hands. I got goose bumps instantly. And next week, we shall start looking into the logistics of this.

I feel like I have a lot on my plate, but oddly do not feel overwhelmed- YET!

A change of pace

When I was in Korea, it used to really bother me that the students spoke out of turn. I used to ask them to be quiet constantly. But here, I seem to have gone through a transformation. It may be because of the CELTA course I did, or it might be that I am more relaxed and enjoy this place far more than Korea.

But today, I was having a discussion class, and they were talking both Bulgarian and English, laughing in class, and being unruly at times, and I didnt mind at all! In fact, I encouraged them to speak about whatever was the topic at hand, but asked that they get to keep it mostly to English. And when I needed them to be silent, they obeyed (wrong choice of words but you know what I mean). So it seems the seeming lack of control in my classes is giving me more control when needed. Its the age old method; Choose your fights!

The Alsatian alarm clock

My landlord has decided to keep his dog outside from now on, basically across from my window, ties to a post, with some shelter! Now this is a 5 month old puppy, and she doesnt know what is happening. Not that dogs EVER really know what is happening. Well the first night the dog barked every two hours, so I was super tired yesterday. Last night was pouring rain and I was sure they would take her inside.

Most of the night there was no sound. I set my alarm clock to 7:10 am (sleeping in is taking on a whole different meaning these days) as I dont have class till 10 today, and wouldnt you know it! At 5:30 she started barking NON stop! I mean NON stop! Till 6:40! At which point I just got up. I mean what was the point??

Now having worked at the Humane Society, I am well aware of what this does to a dog. Being tied up 24-7 is worse than a death sentence, especially for a puppy. So Brent is moving in, in 10 days, I am changing apartments, and he said he will likely adopt her, and take better care of her. In the meantime, I need to have a word with my landlord. He is obviously "old school" and he screams a lot- but not at me, just to his wife. That explains why she looks worried all the time!

If he ever tries to scream at me, he will experience the wrath of Katrin. That ought to show him!

Re-evaluating a few things

To me, Meryl Streep is the personification of class. I wish I had as much class as that woman packs in her little finger. And quite appropriately, my all time favorite quote from a film, came from her lips; "Some things come at a price, and I want to be one of them".

To me this means the person values theor partner enough to pay any price to make him/her happy. Now, let's be realistic here, it has to be both ways, so if it isnt reciprocated, it wont keep going for long.

Why am I on this train of thought? Because I think as I am getting to know myself more, I have realized I want to settle for nothing less than wanting to do that, and being treated that way. I am weeding out the wusses like there's no tomorrow. This may sound mean, but honestly, at 36, and quite happy alone, I will not get involved with every Tom, Dick and Harry.

It used to be "three strikes and you're out", but now, if I get a hint of incompatibility, (and by this I mean in the important things-not "I like chocolate and you like vanilla ice cream) I walk away. I know there is a perfect fit somewhere out there, and having been in a bad marriage and beaten the dead horse of incompatible partners, I am not willing to give anyone the chance who says stupid things, can't communicate (lets face it, if you're in your forties and cannot say what you mean without sounding like an imbecile, then you are likely a hopeless case) , or has nothing to converse about, then you are not for me.

It's actually not mean at all, but practical. Why should I waste his time and mine, taking trips to see each other, talking on the phone etc. when the perfect girl may be six feet away from him, but he is with me. And vice versa of course.

This doesnt sound the way I want it to- it sounds a lot harsher. All I want to be saying is that I am raising the bar- and not just for a prospective partner, but for my own behavior. I am not a nice person when I am unhappy, and so I need to find someone I can communicate with, and enjoy my days, as mundane as the activities themselves might be. Otherwise I really do prefer to be alone. Its just common sense, which apparently I didnt have in my twenties!

Oh what a perfect day....

....I'm glad I spent it with me....

I love my own company and the company of Oscar above all I think. This may sound strange, but I really had a brilliant day, all by my lonesome. Sniff sniff!!

I wont go through all the boring details of what I did, but it involved cleaning and reorganizing my apartment to the point where I do not want to move to the unit next door now. I really have to decide this soon! But my landlords are such good people, and they are MY kind of people; slightly nosy, but helpful (LOL) and I like them a lot. I think I would hurt them by moving out into the next unit.

I also realized today that I can make any place a nice living space. Just a few little changes, and it reaks of Katrin. A few flowers, a couple of plants, pillows, and tablecloths, and voila; a home. I wish I had brought my kilims from Iran. Maybe I can convince my mom to throw then in her suitcase when she comes for a visit, or maybe, just maybe I can buy a couple of nice ones here. OH! Hello! Turkey! I am going there in a few weeks (I think) for my visa run. There. Problem solved!

I also read quite a chunk of the Glasser book for my course. I don't know if I agree with his philosophy, but its open to discussion, which is actually part of the online course. I did ALL my laundry, bought groceries, took Oscar on 2 loooong walks, had breakfast in the back yard with espresso strong enough to put hair on my chest, and wrote OGA (see previous blog for explanation). I also held up the Faridani tradition of listening to Bach on Sundays. I did squeeze in one Dvorjak, but it was the cello concerto, so its acceptable (I make the rules after all).

Now I have the evening ahead of me, and I plan to make Armenian Cutlet, and have it with the rice salad I made last night. Brent my American co-worker came by for us to go for drinks, and I whipped it up in a few minutes. It was damn good. He was impressed. However neither of us was impressed by the night-life here or rather, lack thereof. This is going to be a good town to do a masters degree in, I think. Especially since the few nightclubs will be filled with my students.

Adventures of Oscar the dog

I started two very important things today; my reading for my Masters programme and my childrens book. See title is the subject line.

I think I have the first draft of the first chapter done. It being a childrens book, the first chapter is about 5 pages, which is about as long as my attention span can handle- not to mention Oscars'.

The great thing is, he was sitting on my lap for most of the time I was writing it. He was assisting me. I had to clarify a few points with him since I wasnt his mommy for the first while. He's a good story teller that pup!

I hope to find someone to illustrate it, since he isnt a puppy any more, and it begins from when he was a pupppy, and then once I get to the volumes (yes I'm planning on a series of books) where he is at his present age, I can have photos instead.

I have so far covered the evil of puppy mills, being seperated too young from the mom, and the problem with discarding animals. What can I say, its an action filled childrens book. Its not just a fun kids book, its full of messages. Like all good childrens books should be!

I will be typing it at school in Word, so if anyone wants to volunteer to proof read, please let me know and I will forward you the attachment. So far I have been writing it in my journal which was given to me by Phaedra when I went to Iran for 5 months in 2001. (Thanks Phae)

I will not be posting it online for obvious reasons.

I am off to get groceries, now that my fridge door has been re-attached and I have an ice box (meaning I keep having to put ice in it to keep it cool- naaaaahhhh just kidding. Armenian exaggeration. What can I do. It comes naturally.)

End of the week

Whew! First week done. We worked today in lieu of having next Friday off. So next week we will be working Monday to Wednesday and then get a 4 day weekend. Nice start to the year.

As for my students, I had forgotten how much attitude can be packed into a grade niners brain. I am sure I was a handful myself and this is some cosmic Karma coming back to haunt me, but I would have thought hormones would have pushed anythign else out of teenage minds. Not so! I went into my grade nine class and saw that most were taller than me; a problem I never had to cope with in Korea as most are miniscule there. I said "Hmmm, most of you are taller than me" and the class smart-ass as I have already nicknamed him said "Well that's not too hard now, is it?" Bonus points for him for being quick on his feet as I like that in a person (generally speaking- meaning when it isnt directed at me) so I replied :"If you are trying to score points, you are failing miserably" and then I let out my evil laugh which still haunts anyone who has heard it!

So there it is. Another day another dollar (just about).

It seems I have fallen in an immigration loophole which my make me illegal in this country, but as Peter (our director) said, all problems can be solved, so I think some palm greasing is in order. I live this country. I think I have said that already. hey, if that doesnt work, I will have to go back to Canada. Hmmmm.............. no NO NO NO NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Not yet!

quick note

I met a new grade 8 group today and they were well behaved and cooperative. I truly enjoyed that class. I went out for break and when I came back, they had written "Katrin is the best" on the board. This year is coming to a great start!!!! I love it here. Have I mentioned that already?

I am even starting to love my flat, which is still moist and damp, but its starting to smell more like a Faridani houselhold than mustiness now that I am cooking up a storm.

Note to anyone intending on traveling anywhere really foreign. Make sure you take some insence you like with you. It has been the best thing I packed and I really missed it the first while I was in Korea. You never know what smells will bother you.

a comment from a friend

I got this in an email from someone I did the CELTA course with in July. She is a Bulgarian living in Sofia.

I'm so glad you got the job in VT - the town is one of my favorite places in Bulgaria, so I knew somehow you were going to love it. I've been reading your blog and it's impossible to comment since I simply can't stop reading. To see my country through the eyes of someone who is not Bulgarian turns out to be quite a revelation! I usually expect only bad comments and I admire your stamina in coping with all the wrist-flicks that life is serving you here.

After Korea and the HUGE culture shock I had to endure there, this place is like home sweet home. I feel like Bulgarians have to "endure" me not the other way around. Glad to be here is all I can say. GRIN!!

pooped

Big day today. Met the students, then went looking for a bank to exchange some Canadian dollars- and had to visit 5 to do so, came home early to walk Oscar and didnt feel like going back- so I didnt. I feel like I have been walking all day though. Took oscar out several times, went to the flea market and bought ruby red slippers (cushy ones, not ones I can click my heels with) bed linen, a frying pan and a non sitck pot to make rice and tah-dig (the Iranian crispy rice my friends have grown to love).

Back to the supermarket for food, made dinner, ate in the yard with my landlords, watched LOST- I havne't mentioned this but they show LOST here! I am So thrilled. Its on Episode 7, and it plays nightly. And now I am here. Got to go back and walk Oscar man.

I am too exhausted to write anything coherent so I will stop torturing my readers. I did make sure to change the alarm to 6am already though. Can't be doing that again. Nighty night.

Armenian Poets

Last night while I was on MSN with a friend of mine in Toronto, I made a statement connected to the English saying "Still waters run deep". He then asked me if I had heard of an Armenian poet named Bedros Tourian. Not being the biggest Hye-a-get (Armenian expert) in the world, I shamefully answered "No". Then proceeded to look him up on Google.

Ahhhh, Google: hasnt let me down yet! I found the poem he was referring to and as I read it, my heart sank and my eyes filled with tears. All this in the middle of a very crowded, very loud internet cafe. I will include the link below for those of you interested.

This morning I opened my email to see several poems in my inbox. I have never gotten poetry before, and I dare say its as good, if not better than getting flowers. If a touch on the cheek can caress you physically, something like that caresses your soul.

So for those guys out there who don't know how to reach someone at their core, SEND POETRY!

Check out: http://oldpoetry.com/poetry/31062

Classy classes

Well, I taught two sets of students today. The first class went very very well. I had three hours with them, as they are grade 8s and they get a lot of English to begin with. All subjects are taught in English here so in their first year, they get a lot of English instruction. I get to mould young mind (picture evil laugh) Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha...

I had great rapport with the students. they were allowed to ask me ANY question they wanted and unlike Koreans the first questions were not "Where are you from? How old are you? Are you married". They did eventually come up, but the best questions were "Why did you choose to come to BG?", "How do you feel being in a country where you do not understand anything that is said around you?" and finally "What countries have you been to?"

When I announced that the 15 minute question period was up and this would be the last question, someone piped up and said "Are you married?", but no one asked me how old I was till the second class, and when he did, another student said "That's not a polite question." Again- totally against Korean traditions.

Speaking of the second class, they are older, and much more comfortable with their surroundings. They think they are in charge and that will soon have to change, so I need to figure out how.

For those of you with electronic clocks, beware that you must set the right 24 hour period. I set my clock to 6pm and woke up with a start at 7:12am. I am supposed to be in school at 7:45 and it takes me 20 minutes to walk here at a leisurely pace. I was not happy and neither was Oscar at the lack of his walk today. Sorry Oscar, I will make it up to you.

First day of school

Today was the first day of school all across Bulgaria.Wow! What a ceremony.

We don't actually teach today, but there is a grand ceremony, and the students bring the teachers flowers. There are enough flowers here to sink a ship right now. I didn't get any though because the students didn't know I existed till today. That's alright. I don't really care about that stuff. (Sniff sniff)

I woke up not feeling too great today, so when I got to work I described my ailment to Petya, my favorite co-worker and she quickly produced pills. I being desperate for relief took 2. During the ceremony, while standing outside, I felt as though I was going to drop. I was dizzy, lightheaded and quite nauseous. I asked the school doctor if there was a place I could lie down, and she took me to the doctors office and took my blood pressure. 90 over 60! MY GOD! I am ssurprised I was still standing! She gave me a few drops in a cup and I lay there feeling totally miserable. She checked back a few minutes later, and gave me something else to drink (I have so many drugs in me right now, its like a Molotov cocktail I'm sure) and a few minutes later I could stand.

What struck me most was the attention I got from just this little episode. In Korea people go to work when they are at deaths' door. No one cares if someone is sick. You're contagious? You wear a mask. You feel like a lump of turd, you grin and bear it. Here, everyone came and and asked how I was, held my hand, brought me something to drink. This is a good country to be sick in (not that I plan to spend my time feeling ill)!!!

So they are sympathetic people and they know the best medicine is love and care. I like it here more every day, and I am happy to have chosen this place for a third of the pay of Korea (which wasn't high to begin with).

Just t get off topic here, once I get the necessities for my apartment, I know I can get by here with 50 Leva a week, and live quite well on that actually. So saving money here for a trip to Egypt shouldn't be that hard. Yes you read correctly. I am headed there in February if I can do it. We'll see.

Hmmm, I feel OK. I wonder if I can make it down the hill to get a bite? Everyone left for lunch. Its Albena's birthday today, but I couldn't move at the time they all went out. So I sat here and blogged instead! Maybe I'll text message someone to bring me something to eat. Hmmm, laziness is good. Did I mention the school was at the top of a hill. I will photograph the steps and post it here. I am going to get really strong muscular legs after a year here. I have already stopped huffing and puffing coming up the steps and its only been a week.

Katrina visits BG

We had torrential rains last night which interrupted my visit to the Internet cafe. Hence I didn't blog last night. I have a short clip of the waterfall in my street and will try to find a way to post it on here. There was at least a foot of water coming down the street and I had NO idea until my landlord knocked on my door and asked me if everything was alright. You see my place is a half basement apartment, meaning from the front of the house I must walk down stairs to get to my door, but from the back its a walkout to the garden.

I assured him all was well, and wondered why he was asking. He told me to follow him, and as he opened the front door I saw that the water was level with the first step. I ran in and got my camera.

Needless to say Oscar didn't get much of a walk last night, so we spent the evening running around the apartment and playing inside. I also bought a piece of beef for dinner and made a delicious stir fry (I love cooking with gas) and he got the bone. It was his lucky night!

This morning, I saw that the water has washed all the construction material down the street. Stones and tiles everywhere. I can just imagine what Louisiana is going through. Of course I am getting blamed for all this. Yes indeed, Katrin has hit BG!

Staff meeting from hell!

Well in my opinion, "productive staff meeting" is an oximoron. Why? Becasue everyone turns into morons at a meeting. Including yours truly.

Todays staff meeting took the cake!

We have another Canadian here who is teaching literature and grade 9 English. He is a contradictory individual, with degrees and publications up the yin-yang but no people skills. He seems incapable of listening, has an attitude of supiriority and makes me want to strangle his scrawny little neck.

Anyway I just want to vent! There are some people in this world who know they are right, and they are so irritating! They make broad statements like " I have taught in Russia. These students are the same. I know these students" (He hasnt met a single student yet.)Blah blah blah! Go stuff it, I say! The only thing you know is that your head is bigger than Bulgaria and if your "system" of teaching works, I will change my name to Bertha!

That's it for staff meetings for me.

no subject

I had a great day. Too bad it ended at home.

Last night my fridge door fell off and with it fell the last thread of hope for making my place work.

I woke up with the idea that I wasnt going to let this get me down. "Choice theory". And as I chose to have a lovely morning, and take Oscar for an extra long walk, I began to feel fine.

Then I walked to VT University and found the British Council bookstore. The walk was amazing and Oscar and I are going back there this weekend with my camera. Just beautiful!

I had great success there finding the books I needed for drama in esl, games, communicative teaching, and error correction (all fascinating subjects, I know) and then cabbed it to school just in time to go for lunch. My co-workers are great, and we went for a soup and salad lunch. Tarator is a yogurt based soup with cucumbers, dill, and nuts. A cold and lovely summer delight. And a greek salad to follow. How good could it get?

I spent the afternoon in my first lesson for my Masters course, and then planned my lesson for my advanced class. For some strange reason I developed a headache late in the afternoon.

I walked home after five and had a full on headache by the time I got home. All I wanted was to walk Oscar and then have a quiet evening. Well not to be! My landlord decided tonight was the night he was going to take care of the mould issue in the bedroom, and so the entire family was in my place doing work. Too much for me to handle!

Plus, they tied up their Alsatian to the new "doghouse" and he was barking constantly!!! It was as if I had no refuge, and I started to get very irritated- trapped in fact. Just then the landlady brought me a bowl of soup and headache meds and I realized that they are good people. And all that frustration I was feeling washed away. I ate the soup in the back yard, with the constant barking going on, and I had a pill and was fine in a few minutes.

Life is funny sometimes isnt it?

I am tired. I have been chatting online to 2 of my favorite men in the world for the last hour, and I need to go home to my other favorite man, Oscar.

Tomorrow's installment; Korean and Bulgarian differences. #1 Korea smelles like Kimchi, Bulgaria smells like mustiness.

First lesson

Here is my first assignment. I guess I am going for it.

Action Research Component

On the Discussion Board, under the thread titled 3.1 Session One: Section A, post Section A of your Action Research Study.

A. What is my research interest?

Begin by asking the question "What are the issues, concerns, problems in my practice?" Identify a concern that YOU can do something about, in relation to the quality of student learning. Notice that the words "issues, concerns and problems" call attention to personal values, and you should select some aspect of your teaching that relates to students’ learning--it MUST have direct relevance to your teaching. Part of the challenge lies in constructing a "researchable" question that you believe has significance and substance to self and others. This question will help you determine what data you will collect and how you will collect it.

During this class, you will begin the practice of Action Research. According to Arhar, Holly and Kasten (2001) Action Research is "an orientation to research, a form of professional practice, a research process, and, for teachers, a reflective way of teaching." Action Research answers the question "How can I improve my practice?"

The combination of Choice Theory and Action Research is a natural one. In Choice Theory, students learn to practice the G-PAR to achieve their goals. Action Research provides a G-PAR for teachers, to allow them to systematically inquire into the patterns that occur in their classrooms, and to allow them to experiment with ways they can change those patterns in a purposeful way. You will take your first step toward Action Research by identifying a problem in your classroom. Perhaps a group of students are not engaged, or present behavior problems, or perhaps students are repeatedly not achieving in a particular subject or class - or maybe your problem is completely different from all of those issues. Whatever this problem is, reflect upon it.

Note the steps you have taken in the past to correct it, that haven't worked. Note the impact it has on your students' educational experience, and your own professional performance. Don't explore solutions - not at this point. Just identify the problem, and try to get it down to one well-defined question.

Some examples of Action Research questions that have been explored in the past include:
How can I create a classroom environment that holds students responsible for their own learning?

How do I maintain an efficient and effective classroom atmosphere?

How can I monitor my classroom so that my students are held more accountable for their own learning?

Willian Glasser

I am blogging as I am sitting in my first class. I must say I do not like my prof. Our styles are different- too different, but then here is the beauty of online courses. I wont have to see him every day. He is very American- not that there is anyhting wrong with that, just not my flavour as Raff used to say- or was it Phae?

So I have to read the book called "Choice theory" by Glasser and comment on the important points on the Graceland site, where I would discuss things with other student-teachers. Then at the end I think there is something like a self-evaluation where we write a paper on how the philisophy has changed our way of thinking/teaching and how it will be applied to our day to day lives.

Well, I will write more when I know more. This is really just speculation.

"Family business"

Well, I met them. The head of the board of trustees and another gentleman who said nothing after introducing himself.

And I did tell them my plans, and they said "We'll be behind you all the way with this". It all sounded a lot like "family biz" if you know what I mean, but they were nice enough. That's the trouble isn't it? They are always nice!

Its 10:45 pm on a Saturday night here and what am I doing? I am blogging in an Internet cafe! I am hoping my new co-worker Brent will call me for brunch tomorrow, if not, I may go alone with Oscar man, find a cafe, have espresso and mish mash for breakfast (a Bulgarian egg dish) and sit and read my book on a patio someplace.

I wanna know why no one is commenting on my blog! BOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO

I'll go cry myself to sleep now.

To master or not to master

This blog is about two different topics.

First: I have taken to listening to my iPod on the way to work. I get looks because of it because I imagine not many people (adults anyway) listen to a walkman here. I saw a very old woman walking towards me carrying a heavy load, wearing tattered clothes, with a scarf covering her wiry silver hair. She reminded me a bit of my grandmother, and it occurred to me that the iPod was likely more expensive than the money she would see in an entire year.

Why is life so imbalanced? Why do some live on so little when other piss away so much in a day- AN HOUR!?!?

I guess I am socialist at heart, though we all know it only works in theory. People are greedy, and I include myself in that. We always want more. This brings me to my next point.

I have been considering doing my Masters for a long time. I just found out that the school is willing to do more "good" by paying for my masters degree, if I commit to another five years after the completion of my degree. This apparently is negotiable, but half the fee for half the time may be an option.

A friend recently told me he was going to do a degree in Psychology, which made me respect him, since his vocation is something entirely different, but it also made me think of myself and the degrees I have considered in life.

Now we have the Dean of Graceland University here as an advisor and he just gave us all books by a "world renowned psychiatrist" William Glasser. Now I didn't know this man from Adam yesterday but you bet I am going to research him and the online Masters degree at Graceland.

Apparently its 9 credits, so it should be affordable; time wise as well as financially. Apparently his degree combines the disciplines of teaching (classroom management and motivation) with psychology and behavioral issues. I am not too sure but will know more soon. We are talking about doing the first course as a group here with all the teachers and if that is the case, it will count towards my degree should I decide to continue.

I quite enjoyed being a student in the CELTA course this summer so it should be fun and inspiring. And if its paid for, then so much the better.

AND, as for the "Ammunition" issue affiliated with this school, I have decided to look at it this way: If they will fund me to start a recycling programme with the students in VT, then I will have a new found respect for them. I am about to meet with the owner in a few minutes, and I am going to feel him out. I may not mention the specifics to him right now, but rather ask if they would be intersted in funding an environmental project executed by the students.

Who knows, I may reach a greater goal here over and above teaching. I was told before leaving that I would achieve great things here, and that kind of comment fuels me. After all, who am I to prove anyone wrong?

Holidays? NOT!

Well, at about 4pm I was told that we have to work tomorrow. But tomorrow is Saturday, I thought! But no! Last week there were national holidays, and seeing as how productive these people are at work, the government feels they can't miss work days. So whenever there is a holiday, they make up that date by working the following Saturday.

Now correct me if I am wrong, but doesnt that defeat the purpose of national holidays?

There were plent of Korean anomolies. I feel there will be just as many here.

Still I love this place and my apartment is coming together nicely. If I have a comfortable abode, I can ahndle just about anything. I bought myself the funkiest stainless steele electric kettle today.

OK, off to enjoy my new bed.

American College Arcus

I just found out that this school is funded by gun money! OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!! How against all my values is that? Apparently after the fall of communism a bunch of Bulgarians bought some businesses and started producing ammunition. Now that they are rolling in dough, they are doing things for their community. "Giving back" so to speak.

They have apparently built a hospital as well.

I really dont know what to think about this. I feel very strange about it. No wonder they have so much money! You can check the web-site and see just how rich this place is: http://www.ac-arcus.com/arcus/

I wonder if I can get Arcus to fund me to start an animal shelter here.

later the same day

They same people will fill the time allotted to do any task. I have been working on my lesson plan ALL DAY! UGH!

It IS for a 2hour and 40 minute class though. Brutal!

I wanted to make an observation about the way Bulgarians seem to work. We have been told to be here from 8:30 to 5 these couple fo days for prep, and so far, the Bulgarians; who smoke like chimneys have been out for smoke breaks every hour, each time these breaks last 15 minutes. You do the math! I like this place. I will look like a hard (er) worker with this system in place.

Though I am sure when the school year begins, these guys wont have the time to go to the loo, let alone have smoke breaks. Everyone seems dissppointed that I dont smoke, since this seems to be the main event here and when everyone socializes. They want to drag me out to chat with them. Sorry folks! Second hand smoke kills.

I am already planning my house warming party :)

As they say here in Bulgaria "Ciao ciao"

The bed that wouldnt be!

I broke down and bought a bed. And that is after I broke down and had a crying fit in the middle of the night because I couldnt sleep and so desperately wanted to! The Japanese used to torture people with sleep depravation. I sort of know what that feels like!

We hit about 7 furniture stores yesterday afternoon. This kind of venture would have taken a full day in Toronto with the distances but Turnovo being the size of my palm, well, maybe the size of Oxford, was fairly easily to get around in.

I bought a one and a half bed (the half is for Oscar fo course) and I was given a headboard, baseboard, 2 side pieces and a matress/boxspring combo bor 242 Leva. It took me an hour and 15 minutes to assemble the pieces using a piece of wood as a hammer and a butter knife as a screwdriver, only to see the mattress was 3 cms bigger than the frame.

I called Peter, my boss and told him the problem, and within 25 minutes had a new headboard and basebord delivered by a co-worker. He had a screw-driver fortunately and he undid and redid the frame, and I had a good nights sleep FINALLY! I say "I" and not "we" because Oscar-man seems to be able to sleep no matter what. In fact, all those sleepless nights were spent listening to him snore. SHOW OFF!

So today, I feel somewhat alive and am lesson planning. My new co-worker arrived. He is nervous about teaching but I am OK thanks to the CELTA course. I am planning my first class to the minute but I dont think this will be the case for too long. We are after all teaching from a text book, but I have a few tricks up my sleeve which will make it more interesting for the students.

Off to lunch! My co-worker Petya (I like her a lot and it looks like I am shooting her wedding next month) in celebrating a birthday today so I am buying her lunch. I am also grooming her dog this weekend. She saw Oscar yesterday and was impressed by his haircut, and thrilled that I had clippers and knew how to do it. Maybe a side business?? LOL

First day and a half

My landlord has a puppy Alsatian who is already five times Oscars size. They met last night. The pup is a female and I mentioned that Oscar was not fixed and he would have to be soon unless they wanted Shi-tsu-Asatian mixes, and my landlords response to that was "In my house, no males get castrated". I thought this rather funny but when I looked at Oscar he looked like he had a big-ass grin on his face. Let's see what those puppies look like. If a Jack Russel can get in on the action with a Dalmation (Hannas mom and dad) then why cant Oscar do the same. right?

I went out and bought food today and a few necessitites. Went to a covered market. My landlords son, who is 14, is quite fluent in English, and does simultaneous translation while his dad talks a blue streak. His dad is quite the character too but the mom has a constant worried look on her face. Not sure what she is so worried about. A look of anxt almost. She is quite sweet and quite the cook. I dined with them again tonight.

The 3 cats, Oscar and the puppy are getting along fine though I have to watch Oscar and the 6 claws in the rather tight garden. He pisses them off good, and they may just scratch his big bulgy eyes out.

I have a Russian TV in my bedroom the size of a Lada! And about as useful for watching television. Its B&W except at the bottom where the tube is going and there is a rainbow. The volume is "ON 11" and I cannot turn it down. Last night in the middle of a VERY LOUD movie, the screen went blank, never to return. I got a mini black TV today with a working remote and 40 channels (No animal planet Toni). But unfortunately it must sit on the Lada for now.

My bed: A hammock with springs. Need I say more? I may be purchasing a bed soon. Every time Oscar jumps on, he practically projectile launches me off the bed.

My fridge: I filled it with vegetables and juice and the basic necessities today only to find it couldnt handle food in it. My landlord and I had tense words,(translated by his son) and at the end he said he would buy me a new fridge. Then he invited me to dinner. I love these people.

I realized I left the keys to my suitcase lock on my moms dining table. I took a knife to the lining in the pocket at 4am this morning after writing a letter, reading 45 pages out of my book, making a shopping list, picking fleas off Oscar and killing mosquitos. I emptied my suitcase through a small cut in the outer pocket. I will have to open that lock before I go anywhere becasue I cant fill it though that hole LOL.

Ahhhhhh Finally....

....a culture I dont stand out in.

In fact, I fit in quite nicely. Proof of that being all the old ladies who talk to Oscar and me when we go out for walks. I mean if anyone should know their own people its the older generation no? They all look totally stunned when I answer in English. I really have to learn basic Bulgarian.

Considering I have been back and forth so much in the last couple of years and adjusted so well to jet-lag, I am completely stunned by my inability to adjust this time. First night I slept 9pm to 2am, then spent the night reading etc. and last night I was up until 6am. Now I feel like a truck ran over me a half dozen times in the night. I cannot explain it.

I will copy my first email to my friends here too. I am unable to be eloquent at the moment, so I will go home and be a couch potato instead. I go to work tomorrow. YIKES!