Off I go

I felt off yesterday, but better today. I dont know what it is, likely my iron level has hit rock bottom, but I have iron pills. I just have to remember to take them. I have been chewing an inordinate amount of ice. It must be the iron.

I woke up at 5. Must be the excitement. I showered, had time to dry my hair properly and cleaned up. At a quarter to seven I took Oscar-cho out for a walk. It was like the dead of night. The moon was still out, I could see stars and the street lights were off becasue it was morning after all!!! This is something strange about this place; Street lights go on and off at the same time eventhough it gets darker earlier and light much later. Its like my dads friend who used to wear his raincoat starting a certain day each spring, regardless of what the weather was before or after that date. It just makes NO sense!

Anhow, it was so dark and so quiet that I began wondering if Emilie had snuck into my house and changed all the clocks. I had to go back and check CNN to make sure.

Good old CNN. American propaganda worldwide. From the ten minutes I managed to watch while having my Muesli, I realized the people who control the puppet of presidency, have decided its time for Bush to shoved-off. All I heard was problems in his cabinet, or whatever the Yanks call that post. I say its time for the ape-man to shove off. High time in fact. Good riddance before they decide to bomb Iran, the Axis of evil housing my family and my history.

I am getting pissed off now!

But no time for that. Its time to teach.

Inane details!

So many minor, mindless things to do when one is going on a short jaunt! I remember Dennis Leary in his comedy act "no cure for cancer" talking about packing little bottles, small tubes etc. when you go traveling. Having special little bags for things, then when you are on the trip, you take a nother little day trip, and pack an even smaller tube and bottle of whatever you need and on and on...

Anyhooooooooooo

Tomorrow night I am heading to Sofia. I may just change my bus ticket to go right on time instead of early. I dont fancy hanging out for hours in the airport. I might stay with Milena on Friday night. We took the CELTA course together and she is now working at the school we studied at. So she lives in Sofia. Or, I might take the red-eye and arrive at the airport at 4am, when I am supposed to check in. NOT looking forward to that. I will want to crash when I get to Manchester.

I felt like I had been hit by a truck all day. I got more mystery drugs from the school nurse and drank it up. I came home early to nap, but Oscar was licking my nose, and he is so stinky right now I couldnt stand it, so I got up and washed his face. He doesnt like that at all. I have to pack his little bag too. I think he is going to Yolis for the 4 days. I was there yesterday to familiarize him with the place. It smelled good in there, like food. Oscar likes that.

Anyhow, mom just signed into Yahoo so thats it for this blog entry.

England, here I come...

After contemplating a trip to England a dozen times, I have bitten the bullet and am going this weekend. Its indulgent and irresponsible, but as my friend said, we both have the 4 days off, and all we are going to do is sit there on Yahoo and say "Wish you/I had come" and get all morose about it. So, what the heck? As Armenians say "Life is two days long!"

Oscar-Cho (meaning little Oscar) will be well taken care of by Yoli. She came over last night and met him again, and he took to her immediately. He knows someone cool when he sees one. That is why he picked me out of the thousands of Koreans who had walked by him.

We just got in from a walk, and I often bump into these three sweet girls on the street who know Oscars name already. We met early on in September. I am sure they have talked about us, because now I hear total strangers calling out Oscar on the street. This is limited to my hood obviously and the two parks around my house, but it just goes to show how unusual Oscar is and how our story has gotten around. I am sure they all know all about us. The crazy Canadian who carted a dog from Korea to Bulgaria. I really am a nut case aren't I? A bag of mixed nuts was always my favorite. A little nuttiness is not only fun but necessary to survive this kind of lifestyle, I think.

Also, what is the point of taking life too seriously? So many things are out of ones control!

So I am packed already, this being Wednesday morning. Everyone who has traveled with me knows that I pack way in advance, and this IS way in advance seeing as I got my ticket on Monday.

Today is "wing it day". We have finished the unit, tests are on Wed. next week, and I have to ad-lib classes till then. Fortunately because of the CELTA course I took, I am able to pull lessons out of my #$*. or shall I say out of thin air.

Today, ANIMALS. Not just ANY lesson about animals, but how we use them as adjective to describe people. My favorites: Pig (of course), Cow, and snake. Should be fun. And Friday, we are tearing apart the Black eyed peas song "Where is the love?" Its a lot of work, but the kids are excited. Also on the menu, readings from The Great adventures of Oscar the dog.

The master Baklava creator

She's the one in the whilte hood. Then we have Albena the Physics teacher, Pepi the Math teacher and Vesi, who teaches Computer science.

Me and Oscar-Cho

Pics!

What do you do when....

There is no nightclub you can go to? You make your own.

Tunovo is a small city, eventhough Veliko means, great. Yes there is a small Turnovo too thought I dont know what the Bulgarian word for that is. And actually, I am not even sure if this even IS a city. Whatever it is, it's small and going out to nightclubs means bumping into your students (yes they are under age but that doesnt stop anyone here). SO since I haven been here, despite my students insistance on going out anyway, I have refrained. Hence I am constantly itching to dance, and apparently I am not alone in that.

Last night the party was a great success. The bruchetta got eaten to the last piece, the curried tuna had return clientel, and we went right through the smoked salmon and creme cheese on cucumber Hors Doeuvres (sp?). They were Peters favorite, Peter my boss who as it turns out is younger than me!

Yesterday was a beautiful day. A good day on clothes as they say in Newfoundland. It was dry (ish) and sunny. The evening proved to be magnificent and since everyone in the country is born with a cigarette hanging out of their mouths, we all sat in back yard in Brents' garden (formerly mine).

One thing you need to know about Bulgarians, if you have a party and people volunteer to bring food, always accept. Also be ready to have food for a month! I tasted many delicious dishes last night including home made Baklava which totally blew any other baklava I have ingested in my lifetime RIGHT out of the water, and has hence ruined it for me for the rest of my existance. I also had home made Banitsa, a filo pastry and white (feta though they insist its different) cheese filling, and a few other yummy pastries and salads.

We all sat outside all night and enjoyed the weather, food, Rakia (not me though) rum(yes me), and Jack Daniels- not to mention beer and wine. Many bottles of booze were consumed, and when we were sufficiently lubed, talk started of going dancing. I, of course perked right up, and was into it, but the question was where to go. American College Arcus, why not? Lets turn it into a disco! I was in no position to argue, nor did I care to. We called 4 cabs, threw the remainder of the bottles into bags, and headed back to school.

Ivan, our computer dude hooked up his computer to the sound system and before I knew it, we had Bulgarian line dancing going on. I am already an old hand at that so I jumped right in and kicked up my heels. This was only the warm up of course, and as we danced around the auditorum I thought to myself I like these people. I feel totally uninhibited (no I was not drunk in fact), as for the last two years I have been living on pins and needels with the school staff I worked with, and this is cool.

Another totally endeering quality of the Bulgarians is that they love 80s music. Its everywhere, on the radio, in the dance clubs and in most peoples cars. Its like I have fallen into the time warp of my dreams and it is stuck right where I want it; in the 80s. So soon I was dancing to Alphaville. I tried to think back to the last time I was dancing to Alphaville and I think it was when I was 16, had a part mohawk (which was red), and was wearing black nailpolish. Not my shining years, but there you have it.

We danced and danced and no one could smoke inside which made it the perfect nightclub to me. All the teachers were really kicking up their heels, and enjoying themselves, and I realized I really liked all the people in that room. Yes! even Dr. Jacob Alexander who still thinks he is in the 19th century when it comes to his teaching methods(Brents words not mine, but "a propos"). So I was in a smoke free environment, with a room full of people I liked, and dancing to 80s music. I wondered when I was going to wake up from this dream.

We packed it in about 2, and I walked home, with a bottle of Rakia and Vodka under my arm. They were Brents actually but he was already gone so I had to cart it home. The streets were deserted and I was mildly nervous, but this time, I escaped unharmed. I dont think I will do that again.

As I was walking home though, I went by a square with a beautiful monument in the center. I walk by it all the time but never at night. Its on the way to and from school obviously. It suddently dawned on me that I am living in Europe. And I love it here. I never want to leave here. If I move to another country, it will have to be in Europe, but this will do just fine too, even for part of each year. Why is it though that so many people want to go to North America? They dont know what they have here, but perhaps, I dont know what I had in Canada. Whatever it was, I can always have it again, but for now? I will take this Thank you very much!

House-warming

Its been a busy week and tonight is the party. I expect almost all the staff, and some spouces too. Brent and I have gone halfs on the party supplies and there should be lots of food and drink. I think guests are bringing stuff too. Not the least of which willbe Rakia!

Here is what I emailed to my sis earlier today, so I can be lazy and paste it here.

Today we are having a house-warming here. I went and bought yummy things and am going to make bruchetta and crackers with smoked salmon and creme cheese and dill on them. I am looking forward to all the staff coming over, and went and got possibly the best haircut I have even had in my life, earlier today. I feel like a woman, and look like one too! Anything is possible!

Brent lives next door as you know so the basement is a hubub of activity right now. We did laundry, went to have lunch on a patio since its about 20 degrees out, and now we are cleaning and preparing for the party. He is playing music loud enough for us both to hear and fortunately we like the same music, so its already party mood here. Weezer is currently playing!

I have 4 days off this coming weekend and dont know what to do with myself. I have hired one of my students to come and walk Oscar. She is a really sweet girl, and reminds me a lot of you when you were her age. She even looks a bit like you did then. Maybe that is why I have gravitated towars her. Her name is Yalnada, but we call her Yoli. She lives nearby, has met Oscar and loves him already. I am going to pay her 25 leva to walk him three times a day and play with him for those 4 days. I also trust her with the keys to my place. Now I just have to figure out where to go. Greece, or just to Sofia. I need to dance. That much I know for certain.

For the party tonight I bought a bottle of 8 year old rum from Duty free when we went to Romania last week. Its waiting to be cracked open, and Petya's and my favorite drink is Cuba libre, so I dont think there will be much left of it at the end of the night.

I will take photos tonight and try to email it to you. I dont have my cable here, so I am at the mercy of others to get the images off the cards and onto CDs for now.

I picked up Petyas wedding pics last night. The are really good. She will love them.

OK and I are saying Ciao for now. He is going to help me chop onions for the bruchetta since dogs dont tear from Onion fumes.

3rd and final installment

Well Petya is back at work today and read the two installments of the blog. She is going to translate it into Bulgarian as well as print the English, and include it in her wedding album. I think this is a huge compliment.

So I am inspired to finish!

Food food food, it took us forever to eat, but the hours rolled by and we continued dancing and enjoying the music. The music: A 6 piece band with clarinet, drums, and various other instruments, and an incredibly soulful singer. I cannot describe Bulgarian music, except to say it has a hint of heartache. It is sweet in harmony with the vocalist signing at a slightly varied tone, up and down for each lyric, it seems. If you have ever seen "The English Patient", the Hungarian singing has that same flavor of soulful fluctuation. I quite like it, and it did give me goosebumps on occasion.

I had a great conversation with Vera, sitting beside me. Vera and Petya went to Egypt together on an exchange programme and she was telling me of the cattiness of Egyptian women. Vera, seemed different than other Bulgarian women I have met. She seemed to me to be very reserved, and possibly a tad superior. I didnt know what to make of her, but she was kind to me, and we being (possibly) the only 2 single women there, chatted and bonded all afternoon.

Unfortunaltely by 8, my headache had turned into a throb. The tissues stuffed in my ears were just not cutting it. I was also out of film, and my CF cards were almost full, so there was no real need for me to be there. As well, the important events had come and gone, most adults were leaving, and the "youngsters" were starting to gear up for a heavy booze fest and hard dancing.

The band packed up, the hall began clearing out, and I thought it might be a good time to sneak off for a nap. It was a good chance to escape from the annoying bum firing off fire crackers INDOORS. Apparently he got out of hand later and was given a swift kick in the butt! As an aside, the next morning we were all sitting in the Tavern having coffee, and one of the people at my table said "Who was that ass with the moustache firing all those fire-crackers? He was so drunk!" A guy at the next table said "That was my father. He doesnt drink!!!". Just at that moment the father walked in (keep in mind it is 10 am) walked up to the waitress and said "RAKIA!". Hair of the dog anyone??

I had every intention of returning to the party. I gave myself an hour to nap, and I did wake at 9:15 pm. I knew the party was just heating up, after all there were three massive bottles of booze on each table, and two were hard liquor, I think. At 9:15, I just couldnt move, so I gave myself another 15 minutes. I opened my eyes again, and it was midnight! I felt guilty, and I also felt I was missing out on fun, but the bottom line was, I had ingested enough second-hand smoke that night to last me three generations of offsprings, and I couldnt go back there. Everything smelled like smoke, even my earwax I am sure! How do they do it?? More importantly; WHY???? Ten years ago I would have gotten dressed and gone back, but now, my health takes priority and I was worn down.

SO I went back to sleep, and had a 12 hour nap that night. I dont remember if I dreamt of the wedding, or anything related, but I do remember waking feeling incredibly refreshed, and smiling. I was happy for my new friends. I remember telling her at some point in the day "I have just met you, and I feel like you are family". I never felt such closeness for my colleagues in Korea, as hard as I tried. There is something "Harazat" (meaning familiar, AND familial) about the Bulgairans. I feel totally at home here, as I did at the wedding. It was hard being the only non-Bulgarian-single-female-in her 30s, not smoking or drinking, (its lonely at the top) and I did only know the bride and groom, but I never felt uncomfortable.

Long and short of it is this. The more I see of the world, the more I feel I could fit in anywhere. Some places more easily than others, but at the end of the day each person is only different from another by 3% of their DNA, regardless of race or gender. So why is it so hard? We are so mixed up anyway, especially in this part of the world; the Greeks, Armenians, Turks and Bulgarians, just from what I have seen first hand. Not to get too phylisiphical, but there you have it!

Part 2. After the Chruch....

Well, after the church ceremony was over, we were supposed to do family shots, but the rain wasnt letting up! It was a wet cold as well, and just not condusive to standing outside and posing.

Like all good weddings, there was mass confusion, and no one knew where to go and what was happening next. OH! One thing I forgot to mention. On the way to Elena, the congregation stopped in the town square of Migouftsi, and everyone got out of their cars and started dancing in the square to the live three piece band. There was a gang of motorcycle thugs in their Harley look-alikes (Russian knock offs) and they came out onto the veranda of the tavern, and watched the spectacle. It seemed to me that they didnt find it particularly unusual! I, on the other hand...LOVED IT!

We did manage to find our rides and cars, and even our way back to Migouftsi. The hall was an old and musty space with faded wooden floors, and a stage at the back. Well I guess the Bulgarians dont do seating arrangements because it was a mad dash to get seats, and I was suddenly reminded of being very unpopular in grade one! Fortunately some of Petyas friends took pity on the poor confused foreigner and seated me at the back, directly in front of the stage where all the "younger" people were sitting!

Now my friends and family know there are 2 things I cannot stand too much of; perfume (actually smells in general), and extra noise. Sitting in front of the stage was going to be a stretch for me but there was really nowhere else to go. I already had a mild fatigue headache, and add to this the granted, lovely Bulgarian music, and the cigarette smoke from every single guest but myself and the bride and groom, and I was dying by 8pm.

Before 8, I did manage to have a lot of fun though. I found out that the dances are almost identical to ours. I managed to amaze everyone with my quick learning abilities and joined the line dances most of the night. Petya's grandparents were also up dancing, and even with her bowlegs, Petyas grandmom was keeping up better than most half her age could.

The highlights of the evening included Ivan having to drink champagne out of Petyas shoe, which he did without a single word of complaint, and the presentstion of the grandparents gift. The grandmom was obviously waiting for this moment all day, because as the bride and groom approached their table to collect their gift, she began to beam, and I could tell she was about to burst with excitement! She had Ivan and Petya hold out their arms and grab each others hands, then she began throwing things across their arms. She began with a carpet, then blankets, then linen, then towels, and on and on and on. She furnished the fabric needs of their home from the floor right up to the dishrags, and with each piece she threw on, she giggled like a child, till they could hold their hands together no more. The grandmother, being a woman of 4 foot nothing, had to stretch to get the pieces thrown on, and with each item, she jumped up a bit to reach. The scene was too cute for words, and had I not been photographing, I would have been crying for sure! What can I say? I am a sap!

The food was another funny thing for me. It was marvelous fo course, but as once before I was fooled! When we arrived there was Shopska salad on the table. The Bulgarian equivalent to a greek salad, with minor variations. I ate it deliciously, as I was a sheep in a past life. The came a plate of food I assumes was the main course, with cheeses, salamis, and egg salad etc. I ate it slowly while sipping Rakia cautiously, and thought that was that.

Then came dinner! About a kilo of meat in various kebob forms, and boiled potatoes and veggies. This I did not expect and began laughing when i saw it appear in front of me. I didnt get through it all, but they was well cooked kebobs and there was a lot there!

OH! Need to stop. I guess there will be a third installation.

Whooping it up, Bulgarian style

What a day! And what a long day.

Bulgarians don't mess around with having fun, nor do they mess around with drinking, eating and dancing.

It was an early start. I went down to the first floor of my guesthouse, which is owned by the grooms aunt, and there was already a spread of about 15 plates of food; including various cookies and pastries, cold cuts, nuts and other mezzes as we call em in Iran. Also on the table were several bottles of Rakia (Bulgaria's answer to Congnac, and consumed at much the same rate as SOJU in Korea). For those of you who were on my email list prior to a life of blog, you will remember my SOJU email, and its violent effects. Rakia holds its own in that department, but that is another story, and not one I can verify from personal experience. Thank Goodness!

Anyhow, the maid of honor and her husband (also named Petya and Ivan- just to add confusion) were already dressed and waiting for the grooms part to arrive. They arrived in style with a three piece traditional band in tow. A clarinet, a drum, and the equivalent to a doodook, a small pipe affixed to a bag pipe. It was pouring rain, so they were all covered by garbage bags. Not the most picturesque sight, but sounded just as good.

The groom came in grinning ear to ear. He truly has one of the happiest faces I have seen yet, and hey, if I was marrying Petya, I would be grinning like that too! He grabbed a bottle of Rakia, and began drinking from it. This is mind you a two litre bottle.

They all began dancing immediately, and I was photographing. Keep in mind, this is 9 am or thereabouts now.

They danced and danced and drank for about 45 minutes. i got drunk just watching them. Then, they all piled into cars and drove to Elena, a 15 minute drive. The went to fetch the bride. And here I saw many similarities to Armenian weddings.

At the door, the grooms entourage was stopped by a very protective brother who was not ready to part with his sister. The groom approached with a bottle of Rakia, and after several gulps, pushing at the door, and a hefty bribe from the groom, the door finally budged! We all piled in and went to the room where the bride was sitting all primmed, looking very patient. I didn't make it to that room for several minutes, but if anyone could make love with a glance, it would have been those two. There was love pouring out of their eyes, and I of course became a teary ball of dough! It was truly a beautiful sight seeing the two so in love and so incredible happy.

After a few photos, we all piled into the cars and went to the city hall. There the civil ceremony took place and I was told to make sure I got a shot of who stepped on whose foot. Apparently after signing, whoever gets their foot on the others first, will be the boss of the family. Guess you got it in first. Petya of course!

Rain continued and we walked from the city hall to the old byzantine church which was truly a beautiful little spot. It is a historic church which is no longer used, but Petyas mom spoke to the mayor and had it opened for the wedding.

Again, the ceremony was very similar to the Armenian, with the head dress, the wine, the chanting, and I felt right at home, and a bit nostalgic.

I will tell you the rest in a little while.

Krusty Katrin

Getting out of bed this morning was like pulling teeth! Alarm went off at 6 as usual, and I couldnt get out of bed till 6:45. After that I had to rush around like a headless chicken, feeding, walking Oscar man while trying to pack the last things for this weekend; toothpaste, night gown, towel....

Then, we walk out and the cutest-puppy-in-the-world-second-only-to-Oscar RAN up to Oscar and started playing. Right when I was trying to make him pee ASAP and get to work. I have now resisted bringing this puppy in for 2 days, and my resistance is wearing thin! I would never keep him, but get him checked out and find him a home. But the problem is Oscars eyes. They are so bulgy that they would get scratched to hell with a rambunctious little squirt like that flying around. Not to mention, I really dont have the time now to house-train a pup and no patience to replace all the things he will chew through. SO for now, he remains outside. As it gets colder, my reasoning may deteriorate!

So I got it all done, walked to school with Brent (he carried my camera bag- SUCH a gentleman) OH! He even killed a bug for me in the apartment. It was on the ceiling and I am too short. I am a girl in some departments :)

I was doing OK, tired but ok and was in a good mood till I walked into class and saw Paskal with his feet ON my desk. Now I am not a rules-with-an-iron-fist kind of teacher. But this was not cool even in my books, and so I started class on a bad note. This is however my favorite class of all so I soon reverted back to my whacky self, and we were laughing and had a really incredibly positive and productive class. Here is what we did.

We had three periods together today, so I had a essay writing class planned for them. I went through all the components of writing a paragraph first, and we all wrote a funny paragraph about why the teacher is peeved. We teased the heck out of Paskal (aka Squirt- he's a little guy) and made damn sure he wouldnt repeat the gesture again. I even heard one student say to him: "Paskal, I wouldnt talk if I were you. You have done enough damage today." I love it when students police each other on my behalf!

First period they wrote a paragraph. One line from the best student Valentin was "Is there a cuter sight than hearing your cat purring while laying beside you?" and Paskal said "Yes, hearing your girlfriend"!!! GRADE 8! WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO????

Third period we wrote an essay. In any English language proficiency test there is a timed essay portion, so this was their first practice run at it.

I will quote a few of the topic sentences here.

Paskal on Time: Time is one enslaver with no mercy.

Mike on the big bang: Have you ever thought how the universe was created?

Ava on voice: What is voice? This thing we use every day?

Valentin on pet ownership: Having a pet, is like having a boss; if you give him coffee and clear his desk he will leave you alone. (Personally I dont know if I agree with this, be it the boss scenario OR the pet)

Anyway those are the winners

At 3pm I get picked up by Ivan, Petyas fiancee (till tomorrow) to go back to Migooftsi. Its a small village about 20 minutes from Elena, where there is no internet, network, and only one phone in the whole village. I will be attending and photographing the wedding tomorrow.

Will be back Sunday. I cant wait to see a Bulgarian wedding!

I doubt it!

Some people say fear is the worst feeling in the world. I dont think so. Fear is very finite. You know what the source is (not always of course, but often) and there is no gray area.

Doubt. Now there is a frightening word (I do realize the irony of this sentence). To me doubt is the worst thing in the world. It eats away at the foundation of everything. It makes you disoriented, insecure and helpless.

I doubt my teaching abilities daily, and I think this is necessary to keep me on my toes. But that is not the kind of doubt I am talking about.

Recently I had occasion to doubt my abilities in judging people, and it really threw me. The deatials are long and tedious, not to mention no longer relevant, but the feeling of what it felt like has been haunting me since. I have had the rug pulled out from under me on several occasions and being a Kat, I usually land on my feet, but this? This was different.

I pride myself in knowing the gist of people right off the bat. Even in friendships or relationships that dont ultimately work out, I maintain that the initial characteristics that attracted me to that person still remain. I am generally attracted to goodness, and I have to say I have been surrounded by good (albeit lacking in other departments on occasion) people in my life. So when life is progressing on track and WHAM! You are thrown SO way off track that you are shaken to the core, then, you doubt everything!

How does one get over that? In this case thigns fixed themselves, and I wasnt worng after all, but had I been, how would I have ever trusted my instincts again?

Sometimes we forget....

....what we used to like.

For those who know me, know I am a huge Bach fan. I make a concerted effort to listen to Bach on Sunday mornings. Anyone who has heard any Bach knows he is not background music, so I actually listen to it, not play it as I do laundry. I hadnt realized just how much Bach is on my little iPod, and I began playing it last night at home. Oscar likes him too as it turns out, and we enjoyed an evening of Bach and marking (if that is possible!)

Again this morning I started listening where I had left off. The Brandenburg Concerto Number 3 came on, and as I was approaching the 6000 steps up to the school, the third movement started with the fast violins. I got so into it, not having heard it since Korea, that I didnt even notice how I went up those steps! Next thingI knew I was right at the end of the piece and at the front door greeting the doormen.

The doormen are two older Bulgarian men who have perma-smiles, something unknown to Koreans; they had, from what I could remember perma-scowls! But these two are sweet as pie really. So I have made it a habbit to buy them each an espresso every Friday (forgot last Friday becasue I was in a haze). I will have to make it up to them this week with an added sweet of some sort. Each time, one of them kisses my hand, a sweet gesture that somewhat embarasses me, but Idont know enough Bulgarian to say anything to him.

I digress...

I remember a friend telling me her mom used to put her toys away for afew months when she was a kid, and she would forget about them. Then, when she would take them out again, it would be like having new toys again. It was kind of like that with the music yesterday. Suddenly I had new music again which of course I had had all along, but it was new again and totally refreshing to hear. I miss Tchaikivsky's Romeo and Juliet, and Bach's Saint Matthews Passion. I think those CDs are still in Korea. Good thing they werent in the suitcase dingbat lost! (Dingbat- what an 80s word!)

OK, off to buy groceries for teriyaki chicken. I am feeding Brent tonight as well. International expat feeder! YUP that's me :)

The little things in life!

Ever since I was very young, my mom used to marvel at the fact that such little things used to make me SO happy. I still remember to this day the small broche she pulled out of her purse, a red and black lady buy, JUST FOR ME! And how I shreiked with joy. It made her so happy to make me happy, and she said one of the things she loved about me most was that I was so thrilled over small things.

I guess through my travels I have learned that it is the small things that make or break a place. I have also learned that if you wish for something hard enough, it finds its way to you. People have different beliefs about this "Put it out to the universe" one friend says, and "Ask your angels and they will show you the way" *see guys, you THINK I am not listening, but I really am!, or as my mom or anyone moderately religious would say, God will give you what you need.

So as I did as a child, I have kept this thrill of getting the small things I want. Latest example AHMED TEA!!!

I left my specialty teas in Korea thinking I was returning and have been missing my Creamed Earl Gray, My Caramel Roibos and most of all the good old Darjeeling. My mom supplied me with a small stash, but it wasnt Ahmad tea, and I kept thinking "If I go to England, I must get myself some Ahmed tea". Well last night I was sitting right here, chatting on Yahoo, and didnt Detelina walk into my apartment (after knocking of course- this isnt Korea after all where people barge in and see you naked) and put a tiny tin shaped like and London Phone booth on my desk full of Ahmad tea!

Now to many this would be a mere coincidence, but at that moment I actually was really craving tea. Darjeeling in fact, and it literally dropped in front of me.

Now if only the bigger things could drop in my lap that way. OUCH! That would hurt!

A day

What a difference a day can make. I felt like death itself this weekend and now I just feel like I have the flu. My back still feels pretty rough due to all the vomitting, but I think I will get over that.

I am considering going to London or Thessaloniki for my 4 day holiday coming up at the end of the month. I have to think about it, but I have had an invitation to London, and I may just see about flights today. The train to Greece is super cheap and I need some souvlaki in my diet, but again, I could get that AND Indian and a couple fo home-cooked meals if I guilt my friend into it.

My friend; should I write about my friend? Maybe next blog, after I clear it with him.

So far, all is well, and I have class in 7 minutes.

Elena

Ahhhh Elena, a beautiful little town 40 KM from Turnovo, and quite possible my new home.

I went there with Petya to get away from here, and meet her family: Mom, Brother, husband to be, and mother and father in law to be. All lovely people. One problem though. I spent Saturday being ill (4 times in fact) in their house. I dont know if it was a bug, or my "Traditional Bulgarian breakfat" or what??? But it was naaaaaassssstyyyyyyy. Fortunately, as mentioned before, Bulgarians are super sympathetic to the sick, and I was pampered by these almost strangers. I paid for 2 nights at a great little guest house, only to be sick there and sleep sleep sleep.

But there is something to be said for a weekend of sleeping. Puts things in perspective, and gives you a fresh outlook on things.

I awoke feeling much better, though I do feel like a Sherman tank drove over me in the night, and backed up 5 or 6 times too, but otherwise I have been able to keep down everything I ate and have been only slightly dizzy.

I am going back to Elena next weekend for the wedding, and will hopefully get to look inside the two properties I saw for sale. One is newly gutted, and has a small yard on a hill, and the other is a little more run down, with more land around it. I have to compare with properties on the east side of Turnovo too because I hear there are nice spots out there too.

I like the name Elena. I have a house in Elena.... Has a nice ring to it doesnt it??

This weekend

I am going into the woods this weekend. I need to get out of town, and relax amongst people I like- mainly Petya. So I am going to her fiancees lodge which is in the hills about 30 minutes from here. They are also getting married next weekend and I am shooting the wedding so it is good to meet them all and see where the wedding will be.

I will be incommunicado. No email and no network connection. So have a good weekend all,a nd dont worry if you cant reach me. I feel the need to drop off the face of the earth right now.

Roaming in Romania

Well, I went to Bucharest yesterday with my boss and the 2 other foreigners here. I got a type C visa which will give me a three month multiple entry stay. I have already been here a month and somethng, plus I was in Sofia for 5 weeks this last summer so I got a 30 day vuisa.

In these 30 days, I will hopefully get our business registered and then we will have permanent stay priviliges here.

The drive was long and boring as it was foggy all morning. But Bucharest was nice. Definitely worth another visit.

New apartment

Well I moved into the new place. I have yellow walls (just how I like it), brand new windows and door, a clean bathroom, a fridge that works, more channals on the TV, lots of light but one room less. I guess that's one less room to heat in the winter. I can however sleep 5 people. Six if you really push it. So please come visit!

Brent is next door to me now in my old place and he made me espresso this morning, God bless him. Knocked on my door, and woke me up. Thank God too b/c I had gone right back to sleep after my alarm and was dreaming of being back in Andong University in Korea (a nightmare in fact), and not able to make it to class for some reason! Was my dream trying to tell me something??

Oscar likes the new pad becasue I can leave the side door open without the cats coming in all the time. He sits and stares out at the construction waste sitting there, and he feels the freedom of being able to go out any time he wishes. Not that he does.

I also dreamed of Philip Stanbury this morning. For those of you who have read "Life in Korea" you will know that he was the teacher whose funeral I left Korea to attend. Actually I went home to see him before he died, and was able to see him twice. I even supplied one of his last sweet treats. Ironically, it was chocolate pudding, and he was the one who had introduced me to it (that and coffee- his two minor contributions to me life- the major ones are too numerous to mention). In my dream he was surrounded by his students who loved him, and I remember telling him he looked good.

He died almost exactly a year ago. This was his second visit to me. I hope there will be more. I miss him!