Site Placement

It is July 4th here in Moldova; the day that is full of joy and celebration back home for independence day. Always one of my favorite days of the year with all of the activities that ensue followed by the consistent togetherness that always prevails. There is something about that day and being in another country during that day that is bittersweet. Bitter in the sense that togetherness is a farther reach for me to feel that full connective excitement. Sweet in the sense of full embrace of what becoming independent might mean or feel like here (August 27th 1991). Either way this day has allowed me to confront some realistic thinking not only indicative of my reminiscing, but rather the roller coaster of events that dictated the past couple of days for me. All week we had to await the anticipation of our permanent site announcements (on Thursday). We have been training now until the end of July for what will essentially be our job for the following two years. My sector is small enterprise development. This sector initially has no structure, no schedule, and no consistent organized flow. Firstly, I thought perfect... my life motto for the last 5 years has always been "winging it", so I can continue with that mindset. However, when the realism sunk in I realized I have quite the endeavors ahead of me to create and continue implementing some sort of structural flow that molds to my strengths. If all else fails it's a good thing a soccer ball can entertain me for hours on end... phew. Mostly, however, the realism sunk in knowing that my new home has been assigned with a new family and new town. On Thursday, after site placement announcements, I felt like I was on top of the world with all my excitement for my new adventure. All of us volunteers and current volunteers got to share that discovery together and socialize over food at the PC office afterwards. Then, the next morning all of the realism sunk in for what an unpredictable change is awaiting for me. I began to sift through "what if's" and basically let the nerves kick in. I have since rationalized these fears, but the unpredictability for so many different factors has created anxiety followed by excitement. Tomorrow I get to meet my future work partner, new host family and new town. Yes... tomorrow. I will stay in that town for 2 nights and come back with my partner on Tuesday for all day business activities with the other SED volunteers/ partners. I will be staying in a village of around 5,000 people that hasn't had a PC volunteer in about 7 years. I am the only volunteer in this village, but other volunteers seem relatively close (an hour plus). So... ah. All surreal, but remaining optimistic for the journey ahead for this weekend as well as the years to come.

Some cool 'sign', if you will, that brought a smile to my face was the number 19. Background: my soccer number was #19, my favorite number, and lucky number if I evaluate the intrinsic value that it represents for me. When I went to Brazil in 2011, my beach soccer program bought me a jersey that I had to wear. When I looked at the number they got for me, it was number 19. I remember how happy I was to coincidentally receive this number in particular and decided it was meant to be. Well, to my point. PC had a map of Moldova on the wall pin pointing where all of us volunteers will be scattered. On that point was a number and the name was written out on the side indicating what number went with what name. You guessed it... I was number 19. I smiled so big inside knowing that it meant everything to me and nothing to anyone else. Maybe a coincidence, but it was my coincidence. :)

We get this lunches made by the family (above) and it's a fun surprise to see what we got that day. It's like the elementary school days, love it. 

This is called a 'masa', which is a table full of food that is for celebration. In this case it was a birthday celebration.

No big deal, just venturing back home on my normal route. Nothing like a flood of water to make me feel like a kid again. 

My family making concrete for the hen cage or something of the sort. 

"Success is often achieved by those who don't know that failure is inevitable" -Coco Chanel

An Eye for an Eye

After more time in Moldova, I feel more excited to blog about all the exciting things! I am still doing the language classes 6 times a week and continuing to do what business classes or cultural classes that come up. The language will be an uphill battle for a while as if I just entered a war zone where I feel I will make it to the top of the hill then something will knock me straight back down. Taking it step by step and hoping to graduate pre school level speaking soon! We had a cultural class yesterday learning about the history about Moldova and it was informative in the sense that it provided a perspective not only to the historical side of things, but how the people felt in that time. In America we stand by the stance that nothing is impossible and there is hope for change or reform everywhere you turn. Learning a bit more of their history showed me that hope is defined differently here. That may  not make sense completely, but I am learning to look at it from their standpoint a little bit more. With every culture there needs to be discovery and that is usually why I am silent at the beginning to learn all that I can to truly understand what is going on. It's funny because after spending a lot of time in Brazil, I have found I am in a completely opposite culture than Brazil. Brazil is all about gestures and overfilling you with love in more ways than none. You just learn that you don't need a bubble around you in Brazil because you will become close with everyone right off the bat. Here it is a more introverted culture as I mentioned before, so you have to peel away the personalities piece by piece like an onion. On the surface I think I understand then something happens and I realize I don't have a clue. It's a fun challenge.

An exciting update as well is that I will get to find out my site placement on Thursday! I will get to figure out where I will be living/ working for two years. I am nervous, anxious and excited. I will also be visiting the site on my own over the weekend, so I can see first hand in a week what that will look like. Eek! Here in my current village I was able to go work at the vineyard and pick cherries off the trees. Still amazed by how hard working everyone is here to maintain their gardens and such. Such an interesting dynamic that is put forth. The culture of wine here is fascinating with such pride each family has for the homemade wine and desire to share it. It is appreciated much more knowing that it was made by the family. They also have cheese here that is homemade and it is delicious. My family makes great cheese! Yeah I'll brag for them!

There is so much mystery for what lies ahead. I have ideas in my head for things I would like to implement during my time here, but I also know that nothing I have in mind could happen. I literally have not a clue what to expect for the next few months. It is all surreal really. It is rewarding to know that I will have the influence to make a difference however I suit fit. I am in control of how this experience goes and I will fail more than once and have to bounce back with grace. HA.. well I'll probably bounce back with humor, let's be honest. If there is anything I can take from Brazil it is that you need humor all the time and even when you just want to run the opposite way in a full sprint, I have to find a way to laugh through my mishaps. I am confident in the direction that I am going currently. Oh... also what I find extremely empowering is this let girls learn campaign that is fronted by Michelle Obama. I find the concept of this mission important in so many ways. After being here for some time, I have found the importance of this mission more so than I expected. Having been part of leadership programs fronted for promoting female empowerment all my life without knowing it, especially in college (thanks coach!), I have realized that I took those little lessons for granted. There is so much to be done in this category that excites me in so many ways to spread my knowledge on that. Also, I am learning the importance of the guys influence on this subject matter. I am lucky to have a great group of other volunteers here who have something more diverse to offer as well as having an awesome support network.

Basically I'm learning a new lesson everyday and breathing in this moment now for I know that I will have a lot more to inhale soon.

Here is music that inspires me this week. I seem to have a new song every week lol.

"Life can be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." - Soren Kierkegaard

Moldova: Unstructured Independence

It's that time again. Blog time. Back to writing about the new adventures I am faced with. I am more of a storyteller writer rather than a factual writer, so get ready for many stories. Every time I begin to blog or journal these incredible moments I am experiencing... nothing. All words escape me. I have this beautiful script in my mind of how to articulate the many little things that have touched my heart, but then I can't get that script out on paper. So... while I am in this writers block to what I am usually accustomed to blogging, here is information of what I am doing and my perspective will hopefully come out later. :). 

What I know: Moldova is beautiful... you decide if you agree from these pictures...

The food... is amazing. Granted, I eat everything, but this is all food made from the garden. Natural and resourceful. 

The people.. are more introverted from cultures I have visited, but incredibly gracious people that have been so welcoming to me. My host family is great and vibrant. 

Schedule...

Language classes 8:30 to 12:30 Monday through Saturday. 

Business training 2:00 to 5:00 Monday through Friday (mostly, give or take)

Thursday we all go to the big city and do training sessions as a big group and that is from 8:30 to 6:00. With our transportation being the longest to the big city, it turns out to be a really long day, but great because I get to see everyone from the other groups. 

I am in SED (small economic development) with a group of 16 of us. There are 3 other groups (EE- english, HE- health, COD- community) and we are all separated in different towns. 

During my walk the other day I began analyzing all the intricate details of the structures around me. After contemplating the history of everything around me I came to the conclusion that the broken fences and unpaved paths are refreshing. It made me think of unstructured independence and I decided I am going to live by that. 

Don't hesitate to post questions or comments below and I can answer or comment on anything you all are interested in :). 

I'll leave you with this video and quote... because I can! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcEG72N5No8

"Enjoy the journey, not just the destination"