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
