Interview with a B-22 of the Week
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Hello Rajun!
> What led you to join the Peace Corps?
> WELL, AFTER COLLEGE I WORKED A YEAR FOR A COUNSELING FIRM AND JUST DIDN'T FEEL LIKE I WAS DOING ANYTHING WORTHWHILE FOR HUMANITY. I DECIDED THAT I WAS AT A GOOD POINT IN MY LIFE TO COMPLETELY DEDICATE MYSELF TO A CAUSE OR TO A PEOPLE. THERE WERE ALSO A COUPLE OF SELFISH REASONS, TOO...I WANTED TO LIVE IN ANOTHER COUNTRY TO LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE AND NEW WAY OF LIFE, AND I WAS ALSO REALLY EXCITED ABOUT LIVING A MORE UNMATERIALISTIC (IS THAT A WORD?) LIFE...
> What were your initial reactions to hearing you would be going to Bulgaria?
> I REMEMBER THE DAY THAT THE BIG PACKAGE CAME. I CALLED MY DAD OVER AND HE OPENED A BOTTLE OF WINE AND WE WERE LIKE TWO LITTLE KIDS ON CHRISTMAS DAY. I HELD MY BREATH, RIPPED OPEN THE PACKAGE AND AT THE SAME TIME WITH THE SAME CONFUSED LOOK ON OUR FACES WE SAID, "BULGARIA?!" IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY MY DAD'S, "I'LL GOOGLE IT."
> Have these desires been met? Do you feel that your Peace Corps experience is
> fulfilling the reasons you wished to join?
> I THINK WE ALL HAD THESE ROMANTICIZED DREAMS ABOUT JOINING PEACE CORPS, LIVING IN HUTS, NOT BATHING FOR WEEKS, AND THAT KIND OF THING. THE TRUTH IS (AND I THINK WE HAVE ALL REALIZED THIS) BULGARIA JUST ISN'T THAT PEACE CORPS. WE HAVE A WHOLE DIFFERENT SET OF CHALLENGES, BUT THEY ARE CHALLENGES NONETHELESS. THIS IS A DIFFERENT WORLD FOR ME AND I'M TAKING FROM IT WHAT I CAN TAKE AND HOPEFULLY WILL LEAVE WITH IT THE BEST OF ME THAT I CAN LEAVE. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
> What exactly do you do?
WORK WISE I HELP THE CULTURAL CENTER AND INDIVIDUALS IN THE VILLAGE GENERATE IDEAS FOR PROJECTS AND THEN HELP THEM FIND FUNDING SOURCES. FOR EXAMPLE, I'M WORKING WITH A FEW LADIES AT THE MOMENT TO START UP A
YOUNG MOTHER'S CLUB AND WE'RE CONTACTING HEALTH SPECIALISTS, NUTRITIONISTS, AND CHILD EXPERTS TO COME FOR A SERIES OF SEMINARS. WE
ALSO HAVE A COUPLE OF PROJECTS THAT WE ARE WORKING ON THAT INVOLVE THE
LIBRARY, AND THE TRADITIONAL DANCE GROUP. I ALSO TEACH ENGLISH CLASSES FOR ALL AGES AT THE SCHOOL AND TEACH A BALLET CLASS FOR 20 GIRLS FROM THE LOCAL SCHOOL.
> What led you to join the Peace Corps?
> WELL, AFTER COLLEGE I WORKED A YEAR FOR A COUNSELING FIRM AND JUST DIDN'T FEEL LIKE I WAS DOING ANYTHING WORTHWHILE FOR HUMANITY. I DECIDED THAT I WAS AT A GOOD POINT IN MY LIFE TO COMPLETELY DEDICATE MYSELF TO A CAUSE OR TO A PEOPLE. THERE WERE ALSO A COUPLE OF SELFISH REASONS, TOO...I WANTED TO LIVE IN ANOTHER COUNTRY TO LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE AND NEW WAY OF LIFE, AND I WAS ALSO REALLY EXCITED ABOUT LIVING A MORE UNMATERIALISTIC (IS THAT A WORD?) LIFE...
> What were your initial reactions to hearing you would be going to Bulgaria?
> I REMEMBER THE DAY THAT THE BIG PACKAGE CAME. I CALLED MY DAD OVER AND HE OPENED A BOTTLE OF WINE AND WE WERE LIKE TWO LITTLE KIDS ON CHRISTMAS DAY. I HELD MY BREATH, RIPPED OPEN THE PACKAGE AND AT THE SAME TIME WITH THE SAME CONFUSED LOOK ON OUR FACES WE SAID, "BULGARIA?!" IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY MY DAD'S, "I'LL GOOGLE IT."
> Have these desires been met? Do you feel that your Peace Corps experience is
> fulfilling the reasons you wished to join?
> I THINK WE ALL HAD THESE ROMANTICIZED DREAMS ABOUT JOINING PEACE CORPS, LIVING IN HUTS, NOT BATHING FOR WEEKS, AND THAT KIND OF THING. THE TRUTH IS (AND I THINK WE HAVE ALL REALIZED THIS) BULGARIA JUST ISN'T THAT PEACE CORPS. WE HAVE A WHOLE DIFFERENT SET OF CHALLENGES, BUT THEY ARE CHALLENGES NONETHELESS. THIS IS A DIFFERENT WORLD FOR ME AND I'M TAKING FROM IT WHAT I CAN TAKE AND HOPEFULLY WILL LEAVE WITH IT THE BEST OF ME THAT I CAN LEAVE. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
> What exactly do you do?
WORK WISE I HELP THE CULTURAL CENTER AND INDIVIDUALS IN THE VILLAGE GENERATE IDEAS FOR PROJECTS AND THEN HELP THEM FIND FUNDING SOURCES. FOR EXAMPLE, I'M WORKING WITH A FEW LADIES AT THE MOMENT TO START UP A
YOUNG MOTHER'S CLUB AND WE'RE CONTACTING HEALTH SPECIALISTS, NUTRITIONISTS, AND CHILD EXPERTS TO COME FOR A SERIES OF SEMINARS. WE
ALSO HAVE A COUPLE OF PROJECTS THAT WE ARE WORKING ON THAT INVOLVE THE
LIBRARY, AND THE TRADITIONAL DANCE GROUP. I ALSO TEACH ENGLISH CLASSES FOR ALL AGES AT THE SCHOOL AND TEACH A BALLET CLASS FOR 20 GIRLS FROM THE LOCAL SCHOOL.
> Where do you work?
I WAS ORIGINALLY ASSIGNED TO WORK AT THE CULTURAL CENTER. BECAUSE MY
VILLAGE IS SO SMALL I WORK WITH EVERY ORGANIZATION IN IT. I SPLIT MY
TIME BETWEEN THE CULTURAL CENTER, SCHOOL, KINDERGARTEN, AND LOCAL
MUNICIPALITY. I ONLY WORK WITH ONE WOMAN AT THE CULTURAL CENTER WHO SERVES AS THE LIBRARIAN, CULTURAL CENTER DIRECTOR AND MUSEUM CURATOR. I HAVE BETWEEN 30-40 STUDENTS IN ALL IN MY ENGLISH CLASSES, AND ABOUT 10 KINDERGARTENERS WHO, BY THE WAY ARE COMPLETELY OBSESSED WITH "HEAD& SHOULDERS, KNEES AND TOES."
I WAS ORIGINALLY ASSIGNED TO WORK AT THE CULTURAL CENTER. BECAUSE MY
VILLAGE IS SO SMALL I WORK WITH EVERY ORGANIZATION IN IT. I SPLIT MY
TIME BETWEEN THE CULTURAL CENTER, SCHOOL, KINDERGARTEN, AND LOCAL
MUNICIPALITY. I ONLY WORK WITH ONE WOMAN AT THE CULTURAL CENTER WHO SERVES AS THE LIBRARIAN, CULTURAL CENTER DIRECTOR AND MUSEUM CURATOR. I HAVE BETWEEN 30-40 STUDENTS IN ALL IN MY ENGLISH CLASSES, AND ABOUT 10 KINDERGARTENERS WHO, BY THE WAY ARE COMPLETELY OBSESSED WITH "HEAD& SHOULDERS, KNEES AND TOES."
> What is a typical day like?
> oK, SO A TYPICAL WEEK IS LIKE THIS.....
MONDAY I WORK FROM THE SCHOOL WHERE WE ARE WORKING ON A SORT OF TOWN
TWINNING PROJECT WITH THE DIRECTOR AND ALSO TEACH 5 CLASSES OF
ENGLISH.
TUESDAY I AM AT THE CULTURAL CENTER USUALLY HELPING MY COUNTERPART
WRITE GRANTS OR LOOK FOR FUNDING SOURCES FOR THE LIBRARY.
WEDNESDAY BACK AT THE SCHOOL WITH A REPEAT OF MONDAY
THURSDAY I AM AT THE KINDERGARTEN IN THE MORNING AND THE AFTERNOON I
USUALLY MEET WITH THE WOMEN'S GROUP OR HELP AT THE MUNICIPALITY WITH
AN ECO-TOURISM PROJECT THEY ARE WORKING ON.
FRIDAY I'M BACK AT THE CULTURAL CENTER WHERE I TEACH BALLET IN THE AFTERNOONS.
ON THE WEEKENDS AND IN THE EVENINGS I TRY AND GET TO KNOW MY COMMUNITY OUTSIDE OF WORK A LITTLE BETTER. I REALLY ENJOY COOKING WITH A FEW OF THE LITTLE GIRLS WHO LIVE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, GOING ON WALKS WITH SOME OF THE WOMEN TO GATHER NETTLE, LEARNING EVERYTHING THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT SHEEP, AND GARDENING.
> Tell us something that you often tell your friends or family back home about
> what you are doing (work-related)?
> I USUALLY TELL THEM ABOUT THE WOMEN'S CLUB WE ARE STARTING BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING THAT I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT AND FEEL COULD REALLY HAVE A LONG LASTING IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY. I ALSO TALK ALOT ABOUT THE BALLET CLASSES BECAUSE THOSE GIRLS ARE REALLY INTO IT AND I JUST LOVE THAT!
>Is it possible to describe your town in reference to any movies, songs, or
other common pop-culture markers that would help us identify with where you
are at?
>YEAH, DID YOU EVER SEE THE TRUMAN SHOW? I KIND OF GET THE FEELING THAT SOMEWHERE THERE IS A TELEVISION AUDIENCE LAUGHING THEIR HEADS OFF AT ME...LIKE EVERYONE IS IN ON THIS JOKE AND I JUST DON'T GET IT HAHA. THAT KIND OF SUMS UP MY LIFE HERE.
> In contrast, is there a song that reminds you of home?
EVERY TIME I HEAR "GONE TO CAROLINA" BY JAMES TAYLOR I WANT TO EITHER CRY OR SMILE OR SOMETIMES BOTH. SO JUST IN CASE I TOOK IT OFF MY PLAYLIST.
> Where are you from? How is it different from where you are now?
>I'M FROM WHAT I USED TO CALL A SMALL TOWN IN NORTH CAROLINA, MURPHY. THERE ARE DIFFERENCES, SURE...IT'S WAY BIGGER THAN MY VILLAGE, NOT AS MUCH LIVESTOCK AND ALL THAT MESS, BUT WHAT IS REALLY DIFFERENT IS THE MENTALITY. HERE EVERYONE IS REALLY CONCERNED WITH WHAT THE OTHER IS DOING. IN MY TOWN IT JUST SIMPLY ISN'T LIKE THAT...WE HAVE A SORT OF "TO EACH HIS OWN" MINDSET. HERE IT'S MORE LIKE "TO EACH HIS OWN..AND HIS, AND HERS, AND THIERS, TOO..."
> What animal are you most likely to see in your town?
> EVERY SINGLE DAY I SEE COWS, WILD DOGS, CATS, SHEEP, GOATS, CHICKENS, RABBITS, HORSES, AND A DUCK THAT MY NEIGHBOR HAS AS A PET.
I hear a lot of interesting thoughts on food from different PCVs. Tell me what you think.
> FOOD...HOLY COW, I FEEL LIKE OUR LIVES HERE REVOLVE AROUND FOOD. WHEN I FIRST CAME TO GROHOTNO EVERYONE WAS REALLY CONCERED ABOUT ME. FOR SOME REASON THEY GOT THE IDEA THAT I HAD NO IDEA HOW TO COOK, OR TAKE CARE OF MYSELF SO EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR EVERY SINGLE MEAL A COUPLE OF FAMILIES WOULD BRING ME FOOD OR INVITE ME OVER...IT WAS STARTING TO GET RIDICULOUS. I DECIDED THAT IF I STARTED COOKING MYSELF AND TAKING IT TO THEM I COULD SORT OF HEAD THEM OFF! SO NOW EVERYTIME I MAKE DINNER I ALWAYS MAKE ENOUGH FOR ONE OR TWO MORE PEOPLE TO SORT OF SHOW THEM THAT I CAN DO IT...AND PLUS IT'S A COOL WAY TO SHARE AMERICAN RECIPES WITH THE NEIGHBORS...PS SUGAR COOKIES WERE A HUGE HIT! BUT, BESIDES THAT, I'VE FOUND THAT A REALLY GOOD WAY TO INTEGRATE WITH ALOT OF THE WOMEN IN MY VILLAGE IS TO TAKE AN INTEREST IN LOCAL DISHES. SO, NOW WHEN I GO NA GOSTI INSTEAD OF JUST GOING IN AND SITTING DOWN, THEY INVITE ME EARLY TO TEACH ME HOW TO MAKE WHATEVER IT IS THAT WE'LL BE HAVING THAT NIGHT. MY FAVORITE LOCAL DISH SO FAR DEFINATELY HAS TO BE SERMI...IT'S BASICALLY JUST RICE ROLLED INTO CABBAGE BUT I'M TOTALLY ADDICTED. AS FOR AMERICAN FOOD, I REALLY REALLY REALLY MISS CHAI LATTES, SOY MILK, AND SALSA...NOT TOGETHER OF COURSE.
> How do you feel you have been most useful to your community?
> IT'S REALLY EARLY SO I'M NOT SURE HOW TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION. I DON'T KNOW, THERE IS THIS GROUP OF ABOUT 7 BABA'S WHO HANG OUT AND KNIT IN THIS ONE PLACE MOST EVERYDAY. I KNOW WE ALL HAVE BABA STORIES, BUT BARE WITH ME. I TRY TO GET OUT THERE EVERY SATURDAY TO SIT AND TALK WITH THEM FOR ABOUT AN HOUR...THEY LOVE TO TALK ABOUT THIER FAMILIES WHO LIVE WHEREVER, AND ABOUT THIER SPOUSES WHO HAVE PASSED ON, AN
D JUST ABOUT LIFE IN GENERAL...SOMETIMES I THINK THEY JUST ENJOY TALKING TO SOMEONE AND SHARING THIER LIVES WITH SOMEONE. THAT KIND OF GOES FOR EVERYONE HERE. THEY ARE ALL REALLY EAGER TO SHARE WITH ME EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE HERE. I THINK MY INTEREST REASSURES THEM THAT LIFE HERE IS GOOD, AND UNIQUE, AND INTRIGUING EVEN THOUGH AT TIMES IT CAN BE HARD. SO...AT THE MOMENT MAYBE THAT?
> How do you feel your community has been most useful to you?
> OH MY GOODNESS, I COULDN'T EVEN BEGIN TO EXPLAIN ALL OF THE WAYS THAT MY COMMUNITY HAS HELPED ME OUT. I MEAN THERE ARE THE OBVIOUS THINGS...LIKE WHEN I GOT MY HUGE TRUCK LOAD OF WOOD AND THE MEN VOLUNTEERED TO CHOP IT AND THE WOMEN CAME OUT AND HELPED ME STACK IT, OR THE OVERSTOCK OF TURLITSI (SLIPPERS) BECAUSE I'LL "FREEZE TO DEATH" WITHOUT THEM. BUT, MORE THAN ANYTHING WHEN I'M FEELING DISCOURAGED OR HOMESICK THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE HERE TO LISTEN OR TO HELP ME TAKE MY MIND OFF OF IT.
> At this point in your service, what do you look forward to bringing back
> with you to the States?
> BRINGING BACK WITH ME? HA! DO YOU REMEMBER THE BAGGAGE THAT I CAME WITH?!?!?! NO SERIOUSLY, I'M EXCITED ABOUT GIUVECH BOWLS, AND I GOT THIS COOL BLANKET THING THAT GOES OVER MY BED WHEN IT SERVES AS MY COUCH BY DAY, MY BABA SOCKS, I SHOULD PROBABLY START SHIPPING THINGS HOME NOW....
> What one thing do you wish you had now that you do not have?
> A PET. I REALLY WANT AN INDOOR CAT, BUT I JUST DON'T HAVE THE SPACE OR THE TIME...IT'S A SHAME.
> What is your favorite TV show? AT THE MOMENT WE ARE LOVING "MUSIC IDOL" GO SHANEL!
> Are there any hobbies that a Bulgarian has introduced you to? Tell us about it.
> oK, SO A TYPICAL WEEK IS LIKE THIS.....
MONDAY I WORK FROM THE SCHOOL WHERE WE ARE WORKING ON A SORT OF TOWN
TWINNING PROJECT WITH THE DIRECTOR AND ALSO TEACH 5 CLASSES OF
ENGLISH.
TUESDAY I AM AT THE CULTURAL CENTER USUALLY HELPING MY COUNTERPART
WRITE GRANTS OR LOOK FOR FUNDING SOURCES FOR THE LIBRARY.
WEDNESDAY BACK AT THE SCHOOL WITH A REPEAT OF MONDAY
THURSDAY I AM AT THE KINDERGARTEN IN THE MORNING AND THE AFTERNOON I
USUALLY MEET WITH THE WOMEN'S GROUP OR HELP AT THE MUNICIPALITY WITH
AN ECO-TOURISM PROJECT THEY ARE WORKING ON.
FRIDAY I'M BACK AT THE CULTURAL CENTER WHERE I TEACH BALLET IN THE AFTERNOONS.
ON THE WEEKENDS AND IN THE EVENINGS I TRY AND GET TO KNOW MY COMMUNITY OUTSIDE OF WORK A LITTLE BETTER. I REALLY ENJOY COOKING WITH A FEW OF THE LITTLE GIRLS WHO LIVE IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, GOING ON WALKS WITH SOME OF THE WOMEN TO GATHER NETTLE, LEARNING EVERYTHING THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT SHEEP, AND GARDENING.
> Tell us something that you often tell your friends or family back home about
> what you are doing (work-related)?
> I USUALLY TELL THEM ABOUT THE WOMEN'S CLUB WE ARE STARTING BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING THAT I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT AND FEEL COULD REALLY HAVE A LONG LASTING IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY. I ALSO TALK ALOT ABOUT THE BALLET CLASSES BECAUSE THOSE GIRLS ARE REALLY INTO IT AND I JUST LOVE THAT!
>Is it possible to describe your town in reference to any movies, songs, or
other common pop-culture markers that would help us identify with where you
are at?
>YEAH, DID YOU EVER SEE THE TRUMAN SHOW? I KIND OF GET THE FEELING THAT SOMEWHERE THERE IS A TELEVISION AUDIENCE LAUGHING THEIR HEADS OFF AT ME...LIKE EVERYONE IS IN ON THIS JOKE AND I JUST DON'T GET IT HAHA. THAT KIND OF SUMS UP MY LIFE HERE.
> In contrast, is there a song that reminds you of home?
EVERY TIME I HEAR "GONE TO CAROLINA" BY JAMES TAYLOR I WANT TO EITHER CRY OR SMILE OR SOMETIMES BOTH. SO JUST IN CASE I TOOK IT OFF MY PLAYLIST.
> Where are you from? How is it different from where you are now?
>I'M FROM WHAT I USED TO CALL A SMALL TOWN IN NORTH CAROLINA, MURPHY. THERE ARE DIFFERENCES, SURE...IT'S WAY BIGGER THAN MY VILLAGE, NOT AS MUCH LIVESTOCK AND ALL THAT MESS, BUT WHAT IS REALLY DIFFERENT IS THE MENTALITY. HERE EVERYONE IS REALLY CONCERNED WITH WHAT THE OTHER IS DOING. IN MY TOWN IT JUST SIMPLY ISN'T LIKE THAT...WE HAVE A SORT OF "TO EACH HIS OWN" MINDSET. HERE IT'S MORE LIKE "TO EACH HIS OWN..AND HIS, AND HERS, AND THIERS, TOO..."
> What animal are you most likely to see in your town?
> EVERY SINGLE DAY I SEE COWS, WILD DOGS, CATS, SHEEP, GOATS, CHICKENS, RABBITS, HORSES, AND A DUCK THAT MY NEIGHBOR HAS AS A PET.
I hear a lot of interesting thoughts on food from different PCVs. Tell me what you think.
> FOOD...HOLY COW, I FEEL LIKE OUR LIVES HERE REVOLVE AROUND FOOD. WHEN I FIRST CAME TO GROHOTNO EVERYONE WAS REALLY CONCERED ABOUT ME. FOR SOME REASON THEY GOT THE IDEA THAT I HAD NO IDEA HOW TO COOK, OR TAKE CARE OF MYSELF SO EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR EVERY SINGLE MEAL A COUPLE OF FAMILIES WOULD BRING ME FOOD OR INVITE ME OVER...IT WAS STARTING TO GET RIDICULOUS. I DECIDED THAT IF I STARTED COOKING MYSELF AND TAKING IT TO THEM I COULD SORT OF HEAD THEM OFF! SO NOW EVERYTIME I MAKE DINNER I ALWAYS MAKE ENOUGH FOR ONE OR TWO MORE PEOPLE TO SORT OF SHOW THEM THAT I CAN DO IT...AND PLUS IT'S A COOL WAY TO SHARE AMERICAN RECIPES WITH THE NEIGHBORS...PS SUGAR COOKIES WERE A HUGE HIT! BUT, BESIDES THAT, I'VE FOUND THAT A REALLY GOOD WAY TO INTEGRATE WITH ALOT OF THE WOMEN IN MY VILLAGE IS TO TAKE AN INTEREST IN LOCAL DISHES. SO, NOW WHEN I GO NA GOSTI INSTEAD OF JUST GOING IN AND SITTING DOWN, THEY INVITE ME EARLY TO TEACH ME HOW TO MAKE WHATEVER IT IS THAT WE'LL BE HAVING THAT NIGHT. MY FAVORITE LOCAL DISH SO FAR DEFINATELY HAS TO BE SERMI...IT'S BASICALLY JUST RICE ROLLED INTO CABBAGE BUT I'M TOTALLY ADDICTED. AS FOR AMERICAN FOOD, I REALLY REALLY REALLY MISS CHAI LATTES, SOY MILK, AND SALSA...NOT TOGETHER OF COURSE.
> How do you feel you have been most useful to your community?
> IT'S REALLY EARLY SO I'M NOT SURE HOW TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION. I DON'T KNOW, THERE IS THIS GROUP OF ABOUT 7 BABA'S WHO HANG OUT AND KNIT IN THIS ONE PLACE MOST EVERYDAY. I KNOW WE ALL HAVE BABA STORIES, BUT BARE WITH ME. I TRY TO GET OUT THERE EVERY SATURDAY TO SIT AND TALK WITH THEM FOR ABOUT AN HOUR...THEY LOVE TO TALK ABOUT THIER FAMILIES WHO LIVE WHEREVER, AND ABOUT THIER SPOUSES WHO HAVE PASSED ON, AN
D JUST ABOUT LIFE IN GENERAL...SOMETIMES I THINK THEY JUST ENJOY TALKING TO SOMEONE AND SHARING THIER LIVES WITH SOMEONE. THAT KIND OF GOES FOR EVERYONE HERE. THEY ARE ALL REALLY EAGER TO SHARE WITH ME EVERY ASPECT OF LIFE HERE. I THINK MY INTEREST REASSURES THEM THAT LIFE HERE IS GOOD, AND UNIQUE, AND INTRIGUING EVEN THOUGH AT TIMES IT CAN BE HARD. SO...AT THE MOMENT MAYBE THAT?> How do you feel your community has been most useful to you?
> OH MY GOODNESS, I COULDN'T EVEN BEGIN TO EXPLAIN ALL OF THE WAYS THAT MY COMMUNITY HAS HELPED ME OUT. I MEAN THERE ARE THE OBVIOUS THINGS...LIKE WHEN I GOT MY HUGE TRUCK LOAD OF WOOD AND THE MEN VOLUNTEERED TO CHOP IT AND THE WOMEN CAME OUT AND HELPED ME STACK IT, OR THE OVERSTOCK OF TURLITSI (SLIPPERS) BECAUSE I'LL "FREEZE TO DEATH" WITHOUT THEM. BUT, MORE THAN ANYTHING WHEN I'M FEELING DISCOURAGED OR HOMESICK THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE HERE TO LISTEN OR TO HELP ME TAKE MY MIND OFF OF IT.
> At this point in your service, what do you look forward to bringing back
> with you to the States?
> BRINGING BACK WITH ME? HA! DO YOU REMEMBER THE BAGGAGE THAT I CAME WITH?!?!?! NO SERIOUSLY, I'M EXCITED ABOUT GIUVECH BOWLS, AND I GOT THIS COOL BLANKET THING THAT GOES OVER MY BED WHEN IT SERVES AS MY COUCH BY DAY, MY BABA SOCKS, I SHOULD PROBABLY START SHIPPING THINGS HOME NOW....
> What one thing do you wish you had now that you do not have?
> A PET. I REALLY WANT AN INDOOR CAT, BUT I JUST DON'T HAVE THE SPACE OR THE TIME...IT'S A SHAME.
> What is your favorite TV show? AT THE MOMENT WE ARE LOVING "MUSIC IDOL" GO SHANEL!
> Are there any hobbies that a Bulgarian has introduced you to? Tell us about it.
> OK I KNOW THIS SOUNDS REALLY ODD, BUT I ABSOLUTELY LOVE SORTING BEANS. THEY GET THEM IN THESE HUGE BAGS WITH LIKE 8 DIFFERENT KINDS AND THEY HAVE TO SEPERATE THEM OUT. IT'S MINDLESS WORK, BUT IT'S GOOD FOR THE SOUL.
> What did you use to do in the states during your free-time that you cannot
> do now but wish you could?
> I REALLY MISS GOING TO THE GYM, AND I ALSO MISS GOING TO CHURCH ON SUNDAYS. BUT, MORE THAN ANYTHING I MISS WAKING UP ON SATURDAY MORNINGS AND GOING TO MY FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP WITH MY FRIENDS IN MY SWEATS AND FLIP FLOPS...
> What activity do you find yourself doing now that you most wish you could
> share with a friend/family member back home
> I REALLY WANT MY FAMILY TO SEE A WEDDING OR A BABY SHOWER HERE. THEY'RE JUST REALLY ELABORATE AND ALWAYS INVOLVE HORO. YOU CAN JUST NEVER GO WRONG WHEN HORO IS INVOLVED.
> What did you use to do in the states during your free-time that you cannot
> do now but wish you could?
> I REALLY MISS GOING TO THE GYM, AND I ALSO MISS GOING TO CHURCH ON SUNDAYS. BUT, MORE THAN ANYTHING I MISS WAKING UP ON SATURDAY MORNINGS AND GOING TO MY FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP WITH MY FRIENDS IN MY SWEATS AND FLIP FLOPS...
> What activity do you find yourself doing now that you most wish you could
> share with a friend/family member back home
> I REALLY WANT MY FAMILY TO SEE A WEDDING OR A BABY SHOWER HERE. THEY'RE JUST REALLY ELABORATE AND ALWAYS INVOLVE HORO. YOU CAN JUST NEVER GO WRONG WHEN HORO IS INVOLVED.
Posted byWil Dalton at 11:01 AM
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awesome.
Do you always yell in interviews?
YES.