Since when does my profile say I am in Afghanistan? Thats funny. I just noticed it today...and I guess I will change it.
Its my birthday! I am tired. I was woken up at 6:15 this morning to my roommate and friend singing happy birthday and bringing me breakfast in bed. It was really sweet. Now I have some work to do, and then I will have some friends over for lunch.
Sunday, September 30
Friday, September 28
student center
So today I signed a grant. It all worked out, I am not quite sure how it came to be, but basically I was handed an idea and a grant to go with it. I will start up a student services center (their name) or what I like to call it, a student training/recourse center. I am kind of excited, although I still don't know all the details.
The problem I had yesterday was opening a bank account under our NGO name. You would think that wouldn't be that difficult....but it was. I went to the bank five times yesterday. Each time asking what I need to do to open an NGO account. Each time they said, you need this, this, and this. I then went back with those things, and they said, oh you also need this. So at 5:30 when I still needed one more piece of information, something I just needed to create I gave up and went home. By the end I was thouroughly frustrated. One of the times I was walking I got caught in the rain, so I was also wet. It wasn't a fun afternoon. I typed up the last piece of information last night and asked my boss to go open the account this morning, as I had meetings outside the city all day. When I called to check if she had been able to open the account, she said, yes, it was so easy. I just laughed. Yes, finally I had gathered all the needed information.
So now I will rest, as I only slept a couple hours last night and had a busy day today.
The problem I had yesterday was opening a bank account under our NGO name. You would think that wouldn't be that difficult....but it was. I went to the bank five times yesterday. Each time asking what I need to do to open an NGO account. Each time they said, you need this, this, and this. I then went back with those things, and they said, oh you also need this. So at 5:30 when I still needed one more piece of information, something I just needed to create I gave up and went home. By the end I was thouroughly frustrated. One of the times I was walking I got caught in the rain, so I was also wet. It wasn't a fun afternoon. I typed up the last piece of information last night and asked my boss to go open the account this morning, as I had meetings outside the city all day. When I called to check if she had been able to open the account, she said, yes, it was so easy. I just laughed. Yes, finally I had gathered all the needed information.
So now I will rest, as I only slept a couple hours last night and had a busy day today.
ahh
I had the most annoying day I have had in a long time. Why can't things be more organized here? Well, if all goes well tomorrow and after staying up until 2am tonight, I may have a new project to be involved in. I am actually really excited about it, even though I am not quite sure what it entails. More later...I should go to bed now, as I have to leave at 8am for a bunch of meetings with school directors tomorrow.
Monday, September 24
my weekend
Anything to procrastinate...right...well I can say after waking up at 6am and working from 7am taking a break at 2 is worthy. But I still have lessons to plan, and I am determined to get a head start on this semester. So I will continue to work later this afternoon, but a nap may come first.
So this weekend was full of fun times. On Friday night I went to a Japanese restaurant and introduced some friends to sushi for the first time. Its only the second time I have been to that restaurant as its a bit pricey and usually my friends aren't willing to try something new. I don't think my Albanian friends really enjoyed the food, but we Americans surely did. Its definitely a place I will have to hit again before my sushi liking roommate leaves.
Then after a sunny day in the village playing with kids my roommate and I headed to an international military base located in my city. I met this American military guy at the airport last month. I was waiting in line with my friend, and this guy started talking to us. This was the first time since I have been here that I have managed to get on a military base, so I was excited, all with the promise of real hamburgers.
Overall it was an interesting night. It was a farewell cookout for 6 guys who were finishing their time here. All the guys there (ok and 4 girls besides us) were from different countries. I really enjoy hanging out and talking with such a mixed group of people like that. We had some good conversations, really good food (real hamburgers with bacon, ham, macaroni salad) and some funny stories to remember. The best part of all (well maybe not best, but a really good thing), we can go on the base again and buy some American goodies I have been missing.
So this weekend was full of fun times. On Friday night I went to a Japanese restaurant and introduced some friends to sushi for the first time. Its only the second time I have been to that restaurant as its a bit pricey and usually my friends aren't willing to try something new. I don't think my Albanian friends really enjoyed the food, but we Americans surely did. Its definitely a place I will have to hit again before my sushi liking roommate leaves.
Then after a sunny day in the village playing with kids my roommate and I headed to an international military base located in my city. I met this American military guy at the airport last month. I was waiting in line with my friend, and this guy started talking to us. This was the first time since I have been here that I have managed to get on a military base, so I was excited, all with the promise of real hamburgers.
Overall it was an interesting night. It was a farewell cookout for 6 guys who were finishing their time here. All the guys there (ok and 4 girls besides us) were from different countries. I really enjoy hanging out and talking with such a mixed group of people like that. We had some good conversations, really good food (real hamburgers with bacon, ham, macaroni salad) and some funny stories to remember. The best part of all (well maybe not best, but a really good thing), we can go on the base again and buy some American goodies I have been missing.
Thursday, September 20
sleep
Can I just tell you all that I love my students. I really enjoy introducing my students to other Americans and showing my students off. I am so proud of them. The past couple days we have met a lot of my students, and it makes me happy every time I see them. I can't wait for classes to start next week - hopefully.
The only problem with classes starting and getting into the swing of things again is that I will no longer be able to go to bed early. Lately at about 9pm I get tired, and head to bed anytime after that. Its now almost 11pm and I am exhausted. I am ready to sleep. The good thing is that I then wake up early and have found that I am actually very productive in the mornings. Its kind of a fun change for me.
Okay....my bed is calling my name now....I must listen to it. Good night!
The only problem with classes starting and getting into the swing of things again is that I will no longer be able to go to bed early. Lately at about 9pm I get tired, and head to bed anytime after that. Its now almost 11pm and I am exhausted. I am ready to sleep. The good thing is that I then wake up early and have found that I am actually very productive in the mornings. Its kind of a fun change for me.
Okay....my bed is calling my name now....I must listen to it. Good night!
Tuesday, September 18
priorities
Tonight in bible study the topic was priorities. It was a reminder I really needed to hear, a little kick in the butt. So today I am asking you, what are your priorities? Are the things you do just keeping you busy, or are you doing something that will impact eternity? Do you know where the hours of your day go or are they just wasting away. I can honestly say I do not answer these questions very well right now. I am working on it, and reminders like tonight help to keep me going, to get back on track with God and set my priorities where they should be.
Monday, September 17
death
Today was a day busy with coffee visits. On Friday a girl from California arrived and will stay with me for three months. She will be helping me teach here at the university and at the local hospital. I am so happy that she has joined us in the work here, she is definitely and answer to prayer.
When meeting with one friend today I found out that another friend's father died last Friday. I was shocked and dismayed at this. He was only 65 and had not been sick. He got sick and went to the hospital on Thursday and died on Friday. A few of us went to my friend's house this afternoon to visit her and her family, and she is still in shock and denial. Please lift her and her family up.
When meeting with one friend today I found out that another friend's father died last Friday. I was shocked and dismayed at this. He was only 65 and had not been sick. He got sick and went to the hospital on Thursday and died on Friday. A few of us went to my friend's house this afternoon to visit her and her family, and she is still in shock and denial. Please lift her and her family up.
Friday, September 14
obedience
Today I am trying to be obedient to all that God is showing me. Clear, simple, unhindered obedience....its hard for me...but thats my challenge for today.
Yesterday started the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a month of fasting. Last night at 6:30 the streets were crowded and the bakeries were busy. At about 7:00 the call to prayer went off and the people could eat again. They had gone since 5:30 in the morning without letting anything pass through their mouth....no water, no smoking, no eating. Please remember the people here during this time.
Yesterday started the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a month of fasting. Last night at 6:30 the streets were crowded and the bakeries were busy. At about 7:00 the call to prayer went off and the people could eat again. They had gone since 5:30 in the morning without letting anything pass through their mouth....no water, no smoking, no eating. Please remember the people here during this time.
Wednesday, September 12
4 years
September 10th marked my four year anniversary of being here. I can no longer say like it seems I have been here a sort time. For sure it has gone by quickly, but more it feels like I have been here forever. When I think back about when I first applied to come here and I thought it would be for just one year, I laugh. I remember when I was at the conference and I found out they were no longer sending people for just one year. I had to commit to two years or nothing at all. I almost left right then. I thought to myself, I can do one year, but two, thats really long! Wow, I have changed.
Four years, now thats a long time. But I love it here. This has become my home. I have become part Albanian, and the thought of returning to the States is really hard. Next month I will take the GRE (I finally have the date so I really have to study now) and will apply for graduate school. For sure I am going back to the states next summer. My brother and his wife are having a baby and I am ready to spend some time with my family again. Still its hard. I can not imagine what my life will look like back in the states...living in Massachusetts.
I am absolutely thankful that I am an American, and that has been shown to me loud and clear again and again while living here. At the same time, I enjoy being an American living overseas. Although I often hate the extra attention I receive as an American, its not so bad. They love us here, which is actually hard to come by as an American these days while in a foreign country. When I go back to the states I am just another anybody. That will be strange.
Although this country I am living in has many problems, it has many great sides to it also. The people are the most giving and hospitable people I have ever met. Hopefully I have learned some from them, but I will never compare to their selfless hospitality at all times. Families are still very important here and bound together tightly. Even as adults, more time is spent with family than friends. Life goes at an easy, relaxed pace here. Coffee breaks are a must. I could go on and on about how I love this place, these people, this culture but I am here for another 9 months or so, so I need to try to focus on today and enjoy it for what it is.
Four years, now thats a long time. But I love it here. This has become my home. I have become part Albanian, and the thought of returning to the States is really hard. Next month I will take the GRE (I finally have the date so I really have to study now) and will apply for graduate school. For sure I am going back to the states next summer. My brother and his wife are having a baby and I am ready to spend some time with my family again. Still its hard. I can not imagine what my life will look like back in the states...living in Massachusetts.
I am absolutely thankful that I am an American, and that has been shown to me loud and clear again and again while living here. At the same time, I enjoy being an American living overseas. Although I often hate the extra attention I receive as an American, its not so bad. They love us here, which is actually hard to come by as an American these days while in a foreign country. When I go back to the states I am just another anybody. That will be strange.
Although this country I am living in has many problems, it has many great sides to it also. The people are the most giving and hospitable people I have ever met. Hopefully I have learned some from them, but I will never compare to their selfless hospitality at all times. Families are still very important here and bound together tightly. Even as adults, more time is spent with family than friends. Life goes at an easy, relaxed pace here. Coffee breaks are a must. I could go on and on about how I love this place, these people, this culture but I am here for another 9 months or so, so I need to try to focus on today and enjoy it for what it is.
Wednesday, September 5
cold
The weather here is so strange. One week its sweltering hot and unbearable and now its really cold and miserable. Okay, its good that its not so hot anymore, and we really need the rain, but it doesn't need to switch back and forth so quickly. Just yesterday I had the AC on in the car and today we had the heater on. The weather forecast says the low is 35 for tonight. Isn't it just the beginning of September?
Monday, September 3
school
School started today in this country. As I was driving into town this morning I noticed a drast difference. Although in August I complained that the city was empty and no one was around, it was enjoyable. The streets were not crowded with people, you could find a parking spot slightly easily, and I could go out without running into many people I know. That has all changed now and the people are back! Its amazing how much of a student centered city this is.
The students are back...that also means my work is back. Time to get busy again.
The students are back...that also means my work is back. Time to get busy again.
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