Wednesday evening

It has been a mostly quiet week since I last wrote. The days have been sunny, cool, and crisp, and the nights cooler and longer. I have been doing lots and lots of walking, and reading War and Peace. It is easier to read than I anticipated, but it sure is long. The hardest thing about reading is that with copy I have the font is so small, and the pages are so yellow, that my eyes are having a hard time adjusting. The light in my room is very poor, so that pretty much limits my reading to the daylight hours. While reading War and Peace, I also picked up at Peace Corps, and have finished American Taboo, by Philip Weiss. It is non-fiction, and is the story of the murder of a Peace Corps volunteer by another volunteer in the 1970's. That's all that's new with the reading list. There is a book club that is starting with some volunteers in a few weeks, and I plan to join. That will give me some additional people to share books with.

My parents called today. What a great treat! They sound great, and from what they told me, things continue to go well with my mom's recovery. My grandparents are planning a visit for early next week, so that will be nice for all of them. There is not much new there otherwise. My brother lost his patio roof during hurricane Omar, but other than that his house didn't sustain other damage. The Virgin Islands have escaped real damaging hurricanes for several years. I am glad that he has weathered another season with minimal damage.

Today I spent the day chopping and stacking wood for the winter. I ache in places I didn't know existed! We started about 8:30 this morning, and worked until about 4:30 this afternoon, and we have done about half of the wood. It was slow going at first, but then I got a good swing going. It's sort of like baseball, but in a different direction. Sort of. I don't think I'll have a problem sleeping tonight!

The center appears to be done, and they are talking about opening sometime in November. Representatives of the funding agent came to the Center to review everything. I think the plumbing has even been hooked up! I did try to turn on the lights, and they weren't working, so the electricity is not on yet.

I think Teresa is planning a visit this weekend, and next Monday is Hram (village day). There is no school on Monday, and the following week is a vacation week for the school. Happy Rocktober! Take care, xoxo Jami

Better

I just talked to my parents, and my brother, David, a little while ago. My mom came home from the hospital yesterday, and she seems to be doing really well. She sounds good over the phone, anyway. It is amazing to think that only a week ago she was preparing for major surgery. One tough cookie, my mom! She will be having the visiting nurse come in regularly, and I hope she takes it easy, and doesn't try to over-do things. That is my biggest worry, because I know that I come by that tendency genetically. Thank you so much to all of you who have called or written, or just been around for me. I appreciate it, and all of you.

I was in Chisinau from Monday until yesterday, trying to figure out whether to stay put, or use my credit card to make an emergency trip home. After thinking about all the alternatives, I have decided to stay put for the time being. It has not been an easy decision. I really would have appreciated the two weeks that might have been granted for emergency leave, but that was not to be. I think in the long run, I will be happier to be home in the Spring for my planned vacation. By then, hopefully, my mom's health will be more stable and we can better enjoy our time together. I will really miss seeing my brother, as he won't be home then, but I know I will see him when I get back.

While in Chisinau this week, I spent time with Teresa, and with Renell. Renell is heading home tomorrow. On Saturday, Renell and I had briefly visited the wine fest, and Tuesday was Hram in Chisinau. It is a one day fair, with dancing in the streets, and lots of activity in town. Even though I really wasn't in the mood, it turned out to be a great time, and just the distraction I needed. The week had felt sort of hectic, and fraught with worry, so the loud music, wine, and dancing was fun. I had been at Renell's Friday, Saturday and Sunday, up for the 5 am bus to Chisinau on Monday, back last night. Whew! The other thing that happened to me last week, that was so minor in light of my mom's stuff, was that on Saturday morning, as Renell and I were heading into Chisinau, a dog bit me at her house! Can you believe it? What is up with that?? So, while I was in Chisinau, not only did I get my B12 shot, but I also got a rabies booster. And, I have to go back into Chisinau tomorrow morning for the second booster. Hopefully, that will be the end of my trips into Chisinau for the month of October.

Again, thanks to all of you who have sent notes, or calls, or prayers and thoughts of support this way. I appreciate it, and I know my family is stronger for this challenging reminder of how much we mean to each other. xoxo, Jami

Heart attack

Last Thursday, when I was having such a nice day, and took the time to write about it, my mom was in the hospital having tests done after having chest pain on Wednesday night. On Friday morning she had bypass surgery, and I am freaking out. I hate being so far away much of the time, and at times like this it feels almost more than I can stand. Peace Corps in Washington has called the hospital and also talked to my sister, both of whom have said that she is doing well, and her situation is not life-threatening, so going home won't qualify as paid emergency leave. That doesn't make me feel much better, although of course, I am thrilled that she is doing so well. My brother flew home from St. Croix, so this feels to me like if he made the trip, then I should, too. My family is not asking me to come home, but this is really difficult. I am so torn about what to do. God, sometimes I can't believe that I ever wanted to do this work more than just be home....I guess I'll be listening to those CD's a lot more in the next few days and weeks.

An Almost Perfect Day

Today is what fall should look like. Sunny, lots of blue sky, cool, maybe not red and orange here in Moldova, but pretty and nice, just the same. We have had so many damp and rainy days since the middle of September, and today is just about perfect for a change. There has been nothing really special going on, but the sunshine can change my mood pretty quickly. I got some CD's in my package from Kim, and I have been listening to Living Joy, and Living Peace. They really seem to help to "center" me, and calm me when I am frustrated with viata satului (village life).

The week has been typical, meaning slow, but today was a trip into Stefan Voda, a very brief visit with Renell, and then a nice walk in the sunshine. Tomorrow its back to Stefan Voda to help Renell pack. She heads home to Minneapolis in a week! I am staying with her tomorrow and Saturday night. Saturday we are heading into Chisinau for the day. I have a VAC meeting, Renell has last minute things she needs to do, and then we are off to the Wine Fest for the afternoon. Neither of us are drinkers, but it's supposed to be a good time, even for the non-drinking crowd.

Have a great weekend! Miss you all and wish you were here with me to enjoy this great day! xoxo Jami

I miss red

I miss the beautiful fall colors that Maple trees offer. Here in Moldova there are mostly fruit and nut trees, which seem to go quickly to yellow and brown, without any last hurrah of color. There are still leaves on many trees, but they are falling fast, and the days are smaller and darker. There is no Fryeburg fair here. Actually, there are no fairs here at all. Every village has a one day celebration, called Hram. I think the Hram for my village is on October 27. I don't think it is a "fair", but I'll let you know after I've been to one.

The first part of this past week was spent in the village, and then on Thursday I went into Chisinau for a long visit. I spent some time on Thursday and Friday with Teresa, and then on Saturday came back to Stefan Voda to spend time with Renell. She had a gathering of all the volunteers in this part of the world, and it was a great get-away. Renell is heading home next week. I will really miss her company when she leaves.

The Center appears to be almost finished. The projected opening date is hopefully sometime in November. There is some controversy now about funding for staff, if I am understanding things correctly. The Raion is saying that it is the responsibility of the village to fund these positions, and the village believes that the Raion should support the staff needs. I may end up being the only one working there!

There is not too much else to write about this week. Linnea is back in Pennsylvania for the winter at least, looking for work. Today is my wedding anniversary. My grandmother has her 91st birthday on Wednesday. Wish I was going to be home to help her celebrate! I will be with you in thought. Thank you to my parents and to Kim for the great packages!! I love to get packages!!!! I hope you are all well, and staying warm. xoxo, Jami