Slumber Party Weekend

I'm a little late this week with my usual Sunday posting. Sorry about that, but I just came back to my village from a really fun weekend with the "girls". Friday morning I left the village to go into Chişinău. I was originally scheduled to have my mid-service physical last Friday, but most of it had been completed when I was in Chişinău earlier in the month. The only things left to be done were the TB test and the dentist, which was scheduled for yesterday. The TB test is given one day and then needs to be read a few days later. They usually give these on a Friday and ask to read them on Monday. Great for me since this weekend was planned a while ago. Last week I got a call from the doctor that they have temporarily run out of the TB test. The very same day my tutor was telling me that there is a TB "epidemic" right now in Chişinău, and that many people are in the hospital with either the "gripa" or TB. I think I'll be careful and still take my chances on leaving the village. I'll get the TB test when I get back from vacation, and I'm sure I'll be fine.

The rest of the weekend was spent in the town where Teresa and Jenna live. They hosted a "Tudor's weekend" at one of the cabins near to where Jenna lives. The cabins are so cute! There were between 12 and 15 of us there for some or all of the weekend, watching the Showtime series "The Tudors", eating, laughing, having a GREAT time! It was just so much fun, and a great, warm, beautiful weekend. Love it!!!

Yesterday I ran some errands in Chişinău, had my dentist appointment (no problems, sorry David!) and headed back to the village. On the way back the bus had a flat tire. I think this is probably the fifth or sixth time that there has been a problem with the bus ride back and forth into the city, usually a flat tire, but one time it took almost 2 hours by the side of the road before the problem was resolved. I've lost count. It's not as bad in the warmer weather, but it still makes a long trip even longer. Ugh!

So now I am back, taking the day to catch up on some things around the house before heading back to work tomorrow morning. I was hoping to do some wash today, but now it is raining, so I guess that will have to wait for a day or two. Rain doesn't stop the Moldovan women from doing their wash the way a religious holiday does, but it seems pointless to me, so I'll wait. It's bound to be sunny again soon.

This week the national elections are being held here. I believe that there are 28 parties and the whole process seems a little confusing to me. It feels like a relief to me that we are not allowed to become involved in this political process in anyway. The elections will be held on April 5th, and the campaigning is in earnest in the village, and on a larger scale in Chişinău. I go back into the city for the VAC meeting next Saturday, so there will probably be even more activity then.

Two weeks and I'll be home. I can't wait to see everyone! Congratulations this week to Nicki and Keith, Caleb and Connor who have welcomed Abby to their family. See you soon!!!!!!!! xoxo,Jami

March

More than half over. Filled with the promise of more warmer, beautiful days. Marching forward, another week that has passed by. This week, like more and more of them recently, has happened with increasing anticipation for my trip home, and the almost routine feeling that my life has now assumed. The big events this week were that Lidia's father had his only cow and her unborn calf both die trying to give birth. It was traumatic for him, and a big loss.

Work is good. There has been some turnover of residents, as the goal is to limit residential stays to three month intervals. The past three months have really gone by quickly, when I realize that the people who were first living at the Center have now mostly returned home. The children and elderly who have returned home are getting follow-up home visits from the Social Assistants, and are eligible to come back after some time. I am not sure what the time frame is to be re-admitted, but I will find out.

Yesterday several of the older volunteers met for a light lunch in Chisinau. It was a one day quick trip in to the city, lunch, and home again in the afternoon. Not quite as much fun as heading into Manhattan for the day, but always a nice change of pace. A hot shower, a letter, all is good.

My tutor told me that he bought a pig head at the market this morning, and was cooking it down to eat tomorrow. Yum. Not. I have never eaten a lot of meat, and I am almost a vegetarian after a year here.

Happy birthday tomorrow to my niece, Jean Marie, and later in the week, to my friend Allen. I'm counting down the days. Miss you all. xoxo, Jami

The Ides of March

The middle of March, and the weather here is windy and cool. March weather. Everyone here is waiting for April and May, when the days are consistently warmer. We have had a few "teaser" warm days, and now it is back to feeling more like Winter than Spring.

This week I spent a lot of time in Chişinău. I went in on the bus first thing Monday morning to see the doctor. I've been having headaches in the morning when I wake up, and I thought it was because I need some stronger reading glasses. That turned out to be true, but I also had a sinus infection with a fever. Mostly because of the fever, the doctor decided to keep me in medical TDY. The TDY apartment is in the building right next to the Peace Corps office, and it is a nice break away from the village life. Its a great place to be when not feeling well, that's for sure. Comfortable beds, hot showers. Very nice. On Tuesday I met with the doctor again. I still had a slight fever, had and eye exam and got stronger glasses, and got most of my mid-service physical exam done, and the doctor asked that I stay in TDY one more night. I have to go back at the end of the month to get my PPD/TB test done and read and see the dentist, but the doctor didn't want to give the TB test to me with even a slight fever. No surprise, I'm healthy. Nothing of concern. For all the time it took for Peace Corps to medically clear me before my service, I have been remarkably healthy since coming to Moldova. Yay! So many volunteers seem to have some pretty serious gastro-intestinal stuff. I'm glad that I've avoided that mess...*knocking on wood*.

Wednesday morning I had a large package arrive from Kim and Mike with gifts for the residents at the Center. Thank you so much!!!! In this picture the kids are listening to a story and just holding on to their new stuffed toys. The "babas" loved their warm pj's and robes, too, but they didn't want me to take a picture of them, so I respected that request. Everyone was so appreciative, and after the week I had last week, it surely helped to show up to work with gifts from America. I only went to work on Thursday and Friday this week, and yesterday I was back in Chişinău for the day. Yesterday the trip was for the Book Club meeting. It was a rainy, dreary day, but as always, nice to meet up with my friends. Today I am meeting with my language tutor, and then heading out to work for the afternoon. This is a shorter note, probably because now my life has a real sense of routine and it doesn't feel like there is so much to talk that is new and exciting. I'll be home in a month and I am counting the days! Miss you all. xoxo, Jami

Zuia Femeilor

Today is International Women's Day here in Moldova. Its a big day here. Its more than just a celebration for mother's, but really for all women. The international thing is because it was a holiday all over the Soviet Republics. The eighth of March, at the end of the week of celebration of Martişor, ushers in Spring. The days are warmer more often, and noticeably longer, and the snowdrops are blooming.

The work week was a little dramatic, and not in a good way. On Wednesday and Thursday I was at work with just the helpers. The professional staff were at training both mornings. I don't really mind one day a week or so, but two days in a row is sometimes a challenge. I can usually make myself understood to everyone there, even though most of the staff prefer to speak Russian. They will always switch to Romanian to include me. That feels good. I like to play games with the children, and most of the time we get along great. This week it was a vacation week from school, so there were some additional kids who came up for parts of some days. That was okay.

On Wednesday afternoon, several times when I was alone with the kids, one of the older girls would hit the younger kids. Hard. Usually on the head or on the arms. There was a fair amount of crying. It was a challenge. Thursday morning when I went in to work, the same girl started in with this behavior again right after breakfast. At one point she took the littlest boy who is about 18 months old and flung him by one arm down into a chair. She really hurt him. I sent her to her room and made her lie down on her bed. When one of the aides came into the room, I took a break and called my friend, Teresa. As Teresa listened to me, and supported my complaining, one of her co-workers, overhearing only her side of the conversation, took it upon herself to call the regional authorities in Ştefan Vodă and make a report that the staff were abusing the children at the Center. Whew! Not true, and not what I was even saying to Teresa.

I have struggled a bit with the rampant use of negative reinforcements rather than positive ones that I have witnessed, and I know that there is not the same emphasis on safety here that there is in the US, but the upshot of this report by someone who only heard one half of a conversation is that I have lost some trust of my co-workers, who only heard that someone from Peace Corps had made a complaint. So, after some phone calls to and from Peace Corps, it was determined that no one from Peace Corps, not me, not Teresa, not the Program Manager, had called to make a report. I already knew this, and even though I have told this to the staff, I'm not really sure that they believe me. So, I'll keep working at it, rebuilding trust, showing up, doing what I am supposed to.

On a happier note, on Friday the children put on a show at the Center for zuia femeilor. There were many older women who showed up for the festivities, and it was a fun time. Right before the program was to start, the power went out and the kids and staff had to improvise, but they did a great job! It was fun to see them recite their poetry and sing songs. Everyone seemed to enjoy the day.

Tomorrow I am going into Chişinău for the day. It will be a nice break from village life, and there are some things I need to get done. I'm looking forward to a day in the big city. I hope everyone is doing well, enjoying the nicer weather, and getting ready for St. Patrick's Day! I miss you all. xoxo, Jami

Martişor

March first. Cool. Another month has passed, and the days are getting longer and warmer. Here in Moldova, seasons are determined by the months, not by the lunar calendar, so here it is officially the first day of Spring today! In fact, this week is another vacation week for school children and today is the holiday of Martişor. Everywhere here women and children wear little floral decorations on their coats in the colors of red and white. The more decorations they have on, is supposed to indicate the more popular the person is. This past week was also the holiday of Dragobete. I have copied a little blurb from our Director about the holiday for your reading pleasure:

Dragobete is a traditional Romanian holiday, celebrated on February 24. Dragobete was the son of Baba Dochia.
The day is known as "the day when the birds are betrothed". It is around this time that the birds begin to build their nests and mate. On this day, considered locally the first day of spring, boys and girls gather vernal flowers and sing together. Maidens used to collect the snow that still lies on the ground in many villages and then melt it, using the water in magic potions throughout the rest of the year. Those who take part in Dragobete customs are supposed to be protected from illness, especially fevers, for the rest of the year. If the weather allows, girls and boys pick snowdrops or other early spring plants for the person they are courting. In Romania, Dragobete is known as a day for lovers, rather like Valentine's Day.
It is a common belief in some parts of Romania that, during this celebration, if you step over your partner's foot, you will have the dominant role in your relationship. Dragobete customs vary from region to region.
In neighbouring Bulgaria, the custom of stepping over one's partner's feet traditionally takes place during weddings, and with the same purpose, but it is not believed to be connected to Dragobete.

In my Center work this past week, on Tuesday, the 24th, there was a celebration for Dragobete. I had invited the Country Director, the Administrative Officer and my Program Manager to come and enjoy the festivities. Teresa had been visiting since Sunday afternoon, so on Tuesday there was a full house at work, and lots and lots of activity. The kids were excited and of course, cute and mostly well-behaved. The activities were fun, and it was a great public relations event. That day there was also some training provided to the staff on Program Development by an organization in Soroca. It is very exciting to see this progress. Wednesday and Thursday were more typical work days, and then on Friday I headed into Chişinău for the weekend.

Friday was an early day on the bus and then when I got into town, the first thing I did, after my PC shower (!) was to go get my ticket for my trip home in April. I had bought the ticket for the Frankfurt-Newark part of the journey, and now I have my tickets for the entire trip. Yippee! The price of the round-trip ticket from Chişinău to Frankfurt was only $36 less than the ticket from Frankfurt to Newark! I know it is MUCH cheaper to fly in and out of Bucharest and take the bus back and forth to Moldova, but that just seems like so much more work. So now it is real! I am coming home on April 14th! Forty-five days! I can't wait! Well, of course I will wait, but you know what I mean...

The other big, fun time this weekend was our one year anniversary party on Saturday night. What a blast. A great dinner in a new restaurant owned by an American investor, and then out to a club dancing until early this morning. Almost everyone from our group made it to the celebration, and it was so much fun. Today I relaxed on the bus ride home, and tomorrow it is back to work.

I almost forgot, when I got to the Peace Corps office, I had two letters and two cards waiting for me! I was so excited that some mail actually got through to me! All in all, a very good week! Tomorrow is my nephews' birthday, so Happy Birthday to Nathaniel and Happy Martişor! Now it is Spring, even if it doesn't feel like it every single day, more and more days will be warmer! Miss you and love you all, xoxo. Jami