Sorry it has been so long....

Summer is flying by and I realize that I haven't posted on the blog since my trip to Turkey!!!! That is unacceptable, and I want to give everyone an update on what has been going on in my life in Moldova since then. School finished for me about the 13th of June, but our new group of teachers arrived on the 11th, so I have been busy all summer with coordinating the mentoring program for them (a program which basically helps the new volunteers feel welcome and helps them to get adjusted to life in Moldova.) I have also been working on the technical sessions for them during this PST (pre service training) time to get them up to speed on the technical aspects of teaching (as many of them are going to be teaching for the first time!) All that is just to say that I have been pretty busy, even though it is summer!

Lucky for me, though, I have some friends who have been brave enough (and willing!) to come and see what has been going on in this life of mine in Moldova. Margie was my first guest. She came and spent a week with me in mid-June and while it was wonderful, it put me in a bit of a funk after she left. I had almost forgotten what it is like to be around old friends and family that know you inside and out. We had many plans for her to see Moldova, but when push came to shove we spent so much time yaking and catching up that we just managed to see Chisinau and my town, Cahul. It meant a huge amount to me that she was here and that she came all that way just to see me! I missed the heck out of her when she left, but I got it together again and all is right with the world!

Most recently, Jeremy has come to see me! He arrived on Friday of last week and I immediately hustled him down to Cahul because we had been invited to a wedding (which is quite an experience in Moldova!). We got him a dress shirt and a tie, borrowed some pants from Nickolai and he was ready to go. Weddings in Moldova start at about 9 in the evening and go on until about 7 or 8 the next morning. They are chock full of interesting customs, huge amounts of food and drink and a whole lot of HORA. The hora is a dance that is traditional in Moldova and it goes on all night long. Jeremy was such a trooper! He danced all night long (even when the boys were doing the super fast hora at the end!) It has been amazing having him here with me. When I picked him up at the airport, I started pinching him (which I still do periodically) just to make sure that it is real. I love having my baby here with me!!!!!! Everyone loves him and my host mother keeps pinching her cheeks and telling him how cute he is. Nicholai is glad to have someone with him that will drink cognac! Jeremy will be with me for another two weeks and then we are headed for Bucharest to fly to Rome. My best friend Suni and my wonderful husband are meeting us there for two weeks in lovely Italy. I can't wait to see them either! It is so hard to believe that it has been an entire year since I have been home.

Alexandra, me!, Jeremy and Nickolai headed out for the wedding.

The lovely bride and groom at the head table. The groom is actually studying in America (in Birmingham!) and will return to the US in August. His bride is studying in Romania, so they will be apart for the next year while they finish their studies.

This was one of the strangest traditions of the evening. Several people danced out with raw chickens that were wrapped up in decorative paper, and "decorated" with anatomically correct boobs and/or a penis. No one could really seem to tell me why....

Not so easy to see (perhaps because he is dancing so fast!), but my son was cutting quite the rug. Everyone absolutely loved him!!!!

This was another lovely and interesting tradition. All of the linens, towels, etc. that the couple got were wrapped around the bride and groom as they were opened. Pretty cool, huh? Not so much when the temperature in the room was about 95 degrees!

We met some of the most amazing people in the course of the evening. This was one young lady who was just finishing up her high school and thinking about applying to the university in Romania. Her English was great and I really enjoyed talking to her! Best of luck Irina!

Three of my favorite Peace Corps volunteers in Moldova. Geoff, Anna and Matt!

This time of year is also sad! The "senior" group of TEFL and Health volunteers are finishing up their service and leaving. Just when you really get to know people well, you have to say goodbye to them. Anna (above) left today and Geoff will be leaving soon. Matt has extended, so he will be with us until around the time I go home! This is Ian, one of the most amazing volunteers I have met in Moldova. He was a three year volunteer in Moldova and one of my favorite people here. He left last month and is sorely missed by all of us!

Ian and I are usually tearing it up in the kitchen together, but this was his going away party, so I did the cooking and he just mingled. It was hard to keep him out!!!!!!

I don't want to get anyone's hopes up too high, but I think I am coming home for Christmas! I will keep you posted on my plans and what exact dates as soon as I book my ticket. (If anyone can find a ticket for less than $1500 from Chisinau to Little Rock=email me!!!!!)





I hope that the weather is not killing you back in the Rock and that everyone is happy and healthy. I miss you all desperately, but I am on the down hill slide. One more year to go!!!!!