According to the internet, reverse culture shock is a very serious problem.
Okay, according to everyone who has ever lived abroad, reverse culture shock is something to contend with upon arriving back in the country/culture of origin.
Apparently there are four stages of reverse culture shock.
1. Disengagement
2. Initial euphoria
3. Irribility and hostility
4. Readjustment and adaptation
Can I just take a moment to note the language usage in these stages? Numbers one, two, and four are all pretty topic-centered, psychology-based words. They "fit" with the model and make the whole thing sound less awful. I think they just didn't have another way to define number three, which I have edited for accuracy below:
3. Collosal b***ch mode
Because that is what is going to happen. Just saying...
I am already starting to go through this, so I know it is real. And I'm really worried about it.
I do have one request for everyone in the States though. According to this "Safety Abroad" handbook for study abroad students that I read, these feelings come from the following:
"Often students expect to be able to pick up exactly where they left off... the inconsistency between expectations and reality, plus the lack of interest on the part of family and friends (nobody seems to really care about all of your 'while I was abroad' stories) may result in: frustration, feelings of alienation..."
So it is clearly not my fault for leaving the United States. It is not my fault that I will be crazy overwhelmed and "irritable and hostile" because I chose to immerse myself in another culture for 10 months. It is not my fault that it will take me a while not to feel weird in the States. It is your fault, dear family and friends, for not being interested enough in my stories. Right?
Yeah, that is what I'm walking away with.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Wrapping Up
There is something special about knowing exactly how many classes you have left to teach before the end of the school year. Those final weeks, days, and minutes tick away at a school in the States... but here I count classes.
My regular full-load is 21 classes in a week... so with three weeks left, that should be fairly easy to figure out.
I would like to pause and remind you that this is Romania.
I have extra classes this week, extra classes next week, and extra classes the last week. However, I also have fewer classes this week (according to the latest update), fewer classes next week, and fewer classes the week after that. Apparently there are days off that not all the teachers know about, and my last two days of classes aren't really classes... but are they? I have absolutely NO way of knowing because, well, I don't know. At least I know that I have to ask now, but when you are literally told three different things, it gets a little complicated.
Maybe this is just a way for me to stay focused on living in the moment. I literally cannot count down... because I have no idea.
Ahh, Romania.
My regular full-load is 21 classes in a week... so with three weeks left, that should be fairly easy to figure out.
I would like to pause and remind you that this is Romania.
I have extra classes this week, extra classes next week, and extra classes the last week. However, I also have fewer classes this week (according to the latest update), fewer classes next week, and fewer classes the week after that. Apparently there are days off that not all the teachers know about, and my last two days of classes aren't really classes... but are they? I have absolutely NO way of knowing because, well, I don't know. At least I know that I have to ask now, but when you are literally told three different things, it gets a little complicated.
Maybe this is just a way for me to stay focused on living in the moment. I literally cannot count down... because I have no idea.
Ahh, Romania.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Commencement
The Sablich family is approaching the end of an era.
When you look at a family history within a community, the arc often covers a considerable span of time. I started school at the Blissfield Community School district in the fall of 1993, and my youngest brother in graduating in the spring of 2011. My family has been involved in this school system for 18 years... and I sometimes wonder why my parents are sad about the end of this age. Think about it- the majority of their MARRIAGE has been spent in some sort of affiliation with BCS.
Regardless, it is striking to consider the changes that have taken place in the world while our family grew up. When I started school President Clinton was still in his first year. Welfare reform hadn't even appeared yet and the majority of households did not have personal computers. President Bush the second had not even appeared on the horizon as a national game-changer and policy maker (ugh...) and we lived in the security of a pre-September 11th world. The war and the other war and the other war hadn't started and the global economy hadn't tanked. This country had not yet elected a biracial (and possibly Socialist :) president. Things have certainly changed in the last eighteen years.
And in my family... things have changed. We have gone through recreational league soccer and volleyball and softball and swimming and volleyball and baseball and basketball. We have traveled the country together and conquered the I-80 stretch from Ohio to Chicago- so many times. We have made good friends and said goodbye to dear family members. We have spent 18 years doing homework and attending parent-teacher conferences and fighting about bedtimes. We have attended spring recitals and band concerts and festivals and parades. We have watched endless baseball games and football games and basketball games and volleyball games. We have gone to church and on weekend retreats and attended revitalizing conferences. We have argued and struggled with the changing and fluid family dynamic as we grew together. We have become independent and dependent on stability at the same time, and we have watched our members come and go. We have changed.
It's an interesting vantage point, from this side of 18 years. And if you know my mom, give her a hug and tell her it's okay to cry. Pat my dad on the back, and watch him smile with pride. And then find my baby brother and give him your best wishes on his incredible journey and his incredibly bright future. I am ridiculously proud.
When you look at a family history within a community, the arc often covers a considerable span of time. I started school at the Blissfield Community School district in the fall of 1993, and my youngest brother in graduating in the spring of 2011. My family has been involved in this school system for 18 years... and I sometimes wonder why my parents are sad about the end of this age. Think about it- the majority of their MARRIAGE has been spent in some sort of affiliation with BCS.
Regardless, it is striking to consider the changes that have taken place in the world while our family grew up. When I started school President Clinton was still in his first year. Welfare reform hadn't even appeared yet and the majority of households did not have personal computers. President Bush the second had not even appeared on the horizon as a national game-changer and policy maker (ugh...) and we lived in the security of a pre-September 11th world. The war and the other war and the other war hadn't started and the global economy hadn't tanked. This country had not yet elected a biracial (and possibly Socialist :) president. Things have certainly changed in the last eighteen years.
And in my family... things have changed. We have gone through recreational league soccer and volleyball and softball and swimming and volleyball and baseball and basketball. We have traveled the country together and conquered the I-80 stretch from Ohio to Chicago- so many times. We have made good friends and said goodbye to dear family members. We have spent 18 years doing homework and attending parent-teacher conferences and fighting about bedtimes. We have attended spring recitals and band concerts and festivals and parades. We have watched endless baseball games and football games and basketball games and volleyball games. We have gone to church and on weekend retreats and attended revitalizing conferences. We have argued and struggled with the changing and fluid family dynamic as we grew together. We have become independent and dependent on stability at the same time, and we have watched our members come and go. We have changed.
It's an interesting vantage point, from this side of 18 years. And if you know my mom, give her a hug and tell her it's okay to cry. Pat my dad on the back, and watch him smile with pride. And then find my baby brother and give him your best wishes on his incredible journey and his incredibly bright future. I am ridiculously proud.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
YOU
This blog posting is for you. Yes, you. You who are reading this whilst sipping coffee in the morning, or skipping out of work. You who are reading this to take a break from studying (you know who you are...) or to catch up at the end of the day or to stop thinking about the pain in your knee.
You who has supported me through my time here in Romania with calls and emails and packages. You who I have counted on to cry to and rejoice with. You who I have watched movies with and discussed books with and shared experiences with. You who has talked me through nights of loneliness and fear, you who has cared about my well-being. You whose name excites me when I see it on Skype or in my inbox, you who can make me laugh like no one else. You who understands me and makes me feel comforted.
Thank you.
You who has supported me through my time here in Romania with calls and emails and packages. You who I have counted on to cry to and rejoice with. You who I have watched movies with and discussed books with and shared experiences with. You who has talked me through nights of loneliness and fear, you who has cared about my well-being. You whose name excites me when I see it on Skype or in my inbox, you who can make me laugh like no one else. You who understands me and makes me feel comforted.
Thank you.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Not the Same
When I first decided to move to Romania, one of the ways I pacified myself was the promise of communication. We live in a world of instant communication, via telephone or email or the marvels of Skype. I told myself and everyone else that it would be like I wasn't even gone. We could talk and stay involved in the life of the other and it would all be okay.
After spending a lot of time on Skype this week talking to various people, I've come to realize something that I should have suspected.
This is not the same. It is not the same as holding a baby in your arms. It is not the same as lying next to someone in a bed. It is not the same as sitting by a friend watching a movie. It is not the same as going out and experiencing life together.
You can get to know people, and discover new things about them. You can stay updated with the life events of friends. You can listen to laughter and participate in crying. You can even share experiences.
But it never will be the same as holding a the hand of a friend, feeling the touch of someone close, hearing the breath of voice in your ear.
This is not the same, and I really should stop telling myself it is.
After spending a lot of time on Skype this week talking to various people, I've come to realize something that I should have suspected.
This is not the same. It is not the same as holding a baby in your arms. It is not the same as lying next to someone in a bed. It is not the same as sitting by a friend watching a movie. It is not the same as going out and experiencing life together.
You can get to know people, and discover new things about them. You can stay updated with the life events of friends. You can listen to laughter and participate in crying. You can even share experiences.
But it never will be the same as holding a the hand of a friend, feeling the touch of someone close, hearing the breath of voice in your ear.
This is not the same, and I really should stop telling myself it is.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
A Whisper
One month from this exact moment in time I will be on an airplane. I hope it's a really big airplane and I hope I have an aisle seat. And I'll go ahead and hope that there is an 8 year old child sitting next to me, taking up an appropriate amount of space whilst keeping themselves (and me) duly entertained. I'll also hope that I'll find a baby to play with, perhaps across the aisle. I hope the food is good (no airplane fish) and if I get really lucky there will be a good movie playing. I hope the hours preceeding this flight won't be too stressful, and that I'll have been able to get my hockey bag of a suitcase to the airport by myself.
Most of all, I hope I'm not filled with the inexplicable sense of sadness that I feel when I think about one month from right now.
Most of all, I hope I'm not filled with the inexplicable sense of sadness that I feel when I think about one month from right now.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Toenails
I had an EPIC realization today. Monumental, life changing, incredible realization.
My toenails have been the same color for 22 months. And I am someone who likes change. I moved to Romania for goodness sakes!
And the weird thing is... I am not at all discontent with the burnt orange shade. Not even a little bit interested in change.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
(Please understand that I understand that this is a pointless post.)
My toenails have been the same color for 22 months. And I am someone who likes change. I moved to Romania for goodness sakes!
And the weird thing is... I am not at all discontent with the burnt orange shade. Not even a little bit interested in change.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
(Please understand that I understand that this is a pointless post.)
Personality
In the summer of 2006 I took a personality assessment called the MBTI- Myers-Briggs Type Inventory. This was for the Honors Program orientation at Anderson University, and it was pretty cool to take the assessment (I like that kind of thing) but also to read about myself. I know that lots of times assessments like this are dependent on the day, the mood or circumstance of the person taking it, and lots of other contextual factors... but I found my results to be dead on. I also know that these can change over time, but mine has remained the same for the last 5 years.
I am an ENFJ through and through :)
Basically, the reason I am talking about this is because I've run out of ideas for what to do with some of my older students. Especially the eighth grade- they literally have 5 weeks (nearly 4) left until high school, they re increasingly concerned about exams that are coming up, and optional English isn't exactly somewhere they want to focus their energy. I've assigned the last project and it is due in a few weeks, but the absense of a computer lab in the school means that most of the work for the project has to be done at home.
So we are going to do the MBTI. What better time to learn about yourself, right? I loved this type of thing at that age, and I'm hoping my students don't absolutely hate it at the very least.
What is your type?
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp
http://www.personalitypage.com/high-level.html
I am an ENFJ through and through :)
Basically, the reason I am talking about this is because I've run out of ideas for what to do with some of my older students. Especially the eighth grade- they literally have 5 weeks (nearly 4) left until high school, they re increasingly concerned about exams that are coming up, and optional English isn't exactly somewhere they want to focus their energy. I've assigned the last project and it is due in a few weeks, but the absense of a computer lab in the school means that most of the work for the project has to be done at home.
So we are going to do the MBTI. What better time to learn about yourself, right? I loved this type of thing at that age, and I'm hoping my students don't absolutely hate it at the very least.
What is your type?
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp
http://www.personalitypage.com/high-level.html
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Playworks
I have said for a long time that I could be perfectly happy if I could spend my days playing with children.
Please go ahead and check out the job that I just applied for:
http://www.playworks.org/careers/school-openings
I'm really hoping this works out.
Please go ahead and check out the job that I just applied for:
http://www.playworks.org/careers/school-openings
I'm really hoping this works out.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Unwaveringly American
The other night I was walking the road from Piaţa Romana back to my flat near Tineretului, I had a food craving. I get food cravings every once in a while, usually for good Mexican and Chinese, and the Thai food I've been missing so desperately. However, this night I was struck by an unabashedly American craving: Chicken McNuggets and a Diet Coke. Lucky for me there is a McDonald's at Piaţa Unirii, and so I continued on my walk armed with 4 delicious little processed balls of fried meat and the mixture of chemicals and carbonation equipped to clean industrial tar plants. And I thought about what I must look like, for all of my efforts to blend with local culture. I am simply an American.
How to Spot an American in Romania:
1. Eating at McDonalds
2. Laughing at the presence of KFC
3. Wearing jeans, but the boot leg type found at the Gap or Old Navy or on the Kohl's super-sale Saturdays... the Route 66 type found at your local K-Mart
4. Tennis shoes that are simply not sneakers
5. Alternatively, wearing Tivos
6. Hoodies from an American college or university
7. A curious appreciation for the- ahem- architecture covered with billboards- ahem as indicated by pointing and staring and pretending to look contemplative
8. Whispering about the ugliness of said commercial endeavours
9. Talking... loudly... about nothing... in restaurants
10. Commenting on how "charming" the local flavor is with no understanding of the trouble it causes to everyday Romanian people
11. Constant and visible frustration and dismay at people touching them and cutting in front of them in lines
12. Carrying maps- unfolded- on the metro
13. Speaking about how proud they are that they sucessfully navigated the Metro System
14. Continuing on, expressing surprise at how nice and efficient the Metro can be, despite the fact that Bucharest is the 6th largest city in Europe
15. In the winter, wearing a Columbia or North Face jacket
16. Speaking to shopowners and restaurant staff in English, exclusively
17. Gesturing wildly to cab drivers
18. Climbing into taxi cabs that have a posted rate this ISN'T 1.39 lei/km
19. Hesitating and false starting at every zebra crossing (though it can be noted that this might be an advisable behavior for everyone to copy)
20. Complaining amongst themselves about the lack of ice and fountain drinks
21. Wearing a Jansen backpack and carrying a guide book- dead giveaway
This is all for now. More suggestions are welcome and will be added :)
How to Spot an American in Romania:
1. Eating at McDonalds
2. Laughing at the presence of KFC
3. Wearing jeans, but the boot leg type found at the Gap or Old Navy or on the Kohl's super-sale Saturdays... the Route 66 type found at your local K-Mart
4. Tennis shoes that are simply not sneakers
5. Alternatively, wearing Tivos
6. Hoodies from an American college or university
7. A curious appreciation for the- ahem- architecture covered with billboards- ahem as indicated by pointing and staring and pretending to look contemplative
8. Whispering about the ugliness of said commercial endeavours
9. Talking... loudly... about nothing... in restaurants
10. Commenting on how "charming" the local flavor is with no understanding of the trouble it causes to everyday Romanian people
11. Constant and visible frustration and dismay at people touching them and cutting in front of them in lines
12. Carrying maps- unfolded- on the metro
13. Speaking about how proud they are that they sucessfully navigated the Metro System
14. Continuing on, expressing surprise at how nice and efficient the Metro can be, despite the fact that Bucharest is the 6th largest city in Europe
15. In the winter, wearing a Columbia or North Face jacket
16. Speaking to shopowners and restaurant staff in English, exclusively
17. Gesturing wildly to cab drivers
18. Climbing into taxi cabs that have a posted rate this ISN'T 1.39 lei/km
19. Hesitating and false starting at every zebra crossing (though it can be noted that this might be an advisable behavior for everyone to copy)
20. Complaining amongst themselves about the lack of ice and fountain drinks
21. Wearing a Jansen backpack and carrying a guide book- dead giveaway
This is all for now. More suggestions are welcome and will be added :)
I Told You
One of the most unsatisfying parts of living in Romania's capital city is knowing what this place used to be like, before it got bulldozed. I've seen some pictures and read some articles that indicate how destructive Ceausescu's ego and plan for systemization was... but sometimes it is difficult to convey that point to people not familiar with the current state of affairs.
I've recently been stuffing myself with the content of a blog by the editor of Bucharest in Your Pocket, one of the most well-known and truthful magazines about Bucharest. Thanks to the good people at Bucharestlife.net, here are the following maps. Keep in mind these are the SAME areas of the city, the first from 1979 and the following from 2009.
That is the old part of the city they messed up. The pretty part, really.
I've recently been stuffing myself with the content of a blog by the editor of Bucharest in Your Pocket, one of the most well-known and truthful magazines about Bucharest. Thanks to the good people at Bucharestlife.net, here are the following maps. Keep in mind these are the SAME areas of the city, the first from 1979 and the following from 2009.
That is the old part of the city they messed up. The pretty part, really.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
I Really Shouldn't...
Complaining is, for one thing, completely pointless. There is nothing that my complaining will make better. Secondly, I have been blessed with really amazing weather lately- it did not rain ONE TIME on my entire spring break trip. Not only didn't it rain, but it was beautiful. Peeling sunburn beautiful, in fact. (Though it did mean I carried an umbrella around for 10 days on my back for no good reason.)
But it has been raining for what feels like weeks here. There were puddles that turned into rivers that turned into lakes that have become the Gulf of Mexico. Not quite an ocean, but it is still full of sharks and it tastes bad.
I wore three outfits today, this day that I teach two classes. The first outfit was rather lovely, an "urban-chic" look (I know I flatter myself) of kahki pants and a white turtleneck with black shawl. About 58.3 steps from the front door of my bloc... SPLASH. That was a huge truck, that was Lake Michigan, and now I'm covered in water. Okay, if I hurry back now I can change.
No time for fashion, but amazed that I still looked devestatingly awesome... ahem... I was out the door again. I'm sure people think I'm the in CIA after all the glancing and head turning and flying leaps I did to avoid getting splashed again, but I made it nearly all the way to school. Ahh, a nice zebra crosswalk.
Yeah right. SPLASH. All over me. Drity water (...just like the poor Gulf of Mexico... was this joke in bad form?), all oil slick and smelly. In my hair, dripping off my eyelashes, running down my cheeks, seeping down my shirt, drenching my pants, wetting my feet.
Ugh.
But it has been raining for what feels like weeks here. There were puddles that turned into rivers that turned into lakes that have become the Gulf of Mexico. Not quite an ocean, but it is still full of sharks and it tastes bad.
I wore three outfits today, this day that I teach two classes. The first outfit was rather lovely, an "urban-chic" look (I know I flatter myself) of kahki pants and a white turtleneck with black shawl. About 58.3 steps from the front door of my bloc... SPLASH. That was a huge truck, that was Lake Michigan, and now I'm covered in water. Okay, if I hurry back now I can change.
No time for fashion, but amazed that I still looked devestatingly awesome... ahem... I was out the door again. I'm sure people think I'm the in CIA after all the glancing and head turning and flying leaps I did to avoid getting splashed again, but I made it nearly all the way to school. Ahh, a nice zebra crosswalk.
Yeah right. SPLASH. All over me. Drity water (...just like the poor Gulf of Mexico... was this joke in bad form?), all oil slick and smelly. In my hair, dripping off my eyelashes, running down my cheeks, seeping down my shirt, drenching my pants, wetting my feet.
Ugh.
Life Stories
The following are 5 of the best autobiographies from Class 6B. They were asked to write the story of their life as if they were 50 years old. Enjoy :)
Georges
I have appeared into this world on the 9th of September 1998. I was kind of fat, but the other people said that I was the cutest boy they’ve ever seen. I have first said the word “popa” which means food (in baby’s world.)
My childhood was good, actually great. I was playing all the time. I like very much a song. I don’t remember what was it’s name, but when I was hearing it on the TV, I was running like a dog chasing a cat to the TV. I was sitting near the TV and looking at it without moving. My mother told me that I was looking like a zombie.
The first years of school were funny, but the other 12 classes were hard, very hard. In fact I was getting great marks, I was practicing basketball and I was swimming, but I didn’t have enough time for talking (with the girls.) It was hard, but I don’t regret it because I had a great time after school.
I had a career of a professional basketballer. I was the best in high school, in college… I was scoring lots of points per game, but one day an injury stopped me on my way to the NBA. I had a trade request from the Chicago Bulls. I was very sad, but I couldn’t do anything about it.
At 30 years old I got married with a beautiful woman. I have met her in a club in Hollywood. She was sitting at a table with her boyfriend and I asked her if she had got a cigarette. I looked in her eyes. She did the same thing. We started seeing each other and one day, I told her that I loved her.
We had a boy together. His name was Derrick. We loved him very much. He was always getting good marks at school, he was playing football very well, but I was sad because he was smoking. At the age of 20 he left home and tried to live alone his life. Me and my wife moved to Chicago where we met my American teacher, Stephanie, from a school. We were always seeing each other.
Victor
Everybody have got a big and difficult life in the beginning. After, it all depends on your job and career. When I was young (1-5 years old) my life was very beautiful and sweet. My parents used to tell me that I would to have life experiences, perseverance and responsibility to resist in this world.
I started school when I was 5. My teacher was very good and I loved her much because she wasn’t strict with us, so I learned quickly. In grades 5-8 all of these things changed. Our teachers were very strict and subjective at grades. Finally I was admitted in Sova Highschool and I was very happy.
Then, I began my life. After 8 years I finished the university. When I was 18, I was learning bass music for 5 yers. I because a professionist. My first concert was in Bucharest with 3000 fans. The name of the band was “COPYRIGHT.” The drummer was my friend Luca Rusu, the voice was Alexandru Pescaru, and the hero fock guitarist was Steven. It was great. It didn’t remain too much time because the band would take drugs for making music.
So, our band was disbanded and I had a job named program maker. I built my house when I was 24. It means the floors downstairs: a big living room, two kitchens, garage and a garden and upstairs: 7 rooms, 3 bathrooms, and so on. After a year I got married with Alicia Keys. I had two children named Alex and David. I met Alex and Luca, my friends, to make a new street band (just a hobby).
In the last 30 years I built a career in “IT” and I am the general manager of Blueberry Inc. which produces software for the new generation of computers. I’m a happy grandpa and very proud of my family. My sons followed different ways in their life: Alex is a pop singer and David is a rugby player. I think that my life was beautiful and interesting, but it passed too quickly. I still have a thousand things to do.
Cristiana
I was born in the 24th of July 1998. It was a very hot day. I’m in the sign Leo, I really love this sign and I don’t want to be another!
My childhood was very pretty and full of joy, but when I was 7 years old my grandmother died. It was sad, but now I’m okay and fine. I traveled many times in other countries: Greece, Netherlands (my aunt is there), America (one of my aunts is there), UK, but I don’t remember too much since I was there.
I never went to nursery, my mother stayed with me. I was in kindergarten and then at the school where I’m now. But (it’s sad) next year I want to go to the Tonitra School (a school of arts).
Well…hmm…I want to become a designed in Netherland or a singer (the biggest one). My favorite singers who inspire me are: Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez and Britney Spears. My favorite songs are: Leona Lewis- Theme from Avatar (I see you, I love this song), Lemi Lovato- Everytime you Lie, and Christina Aguilera- Burlesque.
Well, now I’m a designer and a singer too. Now I’m in Netherland in Enshede, in a beautiful house near the center. I have a house in UK too. It is in London. And, a house (the house of my aunt) in Florida, America.
I’ve married in Netherland near the Nord Sea in a big hotel. My husband’s name is Jake. His nationality is Dutch.
Now, I’ve had a beautiful life and I don’t want to last it!
Alex
Hi! I am writing this for my little nephew: Please do not make the same mistakes as I did…I want you to get the right decisions in life.
My childhood wasn’t that special. In fact, it was not special at all. There were good times, bad times, but I can’t remember those old days. My parents took me to a good school with a lot of friendly mates.
Even though getting only good marks wasn’t one of my gifts, I was really talented playing guitar. I’ve had lots of concerts at the age of 12. Later my parents told me to go to a good highschool. That meant that all the band mates I had. It was a bad decision… it started a war and I volunteered at the age of 21.
I have lost my right arm in a dangerous mission. But at the end of the war all over the television was talking about our victory. One day I was watching TV and I saw a documentary about war. Suddenly, I saw something terrible: it was a picture of the soldiers that won our war! And the former drummer of our band was in the picture! Too bad he died of cancer.
After that, I got married. Me and my wife gathered money and I got my arm back- a cybermetric arm. You can see that now I am happy.
But I want you to choose another road. Make me proud you’re my nephew.
Bogdan
I was born on June 11, 1998 in Bucharest, Romania. My parents, Dan and Crina had been married for six years when I was born. When I was brought home from the hospital, my dad played “My Little Man” by Ozzie Osbourne. My mom says I was a nice and calm baby, but I have the scars to prove her wrong. I grew up in an apartment, and I had everything I needed. My younger sister, Julia was born on February 9th, 2004.
My first day of school was on September 15th, 2005. During my primary years, I was kind of a dork. Then, in elementary school, my sense of humor started to evolve. I went to high school in England, and I got a scholarship to Julliard, in New York.
That’s where I met my wife, Aimee. We got married on September 14th, 2023, then we moved to LA. My sister and her husband moved not so far away, in a house three blocks from ours, in 2017. Our twins, Cameron Michelle and Aidan James were born on April 4th, 2028. I was hired as a stand-up comedian at a local café in 2029. I worked there for a bout 3 years, when I was spotted by a director and I was cast in Steven Spielberg’s last movie, a collab with James Cameron. Meanwhile, our third child, Milo Andrew was born on July 4th, 2034. The movie, called “Shadows,” premiered on August 19th, 2035, and it starred me as Deputy Mike Hendricks. Milo got involved with print campaigns, while Cameron (who had played Janie Hendricks, my daughter, in the movie) and Aidan (who played Bear Andrews on “Criminal Minds for 5 episodes) were cast in “American Twins,” a sitcom about twins living in America. While I got involved with more and more movies, Aimee became a writer. Her first novel, “Hiding Behind a Willow,” made her famous. The twins are 20 years old and still acting, Milo is a sophomore and got a guest starring role as Teenage Peter on “Fringe.” His character will return for at least 13 episodes. I am still acting, and Aimee is in the midst of her newest novel. As for my sister, she had a beautiful daughter, named Jennifer. I had a great life.
Georges
I have appeared into this world on the 9th of September 1998. I was kind of fat, but the other people said that I was the cutest boy they’ve ever seen. I have first said the word “popa” which means food (in baby’s world.)
My childhood was good, actually great. I was playing all the time. I like very much a song. I don’t remember what was it’s name, but when I was hearing it on the TV, I was running like a dog chasing a cat to the TV. I was sitting near the TV and looking at it without moving. My mother told me that I was looking like a zombie.
The first years of school were funny, but the other 12 classes were hard, very hard. In fact I was getting great marks, I was practicing basketball and I was swimming, but I didn’t have enough time for talking (with the girls.) It was hard, but I don’t regret it because I had a great time after school.
I had a career of a professional basketballer. I was the best in high school, in college… I was scoring lots of points per game, but one day an injury stopped me on my way to the NBA. I had a trade request from the Chicago Bulls. I was very sad, but I couldn’t do anything about it.
At 30 years old I got married with a beautiful woman. I have met her in a club in Hollywood. She was sitting at a table with her boyfriend and I asked her if she had got a cigarette. I looked in her eyes. She did the same thing. We started seeing each other and one day, I told her that I loved her.
We had a boy together. His name was Derrick. We loved him very much. He was always getting good marks at school, he was playing football very well, but I was sad because he was smoking. At the age of 20 he left home and tried to live alone his life. Me and my wife moved to Chicago where we met my American teacher, Stephanie, from a school. We were always seeing each other.
Victor
Everybody have got a big and difficult life in the beginning. After, it all depends on your job and career. When I was young (1-5 years old) my life was very beautiful and sweet. My parents used to tell me that I would to have life experiences, perseverance and responsibility to resist in this world.
I started school when I was 5. My teacher was very good and I loved her much because she wasn’t strict with us, so I learned quickly. In grades 5-8 all of these things changed. Our teachers were very strict and subjective at grades. Finally I was admitted in Sova Highschool and I was very happy.
Then, I began my life. After 8 years I finished the university. When I was 18, I was learning bass music for 5 yers. I because a professionist. My first concert was in Bucharest with 3000 fans. The name of the band was “COPYRIGHT.” The drummer was my friend Luca Rusu, the voice was Alexandru Pescaru, and the hero fock guitarist was Steven. It was great. It didn’t remain too much time because the band would take drugs for making music.
So, our band was disbanded and I had a job named program maker. I built my house when I was 24. It means the floors downstairs: a big living room, two kitchens, garage and a garden and upstairs: 7 rooms, 3 bathrooms, and so on. After a year I got married with Alicia Keys. I had two children named Alex and David. I met Alex and Luca, my friends, to make a new street band (just a hobby).
In the last 30 years I built a career in “IT” and I am the general manager of Blueberry Inc. which produces software for the new generation of computers. I’m a happy grandpa and very proud of my family. My sons followed different ways in their life: Alex is a pop singer and David is a rugby player. I think that my life was beautiful and interesting, but it passed too quickly. I still have a thousand things to do.
Cristiana
I was born in the 24th of July 1998. It was a very hot day. I’m in the sign Leo, I really love this sign and I don’t want to be another!
My childhood was very pretty and full of joy, but when I was 7 years old my grandmother died. It was sad, but now I’m okay and fine. I traveled many times in other countries: Greece, Netherlands (my aunt is there), America (one of my aunts is there), UK, but I don’t remember too much since I was there.
I never went to nursery, my mother stayed with me. I was in kindergarten and then at the school where I’m now. But (it’s sad) next year I want to go to the Tonitra School (a school of arts).
Well…hmm…I want to become a designed in Netherland or a singer (the biggest one). My favorite singers who inspire me are: Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez and Britney Spears. My favorite songs are: Leona Lewis- Theme from Avatar (I see you, I love this song), Lemi Lovato- Everytime you Lie, and Christina Aguilera- Burlesque.
Well, now I’m a designer and a singer too. Now I’m in Netherland in Enshede, in a beautiful house near the center. I have a house in UK too. It is in London. And, a house (the house of my aunt) in Florida, America.
I’ve married in Netherland near the Nord Sea in a big hotel. My husband’s name is Jake. His nationality is Dutch.
Now, I’ve had a beautiful life and I don’t want to last it!
Alex
Hi! I am writing this for my little nephew: Please do not make the same mistakes as I did…I want you to get the right decisions in life.
My childhood wasn’t that special. In fact, it was not special at all. There were good times, bad times, but I can’t remember those old days. My parents took me to a good school with a lot of friendly mates.
Even though getting only good marks wasn’t one of my gifts, I was really talented playing guitar. I’ve had lots of concerts at the age of 12. Later my parents told me to go to a good highschool. That meant that all the band mates I had. It was a bad decision… it started a war and I volunteered at the age of 21.
I have lost my right arm in a dangerous mission. But at the end of the war all over the television was talking about our victory. One day I was watching TV and I saw a documentary about war. Suddenly, I saw something terrible: it was a picture of the soldiers that won our war! And the former drummer of our band was in the picture! Too bad he died of cancer.
After that, I got married. Me and my wife gathered money and I got my arm back- a cybermetric arm. You can see that now I am happy.
But I want you to choose another road. Make me proud you’re my nephew.
Bogdan
I was born on June 11, 1998 in Bucharest, Romania. My parents, Dan and Crina had been married for six years when I was born. When I was brought home from the hospital, my dad played “My Little Man” by Ozzie Osbourne. My mom says I was a nice and calm baby, but I have the scars to prove her wrong. I grew up in an apartment, and I had everything I needed. My younger sister, Julia was born on February 9th, 2004.
My first day of school was on September 15th, 2005. During my primary years, I was kind of a dork. Then, in elementary school, my sense of humor started to evolve. I went to high school in England, and I got a scholarship to Julliard, in New York.
That’s where I met my wife, Aimee. We got married on September 14th, 2023, then we moved to LA. My sister and her husband moved not so far away, in a house three blocks from ours, in 2017. Our twins, Cameron Michelle and Aidan James were born on April 4th, 2028. I was hired as a stand-up comedian at a local café in 2029. I worked there for a bout 3 years, when I was spotted by a director and I was cast in Steven Spielberg’s last movie, a collab with James Cameron. Meanwhile, our third child, Milo Andrew was born on July 4th, 2034. The movie, called “Shadows,” premiered on August 19th, 2035, and it starred me as Deputy Mike Hendricks. Milo got involved with print campaigns, while Cameron (who had played Janie Hendricks, my daughter, in the movie) and Aidan (who played Bear Andrews on “Criminal Minds for 5 episodes) were cast in “American Twins,” a sitcom about twins living in America. While I got involved with more and more movies, Aimee became a writer. Her first novel, “Hiding Behind a Willow,” made her famous. The twins are 20 years old and still acting, Milo is a sophomore and got a guest starring role as Teenage Peter on “Fringe.” His character will return for at least 13 episodes. I am still acting, and Aimee is in the midst of her newest novel. As for my sister, she had a beautiful daughter, named Jennifer. I had a great life.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Missing
This weekend has provided a lot of time to focus on the concept of "missing."
There are things I'm going to miss about Romania:
1. Barking dogs. I wish I was joking, but they've become like little friends that ignore me.
2. The Bucureşti Metro. This is a seriously efficient and just COOL system. Plus the cars are all open so you feel like you are inside a giant snake. Um... awesome.
3. The Schedule. I'm not going to lie... teaching as many students as I do isn't easy. Not even remotely... but there are also two days a week that I don't teach until the afternoon. Going back to a 40+ hour workweek in the States might be a challenge, especially because I think it will be more like a 70+ hour workweek.
4. Shaworma Lafa de Pui. I shouldn't like it, I know. I can't help myself.
5. The Parking. I'm sure this wouldn't be on the list of things to miss if I were a driver, but the inventive attitudes of Romanian motor operators provides daily amusement.
6. The Horse Carts. Where else in the world are there entire regions with more horse carts than cars? I'm sure you could tell me but please don't. I'm enjoying life within my bubble of misperception.
7. The Contrasts. Giant concrete buildings built during the communist era that are now covered with huge fabric billboards illustrating the struggle to commercialize. Miles of concrete that runs directly into a huge green park. People who act cold and indifferent until you ask them for help and discover a new best friend. The best margarita I've ever had at a Mexican restaurant just west of Piaţa Universitatii.
8. The Babies. I've traveled in a lot of places, and I'm probably more of an internet creeper than you realize. I've seen babies from ALL over the world, and Romanian's have cornered the market on the most beautiful ones. They just... do.
9. The Inefficiency. This has been a source of frustration but also a source of amazing stories and chuckles on an almost daily basis. They passed out uniforms at my school this past week. 7 weeks of school left, folks.
10. The Landscape. You can travel three hours from where I'm at right now and be amongst rolling hills, towering mountain peaks, widespread plains, the Black Sea Coast, or the Danube Delta. The diversity here is incredible.
11. The History. Try reading just a bit about Romania's history. Pick a city like Oradea or Cluj-Napoca, or a region like Maramureş or Transylvania. You will get lost in the history of this place, the amount of times it has changed hands. It's amazing there is even a culture in some areas at all... but it's strong.
12. The People. This goes without explanation.
These are the things I currently miss about the States:
1. Restaurants. I miss going to restaurants that don't cause me stress about telling them I speak English, or attempting to speak Romanian and having the waitstaff IMMEDIATELY switch to English. I said "potato" the right way, dangit!
2. Microwave. Seriously- living without microwave popcorn and the ability to reheat the pasta I ALWAYS cook too much of is wearing on me.
3. Drying Machines. Living in Romania will always be with me, and I'm quite sure I'll use a drying rack for some items in the future. Let's face it, it really is more efficient and better for the environment. Plus, it's probably good to get in the habit of planning and doing laundry BEFORE you have just one pair of underwear left. But washing sheets is a challenge here. And I like nice clean sheets.
4. Driving. For all the joys of public transportation and the MULTITUDE of train stories I have, there are times I miss driving. I miss getting into my cute little car and rolling the windows down and turning my music on over the stereo and just GOING.
5. English. I am starting to fall in love with the Romanian language, and I've found that in some situations I understand as much as 50% of what is being said, and even more whilst reading. However, I do miss English sometimes. I miss having conversations where I'm not thinking about every word (something you do as an elementary teacher anyway) and having easy interactions and being able to go places and read signs and know what is going on.
6. Cooking. I have a lot of recipes that I tried last year, and I started to get pretty good at cooking. I have one pot, one pan, and one skillet here. And an over the size of your toilet bowl. I miss cooking with real kitchen utensils and ingredients that I don't have to hunt down and modify, and feeling like I can do things without twice as much effort as I'm sometimes willing to exert.
7. Netflix and Hulu. I've found creative ways of watching television and movies here, but sometimes I just miss the ease of Netflix.
8. Money. I feel bad even typing this... but I miss having an income that is even slightly disposable. Scrimping and saving is good, really. It is a good life lesson, I do believe. However, I already had this, like sophomore year of college when I checed my bank account and decided I had exactly $2.50 to spend at the store. Having lived the other way for a while... it is kind of nice.
9. Cleaning... things. For a really long time I stood in about 6 inches of water every time I showered because I couldn't find drain cleaner at the store. Just today I spent about 30 minutes SWEEPING (with a broom) my 4x7' rug because I don't have a vacuum cleaner. Things that make life easier... I miss these sorts of things.
10. Relevant Information. This was much worse during the first semester at school, but there are still times when I have NO idea what is going on. Oh, there isn't class today? Oh, you only meet with form teachers on this day? Oh, you do grades in blue and then final grades in red? Oh, the little guys should get FB, not numerical grades? Oh, I can take attendance? Oh, I can't give a grade below a 9? Oh, the first grade is going on a field trip? Oh, you have to sign up to have a cupboard in the teacher's lounge? Lots and lots of stuff... At least in the States I know what I don't know. Oh, and copy machines. And schools that pay for printing.
11. Target. I won't lie. I miss Target. I miss their beauty section and their collection of discount DVDs and the electronics section. I miss wandering through the home and furniture department and even back into camping. I miss the clothing- the 75% off racks and trying on clothing you KNOW won't look good but feels good because you can afford it and it is just SO cute. I miss the cafe. And fountain pop. And their grocery section with the cool foods and their own special brand.
12. The people. This also goes without explanation.
There are things I'm going to miss about Romania:
1. Barking dogs. I wish I was joking, but they've become like little friends that ignore me.
2. The Bucureşti Metro. This is a seriously efficient and just COOL system. Plus the cars are all open so you feel like you are inside a giant snake. Um... awesome.
3. The Schedule. I'm not going to lie... teaching as many students as I do isn't easy. Not even remotely... but there are also two days a week that I don't teach until the afternoon. Going back to a 40+ hour workweek in the States might be a challenge, especially because I think it will be more like a 70+ hour workweek.
4. Shaworma Lafa de Pui. I shouldn't like it, I know. I can't help myself.
5. The Parking. I'm sure this wouldn't be on the list of things to miss if I were a driver, but the inventive attitudes of Romanian motor operators provides daily amusement.
6. The Horse Carts. Where else in the world are there entire regions with more horse carts than cars? I'm sure you could tell me but please don't. I'm enjoying life within my bubble of misperception.
7. The Contrasts. Giant concrete buildings built during the communist era that are now covered with huge fabric billboards illustrating the struggle to commercialize. Miles of concrete that runs directly into a huge green park. People who act cold and indifferent until you ask them for help and discover a new best friend. The best margarita I've ever had at a Mexican restaurant just west of Piaţa Universitatii.
8. The Babies. I've traveled in a lot of places, and I'm probably more of an internet creeper than you realize. I've seen babies from ALL over the world, and Romanian's have cornered the market on the most beautiful ones. They just... do.
9. The Inefficiency. This has been a source of frustration but also a source of amazing stories and chuckles on an almost daily basis. They passed out uniforms at my school this past week. 7 weeks of school left, folks.
10. The Landscape. You can travel three hours from where I'm at right now and be amongst rolling hills, towering mountain peaks, widespread plains, the Black Sea Coast, or the Danube Delta. The diversity here is incredible.
11. The History. Try reading just a bit about Romania's history. Pick a city like Oradea or Cluj-Napoca, or a region like Maramureş or Transylvania. You will get lost in the history of this place, the amount of times it has changed hands. It's amazing there is even a culture in some areas at all... but it's strong.
12. The People. This goes without explanation.
These are the things I currently miss about the States:
1. Restaurants. I miss going to restaurants that don't cause me stress about telling them I speak English, or attempting to speak Romanian and having the waitstaff IMMEDIATELY switch to English. I said "potato" the right way, dangit!
2. Microwave. Seriously- living without microwave popcorn and the ability to reheat the pasta I ALWAYS cook too much of is wearing on me.
3. Drying Machines. Living in Romania will always be with me, and I'm quite sure I'll use a drying rack for some items in the future. Let's face it, it really is more efficient and better for the environment. Plus, it's probably good to get in the habit of planning and doing laundry BEFORE you have just one pair of underwear left. But washing sheets is a challenge here. And I like nice clean sheets.
4. Driving. For all the joys of public transportation and the MULTITUDE of train stories I have, there are times I miss driving. I miss getting into my cute little car and rolling the windows down and turning my music on over the stereo and just GOING.
5. English. I am starting to fall in love with the Romanian language, and I've found that in some situations I understand as much as 50% of what is being said, and even more whilst reading. However, I do miss English sometimes. I miss having conversations where I'm not thinking about every word (something you do as an elementary teacher anyway) and having easy interactions and being able to go places and read signs and know what is going on.
6. Cooking. I have a lot of recipes that I tried last year, and I started to get pretty good at cooking. I have one pot, one pan, and one skillet here. And an over the size of your toilet bowl. I miss cooking with real kitchen utensils and ingredients that I don't have to hunt down and modify, and feeling like I can do things without twice as much effort as I'm sometimes willing to exert.
7. Netflix and Hulu. I've found creative ways of watching television and movies here, but sometimes I just miss the ease of Netflix.
8. Money. I feel bad even typing this... but I miss having an income that is even slightly disposable. Scrimping and saving is good, really. It is a good life lesson, I do believe. However, I already had this, like sophomore year of college when I checed my bank account and decided I had exactly $2.50 to spend at the store. Having lived the other way for a while... it is kind of nice.
9. Cleaning... things. For a really long time I stood in about 6 inches of water every time I showered because I couldn't find drain cleaner at the store. Just today I spent about 30 minutes SWEEPING (with a broom) my 4x7' rug because I don't have a vacuum cleaner. Things that make life easier... I miss these sorts of things.
10. Relevant Information. This was much worse during the first semester at school, but there are still times when I have NO idea what is going on. Oh, there isn't class today? Oh, you only meet with form teachers on this day? Oh, you do grades in blue and then final grades in red? Oh, the little guys should get FB, not numerical grades? Oh, I can take attendance? Oh, I can't give a grade below a 9? Oh, the first grade is going on a field trip? Oh, you have to sign up to have a cupboard in the teacher's lounge? Lots and lots of stuff... At least in the States I know what I don't know. Oh, and copy machines. And schools that pay for printing.
11. Target. I won't lie. I miss Target. I miss their beauty section and their collection of discount DVDs and the electronics section. I miss wandering through the home and furniture department and even back into camping. I miss the clothing- the 75% off racks and trying on clothing you KNOW won't look good but feels good because you can afford it and it is just SO cute. I miss the cafe. And fountain pop. And their grocery section with the cool foods and their own special brand.
12. The people. This also goes without explanation.
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