Happenings

There has been a LOT going on in the past week or so, but I'm going to focus on the future. I have a few things to say.

1. I am traveling to Sibiu this coming weekend and I am incredibly excited. The more I read, I become more and more convinced that I really need a weekend away in a place described as so charming.

2. I am traveling to Sighişoara the first weekend in April, and then I have a long trip planned for spring break (including Maramureş, Cluj-Napoca, and Oradea). The second weekend in May is set aside for a visit to Timişoara, and the last weekend in May is reserved for Constanţa. I will be visiting Iaşi the first weekend in June, and flying home to the States sometime after June 17. Now... the challenge is just to find funds all of these adventures :)

3. My 5A class is working on a project that they will present next week- a travel poster on different major cities in Romania. No joke- what I've seen so far is incredibly impressive. I'm very excited- pictures to come, of course.

4. I'll be featuring some of the best "Social Problems" compositions of my 6A class in the coming days- look out for some amazing writers.

5. I got a package in the mail today from my dear friend Lori. A while ago I mentioned to her that I missed having something to cuddle. Check out what I found at the post office today:




And with that, have a lovely week!

Unashamed

I had the opportunity to talk with my mom today after quite a while. I'm feeling rather badly about the situation she is finding herself in. To begin, both myself and my younger brother C~ left home in the same week in August. I have not really been "home" in about four years, but I was still around for every holiday and lots of visits. C~ left for college at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, and I flew to Bucureşti. She had my youngest brother E~ left, but he is a senior in high school. He really isn't there, to be honest.


With the wrap-up of the football season, she is essentially saying goodbye to a fall tradition she has enjoyed for 13 years, since the boys were just little guys. Every day that passes is one less day she has to be a mother with kids in the house. She lives halfway between being an empty-nester and a nurturing mother. Additionally, E~ recently made the decision to repeat his senior year of high school and study abroad for a year, probably in Croatia. This means that if I stay in Europe, the child closest to home will be C~ at a 10 hour car ride away.


If you happen to know my mom, be extra nice to her, okay? She seems to be managing quite well, but I'm still sad for her. Maybe send her an encouragement card or take her out for lunch or just give her a hug. She will be needing lots of that in the next few months. I told her today that she raised exactly the kind of children one wants- strong, independent people. Her reply: "And they all want to leave me."


Regardless, this post really isn't about my poor mother. It is about something we talked about that makes me laugh and horrifies me at the same time.


She was recently at a gathering and someone made a comment that was just downright rude about the physical appearance of an employee at a local store. She didn't really know this particular person, but she made fun of them good-naturedly by referring to a book that I'm quite sure the person had not read, considering the fact that they didn't understand the reference at all. (T~ does this a lot, getting a lot of pleasure from being smarter than people without them even knowing it.) She told me the whole story, and after I reigned in my laughter, I just sat here. This woman who said this terrible thing didn't know many people at this gathering. First of all- she wouldn't have said it if she didn't think people were going to agree with her, right? Secondly- what the hell is she thinking that she WON'T tell people?


In other news, I got a wonderful surprise in the mail today. I had a package notice and didn't know who it could be from- it was an amazing gift from my cousins Mary and Brian. It is so sweet to feel the support and love from the States. I am often struck by just how lucky I am, to be living in this place, with the opportunity to travel and develop my teaching skills and meet new people. But I am constantly reminded- whether by emails or Skype dates or Facebook posts or packages- that I am not alone.


And I now have 176 Crystal Light packets, in addition to slippers, candy, gum, chapstick, a generous gift card, and hand sanitizer. Booyah.

Support

I am sitting here, eating Pretzel M&M's, compliments of my dear friend C~. She prepared the most splendid package for me. I will detail the contents here:

1. Bottle of Eucerin Intensive Repair lotion- very needed, and lotion here is EXPENSIVE.
2. Packets (two) of Kleenex tissues- also very needed, and will allow me to stop carrying a toilet paper roll around with me.

3. Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm- I just used up what I brought over here, and lamented at the fact that it would be ages before I had any again. How did she know?

4. Bottle of Echinacea for Immune System Health- I laughed and laughed... and then took one.

5. Two packs of M&M's, which just so happen to be my favorite varities (Pretzel and Peanut Butter).

6. One package of Crystal Light Fruit Punch "On the Go" mix- whoa, buddy.

7. Three packages of Tropical Punch Kool-Aid. My life is complete.

8. Two packages of Taco Seasoning- Mexican night :)

9. One bag of Sixlets candy- great for munching!

10. One packet of Tiny-Size Chiclets Gum :)

11. Three boxes of KRAFT Macaroni and Cheese- this might have stemmed from the tears I shed while talking to her about missing Macaroni and Cheese.

12. One very lovely card filled with encouragement and support and love.

I am not sure what I would do without all the amazing people in my life. I've had a relatively rough patch recently, but the amount of support that is just flowing into my heart is incredible.

I am very officially going to Brasov this weekend. I made my hostel reservations last night (Rolling Stone Hostel!) and bought my train tickets today. I'll be leaving Friday afternoon and returning home Sunday evening. I have no idea what I'll do, but it is supposed to be a beautiful weekend. I feel mostly safe about traveling by myself, and I'm hoping that some more time away from the city will be good.

Blessings to all of you- and thank you for the unending support. It is so appreciated.