This is Julie. She was a Peace Corps Volunteer in my town over two years ago! This is from people magazine! 

The "Bulgarian" Terminal

I went this past weekend to watch the movie, The Terminal. The Terminal is a movie based on a fictional Eastern European country and one man who gets caught at JFK airport, learns English, falls in love, becomes the hero of the airport, etc. etc. Anyway, it turns out that Tom Hanks is actually from Bulgaria! That's right, Tom Hanks speaks Bulgarian throughout the whole movie. The whole movie theatre was cracking up everytime he spoke! He even cursed in Bulgarian! His Bulgarian is not to shabby either. Ok... so I was just mentioning this to my colleague here at the office and he just told me the reason that they use Bulgarian is that his wife, Rita Wilson (originally Margarita Brahimoff) is a Bulgarian! Now, if you have seen the movie, I wouldn't say that he is a typical Bulgarian but gotta love a good image coming out of Eastern Europe!

http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=36469

Above is an interesting article about it. I just got in an arguement with my colleague about it because I told him that Rita Wilson is actually a Turkish Bulgarian. He got kind of angry and said that isn't true... ahh... Bulgaria. I think she is from Madan in the Rhodopi mountain which means she is probably a Pomak... which is a Bulgarian Muslim. Ok. point is she is a Bulgarian.

New Roma Camp Web Site

Our Roma camp web site is complete if you want to check out some information and some pictures.
www.geocities.com/romacampbg

Starting to have a clue?

The job is coming to me and I think I am on my way to finding my nitch. Because one of CEGA (my organization) main goals is to be a lobby and advocacy group, why not start a new campaign? Because of my experience teaching in the Roma schools, I started to realize that if these schools were going to improve they would have to improve the teacher to student ratio. Having a teacher trying to teach 27 illiterate kids is just impossible, even for the best and most motivated teacher. If you could reduce the ratio to 1 to 15 or less, I think it would have a profound impact on keeping kids in school. This led me to do some research and it turns out that the states has been experimenting with this in many inner-city schools. Leading the charge is the Gates foundation (www.gatesfoundation.org/education). Additionally, George Soros and his organization Open Society, is starting the "Decade of Roma Inclusion"for 9 countries in Eastern Europe and one of its biggest priorities is education. The problem is that Bulgaria, with all of its committees doesn't look like they are prepared to do anything. They have been doing some bussing programs (bussing Roma kids out of the neighborhood) with very little effect. So, my idea is to start a campaign for small schools. Maybe that means bringing some people from the states here or vice versa. I have no idea yet.

The Magestic Vitosha

Vitosha Mountain looms ominously over the city of Sofia in the winter. Looking down on Vitoshka Boulevard, the different seasons reflect the many different personalities the mountain possesses. And the fall is no exception. For the first time, I saw a Bulgarian fall that came close to a New England fall. Today, I rode the lift up the mountain from the city. Although lacking a certain contradiction of colors, there is still a brilliant array of beauty. From a pleasing brown to a screaming yellow, the tree light up the path up the mountain even on a bright, clear day. On the top of the mountain, a grungy gang of Bulgarians lacksidasically prepare for another ski season. The restaurants are busy serving typical mountain food... kebache, kufte (both like hamburgers), bean, lentil and soup. I meander my way along some easy trails and sit down a cool rock to look over Sofia (which means wisdom in greek). Deep breathes, relax... soon its time to start another week...

Quote

"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Uncle Dave and Dani! 

Louie's Wedding 

Gearing up for the birds game 

Home sweet home?

I am back in Bulgaria. I have enjoyed my time in the states and am thankful to everyone who made me feel at home. From watching the Eagles "fly" to trying to bond with my new neice Dani, its been a trip that will hopefully carry me through the winter.

Getting back here has been a little bit more natural than I thought it would be. This week I have started work and am still in this awkward, how am I helping and what the hell I am doing (The english version of site is actually done! check it... www.cega.bg). Its pretty normal and I have gotten really good at relaxing in new situations and letting things come to me. During our training (when we first arrive in Bulgaria) we are given this "psychological rollercoaster" handout. It is a chart that details many of the thoughts, feelings and mood swings that we might deal with in our two years here. There is no chart for a 3rd year but I have a feeling it is just going to be a condensed two years. Initial excitement followed by a natural let down and reality check; months of spinning wheels; then some traction; 2nd letdown and home sickness; then... well who knows.

The biggest difference is probably thinking about next year already. I have some ideas but besides applying to some graduate schools, I will keep the rest to myself.

Another goal for this year will be to go skiing/snow boarding as much as I can/and can afford. Bulgaria has great skiing and it is very cheap. One of the main ski areas, Borovets, is only about an hour away. But with 5 different mountain ranges, finding somewhere close is not difficult. Check out www.bulgariaski.com

In other news, my friend Iliya is in the states (www.jbrianmurray.com/iliya.htm) . After receiving a full scholarship to attend the American University in Bulgaria with the 1st year just intensive English, Iliya decided to take that one year and come to the states. He is at the Faith School www.faithschool.org ... a evangelical school in Maine. I have tried hard to act as an advisor and nothing more. I have supported his decision but not agreed with it completely. But, he will manage fine and it will be a great learning experience.

This weekend I am off to our "Youth in Action" program training. We have 15 youth groups from all over Bulgaria who will converge and will learn about lobbying and advocacy for their causes. Because I am an "outsider" of the project, I will be acting as an observer. I have no idea what that exactly means but what else is new.