London Calling and I'll Be Home for Christmas (I'm going back to Indiana)

Do you like my song choices for the title of this blog?  I sure do!  I'm off to London and Cambridge for Ioana's interview, and then as the Jackson 5 sang, I'm going back to Indiana.  That's right folks. I'll be home for Christmas and this year it isn't in my dreams!!  I've had a sing-songy kind of day...it's been nice! 

Anyway, the reason for this post is to tell you all that I'll be gone until 2010. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 
Peace & God's Blessings to each and every one of you!

Being Grateful. Thanksgiving 2009

This was my second Thanksgiving in Romania.  The first one was delightful, but I think I spent too much time thinking about what I was missing back home rather than what I was grateful for right where I was.  This year I was determined to be present and grateful in the moment.

Thanksgiving #1

As a PCV community, we were all honored with an invite to the Ambassador's residence in Bucharest for Thanksgiving.  This honor had been extended once before when the previous Ambassador was here, and Ambassador Gitenstein and his wife were gracious enough to extend it once again this year.

It's odd, suddenly finding yourself in a formal situation...Romania has changed me.

After the nervous arrival getting our id's checked, greeting the Ambassdor and his wife, and passing on the gift of zacusca I grabbed a drink and settled down to enjoy, what for me was, a once in a lifetime opportunity.  The Thanksgiving spread was delicious, and the conversation and sharing of thanks reminded me of all the blessings bestowed upon me and how very grateful I am for each one.(fyi-I was not thankful for the heels I wore to hike across Bucharest...)

Thank you Mr. Ambassador and Mrs. Gitenstein for your hospitality and generosity! 

Thanksgiving #2
While I may have felt a bit uncomfortable in the formal setting the day before, my second Thanksgiving in Miercurea Ciuc was the opposite.  Amanda and I headed north to Miercurea Ciuc to visit Richard, another PCV.  I hadn't really gotten to know Richard before this, and yet he graciously opened his home to me and welcomed me with a big hug!  Richard, his daughters, and other volunteers prepared a wonderful meal; and as we all sat around the table I was reminded of how much I love and am grateful for the Peace Corps.  It truly is a community of individuals from all over the United States that support each other and try their darnedest to help others and represent the U.S. well.

Home, family, and friends certainly crossed my mind during Thanksgiving as they have everyday I've been away; but this year I was grateful for it all.  The homesickness, the food, the friends, the hospitality, the weather...it's not about what I'm missing; it's about what I'm experiencing!  Same goes for you!