What I've Been Missing (Part 2)

I am often asked, by people at home and people here in Romania, what it is that I miss the most from home. I usually come up with some goofy thing to say to make people laugh. School started back up for teachers on Sept. 1, and I've been answering lots of questions and dealing with the amazement from my colleagues that I didn't go back to America for the summer. After having a long conversation with my friend Valentin, I've decided to make a list of the things I miss most so I can easily answer this question in the future. I thought I'd share it with you.

A List of Things I Miss From America/Back Home in Indiana (in no particular order):

• Of course--Family and Friends
• Mexican food!
• Going to church on Sunday morning
• the Lake
• Fairs and Festivals. Specifically Street Fair and 4-H Fair
  
• Sunday dinner at Grandma's house and all of Grandma's cooking
  
• family reunions every December and June
• dominating everyone in Jeopardy. lol
• having packages delivered to my doorstep
• Driving and my car (I hope the Turtle is still running when I get home!)
• baseball games
• gyms where it is acceptable for me to lift weights
• Wii. Beating my little brother in MarioKart Racing
• breakfast at the Snug or Richards
• casseroles. hashbrown, green bean, etc...it's just not the same here.
  
• country and Christian music on the radio
• Jefferson Pointe
• rodeos and demolition derbies
• candy apples
  
• Friday night high school football games, College Gameday Saturdays, and the Colts on Sundays
• tailgating
  
• rectangular hay bales
• thick steaks, brats, and good cheeseburgers on the grill
• Buffalo Wings and fun nights at B-dubs!
• a shower curtain
  
• adjustable water temperature
• a person at school that will make copies for you
• the Library w/ more than 5 books in English
• my BlackBerry even though I have two cell phones here.
• being able to talk to people without scheduling it because of the time difference.
• going to the movie theater
• Chinese take-out
• my friends' weddings
• haircuts and eyebrow waxing

There are more things, but I can't think of any right now. Don't think for a second that I sit around dwelling on all of these things that I'm missing. For each of these things there are multiple things I'm experiencing for the first time, learning about, exploring, and enjoying! I'm loving life

What I've been missing (Part 1)

Some of you might have picked up on the fact that I've been struggling lately. I've been stressed and frustrated with current projects, planning, relationships, loneliness, etc. Today blew all those worries out of the water and helped me refocus on the positives.

Sept. 1st is the first day of school for teachers here in Romania. I vividly remember this day last year, and I can still picture the terrified Tara that bashfully walked into the cancelaria (teacher's lounge) unsure of what was to come. My, how things have changed. I walked into the cancelaria today with my head up ready for the millions of kisses my cheeks were about to receive. I kind of felt like the kids in movies who hide from old ladies lined up to dole out kisses and lipstick imprints. Only I wasn't hiding! I was like--Bring it on!! Then Natalia handed me a tissue to wipe the lipstick off my cheeks. I chatted up the colleagues I've grown to love, and I met some of my new colleagues as well. And to top things off, my director is back and in full force after defeating thyroid cancer! Booya! I loved the feeling of belonging within my school, Generala 1, but I forgot how long and boring consiliu profesorals (in-service meetings) are. At least I understand what they are talking about now!! I'm gonna rock it this year!

After school, I had a scheduled practice test for the IELTS exam with Ioana in the library; and then I walked home. However, this wasn't just your typical walk home. No siree! This was one of those walks where I felt like it could be a movie montage. The sun was shining brightly, my little Transylvanian town was full of energy, and I kept seeing people I knew and subsequently waving at them like an idiot. After crossing the bridge, I decided to veer off and walk home along the river. I had my headphones on bopping along to some vintage Beatles pop classics; and as I walked, crickets would jump and butterflies were fluttering around everywhere. Good Lord I sound like a Disney movie! And then I was reminded of this Emerson quotation, "Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air..." It's the wonder of life I've been missing. I've been focusing so much on my struggles that I forgot to take a few moments to sit in awe and wonder at the sheer beauty of my surroundings and my good fortune to be here.

Okay. I know I'm getting a little dreamy and sappy so I'll give it a rest. I'm just thrilled that for the first time in a while I can't keep a silly grin off my face.

While I can't give you the 360 degree experience, I'll put up some pictures shortly from a little sightseeing I did around town. People keep asking me why I like Tarnaveni...it's just a little, bleak, industrial town...but I say it's pretty!!

Thoughts at 2 in the Morning

Sometimes things keep me up at night. I'm one of those people that can't really turn off the brain when head meets pillow. I've never minded this much. More often than not it has been a sign that I need some one-on-one time with God. I don't make time for meditation and prayer as I should...sometimes it takes my spirit stirring at 2 in the morning to get me back on track. God meets me right where I am, and I'd wager the same is true for you whether you know it or not. Currently you'll find me sitting on my bedroom floor, reading Romans, swatting mosquitos, and listening to Romanian dance music from the bloc next to mine.

On this balmy, August night while reading through Romans, I got the wake-up call my soul has needed. The challenges for my 2nd year of Peace Corps have quickly been presenting themselves. I wasn't prepared for them; or rather I had prepared myself on my own accord rather than on God's. I guess I'm telling you all this because I need some accountability. I know the next 11 months are going to go fast. In some ways I welcome this because it brings me back home all that much sooner; however it also means I only have a short time in which to help my community. It'll all be okay. I know that...it always is. I just need to "lean not on my own understanding"...you know what I mean.

Romans 8:28 & Romans 12:1-2

Summer is almost over

I heard this the other day, and I wanted to share it with you to give you a tiny idea of the size of Transylvania. Transylvania is a geographic region of Romania, east of Hungary, approximately the size of the state of Indiana. That's right! Go Hoosiers!

It's been a great summer for me here in Romania. I've lived the village life, hiked in the untouched landscape of Transylvania, working a summer camp, learned a bit of Hungarian, spent time with my fellow volunteers, learned a few things about myself, and much more.

One of my favorite parts of the summer was visiting another volunteer who works a farm in the center region of the country. Even though it is the heart of Romania, 90%+ of the population speaks Hungarian. I went out to get to know some of the volunteers from Group 24 I hadn't met yet. It was a blast! We worked alongside some British conservation volunteers on a work holiday, and we went out to the Vârghis Gorge to camp with them for a few days. I helped mark some trails, built an outhouse door, saw a newborn baby foal, swam in what I think was the Mures River, and generally enjoyed communing with nature. It was nice to experience the food, culture, and surroundings with people that haven't been here in Romania for an extended period of time. Sometimes I forget just how spectacular it is! A highlight would have to be the first night we were camping out in the gorge, A few of us volunteers, the British volunteers, Hungarians, Romanians, and Rroma (gypsy) all gathered around a campfire during a beautiful meteor shower. We sang along with people playing the guitar and banjo. We drank some palinka. It was amazing!


School doesn't officially start here until the middle of September. I'm not sure if you all remember that from last year or not. I'm a little nervous about it because I know once school starts my Peace Corps service will quickly, maybe even frantically, come to an end. However, I am ready for year 2 and for the challenges, failures, and successes!