So I was wandering through this grocery store the other and just kept having to laugh. First, it can be a little bit of a potshot when you are buying things here. There are a lot of products which are made for Albania so I can usually muddle through the labels in Albanian and determine what’s inside, but the ones in Macedonian, Greek, Italian, and Russian are still at a loss to me.
There is not a lot of American products here. There are a lot of Italian and Greek stuff. Randomly, one of the only American products (other than Coke) is Philadelphia Cream Cheese. And by the way… it is delicious. And reminds me of home.
Thirdly, the baby food and the liquor are in the same aisle. I’m from Pennsylvania so its weird enough for me to see liquor in a grocery store, but it cracked me up to see liquor sharing the aisle with baby food.
I was looking for chicken breast which they don’t have any, but fortunately they have not run out of sheep’s head so I picked up a few for a delicious soup.
Finally, they have Titanic chocolate here. It has a picture of Leonardo and Kate Winslet on the front. When did this movie come out?!? I swear I remember going to a midnight show my freshman year of college (which was quite a while ago.) I decided not to buy the Titanic chocolate.
November 27, 2007
November 19, 2007
The Quest
I am now living on my own!! This has made me a happy happy person. I’m really glad I had the opportunity to live with an Albanian family because it really gave me a glimpse into their culture – the food, the language, the family structures, but it was time for me to have a space of my own.
I know live on the first floor of a two floor house. It has a bedroom, a big entry way with a table and couch, a bathroom, and a kitchen. It is a great house. The kitchen is very modern and the whole place is nice. I had a bit of a struggle getting all of the electricity and water hook ups, but now I think I’m good to go.
That is my main excitement so my last few weeks have been focused around cleaning, rearranging and buying a few new things for the place. I did manage to fit in a cultural event.
I went and saw the Albanian International Opera Festival. It had entrants from countries all over the world and it ended up being won by a South Korean. He sang the song Figaro and it was awesome. It is particularly interesting because our Asian volunteers are constantly frustrated by the lack of knowledge about Asian culture here, so it was great to see an Asian winning the prize.
And I have officially fallen in love with opera. This was the first time I had ever seen an operatic song live and it was AMAZING. I’m planning to go see the Albanian opera at some point. Who knew I would join the PC and end up falling for opera.
I know live on the first floor of a two floor house. It has a bedroom, a big entry way with a table and couch, a bathroom, and a kitchen. It is a great house. The kitchen is very modern and the whole place is nice. I had a bit of a struggle getting all of the electricity and water hook ups, but now I think I’m good to go.
That is my main excitement so my last few weeks have been focused around cleaning, rearranging and buying a few new things for the place. I did manage to fit in a cultural event.
I went and saw the Albanian International Opera Festival. It had entrants from countries all over the world and it ended up being won by a South Korean. He sang the song Figaro and it was awesome. It is particularly interesting because our Asian volunteers are constantly frustrated by the lack of knowledge about Asian culture here, so it was great to see an Asian winning the prize.
And I have officially fallen in love with opera. This was the first time I had ever seen an operatic song live and it was AMAZING. I’m planning to go see the Albanian opera at some point. Who knew I would join the PC and end up falling for opera.
October 13, 2007
Vayo con Dios
The last few weeks have been a whirlwind. Starting school has been alternately frustrating, exciting, nauseating, and confusing. Things are starting to settle down a little bit into some sort of routine. Most of the kids in my classes are starting to get their book which helps a lot. And I’m feeling more confident with lesson planning and classroom control. Having never taught kids in America (unless you count Highway Foreman) it’s been a real challenge.
I teach five classes a week at the high school (each class meets two times a week.) And two classes at the private school. For one of the classes at the private school, I’m just the assistant teacher. It is a really high level, so I pretty much just show up armed with a bunch of discussion questions to get them talking in English.
I’ve learned more about English grammar than I ever thought possible. I cheat and look everything up the day before the class so I can explain it to the kids. Like did you know that when we use the phrase I wish, we put the verb in past tense even if the event is in the future… Try it out. I wish I will be going to the party just doesn’t work, does it? The even weirder thing is that I start to analyze my writing to figure out why I do the things I do. I could go on, but I don’t want you falling asleep.
It also makes me want to go back and apologize to my high school teachers for the days I spent writing notes, day dreaming, and pretending not to care when my teachers were working their butts off trying to teach us stuff.
Note on my blog names for Carla---- There isn’t always a relationship between my blog posts and their titles. Some of it is just stuff I want to remember in the future, but it is either not appropriate for a blog post or not enough of a story to blog about. The story behind the bear with a pocket. I was in class and koala bear was a vocab word. I was trying to explain it to the kids complete with drawings. And let me tell you, me drawing animals does NOT work. If anyone wants to send me a kids book with animal pictures in it. I would love it. So after a long time of guessing all sorts of things. The kids finally said in Albanian… Oh it’s a bear with a pocket. I said yes thinking that they were describing it, but it turns out that that is the word for koala (Ari me jep or a bear with a pocket.) It cracked me up. So it is now immortalized as a title on my blog. I’m sort of known for being the one who knows all sorts of useless words in Shqip. It’s the way my brain works. Its easy for me to remember the word for a koala, but I still get all tripped up trying to say I need.
I teach five classes a week at the high school (each class meets two times a week.) And two classes at the private school. For one of the classes at the private school, I’m just the assistant teacher. It is a really high level, so I pretty much just show up armed with a bunch of discussion questions to get them talking in English.
I’ve learned more about English grammar than I ever thought possible. I cheat and look everything up the day before the class so I can explain it to the kids. Like did you know that when we use the phrase I wish, we put the verb in past tense even if the event is in the future… Try it out. I wish I will be going to the party just doesn’t work, does it? The even weirder thing is that I start to analyze my writing to figure out why I do the things I do. I could go on, but I don’t want you falling asleep.
It also makes me want to go back and apologize to my high school teachers for the days I spent writing notes, day dreaming, and pretending not to care when my teachers were working their butts off trying to teach us stuff.
Note on my blog names for Carla---- There isn’t always a relationship between my blog posts and their titles. Some of it is just stuff I want to remember in the future, but it is either not appropriate for a blog post or not enough of a story to blog about. The story behind the bear with a pocket. I was in class and koala bear was a vocab word. I was trying to explain it to the kids complete with drawings. And let me tell you, me drawing animals does NOT work. If anyone wants to send me a kids book with animal pictures in it. I would love it. So after a long time of guessing all sorts of things. The kids finally said in Albanian… Oh it’s a bear with a pocket. I said yes thinking that they were describing it, but it turns out that that is the word for koala (Ari me jep or a bear with a pocket.) It cracked me up. So it is now immortalized as a title on my blog. I’m sort of known for being the one who knows all sorts of useless words in Shqip. It’s the way my brain works. Its easy for me to remember the word for a koala, but I still get all tripped up trying to say I need.
September 24, 2007
A Bear with a Pocket
Today bird droppings landed on my head. Fortunately, in Albania this means good luck. If, however, I had done something to increase my chances of getting bird droppings in my hair, it would not have been good luck. Like the time, I went to the beach and accidentally put my bathing suit top on backwards. That was good luck, but they very seriously asked me if I had done it intentionally. If I had, it would have canceled out the good luck.
There are also a lot of things which are bad luck. One of them is naming your children before they are born. I stopped telling people the name of my unborn nephew (Bennett) because they were so worried about the whole situation. So remember, the next time a bird goes on your head. It's good luck so smile!
There are also a lot of things which are bad luck. One of them is naming your children before they are born. I stopped telling people the name of my unborn nephew (Bennett) because they were so worried about the whole situation. So remember, the next time a bird goes on your head. It's good luck so smile!
September 19, 2007
The End of Summer
I finished my last few summer courses. The students were great and I really hope that I’ll be able teach them again in upcoming courses. One of the funniest moments came towards the end of my time there. We were listing wild animals and hippopotamus was in their picture dictionary. Picture eight Albanian ten year olds attempting to say this word. They were saying hippopatamatmus, and hipponapotatmus. And all sorts of other variations. It was hysterical. I almost didn’t want to tell them that they could just say hippo because them trying to say the whole word was so funny.
It was also fun when my parents came to the class. The day before the kids were talking up a storm about what they would say to them and the questions they would ask them. Fast forward to my parents walking in the door. The kids got looks of terror and would barely say a word. I forget how comfortable they have become with me. It was making me laugh, but I kept trying to get them to say something so my parents didn’t think I taught a bunch of zombies. Oh well. Maybe they will be less scared with the next American they meet.
With the end of summer courses comes the end of summer. Albanian summers are very relaxing. Generally people take the month of August off and relax and go to the beach. So to fit in. I joined them and headed to the beach. It was a great time of relaxing and hanging out with my new friends. I will definitely go down to the beach more times for coffees and lunches, but it is cooling down so the days of laying by the sea are probably over until next summer.
It was also fun when my parents came to the class. The day before the kids were talking up a storm about what they would say to them and the questions they would ask them. Fast forward to my parents walking in the door. The kids got looks of terror and would barely say a word. I forget how comfortable they have become with me. It was making me laugh, but I kept trying to get them to say something so my parents didn’t think I taught a bunch of zombies. Oh well. Maybe they will be less scared with the next American they meet.
With the end of summer courses comes the end of summer. Albanian summers are very relaxing. Generally people take the month of August off and relax and go to the beach. So to fit in. I joined them and headed to the beach. It was a great time of relaxing and hanging out with my new friends. I will definitely go down to the beach more times for coffees and lunches, but it is cooling down so the days of laying by the sea are probably over until next summer.
September 17, 2007
Are you digging it?
So it has been a while since I’ve written, but I’ve had a busy tail end of summer. I have a bunch of things to write about, but I will probably break it up and post a few thing in the next few days. The most exciting thing was that my parents came to visit. It was great to have them here and to show them Albania. They had a great time and we got to see a lot of the country.
A brief summary of their trip. They rented a car so we were able to jump in the car and travel to all sorts of cool places. It always surprised me how fast we got places because I travel by bus and furgon (like a station wagon that take people to nearby towns.) When you don’t have to stop every five minutes to pick up people, it takes a lot less time to get places. They got to meet a bunch of my closest friends here (Albanian and American.) They realized that Albanians are really friendly and that PCVs are not all crunchy granola types.
It was funny when my parents met my host mom. She is an older lady who can’t speak any English so I was translating for them and my dad was being bad and kept making jokes to me and I was laughing and she kept asking me "What’s he saying?" It was stuff that I wouldn’t translate even if I could. At the end, he gave her the traditional Albanian goodbye (a kiss on both cheeks) and said on one cheek "Lord bless you" and on the other "Go Eagles." I was cracking up laughing, but couldn’t even begin to explain what he had said.
My mom had a great line about what you can’t post in your blog, but since this is the blog I can’t post it. Ask her what it is. You may be shocked.
It was great to have them here. They got to see a great cross section of Albania. Small towns,a big cities, the mountains and the sea. Thanks to people who sent me presents by way of my parents. I loved everything that they brought me. My favorite present was the Starbucks coffee press that my sister sent me and a bag of coarsely ground coffee (for using in the coffee press.) I haven’t tried it out yet, but I’m already excited for my American coffee.
I have to say though. I stopped by a place in Tirana which is run by Americans and has American coffee. The coffee wasn’t great. It tasted really weak to me. It is just a little bit possible that I will come home and only be able to drink Starbucks because the other stuff is just too weak after my two years of espressos. Speaking of espressos, before drinking her first Albanian espresso, my mom said "Can I drink two?" I was a little surprised because I can’t down two in one sitting. But said "Sure, go ahead" After she got through half of it, she realized that there was no way she could drink two. She graduated to cappuccinos which come with more milk and usually whipped cream. She was happier with that then two espressos.
A brief summary of their trip. They rented a car so we were able to jump in the car and travel to all sorts of cool places. It always surprised me how fast we got places because I travel by bus and furgon (like a station wagon that take people to nearby towns.) When you don’t have to stop every five minutes to pick up people, it takes a lot less time to get places. They got to meet a bunch of my closest friends here (Albanian and American.) They realized that Albanians are really friendly and that PCVs are not all crunchy granola types.
It was funny when my parents met my host mom. She is an older lady who can’t speak any English so I was translating for them and my dad was being bad and kept making jokes to me and I was laughing and she kept asking me "What’s he saying?" It was stuff that I wouldn’t translate even if I could. At the end, he gave her the traditional Albanian goodbye (a kiss on both cheeks) and said on one cheek "Lord bless you" and on the other "Go Eagles." I was cracking up laughing, but couldn’t even begin to explain what he had said.
My mom had a great line about what you can’t post in your blog, but since this is the blog I can’t post it. Ask her what it is. You may be shocked.
It was great to have them here. They got to see a great cross section of Albania. Small towns,a big cities, the mountains and the sea. Thanks to people who sent me presents by way of my parents. I loved everything that they brought me. My favorite present was the Starbucks coffee press that my sister sent me and a bag of coarsely ground coffee (for using in the coffee press.) I haven’t tried it out yet, but I’m already excited for my American coffee.
I have to say though. I stopped by a place in Tirana which is run by Americans and has American coffee. The coffee wasn’t great. It tasted really weak to me. It is just a little bit possible that I will come home and only be able to drink Starbucks because the other stuff is just too weak after my two years of espressos. Speaking of espressos, before drinking her first Albanian espresso, my mom said "Can I drink two?" I was a little surprised because I can’t down two in one sitting. But said "Sure, go ahead" After she got through half of it, she realized that there was no way she could drink two. She graduated to cappuccinos which come with more milk and usually whipped cream. She was happier with that then two espressos.
August 21, 2007
Random Thoughts on Albania
August is the June of America. It is around the clock weddings. All of the Albanians who have emigrated to other countries (mostly Italy, Greece, and the US) come home to relax on the beach, visit their family, and get married. There are a couple of Albanian wedding traditions. First, they play music and dance well into the night. They drive through town in decorated cars honking their horns. When I walked to coffee yesterday, I passed two wedding processions and saw four cars being decorated in preparation. Although I love all the joy and happiness, I will not be sad when my town quiets down a bit.
I had parent/teacher conferences at the summer school in Albanian. It actually went pretty well. I had the school director there who can speak some English so if I was missing a word, she could supply it for me.
I saw a bear on the beach. This guy was leading it on a leash. Another friend of mine saw a guy with a big snake so apparently, animals on the beach are quite the Albanian trend.
My parents are coming to Albania on September 1. I couldn’t be more excited… Now I just have to make some exciting plans for them
I saw how roasted sheep entrails are made. I’m not making this up, but my host mother hung the raw entrails on the doorknob and braided them in preparation. As if I needed more reason to avoid this delicacy
I got proposed to. The kid is 13 so it’s unlikely that it is a match made in heaven. I told him he was too short for me so now every day he stands next to me to show me how much he’s grown… it’s so cute.
It’s still pretty hot here, but nothing like it was about a month ago. So it’s definitely bearable.
Thanks to everyone who emails, sends pics, letters, and packages. It is awesome to hear from you all.
I had parent/teacher conferences at the summer school in Albanian. It actually went pretty well. I had the school director there who can speak some English so if I was missing a word, she could supply it for me.
I saw a bear on the beach. This guy was leading it on a leash. Another friend of mine saw a guy with a big snake so apparently, animals on the beach are quite the Albanian trend.
My parents are coming to Albania on September 1. I couldn’t be more excited… Now I just have to make some exciting plans for them
I saw how roasted sheep entrails are made. I’m not making this up, but my host mother hung the raw entrails on the doorknob and braided them in preparation. As if I needed more reason to avoid this delicacy
I got proposed to. The kid is 13 so it’s unlikely that it is a match made in heaven. I told him he was too short for me so now every day he stands next to me to show me how much he’s grown… it’s so cute.
It’s still pretty hot here, but nothing like it was about a month ago. So it’s definitely bearable.
Thanks to everyone who emails, sends pics, letters, and packages. It is awesome to hear from you all.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
