on the job: what’s been on my plate lately

the main course: Foundation for Local Development

Well, post-vacation, I was rather aimless workwise. And that’s been topped off by an extended funk of a mood. But now that we’re really into September, life is picking up the pace whether I like it or not.

Remember the roses of Fall, 2009?  Well there was a tablecloth phase this fall while the beneficiaries were on vacation.  I wasn’t pleased, but I made the best of it and made kick-ass tablecloths while socializing with the seamstresses.  It’s a lot easier during the second year when I actually have some language ability.

Over the summer, the foundation scored a hand-me-down green bus/van. And true to Romanian-ness, we stuff a heck of a lot of beneficiaries in that van, with me on a chair in the back.  With the van, we’ve had several outings for our beneficiaries recently. We went to Neamt Fortress on a beautiful day a few weeks back (pictures here) and that same week, we went to Piatra Neamt for a trip to the local zoo (sad, though it was) and a ride on the telegondola (pictures here).

Last week, I began my second round of adult English classes at the foundation. Even though I made a radio spot, hung up posters, sent out text messages and such, I’m still worried about whether I’ll have enough interested people. But I’m looking forward to seeing the folks from the spring and getting my creative teaching juices flowing.

The life skills group for beneficiaries will be expanding from cooking and expressivity to include personal hygiene.  So I’m working on developing group protocols and materials for that.  And with the popularity of cooking and art, I’ve gotta get those back in circulation too!

So regardless of my blahs, things are moving.

side dishes. . .

So Peace Corps strongly encourages secondary projects. I’ve found that difficult in my small town.  I “belong” to my center/my counterpart and due to small-town politics, folks don’t really want to step on toes.  But I’ve snuck in a few things on the side, nonetheless.

A few weeks back, our favorite Orthodox priest stopped by with roses for me. What a charmer!  Along with flowers, he brought a friend, Marius.  Marius wants his kids to learn English and we were asked to tutor Emi and Madalina for a few hours a week. Fortunately, Emi and Mada also really really to learn English and they are at a perfect age (3rd and 4th grades) — where learning is still fun, making mistakes isn’t a big deal, and being silly, curious, and creative is expected.  This family deserves a post of their own because they ROCK.  But spending 4 – 5 hours a week with them learning English has been a dream!

I also have irons in the fire at the Clubul Copiilor (Kids’ Club). One of my adult English students works there and she and I cooked up an idea for a English class for kids taught using non-formal techniques — music, art, drama, games. I’ve had parents across town approach me interested in it and I’m hoping the Club’s director will include it in the offerings come October.  I’m excited about this because not only will I stretch my music muscles a bit, but I’ll also get to help out with the Club’s little kid choir and maybe a guitar class!

And then of course there’s choir and church and tutoring the Catholic priest and taking care of random stray animals and picking up trash and Website Committee and GAD all that jazz….