So we proposed a pancake fundraiser to our colleagues at the library. We’d recently been awarded $500 for a USAID/Peace Corps Small Project Assistance grant for a project to buy multimedia equipment for the foreign language section.  But $500 doesn’t go very far for buying technology like tablets and mp4 players and such.  So a fundraiser would bring in more money to the project and use up our syrup: win, win.

Fortunately our colleagues, Bogdan and Dragos, were up for the pancake fundraiser adventure.  There was some general skepticism from people about whether it would be successful.  But, as optimistic Americans, we moved forward, making posters, announcing the event via Facebook and trying to estimate ingredients.

The day before the event, I got a call from a radio station.  They wanted to interview me. As well, we found out that author and humorist Radu Paraschivescu had heard about the event and wanted to come as he is seeking stories of innovative programs at Romanian libraries. With the press knocking at our door, our worries about how many people would show up and whether we could keep up with demand mounted.

But our worries were unfounded.  It was a super successful event with perfect weather and wonderful participants. We raised double the money we had hoped. David, as the master of pancakes, was quite the hit as I think Romanians were fascinated to see my handsome husband in an apron making pancakes. While there were stressful moments, in general, it was a fun easy-going time.  The stress mostly revolved around the tons of TV cameras and radio interviews we had to do in Romanian while making pancakes.

Speaking of which. . .

Here’s an article about the event with a photo of David cooking.

Here’s a video from the TV station in Craiova about the event.  ACK!  I’m speaking Romanian in it.

Finally, below is the article I wrote for Biblionet Program with photos taken by photographer Ovidiu Micsik.

A Taste of Success: Cultural Exchange and Fundraising through American Pancakes
by Veronica Andreassen-Barker, US Peace Corps Volunteer

On Friday, April 27, 2012, library users at the Valcea County Library enjoyed their first taste of American pancakes and simultaneously supported a library project at the event entitled: Clatite: Made in the USA. American Peace Corps Volunteers with the Biblionet Program, David and Veronica Barker, with Biblionet trainers and librarians Dragos Marinoiu and Bogdan Dobre conceptualized this event to raise money for the project, “Multimedia Language Learning.” This project was awarded $500 of funding through Peace Corps’ Small Project Assistance Grant but the librarians and Volunteers believed that the Ramnicu Valcea community would support and contribute to the project if presented with a unique cultural event in which to participate.

The local community did not disappoint; the fundraiser was an overwhelming success. The event, situated in front of the library lasted three hours and attracted over 300 people, half of whom were adolescents. In this time, David and Veronica Barker made at least 250 fresh American pancakes. Volunteers from Europe Direct alongside American Exchange Students through the Rotary Club sold the pancakes to the crowds and raised over 600 RON (about $200).

Attending the event were myriads of high schools students, curious groups of general school students, pensioners from the local seniors’ club, local librarians, and members of the press. Author and journalist, Radu Paraschivescu also attended as he was investigating innovative happenings in Romanian libraries for the project “Story Seekers.”

The overall reaction of library users and staff to the event was one of surprise. First of all, people were surprised at the tastiness of American pancakes and maple syrup which are quite different from traditional Romanian pancakes. Secondly, there was surprise at the number of people, particularly of youth who attended. Most libraries struggle to bring adolescents and teens into the library, but this event demonstrated that projects and events that are “outside the box” attract this demographic. The final surprise was the amount of money raised. Fundraisers such as this, while relatively typical in the United States, are a new idea in Romania and there was some skepticism at whether such an event could be successful. However, with donations of ingredients from librarians, assistance from youth volunteers, and support from the community, this event was most definitely successful, raising enough money in three hours to purchase a tablet computer for the project.

With the positive feedback and outcomes of this event, the project “Multimedia Language Learning” will move forward with more funds, community buy-in, and energy to support services in the Foreign Language Section of the Valcea County Library. At the end of the project, the Foreign Language Section will have multimedia equipment (tablet, MP4 players) filled with audio and video materials for foreign language learning. Additionally, the section will have comfortable and youth-friendly seating to attract more adolescent users. Finally, Volunteers and trainers will offer training sessions for fellow librarians, local teachers, and adolescent users on how to optimize foreign language learning using multimedia equipment.

Awhile ago, when we were a part of the 20/50 Peace Corps project team in Romania, we developed a logo together for the project.  I had a creative idea in my head and some inspiration from a fellow Volunteer. David with his mad photoshop and illustrator skills perfected it and made it a reality.  We even came up with the little slogan that accompanies it. Although few realized that we were the minds behind the logo, we took pride when we saw it 5 feet tall on a banner near the Habitat for Humanity build site.

Now as Peace Corps closes the post in Romania, we have a bunch of legacy projects going on — projects that focus on sustainability and celebrating the partnership between Peace Corps and Romanians across the years past. There was a call for logo ideas. I thought about it for awhile and talked to David.  Our original idea had been to design a stampila (stamp) as everything official in Romania is stampila-ed.  But doing something that monochromatic was tougher than we thought.  So we thought about making something that looked like a patch.  That morphed into what’s here.  He used my handwriting for it.  How cool is that?  We’re still not completely satisfied with it, but it’s a good start!

While we were at the library working, I saw this group of Asian students pass by the door.  I might have whisper-screamed “Foreigners!” and got all giddy.  Really, I miss America’s diversity SO much!  Later on, I was talking with my colleague Corina and asked about the group.  It’s a group of students from the Phillipines here for a math competition.  I immediately thought of my friend Mari-An in Sibiu — she’s a grad student from the Phillipines studying in Romania.  I texted her: There’s a group from the Phillipines in Ramnicu Valcea!

Now before I continue with this anecdote, it’s important to note that being far from home when I hear someone speaking American English, I have this urge to talk to them and meet them. I think I miss Americans and so I jump at the chance to interact with them. I figured my friend Mari-An might miss her fellow citizens, too.  So I offered to talk to enough random strangers in town to get Mari-An connected with the group from the Phillipines.

So I dragged David with me to the school across the street.  I talked to the hall monitor students who greet visitors.  I explained that I’m a foreigner and I heard there was a group of foreigners at the school.  Could I talk to them? They looked at me like I had three heads.  A woman passing by overheard our conversation and brought out another woman for me to talk with. I explained again.  Me, foreigner.  Them, foreigners. Friend of mine, foreigner. She was quite helpful — told me about the competition, the group’s itinerary, and even their hotel. I asked if I could come to the math competition and she laughed, “Why would you? It’s not like math is fun.”

Back at the library, I debated going to the math competition to try and meet an adult with the group, but thought that might disrupt the mathletes’ mojo.  I thought about going to their hotel and asking about them, but that seemed creepy.

On the walk home, we passed the group’s hotel and I decided to drag David along and talk to more random people — the receptionist or maybe someone in the lobby.  We entered the hotel lobby and there were at least five people from the Phillipines hanging around.  One gentleman made eye contact with me and I headed towards him, introduced myself and began with my crazy reason for wanting to talk to him: “I’m an American Volunteer here and I have a friend from the Phillipines and she’s here in Romania and she’d love to talk to someone from home. If your group is traveling this weekend, she’d love to meet up with you.”  Fast forward fifteen minutes and  I had learned about their group, the guy (Arve), his students, his thoughts on Romania and travel. He noted my name and number as well as Mari-An’s, promising to get in touch.

As we left the hotel, David commented: “You’re the only person I know who can do that so easily.” “Do what?”  I asked. “Talk to random people with a crazy request and not come across as crazy yourself.”

See pictures from our quick trip here

As a Moldovanca (a Romanian from the Moldavian region), when it comes to historical Romanians, I’m partial to Stefan cel Mare (Stephen the Great) who built many a monastery in Moldavia after his victories in battle (or in the bedroom, depending on who’s telling the story).  But if I’m honest, the real reason for my great love of Stefan is his mustache.  Every time it’s depicted, it’s a tad different – a bit curly or bushy or thick or long.  His mustache combined with his brow and hairdo really gives his likeness personality.

So imagine my delight, when, as I was browsing in a yarn/embroidery floss shop I came upon this:

Yes, that is a kit to embroider an 8×10 Stefan-freakin-cel-Mare!  I squealed like a child and the saleslady looked at me like I was crazy. Why would an American girl be so excited over Stefan cel Mare?  Of course she asked, I replied, and now we know each other’s life stories.

Although it makes getting to work more of a workout and an adventure, I have to say that I love the beautiful fluffy whiteness. Maybe it’s just the Norwegian girl in me coming out, because it sure ain’t the Southern girl.  But it makes me giddy and smiley.   Romanians look at us like we’re crazy because we are two adults chucking snowballs at each other on the sidewalks. And today, we left several snowmen around town. Simple pleasures, huh?  Happy winter, y’all!

   The street where we live

a trashcan snowman to brighten the neighborhood

The cause of my stress is easy to peg.  We’re leaving for a month and there’s stuff to get done.

We have loose ends to tie up at work. I said goodbye to the kiddos at the special school and in the midst of our therapy group a boy had his first grand mal seizure.  Since the nurse wasn’t nearby, the teacher and I ended up calling emergency as he was turning quite gray and blue.  One of my biggest fears in Romania has been that I need to call 112 (Europe’s 911) and with the stress, my brain doesn’t work in Romanian and I can’t communicate what the emergency is.  Fortunately there was a parent nearby and I just shoved the phone in the parent’s face and he talked.  It was a crazy morning, for sure. Fortunately the boy is all right but quite fatigued and a bit confused.  The students who witnessed the seizure were rattled to see this, but after talking about it and making sure he was OK, attention was turned to the brownies David made as a treat for them.  Thank God for brownies.

I also have several projects going on that will be passed on to other PCVs (http://gad16zile.wordpress.com) and librarians and I feel like I’m ditching them a bit with more work. But hopefully everything will go smoothly.

For our homelife, we’re sadly counting down the days we have with Zamfira until she gets to stay with Aunt Ramona (our counterpart) while we’re gone.  As a relatively neurotic cat-mom, it’s a bit stressful to say goodbye to her. But she’s a flexible little Peace Corps Volunteer kitty and we’ll all survive.

We also have been confusing most of town by trying to pre-pay bills.  Our bloc association guy said that it’s normal for people to be 2 months behind in their bills, so if we’re one month behind, it’s no big deal.  We still gave him a bit in advance because we want to be good residents. But it’s definitely seen as strange!

And of course there’s the joy of packing and traveling and getting all those details together. . .

The excitement is easy to pinpoint as well.  We’re going HOME! Where there’s family (moms, dad, brothers, new nephew, aunts, uncles, cousins) and friends (and their babies) and American cats and Baja Burritos. And it’s been a long while.  Added to this is the joy and fun of Thanksgiving and Christmas and our wedding anniversary all squeezed into 40 days at home.

But alongside the ever-present stress and the understandable excitement, I’ve realized that I’m slightly terrified of going home.   I’ve existed in a country where I don’t understand everything going on around me.  At first that was a bother and I couldn’t wait to understand more, but I’ve come to like tuning out the radio or not eavesdropping on public transportation and living in my own world when I need or want to.  But what happens when I’m back in a place where I understand everything whether I want to or not?  What if Americans’ first world problems make me impatient and judgmental? For most of my time here, I’ve been able to choose to pay attention to US news, but when it’s in my face all the time, will I be able to handle it? What about driving? And the hurried pace of life? And shopping at malls (after Thanksgiving no less!) And other ways I’ve changed that I might not even realize? Can you feel the snow-balling rolling?

But I’ve promised myself that Sunday when I leave Ramnicu Valcea, I’m leaving all the stress and worry and “what ifs”  here.  And I’m just going to enjoy the ride home to people who love me.

And so I joined the Peace Corps, thinking that perhaps I could combine my service with my education/experience as a therapist.  While in Targu Neamt, I didn’t really stretch my music therapy muscles all that much.  I did a bunch of community integration work, art therapy work, but music wasn’t really in the cards and I didn’t want to force it. To be honest, I was a bit disappointed as I missed music therapy and hoped that in my third year extension, I’d have an opportunity to BE a music therapist in Romania.

When I arrived in Ramnicu Valcea, one of the librarians approached me about working with her son’s class.  Word had gotten out that I was a music therapist and I was needed.  So now, once a week, I head down to Babeni (a village outside of town) and I have a music therapy group with 14 – 16 years old at the Center for Inclusive Education.  The teacher, Adnana is a dream to collaborate with.  She’s patient with the students and with me.  She picks up what I’m trying to do easily and since everything is in Romanian, that’s a great help.  We’re a great team and she gets what I’m doing.

The kids are wonderful.  I’m constantly amazed by how open and welcoming they are, how loving they are, how joyful they are despite the tough lives many of them have.  While some of the students have families that are involved in their education/care, many live in group homes or orphanages.

And Tuesdays, we come together and sing little songs that I’ve written in Romanian about basic things like — what’s my name and how are you and can you find something this color.  The kids who don’t typically initiate conversation, start singing.  The kids who need to be first, wait their turn.  The kids who don’t have a chance to make choices, choose who’s next.  All in music. It’s lovely and joyful and active and therapeutic.

I’ve got a few challenges ahead of me: my repertoire of therapy songs in Romanian is small, so I need to get some songwriting done; I have no instruments other than my guitar and I’d like to include some small percussion instruments; and I’ve got more teachers at the school asking me to have a therapy group with their classes.

Regardless of these challenges, the joy of being a therapist with those kiddos is definitely the highlight of my week!

8 September 2010 for a Coursesites training at the library