My Students

April 1st is a special day in Macedonia. School was canceled and my students gathered in the town center. This day reminded me of Halloween with students wearing costumes and masks. They call this a "Masquerade" in the town center. Some classes organized costumes while other students dressed up as superheroes or princesses. My favorite costumes were the grapes. Being as this is the wine capital of Macedonia, it was fitting that they would be grapes! There was even a parade down the main street! The students take this day very seriously when it comes to pranks and jokes. They look forward all week to wearing their special masks and tricking people into thinking they are someone else.

The 3rd grade grapes 

The Kindergarten class

Recently was the Spelling Bee in Kavadarci. The Spelling Bee was started by the Peace Corps and continues to be the biggest secondary project in Macedonia. The Spelling Bee has been held at Kreaktiv for many years and we continued the tradition this year. However, this was a very special year because we had more students then ever before participate! Most of the students that attended were from my school.  My site mate and I went to the a few schools in the town for promotion and for 3 weeks before the Spelling Bee, I had practice everyday with each grade level. 

David and Michael, my students, were the only 2 from fifth grade that made it to Regionals!

My students were incredibly excited for the big day. Sadly only 8 total students out of 67 will move onto the Regional Bee in Veles on April 18. 6 out of the 8 students that qualified are from my school so that made me very happy. The Spelling Bee is for students in grades 5-12 and there are separate word lists for each grades. The students write the words instead of saying them out loud since this would be very confusing for them. The Macedonian letters have different names and even simply spelling their names in the Latin alphabet can be confusing! The National Spelling Bee will be in Skopje at the American school called Nova on May 9 (the day before the marathon!). I am continuing to practice the words with my students and excited to see if they will move onto Nationals! 

Anxiously listening to the instructions

Signing students in 

I have been busy co-teaching classes at my local school with my counterpart. Last week, my students practiced speaking about their typical school day. The best part of my school day is being hugged by the smiling students as soon as I arrive at school. This week I gave a presentation on Easter in America and my students were appalled after hearing about carrot cake. I tried to convince them of how delicious it is but they weren't having any part of the idea. They absolutely loved the idea of Easter egg hunts though and wanted to have one here. My dream would be to have a school wide Easter egg hunt but I know that's a pipe line dream. They also loved seeing pictures of chocolate bunnies and peeps!

A student writes today's lesson in her notebook.

I ask students in the class about their typical day at school. "What time do you arrive at school?" "Do you eat lunch at school?"

 A student scans the text so that he can answer my question about the lesson.

A student follows along in her book as I read aloud a text about a typical school day for a boy living in Australia 

If I had to sum up my Peace Corps experience over these past 6 months, it would be moments like these that remind me of my purpose here and bring a joy that I have never felt anywhere else

Although Peace Corps has very tough moments, that make you question if you are making a difference or what your purpose is, I just have to look at the joy in my students' eyes and in their smiles as they greet me each day in school. Sometimes we don't realize the impact we have on people from the "normal" things we do each day. At times it can feel like I am gaining more then I am giving but I have to remember that the small things can make a difference in the eyes of someone else. I may never fully understand the impact I have on my students but I am slowly beginning to realize the impact that they are having on my life. 

Deepening Relationships: A Day in Thessaloniki

The 8th of March is a very special day in Macedonia. Around the world, this day is known as "International Women's Day." Here in Macedonia, this day is similar to Mother's Day. Many women get dressed up with new hair styles, fresh manicured nails and fancy dresses. They gather at restaurants to share a nice meal with their friends and colleagues. Their family gives them fresh flowers and cards.

The teachers at my school organized a dinner at a local restaurant. Although only about 14 teachers came, it was a nice day to spend time with teachers that I normally don't interact with. Most of the teachers that came, work in the satellite school in the neighboring village called Sopot. It took an extremely long time for our food to come out, and I was frustrated but being here in Macedonia has taught me to just go with the flow. Although I was the last one (by 30 mins) to receive my food, I still had a great time talking and laughing with the teachers.

This was only the beginning of the festivities. On Monday, many students brought in gifts such as fresh or fake flowers, homemade cards and even deordants. I have enough to last me for the next 4 years. I wonder if my students were trying to indirectly send me a message about smelling nice! (kidding!) It's interesting because in America, we would most likely find this offensive if a student brought us in deordant. I was very touched that the students even thought to bring in something for me. I received many cards that said "Happy Mother's Day." Although I am not a mom, it was a sweet gesture!

Then on Saturday came the most exciting surprise for Women's Day: our school organized a trip to Thessaloniki in Greece for the day. We left early in the morning and spent a few hours in the center of the city. We then went to the mall, which was massive! Reminded me of the King of Prussia mall back home and then afterwards we went to the biggest IKEA store I have ever seen. This was such a different experience compared with when I went to Bulgaria. Thessaloniki is much more "Americanized" complete with Starbucks, Cinnabon, KFC and even Ben and Jerry's. I finally had my ice cream fix! The grocery stores were overwhelming with so many American pleasures. I wanted to buy everything!

6 months later and I finally got ice cream!

Although it was a great experience to visit a new country and indulge in some luxuries that remind me of home, the greatest part of the day was the relationships that blossomed and grew deeper. None of the English teachers went (some sort of protest against the trip, but we won't get into that) so I had to fully immerse by communicating in only Macedonian and go with the flow. Most of the day, I had no idea what the plan was or what we were doing but that's typical Macedonian style! It was a day packed full of surprises. We drank coffee and tea by the sea, at ice cream in the park and saw local hip hop street performers. I saw beautiful orange trees and ate fresh Greek yogurt. We strolled around the local markets and I was even the translator since no one in the shops spoke Macedonian, only English and Greek. Finally the roles were reversed and that was exciting!

An Orthodox Monk and his nuts 

Greek market

I spent the day with 3 of the sweetest teachers named Silvana and 2 teachers named Snezana. We shared many laughs and memories that I am so grateful for. I had recently been brainstorming ways to deepen the relationships with other teachers in the school and this was the perfect opportunity. The other teachers were excited that I was going.

How coffee should be served: with free little desserts 

Aristotle 

Got to see a new sea!

I am coming to value the importance of relationships here and how much more then mean then anything else. In order for me to make progress with new ideas in the schools, I must first gain the trust of the teachers. Slowly these teachers are becoming friends, despite of the age barriers. Friendship knows no age gap or language barrier. I am excited to continue to build and deepen these relationships in the future.

Orange Trees!

KreACTiv

At the Non-Profit Kreactiv, there are European Volunteers or EVS from all over. Here we have 3 from Ireland and one from Estonia as well as some local Macedonians. Can you tell who is who?

Things can get pretty boring living in a town where there isn't much to do except go to cafes and restaurants. Add that to freezing weather and one might go stir crazy. I feel incredibly blessed to have the non-profit organization, Kreactiv, in my town. Kreactiv is a youth organization that offers workshops, cultural nights, English lessons and much more. They focus on ACTing by reaching out to the youth. 

Kreactiv hired Elena (a host country national) at the organization and finally it has 2 workers there now

My fellow site mate, Jasmine, works at this organization. Currently there are 10 other volunteers from Europe. 8 of these volunteers are EVS volunteers which is an organization run through the European Union. There are short term volunteers and long term volunteers.  There are 4 short term volunteers (here for 1 month) from Ireland and all the rest are long term from Estonia, Finland, Portugal, Belgium and Wales. Most of the EVS volunteers at this organization are here for either 9 or 12 months. This seems like short amount of time compared to the length of Peace Corps. Next month, 2 long term EVS volunteers from Ireland will arrive. It's can be hard with new volunteers coming and old ones leaving but it's a really unique experience to learn about so many cultures and make so many friends. The EVS volunteers typically focus on a specific project while here but also help out with various workshops and activities. 

Typically, the EVS volunteers have a workshop that focuses on their home country. This is a chance for everyone to learn about the culture and way of life as well as try some of their traditional food. This past week was Irish night complete with shepherd's pie! 

Kreative recently purchased a plot of land and in the fall, the volunteers spent a lot of time there clearing rocks and stones from the land. Spinach was planted and is beginning to grow! This is a way to teach the youth about sustainability. It is an organic farm and they hope to plant more vegetables in the spring. It is very relatable for the Macedonians because most people in Macedonian have small farms in their yards or in their village homes. Agriculture is a very big part of the economy here. Thankfully the agriculture in my site revolves around grapes. Kavadarci is the wine country of Macedonia where grape vines and vineyards are everywhere you look!

It's always a fun time at Kreactiv 

I have become very involved with this organization. It gives me something to do in my free time and I get to make new friends from all over the world, speak ENGLISH, learn about new cultures and be around people my age. It has been a challenge to make Macedonian friends that are my age. 

2 weeks ago, Jasmine and I had an intercultural night that followed the theme of Black History Month. We focused on change so that the youth could relate and be inspired that they can make a change in their country. 

 At the cultural night, inspired my Marthin Luther King Jr. we had them write their dreams and share them 

Jasmine and I with our dreams 

We also had them trace their foot and write on their foot, write one way how they can change the world no matter how big or small

One of the PCV from the nearby town, Negotino, came to celebrate Intercultural Night at Kreactiv

 Last month, this was the Christmas celebration in Kreactiv

I look forward to the many fun things Kreactiv has planned as well as teaching the youth, along with Jasmine, more about the American culture and history. 

Cooking Adventures in the kitchen!

Welcome to my kitchen complete with homemade everything: salsa, applesauce, fajitas, chili and some soya (aka meat substitute) 

When I signed up for Peace Corps, I had no idea what the food situation would be like. Considering the fact that I had no idea where Macedonia was when I first got my invite, of course I had no idea what Balkan food would entail. Upon arriving, I have tried many new foods. Many without my wanting but being a guest, I need to be polite. This culture takes great passion in their cooking and can become offended if you don't at least try one bite.

Although I live with a host family, I have opted to make my own food instead of eating their food. I can't can't seem to adjust to the salty and oily food. Plus being a vegetarian really complicates things!


Macedonian food has been a hard adjustment for me but I feel so incredibly blessed to have my own kitchen. I have made many disastrous dishes and have learned so much from cooking. Some examples: boil your potatoes before you add them to soup (or you have a starchy brothless soup), if your pizza dough is sticky before baking, baking it without adding extra flour will make it stick to the pan despite of adding olive oil and make sure to figure out how much water you need for bullion cubes or you will have an extremely salty soup. These are only a few of the many things I have learned.

There have been some great successes in the kitchen. I have learned how to make my own vegetable stock, homemade applesauce, chili, baked beans, cauliflower rice and homemade dough. One thing that I am extremely proud of is learning what to substitute in a recipe because of the limited food variety here. It is a challenge, especially when it comes to spices or not having a blender/food processor but I am learning to manage!

I am very lucky that my fellow site mate Jasmine loves to cook and bake so about every 2 weeks we get together and make something delicious!

Here are some pictures of my creations:

Ricotta and Spinach Tortellini with a mushroom sauce mixed with fresh spinach and mushrooms and steamed broccoli on the side

Yummmm: homemade applesauce 

Fajitas!! 

I made the traditional Macedonian baked bean dish called Tavce Gravce

good old guacamole

American pancakes with baked cinnamon apples (had to find an alternative to put on my pancakes because of no syrup)

Egg muffins for a quick breakfast on the go!

Another great breakfast item: apple cinnamon baked oatmeal 

Banana bread

Applesauce oatmeal raisin cookies, I consider them healthy

Jasmine and I made cinnamon buns, we made them pretty thin accidentally but that just meant we had to eat more to equal one

My attempt at making falafel, was very crumbly but delicious! 

Veggie pizza with homemade whole wheat dough, soya (a meat substitute like tofu), peppers, onions and homemade tomato sauce. Tasted more delicious then it looks

Veggie soup 

Who doesn't love eggplant pizza and roasted brussel sprouts? 

Jasmine and I made cinnamon sugar pretzels with a cream cheese sauce for dipping

And last but not least, we made s'mores together inside in the fireplace! Although we didn't have graham crackers, we made do with biscuits 

And on my few trips to the capital, Skopje, I have found some satisfying international food. Although it's not the same as home, it's so nice to have different flavors.

Fajitas at the Mexican restaurant 

Falafel at the Arabian Syrian restaurant 

I have only had my own kitchen for 2 months and am excited to continue experimenting and creating new dishes. Feel free to offer any suggestions or simple delicious recipes that I can make.