| Saturday, 17 Aug. 2002 Updates |
| Ok, I know I haven't written in a long time, but I have a great excuse-I was at home with my family! It was the greatest experience, and I'm so glad I was able to see them. I took some vacation time and flew to Arizona once I was medically cleared by the staff in Wash DC. I spent about 10 days with my family, and had so much fun that I didn't have time to update this page. My nieces have grown so big I could bearly recognize them! And my sister, who I didn't think I would get to see, flew down from Colorado to surprise me! All in all, it was a much needed, well deserved trip. I got back to Bulgaria at the end of July, and first things first, I had to go open up a bank account. I had, literally, about 5 leva on me, and that wasn't going to cut it! Unfortunately, the way things work here, it was going to take about 10 business days to get my bank card, and I couldn't receive my living allowance in cash (as I learned back in June...like it's my fault they couldn't get me to my site and that 4 months later I've still yet to move to a permanent place where I can unpack my things). BUt I'm not bitter, right?!? :) After Sofia, Jake and I travelled down to Panagyurishte for a day, since I'm on VAC I had to go talk to the new trainees about the committee because elections are coming up. It was fun to spend some time with the new guys, and I'm happy to report that I will have a bunch of new neighbors, and they all seem pretty cool. I'm sure there will be some good get-togethers this coming year. I also got to go back for the Thrusday night disco! I can't believe how much I missed it, although I definately don't miss training in general. But the disco was fun, and the B-11's that were there requested some of the favorite songs from last summer and had a great time reliving all the fun we had. After Pana-g, Jake, Tyler, Anna and I travelled to Anna's town, Velingrad, which is about 2 hours south of Sofia. It's a resort town, full of mineral baths, and was absolutely beautiful. It was sort of a last hurrah, because Anna is a B-10 and she is COSing. She actually left today. She's a great girl, and has been a good friend. They are kind of the other couple that Jake and I hang out with, and the 2 of them together are a riot. We always have a good time. That Saturday we went to the outdoor pool and while we were there hanging out, Little Dave walked over to us. Nobody knew he was coming, and he just sort of showed up. But then again, he's strange like that. We were planning a big mexican feast that night (big surprise!!) and while shopping for the food, Anna ran into Nathan, who lives in a nearby town. Nathan had biked over to do a little shopping, and we talked him into staying for dinner. It was great, we had a wonderful time eating mexican, and stayed up pretty late playing cards and talking. After Velingrad, it was time to head back to Shumen...Unfortunately my time in the States did nothing for me here. Nothing that was supposed to have been worked out was, I still have no hot water, no stove and the British guy living in my permanent apartment was still there. I actually still have not moved into my apartment, although I'm hoping to on Monday. Let's just say I'm not holding my breath. I'd be very surprised if things actually go as they are planned right now. I am happy to report that I finally got my bank card, and I'm slowly working on paying Jake back all the leva I've had to borrow. Right now I'm in Sofia, I had my mid-service exam yesterday, and Jake has two friends flying in for a visit. They were supposed to arrive this afternoon, but there was something going on with the flight from Chicago, and they were rerouted. We're hoping they get in tonight without any more problems. Tomorrow I head back to Shumen to do some more last minute packing, and hopefully move on Monday bright and early. Nathan will be coming for a visit, and unfortunately we'll have to stay in the no hot water, no stove apartment for a night before being allowed in my real apartment (which I STILL haven't even seen!!). But, mid-week I'm heading down to Burgas to meet up with Jake and his friends so we can travel on down to Istabul! I can't wait to get there. It should be a bunch of fun and I'm really looking forward to it. I'll try and get pictures up as soon as I get back, and I'll let you all know how the trip went. -Sarah |