10-12-01

Well, I have been trying to update this for a while now but haven't had much luck. The internet here is unpredictable at best! I had hoped to get the internet in my apartment, but unfortunately there is a problem with my laptop and I have been unable to dial-up. It's frustrating to think I lugged it all the way here and now won't benefit from it. It also means that I won't be able to put pictures on the webpage like I had wanted. Oh well. I'll try to figure something out I guess.

School is going well, it seems to be flying quickly by. I'm shocked at how much my students understand me. They're absolutely great kids. I'm working on translating some info about Halloween for them, it's about time someone introduced that holiday to this country!! I can't wait to see how my kids react to some of the strange traditions of this holiday.

I found out on Sunday night that the attack on Afghanistan had begun, and as bad as it might sound, it feels unreal. It hasn't affected me here, and therefore makes it feels like some bad movie plot. I've spent many hours upstairs in Dimitrina's apartment watching the news, and on Tuesday night we watched a documentary about the TT attacks. There was one Bulgarian killed, and 4 who survived. They all gave their explanation of what they saw and felt. It was interesting to see it. The ninth class, Dimitrina's, has decided to add this topic to their year's curriculum, and I have been asked to step in as a guest speaker. I feel honored that people ask me my opinion, and continually question about my familys' safety. People here are wonderful. I can't say it enough.

You may all be wondering what the title of this journal means. Earlier this week I was having a very bad day and was walking home from school lost in thought. I had been travelling a route that was new, and when I looked up, I couldn't figure out where I was. For a moment I thought I had taken a wrong turn somewhere and was now lost. I started to get angry at myself for not paying attention, when I realized I was on the right street, but I was walking on the opposite side of the road. For some reason, everything looked incredibly different from that side. As I started to look for the differences I was amazed, and somehow cheered up. The horrid orange building that I pass everyday somehow looked even more orange. I didn't think it was possible. I noticed that the street wasn't as broken up on this side, and therefore I didn't trip as often, wondering just how long it would take me to break my leg here. And the little kids that usually watch me from across the street and whisper to themselves, actually had the courage to stop me and practice the few words in english that they knew. And they got a big laugh when they heard me practice my bulgarian!

There's no moral to this story, but it affected me in a way that I thought I would share it. Maybe there is a better outlook right under our noses, but we are so set in a routine that we can't make even the slightest change. I encourage everyone to break away from the routine, and take a walk on the other side of the road. Sometimes that's all you need to do to get a little different perspective on things.

I guess that's all for now. I don't have much else to tell you that I haven't already. I love you and miss you all. Take care

Love, Sarah

p.s. I have recently been asked for ideas to fill up all those packages you generously want to send to me. Other than the usual american food ideas, I am desperately going to need long underwear (tops and bottoms) for the winter. I hate to say it but it's already getting cold, and I'm being told by everyone that it just gets colder! I could use a couple of scarves, one or two good kitchen knives (although I don't know how you'd ship it right now), some of those bubble envelopes (sml and lrg) so I can send home more CD's with pictures, maybe a Dave Matthews Band CD or the Great Expectations Soundtrack. And, you can never go wrong with books, magazines, newspapers from home, anything that is written in english! I'm going through about a book a day right now, and my supply is dwindling!! That's all I can think of. Love you all!!