And So It Begins!

Whew---sorry it has been so long since my last post. The past week has been a whirlwind of preparing for school, then going to the town of Ineu for a PCV weekend with those on the West side, and then the first day of school today! I'll sum it up from the beginning...

The few weeks before school were spent with Vali in the teacher's lounge meeting with the other professors, director and vice director. We got to know each other over coffee and salata de vinete. They told me which classes to look out for and which students might give me some trouble, and I told them that I would be starting English classes for the teachers which they are really excited about.

This past weekend I spent time in Ineu with 11 other volunteers from the West. We spent time checking out Justin's town, his school, and spent a fabulous time in the country with a good ol Romanian bbq.

One of the highlights of the weekend was investigating an abandoned orphanage next to Justin's school. It was in use until 1998 and walking through it you would think it was 1889...it is in horrible shape but still so beautiful. You can imagine the condition it was in when they finally shut it down years ago.






It was great to see everyone and relax a bit before school started. The older (more experienced!) volunteers gave us advice (start off stern and strict!) and assured us that we would be alright. We planned our next weekend together for Halloween-80's prom theme! Good thing the thrift stores here are stocked with horribly awesome dresses with my name on it.

Shoutout to Clela, Breanna, Elizabeth, Brittany, Katie, Shaneka, Justin, Connie, Mat, and Marissa and Tom...what a great weekend together. Thank you for being my family on the Westside! Here's to prom night 2010. Haha.

More to come later on the first day of school...