This past month the weather has turned...coldish, it is rainy and cloudy and without heat that means cold depending on weather you get any sun that day or have a room that just stays warm in general. For example in my host-family's house the kitchen is the warmest room in the house and I try to stay in the kitchen for almost all of my activities now. But for the most part I am dressed in several layers of clothes and have only been wearing boots (though very fashionable, Moldovan boots) for the past month. At least it feels like it has been for the past month. Every week we have a little less daylight but I think we are still hovering around 11 or 10 hours because when I get up at around 7am it is getting light and it is light well past 4pm. I am terribly spoiled. There were a lot of volunteers from the group before me who said that we would be getting sun in the winter from around 8am to around 4 pm in the afternoon. I am totally happy with this. :) It is way better than the expected 10am to 3pm sun schedule of all of my previous winters in AK. I just wish that more buildings were heating. I have hope for November, there was some mention (possible just a rumor to get my hopes up) that they start heating the schools in November. I can only wish for such an event. In any case this weekend I plan on buying some plastic and covering the windows in the main classroom I teach in and my window in my bedroom. Maybe that will cut down on the chill seeping into the rooms.
October has passed by so quickly!! I have been having a little semi-break because most of my classes are being taught by student teachers doing their practicum for the university here in town. It is interesting to see how they deal with the same issue that my partner and I have dealt with and give suggestions about what they can change, what I liked, what was missing from the lesson. I'm not sure they all appreciate what I have to say but I can hope to have a small role in their future teaching. I like to think that I give good advice, at least.
The pumpkins are starting to be ready to eat!! I am the most excited about this. My family said that they only make pumpkin pastries or placinta with the pumpkin. When this conversation comes up between us I automatically wax on and on and on about all the other equally delicious things that can be done with pumpkin. Yummmmmm. I can't wait to have the time to actually make some of them: pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin soup, pumpkin casserole, baked pumpkin.... the list goes on. I have been imagining all these delicious treats for weeks now in anticipation of when the pumpkins in our garden would be ripe. We also have a ton of other types of squash but I think those get fed to the chickens or something insane like that!! I am going to have to ask. Because once the second fasting season comes on my host babushka won't be able to eat anything made with animal products and squash is a really good source of vitamins, minerals, just good stuff in general. It would be a good addition to the beans and potatoes that people tell me make up their winter diet. I have to mention just quickly too that it is apple season and I have had fresh cider several times already, sweet tarty goodness.
As a teacher I am lucky to get a fall break, the fall equivilant of spring break, which I am so wonderfully lucky to be spending doing PC training. I just want to veg but I guess that will have to wait until Christmas. Sigh. It should be really good training I just want some time off thats all.
I have had some recent requests for a list of things I need here. If you are looking to send me something I could use the following:
Construction Paper
crayons, markers, colored pencils, pastels, water color paints (anything art related, I make all of my own materials for class)
stickers -just the regular old stars, smiley faces, that sort of thing
Recipes-I would love any recipes that people would like to send me I plan on sharing them with my host family, and possibly starting a cooking club in the future
Thats about it at the moment, boxes can be sent to :
Peace Corps c/o Carolyn Mousseau
12 Grigore Ureche Str., Chisinau 2001
Republic of Moldova
Oh, I almost forgot (silly me) that this coming year is the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps. I am going to involved in the planning and execution of a huge celebration here in Moldova. I will post more about it as we get more finalized but I just thought I would let everyone know. If you see events or anything related to this I suggest you attend. It will contain 50 years worth of information, pictures, hopes and dreams, success stories and more. If you were ever interested in the history of the Peace Corps I am sure there will be events all over the place talking about it in the next coming year. Official start March 1, 2011.
