Kate in Bulgaria

Experiences as a Peace Corps Volunteer and some adventures on the side

7 days and counting. OH MY GOD! My Bulgarian is coming along slowly. I have the alphabet down, so I can read the language, but it takes me a full minute to sound out some of the words. Oh dear. I think I know just enough not to get myself into trouble, and the most important phras   "Govorite li  Engleeski?" Do you speak English? We will see how far that gets me.

Now for those of you who know of my fascination for the justice system, you will be exstatic to hear that I finally got a jury summons. Imagine my excitement yet immediate sorrow when I realized it was for a month after I leave for Bulgaria. I finally get called to do my civic duty, and I can't do it. Talk about a cruel twist of fate. So, I had to go down to the court house, and sit in the court room while the judge was in the middle of a trial. She was the only one who could excuse me from service. She actually suspended proccedings so that she could call ME up to the front to speak to her. Talk about being nervous, I hadn't done anything wrong, yet I was shakin in my collective boots. So, now my jury summons has been deferred to December 2006.

Went for my last denist appointment today, don't you just love newly dentist cleaned teeth. I worry about that, not having any dental care for upwards of 2.5 years, guess i'm going to have to do some major flossing. My going away party is Saturday night. Pretty excited about that, although a lot more people are coming than originally thought, so we had to move the location. All the better though, the mosquitos and the noseeums have been in attack mode because of all of the rain.

The packing process began last night, talk about scary. All I can say is thank goodness for care packages. I have so much stuff I want to bring but can't possibly fit in my two alloted bags. I'm actually considering wearing my 5lb heavy as heck wool pea coat to Philadelphia so that i won't have to waste prime packing space. Wouldn't be so bad if it weren't 90 degrees outside.

Well anyways, I'm sure i'll be writing in this a bit more frecuently now as the big day approaches. Hope all those that are reading are having a wonderful summer and I'm sure I'll be talkin to y'all soon.

posted by: ksension at July 30, 2004 01:14 | link | comments |

Well, its official now, I am nervous. It is finally hitting me that I am REALLY going to miss my family and friends. As i've been visiting some of them, and I realize I won't see them again for nearly two and a half years, its almost enough to make me want to cry. But for as sad as I am abou that, the fact that I leave in 13 days makes me giddy. It is happening, I am moving overseas. I've only been talking about doing this since college. Those that know me must have thought that this was just another grand idea of mine, nothing to take to seriously. But here I go, ready or not.

Been visiting with my Aunt and her family this week. Its been nice to just relax and enjoy the time. Headed home on Tuesday, Rachie will be there from CA. She will be here until after I leave, then back to CA she goes, poor Mamma. So much packing left to do. I have no idea why I have waited to do it all until the last minute. I suppose it is the procrastinator in me. At least I won't have time to doubt myself about this whole thing.

Well, the sun calls to me, so I am off. Hope everyone enjoys their week.

posted by: ksension at July 26, 2004 22:49 | link | comments |

Well, in 21 days I will be leaving for the unknown. Its finally starting to feel real, about time. Been making my rounds this last week saying goodbye. California is great, everyone should go see Monterey if they get a chance. I'm in Seattle now, another great city. Oh if only NC summers were as nice as it is on the West Coast.

I still have so much packing to do when I get home in two weeks. I used this trip to practice packing lightly. Who would have known that it is actually possible?

Finally got my staging info in the mail. Got my flight reservation leaving from New Bern on the 6th. Then we will leave JFK on the 8th arrive in Paris and then on to Sophia for what I hope will be the begining of an awsome time. Mama still thinks some "divine intervention" will change my mind about going. Hate to disappoint her, but i'll let her continue with her little fantasy until I step on the plane. Well, Seattle calls and the natives are getting restless so I am off.

Until later

posted by: ksension at July 16, 2004 18:16 | link | comments |

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