Spring Happenings

While we all predicted the inconsistencies of my blog posting, I can say it truly has been due to a busy schedule and not neglect. So I quickly give you a post about my Spring happenings before my visit to the Curcan/Pulyka/Turkey. That post will eventually come, my friends.

On the last week of school before Spring holiday a new program was initiated in Romania called Scoala Altfel, or another type of school. During this week, teachers prepared programs for the students that exposed them to other types of learning and activities. I went to visit a local middle school one day and we had "American Day" so to speak. I gave a presentation about myself (a topic I am an expert in), we played Jeopardy, some silly games, and roasted marshmallows. During our Jeopardy game I made the mistake of informing them that Justin Bieber was American. He is not. He is Canadian. They can claim him, that's all right by me. Nevertheless, it was so nice to be among students whose enthusiasm for English really gave me some much needed encouragement. Not to mention they went along with all my ridiculous games; I felt very powerful by the end of it. Later, it was back to Bányai Janos High School where we had a tie-dye day!

This one I made especially for
my Assistant Director, Joe.

Then came time for the Easter party at Rózsa Gyerekház complete with petting zoo, cookie baking, and face painting. The sound of little lambs "baaaaa"ing will always be funny to me.

"Whaaaaaaaat are you doooooing, Rabbit?" 

For the actual holiday, a fellow volunteer, Kelly, came to visit me for a couple days. We celebrated Easter Sunday with my counterpart's family. We had a lovely turkey lunch, and as always, delicious cakes.

That night, we went back to my place to decorate some eggs in preparation for the next morning. We used anything we could find in my house to decorate with, rubberbands, sticky putty, wax. I think they turned out pretty neat. I am pretty proud of the special horse egg I made for Péter. Kelly and I went through a little Judy Garland moment and watched Meet Me in St. Louis. I haven't been able to stop singing the "Trolley Song" since then. It is playing now. Which is why I felt the need to share.

Kelly with the fruits of our labor

In my community there is a special tradition on the Monday after Easter. The boys go around to the girls' houses, recite a poem that ends with something along the lines of "may I spray you?," then they spray the girls with perfume in exchange for some decorated eggs. It's a very cute tradition, and Kelly and I in all our unshowered glory got to participate. Some people give the boys money as well, but as Peace Corps volunteers, sorry boys you get hard-boiled eggs.  

As sweet as the tradition is, my high schoolers informed me that they do it a bit differently. They take the girls out into the garden and dump a bucket of water on them. Then the girls give them sweets and pálinka. Doesn't seem fair to me.

A little Easter snow? Why not?

Adorable. 

That night Kelly and I caught a train for our next adventure in Timisoara. I do not recommend the Arad train station between the hours of 2:00 am - 4:00 am, any train station for that matter. I really don't know what I expected.

Side Note: I made it past the year mark! I have been in Romania for over a year now. Hard to believe, I know. It has been a good year. A good year indeed.