IST

IST is one of 3 mandatory trainings after swearing in.  It typically happens after volunteers have been at their site for around 7-8 months.  I remember hearing about it during PST and thinking to myself how far away that sounded but man does time fly. 

Last week my group descended on Durres for 3 days of technical training and PC policy reminders.  I think we were all in need of some time away from site and a few nights at a hotel with hot water and heaters.  Here are some pictures of the conference taken by my amazing friend Joyce, the TEFL volunteer in Delvine. (check out her blog here.)

THE BEACH!!!!

A nice dinner with awesome company.

All of the TEFL volunteers drew a picture that represented their experience so far.

This is Genti.  He is basically our Albanian super hero.

After IST a few of us went to Tirana and had lunch at the Steven's
Center.  It is a cafe started by missionaries and the only place in Albania
where you can find american favorites.  After 10 months a
BLT never tasted better!

So now that we've completed IST we're officially on our way to the half way point.  G16 has already received their invites and their starting to ask questions.  It is really weird to think that we're about to be the 'big kids' in PC Albania but IST really put into perspective how much we've all learned and changed.  So congrats G15.  We made it this far!!

It is everybody's duty to give the world a reason to dance.

It is tough staying motivated during the Peace Corps.  We have the privilege of dedicating two years of our lives trying to affect change whose effects won't be felt until we are long gone.  Between that and the winter gloom thats settled over Eastern Europe, it is time for some encouragement.  Thank you Kid President for helping this PCV get pumped to start the week!

So my question for you is...What will be your Space Jam?

Teachers Holiday Party

If there is one thing that stands out to me so far about Albania, it is how much Albanians love to celebrate.  Many of their celebrations take on the same elements (lots of food, circle dancing, poetry, songs, raki) but they are always a good time.  I don't know what it is but celebrations here really seem get to the heart of the Albanian spirit.  It is a mix of hospitality, a love for music, creativity, tradition and above all being surrounded by those you're close with.  I never feel more a part of my community than when I'm at a celebration.

So with that little rant out of the way...I bring you the Teachers Holiday Party!  On the last day of school, we ended early and all took over the lokal next to the school.  Here is what went down.

Like all good parties, it started with some circle dancing.

And then continued with a lot of food and Santa hats for EVERYONE!!!

Which were of course hilarious on the Professors.

Then we voted for the Teacher of 2012.

And danced some more.

And ate some more.

He found a heart in the bone in his meat.  That must be a good
luck sign for the New Year!

Then we played Guess Your College with pictures of different
teachers when they were babies.

The highlight of the whole party (if you ask me) was a New Years poem performed by yours truly.  Unfortunately nobody managed to snap a picture but here it is:

Nje vit i ri oh zot sa kenaqesi, nje kapitull i jetes po vazhdon, nje vit i ri po na fton, nje zemer troket, nje telefon cingeron. Urime Vit i Ri 2013!

A new year oh god how fun, a chapter of life continues, a new year invites us, a heart beats, a telephone rings.  Happy New Year 2013!

So happy New Years everyone!  Gezuar!

Pushim

I'm pretty sure that only my Mom reads this blog at this point but on the off chance that somebody else stumbles upon this...I apologize for the lack of updates.  We are currently on pushim (break) and I'm trying to enjoy it as much as possible.  But I promise that once the New Year is over I will update you on tantalizing topics such as holiday traditions in Albania, the teachers' New Years party and how to stay warm in Albania.

Until then, here is an amazing article on the 10 reasons 2013 is the perfect year to visit Albania:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leyla-giray/albania-tourism-2013_b_2352931.html

Happy New Year!!!

Merry Christmas!

Sending you some holiday cheer from Albania!

100 Years! Part 2

With all the celebrations on Monday and Tuesday I was a little worried that Independence Day would just feel like more of the same but those fears quickly disappeared when I woke up to the lokal near my house blasting Xhamadani at 7 AM.  I got up and looked out my window and all anger that I felt at being so rudely awoken on a holiday disappeared as I saw people streaming into town from the villages.  Today was going to be a crazy day!  Throughout the day I had a few coffees with friends and teachers to celebrate but here is a rundown of the official celebrations.

9 AM - Flag Raising

The mayor raising the flag.

November 28th is the day that Ismail Qemali raised the Albanian flag in Vlore.  So naturally each town starts off their celebration with a symbolic raising of the flag.  

Noon - Fair on the Square

I'm still not completely sure what was going on at this time, but there were tables set up with drinks and food and circle dancing in the square.  

Kamber Dermyshi is Gramsh's patriot.  At some point during the day
they put flowers on his statue in the square.
Fun Fact: His Great Grandson is one of my students!

6 PM - Concert

The Independence Day Concert was by far the best concert I've seen here in Gramsh so far.  It had traditional songs, dances, children performing, old men performing, poetry and even one kid who rapped!  The wind started to pick up about half way through and ended up knocking down the backdrop and the rain followed shortly but the show continued and to my surprise, everyone stayed and watched.

You can't see it in the picture but they had ribbons hanging from their
sleeves so they looked like eagles.  Epic.

It all ended in Fireworks!!

If you're interested in seeing what celebrations looked like in other cities, BBC compiled pictures from around Albania.  Gëzuar 100 Vjet Pavarësi Shqiperi!

100 Years! Part 1

This past week, all of Albania has been fest-ing in honor of the 100th anniversary of Albania's independence.  I debated a lot about staying in Gramsh to celebrate or joining other volunteers for the bigger celebrations in Tirana and Vlore.  I ended up staying in Gramsh and I couldn't be happier!  Here is a timeline of the first two days of the celebration.

Monday - Albanian History Competition

On Monday, we started off the day thinking it would be a normal day of school. (Or maybe it was just me who thought it would be a normal day.  That happens a lot.) But during the long break our Director called a meeting for all the teachers and let us know that school would be getting out at noon so that we could have an Albanian history competition.  After school we all walked over to the Pallati i Kultures (literally translated as the Cultural Palace but basically the Community Center) where teams from the 3rd year classes competed.  It was great for me to learn some more about Albanian history but I think I'm still just as confused about it all as I was before!

Teacher Bana served as the MC for the event.

The teams had to answer 3 rounds of questions, with an essay question, a multiple
choice question and a fill in the blank question in each round.

Sylvana (English teacher), Laura (English teach and my amazing counterpart)
and Moza (literature teacher).  These women are my guides to Gramsh and
Albanian culture and would probably kill me if they knew I put this picture online.

Tuesday - 'Shefqet Guzi' Concert and Party

On Monday we were also informed that we wouldn't have classes on Tuesday, instead we would have a concert in the morning and then a party in the afternoon.  All of the teachers and students were decked out in kuq e zi (red and black) and everyone was excited.  The concert included some Albanian songs, poetry, traditional dances and even a skit with Ismail Qemali.  After the concert ended some of the students stayed around and circle danced in the school courtyard.  I wish I could have taken a picture of their faces when I joined in.  I like to think I gained a lot of Albanian street cred that day.

There is no better way to start off your day than with a little circle dancing!

Ismail Qemali himself.

Oh Professor!

Kuq e zi everywhere.

Traditional dancing.  The boy in the center is actually one of the students
in my 9-vjecare English group.

Later all the teachers went to the cafe next to the school and had our own little party which included two history professors sharing their thoughts on Albanian Independence as well as some dancing.  As shocked as the students were to see me dancing like and Albanian, the teachers were even more surprised. 

And last but not least, one of the lokals in town had a party for the students in the afternoon.  I went with my counterpart Laura and two other teachers, Bana and Arba.  It was a lot of fun and also made me realize how far I've come since the beginning of the school year.  At this party I was up dancing with the students and trying to teach them Gangham Style while they tried teaching me how to circle dance without staring at my feet the whole time. 

Our DJs who are also my counterpart's cousin and brother,

Check out Part 2 to see what happened on Independence Day!