Highlights from the Fall

Here are a few highlights from the fall! Pictures will be at the bottom of the post. :)

• I was fortunate to apply and be selected for the position of co-trainer for the new group of volunteers coming to Macedonia! I went through training for a few weeks and then on September 11th, the new group arrived! Along side other volunteers and our program managers, we facilitated HUB days and other training for the new volunteers for 11 weeks.

• My class started 9th grade! This year, my counterpart and I are teaching 9th grade and 6th grade. I feel really confident teaching my 9th graders because I know their skill level and the curriculum, but I am nervous for the 6th graders. It's a whole new ball game with them, but I am definitely up for the challenge!

• MY MOM CAME TO VISIT!!!! I am not going to lie, this was the top highlight of the fall for me. She came and spent a little over 2 weeks with me. Having her her and showing her the life I have built over her was incredible. I was nice to show her places she's only seen in videos or pictures. Another major perk of having her here? 2 weeks of no cooking for me! I will never take for granted homemade meals again. She made chicken parm, curry, pasta, etc and I was in heaven. Thanks mom for being brave enough to use my oven for the first time!

• I feel like my love of food here has just skyrocketed. I have new favorites that I am obsessed with and I feel like it just keeps getting better and better. During the summer, I ate some of the best peaches but during the fall it's plum season. Oh! And the pomegranates? How am I suppose to go back to the US when I live next to the bazaar and can eat some of the freshest and best fruits and veg in the country...

• Thanksgiving this year was amazing! A bunch of volunteers went to Tetovo and celebrated together with a potluck. I brought sugar glazed carrots for the second year in a row and I think I finally found the best recipe.

• English Club started back up! Oh how I missed my kiddos over the summer. Having club twice a week is sometimes the highlight of my week. They are funny, smart and getting so good at English. I am so proud of all their hard work!

The fall went by so fast! As much as I loved summer, it was nice to have the weather cool off and have celebrations with friends and family. Enjoy these photos! :)