Highlights from the Summer

Here are some highlights from the summer! Pictures are posted at the bottom. Enjoy! :)

• I finished teaching my classes of 9th graders and went to their "half prom" to celebrate them moving on to high school. Who would have thought that I would be a pretty okayish middle school teacher??? I will never forget this class of 9th graders. They made me feel so welcome at the school and let me make so many mistakes to learn from.

• I thought Florida was hot in the summer but nooo. Summer here is sweltering! I will never take for granted AC again. Two summer essentials here: a mini fan that is blowing on your face constantly and a fly swatter.

• Surprised my family for a quick 10 day trip back home to FL for my brothers' wedding. It was so nice to see friends and family again after being away for almost a year. Definitely helped me recharge my batteries for the final year of service.

• Got back to Macedonia (with lost luggage but thats okay) and went straight to work helping an English Day Camp in Kavadarci! We studied a new country every day with crafts, music and dancing. The final day was a water day with watermelon! The week long camp was so fulfilling and just what I needed to start my summer off right here.

• Tried my hand at gardening and realized I definitely have a black thumb... RIP my basil and rosemary... you will be missed. I didn't know someone could kill 4 different cactuses and succulents but I guess I can? Gardening in an apartment is hard.

• Spent some time down in Struga at my host families village house. Played in the garden, fed the chickens, and lounged on the beach by Lake Ohrid. Having baklava and coffee every morning while we enjoyed the sun on the back porch was perfect! Next summer, I will not forget my sunscreen though. That sunburn was awful.

• Spent a lot of time with friends just enjoying the summer break! It was a needed break after PST and going straight to work in the classroom.

I have so many things I am looking forward to as we transition into fall and start the 2023-2024 school year! Has it really been a year since I arrived? Time flies when you're doing the hardest job you'll ever love! :)