I'm Back! And Having the Time of My Life!

I know, I know... For the past month, things have been going CRAZY. That's why I haven't been writing. But I feel more settled and in a routine so tonight I decided to fill y'all in on what has been happening. To play catch up, I am going to do some highlights from the past month.

- I am out of the hotel! As much as I loved being around my cohort, I was ready to settle into my own space. Site Reveal was an AMAZING day that I will never forget. They gave us a letter (which was taped under our chair the whole time) and inside gave us our sites and whither or not we made it into the Dual Language Program (learning both Macedonian and Albanian). Drumroll please...... My site is Chair here in Skopje! And I made it into the Dual Language Program! Chair is an Albanian community that I fall in love with more and more each day. I plan on doing a separate post just on Chair and my community.

- I met my counterpart (who I am co-teaching with) and she happens to be my resource mom as well! She makes me feel so loved and helps me with everything. I see her a lot and Love the family. I have two host sisters who are so sweet and I love to hang out with them. I truly feel like I am apart of the family.

- I have my own studio apartment! The location is perfect. I am within walking distance from everything! I worked hard these last couple of weeks to make my apartment feel like my own. My neighbors are sweet and the girls at the local grocery store (Kipper) has started to recognize me. I feel like my circle is getting bigger. Chair is starting to feel like home.

- 7 weeks of PST (Pre-Service Training) is almost DONE and that means the Swearing In Ceremony is SO CLOSE!!!! PST is only 10 weeks. Holy moly, did these last 7 weeks FLY by. With 4.5 hours of language class (Monday/Tuesday Albanian and Wednesday/Thursday Macedonian), training sessions and more meetings, I spend most of my time on the computer, but during lunch or in the evening I love to go for a walk around the neighborhood, get a burek (бурек), and see some friends.

- I FINALLY made it into the classroom! Last Thursday, I had my "First Day of School"! (This is called Practicum and it is apart of my final evaluation to "graduate" from a trainee to a full blown volunteer) I had the opportunity to go into my counterparts classroom and observe not only her teaching, but also two other English teachers in my department that I will be working with. I was introduced to the director of the school and had coffee with her. Even though she spoke Albanian, we still got to know each other through my broken Albanian and her limited English. Then I was introduced to the amazing teachers, and now my colleagues, in the teacher lounge for another coffee. (Disclaimer: coffee is a HUGE part of Macedonian culture and I am not gonna lie, I love it.) After a whirlwind of a day full of introductions and meeting my fabulous students, my counterpart/host mom took me out for lunch. I will be working with 6th-9th grade students. (I know... A big jump from 2nd grade but I am totally up for the challenge) This was probably my favorite day in country so far. I feel so loved in my community and school!

- I have Practicum Part 2 this week. I will be co-teaching 5-6 classes this Thursday and Friday. I am so excited for more days to build on these relationships. This school is such an amazing fit for me and I think I can do some amazing things these next two years. Practicum Part 3 (the final) is next week and that is where I will be solo teaching and being observed by my managers in Peace Corps. SWEARING IN IS SO CLOSE!!!!! I can't wait for December 7th!!!! More info about that later....

Okay, those are the big highlights from the past month. I know, I know... I promise I will be better about posting. But so far? No regrets and all smiles here in Macedonia! :) Here are some pictures from this month!