December 2011
13 posts
“Work for something because it is good, not just because it stands a chance to...”
– Vaclav Havel
My hero, source of inspiration, and secret love... →
Every since my study abroad experience in Prague, I have been enamored with last president of Czechoslovakia, first president of Czech Republic, playwright, dissident, and toppler of communism Vaclav Havel. The man is a true inspiration - an artist without political background who managed to change the course of history of his country and lead it into a new era. I’ll never forget the day I...
WatchOne of the pieces on the news about Cristi. His burial was on Wednesday. It followed the Baptist tradition, as his mother is a Baptist, but was still without a priest because it was a suicide. But like another volunteer said, yes, it’s upsetting, but it doesn’t determine the true course of Cristi’s soul.
There was a day and a half long mort, or wake, at his house. ...
Cristi.
I’ve dealt with loss in my life. Perhaps a lot more than most people of 22 years. I’ve probably been to more wakes than many will go to in their entire lives.
But nothing prepares you for the news I received yesterday.
One of my 4th form students killed himself.
A ten year old. Cristi. He took a telephone cord and he hung himself.
Ten years old.
Over twenty-four hours later...
Rewriting the Meaning of Success →
Brittany Hill, PCV Moldova 11-13, 365 Days of Peace and Friendship
And just after writing that last post, I came upon this. Here is a great entry for our Peace Corps Moldova blog by a fellow volunteer of mine.
The 'What's next?' mentality.
After my recent post on my homesickness for America, my brother reached out to me and told me that there isn’t really much to miss. In the midst of some other great things he said, he brought up something he coined the ‘what’s next’ mentality, saying that Americans are often too focused on what is next and often lose the present moment.
While Brian lauded me on my ability...
The Lesson of My Life →
Paul Theroux, PCV Malawi 63-65, Conde Nast Traveler
‘Whenever someone asks me what I think he should do with his life, I always say, First, leave home. Get out there, where if you care to listen, you will find many other people dreaming of making connections and changing the world, just like you. The only mistake is in thinking that you will make an important difference in the lives of...
'My Favorite Thing About Moldova' →
Lame title, I know, but I was never one for titles. Anyway, here is a blog post I wrote for the Peace Corps Moldova about my host family.
WatchI just came across this gem, from my first days in Taraclia getting pulled into to dance a simplified hora. I believe this was for Limba Noastra back in August, or the day dedicated to Romanian and no longer Russian being the national language.
Nostalgia.
Today’s one of those weird days when anything and everything makes me nostalgic.
Waking up early to the sunlight through my window and snuggling up with a good book made me think of how when I was young I did this every day in the summer and on weekends.
The smell of sharpies as I worked on lesson plans today brought me back to doing school projects with my dad.
My workout video this...