ქრისტინა

I just got the cutest gift from my host family! It's a coffee cup that is monogramed with my name on it! :)

My cup! I know you can't see all the letters of my name in the picture.  But they're all there!

For those of you who are thinking, "Why is she so excited about a monogramed coffee cup?" ... I have two things to say to you:

1. Bite me. Hehe

2. You probably have a really common name.  So when you find monogramed items your name is probably always there. Of course you're not going to think it's that exciting!

Despite the fact that it's a gift from my fabulous host family, it's the Georgian spelling/alphabet of my name! In the US, I can never find the correct spelling of my name (full or nick): Kristine or Krissi.  I guess Kristine is a very uncommon spelling.  One time I did see an "Adriana" and not "Kristine".  What's up with that?! Furthermore, there seems to be some controversy surrounding my nickname.  I changed the spelling of it in high school.  I would rather have the "i" than the "y".  Personally, I think it looks better. My family and some friends feel otherwise.  They still spell it with a "y".  Silly people!

Anywho! I will love this cup forever! It's a great reminder of my time here. Plus, now I can never forget how to spell my name the Georgian way.

Kristina = ქრისტინა

The Last Big Hurrah at Chuck's :)

Friday night was the last big hurrah party of our little Batumi Community at Chuck's House.  These little shindigs have been occurring almost every weekend at Chuck's place.  Sadly, all of our time together is slowly coming to an end.  Some of us are leaving in a week or two.  Some of us are leaving to travel a bit more before returning home, wherever those homes might be.  But then some of will be returning to Georgia in the Fall.  I'm included in the second group.

Anyway! Before Kas and I headed to the shindig, we took a little stroll on the Boulevard.  We were walking merrily along when we heard some wonderful Georgian music.  It was coming from a parked car under a grove of trees and there were four Georgian men dancing their little hearts out.  It was hilarious to watch.  Just a regular Friday afternoon in Batumi.  After the dancing ended, we relaxed a little bit longer on our bench... Until we saw some big thunder clouds rolling through.  We quickly packed up our bags and made a run for it to Chuck's place.  We were about a 45 minute walk away.  10 minutes passed and a torrential downpour.  After the last time when I got stuck in the rain without an umbrella, I made sure that I had mine on this day! Go me!  Kas, however, was lacking in the umbrella department.  During her stay in Georgia (From Sept 2011 to the present), she has gone through 4 or 5 umbrellas.  Oh Georgia!  So, we're in the downpour, trying to press on, but we had to duck in between these 2 buildings to wait out the "storm."  In total it only lasted 5 minutes max.  Post downpour, the Boulevard had cleared out.  We had the whole place to ourself!

Stolling down the Boulevard...  Arrival of Chuck's! The party was already underway! :)

I already said that I've been to several soirees at Chuck's and this one was the biggest! At one point in the one bedroom apt, there was about 20 people.  Now that doesn't seem like a lot to all the hardcore party people out there, but it really took me back to those college days ... Such a long time ago *ahem one year ago. ahem*  Anywho!

20 people. Americans. Georgians. Canadians. A Georgian Kitten.  There was a variety of beverages being passed around.  A plethora of snacks (we went through at least 8 bags of chips. slightly hilarious.)

Simply, a marvelous time!

The evening soiree transformed into a giant sleepover!  Not all 20 people stayed over night, thank goodness!  Only 12 of us. ONLY.  Two on the kitchen floor.  Two in the bedroom.  Four in the living room.  Four in the alcove.  I shared my mattress with Jordan in the living room.  She actual tried to overtake my mattress, but I held my ground!

My favorite part of the function was the breakfast the next morning.  It was the closest thing to an American breakfast since I left home.  There was fruit salad, orange juice, omelets, toast, and pancakes!!  I think that is what I have been craving the most.  Did you hear that, Mom?  I want pancakes when I get home! Just kidding, I'll be making them myself. Every day for a week. :)  Pancakes.  The only downside is there is no Aunt Jemima Syrup in Georgia. :(  Maple Syrup in general here is incredibly expensive.  One small bottle of syrup costs 30 GEL, about $20.  Yikes!  Well, Pancakes without syrup is still great in my book!

A special thanks to Chuck for a wonderful send off! :)  Couldn't have asked for a better night.  But I still have plenty of time left for great nights to come.  I'm not saying good-bye to Georgia yet.

Until next time.  Adventure is out there! 

Beware Soy Sauce, Strangers, and Sudden Storms

I've got 3 stories for you all!  Ironically, they all deal with "S" words.  That's just weird. Well, let's get to my latest moments of my time in Georgia

Story 1:  Beware of Soy Sauce.

Yesterday, Kas and I headed off to one of our favorite restaurants here in Batumi, the Chinese-Indian Restaurant.  We mainly stick to the Chinese menu.  I'm pretty sure I've gotten the same thing every time I've gone there.  I don't do well with change when it comes to food.  But frankly, a big plate of Chicken Fried Rice for 6.50 GEL ($4), that's a great deal!  Can't go wrong with that.  Anywho... We each ordered a plate of Chicken Fried Rice and I got some Onion Paratha (it's Indian bread and it's delicious). So we got our food and I look at the table and realize that there is no soy sauce! What?!  A Chinese restaurant and there's no soy sauce on the table.  That's blasphemy!  The waitress is no where in sight.  At this point, Kas and I are the only two people in the place.  This is typical.  When eating at this restaurant, one usually has the entire place to themselves.  I'm super curious how it stays in business.  Another thought for another time.
Since the waitress was MIA, I went to track down the soy sauce myself.  We are pretty well liked and I knew where it was so I didn't think there would be a problem.  I waltzed over grabbed a bottle and got a "okay" nod from the chef.  Success! Or so we thought...  Kas dribbed a little soy sauce on her food first.  I was still munching away on my paratha.  Yum yum.  When I finish my paratha, I grabbed the soy sauce and poured some on my rice.  As I did, a giant, dead FLY came streaming out as well.  I know that we're generally lacking protein over here, but that was not exactly what I had in mind.  Eek!  We just sat there staring at my plate...  Kas had been eating the lovely fly juice for the past 5 minutes or so. Honestly, I thought she was going to run off to the bathroom.  That's how I interpreted her facial expression.  She head herself together well.  We called over the waitress when she was shocked.  She immediately looked over at the cooks.  We told her that it came from the soy sauce (explanation through hand gestures of course).  Apparently in the five years that she's been working there, that has never happened.  Of course not.  She took away the fly juice and made us some more fried rice because  half of it was ruined.  The new rice was bagged up to go.  That was great! Both of us kind of lost our appetites after that.  For our troubles, we got some complimentary green tea.  It was pretty great, except it was super hot out.  There's nothing like hot tea on a hot day.
I'll probably go back there again soon, but I'll think twice about the soy sauce.

Story 2: Beware of Strangers

This story is not so cool.  It was last night, well technically this morning.  I was walking home from hanging out with some friends at Metro.  That's one of spots in Batumi where all the TLGers/Peace Corps people hang out.  For those of you who went to River Falls, you all know the order of bars that the students go to.  Coaches, Ground, and Boomers.  Well it's kind of the same thing here in Batumi.  Iredeli and Vinyl are first and second.  It depends on the night which one is first, but they go hand in hand.  Then the people that want to keep going after those two close then head to Metro.  Besides hanging out with amazing people, I embrace the routine of the bars because it takes me back to those RF days when I got to do the usual.  Oh dear.  I make it sound like that was eons ago, when really it was a year ago.
So I was walking home from Metro. I wasn't actually walking home because I've been cat/house sitting for a friend while he enjoys a lovely vacation in Istanbul.  Just a little side note.  Anyway, most of the time when I walk around late at night, I'm not usually bothered.  This was one of the few times where I was NOT left alone on my nice walk home.  Let's be real, I was pretty much harassed.  I knew that this guy was going to talk to me because of the way that he was following me.  We were going in the same direction but clearly it turned into following.  I knew he would say something because I started on the sidewalk but he came on the side walk.  So I moved into the street, they're doing construction on this road and it's blocked off, it was safe.  After I moved into the street, so did this guy.  So I crossed the median to walk on the other side of the street and so did he.  BUDDY!  Take a hint, I'm trying to get away from you.  He did not get the hint.  Then I hear, "Hello! You are very pretty! Where are you going? So pretty." Throughout all the shouting, I just ignored him, didn't say a word, and subtly tried to adjust my pace and stride so that I could get away from him.  I think he picked up on it because next thing I know he's jogging up behind me to walk next to me.
So I'm alone, still probably 20 minutes from my destination, and now I'm being mistaken as a prostitute.  Awesome.  This guy was persistent.  Question after question after question.  Not answering didn't work.  Answering with "no" didn't work.  "Leave me alone" didn't work.  Nothing.  He tried to offer me some gum at one point, of course I said "no" and seemed upset that I wouldn't take his gum.  Nice gesture, but not falling for it.  All the sudden he skips in front of me, faces me, in turn making me stop, and he drops down to one knee and tries to take my hand.  A proposal?!  Seriously?!  After that the mental debate turned into: Fight or flight... Fight or flight... Fight or flight.  In the end, I fake named him (introducing Nicole Smith!) and managed to separate from him.  Phew!
That's the closest I've gotten to being harassed by a Georgian.  I'm so lucky he didn't try anything else, but he probably would have gotten a swift kick to a place where a man does not want a swift kick.  Definitely don't want another experience like that.  I really hate paying for taxis... but it looks like that might have to be the way to go if this situation presents itself again.  :/

Story 3: Beware of Sudden Storms

Normally I'm a big fan of thunderstorms.  Don't get me wrong.  I love them.  Except... today was not one of those days.  I was walking back from the Batumi Plaza and it began to drizzle.  Okay.  Not too bad.  The Plaza is all the way on the other side of the city.  I was about 35 to 40 minutes away.  Plus I was carrying my purse, gym bag (yup, I joined the gym at the Plaza! Just for one month), and a few props from the Murtazi and Juliet practice I had gone to before that.  PLUS, no umbrella.  The rain is starting to come down harder.... Thunder is booming.... Lightning is cracking... yahda yahda yadha...
It was a great walk home. Not. It's my own fault for neglecting the Boy Scout motto.  (When abroad) Always be prepared!  I shall not forget that.


Until next time.  Adventure is out there!

Holy Humidity Batman!

Dear Batumi,

The humidity is really getting to me.  If you could do anything about that, I would much appreciate it. 

Yours Truly, 

Krissi

Within the last week or so, the humidity of Batumi has escalated suddenly.  Everyone has been saying, "it's always humid in Batumi."  Well I feel like it has come out of no where.  Don't get me wrong, I love the warm weather.  I don't want to get back into a Georgian winter at all.  I just wish that I got eased into it a little better.  Well that's life!

The current weather of Batumi:
70 degrees F :)
83% humidity :(

This is now what I have to look forward to:
Cons
- Not having AC at home or school.  I heard that schools turn into a heat box once the weather gets nice.  It hasn't been too bad yet but we've still got one month to go.
-Having to be inside on really nice days because of school :(  Well that's life as a teacher. Ha
-Becoming drenched in sweat from just walking down the street.... it's not that bad yet but I'm sure it's going to happen.  eek.
-Being unable to wear tank tops and shorts all the time. (Another downside to being a teacher)
Pros
-The warm weather is hereeeeeeee!
-Now I get to add Beach Days into my already busy schedule! I can definitely rearrange things for that! :)
-On those Beach Days, I can finally go in the Black Sea without freezing immediately into a popsicle.
-Now that it's nicer weather, everything will be open.  Since Batumi is more of a tourist city, most things are generally closed during the winter, but now they are opening everything up.
-We can now sit outside at bars and cafes.
-Lots of dolphin watching coming in my future.
-Sandals!  Feet, be free.

To sum up: Batumi is now hot and humid.  Life is wonderful.  End of story.

Until next time. Adventure is out there.

Breaking news!

Alert!! Alert!!  My flight information is in!  I now have a official date of when I will be returning to American soil.  The date is...

JUNE 28TH!!

The moment when I read the email from TLG asking me to confirm the information that they provided, I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.  Now I know that I will get home!  Just kidding.  I knew that TLG would arrange everything in an excellent somewhat speedy fashion.  I sent in my request on April 18th and received the email on May 11th.  Only 3 weeks.  Super-de-duper!  I'm just glad that I didn't have to wait until the beginning of June to hear when I would leave.  That was the original timeline that I was given, but they knocked that timeline out!

This is the theoretical schedule that I was given for my departure home on the 28th.
Depart from Tbilisi Airport at 4:50 am.  (I can't wait for that! Eek.)
A quick pop over to Warsaw. (Only a 6 hour layover this time. Some more exploring time!)
Spend some time in O'hare. (Welcome back!)
Da da da don!!!!  Arrive in Milwaukee at 7:10 pm on June 28th.

This is going to be one of the longest days EVER.  That's okay.  It'll just go in my memoirs later on in life.

Well I just wanted to let everyone know the happy news.  46 days and counting...

Until next time.  Adventure is out there.

The Amazingness of the 4th Graders :)

I just want to talk about how much I love the 4th grade classes at my school. I have two 4th grades; 4A and 4B.  I've got a great story for each:

4B - Thursday, April 26th.

On this day, my co-teacher, Nino, had to leave early because she had a wedding to go to. Well actually, she had a beauty salon appointment before she went to the wedding.  Who gets married on a Thursday? I don't really know.  I haven't been to a wedding since I was a kid. Anyway, since she had to leave early, that meant that I would be all alone in the classroom.  Not that uncommon from what I've heard.  Honestly, if it had been any other grade, my answer would have been, "Hell to the no!"  Except I would say it a lot nicer than that :)

She was in the classroom for the first 5 minutes or so.  Just to help get me started and explain some directions in Georgian.  I'm not that good.  We started off class with a lovely class composition about the Great Fire of London.  We were writing paragraphs based on what was happening in some pictures.  By the end of the composition exercise, Nino was long gone.  Nakhvamdis!  Before starting the next activity, I went around to check that everyone had finished writing.  About 1/4 hadn't written a thing.  I had to stand over them until they had finished.  I love being tall and authoritative!  

Next I had planned an activity to practice their listening skills.  I was going to play a song and they were to write down every word that they recognized.  But in order to write things down, they needed paper, right?  Right!  So I asked everyone to hold up their notebooks because only a few had them out. Then it turned into a game! I just began shouting commands at them to see if they had any clue what I was saying.  It was actually a lot of fun.  They seemed to love it.

"Hold your notebooks up"

"Put them down"

"Hold up your pen"

"Put it down"

"Hold your pencil in your left hand"

"Down"

"Right hand"

"Go to the board"

It was simply hilarious.  Then we did the listening exercise.  I wasn't  sure what to pick at first.  It's actually harder than one might think.  It needs to be school appropriate, clear enough for the kids to understand, but still fun.  Also, I wanted them to recognize the song I chose.  If it's not sung by Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, or Hannah Montana, then it's not really on their radar.  I'm getting sick of them as well.  So I picked Glee instead!  I wanted them to recognize "Smile," but I don't think they did.  Then we went through the words they knew and corrected the spelling.  Sky = "skai"  tomorrow = "tommorow"  We listened to it a second time to see what I could write on the board.  I'm not as fast as I thought I would be, but I did my best.  So "Smile" is kind of a slower song.  When it ended the second time, I heard Levan complaining about how he was falling asleep.  At least he was saying it in English. He's not the hardest worker.  So I turned on "Empire State of the Mind."  All work stopped and we finished the lesson with a big dance/singing party.  Then the bell rang.  

Not bad for my first solo class! :)

4A - Friday, April 27th 

On this day, we had our regular bi-monthly visitor from the ELCE program.  Today's topic is... Volunteerism!  Interesting fact: In Georgian there is no word for "volunteerism."  They know and understand the general idea but there is no direct translation for it.  Silly Georgians!  I still love you :)

For our lesson about Volunteerism, we began with a song and video from Sesame Street about keeping a park clean for the pigeons.  All for the pigeons!  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7XQEiN_Vxk

Next we designed a mock TV show.  The wonderful Megi (the most brilliant 4th grader I've ever met) was the talk show host.  She was interviewing people who had done or was going to do some volunteer work.  (They weren't actually going to do this specific work, but we just gave them roles about it.)  Tekla was a volunteer at a hospital.  Keti was volunteering at a primary school.  Enri was helping animals.  Shako was helping refugees.  Lasha was doing community clean up.  We wrote out the interviews for them to role ply with.  The interviews also included questions from the audience.  It's one of the few lessons that I've seen here in Georgia where everyone participated in class! :)  We chose these big ideas because we wanted to put it in the back of their minds.  This is how they can volunteer in the future.  Big ideas!  Also, I threw in some hidden messages.  

For example: 

During the refugee section.  

A question from the audience: "Will they ever get to go home?"

Shako: "I hope so."

I love subliminal messages! :)

After we finished the TV show, we collected their homework.  They were each to draw a picture of whatever they wanted.  They just couldn't color it in.  Next we took everyone down to the first floor to visit all the children with disabilities.  The kids from 4A paired up with a student with special needs to spend time coloring pictures with them.  While I was watching the students coloring I noticed that one girl, Diana, was having difficulty holding the color pencils.  Therefore, Lizi and Megi were physically helping her hold the pencils and listening to Diana tell them what she wanted to color.  It made my heart melt. :)

Here are some pictures of the coloring fun!

This is Lizi and Megi helping Diana color! :)

This was honestly one of my favorite days at school.  Do understand why I love the 4th graders so much?!  They rock.  Easy as that.

Until next time.  Adventure is out there!