Here To There

"The opinions put forth on this blog belong solely to that of me, Jimmy, and in no way reflect that of the United States Peace Corps, the United States government, or any affiliated agencies. These are my personal comments about my life."

"The opinions and comments expressed on this page are the personal thoughts of a Peace Corps volunteer in Moldova. They do not reflect the views or official stance of the Peace Corps as an organization, the United States Government or the Republic of Moldova or its people."

From June 2nd on, you can reach me at:
(My name), PCT
Corpul Pacii
#12 Str. Grigore Ureche
2001 Chisinau
Republica Moldova

Ph: TBP

(No regular business envelopes please, apparently they get "lost")

I know I'm ready to go home now because as much as my mom cares about me, all I felt like she was doing was annoying me to no end.  No turning back, I've bought my tickets.  I've been trying to avoid doing this but I can no longer...

Today it is official.  I've bought my tickets from Chisinau to Istanbul, Istanbul to London and finally London to Los Angeles.

If all goes well, I'll be leaving July 28th to Istanbul where I'll jump on an overnight bus to the middle region Cappadocia.  See some chimney houses and other strange formations for a couple of days then jump on another overnight bus to Ephesus to see one of the oldest Roman cities.  After a day of wandering, I'll be on a bus back to Istanbul then plane to London probably for a day and then another overnight bus to Scotland and a road trip to the Island of Skye.  Overnight back to London for another day and then I say goodbye to Europe where I've been living and traveling the last two years.

Man, now that I've typed that out I already feel tired.  Hopefully it won't be too hot on Turkey and London won't burn a hole in my wallet.

During the last month of school I was helping a couple of girls bc they wanted me to take some pictures for them.  They came out pretty decent as you can see.  It was a couple of hours on two different days then I spent another few hours to edit them.  I felt like they really appreciated it and were very happy with the results.

I gave a test to that same class later on.  Those two girls acted like they didn't even know me.  They refused to take the test and even talked back to me.  The typical response to this was that's how students are, what can you do?

At home me and my niece were also turning into best friends.  We hung out, played together, she kissed me on the cheek, and we took pictures.  The very next day I came downstairs and as I approached her she started yelling and tried to hit me.  We were no longer friends.

In Moldova, kids are expected to act like adults, more so the girls than the boys.  They're expected to work in the garden, prepare food, clean the house, buy groceries and behave.  But then they get to school and I'm not sure what the expectations are.  And where are the role-models to teach correct behavior?  Where are the parents to guide their kids through life?

As much as I was disappointed with my students I looked at my niece and realized that they really are just kids.  I realize where they are coming from and the factors that influence their life.  There's only so much you can expect of them in this ironic life they live. 

A few hours later my niece and I made up.  As for my students, I have yet to see them again and probably never will.

In a few hours it'll be the big 5-0 days til I'm home I leave.  I always forget about my COS trip planned.  I haven't been counting actually bc I've been busy.  Last week a couple of teachers asked me to help out by sponsoring a little project to add blinders to the Physics classroom windows.  I used to show movies there and it was really annoying when the sun was still out so I was glad to help.  BTW, kids here start Physics when they're in 5th grade or something like that.  Health education?  No.  Sex education?  Non existent.  Physical ed?  Not really.  Computer classes?  Uh uh.  Don't ask me why.  They do know 4-5 languages by the time they finish High School though.

Anyway, after my speech the Physics teachers came up to me and said they didn't realize my situation (working for free) and wanted to give me my money back.  Of course after the first sentence they asked me if I understood Romanian as if I've taught for two years in English.  See, even my own supposed colleagues who I've been working with for two years didn't even know.  I said I wouldn't take it back and if they really insist I will just give it to the Director.  That ended their protest pretty quickly.

Well, school really is over.  Is it the last class I will ever teach?  I dunno.  I like to teach but not to unmotivated students and I'm not a very good motivator.  Speaking of which, I gave a test to all my classes.  It was a review of the whole year, some questions we covered, some we didn't.  They got about 50% right, the girls a little higher than the boys.  Ok, given I only teach 45 minutes a week per class and I didn't tell them to study you would think they would get some answers right.

For instance, "True or False, You can get HIV/SIDA from having lunch with someone?"  Out of the 7 classes that I gave the test to, I think 2 students got it right.  This is after four lessons plus the school nurse giving them lectures.  And it's a 50/50 chance!  So you can see where I'm coming from when I say it's difficult to teach here.  Some of the girls even blatantly copied their answers and tried to hand it to their friends as I was watching.

Speaking of the HIV, I am still sick.  It's mostly a cough that just won't go away.  I came into the city to get my final exam (dental and physical).  My doctor said I had some ear wax so she took this giant syringe of water and started squirting my ear with it.  It felt like my ear was getting warterboarded every time.  It took about 15-20 squirts before this giant cylindrical chunk of solid wax came out.  I really wanted her to do a carbon dating on it.  Now that's service!  If she can only do that to my Giardia.

Speaking of Giardia...I went to church last week.  Mm, that didn't work did it?  Last week I attended my first baptism.  We went to the church where the mother (my tutor/partner) isn't allowed inside to see the ceremony bc she sinned by having intercourse. We then went to their house to eat and dance and eat all night.  Then the family gives everyone gifts for coming and everyone announces how much money they're giving the family.  I didn't give anything bc I didn't know and I had about 2 lei in my wallet.  Then after dancing til the break of dawn you're supposed to come over again and have lunch the next day with a giant cauldron of soup.

Like the other 24 (Kobe) I sought redemption last week.  It was the Last Bell, the last day of school, the last chance to address a large crowd of students, parents and teachers.  Most think I come here making a salary or don't even understand my motivation.  My speech was also a chance for me to thank everyone who affected my service.  I'm glad it was it Romanian because I'm not sure I could've finished it if it was in English.  I also couldn't help to put in a joke or two about wine.  Because what kind of speech in Moldova doesn't mention Hesus juice?

Redemption also occurred in the form of a slide show.  Last year I spent a lot of time preparing a slide show for the graduating class and it got thrown to the side due to "technicalities".  This year they let me know a few days beforehand that I could show something to the whole community.  I'm not sure if I shed anyone's tears but it was probably the first time I did something that captivated everyone's attention for a whole hour.  Short of diluting the air with Mary Jane, you're lucky if you get the attention of an auditorium full of Moldovans for 5 minutes.

I'm now sick from all the stress but it was well worth it.  I would have it no other way.  And now, my speech (translated in English for your reading pleasure):

Good afternoon. Dear teachers, students, and parents. I would first like to congratulate the 12^th form for their success.

It is almost two years since I arrived in Moldova. Some days I felt I have been here a lifetime and other days when I've felt that the first bell was just yesterday.

It has been the hardest experience I have ever had in my life. Many today still ask me, “Jimmy, why did you come to Moldova?”. Sometimes I also wonder, why I was so crazy to come here? Why did I leave my 3 brothers, 5 sisters, 18 nieces and nephews, all my friends, and a good job behind to come live in a country where I didn't understand one word, to live with complete strangers for more than two years and to work without a salary? Why?

But imagine this, if you have an extra ice cream, would you not give it to someone who never had a taste? If you have an extra coat, would you not give it to someone who is cold? If you have the best wine in your basement, would you not not share it with your neighbor?

After the war, my family immigrated from Vietnam with nothing but the clothes on our backs. We didn't have ice cream, extra coats or wine but we were happy to have an opportunity that most of the world did not. But we worked hard and succeeded. I believe that if you are successful, you share it with others.

And because I believe all people of the world are citizens and neighbors of one country, I offer a hand to those who are not lucky enough to have that ice cream that I have, that extra coat that I have, or that wine that...well this one you have to talk to the director about because you know I don't drink.

But today is not about me, today is about you. Congratulations again 12^th class. I believe today is the most momentous occasion in your life because you accomplished something great. Something that required commitment, hard work, and patience. I still believe education is the only thing that can open opportunities for you and I constantly encourage you to continue it.

Have dreams and don't stop dreaming. Dream big and think broadly about your life and what you can accomplish. Demand only the best because the best is what you deserve. Believe in yourself and hold on to the fact that anything is possible if you try hard enough. Never let failure or fear control your life, continue forward. Lastly be the change you want to see in your world. I know each one of you has the ability to do this, I have seen you in class (when you actually came to class). I wish you success.

Now I'd like to thank a few people important people who were a part of my experience here in Moldova. Thank you for all the friendly faces that acknowledged my existence here and said hello. Thank you all the beautiful and wonderful hearts that tried to make my time here as comfortable and special as possible. Thank you to all the students who engaged me, without you I would not have the moments in classes to realize how creative you are. Thank you to all my partners, D. Galina and D. Svetlana for their cooperation with Peace Corps, D. Nelia for always pushing me to do more for the students, D. Julia and Dumitru for sacrificing their time away from their children to help me with classes, clubs and Romanian, D. Viorica. and D. Svetlana for all those cold winter nights preparing for classes and D. Petru for his patience on all those occasions when I kept bothering him about my pile of problems.

Outside of school I'd like to thank all my neighbors and community members for their friendliness and “Hello's”. Family Berdos again for opening their home to me and treating me as if I was like their own son. Sharing their culture, their time, and support through all my needs. Most importantly thank you to my host family for opening their doors to a complete stranger and accepting me as if I were their own son. For all their hard work and patience. None of you had to do this but you did.

Words can not express how much this means to me. I came here with a ton of luggage but when I leave, the weight of that luggage will feel like a feather because I will leave behind something far heavier, a piece of my heart because Moldova will always have a special place in my soul. Thank you.

Background - last week we were on our second session of doing a collage.  Of course most of the students "left it at home" so some just gave up and didn't do anything while others tried to recreate another.  I was pretty disappointed and I think it showed as I thought this was one of the few activities they liked.

I came into my 11th grade class today and one of my students said, "Look Mr. Jimmy!".  She held  up her collage which she even laminated with scotch from home.  Priceless.

Then I proctored a test and it just all went downhill.  Ugh...

One...more...week...just...one...more...week...

Don't you hate it when people just post "First!" on blogs?

Today: First day I found my director with a cannabis plant in his back yard.

Today: First day of the year I got bit by a mosquito.

Yesterday: First day of the year we got fresh cucumbers on the table!

The other day: First time my neighbor asked me if I understood Moldovan.

• I made a new friend today!  Actually, he's probably been my friend for a really long time I just never knew for certain.  Oh and I've never really seen him because he lives in my intestines and eats all my food and gives me stomach aches.  Yes, his name is Giardia.

Giardia_lamblia_SEM_8698_lores

• We just had the last conference of our service to talk about closing everything out.  Hmm, Foreign Service?

• Back to school.  Boo!  Only one more month left of it.  Yay!

• I finally put Amsterdam pics up.  You can go to my Picasa Web Album if you're like Depeche Mode and just can't get enough.