So, as of yesterday, I've completed one year of my 27 months in Bulgaria. In that time, I've lived in two different cities, made some new friends, learned a completely unfamiliar language to a basic conversational level (along with a new alphabet), gotten some fiction written, visited the Black Sea, traveled across the country and back a couple of times, turned 24, started dating a really awesome Bulgarian girl who lives 7 hours away, helped start a youth leadership council, started a capoeira club, helped make homemade rakia (aka Bulgarian moonshine), became an even better cook, lost over 25 lbs and turned into a political news junkie.
...I'd say that's a hell of a time so far. That's not even including what I've actually done in the classroom (which ranges from "got intensely frustrated" to "had discussions about thematic elements in Romantic literature"). At the same time, there's a certain bittersweetness to it all. I've done all this on my own (with support from my school and Peace Corps), which is awesome. On the other hand, I haven't had any face-to-face contact with old/older friends and family (with one exception this past July). So, while I'm growing and forging myself into a better person, I'm not sharing it with anyone directly.
College was awesome because it was a chance to grow with others - this is, obviously, an outgrowth of the next logical step. Life, ultimately, is solitary, but at the same time, being uprooted from your "grove" and being replanted in someone else's garden is kinda jarring. To stretch the metaphor, you have to deal with new lighting, new weather conditions, new neighbors/companions with whom to cooperate/compete. If it's done properly, you'll ultimately become a stronger being for it.
So much of success in all of this lies in outlook, really. In a way, I regret leaving Athens when I did, since it meant saying goodbye to my comfort zone that much sooner. On the other hand, I think it would have been a lot harder if I hadn't gotten the initial goodbyes out of the way when I moved up to DC - the shock would have been rather greater. Additionally, the combined experiences of selling cars and substitute teaching have helped a great deal in cultivating a relaxed attitude in the classroom, which has been absolutely necessary.
At the same time, having a year under my belt has the natural consequence of me looking to the future. I now have a frame of reference with which I can judge what's happening; I'm watching the new guys get here and start to learn/deal with the challenges that I've already come to terms with (mostly). The shiny newness of the country has started to wear off, my language is no longer hurtling forward, getting ever better, and I occasionally find myself getting into a rut. I've become somewhat settled, in other words. This allows for homesickness to make itself felt a little more strongly.
It's funny. When I was growing up, I would have given anything to get out of Georgia and was embarrassed about being from there. Now, I can calmly admit "Oh, I'm from Georgia," and not feel self-loathing. Hell, I even want to visit this summer (financial situation prevents this, unfortunately), though it's mostly a desire to see everyone again before you all follow my lead and scatter to the corners of the globe. Outside perspective is ultimately a good thing.
The same applies to the US, in a way. Being able to see the US from the outside-in for a prolonged time has been invaluable, if somewhat depressing. I suppose that's part of what this is about - develop a better sense of how you can take the training you receive in-service and apply it to improve your environment wherever you go, be it back to the States or somewhere else in the world.
Ah, well. I'm not even halfway done, so we'll see what the next 15 months bring!
Later, flipsiders.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment