Be quick, but don't hurry.

From June 3rd-6th Tryavna is celebrating their hometown hero Pencho Slavaikov. As part of the celebration SOS Children's Village-Tryavna held a youth bicycle tournament for the children of Tryavna and other towns in Bulgaria. There were a total of 10 teams, with each team consisting of four participants. Each participant completed four different bicycle courses and a written road safety test. In addition to the individual tasks, each team completed two timed tasks involving puzzles and a bicycle inspection. The tournament was composed of team and individual competitions, with the winners being decided by the lowest total scores.

All of the individual tasks required the rider to maneuver around obstacles. If the rider made contact with an obstacle or placed their foot on the ground they were penalized with a point. After each course the judge tallied the amount of points and marked it on the rider's score card.

All of the bicycles and helmets were given to SOS by sponsors, in addition to the different obstacles used in the tournament.

Each of the four courses were designed to require the rider to use maximum concentration and coordination to complete successfully. A representative from Bulgaria's largest automotive union officiated and sponsored the bicycle tournament.

The written test required each rider to identify road signs, hand signals, and the appropriate actions to take in situations involving other riders and automobiles. There were four different questions and each rider was given two minutes to complete the test.

The puzzle competition was one of two team activities in the tournament. There were four different puzzles for the teams to complete, and they were given two minutes to complete them.

The bicycle inspection was the second of the two team competitions, and also the last activity of the tournament. Each team was given drawings of certain parts of the bicycle and they had to perform an inspection to decide which parts were defective. Like most of the other activities they were given two minutes to complete the inspection.

As a finale, the top five teams and individual riders were given rewards based on the lowest scores. Above, the director of SOS Tryavna is congratulating one of the children from SOS.

Overall, the bicycle tournament was a big success. No one was injured, the weather held out, and the children enjoyed themselves.

Quotes of the Day (In Memory of John Wooden):

"Talent is God-given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful."

"Failing to prepare is preparing to fail."

"Happiness begins when selfishness ends."

"Your reputation is what you're perceive to be. Your character is what you actually are."

Beat on Repeat:

"Rocketship" - Donnie

Peace, Love, and Understanding...

International Children's Day

International Children's Day is celebrated on June 1st in most former Communist countries, and it involves childrens' programs being shown on TV and no school. In SOS, we celebrated by playing games ranging from Playstation 2 to foosball.

Foosball is by far the most competitive non-contact game we play in SOS. In actuality, it turns into a contact sport, because I constantly have to play referee and break up fights that inevitably occur. The kids have an insatiable competitiveness that results in a total dislike for losing. One minute they're best-friends and enjoying the taste of success, and the next they're complete enemies ready to rip each other to pieces because one person let the other team score the final goal.

Playstation 2 is the biggest hit for the children in SOS, because there's only one in the village. The children have computers in their homes so they're able to play PC games, but Playstation 2 games draw all of the attention. I have to set a time limit for the Playstation because otherwise there would be the same two children playing the entire time. No one wants to give up the seats in front of the TV for those games - it's like trying to get a front row seat to a Lil' Wayne concert!

The computer games are usually relegated to the children who don't have the audacity to fight and claw their way for a chance to play the Playstation 2 or foosball. It's a shame because I've spent hours trying to download fun games, only to realize that no one wants to play them. The children that do play computer games want to play internet games such as Sonic the Hedgehog, or spend their time talking on Skype. It's okay, though, because it just makes me realize how disconnected I am from the gaming world. When I was the kids' ages I was just as in-the-know about Playstation and computer games as they are now, so maybe it's a sign that I need to put down the books in my free time and check out the popular internet games. I never thought I would say that, but it's for the kids at the moment.

By the way, I just finished reading two new books in the past two weeks: Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel and The Man from Beijing by Henning Mankell. If anyone's interested they are both excellence reads. Martel has to be one of the best writers out at the moment, and my new favorite author. I find it amazing how he is able to write so exquisitely about a topic such as the Holocaust, but disguises it in such as way that the reader isn't really focused on the horrors of that period, but more so, the meanings of life and death. I wouldn't rank it higher than his acclaimed book, Life of Pi, but it's worth reading if you enjoy good literary work. The Man from Beijing is crime novel that pulls the reader in from the start on a long twisty ride, and doesn't let go until the end. In the beginning, an entire village is gruesomely murdered in Sweden, except for three people, which leads investigators to speculate why. Mankell takes the reader from present day Sweden to 19th century China and America to Mozambique.

Well, that's all for now.

Quotes of the Day:

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." - Aseop

"Faith is like being in the sun. When you're in the sun, can you avoid creating a shadow? Can you shake that area of darkness that clings to you, always shaped like you, as if constantly to remind you of yourself? You can't. This shadow is doubt. And it goes wherever you go as long as you stay in the sun. And who wouldn't want to be in the sun?" - excerpt from Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel

Beat on Repeat:

"Spanish Joint" - D'Angelo

Peace, Love, Understanding...

Coming Home

Okay, I'm not really coming home. I hope I didn't make any hearts skip a beat with that statement. I have, however, just cracked open the Black Book, those of you close to me know what I'm talking about, and it has left me full of gratitude that I'm not sure I deserve. I have officially been away from home for more than a year, and it is only upon reading the generous messages and comments that I truly feel grateful for my family and friends. There is a quote of sums up the way I feel - "In ordinary life we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich."

The past year hasn't been easy, but nothing worth having is ever easy, so I'll continue the work that's before me with the same drive and motivation that got me here. It's important for everyone who has ever been a part of my life, whether big or small, to know that you are with me in all that I do and everywhere I go. I echo the words of my friend Eric Artemus when I say that you and I are all participants on this mission too. Whether it be only in spirit you are with me, and for that I am truly indebted.

What else can I say, other than this is La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, and it's truly an impressive work of art. There are so many intricate details inside and out that it's difficult to fathom that this building is actually going to be functional - one day. It's also hard to believe that construction of this church has been taking place since 1882, yes, you read it correctly, and it isn't expected to be finished until 2026 - that's if the money continues to roll in! Overall, Barcelona has to be one of my top five favorite cities. There is so much to see and do, and there's a nice blend of historical relevance and modernness to the city that makes it so attractive. The city is beautiful, the people are beautiful, so what more can you ask for?! :)

I made a short trip to Veliko Turnovo for a couple of days, which was nice because the weather is now warm. The trees and flowers are in full blossom, so the place is very lush at the moment.

Finally, I made a quick trip to Istanbul, Turkey for a few days, and it was amazing. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect in Istanbul, even though I had heard good things about the place, but it exceeded my expectations. Like Barcelona, there is so much to see and do that it's difficult to decide what to do from one thing to the next. The picture above is the Hagia Sophia (pronounced Ayia Sophia) and it was once a cathedral when Istanbul was known as Constantinople, and later converted into a mosque.

If anyone's interested in visiting Barcelona hit me up! Istanbul, I highly recommend, but I don't think either place will disappoint. Both cities offer different cultures and sights that make them attractive to anyone who's interested in traveling and brooding their perspective on the world. If you're interested in seeing more photos from Barcelona or Istanbul, or Bulgaria, check out my Picasa page - click on the link in the right hand pane.

Quotes of the Day:

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand part in awe is a good as dead; his eyes are closed." - Albert Einstein

"Where there is darkness crimes will be committed. The guilty one is not merely he who commits the crime, but he who caused the darkness." - Victor Hugo

Beats on Repeat:

"I Miss You (like the deserts miss the rain)" - Everything But The Girl

"Rush Over" - Marcus Miller & Meshell Ndegeocello

Peace, Love, and Understanding...

Art Project

This week has been spring break for children in Bulgaria, so there has been ampul amount time to do special projects. Today I was finally able to tackle the art project that's been on hold for the past month. The project was part of a group of activities I'm implementing in commemoration of Earth Day. Me and some of the kids from SOS painted one of the trash containers in the village in an effort to beautify the area.

My colleagues didn't have enough faith that the kids could draw the pictures for the containers, so I was delegated to take on the task. As you can see I think my initial goal was accomplished, because the drawings came out looking like a child did them.

I tried to setup the activity so that each kid had something to do, instead of allowing there to be a free-for-all of painting. It was setup so that a couple of kids painted outlines of the drawings, while the other kids colored in the spaces. Everything was going like clockwork until one of my colleagues decided to schedule a mountain biking activity next to where we were painting. Most of the kids wanted to ride bikes instead of paint, so I had to recruit some younger kids to finish the job.

After about two and half hours of drawing and painting we called it a day. We didn't completely finish all of the painting so we left it for another day, but overall the trash container looked nice. I was afraid that the painting part would turn into a disaster because the kids can sometimes get rowdy, but thankfully everyone stayed calm for the most part.

Hopefully now the director will allow the kids to paint the other two trash containers in the village, because I think it will add a little character to the place. I shouldn't be complaining, but the village sometimes feels too sterile because it's so clean. Most Bulgarian towns have problems with trash laying around due to littering, including my own, but in SOS it's not a problem. The children pickup trash weekly, and as punishment, so the place looks well kept. Now, I hope my other Earth Day projects go as well as this one.

Quotes of the Day:

"Some birds just aren't meant to be caged - their features are just too bright. When they fly away the part of you that knew it was a sin to lock them up rejoices, but still that place where they use to live is drab and dark." - Morgan Freeman in Shawshank Redemption

"Excellence can be achieved if you...risk more than others think is safe, love more than others think is wise, dream more than others think is practical, and expect more than others think is possible." - Anonymous

Beat on Repeat:

"Why Can't There Be Love" - Dee Edwards

Peace, Love, and Understanding...

Sun is shining, the weather is sweet...!

I've been in-country for a little over 10 months, not that I'm counting, and finally something has happened which I've been waiting for. This morning the air was crisp with the mountain dew and the sun's rays were playing hide and seek above the Tryavna Balkan Mountain, and with that I knew today's run would be a good one. I ran past the usual farmyard with its sheep, horses, roosters, and manic dog, and I began to brace for that infamous smell of manure. On most days it's so strong that I've mastered the skill of holding my breath for about 50 meters without hyperventilating, but today was different. As I approached the concrete electrical tower marking the start of my newfound talent I lost my sense of consciousness to the odor, maybe due to the bloom of the morning. Before I could recognize where my footsteps were landing the scent of manure came to me as a welcoming gesture, like a fist-bump from my best friend or a wink from my next-door neighbor. I wondered before coming to Bulgaria if I would ever find a new norm of essence for the tang of animal feces and today I think I realized it. Now, I don't want this to sound like my most prestigious accomplishment since arriving here, but I must admit that I'm finally beginning to feel accustomed to my surroundings. The cool mornings and pleasant afternoons are massaging my senses with bliss, which are making the thought of this past winter truly a thing of the past. Maybe tomorrow I'll wake up and there will be peace and unending love in the world, but then again maybe that's asking too much!

Quotes of the Day:

"We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken away from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances and to choose one's own way." - Vicktor Frankl

"Caring about others, running the risk of feeling, and leaving an impact on people, brings happiness." - Harold Kushner

Beat on Repeat:

"Window Seat" - Erykah Badu

Peace, Love, and Understanding...

Честит Св. Патрик (Happy St. Patrick's Day)

In commemoration of St. Patrick's Day I decided to do an activity with my English class to teach them about the day. Since Bulgaria does not celebrate the day no one knew what it was or why we, Americans, celebrate it. I showed pictures from the Internet of St. Patrick's Day celebrations around the States, and everyone was really fascinated that the city of Chicago dyes the Chicago River green for the day. I also tried to give them a brief history of why we celebrate, and the meaning behind certain aspects the day such as the shamrock, leprechaun, and the color green. Lastly, we made a poster with shamrocks and hand-colored leprechauns, which was fun because the children were able to use their imagination a little. Hopefully I did a good job at Peace Corps' Goal #2, and the children will remember something about St. Patrick's Day.

Quotes of Day:

"How far you go in life depends on you being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant with the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these." - George Washington Carver

"Lack of patience in small matters can wreak havoc in great ones." - Chinese proverb

Beat on Repeat:

"Fast car" - Tracy Chapman

Peace, Love, and Understanding...

One of my students really concentrating on his drawing.

The whole group hard at work.

The final product!

The Sun is Rising Again!

Things are starting to look up just as winter, hopefully, is on it's way out. The SOS Tryavna children's parliament has finally gotten some feet and is starting after 2 months of planning and waiting. On Friday, we had a our first election for president and ambassadors of the children's parliament. The parliament is made up of one president and 11 ambassadors, or one child from each house in the village. The children were extremely excited to start the parliament, and they had a really good time electing their own peers to represent them. The most interesting part of the process was the vote for president. When it was time to give nominations for president there were many different names given, but when it came time to vote there was an overwhelming majority for one child. I was very surprised for many reasons, because for one the person elected was a girl, and two, she's very quiet and shy. Bulgaria is a very male-dominated country, and it's very evident by the behavior of the children in the village. The boys try to reign supreme over the girls by bullying them, and usually the girls give in without a fight. So when a girl was elected so lopsidedly, it confirmed a lot of things that I knew but I wasn't seeing. First, you don't have to push your weight around to be respected, and secondly, there is much more gender equality in the village than is given credit for. Going into the election I speculated that the vote would come down to two well-known boys in the village, but as it turned out only one was nominated and he received only 5-10 percent of the vote. I feel like President Obama when he wrote in his second book The Audacity of Hope, "I am robbed of the certainty of uncertainty - for sometimes absolute truths may well be absolute." Overall, I think the experience for the children was a success, and hopefully the parliament can be used to allow them the opportunity to make decisions in the SOS village.

In other news, today Peace Corps volunteers around the world received some really good news from our director, Aaron S. Williams. As of April 1, 2010 Peace Corps is raising the readjustment allowance volunteers accumulate during their service and receive after completion. As of now we accumulate $225 per month, but after April 1st we'll receive $275 each month. If you're inspired enough to extend your service past the normal 2-year assignment into a third year, you'll receive $375 a month towards your readjustment allowance. So for anyone out there thinking of joining Peace Corps you now have an extra incentive to make the jump.

Quotes of the Day:

"We can't change the world except insofar as we change the way we look at the world - and, in fact, any one of us can make that change, in any direction, at any moment." - Pico Lyer

"The present moment is all you ever have." - Eckhart Tolle

Beat on Repeat:

"Paris Nights/New York Mornings" - Corinne Bailey Rae

"Closer" - Corinne Bailey Rae

Peace, Love, and Understanding...

The final tally for president of the parliament.

The elected ambassadors from each house in the village.

The final vote for president.

Children from one house deliberating over their decision for ambassador.

A group of kids waiting for the final vote for president.