Sometimes I know what I'm doing, sometimes I don't

[+] On the last weekend in February we finally celebrated youth week in my district (it's actually in October, but was cancelled because of H1N1 outbreaks). This ceremony honored the youth who have produced the most 'beautiful' results in our community. The president of my youth council was honored along with the national champion judoist (the sports specialist's speech relayed his utter amazement that a girl could be so strong), a young soldier, and another youth volunteer. I also agreed to help the district's newspaper man revamp the youth newspaper known as "Generation 9." More on this project to come...

[+/-] There were four days in a row I didn't see my partner at all. But, the weather was gorgeous and I took great walks, took my bike out for the first spin, and hung out with the neighbor kids. We played uno, a Moldovan card game, and ate rice krispy treats. Special note: there was only one of those "doamne feresti" phone calls home during this down time.

[-] I continue to lose the card game that requires you to make animal sounds because I can't remember how the kids here make the noises. They thought cockadoodledoo was just ridiculous.

[+] We had a concert for the March First holiday that marks the beginning of spring. For a country that glorifies disco and Lady Gaga, I was really surprised how many of the teenage acts involved a bass, guitar, and full drum set. The concert was also honoring a famous singer from our raion, so all the songs were his. His wife and son were in attendance as well. My favorite part of the concert was the very beginning, when the Star Wars song was blasted from the speakers so loud the vibrations put the ride at Diseneyland to shame.

[+] Martisor is my new favorite Moldovan holiday!! There are several legends about the Martisor (the red and write strings that get pinned to your left lapel). They all involve a princess named Primavara (spring), a dragon, and blood being split in her honor. On the first of March, we give the Martisor to mark the departure of winter (the white), and the coming of spring (red). Spring is here!! With the youth council, we gave out about a hundred of the Martisoare. Here is Marcela pinning Victor at the district government offices.

[+] I recently had a fabulous weekend with fellow PCVs. It involved three very productive meetings, a whole lot of socializing, eating great food, and sadly, starting the goodbyes. A group of PCVs is about to COS (finish there service), and a Dutch volunteer (left, third picture) heads our this weekend as well. It's been great getting to know Sarah. She arrived in January and has been working at a Dutch NGO for elderly people, she most enjoys the activities room. She leaves Moldova on Sunday for Israel, where she will be spending another couple months volunteering at a hostel. It's people like Sarah that making work abroad so much fun!

[+] On International Women's Day I got a free bus ride. I will remember that kind bus driver next time I run across a less amiable one.

[-/+] A fellow volunteer and I decided that since all the deadlines for grad school in 2010 have passed, it's time to start getting serious about applications for 2011. Yikes. But the more I read, the more I'm certain that I know what I want to do with my life. Which is exactly what I hoped the Peace Corps would help me determine.

[+] I love Moldova.