when you have no concept of time

Sunday Sep. 29th, 2007

OK the blog below was written over a week ago but I have just been able to put it up. A bunch has changed. Number of people gone: 2. Reasons: still unknown. I have had a history lesson on Orthodox Christianity that didn't really tell me anything new but it was interesting to see the 26 year old priest explain his thoughts to us. It is a beautiful country and I am everyday more comfortable with the language. But I get so worn out, plus all of these immunizations make me tired. But I am more convinced everyday that I want to continue to study languages. No more fear that I won't get the chance. Each Romanian lessons increases that desire. And I also relized just how much multilingualism attracts me to a person. I have many more thoughts on this but I have limited time so I'm trying to squeeze as much in as possible.

Apparently this blog is on the peace corps blog site, but I had no clue. News to me.

In 10 days I find out where I'll be going, and those of you who have me figured out could probably have guessed that I am not going to request anything. I will tell them my thoughts and interests and let myself be part of the world instead of a dictator within it.

Meanwhile, the rest of the blog from below is still valid. Enjoy:

September 20, 2007

Warning: This one is as long as the one before it…and I talk about outhouses…in detail

So we found out today that the big all-volunteer Thanksgiving dinner is not going to happen this year. Considering Thanksgiving is my favorite and most-celebrated family holiday, I am quite disappointed. Especially considering so many relatives are planning on being in L.A. for T-Day this year; I’m jealous, but dealing with it. Disappointed, but not dying. (I reread this part and think I sound too lighthearted. I was unhappy enough to glare at the country director…and normally I’m a “ball of sunshine.” So glaring equals “not good.”) Also forgot to note before that I will find out my future organization and location much sooner than I had expected. I will find out on Tuesday October 9th – four weeks earlier than anticipated. In exchange for finding out sooner, I’m worried there will be less opportunity for assuring an appropriate match. Let me rephrase that; most sites seem like they will be appropriate, but you want to make sure your energy is put somewhere that interests you. So when I said “I’ll do whatever you need” I meant “as long as it’s something I like.” It’s totally possible to be an idealist and not be a martyr.

I also want to thank all of you who have written me. The internet connection in my village is turtle slow and is only accessible through the telephone line, which is, of course, foreign to the locals and obviously requires occupying my host family’s telephone line. So I am writing entries in advance and then pasting them quickly when I eventually make it online. So if I haven’t responded, stay with me.
Oh, and I know some people were wondering where to send packages (I love you!!). Here it is again:
Samantha Marangell, PCT
Corpul Pacii
12 Grigore Ureche Street
Chisinau 2001
Republica Moldova

Remember to tape/package it as tightly and securely as possible and not to send letters unless they are IN the package, because plain envelopes get opened and searched for “money coming home.” Anyway, that address will be good the ENTIRE time I am in Moldova. IF it becomes easier to send packages elsewhere, I’ll let you know. But you could ALWAYS send it to the Corpul Pacii address and it will eventually get to me.

It’s not physically difficult to adjust to the slower timeframe of events here (like receiving packages, catching public transport, or showering); it’s difficult reminding myself that I can. Wasn’t that one of the reasons I was okay coming here in the first place? Specifically to slow down and take the longer route? Because three degrees in five years only makes sense if those are the degrees you want. I’ve also had to accept that if I find typos in my previous entries, I’m going to have to deal with it, because there’s no way I’m going to waste my time correcting an old entry when it will take ten minutes to refresh the page.

I rode the public transport today. We had staff with us on the way there, but went “trainees only” on the way back. It is a mini bus that gets filled with people and doesn’t have designated stops but, instead, goes between two major cities and stops along the way as people request. I’ve yet to see it sardine-packed, though, but I think that (as with the 405 at rush hour) if you’re going away from the capital, you’ve got it made. The walls and ceiling are carpeted, but not the floor. The driver was going 130 km/hour and talking on his cell phone. The difference from L.A.?? Cows in the middle of the road and corn on the floor.

And yes, I’ve totally used the outhouse! Apparently I wasn’t supposed to be using the indoor toilet (and indoor toilets don’t flush paper, by the way…you put it in the trash). Outhouses aren’t that bad if you don’t think about it or when it’s light enough to see. When your system’s working on schedule, it’s no problem. It’s when you have…(how to put it lightly)…difficulty…that the outhouse becomes an inconvenience. You can’t exactly “sit it out.” By the end of my two years here, my hip flexors are going to be as strong as when I was doing gymnastics.

On a more serious note, we’re already one trainee down. At first it was just rumor. He wasn’t in my training site, so I couldn’t be sure. I still don’t know how the other trainees found out so quickly. My thoughts and prayers are with him: I hope he left for less threatening reasons rather than family illness, for example. But I can’t help but stay naïve: we’re all going to finish service (even though that’s already impossible). Maybe if I say it outloud and tap my right foot three times it will come true. The norm is that 1/3 will finish. ONE THIRD!!! Imagine coming ALL the way here….to MOLDOVA…and then not staying?!?! I know it happens and it may very well happen to me for any range of reasons, silly or serious. But I hope and pray that it doesn’t, because I am so excited about this. Still. (I guess at this point “so far” is more accurate than “still.)

I realized I was still feeling anxious about not having communicated with some people back home – people I love and miss and want to talk to. I need to take more deep breaths because my pulse has been a little high a little too often. And it’s just fact now: I’m not going to have regular internet access or a cell phone! Though, I might be able to get a cell phone next weekend. Mom? Dad? And, best yet, I believe if you call me, I don’t pay through my cell phone. So if you buy a phone card in the states and call my cell phone, you pay cheaper fees and I don’t pay at all! When I get it, I’ll put the number up and will tell you how to call me.