This morning was very busy for Collier and I.
First, we attended community time at the girl's school. Each Friday, the school offers community time in the gym, where different students perform skits, songs, etc. and birthdays are honored. It is a great opportunity for the parents to come together, get involved in the school and showcase the talents of the kids. After the presentation, parents meet up in the school's cafe to drink coffee and chat. It is a very pleasant way to start the day. Last week, Anastasia's class sang a welcome song, it was adorable and she worked very hard preparing for it. We were all proud! I will try to post some video soon.
After a quick trip home to change shoes and pick up Collier's stroller, we headed into town to meet up with members of the International Women's Association for a City Walk. About 20 of us from various nationalities/backgrounds enjoyed a guided stroll around town. Our hostess pointed out monuments, historical features, etc. and offered advice on the best places to shop for certain items. She also pointed out some of her favorite restaurants. I particularly liked walking through the old bazaar areas of Skopje. The narrow cobblestone streets were lined with small shops hawking everything from gold jewelry, shoes, pottery, silk and so much more. This was the quaint, charming atmosphere I had envisioned in my thoughts of Skopje. I had wanted to go for some time, but hadn't been brave enough to visit on my own. The area oozes old-world character and it is authentic. I felt like I was walking in a postcard. There were wonderful aromas permeating the air--roasted nuts, roasting peppers, perfumes. It was truly a delight to all senses! The addition of great conversation and new friends made the experience complete. Collier tolerated the stroll, only issuing a few tantrums..lol. He was very tired, but too curious to take his nap. Apparently, he found the atmosphere enchanting too. I cant' wait to take Chris and the rest of the kids, now that I know my way around. Thanks Elke for a great morning!
The group was going to take advantage of the lovely weather and enjoy lunch outdoors at Aladdin, a new Middle Eastern restaurant, but I decide to part ways and meet Chris for lunch. We had a lovely meal together and then I ran some errands and picked up Christopher. It has been a very busy, but enjoyable day!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
Summer is Over!
One thing that took us by surprise about Macedonia was the weather. We had anticipated 4 seasons, similar to the Northeastern US. We were blindsided by the intense heat of the summer months! I was disappointed to hear that this was not an unusually warm summer, and that every August is unbearably hot(90-105 regularly). I found it amusing in the past couple of weeks when local people would refer to the imminent end of summer. Basically, after Macedonian Independence Day (September 6th, if I remember correctly) the end could come at any time! I was warned to take advantage of the swimming pool while I still could, because soon it would be too cold to do so. I figured they were exaggerating the situation, since usually the temps slowly decline as fall approaches, and then summer ends. You know, you start wearing longer sleeves, then move on to sweaters, pants, etc. NOT HERE! Last Friday, it was 94 degrees and scorching. Saturday the rain came, and the temp dropped into the 70's (with low's in the 50's)! It has not been above 70 since(honestly I don't think it has reached 65 for a couple days)!!! The kids are wearing pants and sweaters. Alina even put on her winter coat to play in the yard yesterday! Mladen came on Wednesday to test and prepare the heating system for us. The air conditioner is no longer necessary. How bizarre!
Unfortunately, for many Macedonians residing in Skopje, their homes are heated by "city heat", and it won't be turned on until October 15th. I attended a function at the school this morning, and it was actually quite chilly there! I had read of these types of systems on various post reports. The city provides heat to all the buildings in town, through hot water radiators I think, and it can be difficult to get accustomed to. Basically, you have very little control of the temperature of your own home! Fortunately, most reports/opinions I have come across complain of too much warmth as opposed to too little, but I am sure there are those who would disagree! We are lucky to have our own oil-fired hot water radiator system, and we can control our own thermostat, so to speak. Now I can kind of understand why people are so aware of the imminent "end of summer" due to the affect it has on them and their ability to maintain their climate!
Now, I really have to find a charitable organization to donate all those old bedding sets and winter coats to, since I think they could really use them already! Ciaou summer!
Unfortunately, for many Macedonians residing in Skopje, their homes are heated by "city heat", and it won't be turned on until October 15th. I attended a function at the school this morning, and it was actually quite chilly there! I had read of these types of systems on various post reports. The city provides heat to all the buildings in town, through hot water radiators I think, and it can be difficult to get accustomed to. Basically, you have very little control of the temperature of your own home! Fortunately, most reports/opinions I have come across complain of too much warmth as opposed to too little, but I am sure there are those who would disagree! We are lucky to have our own oil-fired hot water radiator system, and we can control our own thermostat, so to speak. Now I can kind of understand why people are so aware of the imminent "end of summer" due to the affect it has on them and their ability to maintain their climate!
Now, I really have to find a charitable organization to donate all those old bedding sets and winter coats to, since I think they could really use them already! Ciaou summer!
Back to School Night
Nova, Chris's school, held it's annual Back to School night on Tuesday. It is an evening meant to introduce parents to their child's teachers and give them a chance to hear a bit about what is going on in each classroom. As you arrive, they provide you with a copy of your child's schedule, and I was pleased to be greeted by name. I was impressed that they remembered not only Chris' name, but mine as well. A brief introduction by the Director followed. Actually, it was not brief, as she had to deliver the speech first in English and then again in Macedonian. It wasn't really an intro either, actually more of plea to join the PTA and be more involved in the school. It was a bit on the scolding side(apparently the Macedonians don't participate in many school events!), and I happily signed on to volunteer for several PTA committees. After about 20 minutes of talk, the event finally began.
They designed the evening to resemble a typical school day, where you follow your child's schedule period by period. The classes are abbreviated to 10 minutes each, barely enough time to introduce yourself and practically useless in my opinion! However, I did come away from the evening with more knowledge of the school and somewhat comforted by a few of the teachers.
Initially, we had reservations about choosing this school for Chris. Though it has a good reputation academically, the student body is comprised of mostly wealthy Macedonian students, and this had caused some issues for other families. Many wealthy families send their kids there simply for the prestige of attending a private English speaking school, and not for the benefits of the educational system provided. As a result, we had heard that there were many incidences of classes being interrupted by students refusing to participate in English and of teachers who succumbed and taught in Macedonian in order to keep control of the class. This was a big worry for me, though lots of people claimed that these stories were exaggerated.
A couple of Chris' teachers, particularly Biology and World History, confirmed that this had been a HUGE problem for them in previous years, but that they were extremely pleased with the class makeup and behaviour thus far. I was quite relieved to hear them be so blunt about how impressed they were with their students, and to have them admonish the parents of potential troublemakers so openly. As the History teacher proclaimed, "If you want your children to speak Macedonian in class, then why are you wasting your money here--send them to the free school two blocks away! The point of attending Nova is to learn a valuable skill--English-- not to throw your money away!". I left feeling quite confident that Chris would have no problems this year!
Chris was home sick on Monday and Tuesday, and many of his teachers expressed their wishes for his quick recovery and return to school. Though I hate these nights and find them basically a waste of time, I am glad that I went to this one. I got the sense that the teachers are really looking out for Chris, and that they have his (as well as every other student)best interests in mind. I think he will have a great year!
They designed the evening to resemble a typical school day, where you follow your child's schedule period by period. The classes are abbreviated to 10 minutes each, barely enough time to introduce yourself and practically useless in my opinion! However, I did come away from the evening with more knowledge of the school and somewhat comforted by a few of the teachers.
Initially, we had reservations about choosing this school for Chris. Though it has a good reputation academically, the student body is comprised of mostly wealthy Macedonian students, and this had caused some issues for other families. Many wealthy families send their kids there simply for the prestige of attending a private English speaking school, and not for the benefits of the educational system provided. As a result, we had heard that there were many incidences of classes being interrupted by students refusing to participate in English and of teachers who succumbed and taught in Macedonian in order to keep control of the class. This was a big worry for me, though lots of people claimed that these stories were exaggerated.
A couple of Chris' teachers, particularly Biology and World History, confirmed that this had been a HUGE problem for them in previous years, but that they were extremely pleased with the class makeup and behaviour thus far. I was quite relieved to hear them be so blunt about how impressed they were with their students, and to have them admonish the parents of potential troublemakers so openly. As the History teacher proclaimed, "If you want your children to speak Macedonian in class, then why are you wasting your money here--send them to the free school two blocks away! The point of attending Nova is to learn a valuable skill--English-- not to throw your money away!". I left feeling quite confident that Chris would have no problems this year!
Chris was home sick on Monday and Tuesday, and many of his teachers expressed their wishes for his quick recovery and return to school. Though I hate these nights and find them basically a waste of time, I am glad that I went to this one. I got the sense that the teachers are really looking out for Chris, and that they have his (as well as every other student)best interests in mind. I think he will have a great year!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Saturdays with Dimche
Saturday mornings Dimche comes. Dimche is the gardener that we hired a few weeks ago to help us manage the array of shrubbery that we have in our garden. We have a lovely yard with lots of trees, bushes, and hedges surrounding it. We have a patch of fragrant lavender and several planters of flowers and tropical plants too. Chris had no trouble keeping up with mowing the grass, but the shrubs were another story. We never had such a vast selection of trees and plants to maintain, and we certainly don't have the proper tools. Every evening we turn on the sprinklers and water all the greenery, it takes hours! Every Saturday, Dimche comes and trims the shrubs, hedges, and trees to a healthy level and keeps them looking spiffy. He is a very nice man, soft-spoken and somewhat timid, but very knowledgeable. He is a horticulturist and therefore very familiar with his work --and he has his own tools! I'm told this is unusual and that the employers usually furnish the necessary equipment. Dimche cleans up after Yotee, though we told him not to, and rinses off the patios as well. Each week, he neatly arranges all the kids outdoor toys and the patio furnishings and makes our outdoor space look great. He spends about 4/5 hours here, rain or shine, hot or extremely hot, and he takes all of the clippings and trash with him when he goes. All this for only 1200 denars ($30 ish) a week. I always try to give him a little extra, as a bonus. Sometimes he brings us fruit from his garden, such as fresh peaches or nectarines, and the children love them. Every week I offer him a sandwich and every week he politely declines, but he does accept the water I place on the table for him. We are fortunate to have him assisting us with the upkeep of our home!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
The First Day of School
Well, it is finally here! Fall, my favorite time of the year. Football kicks off, the leaves change color, the air gets a slight chill, and the kids go off to school! What's not to love??? On Thursday, the girls had their first day at their new school. I drove them in and got them settled. I was pleased to be greeted by the headmaster, who escorted us to Anastasia's classroom. It is a nice space, very bright and cheery, and her teacher seems very nice. Anastasia was only the second student to arrive, and she was clearly scared, so I tried to show her around and make her comfortable before leaving. She has two turtles and several finches in the classroom, and lots of great toys. Collier was having a great time and didn't want to go! A couple more kids arrived, including some familiar faces from the Embassy crowd. She let us leave, but still looked very nervous.
Next, we were escorted to Alina's class. She is in a combined classroom with the 4th graders. There are a total of 12 kids in both 3rd and 4th grade, and the teacher seems very competent about how to handle the differences between the two. Fortunately, they have alternating "specials" (music, PE, art), and are separated for Math and English. I was initially concerned about Alina being exposed to 4th grade math material and the effect it would have on her confidence, so I am relieved to hear this. Alina, settled right in and waved goodbye. I didn't worry about her at all, she is so social!
Arianna's classroom is in the other building, where the upper school is held. She is also in a combined class with the 7th grade. I am actually very happy to learn this, as I am confident that the extra challenges will be very beneficial for her. She is advanced for her grade and needs the extra push or she gets bored quickly. I think this will be a great year for her. She has 3 different teachers, one for English, one for math, and one for social science/homeroom. The group is very small, only 10 in both grades. She loves it and has already made friends. I was pleased to meet the Math/Music teacher, who informed me that Arianna will be able to continue with her clarinet lessons and will also learn to play another instrument. The school has a fantastic music program.
Once the kids were settled in, I stuck around to chat with some familiar faces and to introduce myself to some new ones. I met some of the other parents from Arianna and Alina's classes, and they have already offered playdates! About 12 or 14 of us went to the tennis club next door to have coffee and chat. It was a very pleasant morning.
When I picked the girls up later that afternoon, it was a bit more chaotic than in the morning. Obviously, the first few days of school are a little stressful for the administration, and there are still kinks to work out with the dismissal procedure, but I trust it will run smoother next week. On the way home, I listened as the girls shared their enthusiasm about their teachers and their new friends. I think it's going to be a great year!
Christopher started school the following day, with only a half session. He also had a very good morning and seems excited about his courses. He was issued all of his books, and spent most of the afternoon thumbing through them. His only concern is that his math class may be too simple for him!
Next, we were escorted to Alina's class. She is in a combined classroom with the 4th graders. There are a total of 12 kids in both 3rd and 4th grade, and the teacher seems very competent about how to handle the differences between the two. Fortunately, they have alternating "specials" (music, PE, art), and are separated for Math and English. I was initially concerned about Alina being exposed to 4th grade math material and the effect it would have on her confidence, so I am relieved to hear this. Alina, settled right in and waved goodbye. I didn't worry about her at all, she is so social!
Arianna's classroom is in the other building, where the upper school is held. She is also in a combined class with the 7th grade. I am actually very happy to learn this, as I am confident that the extra challenges will be very beneficial for her. She is advanced for her grade and needs the extra push or she gets bored quickly. I think this will be a great year for her. She has 3 different teachers, one for English, one for math, and one for social science/homeroom. The group is very small, only 10 in both grades. She loves it and has already made friends. I was pleased to meet the Math/Music teacher, who informed me that Arianna will be able to continue with her clarinet lessons and will also learn to play another instrument. The school has a fantastic music program.
Once the kids were settled in, I stuck around to chat with some familiar faces and to introduce myself to some new ones. I met some of the other parents from Arianna and Alina's classes, and they have already offered playdates! About 12 or 14 of us went to the tennis club next door to have coffee and chat. It was a very pleasant morning.
When I picked the girls up later that afternoon, it was a bit more chaotic than in the morning. Obviously, the first few days of school are a little stressful for the administration, and there are still kinks to work out with the dismissal procedure, but I trust it will run smoother next week. On the way home, I listened as the girls shared their enthusiasm about their teachers and their new friends. I think it's going to be a great year!
Christopher started school the following day, with only a half session. He also had a very good morning and seems excited about his courses. He was issued all of his books, and spent most of the afternoon thumbing through them. His only concern is that his math class may be too simple for him!
Fresh Flowers
I have never been one of those women who needs to receive flowers. I honestly feel it is a waste of money to buy them, even though I appreciate their beauty. When we lived in Herndon, and the house was on the market, I purchased them fairly regularly because I thought it helped make the home appear more attractive. That is not something I would usually do though.
Here in Skopje, however, I found myself very curious about the little old ladies who sell bouquets in the parking lot of Vero. They sit in the hot sun, under a tiny patio umbrella, with buckets of colorful bouquets. Sometimes, they walk around the lot and I have been approached by them, but I could never understand what they are saying! I wondered how much they charge for their lovely flowers, so finally I had Chris ask. I was shocked to find out they are only 100 denar! That is the equivalent of $2.50 for a lovely arrangement full of beautiful garden flowers from their own homes. Sunflowers, marigolds, gerbera daisies, zinnias, carnations, and many more that I am unfamiliar with, beautifully arranged and bundled with string. In Virginia, I was paying at least 3 times that much for a bunch of less attractive flowers.
While I still feel flowers are unnecessary indulgence, here it is different. Here, by treating myself to a bouquet or two a week, I am helping to put food on the table of a needy Macedonian family who have found a creative way to support themselves. I applaud the fact that they are not simply begging on street corners, and are offering such a lovely product. I am happy to be supportive of them and the girls and I are enjoying the bright and beautiful flowers!
Here in Skopje, however, I found myself very curious about the little old ladies who sell bouquets in the parking lot of Vero. They sit in the hot sun, under a tiny patio umbrella, with buckets of colorful bouquets. Sometimes, they walk around the lot and I have been approached by them, but I could never understand what they are saying! I wondered how much they charge for their lovely flowers, so finally I had Chris ask. I was shocked to find out they are only 100 denar! That is the equivalent of $2.50 for a lovely arrangement full of beautiful garden flowers from their own homes. Sunflowers, marigolds, gerbera daisies, zinnias, carnations, and many more that I am unfamiliar with, beautifully arranged and bundled with string. In Virginia, I was paying at least 3 times that much for a bunch of less attractive flowers.
While I still feel flowers are unnecessary indulgence, here it is different. Here, by treating myself to a bouquet or two a week, I am helping to put food on the table of a needy Macedonian family who have found a creative way to support themselves. I applaud the fact that they are not simply begging on street corners, and are offering such a lovely product. I am happy to be supportive of them and the girls and I are enjoying the bright and beautiful flowers!
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