A year older and wiser.... hopefully!

This week marked another birthday, and 13 months into my time at site. I now have less than a year left in Moldova, and the thought of this marked a serious moment of reflection and even caused a breakthrough in my work with the mayor’s office.

Last week when I went in to talk to my mayor, after months of struggling to get work accomplished with my appointed work partner at the mayor’s office, I sat down with him and we bounced ideas off each other for community project plans. He agreed to organize a meeting the following morning with community leaders to get everyone on the same page for a current project fund that is open, and in which we have opportunity to receive. When I mentioned to him that whatever project we choose to accomplish has to be finished by the time I complete my Peace Corps service in July, he said to me, “don’t worry, we have time!” I said to him, “You told me we had time five months ago and nothing we have yet to accomplish together.” He then replied, “Natasha, you are here for another year, don’t worry.” I said, “No, I am not, I’m here for only another 10 months.” He said, “How? You arrived in August!” I said, “Yes, but I arrived in Moldova in June…” His eyes were wide of shock of how fast time has flown. I was silent in shock for how long we have been “working” together, though not working together. The majority of this certainly had to do with the language issue, and impatience and several misunderstandings on both sides.

While we both felt each other out and waited for my language skills to improve I am proud of myself for finding work elsewhere in the meantime—at the school and at the youth center, and making relationships there that are now going to help me as I move forward with two projects. They involve teaching project planning, management, and budget techniques to two student groups—at the high school and at the college. Through this past year there have been many rough patches and frustrations, resulting from my own impatience. At the same time, I also realized that had I not continued to be positive, looked only at the bright side of things, kept my expectations in check, and found work elsewhere to keep me busy, I certainly could easily have headed home early. I constantly told myself to “wait, things will get better.” Fortunately, I am grateful for an amazing support network of friends and family, both here and at home, and thoughts of giving up never once entered my head.

On my birthday Laela, my best friend and fellow volunteer, came down to celebrate with me for a few days. We had a barbecue with nearby volunteers, and played corn hole with my corn hole boards that I had been thinking about preparing and finally made as my own, “personal integration project.” On Monday at work I was greeted with the required 3 cheek kisses for celebrating by Nadia. Later we all shared champagne, funfetti cupcakes (I had saved the box for months—thanks, Mom!), and snacks as Laela led everyone in singing Happy Birthday both in English and in Russian. I was presented with a small Moldovan souvenir, wine, and flowers. My mayor toasted to me and said that all of their young people leave their country—for work, living circumstances, a variety of reasons. But, that for them, they are so interested and happy to see us come into their country and experience their culture. I tried not to let my eyes water up as I responded with, “Thank you so much… last year I didn’t understand a word of my birthday toasts, and this year, well, I get it!”

That evening Laela and I met with some local friends to continue celebrating, and the following day two of my students surprised me with a homemade cake they prepared for me. All of this has warmed my heart lately, and has me more dedicated to each day of my service here—be them confusing and interesting at times, and both exciting and challenging. My time here is not just about work, and my recent conversations with my mayor, as well as all the birthday celebrations and wishes from locals are putting into perspective the importance of a balance of both work and cultural exchange.