I leave for Bulgaria two weeks from today. CRAZY! Next Tuesday it will only be one week. Am I ready for this? No way, Jose. I'm officially freaking out. I don't know Bulgarian, I don't want to fly over the ocean, I don't want to switch my body to a time zone that's 9 hours different, I don't want to eat eggs and pickles on my pizza....*sigh*.
Aside from freaking out, you may have noticed the little map at the top of our blog. I've created that so that everyone can see where we are in Bulgaria while on our trip. That little marker is currently on Kotel.
Anyway, I just needed a little "freak out" session because this Bulgaria is turning out to be for real...it's not just a fun little idea anymore. WE'RE REALLY DOING IT! AHH!
8/26/08
8/23/08
Ball-garia
I can't believe that we are only two weeks away from leaving for Bulgaria. I have so many mixed emotions it isn't even funny!
The other night (I think it was Tuesday) Tony's friends from Bulgaria invited us to a little Cafe that serves "Balkan cuisine". I was dreading this date, because I knew that everyone was going to be speaking Bulgarian, and that my skills would be so basic that I wouldn't be able to communicate with anyone and therefore not have any fun. We drove to Salt Lake City and attempted to find the address that Nesheva gave us. The part of town we were in was quite industrial, so Tony and I were wondering where we would find a restaurant where we were. We finally drove up to a tiny little shack of a place that said "Main Street Cafe, Balkan Cuisine". When we went inside, it reminded me a lot of my grandma's restaurant, except everyone there spoke a Slavic language, haha. (My grandma did attempt to speak Bulgarian once, but we won't go into that story---she's nuts!) The food there was okay. The salad was disgusting, even Tony thought so. We shared this meal for two that was just loaded with all kinds of greasy meat and the only really good part was the french fries. Luckily for me Tony said the food in Bulgaria won't be like that. After all, the owner of the place was from Croatia, not Bulgaria :).
As for the conversation, I was pleasantly pleased with myself. I could understand most of what everyone was saying, and had a basic idea of what each conversation topic was. I wasn't planning on speaking a word of Bulgarian, because all of these Bulgars spoke perfect English. Tony had other plans for me. One of the guys there asked me about Tony teaching me Bulgarian and Tony says to him, "hey! Ask her about it in Bulgarian." So, he did. As I thought of what to say to respond my face turned beet red and I said some simple things to him "Yes, I can understand, but I don't like to speak." Tony said everyone there was really impressed, but I was so embarrassed that I didn't care, haha. Bulgaria is looking to be quite an embarrassing experience if I keep this up!
In other news, we learned where we will be living during our stay in Bulgaria. This news was not what I was expecting, but I suppose I have to deal with it, huh? We will begin our internships in an orphanage called Sveta Marina. It is located in a selo, or very small village, called Medven. We'll actually be living in a village house in a small city called Kotel that is right outside of Medven. This orphanage looks very difficult. I was planning on playing with a bunch of cute little ones similar to my experience at House of Hope. I've never dealt well with people/children with disabilities so this is kind of scary for me to think about. Looking on the bright side, I will learn things I never would have learned because I would never put myself in this situation. Tony says my Bulgarian will improve very quickly living in a small village because absolutely no one speaks English there. I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed, but I'm beginning to be grateful for this opportunity.
After Medven/Kotel, we'll move to a city called Bratsigovo. There isn't much information on this orphanage so I'm not sure what it has in store for us. I know that we will be living in an apartment there. Hopefully the orphanage there is a different experience from Kotel so that I can really gain some knowledge while in Bulgaria.
Like I said, I have lots of mixed emotions and I'm not really sure what to think about all of this right now, but I'm still so excited to go. Here I come Bulgaria...ready or not.
The other night (I think it was Tuesday) Tony's friends from Bulgaria invited us to a little Cafe that serves "Balkan cuisine". I was dreading this date, because I knew that everyone was going to be speaking Bulgarian, and that my skills would be so basic that I wouldn't be able to communicate with anyone and therefore not have any fun. We drove to Salt Lake City and attempted to find the address that Nesheva gave us. The part of town we were in was quite industrial, so Tony and I were wondering where we would find a restaurant where we were. We finally drove up to a tiny little shack of a place that said "Main Street Cafe, Balkan Cuisine". When we went inside, it reminded me a lot of my grandma's restaurant, except everyone there spoke a Slavic language, haha. (My grandma did attempt to speak Bulgarian once, but we won't go into that story---she's nuts!) The food there was okay. The salad was disgusting, even Tony thought so. We shared this meal for two that was just loaded with all kinds of greasy meat and the only really good part was the french fries. Luckily for me Tony said the food in Bulgaria won't be like that. After all, the owner of the place was from Croatia, not Bulgaria :).
As for the conversation, I was pleasantly pleased with myself. I could understand most of what everyone was saying, and had a basic idea of what each conversation topic was. I wasn't planning on speaking a word of Bulgarian, because all of these Bulgars spoke perfect English. Tony had other plans for me. One of the guys there asked me about Tony teaching me Bulgarian and Tony says to him, "hey! Ask her about it in Bulgarian." So, he did. As I thought of what to say to respond my face turned beet red and I said some simple things to him "Yes, I can understand, but I don't like to speak." Tony said everyone there was really impressed, but I was so embarrassed that I didn't care, haha. Bulgaria is looking to be quite an embarrassing experience if I keep this up!
In other news, we learned where we will be living during our stay in Bulgaria. This news was not what I was expecting, but I suppose I have to deal with it, huh? We will begin our internships in an orphanage called Sveta Marina. It is located in a selo, or very small village, called Medven. We'll actually be living in a village house in a small city called Kotel that is right outside of Medven. This orphanage looks very difficult. I was planning on playing with a bunch of cute little ones similar to my experience at House of Hope. I've never dealt well with people/children with disabilities so this is kind of scary for me to think about. Looking on the bright side, I will learn things I never would have learned because I would never put myself in this situation. Tony says my Bulgarian will improve very quickly living in a small village because absolutely no one speaks English there. I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed, but I'm beginning to be grateful for this opportunity.
After Medven/Kotel, we'll move to a city called Bratsigovo. There isn't much information on this orphanage so I'm not sure what it has in store for us. I know that we will be living in an apartment there. Hopefully the orphanage there is a different experience from Kotel so that I can really gain some knowledge while in Bulgaria.
Like I said, I have lots of mixed emotions and I'm not really sure what to think about all of this right now, but I'm still so excited to go. Here I come Bulgaria...ready or not.
8/19/08
Motivation...
...or lack thereof.
As you may know, I recently had my wisdom teeth removed. (All is well, I'm all healed up, by the way). Before this operation, I was getting pretty gung-ho about this running program I was on. I was making noticable improvements, feeling better, and I was exercising EVERY day. It was great, and I was beginning to feel like a healthy person!
Well, obviously after a surgery--running isn't an option. The dentist told me to rest from physical activity for about a week. A WEEK?! At first this was a bummer to me, but then I thought to myself, "Psshh, I love running! I'll be back in no time!" I was dying to go for a run throughout my recovery and was anxiously awaiting the day that I could go again, when I got my stitches removed.
Well, pals, today is that day. I had my stitches (painfully) taken out this morning and the doc says I'm healing up just fine. However, the last thing I want to do right now is...R-U-N. It is amazing to me that missing a week of your workout can turn you back in to a big, fat, lazy, bum. I would much rather go upstairs, grab a soda, and watch TLC in bed all night long. Running sounds SO lame right now!! But alas, I must run, for I will become fat if I don't. All I have to do is remember the good old days when running was fun for me.
So, wish me luck kiddos...I'm off!
As you may know, I recently had my wisdom teeth removed. (All is well, I'm all healed up, by the way). Before this operation, I was getting pretty gung-ho about this running program I was on. I was making noticable improvements, feeling better, and I was exercising EVERY day. It was great, and I was beginning to feel like a healthy person!
Well, obviously after a surgery--running isn't an option. The dentist told me to rest from physical activity for about a week. A WEEK?! At first this was a bummer to me, but then I thought to myself, "Psshh, I love running! I'll be back in no time!" I was dying to go for a run throughout my recovery and was anxiously awaiting the day that I could go again, when I got my stitches removed.
Well, pals, today is that day. I had my stitches (painfully) taken out this morning and the doc says I'm healing up just fine. However, the last thing I want to do right now is...R-U-N. It is amazing to me that missing a week of your workout can turn you back in to a big, fat, lazy, bum. I would much rather go upstairs, grab a soda, and watch TLC in bed all night long. Running sounds SO lame right now!! But alas, I must run, for I will become fat if I don't. All I have to do is remember the good old days when running was fun for me.
So, wish me luck kiddos...I'm off!
Happy Anniversary!
Yay! Two years down!
It's so great to have a day that you can celebrate with your husband. An anniversary is like a joint birthday, and I love it! Tony is the best, by the way. I recently have been so appreciative that we can be ourselves around each other. It takes a lot to embarass me in front of Tony. Heck, he saw me zombified the other day after my surgery and I didn't care! I love that we are getting closer and closer each day. I love that we are going to spend an amazing three months in Bulgaria, getting to know each other in a different light. How many people have that experience? I'm so grateful.
We had so much fun yesterday. We kept it simple, but still exciting I suppose. We started off the evening with a dinner at our "special place" The Outback. We both ordered delicious steaks and then some scrumptious dessert name Chocolate Thunder Down Under (or something like that...). Then we came home, snuggled up in some blankets and watched the Bucket List--great movie, I recommend it!
We're also going to go to St. George next week and spend some time hiking and playing down there. It will be our last American hoorah before we leave for Ball-garia. What an anniversary!
It's so great to have a day that you can celebrate with your husband. An anniversary is like a joint birthday, and I love it! Tony is the best, by the way. I recently have been so appreciative that we can be ourselves around each other. It takes a lot to embarass me in front of Tony. Heck, he saw me zombified the other day after my surgery and I didn't care! I love that we are getting closer and closer each day. I love that we are going to spend an amazing three months in Bulgaria, getting to know each other in a different light. How many people have that experience? I'm so grateful.
We had so much fun yesterday. We kept it simple, but still exciting I suppose. We started off the evening with a dinner at our "special place" The Outback. We both ordered delicious steaks and then some scrumptious dessert name Chocolate Thunder Down Under (or something like that...). Then we came home, snuggled up in some blankets and watched the Bucket List--great movie, I recommend it!
We're also going to go to St. George next week and spend some time hiking and playing down there. It will be our last American hoorah before we leave for Ball-garia. What an anniversary!
8/16/08
Mini-Vacation
(Written 8/11/08, I just didn't finish it before the old wisdom teeth dealy)
Tony and I had the opportunity to visit Indiana this past weekend. It was really nice to take a mini-vacation and go visit my family. On Friday, we went to Holiday World (one of Indiana's few gems) and had a really great time. The park is divided up into different holidays and the rides, restaurants, and shows are all themed after the holiday. Pretty neat. We rode some pretty monstrous roller coasters like the Raven (Halloween world) and the Legend (also Halloween) and my throat still is feeling it from screaming for dear life on one of them, the Voyage (found, of course, in Thanksgiving world). All of these roller coasters are wooden and go about 60 mph. The Voyage, however, goes over 70mph leaving you wondering if you'll live or die on the ride. Sheesh! Here are a few pictures/videos from our Holiday World visit.
Merry Christmas!
Happy 4th!
Tony and I had the opportunity to visit Indiana this past weekend. It was really nice to take a mini-vacation and go visit my family. On Friday, we went to Holiday World (one of Indiana's few gems) and had a really great time. The park is divided up into different holidays and the rides, restaurants, and shows are all themed after the holiday. Pretty neat. We rode some pretty monstrous roller coasters like the Raven (Halloween world) and the Legend (also Halloween) and my throat still is feeling it from screaming for dear life on one of them, the Voyage (found, of course, in Thanksgiving world). All of these roller coasters are wooden and go about 60 mph. The Voyage, however, goes over 70mph leaving you wondering if you'll live or die on the ride. Sheesh! Here are a few pictures/videos from our Holiday World visit.
Merry Christmas!
Happy Halloween!
We HAD to get a picture with Santa!
Don't judge for the shorty shorts, we went to the water park first, and I wore those over my swimsuit :)
Me and my sisters in front of a huge Christmas tree.
Happy 4th!
I'm not sure about these, hahaha
Dad and Morgan after the legend...Morgan is a little freaked, haha.
Thanksgiving world. See that ginormous hill in the background? Yeah, that's the Voyage.
8/11/08
Blog Explosion!
I was trying to add this nifty little "Where You've Been Map" for when we are in Bulgaria, and it totally ate my blog! It took away all of my widgets and deleted my background. Sadly, I couldn't find the same background anywhere so I had to choose a new one. Sorry if it's ugly, I picked it solely because it was red and green....Bulgarian flag colors.
Can you tell I'm getting ready for our trip?
Can you tell I'm getting ready for our trip?
8/10/08
I've been tagged!
For the first time ever (lame, I know) I've been tagged!
Four Places I go over & over:
1. The Mall
2. The grocery store
3. Target
4. Church
Four Places I like to eat:
1. Olive Garden
2. Cafe Rio
3. Outback Steakhouse
4. Texas Roadhouse
Four Places I would like to be right now:
1. In my own apartment....we've been with family for a long time!
2. Bulgaria
3. In my bed
4. I would like to be at next Friday. Then my wisdom teeth operation will be finished and I'll hopefully be completely healed by then. Boo for oral surgery. :(
Four TV shows:
1. The Office
2. What Not to Wear
3. Everybody Loves Raymond
4. Ten Years Younger
Three Joys:
1. Tony!
2. Surprises
3. Family
Three Fears:
1. Drowning
2. Tony dying
3. The dark
Three Short-term Goals:
1. Learn as much Bulgarian as I can before we leave!
2. Get through my wisdom teeth operation
3. Find an apartment
Three obsessions:
1. Blogging. Reading them, writing them..whatever!
2. Clothes
3. This sounds weird, but my hair. I can't stand when it doesn't do what I want it to do.
Three surprising facts about me:
1. I'd like to be an olympic swimmer one day....mind you, I'm not training in anyway for this. I just think it would be neat. haha
2. I think I'll vote Democrat this election...and the ones to come after that.
3. I like fried pickles.
I tag: Leslee, Shannon, and Alli
Four Places I go over & over:
1. The Mall
2. The grocery store
3. Target
4. Church
Four Places I like to eat:
1. Olive Garden
2. Cafe Rio
3. Outback Steakhouse
4. Texas Roadhouse
Four Places I would like to be right now:
1. In my own apartment....we've been with family for a long time!
2. Bulgaria
3. In my bed
4. I would like to be at next Friday. Then my wisdom teeth operation will be finished and I'll hopefully be completely healed by then. Boo for oral surgery. :(
Four TV shows:
1. The Office
2. What Not to Wear
3. Everybody Loves Raymond
4. Ten Years Younger
Three Joys:
1. Tony!
2. Surprises
3. Family
Three Fears:
1. Drowning
2. Tony dying
3. The dark
Three Short-term Goals:
1. Learn as much Bulgarian as I can before we leave!
2. Get through my wisdom teeth operation
3. Find an apartment
Three obsessions:
1. Blogging. Reading them, writing them..whatever!
2. Clothes
3. This sounds weird, but my hair. I can't stand when it doesn't do what I want it to do.
Three surprising facts about me:
1. I'd like to be an olympic swimmer one day....mind you, I'm not training in anyway for this. I just think it would be neat. haha
2. I think I'll vote Democrat this election...and the ones to come after that.
3. I like fried pickles.
I tag: Leslee, Shannon, and Alli
8/3/08
1, 1, 1 Celebration Feast!
To celebrate our 1 month, 1 week, and 1 day mark until we leave for Bulgaria (which was actually Friday) we decided to have a grand Bulgarian feast. We put off our little party until Sunday because Tony's family wanted to participate...don't ask me why! haha.
We made Pile (pronounced Pee-lay) c Kartofi (Chicken with Potatoes), except we didn't actually cook the potatoes in with the chicken. Instead, we made another favorite of ours--french fries and feta cheese. We also made Shopska Salata, a salad made with cucumbers, tomatoes, feta cheese, oil, and vinegar, and had some nice crusty bread. Oh, and we couldn't forget the Rakia! Which is basically Bulgarian Brandy (non-alcoholic [grape juice] of course). I think my favorite part of the dinner, just because of the reaction from Tony's family, was the fact that there were no ice cubes in the water. They don't put ice cubes in their drinks in Bulgaria (or in most of Europe for that matter), and we were being as authentic as we could here in the States for our little celebration dinner. It was really funny how put out they were by not having ice cubes in their already fairly cold water. :P
Here are some pictures from our dinner, it turned out really good and I had a lot of fun with it. :)
We had to start our dinner out the right way...with a toast to health!
See the little cups of Rakia? And the water, bez ice cubes
On the right is our Shopska Salata
Mmmm...I make some decent Pile. Thanks for the recipe, Krassy! 
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