A Note To All

Greetings. This last blog is to inform everyone that we have made the decision to return to the states. This choice was not an easy one and we just wanted to thank everyone for all of the support and efforts to make Moldova a better place for children. We received package after package of awesome school supplies to distribute to the local schools. People sent food, books, dvd's, etc. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! The students were in awe that people from "America" cared enough to help Moldova. We came to the conclusion to leave Moldova early because we were not getting the opportunity to serve as a couple and most days it seemed as if we did not have an assignment or that we were not doing anything to help the people. In short, we think that it was not going to be worth 2 more years away from our friends, family and careers. We love you guys and thank you for everything. :) You all have been such a blessing to us. Hope to see you soon. :)

Peace and Love

Caleb & Brynn

First Week of School...

We found lettuce in the market today. We were both so excited to see lettuce since neither one of us have eaten a salad since we left the states. Lettuce here is only for sale when it is in season which I think is only a few times a year. So for lunch we both ate yummy salads with chicken, peppers, and tomatoes...it was wonderful. The market here in our town is open every Thursday and Sunday. So on Sundays we go to the market and buy our fruits and veggies for the week. It is amazing, we can buy a whole bag of ripe tomatoes for only about 60 cents.
Caleb and I have survived our first week of school here. Every year here school begins on September 1st...the morning of September 1st all the students, parents, and teachers gather in front of their school and there is an opening ceremony. The director talks, kids sing, students give flowers to their teachers...it is so different from school in America. After school the first day, both of us came home with an armful of flowers. The kids are still excited from their summer vacations and we are hoping they settle down some in the next few weeks!
We are settling in to our new home here and are enjoying being back together again. Our host mother is very sweet and supportive of us. She asks us all the time if we miss our family and friends and if we have talked with anyone from home.
Can't believe it is September already!! Miss you all- will write again soon!
- The Whitworths

rainy saturday

Rainy day here in the DOVA. Just wanted to say hello. Brynn and I just got done finishing lunch. We had fried potatoes and a yummy tomatoe, cucumber, and pepper salad w/ a splash of balsamic and olive oil. College football is starting soon. GO VOLS!

Hard to Believe...

It's hard to believe we have made it through 10 weeks of pre-service training...it's amazing to realize how much we have learned and also how much we have experienced in such a short time. Last night, we had a farewell party with our host families. Each village presented a song, dance, or skit in thanks to how much our families have done for us. We also prepared American food including: chocolate chip cookies, salsa and chips, peach crisp, pizza, pigs in a blanket, etc. It was wonderful!! And I think most of the Moldovans enjoyed the food...except for anything that was spicy!
Tomorrow, Caleb and I have our final language test and some wrap up sessions with peace corps. Tuesday we move out of our host family homes and Wednesday we swear in and move to our new site! Please pray for us as we make this transition. We miss you all.
- Brynn

Buna seara! Good evening!

Can't believe in two days we will have been away from home for 2 months. It has been crazy! We have learned so much in such a short amount of time. Caleb and I have two more days of practice school and then we are finished. Next week is a wrap up week for training and then we officially swear in on August 20th. Please continue to keep us in your prayers- for strength and endurance!
Practice school has been very interesting. I have been teaching in Romanian with a partner teacher. Of course I have been reading from note cards, but also trying to use some of my improv skills, which is difficult because I am not really sure if what I am saying is correct or if they understand me! It's hard to hold discussions or respond to what the kids say. Nonetheless, it has been fun! The students here are so different from at home, they are all very timid and shy. It takes awhile for them to loosen up and participate. I believe the idea of "interactive" teaching is very foreign to them. But once they do open up, it is amazing and they have so many great ideas and thoughts!
Miss you all! Hope all is well. - Brynn

And...

I almost forgot to mention that i have been teaching English to a 5th grade class here in Moldova. I absolutely love it. Eventhough English is not my subject I feel pretty good about teaching it. The students are precious. They are a little different from American students, but your usual 5th graders. Every student carries white out and a ruler. They are very specific about things being correct and frumos (beautiful). I'm very impressed with them. They call me Mr. Caleb. :) Tomorrow we have our last day and then I begin teaching the 9th grade for a week. If anyone gets a wild hair and wants to send some school supplies get in touch with me. ;) We can make it happen.
Peace and Love
Caleb

Some things

A few cools things that I enjoy about Moldova. In the mornings I wake up to the sound of a rooster. Then I walk downstairs where my mama gazda is preparing oatmeal for me and brewing some fresh hot tea. On my way to school I pass a goat that usually says greets me with a long baaaaahh. Sometimes I stop by the magazine on the corner (small store) and say buna dimeneatsa (good morning) to Doamna Zina and to buy a Snickers. Then I continue to school passing children and people. When I go home for lunch (Prinz) my mama gazda always has something fresh and yummy to eat. My meal consists of fresh parsley from the garden, some potatoes, chicken from the chicken coop, and of course fresh tomatoes and cucumbers from the garden. I also get to snack on our apple, cherry, sour cherry, and plum trees. Moldova rocks. It is big sky country and the stars are so bright. I had the chance to do some romanian/English karaoke the other night with my family. I sang Fuga Fuga and crazy by aerosmith. Funny stuff. My family is so tight here. They all hang out together and play games, etc. Im place ( i like it) :) I miss you all. Please keep reading the blog and commenting. It makes me smile. :) Peace and Love,
Caleb