Goodbye Bulgaria
My last weeks and my year in Reflection
Saying goodbye to Bulgaria, the place that has been my home for a year is incredibly hard but saying goodbye to the people that have helped me grow and through their guidance have made this year of change possible was devastating.
When I was booking my flight home I worked it so that I could go to the teachers final farewell end of the year gathering. I am so thankful that I went. I was so touched by so many things throughout the weekend.
Before we got into the nitty gritty of the meetings we did some sight seeing - for me my final adventure in Bulgaria. We saw this awesome monastery built into the mountains. It was really impressive and incredibly beautiful!
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| The monastery |
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| Gorgeous view from the monastery |
I was allotted a time to give a presentation about my year. Margo translated for me and everyone seemed genuinely interested and engaged and I was so touched that they cared what I had to say. Surprisingly this is an exception - these teachers were pretty terrible listeners overall.... (:)) but I say that with love.
Also, three other people mentioned me during their presentations. One of the vice principles got choked up when she was speaking of my role and the english teachers discussed how helpful they felt I was. Dimi honored me by giving me undue credit for her acceptance into the America for Bulgaria two week training grant to the US.
The best part of the weekend was the party. We gathered at the hotel restaurant for dancing and I hardly sat from 8 until midnight. I danced the few horos I know and partied hard with all the CRAZY teachers. The other vice principle danced a slow dance with me - a bit uncomfortable but touching at the same time.
When I said goodbye to the teachers I knew would not be seeing me off for my bus to Sofia I could not find the words.
A little note to the people I love that I said goodbye to that night.
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| The Lovely Roni |
Dear Roni,
Thank you for your guidance throughout this year. Thank you for the respect of treating me as a peer despite our 20 year age difference. I am honored that you respected my role as a teacher and that you always seemed genuinely interested in my insight.
Roni - you managed to flawlessly play the role of friend and Bulgarian mother. You scolded me for not dressing for the weather but still gossiped with me.
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| With Dimi on the dance floor |
Lovely Dimi,
What an honor to meet a person like you with the ability to find the positive in everyone and every thing. You saw your role as a teacher in such a beautiful way and it was inspiring to work with you.
It was also nice to have another young teacher to work with and I really loved getting to know you.
My departure from Varna.
Sunday morning Margo came to drive me to the bus station. We picked up Kris and then met Konstantin, Vayra (his girlfriend) and two of my students, Vicky and Alex at a cafe near the station.
It was so touching to have all these people come to see me off. They stayed by the bus until I pulled away and waved for ten minutes straight. It was adorable and hilarious - as everyone else on the bus had no idea what was going on.
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| The always fashionable Kris |
Dear Kris,
When we said goodbye you said how it was nice having me around while your daughter has been away. What an honor to be thought of with that kind of love. You have been there for me in very motherly ways but I have also loved dancing with you and I cannot believe the kind of energy you have. I will miss you greatly!
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Vyara - Konstantin - Me
July morning!! |
Konstantin,
Thank you so much for everything! Thank you for helping me with my apartment mishaps, setting up my internet and copious other adjustments I needed guidance for. But thank you the most for being one of the greatest friends I have ever had. You are a wonderful listener and it is great talking with you about anything. You have a wonderful perspective on the world and you inspire me with your desire to grow, learn and change. Not everyone is willing to change their views on things but you were always willing debate and argue with me while taking in everything I say to gain a new peerspective.
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| With Dobi at a Mexana |
Dobi could not come come to say goodbye but how can I not mention the wonderful and sweet Dobi.
Dear Dobi,
You were a unique friend for me. You are so thoughtful and took such good care of me. I very rarely noticed our age difference and the times I did see it - it was merely because you were in some way taking care of me. Going the extra bus stop to see me home, having me call you when I got in the house or simply translating a menu for me. You are a special person and friend and I love you!
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| Myself and Margo - my mentor - my guide - and my wonderful friend |
Dear dear Margo,
I could not have been more lucky to have you as my mentor teacher. Right from the start you were thoughtful and giving. I knew we would click when we were the only duo sitting outside for our meeting in Pravets. Margo, you are hilarious and can mock a person so simply without ever causing offense. You have done so much for me this year and I cannot even begin to thank you. What is most amazing about everything you have given and done for me is you have never made me feel bad for asking or done any favor begrudgingly. When ever I thank you - you look at me with eyes that say "for what" as if the long drive out of your way and the time spent figuring out an issue was no big deal. I have loved every minute we have spent together and I cannot wait to see you again - in Bulgaria or America - we shall see!
I really truly love you and I know you will be part of my life forever.
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| 10D - a very fun and goofy class |
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| Some of my women's club - very special girls |
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| adorable 9th grade class |
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| 10z - tough kids but such beautiful hearts! |
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| more cute 9th graders |
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| 11г - I will honestly miss you guys |
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| a very special 10th grade class |
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| 11в - you guys were the light of my week |
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| Hilarious 10th grade class |
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| A very special student - Vicky! |
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| Roni's 9th graders - love them! even though they don't always know it |
Informal farewell party by the sea with awesome students!
Dear Students,
Thank you Vicky and Alex for seeing me off. Thank you for the flowers and the chocolate and for taking the time to come to the bus station.
Thank you students for inspiring me, challenging me and making me think in new ways. Thank you for your patience and forgiveness while I learned what the hell it means to be a teacher. It has been a colossal struggle figuring out what lessons to do, how to present ideas in the best way and understand all of you.
The best part of the year was the connections I made with students. I have felt honored to be a confidant to many of you, to be a resource about schools and future plans and to have so many of you attending extra courses to learn from me.
I have learned so much from all of you. You have been my best resource for understanding Bulgaria and Bulgarian traditions. You have taught me that sometimes the way a high schooler thinks can be more thoughtful and caring than an adult and that change is on the surface if you just look for it.
Love you all - for real!
- Ms. R
Today I left from Sofia for my long journey home - back to America.
Bobi, who I have mentioned off hand in many places in this blog, but never really explained saw me off.
Meeting Bobi was the best part of my year and saying goodbye to him was the hardest thing I have ever done.
Bobi and I fell in love - despite the odds and various obstacles that meant we could not make a long term relationship last.
He is one of the kindest people I have ever known. Bobi does not do nice things because its the right thing to do but because he only thinks of the nice thing. He has a pure heart and does not even see the other (not as nice) option.
We met today for a walk and lunch and then we had an emotional goodbye in the airport. I have refrained from talking about him on my blog to respect privacy and because of our many odds against us not wanting to answer the questions of why we could not make it last. But Bobi has been the most important person I have met this year and to not give him mention is unfair.
Today Bobi said "I am glad I met someone it is so hard to say goodbye to" - I feel the same way. Some people come into your life to teach you something and inspire you. Bobi did just that - he taught me the right way to love and brought me to understand what a truly great relationship needs.
I will forever be grateful for this love.
Goodbye my Borislav Branimirov Zaimov - I love you!
Goodbye Bulgaria,
Thank you for teaching me:
- How to stand up for myself and fight back even in a language I do not know well at all
- How to go with the flow - think in positive ways and understand that everything is for the best.
- For granting me the home base to travel from and see the world
- For showing me the beauty of the natural environment here - the sea, the mountains, the roses and much more
- For introducing me to rocking food - sach, shopska salad, banista, and more
- For helping me to learn to be on my own - to be reflective with my self and discover my own strength and abilities.
This year has honestly been the best year of my life. I have learned so much and I have had so many incredible experiences. Everything has been new and everything has been inspiring.
When I think back to myself the week before leaving for Bulgaria. I was a wreck - I got into a car accident - obviously influenced by nerves, I was sullen and stressed and I could not even begin to imagine what I was getting myself in to.
Now as I leave - all I feel is gratitude and love. I have been given so much this year and I have changed in irrevocable ways. I have become a stronger, more thoughtful and smarter person I believe. Living abroad and exploring a new culture changes you and gives you things you could not imagine. I am so sad to be leaving but so happy for all that I have gained.
I love Bulgaria and I will definitely come back here - soon!
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| My first picture in Bulgaria - from my hotel room in Pravets |
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| Sunset in Pravets |
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| The Danube |
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| The roses |
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| The seacoast in Varna - my favorite place in all of Bulgaria |
