Nations in Transition

I read Romania by Mark Sanborne, a book that is part of the Nations in Transition series, last week. Sanborne provides a detailed account of Romania's tumultous history, beginning with the earliest Greek colonists who settled at the mouth of the Danube in the 7th century BC and culminating with Iliescu's return to the presidency in 2000. Not only is the country's history fascinating, but Sanborne's insight into the mindset of the Romanian people because of their history was enlightening.

Reading about the Ceausescu regime was particularly horrifying to me. Before I read the book I had watched several United Streaming videos that examined what Communist rule has done to Romania's economy. The images continue to haunt me--crumbling factories that pollute the air and endanger the health of workers, and imposing, menacing Communist apartment buildings, devoid of decoration, sterile, and ugly. I have to admit that I envisioned medieval castles and green, rolling hills when I thought of Romania--a pastoral paradise. They are there, of course, but I did not know that Ceausescu systematically destroyed so much beautiful architecture and replaced it with such horrors. I am astounded that one man could do so much damage to his country and to his people, and I wonder what would possess someone to destroy his own culture and oppress his own people. He must have lacked a conscience; I don't understand how he could live with himself.

I just finished reading Night by Elie Wiesel last night. I have no words. This is the most powerful, horrifying, painful book about the Holocaust that I've read. It is a story that everyone should read so that no one will forget, deny, or incite such acts again.

Two months from today I leave on my trip. This will be a life-changing experience, and I'll always be thankful to have this chance to grow, to learn, and to serve.

Curriculum Connections

I had a few minutes today to read and to think about the learning centers I'll be creating for 6th grade upon my return from Romania. That's one nice thing about TAKS; lots of time to read (if you're in the hallway and not in the classroom, that is! I was lucky enough to be in the hallway for two days this time around). I'm recording what I'm reading about learning centers and planning the ones I'll create at http://romaniatrip.wikispaces.com/ . I think this will be a great way to prepare before I go and while I'm there. And it will keep me on track and focused about what I need to acquire while I'm there. Now, if only I can be sure I'll have internet access . . .

Swine Flu? Not to be Paranoid . . .

The EU has issued a travel advisory to Mexico and to parts of the US because of the swine flu outbreak:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090427/ap_on_re_eu/swine_flu_world

It's hard not to get a little paranoid about this when planning a trip abroad. I know it's too soon to speculate whether or not this will affect Americans' travel plans, but I am one of those type A personalities who frets. Although there haven't been any outbreaks reported in Houston yet, a high school outside of San Antonio has reportedly been shut down because of cases there.

http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local/story/Swine-flu-fears-close-schools-in-four-states/KUB5QlsK4UqIxlxNstsRgw.cspx

I continue to do research about places to see while in Romania, and I continue to ask volunteers who have been there before countless questions. There are internet cafes in Barlad, but several people I've asked are bringing laptops with them so they can blog, email, and upload pictures and videos at night. We're staying at the Raluca Hotel in Barlad, and we will be able to make weekend travel plans with a tour company there. I'm reading my National Geographic Guidebook, surfing the net, and getting excited. Oh, and keeping my fingers crossed that swine flu won't change anything!

Travel Plans are Complete!

Last night Dennis helped me book my flight and a room at the airport hotel for one night. I fly out of Houston Intercontinental on Friday July 24th and meet my Global Volunteers team and program representative at the Otopeni Airport in Bucharest. A link to info about the airport:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Coand%C4%83_International_Airport

From there we'll take a 3 1/2 hour train ride to Barlad and begin our volunteer program. I'm looking forward to meeting the lovely people with whom I've been communicating via email and who are also going on this trip. A number of people have either participated in the Romania program before or have volunteered in other countries with Global Volunteers. That tells me that this is truly going to be an incredible experience and that Global Volunteers was the right choice for me.

I'm going to spend part of the three weeks working with high school students, helping them develop their conversational English skills. I can't wait to learn about their lives, their hopes, their dreams, and their viewpoints. I know my students will feel the same way! I'll volunteer at Tutova's "failure to thrive" clinic as well. Severely underweight babies come there to be nursed back to health. Some of them will be reclaimed by parents once they're healthy and whole again; others will not. Their parents are very poor, and according to Global Volunteers, about 25% of the children are left in the government's care.

On the weekends, I hope to see as much of Romania as I can. I know I want to see Bran, home of Dracula's caste, and the painted monasteries in the north. I have lots of homework to do between now and July 24th, but I found a terrific interactive online map and I have a cart of resources I need to order on Amazon. It will be fun to explore such a culturally and historically rich country with some new friends, and I know this will be the most fun I will ever have putting together instructional materials!

Here's a link to the Global Volunteers website. Join me in Romania, won't you?
http://www.globalvolunteers.org/

The Journey Begins

Saturday April 18, 2009 may have been one of the stormiest days Houston has seen in the last few months, but Mother Nature couldn't come close to matching the storm of activity and excitement in HISD's Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center. The 2009 Fund for Teachers Fellows, 68 teachers from school districts around Houston, braved the weather to attend the orientation hosted by the incredible Fund team members. Although we all received our grant award letters a few weeks before, I think this was the first time it felt real to me. I am going to Romania this summer to teach and to serve, and I'm honored to have this opportunity. I know this journey will change my life, I hope that I can truly help those I meet and serve in Tutova and Barlad, and I dream that the pictures, experiences, and insights with which I return will inspire my students here at home to seek opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others.