Who Knows Where the Time Goes?
It’s the Little Things
Last week, I began volunteering with a pregnancy resource center in Skopje – it’s actually the only one in Macedonia. They collect clothes for babies aged newborn through one year old and offer psychological counseling and resources for women and couples facing unplanned pregnancy and reproductive difficulties. I’m doing administrative tasks for them, as well as assisting with social media and editing their newsletter to donors.
I also started teaching kids’ Sunday School once a month at church. Their ages range from 6-12, so they have many differing levels of competency when it comes to things like reading, following directions, and attention spans, but it’s fun. I always come away with a deeper appreciation for the gospel and God’s promises after explaining it to kids.
My students and I are becoming better acquainted… two separate groups invited me out with them for coffee or lunch after class, and one of them even made “American cookies” (chocolate chip) to share with me and her friends, which definitely made my day. My approach to teaching is to make it as engaging as possible, both in terms of topic and vehicle for learning the material. A lot of professors here will only stick to book work, or will make a presentation and then read from it, verbatim, for the entirety of the class. They also kick students out of class for things I would consider minor disciplinary problems (looking out the window during lecture) and lock the door once class begins, meaning those who are late are out of luck for the entire 3 hour class block. It’s a strange dichotomy – the professors themselves will arrive late, cancel class, or stick to the workbook only for teaching, but they are harsh disciplinarians when their students struggle to pay attention for 3 hours.
In my classes, we do some book work, but mostly we have debates, class discussions, Kahoot vocabulary competitions, reading comprehension on topics they actually care about, compare and contrast activities, and travel vlogs from around the U.S. to expose them to new cities and traditions. A lot of them really like the idea of Groundhog Day (after I explained that Punxsutawney Phil gets lifted Simba-style out of the tree stump) maybe because I’m partial to it myself and spent a few minutes describing why it’s such a niche American observance.
I love making plans and seeing as many friends as possible, but I also recharge best when alone. I’ve spent the past several days getting coffees, lunch, or dinner with friends and students, going shopping, seeing friends at their apartments, and attending local events, on top of teaching and appointments. I’ve barely had any time to myself, so I took yesterday to grocery shop, clean, and get extra sleep, and today I woke up feeling like a new woman. 🕺
It’s only my first 8 weeks here, but the time is MOVING… My weeks are already planned out through the end of the calendar year. The first and most exciting plan… cooking with a grandmother! Yes, I finally found one. My friend and I are going to Пробиштип to make ajvar with her this weekend. 😊
The next weekend (after Thanksgiving) I’m going to London to see one of my best friends ever, Josette. She and I met in Israel on both of our first trips there in the summer of ‘22, and have been close ever since. The following weekend, Julia is coming to visit me for a few days, and I couldn’t be happier… I haven’t seen her since the beginning of August! Macedonia is different from Sweden in just about every way, so I hope she likes it here, or at least I can show her why I love it here.
The two diplomats from the U.S. Embassy who oversee Fulbright are coming to observe my class on Thursday, so wish me luck!
(Song Credit: Judy Collins)
