Alo,
The past week has been one with many ups and downs. I learned from my mother that a family member past away. It is really difficult to get this kind of news when you live so far away and you can not be there to comfort or console those you care about. You can try over the phone but it is not the same as being there. My great aunt was so much fun. I wish I would have had the opportunity to know her better.
Living this far from home, I have come to learn about a kind of hierarchy when it comes to a passing in the family. I hate for this to sound as a cut and dry matter of the fact type observation, but unless telling it face to face, it will unfortunately come off as this. What I mean by hierarchy is that there seems to be a certain path to grieving with obviously those closest to the person who has passed needs the most love and support from those around them. Then it goes on down the line with those not as close providing that support and receiving it from those who are even less directly related and on and on. In the type of society in which we live in the US (usually family does not live close to each other) it is sometimes easy for those who are slightly more distant relatives to forget their role in all of this. Sometimes during a passing, we are reminded why family is so important that the responsibility that each of us has and how we can be there for one another.
I guess it made it only fitting that after receiving this news that I headed to the mountains where it seems that all though life slows down, it is at the same time never more fulfilling. My friend Rado, his cousin, and his younger brother went to the mountains nearby Sandanski in the Pirin Mountains. The first day we hiked for about 2 hours up to some bungalows where we were to stay. The bungalows had no heat or electricity and everything we at we carried with us. The first day we went on a short 3 hour hike and just took pictures of the beautiful scenery. At night we sat around and played cards in the only building with electricity and tried not to freeze while sleeping. The next day we went on a six hour hike and once again enjoyed some Bulgarian rakia and cards. On the final day we had clear skies and could see for miles. It was a day that none of use wanted to end. We started climbing at 10 in the morning and stopped for some breaks but for the most part walked until 8:30 at night. It was a great time, had with great friends.
Upon returning to civilization I was informed that the Spa grant that I helped write for the local minority women and children’s center was approved. So I am finishing up the paperwork on that. This was great news to receive.
This upcoming weekend is the Pirin Folk Festival. Singers and dancers from all over the Balkans come and perform at our outdoor theater. The weather will be hot but should be with clear skies. I got my tickets for Saturday’s night show and promise to post some pics.
Until next time, this is me missing you.
Kellen
Friday, September 5, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Ehhhhh Gawwwwwwwd!
Alo,
So why did I title this blog my favorite line from the most underrated comic strip, Hagar the Horrible? Because I just did a radio interview today and Ehhhh Gawd is my Bulgarian horrible. But let’s back up.
On Tuesday I was contacted by Peace Corps and asked if I would be interested in doing a radio interview for a station out of the nearest big city, Blagoevgrad. The reason for conducting this interview was due to the fact that it is the day of peace on September 1st.
Sidenote: I googled
Sidenote w/in a sidenote: Dear John McCain:
Google, which is approaching its 10th anniversary of its incorporation, is the largest American Corporation that is not traded on the Dow Jones Industrial Average. It employs around 20,000 of those constituents that you would like to vote for you. Most people utilize Google to conduct what is called a search. You go to Google.com and type in a key word or phrase and click on Google Search. Google keeps an index of words they find in web pages in the World Wide Web that are related to those keywords. The use of Google has become so prolific that when people are looking for information they are often told "Google" it. For example, I googled the fact that you stated that you do not know how to use a computer, have never sent an email, and have never used Google. I also googled the fact that you said "I do not really understand economics". So you do not understand economics and you know nothing about technology, but still consider yourself to be a good candidate for the President of the United States in the 21st Century?!?! If nothing else, please select a running mate who understands that in addition to allowing one to see outside while in his own house, windows is also a software operating system developed by this company called Microsoft. They are a pretty big deal, you should check them out. End Sidenote w/in a sidenote.
the date September 1st with the words peace day and then later the words day of peace and then later the words day of peace in Bulgaria and found no information about this said day. End Sidenote.
Not wanting to let on to Peace Corps that my Bulgarian is atrocious, I said of course I will. So the interview was arranged for Thursday. I decided maybe I should learn how to say the Peace Corps goals in Bulgarian and more words in general. So, I studied how to say these things and reviewed some sentence structure information, etc, etc. Feeling less than confident which was a significant increase from suicidal, I was ready for the interview. I met this lady who of course lived in Chicago at one time and whose daughter still lives there.
Sidenote: Every Bulgarian has lived in Chicago at one time. If they say they have not, it is because they were there illegally. I say Chicago should build a fence to keep out the foreigners. End sidenote.
Which this was great because she spoke English. This put me at ease based on the fact that if I did not understand the question, I could ask her to repeat it in English and I could then try to answer it in Bulgarian. So, I started off the interview answering the basic questions that I feel ok answering and this was nice. But then she started to get into more advanced topics and by more advance I mean she started asking questions that took more than a one word or one sentence answer. Upon feeling my throat close up and my chest tightened, the realization that my Bulgarian was not just horrible but worse than I could of imagined. This was when the Ehhh Gawd!!! Factor set in and in my mind I said in Bulgarian “Ehhhhh Gawwd” my Bulgarian is horrible.
I really need to change because before people would ask me how long I have been in Bulgaria and I would say 1 month than 2 than 3………and all the way up until now people would be amazed by the fact I can speak it to a certain degree. But now, I have now eclipsed a year since first learning a Bulgarian word and people are less supportive in a sense. I think I am going to go back to saying I have only been here for 3 months. It was a lot more fun when I was wowing people.
Anywho, the interview went on and she told me that if I answered in English she would have someone translate it, which was reassuring. But that is not the embarrassing thing, the embarrassing thing is going to be when they have to have someone translate my Bulgarian answers into Bulgarian. Needless to say this provided me the motivation, I needed once again to began my lessons. I also feel extremely guilty considering this poor woman is going to have to spend her weekend editing that piece. If nothing else though, she invited me to Blagoevgrad to go Na Gosti anytime I want, which it is always cool to have the press on your side.
I will let you know how it played out on the radio.
Until next time, this is me studying Bulgarian!
Kellen
So why did I title this blog my favorite line from the most underrated comic strip, Hagar the Horrible? Because I just did a radio interview today and Ehhhh Gawd is my Bulgarian horrible. But let’s back up.
On Tuesday I was contacted by Peace Corps and asked if I would be interested in doing a radio interview for a station out of the nearest big city, Blagoevgrad. The reason for conducting this interview was due to the fact that it is the day of peace on September 1st.
Sidenote: I googled
Sidenote w/in a sidenote: Dear John McCain:
Google, which is approaching its 10th anniversary of its incorporation, is the largest American Corporation that is not traded on the Dow Jones Industrial Average. It employs around 20,000 of those constituents that you would like to vote for you. Most people utilize Google to conduct what is called a search. You go to Google.com and type in a key word or phrase and click on Google Search. Google keeps an index of words they find in web pages in the World Wide Web that are related to those keywords. The use of Google has become so prolific that when people are looking for information they are often told "Google" it. For example, I googled the fact that you stated that you do not know how to use a computer, have never sent an email, and have never used Google. I also googled the fact that you said "I do not really understand economics". So you do not understand economics and you know nothing about technology, but still consider yourself to be a good candidate for the President of the United States in the 21st Century?!?! If nothing else, please select a running mate who understands that in addition to allowing one to see outside while in his own house, windows is also a software operating system developed by this company called Microsoft. They are a pretty big deal, you should check them out. End Sidenote w/in a sidenote.
the date September 1st with the words peace day and then later the words day of peace and then later the words day of peace in Bulgaria and found no information about this said day. End Sidenote.
Not wanting to let on to Peace Corps that my Bulgarian is atrocious, I said of course I will. So the interview was arranged for Thursday. I decided maybe I should learn how to say the Peace Corps goals in Bulgarian and more words in general. So, I studied how to say these things and reviewed some sentence structure information, etc, etc. Feeling less than confident which was a significant increase from suicidal, I was ready for the interview. I met this lady who of course lived in Chicago at one time and whose daughter still lives there.
Sidenote: Every Bulgarian has lived in Chicago at one time. If they say they have not, it is because they were there illegally. I say Chicago should build a fence to keep out the foreigners. End sidenote.
Which this was great because she spoke English. This put me at ease based on the fact that if I did not understand the question, I could ask her to repeat it in English and I could then try to answer it in Bulgarian. So, I started off the interview answering the basic questions that I feel ok answering and this was nice. But then she started to get into more advanced topics and by more advance I mean she started asking questions that took more than a one word or one sentence answer. Upon feeling my throat close up and my chest tightened, the realization that my Bulgarian was not just horrible but worse than I could of imagined. This was when the Ehhh Gawd!!! Factor set in and in my mind I said in Bulgarian “Ehhhhh Gawwd” my Bulgarian is horrible.
I really need to change because before people would ask me how long I have been in Bulgaria and I would say 1 month than 2 than 3………and all the way up until now people would be amazed by the fact I can speak it to a certain degree. But now, I have now eclipsed a year since first learning a Bulgarian word and people are less supportive in a sense. I think I am going to go back to saying I have only been here for 3 months. It was a lot more fun when I was wowing people.
Anywho, the interview went on and she told me that if I answered in English she would have someone translate it, which was reassuring. But that is not the embarrassing thing, the embarrassing thing is going to be when they have to have someone translate my Bulgarian answers into Bulgarian. Needless to say this provided me the motivation, I needed once again to began my lessons. I also feel extremely guilty considering this poor woman is going to have to spend her weekend editing that piece. If nothing else though, she invited me to Blagoevgrad to go Na Gosti anytime I want, which it is always cool to have the press on your side.
I will let you know how it played out on the radio.
Until next time, this is me studying Bulgarian!
Kellen
Monday, August 25, 2008
Thank you China!
Alo,
So it has been awhile since I last blogged. Here is a synopsis of what happened, I went to America for a vacation and came back. Alright you are caught up.
You may be wondering why I would thank China for well anything. If you have talked to me, you know how I feel about its position on Tibet and the Sudan, censorship of the press, the negative impact the country has on the environment (tad bit hypocritical), etc. But, I have to say thank you to China (well not so much China more like the Olympics in general) because it made me fall even in more in love with America and one event in particular reminded me why I love the world. This may also surprise you because if you have been talking to me, I have been raging about how poor the track and field team (the most important part of the Olympics) did at these Olympics. Although my three favorite events the men’s 400 open, mile relay, and the decathlon were dominated by Americans. So, why did the Games of the 29th Olympiad make me fall even more in love with the red, white and blue and almost to the extent that I just about listened to a Toby Keith song? Because it represented to the world, what I love most about America, our amazing DIVERSITY!
We opened the games with Lopez Lomong as our flag bearer. Lomong is a 1500 m runner who spent 10 years in a refugee camp in Kenya after he was force to leave his native Sudan at a young age (type his name into Google and just enjoy reading about him). He was quoted as saying that running for America was such an unbelievable honor because not only did it provide him safety he was also able to attend college because of a scholarship funded by taxpayers. He is a member of Team Darfur and has used this opportunity to help raise awareness about the atrocities being committed. This was also a big ol’ screw you to China and their continued support of a genocidal regime and total indifference towards human rights abuses (mildly put and hypocritical because the US has done nowhere near enough (see sidenote)).
Then we close the games with Archer Khatuna Lorig as the flag bearer. This was her fourth Olympics and the US is the third country she has represented. In 1992, she was a member of the Unifed Team comprised of former Soviet Union countries and in 96 and 00 she represented Georgia. Now, she was voted on by the captains of the various teams of the American delegation to carry the US flag. This was like a big ol’ screw you to Russia for going into South Ossetia. Our two flag bearers made a louder statement about the type of country that America is than our leaders could ever do.
In between the opening and closing ceremony the diversity of America was consistently on display. The men’s gymnastics team was comprised of members with Indian, Chinese, and Russian decent. Henry Cejudo the son of Mexican illegal immigrants won a gold medal in wrestling (http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-olyplaschke20-2008aug20,0,7629954,full.column). The women’s all around medalist’s father was a Russian gymnast. The lead goal scorer for the men’s water polo team is from Brazil. The Lopez family from Texas had three sibling members (2 brothers and 1 sister) competing in Taekwondo in the Olympics and all three medaled http://www.nbcolympics.com/taekwondo/news/newsid=183256.html. Crystl Bustos is a Mexican American homerun hitting machine for US women’s softball and carried them into the championship game. Brian Clay who is part African American and part Japanese American won the decathlon and the title of world’s greatest athlete. Etc, etc, etc.
You may be thinking that duh Kellen we all know that America is diverse. Well we as Americans do, but my Peace Corps experience has taught me that the rest of the world doesn’t. (Although many people that I meet see America now as black and white, which is why I did not list any examples of great performances turned in by white and black athletes, which is a step in the right direction when this may not have always been the case.) I was told early on by multiple Bulgarians, that I look American. When asked why this was, it is mainly because I am white with lighter colored hair; whereas, other members of Peace Corps Bulgaria who come from different backgrounds get asked where they are from and upon answering that they are Americans, they get the, but really where did your family come from (http://bulgariasia.wordpress.com/2007/12/). It is a frustrating experience for these dedicated volunteers who are representing what America is in its best form and upsetting for the rest of us who consider these people to be close friends. But just as the Olympic team showed on a world wide stage what Americans are, volunteers do it through the Peace Corps on a local level in communities throughout the world. So, while many people debate which is more meaningful the gold medal count or the overall medal count, America won what really mattered as its medal total was shared by the most diverse group of athletes in the history of the games. So, thank you Beijing for providing a forum in which the beautiful diversity of America could be show cased for the rest of the world.
That answers the first question. But what event reminded you that you love the world? Well that would be the single greatest event in Olympics’ history which took place in the closing ceremonies as Sammy Wanjiru of Kenya (C), silver medalist Jaouad Gharib of Morocco (L) and bronze medalist Tsegay Kebede of Ethiopia stood on top of the medal podium with eyes of the world on them.
While China, America, Russia, Great Britain, etc stood on the sidelines, the national anthem of Kenya was played and the flags of countries which rate 148th, 126th, and 169th respectively in the United Nation’s Human Development Index were raised. I could not imagine what went through the thoughts of these three athletes. To me, it was only fitting that the last three honored come from a continent that is all too often written off. It also provided me with hope that between now and London Games, that much will be done to improve the conditions for all the countries of Africa.
Until next time, this is me missing you!
Kellen
Sidenote: Previously I wrote about some thoughts I had in regards to how minorities would be treated in America if those in the majority did not have jobs and struggled to make a living. Would the majority care about the needs of others? My feeling was that the majority would become more protective and develop a me first attitude and want to close ourselves off and just like throughout history minorities would become the scapegoats. For instance, maybe our government would think it is a great idea to spend a ton of money on a fun climbing wall (might as well just include the hand grips) to separate ourselves from Mexico. (Wait a minute, we are doing that.) I pondered this question because; it helps me try to understand why there is hatred and ethnic divides to such a great extent in other countries and especially poorer ones. Through developing economies and providing aid we can improve the situation in many underdeveloped countries and help to end the slaughter of countless lives. I was perfectly happy with this mindset until I heard our government say time and time again leading up to the games and during it, that an improvement in a country’s human rights policy is preceded by an improvement in economic factors. It is being said so matter of factly (not a word, I know) now that it is starting to just sound like an easy way out for our government to avoid taking a hard-line stance with countries that are blatant human rights abusers but are economic allies. Even if the company line is the reality, it still makes me sad and I wish our government could at least pretend to care. End Sidenote.
So it has been awhile since I last blogged. Here is a synopsis of what happened, I went to America for a vacation and came back. Alright you are caught up.
You may be wondering why I would thank China for well anything. If you have talked to me, you know how I feel about its position on Tibet and the Sudan, censorship of the press, the negative impact the country has on the environment (tad bit hypocritical), etc. But, I have to say thank you to China (well not so much China more like the Olympics in general) because it made me fall even in more in love with America and one event in particular reminded me why I love the world. This may also surprise you because if you have been talking to me, I have been raging about how poor the track and field team (the most important part of the Olympics) did at these Olympics. Although my three favorite events the men’s 400 open, mile relay, and the decathlon were dominated by Americans. So, why did the Games of the 29th Olympiad make me fall even more in love with the red, white and blue and almost to the extent that I just about listened to a Toby Keith song? Because it represented to the world, what I love most about America, our amazing DIVERSITY!
We opened the games with Lopez Lomong as our flag bearer. Lomong is a 1500 m runner who spent 10 years in a refugee camp in Kenya after he was force to leave his native Sudan at a young age (type his name into Google and just enjoy reading about him). He was quoted as saying that running for America was such an unbelievable honor because not only did it provide him safety he was also able to attend college because of a scholarship funded by taxpayers. He is a member of Team Darfur and has used this opportunity to help raise awareness about the atrocities being committed. This was also a big ol’ screw you to China and their continued support of a genocidal regime and total indifference towards human rights abuses (mildly put and hypocritical because the US has done nowhere near enough (see sidenote)).
Then we close the games with Archer Khatuna Lorig as the flag bearer. This was her fourth Olympics and the US is the third country she has represented. In 1992, she was a member of the Unifed Team comprised of former Soviet Union countries and in 96 and 00 she represented Georgia. Now, she was voted on by the captains of the various teams of the American delegation to carry the US flag. This was like a big ol’ screw you to Russia for going into South Ossetia. Our two flag bearers made a louder statement about the type of country that America is than our leaders could ever do.
In between the opening and closing ceremony the diversity of America was consistently on display. The men’s gymnastics team was comprised of members with Indian, Chinese, and Russian decent. Henry Cejudo the son of Mexican illegal immigrants won a gold medal in wrestling (http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-olyplaschke20-2008aug20,0,7629954,full.column). The women’s all around medalist’s father was a Russian gymnast. The lead goal scorer for the men’s water polo team is from Brazil. The Lopez family from Texas had three sibling members (2 brothers and 1 sister) competing in Taekwondo in the Olympics and all three medaled http://www.nbcolympics.com/taekwondo/news/newsid=183256.html. Crystl Bustos is a Mexican American homerun hitting machine for US women’s softball and carried them into the championship game. Brian Clay who is part African American and part Japanese American won the decathlon and the title of world’s greatest athlete. Etc, etc, etc.
You may be thinking that duh Kellen we all know that America is diverse. Well we as Americans do, but my Peace Corps experience has taught me that the rest of the world doesn’t. (Although many people that I meet see America now as black and white, which is why I did not list any examples of great performances turned in by white and black athletes, which is a step in the right direction when this may not have always been the case.) I was told early on by multiple Bulgarians, that I look American. When asked why this was, it is mainly because I am white with lighter colored hair; whereas, other members of Peace Corps Bulgaria who come from different backgrounds get asked where they are from and upon answering that they are Americans, they get the, but really where did your family come from (http://bulgariasia.wordpress.com/2007/12/). It is a frustrating experience for these dedicated volunteers who are representing what America is in its best form and upsetting for the rest of us who consider these people to be close friends. But just as the Olympic team showed on a world wide stage what Americans are, volunteers do it through the Peace Corps on a local level in communities throughout the world. So, while many people debate which is more meaningful the gold medal count or the overall medal count, America won what really mattered as its medal total was shared by the most diverse group of athletes in the history of the games. So, thank you Beijing for providing a forum in which the beautiful diversity of America could be show cased for the rest of the world.
That answers the first question. But what event reminded you that you love the world? Well that would be the single greatest event in Olympics’ history which took place in the closing ceremonies as Sammy Wanjiru of Kenya (C), silver medalist Jaouad Gharib of Morocco (L) and bronze medalist Tsegay Kebede of Ethiopia stood on top of the medal podium with eyes of the world on them.
While China, America, Russia, Great Britain, etc stood on the sidelines, the national anthem of Kenya was played and the flags of countries which rate 148th, 126th, and 169th respectively in the United Nation’s Human Development Index were raised. I could not imagine what went through the thoughts of these three athletes. To me, it was only fitting that the last three honored come from a continent that is all too often written off. It also provided me with hope that between now and London Games, that much will be done to improve the conditions for all the countries of Africa.
Until next time, this is me missing you!
Kellen
Sidenote: Previously I wrote about some thoughts I had in regards to how minorities would be treated in America if those in the majority did not have jobs and struggled to make a living. Would the majority care about the needs of others? My feeling was that the majority would become more protective and develop a me first attitude and want to close ourselves off and just like throughout history minorities would become the scapegoats. For instance, maybe our government would think it is a great idea to spend a ton of money on a fun climbing wall (might as well just include the hand grips) to separate ourselves from Mexico. (Wait a minute, we are doing that.) I pondered this question because; it helps me try to understand why there is hatred and ethnic divides to such a great extent in other countries and especially poorer ones. Through developing economies and providing aid we can improve the situation in many underdeveloped countries and help to end the slaughter of countless lives. I was perfectly happy with this mindset until I heard our government say time and time again leading up to the games and during it, that an improvement in a country’s human rights policy is preceded by an improvement in economic factors. It is being said so matter of factly (not a word, I know) now that it is starting to just sound like an easy way out for our government to avoid taking a hard-line stance with countries that are blatant human rights abusers but are economic allies. Even if the company line is the reality, it still makes me sad and I wish our government could at least pretend to care. End Sidenote.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Peace Corps Bulgaria: Giddy is Me
Alo,
So today, I got a slip in the mail that said I received a package. I was not expecting a package, so instantly I thought the GOP sent me a bomb. Instead, it was my GOP friend Matt, who sent me a bomb of a present.
A little history on the relationship of Matt and Kellen in third person (don't feel right giving aways matt's last name without his consent.) Kellen met Matt back in the summer of 2001 when Kellen applied for a scholarship from the fratnerity that Matt was apart of. Turns out the scholarship was just part of an elaborate recruitment scheme. Naive was Kellen (third person with some Yoda mixed in). Kellen meets Matt at Applebee's in Minot, Matt interviews Kellen while subtly glancing at his watch to make sure he is not missing he tee time. Kellen ends up joining the same fraternity as Matt and slowly begin to build a friendship. Kellen goes to England for a semester in the fall of 02 and comes back and is on Matt's executive board in the fraternity. Matt and Kellen develop a really strong bond and Matt becomes a mentor for Kellen to go to for advice. Relationship continues as Kellen follows Matt's footsteps into the fraternity President's role. Later Kellen has the honor of being one of Matt's groomsmen and Matt moves to California.
Currently Matt has a beautiful wife and daughter and is enjoying life. Lately we have been exchanging some good emails mainly about politics and how I am wrong but also we discuss European football. I have really enjoyed the exchange that has been going on and that has been present enough, or so I thought.
As I slice open this bomb and peer inside, I first see fritos, then dorritos, then smarties, then suckers, then skittles, then a USA tshirt, then some red white and blue boxers, then a sweet American flag bandana, then a book on 911, then a SigEp journal, then a sweet toliet decal (John McCain 2008 sticker), and some other goodies. But three things stood out, he sent me a picture of his daughter and a heartfelt card. (Sorry Kelli, I know that I am giving Matt all the credit in this blog post and no doubt believe that you played just as big as role in it, but it kind of goes with the them of a Matt and Kellen story. Love you, Big Hugs Kelli. If only you would have had a sister, I would have married her. Tell your family to adopt one.)
But there was something else on the bottom. Something that was the biggest factor in the 10 KG bomb of a present. Something familiar and tear provoking. Something refreshing and classic. Something that I have been pining for and no longer have to. Something that the more I write this the more, I become overwhelmed. Something that represents the wholeness and purity of all that is America. Something that takes me back to those North Dakota nights and college days. Something that makes me think of Harry Carey and the Cubbies. Something that is the only redeeming thing about St. Louis (jk, only said that because I hate the cardinals, also really liked Nelly's Dilemma song). Something that makes me think of the Rod Stewart Have I told you lately that I love you and the lyrics to it.What is this something that fills my heart with gladness, takes away all my sadness and eases my troubles:
(Insert picture when I get home and continue blog at a later time.)
So today, I got a slip in the mail that said I received a package. I was not expecting a package, so instantly I thought the GOP sent me a bomb. Instead, it was my GOP friend Matt, who sent me a bomb of a present.
A little history on the relationship of Matt and Kellen in third person (don't feel right giving aways matt's last name without his consent.) Kellen met Matt back in the summer of 2001 when Kellen applied for a scholarship from the fratnerity that Matt was apart of. Turns out the scholarship was just part of an elaborate recruitment scheme. Naive was Kellen (third person with some Yoda mixed in). Kellen meets Matt at Applebee's in Minot, Matt interviews Kellen while subtly glancing at his watch to make sure he is not missing he tee time. Kellen ends up joining the same fraternity as Matt and slowly begin to build a friendship. Kellen goes to England for a semester in the fall of 02 and comes back and is on Matt's executive board in the fraternity. Matt and Kellen develop a really strong bond and Matt becomes a mentor for Kellen to go to for advice. Relationship continues as Kellen follows Matt's footsteps into the fraternity President's role. Later Kellen has the honor of being one of Matt's groomsmen and Matt moves to California.
Currently Matt has a beautiful wife and daughter and is enjoying life. Lately we have been exchanging some good emails mainly about politics and how I am wrong but also we discuss European football. I have really enjoyed the exchange that has been going on and that has been present enough, or so I thought.
As I slice open this bomb and peer inside, I first see fritos, then dorritos, then smarties, then suckers, then skittles, then a USA tshirt, then some red white and blue boxers, then a sweet American flag bandana, then a book on 911, then a SigEp journal, then a sweet toliet decal (John McCain 2008 sticker), and some other goodies. But three things stood out, he sent me a picture of his daughter and a heartfelt card. (Sorry Kelli, I know that I am giving Matt all the credit in this blog post and no doubt believe that you played just as big as role in it, but it kind of goes with the them of a Matt and Kellen story. Love you, Big Hugs Kelli. If only you would have had a sister, I would have married her. Tell your family to adopt one.)
But there was something else on the bottom. Something that was the biggest factor in the 10 KG bomb of a present. Something familiar and tear provoking. Something refreshing and classic. Something that I have been pining for and no longer have to. Something that the more I write this the more, I become overwhelmed. Something that represents the wholeness and purity of all that is America. Something that takes me back to those North Dakota nights and college days. Something that makes me think of Harry Carey and the Cubbies. Something that is the only redeeming thing about St. Louis (jk, only said that because I hate the cardinals, also really liked Nelly's Dilemma song). Something that makes me think of the Rod Stewart Have I told you lately that I love you and the lyrics to it.What is this something that fills my heart with gladness, takes away all my sadness and eases my troubles:
(Insert picture when I get home and continue blog at a later time.)
Peace Corps Bulgaria: Recap
Alo,
Wow it has been a super long time since I last posted a blog. Here is an update:
-I turned 25
-Celebrated my birthday with Jon and Chase
-Learned that I have the coolest Bulgarian friends in all of Bulgaria
-Received awesome presents ranging from a painting, a bell, and an American Eagle that now has half a head.
-Improved my dance skills
-Hung out with some American Archaelogical students
-Attended a business conference for high schoolers in Sofia
-Am currently writing a SPA Grant and EU Grant
-Continue to teach English at the center for people with intellectual and physical disablities
-Still have horrible Bulgarian
-Learned that I am 100% a Gemini (different post, different day)
-Watched the first 6th episodes of the new American Gladiators (still in love with JET and Crush)
-Have less than a month and then I will be home
-Continue to teach an English level one course and have started teach a level 2 course
-learned what it means to sit and sweat
-Learned why it is unfair to characterisize people in the deep south for being lazy when all they doing is sitting around and sweating.
-One of my best friends in back from Iraq and my other best friend got a hot girlfriend
-Had two friends from college come to Bulgaria and visit me (Jay Fisher and Andrew Shaker)
-Went on a sweet hike with them from Rozen to Melnik
-Met the Lodwicks, probably the coolest people I have ever met
-Entertained Thomas' brother, one of the most fun jobs, I have ever had
-Found a non stop mysaka restaurant which is pretty much the late night equivalent of a truck stop
-Successfully fended off a relationship attempt
-Still working on getting a turtle
-Met joe the second and hung out with rajun
-Pondered get a tattoo but decided against because it is a big no no in the peace corps (actually I do not want a tattoo)
This is me missing you,
Kellen
Wow it has been a super long time since I last posted a blog. Here is an update:
-I turned 25
-Celebrated my birthday with Jon and Chase
-Learned that I have the coolest Bulgarian friends in all of Bulgaria
-Received awesome presents ranging from a painting, a bell, and an American Eagle that now has half a head.
-Improved my dance skills
-Hung out with some American Archaelogical students
-Attended a business conference for high schoolers in Sofia
-Am currently writing a SPA Grant and EU Grant
-Continue to teach English at the center for people with intellectual and physical disablities
-Still have horrible Bulgarian
-Learned that I am 100% a Gemini (different post, different day)
-Watched the first 6th episodes of the new American Gladiators (still in love with JET and Crush)
-Have less than a month and then I will be home
-Continue to teach an English level one course and have started teach a level 2 course
-learned what it means to sit and sweat
-Learned why it is unfair to characterisize people in the deep south for being lazy when all they doing is sitting around and sweating.
-One of my best friends in back from Iraq and my other best friend got a hot girlfriend
-Had two friends from college come to Bulgaria and visit me (Jay Fisher and Andrew Shaker)
-Went on a sweet hike with them from Rozen to Melnik
-Met the Lodwicks, probably the coolest people I have ever met
-Entertained Thomas' brother, one of the most fun jobs, I have ever had
-Found a non stop mysaka restaurant which is pretty much the late night equivalent of a truck stop
-Successfully fended off a relationship attempt
-Still working on getting a turtle
-Met joe the second and hung out with rajun
-Pondered get a tattoo but decided against because it is a big no no in the peace corps (actually I do not want a tattoo)
This is me missing you,
Kellen
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Yep
Alo,
So life has not been all that eventful lately. A new season of American Gladiators has just started and with the combination of Crush and Jet being on the same side, it is safe to say the my life is much happier.
I traveled to Blagoevgrad this past weekend to hang out with some other volunteers. I went to my first movie in about a year and was really excited to see Indiana Jones. This movie has made me reevaluate if I really did like the first three. It was the worst movie I have seen in about a really long time. George Lucas strikes again.
A couple of weeks back I went to the mountains with some of my Bulgarian friends and had a pretty good time on Saturday night, Sunday was not one of my finer days.
I have attended my 1,000,000th parade in Bulgaria as Saturday was the day celebrating Saint Cyril and Methodius and all of the schools lined up their kids and paraded down the streets behind their school's banners. Other than the kids from the Hristo Botev school who had a huge poster of this guy and his picture on the shirts (google the guy you will see why it is cool), i was pretty disappointed. What is the point of having a parade unless there is candy, costumes and floats? I agree none.
This weekend will be a good one as I turn 25 and will have a get together.
Well, not really feeling to inspired these days. Will try again soon!
Until next time, this is me missing you!
Kellen
So life has not been all that eventful lately. A new season of American Gladiators has just started and with the combination of Crush and Jet being on the same side, it is safe to say the my life is much happier.
I traveled to Blagoevgrad this past weekend to hang out with some other volunteers. I went to my first movie in about a year and was really excited to see Indiana Jones. This movie has made me reevaluate if I really did like the first three. It was the worst movie I have seen in about a really long time. George Lucas strikes again.
A couple of weeks back I went to the mountains with some of my Bulgarian friends and had a pretty good time on Saturday night, Sunday was not one of my finer days.
I have attended my 1,000,000th parade in Bulgaria as Saturday was the day celebrating Saint Cyril and Methodius and all of the schools lined up their kids and paraded down the streets behind their school's banners. Other than the kids from the Hristo Botev school who had a huge poster of this guy and his picture on the shirts (google the guy you will see why it is cool), i was pretty disappointed. What is the point of having a parade unless there is candy, costumes and floats? I agree none.
This weekend will be a good one as I turn 25 and will have a get together.
Well, not really feeling to inspired these days. Will try again soon!
Until next time, this is me missing you!
Kellen
Thursday, May 15, 2008
I cannot believe it....
So I was not going to blog today until I heard the dumbest and I mean dumbest thing in a long line of dumb things that our President has said. He stood on foreign soil and commented that if the US (i.e. Obama if elected) would engage Iran in diplomatic talks that it would have been like the U.S. engaging Hitler prior to WWII. (Sidenote: Even though I think that the only people that have benefitted over the course of the past 8 years of this administration have been defense contractors, big energy companies, and international bankers, I was going to cut our pres some slack. His daughter just got married and he was on his way out. End sidenote.)
First off, this was on foreign soil. Didn't the Dixie Chicks get ripped by the Republican press for mentioning negative things about Bush on foreign soil and they all said that they should have had the guts to do it on American soil?
Second off, Prescot Bush (George Jr.'s Grandpa) while director of Union Banking Corps was found to be financing Nazi's even as his 18 year old son George Sr. was training as a naval pilot. (http://www.tarpley.net/bush2.htm, http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,100474,00.html, and http://www.spiritone.com/~gdy52150/timeline.html) As you can see even fox news has reported this connection.
Third, Iran has become stronger over the course of 8 years as a direct result of Bush's policies.
Fourth, he negotiated with Libyan terrorists involved with the Pan Am flight that was bombed so the conservative Livingston Group (headed up by Bush friends) could make millions. (http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/04/libya.oil/index.html).
Fifth, the type of negotiations currently taking place and gaining progress in North Korea are the type that Barack wants to engage in.
Sixth, Robert Gates current Secretary of Defense has indicated that the Bush administration will try and engage Iran in the types of talks that Barack ultimately wants to do in Iran.
First off, this was on foreign soil. Didn't the Dixie Chicks get ripped by the Republican press for mentioning negative things about Bush on foreign soil and they all said that they should have had the guts to do it on American soil?
Second off, Prescot Bush (George Jr.'s Grandpa) while director of Union Banking Corps was found to be financing Nazi's even as his 18 year old son George Sr. was training as a naval pilot. (http://www.tarpley.net/bush2.htm, http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,100474,00.html, and http://www.spiritone.com/~gdy52150/timeline.html) As you can see even fox news has reported this connection.
Third, Iran has become stronger over the course of 8 years as a direct result of Bush's policies.
Fourth, he negotiated with Libyan terrorists involved with the Pan Am flight that was bombed so the conservative Livingston Group (headed up by Bush friends) could make millions. (http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/05/04/libya.oil/index.html).
Fifth, the type of negotiations currently taking place and gaining progress in North Korea are the type that Barack wants to engage in.
Sixth, Robert Gates current Secretary of Defense has indicated that the Bush administration will try and engage Iran in the types of talks that Barack ultimately wants to do in Iran.
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