Happy Holidays...
Hello All,
Well, I figured I would get you up to speed with some good news. Last week, I was able to talk with the mayor and get my situation straightened out. After talking a bit, we broke the week down so that I would be able to help different groups around Samokov. Now, I am sure some of this will change, but here is the break down as of now:
Monday: Work with the Technical Director of the Municipality. This is also where I will have a desk, computer, and web access. He and I will be working on web pages, server setup, et cetera…
Tuesday: Business Center. I will be working with a United Nations funded business center. Our first project is to put together a village tourism project. (think: bed and breakfast) The hope is that we can get this project funded by either the European Union or the UN and create some business opportunities in the small villages around Samokov.
Wednesday: EuroIntegration Department. I am supposed to be working with this department to implement the projects that the EU is requiring for Bulgaria to become a member. The tentative date for this is 2007; hopefully, we will be getting some fun projects there.
Thursday: Teaching at the High School. This is still being worked out (although I have taught a class already). I think my role will be to work with the more advanced classes and give them a chance to speak English to a native speaker. I am not totally sure how this will play out.
Friday: Community day. This day is set aside either for working on projects with the above organizations, or (even better) finding other groups that need help with smaller projects.
This was a giant step in my time here. I really feel like I will have the chance to do something with my time. With almost two months of idleness, I am just glad to spend time working with and helping interesting people. Also, since I am working with so many groups, I am hoping that I will be exposed to more and more projects and people. All in all, this may become a ‘careful what you wish for’ situation; but, it is better that way.
Well, just a few more days until I will be home. Pretty amazing. Enjoy the holidays!
~~Mark
PS: Ann and Tom had their third kid last week (a boy!). So, I will be meeting Jackson Thomas (and Emma) for the first time next week.
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Well, I figured I would get you up to speed with some good news. Last week, I was able to talk with the mayor and get my situation straightened out. After talking a bit, we broke the week down so that I would be able to help different groups around Samokov. Now, I am sure some of this will change, but here is the break down as of now:
Monday: Work with the Technical Director of the Municipality. This is also where I will have a desk, computer, and web access. He and I will be working on web pages, server setup, et cetera…
Tuesday: Business Center. I will be working with a United Nations funded business center. Our first project is to put together a village tourism project. (think: bed and breakfast) The hope is that we can get this project funded by either the European Union or the UN and create some business opportunities in the small villages around Samokov.
Wednesday: EuroIntegration Department. I am supposed to be working with this department to implement the projects that the EU is requiring for Bulgaria to become a member. The tentative date for this is 2007; hopefully, we will be getting some fun projects there.
Thursday: Teaching at the High School. This is still being worked out (although I have taught a class already). I think my role will be to work with the more advanced classes and give them a chance to speak English to a native speaker. I am not totally sure how this will play out.
Friday: Community day. This day is set aside either for working on projects with the above organizations, or (even better) finding other groups that need help with smaller projects.
This was a giant step in my time here. I really feel like I will have the chance to do something with my time. With almost two months of idleness, I am just glad to spend time working with and helping interesting people. Also, since I am working with so many groups, I am hoping that I will be exposed to more and more projects and people. All in all, this may become a ‘careful what you wish for’ situation; but, it is better that way.
Well, just a few more days until I will be home. Pretty amazing. Enjoy the holidays!
~~Mark
PS: Ann and Tom had their third kid last week (a boy!). So, I will be meeting Jackson Thomas (and Emma) for the first time next week.
[Email to a Friend:
]
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