Well, the musical went fantastically well. I mean, considering that nobody had ever doned to ting like it before, and the kids weren't used to the idea of a musical or what that entails, I think it went really well.
Peace Corps Volunteer Shayne Bell in Macedonia
Monday, June 27, 2005
Sorta Old Update
Note: I wrote this about a week and a half ago and meant to post it then, but ran out of time. So, here's a sort of old update, with a promise for a newer, better, sleeker one in a few days:
My how time flies. Where to start? Well, the musical went fantastically well. I mean, considering that nobody had ever doned to ting like it before, and the kids weren't used to the idea of a musical or what that entails, I think it went really well. Of course, there were mistakes. Of course there were things that week before the performance that made me want to scream (the theatre not having electricity 5 days before the performance, the director of the theatre being the least cooperative person ever, etc), but looking back, it was a really great experience. The kids were absolutely fabulous- there were so many sweet, talented kids that we got to work with. It was really amazing. Plus, we have it recorded on DVD, so anyone interested in taking a gander will be more than welcome to....in 5 months
What's next? Well, it seems as though we may be doing a completely new musical. Maybe. It'd be a tight squeeze getting it in before some of us head on out of here, but we've learned so much from this first experience, that I think it'll be much easier and much less stressful the 2nd time around. We kinda went into this whole thing blind- having experience in America doesn't count for much here because things are so different. So, we learned a lot about what it's like to put on a performance like that here, and I think the 2nd time around would (hopefully) be easier. We'll see- things are still a little up in the air.
So, now school's out (yay!), although the teachers are still coming in every day for about 2 hours until the 30th (boo!). It's not so bad, though- it gets me up in the mornings. And, really, I need all the time I can get with Camp GLOW exactly a month from tomorrow. It still seems surreal that we're doing such a huge camp (60 girls as compared to last year's 20 girls), and of course I'm trying to stay one step ahead of it all. It helps that there a lot of other volunteers that are helping out, but I still feel mostly responsible for it. GLOW was the highlight of my first year here, and I hope that this year it'll be the same. But, most importantly, I hope the girls enjoy it and get something out of it.
Other than that, there's not too much going on, not that I would have much time for it if there actually were. I'm still doing UNHCR stuff, although that's sort of gone to the back burner until GLOW is over. We've had consistent beautiful days in the 80s, without much rain, sadly, but that's how it goes here. Lots of sunshiney days and not too much rain. As for vacation plans, I have no idea. I really can't do anything until after GLOW, and at that point, I'll only have about 2 weeks of travel time left- we get put on house arrest 3 months before we leave and aren't allowed to leave the country. I've toyed with the idea of going to the Black Sea in Bulgaria with another volunteer, but it all depends on how much it costs. That's the problem- I have tons of vacation days, just no money to do anything cool. I'll come up with something, I'm sure.
That's about it here, kiddies. Enjoy the pictures and I hope everyone's having a great beginning of the summer!
This is Goce, Krystal, Jennifer, Leanne, me and Sean- all the volunteers (plus one native) who helped with the musical. Notice the jazz hands
Here's a picture of almost the entire group of kids- minus a few people who were late (which happened every day, of course).
