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| A Halloween Feast |
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| The Donut Game - laughs all round! |
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| Round 2 - The Adults! |
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| Strike a pose - the Halloween Gang. |
Monday, 31 October 2011
Happy Halloween
Sunday, 30 October 2011
Autumn Days with Buni
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| We went to the Black Forest to enjoy the afternoon sun and the changing colours of the leaves |
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| Of course we had to have the obligatory toasted marshmallows |
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| A happy boy in his Buni's arms |
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| Out and about with the girls |
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| Family tree |
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| Getting ready for some pumpkin cutting madness |
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| "Mama I do not like how this is smelling!!" |
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| Jack O Lanterns |
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| Mwah Ha Ha!! Or some other kind of evil Halloween laugh! |
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Flowers lends Tom a paw....
"Ha Gotcha!!"
This is why watching Tom and Jerry in our house can be a little frustrating at times!!
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Autumn Leaves
The air was crisp today and the sun warm. The winter coat remained on its hook. We ventured out to the park to watch the setting sun. There 4 small Roma children searched the bins and recovered a holey bucket which they quickly filled with treasures. A pair of broken shoes many sizes too big which the smallest placed on her muddy bare feet. Pieces of rope and twine of varying length with which they quickly snared a shabby dog. They ran into the park with happy giggles.
The leaves litter the park, more falling every second like the snowflakes of winter yet to come. Autumn leaves are like open arms for children. Pile them high for a warm embrace, throw them for a fleeting touch, bury a friend for a hold filled with joy. The laughter that comes from children playing in Autumn leaves is magical.
Cristi and Laz joined in the play and soon a leaf war erupted big and bold like the smiles on their faces. The beauty of this nature, this life, these children is breath taking. For a moment I forget that they are not just 6 friends playing happily and care free in this world. Their matted hair, ripped and ill fitting clothing, and bare feet tells another tale and I think this is not what we would witness in Scotland. Cristi wouldn't run round throwing leaves and laughing with children who had just searched the bins for food and clothing.
Today I am thankful for autumn leaves. For the laughter and warmth they bring. A blanket to the ground a hug of friendship to children playing in the park.
Today I am thankful for the warmth of the Autumn sun. The ground today is not so cold for those tiny bare toes to walk on.
Today I am thankful for this place where we live. For the experiences we gain and for the laughter and love we can share with our neighbours.
The leaves litter the park, more falling every second like the snowflakes of winter yet to come. Autumn leaves are like open arms for children. Pile them high for a warm embrace, throw them for a fleeting touch, bury a friend for a hold filled with joy. The laughter that comes from children playing in Autumn leaves is magical.
Cristi and Laz joined in the play and soon a leaf war erupted big and bold like the smiles on their faces. The beauty of this nature, this life, these children is breath taking. For a moment I forget that they are not just 6 friends playing happily and care free in this world. Their matted hair, ripped and ill fitting clothing, and bare feet tells another tale and I think this is not what we would witness in Scotland. Cristi wouldn't run round throwing leaves and laughing with children who had just searched the bins for food and clothing.
Today I am thankful for autumn leaves. For the laughter and warmth they bring. A blanket to the ground a hug of friendship to children playing in the park.
Today I am thankful for the warmth of the Autumn sun. The ground today is not so cold for those tiny bare toes to walk on.
Today I am thankful for this place where we live. For the experiences we gain and for the laughter and love we can share with our neighbours.
Friday, 14 October 2011
When the circus came to town.....
Last weekend the circus was in town and so we went in celebration of Dani's birthday and the fact that we have some new volunteers here just now who had never experienced a Romanian circus. Now let me say I was busy telling them to be prepared for the sights I had been exposed to when I first came 6 years ago when I witnessed scantily clad young girls doing hula tricks, drunk clowns, badly planned and dangerous performances and animals who looked starved and abused (I had found the experience so horrifying that I vowed never to go to the circus here again). However, I was pleasantly surprised by this one. The animals were cared for, the outfits were non offensive, and the performers were so audience and child orientated I was slightly in shock. Needless to say we all enjoyed it and luckily managed to get tickets half price because we were such a large group.
I think it is maybe Cristi's turn to add something to the old blog so to tell you about the trip I hand the floor to him.........
I did enjoy very much the circus and I love you. I played with the horse and I looked at the clown he made me laugh a lot because he did be very funny and I did enjoy him very very very much. I saw a monkey riding a horse and he did drink some suc (juice) from a bottle. I seen a man who did eat fire and then he blowed fire and then he sat down and someone come with a knife and they threw it at his tummy. My friend Anghe got to stand on a horse, they tied a big rope around her but she fell on the clown but they didn't get hurt because she had the rope on her. I saw animals: a camel; a monkey on a horse; a bull; a big horse and he did climb up on something; snakes I saw lots of snakes - the clown picked up a snake and they threw it at us and we screamed but it did not be a real snake it was a toy snake; there was a crocodile and a boy in my class got to sit on him. A girl did dance with a snake and her belly. There came a lady and said to the clown "you're not allowed to sing with this" and he said "naaa it doesn't matter" and she came again and again but he did do magic and had more in his pockets. Oh yes I seen a man fly with a rope and he jumped over the big horse. Oh yeah and I seen a oooh a girl dancing with her belly and a hoop. That's it what I saw oh no wait I need to think what more was there a...... yes there was a...... oh no I said that OK bye I love you.
So there you have it. You just relived the circus through Cristi's eyes. If you enjoyed the show feel free to pay for your ticket by clicking the paypal 'donate' button to the right.........Well I gotta try right :)
Have a great weekend my blogger audience x
I think it is maybe Cristi's turn to add something to the old blog so to tell you about the trip I hand the floor to him.........
I did enjoy very much the circus and I love you. I played with the horse and I looked at the clown he made me laugh a lot because he did be very funny and I did enjoy him very very very much. I saw a monkey riding a horse and he did drink some suc (juice) from a bottle. I seen a man who did eat fire and then he blowed fire and then he sat down and someone come with a knife and they threw it at his tummy. My friend Anghe got to stand on a horse, they tied a big rope around her but she fell on the clown but they didn't get hurt because she had the rope on her. I saw animals: a camel; a monkey on a horse; a bull; a big horse and he did climb up on something; snakes I saw lots of snakes - the clown picked up a snake and they threw it at us and we screamed but it did not be a real snake it was a toy snake; there was a crocodile and a boy in my class got to sit on him. A girl did dance with a snake and her belly. There came a lady and said to the clown "you're not allowed to sing with this" and he said "naaa it doesn't matter" and she came again and again but he did do magic and had more in his pockets. Oh yes I seen a man fly with a rope and he jumped over the big horse. Oh yeah and I seen a oooh a girl dancing with her belly and a hoop. That's it what I saw oh no wait I need to think what more was there a...... yes there was a...... oh no I said that OK bye I love you.
So there you have it. You just relived the circus through Cristi's eyes. If you enjoyed the show feel free to pay for your ticket by clicking the paypal 'donate' button to the right.........Well I gotta try right :)
Have a great weekend my blogger audience x
Thursday, 6 October 2011
The mornings have turned autumnal and crisp. A chill in the air is brought by the steady breeze that blows yellowing leaves to the ground. On the walk to school the crows craw and echo in the canopy above as the trees drop acorn bombs on our heads and all the while Cristi is fascinated by his misted breath. This transports me back to when I stood on mornings like these by the post box, waiting for the number 17 bus to take me to my high school, pretending that my breath was smoke from a fantasy cigarette. By 11 am the sun has come out still trying to fool the flowers that summer hangs on. I realise I'm inappropriately dressed for changes in seasons within a day but I am gratreful for the warmth, for the sweat, for the remnants and memories of a hot summer filled with laughter and joy.
The other day as I stood on the street I heard mutterings from the man beside me. I asked if he had said something to me and he replied "the cold is coming". Yes, it is I thought, DRAT! I am not one who loves the heat of the summer sun that burns here but I hate that already I feel cold and unwilling to rise from my bed these last few mornings.
However, I take joy in the fact that for the first time in my 5 years here I feel like I have a purpose and a schedule that is appreciated and workable. That sounds terrible I know but, in previous years I have found it a little hard to collaborate successfully with the teachers (at the school I work in) and to find real purpose and joy in the work I do with the kids. So, these last few weeks have been hard but I am at a point where I look at the school days and think yes I know where I am at and what I am doing and I have peace and encouragement in that. I also have a new colleague. A new volunteer who arrived last week and makes working at the school a bit more fun and inspiring. I wish I could say the same for Cristi's school but it carries on dampening his learning spirit and frustrating mine. But, we soldier on.
I have been a little ill this week. The cold is whirling it's way through us all and knocking us flying like bowling pins but I stayed out of my bed and seemed to scare it away before it took a complete strike on me. Unfortunately though it has meant that I haven't been able to visit the babies this week which makes me sad. Last week, although they had found homes for 3 the previous week, we had two new arrivals both under 2 months old. I know i keep saying it but it hurts inside. It hurts my heart and my soul that so many precious lives are starting with a long stay in an understaffed hospital crib. I talked with the lady who is supposed to feed them and she (a very kind-hearted lady) became upset that she has no time to spare on interactions with them. She told me that between cleaning that building and helping the doctors to give out injections and medications she barely has time to change the babies after their feed let alone play, talk, sing or rock them. I just feel so sad that at such a vital developmental time these small lives, our next generation are under developing to the sound of trashy Hungarian pop-rock and a view of a white painted ceiling peppered with mosquitoes.
What more should I tell you of my week here. It is the same as always. Frustration, saddness, joy, laughter, tears, pity, anger, tiredness, hope and missing my family. A gauntlet of emotions which we all face. Some weeks stronger, some harder than others. This week is good. Last week was not! Two of my friends, long standing volunteers left last week, reminding me how much I miss having family close, how hard it is when your best friend moves away, how hard it is to stay in contact with those who keep you grounded, happy and sane. But, this week is good so I am happy for that.
I have Laz staying with us for a week while Court is visiting her Swedish family. An extra ray of sunshine in my home for a week. Sure a little extra challenge but I love having him to stay. So, I must, I suppose stop writing and take myself to bed. If not then I will find tomorrow a challenge and in a life filled with so many it is best not to add to the pile. Good night dear friends I hope that you sleep soundly this night and know that someone out there misses you and loves you.
The other day as I stood on the street I heard mutterings from the man beside me. I asked if he had said something to me and he replied "the cold is coming". Yes, it is I thought, DRAT! I am not one who loves the heat of the summer sun that burns here but I hate that already I feel cold and unwilling to rise from my bed these last few mornings.
However, I take joy in the fact that for the first time in my 5 years here I feel like I have a purpose and a schedule that is appreciated and workable. That sounds terrible I know but, in previous years I have found it a little hard to collaborate successfully with the teachers (at the school I work in) and to find real purpose and joy in the work I do with the kids. So, these last few weeks have been hard but I am at a point where I look at the school days and think yes I know where I am at and what I am doing and I have peace and encouragement in that. I also have a new colleague. A new volunteer who arrived last week and makes working at the school a bit more fun and inspiring. I wish I could say the same for Cristi's school but it carries on dampening his learning spirit and frustrating mine. But, we soldier on.
I have been a little ill this week. The cold is whirling it's way through us all and knocking us flying like bowling pins but I stayed out of my bed and seemed to scare it away before it took a complete strike on me. Unfortunately though it has meant that I haven't been able to visit the babies this week which makes me sad. Last week, although they had found homes for 3 the previous week, we had two new arrivals both under 2 months old. I know i keep saying it but it hurts inside. It hurts my heart and my soul that so many precious lives are starting with a long stay in an understaffed hospital crib. I talked with the lady who is supposed to feed them and she (a very kind-hearted lady) became upset that she has no time to spare on interactions with them. She told me that between cleaning that building and helping the doctors to give out injections and medications she barely has time to change the babies after their feed let alone play, talk, sing or rock them. I just feel so sad that at such a vital developmental time these small lives, our next generation are under developing to the sound of trashy Hungarian pop-rock and a view of a white painted ceiling peppered with mosquitoes.
What more should I tell you of my week here. It is the same as always. Frustration, saddness, joy, laughter, tears, pity, anger, tiredness, hope and missing my family. A gauntlet of emotions which we all face. Some weeks stronger, some harder than others. This week is good. Last week was not! Two of my friends, long standing volunteers left last week, reminding me how much I miss having family close, how hard it is when your best friend moves away, how hard it is to stay in contact with those who keep you grounded, happy and sane. But, this week is good so I am happy for that.
I have Laz staying with us for a week while Court is visiting her Swedish family. An extra ray of sunshine in my home for a week. Sure a little extra challenge but I love having him to stay. So, I must, I suppose stop writing and take myself to bed. If not then I will find tomorrow a challenge and in a life filled with so many it is best not to add to the pile. Good night dear friends I hope that you sleep soundly this night and know that someone out there misses you and loves you.
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