Why Yes, That is the State Seal on My Underpants

So, I've had a pretty eventful time recently. I just got back from a week-long training that involved the cutest damn 3rd graders anyone's ever seen and a group of veteran volunteers and knowledgeable Bulgarians that taught me so much. I feel truly prepared for the upcoming school year. Though, I'm sure when the first day rolls around all of that will fly out the window and I'll have a "what was I thinking?" moment...again. But I've gotten used to those. I usually respond to the over-panicked side of my brain with a soothing, "Shut up, whiner."

I got to see all my PC friends again, I didn't realize how much I missed my satellite group members until I saw their beautiful faces peeking through the window of the train. The 9:00pm train. The late-ass train that they had to take because they missed the reasonable-hour train that was supposed to bring them into my village before it was creepy and dark. Stupid punks. But, yeah no, I really missed them.

On our way back from the training city of Blagoevgrad we stopped in Sofia, the capital, for some Starbucks and a dooner. At the dooner stand we met another American who referred to us as "yanks" and was immediately our favorite American in the room. He told us he worked for the US embassy. We were impressed until he told us not to be, so were weren't. Except that we still were kind of. He told us that he thinks the Peace Corps volunteers and Embassy employees would make a good team because people are often intimidated by them (what?) and we are so in-tune with the locals with all of our grassroots awesomeness (my word, not his), we could learn from each other. No argument here (but that's mostly cuz of the whole being intimidated by him thing).

He told us that other Embassy people were getting together for a party and the man hosting was a former PC volunteer from Macedonia. He invited us but only I could go. I said yes, of course. This wasn't because I was intimidated to say no but because I immediately thought of what a cool facebook status I could write if I went to an Embassy party. I know that's dorky but I'm hoping the honesty of it will put me back in your favor. And if it helps, no one seemed to care all that much. I blame it on jealousy. Or misspelled words which is also a serious possibility.

I went. Met some very cool, young, funny, down-to-earth people and I hope I get to see them again soon. Well, since I accidental left my sunglasses at his house I probably will have to see them again soon but at least I won't be intimidated. Well, only a little. I'll try to imagine them in their underwear. Matching, American flag underwear. With the state seal sown into the label. Those would be some pretty intimidating underwear. Crap.

I have pictures but it's late and I'm too tired to post them. I will soon though cuz the kids we taught were well worth having their faces bragged about on my blog. Maybe even more so. Love you all.

-Age