Ups & Downs

11-1-2006

It is 1:14 in the office right now, it’s not too cold because a beam of sunlight is shining through the window and penetrating my back. This is actually the first day I have been in the office all week. Motivation is hard to come by sometimes, my bum leg mixed with a bit of early winter depression makes it hard to get out of bed in the morning. But the sun is shining today, and my spirits are high, or at least higher than they have been in the previous few weeks.
My Peace Corps life has hit a brick wall and it has been frustrating trying to find a way around it. I have been waiting patiently for quite a long time for a grant to come through from USAID to fix the roof of a local medical center. I was approved for the money a couple months ago, but have not received it yet due to some delays in DC. It is a bit irritating because my municipality keeps asking me where the money is……but I have no answer. Things will fall in line soon I am sure, however the later we wait the more difficult it will be to begin construction on the new roof. The mid-winter weather in Bulgaria is not easy to work through.
I have also had a few problems with my large hospital project. I would say I am definitely still ahead of schedule due to the much needed help of my very ambitious, kind, and hard working grandmother who has taken it upon herself to personally raise funds for the transport of the container. I now have a packing list of exactly what supplies and equipment will be donated……..Value: $530,000.00. The problem at the moment is getting the tax free approval from AIA (agency for international aid) at the port. I am working hard to get all the paperwork inline for the transport and receiving of the 40ft container. It has been rather frustrating and challenging to come up with the appropriate paperwork in order for the AIA to cosign for the container, and to take responsibility for all of its contents. After a lot of emails and phone calls between CURE, AIA and myself I think we finally have all the required paperwork to get AIA to sign for the container. So at this point I think the problem is pretty much solved.(fingers crossed)
I have been feeling a bit down and out the last few weeks; I think my recent ankle injury has quite a bit to do with the depletion of my spirits. I have always used exercise and organized sports as an outlet for stress and anxiety. I guess this is why the last few weeks have been so difficult for me. I have been quite immobile and have not been able to get around as easily as I would like. I have wanted at times to walk to the store or to work; but have been reluctant to do so because of the pain I knew I would have to endure during the journey. I have a large, firm, and uncomfortable cast that goes up to my knee; and all I want is a simple walking cast to ease my mobilization and to allow me to wash my leg. I don’t think this is much to ask from Peace Corps medical, but I am now in a process of waiting for advice from Peace Corps medical in DC that would possibly overwrite the initial diagnosis and treatment strategy of the local doctor in Sofia. This is not something I can actually blame on PC; I am in a different country with different medical standards and treatment.( but I will vent anyway) I even have an official doctor’s note from my family physician in the states suggesting that I use a walking cast for the time being. The in Country Medical staff has been quite helpful for the most part, but the non-PC doctor in Sofia has definitely made my life a bit more challenging…Thanks for the cast Buddy! And for giving me crutches when released! (He didn’t) And for giving me a wheelchair to get to the X-Ray room 150yds away (he didn’t). Well OK now I feel better………anyways things are not as gloomy as they once were, I am sure I will get this cast off soon enough.
Well my best PC friend left me in the trenches of Bulgaria all alone……..he had a serious girlfriend in the states, and decided that it was time to head back home and continue his life there. I will definitely miss having Mitch around to share experiences with, but I also respect his decision.
Last weekend I went to Veliko Turnovo for a huge Peace Corps Halloween party. It reminded me a lot of a typical college party, which was a bit refreshing to say the least. Saturday I spent most of the day wandering around the beautiful city solo. Sometimes I just need a bit of alone time to clear my head, put things in perspective, and develop a future plan of action. Saturday night was quite a lot of fun; we all dressed up in wild costumes and consumed enough beer to kill a small army (all in safe and responsible way of course). After I arrived home on Sunday I was extremely exhausted; but had a much healthier and positive state of mind than I had before the weekend begun.
So I guess you can say things are looking up, and I am climbing back up the hill after the slump I was in. I am in the process of reevaluating a few things, and figuring out exactly what I expect and want out of my next year of volunteer service. As for new events of the future:
-I will begin a 3 month beard growing competition today with other PCVs
-I will take over management of the Peace Corps ARYF (at risk youth fund)
-I will start going to the gym regularly and using the exercise bike
-I will clean my house (maybe)
-I will learn to cook (maybe)
-I will find a new girlfriend to keep me warm this winter (hopefully)
Ok that’s enough for now; I will save a bit more rambling for another day.
In less than two months I will step foot on American soil…….very exciting!..... It will be a quite a momentous occasion for me. I have a feeling that it all might be a bit overwhelming, but I am sure I will get over it. And to all my friends out there……..we are going to have to hit up a Mexican restaurant for some delicious food and maybe a margarita or two. I miss you all and look forward to seeing you soon.

Az shte vishdam ti skorro (I will see you soon)
Psichko hubavo( Wishing all the best)

Trevor Lewis Lake