I try to look at Goodbyes as a "see you soon" rather than goodbye. The last few days of my time in Macedonia was filled with a lot of "see you soons". The emotions that come along with these were mixed for me. On one hand I was sad to be leaving but on the other hand that meant that I had made friends and had had a wonderful experience. I truly will miss all of these wonderful people that I met and now call my friends. These moments of my time ending in Macedonia will stay with me just like every moment while I was there. I have made amazing friends who will remain in my life forever. I have learned about myself as a person and as an educator. I have seen this world in a new light and learned that I am only one of many. I will never be the same and I have changed for the better.
The first goodbyes were at SEE-U. The Language Center, Faculty of Languages, Cultures, and Communications and many others came to a cocktail to celebrate our time together. It was such an amazing and heartfelt gesture. We exchanged memories both in words and in gifts. Thank you to the amazing individuals I was blessed to get to meet while working at the university.
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| The cocktail set up |
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| The table |
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| The other side of the table |
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| A special gift from Veronika and the Language Center |
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| Gifts from Heather in the Recotorate |
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| My amazing roommate Rezehana |
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| Bujar the reason I had a phone and towels the first week! |
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| Husker gear!!!! |
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| More Husker gear!! |
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| Fulbrighters! Lizzie, Cassidy and I to Macedonia, Hajro from Macedonia to the USA. |
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| Learning Center Staff |
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| SEE-U friends and staff |
Following the goodbyes at SEE-U, Lizzie, Cassidy and I traveled to Mavrovo National Park. None of us had gotten to go yet, and so we wanted to make it a point to get there before we traveled home. It was so worth the time and trip. The park is up in the mountains and has a lake in the middle of it. We spent a few hours there walking and driving around the lake.
For dinner it was out to Bella Mia, a traditional restaurant in Tetovo, the same place I had celebrated my birthday 8 and a half months earlier. This time we went to dinner with my dear friends, Artan, Linda and Adora. I count these friends as one of the many blessings I have received while in Macedonia.
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| Adora, Cassidy, Lizzie and I |
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| One of Adora's amazing drawings that also brought many laughs as we told stories of what it was a picture of! |
Saturday morning brought a goodbye party at the American Corner. Both kids and adults came to have one last time together. I was able to give them all some of their own husker gear including stickers, bracelets and tattoos. My time at the American Corner helped me realize what a true passion I have for teaching and for kids. I enjoyed every moment with the individuals who attended the clubs that I had the honor to host. Thanks!
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| One of my friends at the AC |
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| Saranda, Gezim and I with their Husker gear! |
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| More friends and amazing helpers from the American Corner |
Thank you to my family, Nancy and Holmes Elementary for the awesome pop-up book, Oh The Places You'll Go. I was able to read this to the group as a farewell. Although they could not understand much of the book, they so enjoyed the pictures!!!
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| Gezim and Saranda presented me with the Good Will Ambassador Award |
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| Saying goodbye |
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| One last big hug!!! |
Before heading to Skopje for the last few days, I had to clean out my room. I was taken back to September 13th when I arrived in Tetovo to a stark white room with no clue what I was doing. But today as I cleaned out the room and left for the last time, I remembered the journey. The tough moments when I was trying to figure things out, the skype calls with my friends and family, the whole 9 months came to mind...all the great memories.
Saturday evening brought dinner and going out with friends. Not only did I spend much of my time at the University and the American Corner in Tetovo but also I spent time making friends in Skopje. We met friends out at a traditional restaurant and enjoyed a meal of traditional food.
Thank you to the amazing friends in Skopje that helped me see another side of Macedonia :)
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| Erin, Lizzie and I on the way to dinner |
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| At dinner |
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| Great friends! |
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| Great friends! |
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| Great friends! |
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| A special dessert from wonderful friends. |
Lesson: Thanks Macedonia for your warmth, hospitality, and wonderful memories. You have made me a better person and I will never forget that. Fala! Falemnderit!!!
