It's hot...

3 weeks ago, we were having quite cool weather in Malishevë with highs in the mid 60's and lows into the 50's at night. Then...summer arrived! Now we are having mid to upper 90's during the day...cooling to mid to upper 60's at night, with 30-50% humidity. This morning it was 88 degrees in my apartment at 7:30 in the morning. I needed a creative way to keep my apartment cooler.

Power has been pretty reliable and I have 2 oscillating room fans that move the air around and it helps some. My friend, Lycia, suggested covering my windows with the shiny silver stuff you put in the windshield of your car to keep it cooler. I have not ever seen anything like that in Kosova. I went to the store this morning where car tires, motor oil, and etc are sold. The owner looked in a back room and found 3 shiny sun shades...they cost me $10. 3 shades cover 4 windows, with some creative use of tape and shoestrings.

From the outside of my apartment I am sure that the locals are wondering what I am doing now...? You know those TV shows with really weird people that cover their windows with aluminum foil to keep the aliens and the government from doing "mind probes"...? Well, now at least in 2 rooms I am safe from aliens, mind probes, and hopefully some of the heat. (sorry there are no photos...that would be too incriminating ;-))

Life here is always an adventure...

Driving in Kosova...

Now that I have a vehicle I am in the "driving school" of Kosova. I was told that learning to drive here is about understanding the rhythm. Part of the rhythm is in dealing with all the various vehicles on the road, at the same time! Semi tractor, horse drawn cart loaded with hay, bicycle...and the rest of the cars trying to pass. For the most part, drivers are courteous and let you in when a car approaches going the other direction. Speed limits are slow compared to the US..this road was 60kph, which is about 35mph. The fastest speed limit is 80kph, about 50mph. Of course, there are those who drive much faster than the speed limits, and as in the US, there are police along the side of the road with speed guns and tickets to slow them down.

Before and After....

My apartment building got a face lift. Actually it was more than a face lift...it was insulated. Most buildings are made of red brick and there is no insulation inside. The walls are finished with a rough texture and paint. But there is no insulation...only brick and concrete walls. When a building is insulated, thick styrofoam-like sheets are applied to the outside of the building over the red brick, and then a stucco-like coating is applied. So...this winter I will be warmer in my apartment. I also think
I have been cooler
this summer during the day. What a
blessing! I am also glad that my landlord didn't use the "bright orange" color scheme I have seen on other buildings around Kosova.

PS...that is my new car in front of my apartment building...

The Box...

The missing mystery box has found it's way back to Albuquerque! It left New Mexico on January 31, 2011 the destination was Malishevë, Kosovo. It was delivered back to Jane's house in Albuquerque on May 18, 2011. All of the items were inside and the box was not opened during this adventure. This morning at a women's brunch we opened the box. Inside were the 2 text books, that I can not return even though they are new and undamaged. There was also hot cereal, almonds, Reese's cups, Splenda sweetener, green chile, tea, a Christmas card, and some stickers.

On the outside of the box there was a stamp from the Serbian postal office: " Due to unexpected situation in the region of Kosovo, mail traffic is interrupted and return to original sender".

It was clear that Jane marked "via Albania" on every side of the box...it seems that someone in the US postal service does not read, or does not know the difference between Serbia and Albania. Someone paid an additional $46.15 to have the box returned to NM.

If only this box could speak and share it's traveling adventure of the last 3 1/2 months...

I have a College Graduate...!

My daughter Elissa, graduated from the University of New Mexico on May 14th, 2011. She has worked very hard the last 5 years to earn 2 degrees: A Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Philosophy. She was also a member of the Honors program. Nicole traveled from California to be a part of this special celebration. I am very proud of Elissa, and I am very thankful for all of the people that came alongside of her and encouraged her during this season in her life.

What will Elissa do next...? (after she gets tired of sleeping in...?) Stay tuned...

Elissa with her Grandfather. Elissa with her man, Sam.

My Big Backyard in Malishevë...

Last summer I had grazing cows in my backyard...the area directly behind my apartment. This spring...I have a carnival. As you watch the video...observe how the kids are holding on to other chairs, some going backwards, some have the chains all twisted. Also, there is a yellow and white metal tower that has a stuffed monkey hanging from it. The goal is to be the first one to knock it down...

The only time it isn't running...when it is raining.
I love the rain, especially when I am trying to study...

And the answer is...

I have discovered where to take my trash now. I know that was a pressing concern for each of you. All of the dumpsters have been removed from Malishevë, and now we have daily curbside trash pick up. Now I just put my trash in a bag on the sidewalk and sometime after 5:30 each day, a truck with workers comes by to pick it up. I don't understand the reason for the change, but that is what makes living here such an adventure...