Carpe Diem.

The most important thing.

Despite what a few people told me, they don’t celebrate Valentine’s day here. Thanks to a thoughtful person back in the U.S., I had some of those corny little Valentine’s that kids pass out to each other and a big bag of Hershey’s kisses. I taught the kids the words “heart”, “candy”, “rose”, and “Happy Valentine’s Day.” But as I stood at the front of the classroom, trying to translate from English into my much-less-than-perfect Macedonian, I scrambled within my mind to find an explanation for why we have a holiday dedicated to the celebration of LOVE. They were fascinated by the fact that we set aside a whole day, wear red clothes, and commemorate LOVE. Who? What? How? Nothing. Just… love… Why do we do that? We Americans are so intensely engrossed with “love”, with dreaming, with emotions, or the lack thereof.


I enjoy explaining our holidays and funny traditions to the kids, but there are at least 3 times as many holidays here than there are in our calendar.


I spend a lot of time thinking about how I can “help” the people in my school and community. After all of the computers, books, trainings, grants, and donations, though, there is the one single most vital contribution: and that is LOVE. Love is the most powerful thing in the world. Nothing can succeed without the sincere presence of love.


So, I’m working in village schools, living alone in the center of a mountain town, schlepping around this bumpy little country in run-down busses and wild taxis… But at the center of my motivation, if I hope to accomplish anything worthwhile, must be sincere love and passion.


Did that give you warm fuzzies? Leave a comment and let me know.