This weekend really felt like Spring. Not only does it feel like Spring, but it looks like Spring as flowering trees are in bloom, the hillsides are green, and the willow trees are leafing out. I enjoyed the two walks I took on Sunday; the first one in the morning when I walked along the Lepenci River for a bit and the second along the Nerodimi. The rivers are pretty high with snow melt and the recent rains.
On Saturday, I did not get enjoy the weather outdoors, but I did enjoy being a part of the Hamilton House Spelling Bee held in Prishtina. I was already planning on going to Prishtina on Saturday for the book club gathering with other volunteers. The book was The Women by Kristen Hannah. The story takes place during the Vietnam War and followed the life of a nurse that was in Vietnam, but also followed her struggles as she returned to life in the States and the animosity of those who protested the war. I had originally plan to take the bus to Prishtina and go to the book club gathering at 11 am. But the another volunteer said that he was helping at the spelling bee and they would love to have additional Peace Corps volunteers. So I planned to help with the 2 pm session, so I could do both.
On Friday, I was talking with my co-teacher at work and found out that there was a bus going with the students from the elementary and that I could get a ride. My co-teacher's wife (Teuta) is an English teacher at the elementary school and she had some 8th graders participating as well as some younger students. I had already met several of the 8th graders as they also participated in the WriteOn competition at the beginning of March. Because I had a ride, I decided I could help out with the first session at 9 am, then go to the book club during the 2nd session, and then come back for the third session at 2 pm. I let the organizer know and she was happy to have the additional help.
So on Saturday, I caught the khombi (small bus) with the students, Teuta, and several adults that went along at around 7:45 am. We arrived shortly before the event started and I was one of two judges along with the other volunteer (Jerry), who read the words. The first session took longer than planned and when I finally had a chance to look at the time, I realized I would not make it for the book club, so instead I stayed for the second session. Jerry had to leave, so I read the words with two other judges during the second session of upper elementary students (middle school in the U.S.). I think it was around 3:30 or 4:00 when the second session ended and the prizes were awarded. In the end, one of the 8th graders from Teuta's class won first place. She was phenomenal as were all the participants. It was amazing to see students perform so well in their second language.
The Hamilton House Spelling Bee in Kosovo uses the same rules as the Scripps Spelling Bee in the U.S. Hamilton House is an English Language publisher. There were classroom bees, school bees, regional bees and in this case it was a national bee with the top winners coming together other events coming together. I don't think it has been going on very long in Kosovo and they definitely need to figure out a better schedule and possibly a way to reduce the numbers in the final round. It was still a lot of fun and I got a ride back with the group. It was a good way to spend Saturday.
This weeks photos:
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