No More Washing Machine

Computer lessons are going surprising well. I have to admit, I was a bit nervous when Rina and I started the lessons. She didn’t really understand the mouse (which, in all fairness, is hard to use touchpad mouse) and was hesitant to type. However, now that we are at our 4 or 5th lesson, she is going really, really well. Typing and form have both improved: She is typing words, sentences and using the correct finger positions. Also, her speed and comfort with the computer has really improved. I’m so happy that we are doing the lessons.

Today was a pretty boring work day. We all need those I guess. I’m pretty broke from my Shkoder trip and thought the money for the trip was for 2 weeks, but in reality is supposed to last 3. Obviously, that means no gelato for me. In addition to my trip, I have the added cost of Passover: I cannot eat bread at home to fill me up or buy cheap 30 Leke bread products in Elbasan like Burek. I’m stuck with salad, if I have to eat out, at 250 Leke and buying tuna at the store which is really expensive (1 can is 120-240 Leke, while an entrée sized salad 200-250 Leke). Also, I really tried to keep the Passover spirit of using utensils that haven’t touched bread by buying new knives, Tupperware (for the tuna) and spoons which was not only incredibly difficult but expensive. So, yeah, I’m broke again.

In supplementing my brokenness was my dire need to do work and update my blog. I haven’t been able to post pictures for some time now, and have a pressing project due.

For our environmental awareness day, I am in charge of creating the lesson templates and the learning standards. Luckily, we got a head start on processing the information on Thursday, but realized after Kristen typed the timeline up that we still have a long way to go. So, I spent a few hours last night developing the template, but then had to research projects for our group to look at. Lastly, in addition to the blog, which takes a very long time to maintain, and the lesson templates, I am going to give an informal information session to the language teachers on Judaism. Now, this is truly a wonderful opportunity. After the Seder which 5 teachers attended, many of the teachers who came and didn’t had their curiosutiy piqued about Judiasm. I’m so happy to entertain those questions as the more people are informed, the less sterytypes and misconceptiosn arise. And, as most of you know, am happy to discuss and debate Judiasm extensively. However, no matter how much I enjoy it, today t was antoher work thing to research.

Anyway, as I sit her typing I realize I should relay some other household information. First, as you know I do not have a shower. There is a shower, and a hot water heater, but I bath in a bucket in the middle of the bathroom. Following that protocol, there is a toilet in the bathroom, but that is used only for peeing. Today, I learned the washing machine will no longer be in use.

The other day, I asked my house mother if I could use the machine to wash my clothes, and she said “Neser”- tomorrow. “Ska Problem”- no problem I told her. I really didn’t car, and it was far from an emergency, though I thought that was odd as she usually is actively encourages clothes washing. So, Saturday came and went and clothes were not washed. Not a big deal. Today, Katie came over before heading to Church to get my lesson template. I ran out to meet her, came back and found all my clothes outside being scrubbed down by my house mother. I ran out to tell her to stop. If I knew she would have to manually labor, I would have washed less or waited longer to do it or done it myself. No problem she told me, though I felt awful.

Within minutes the clothes were up on the line drying. I told a few people about this incident today, and learned that some people don’t use the washing machine in the summer. From a sustainable point of view, that is amazing. It is truly a good allocation of resources. However, I still am uncomfortable with anyone washing my intimates by hand. But, now at least I have faith that the other items on the “bring to Albania list” next to “rubber gloves to wash clothes” will be used and loved.