Pauza Magazine Winter 2009 | Page 2

Happenings life and times in peace corps macedonia December 7. “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves”, a comedy adaptation of a classic tale, was performed in Skopje with our own Aryn Bloodworth, Marc Ackerman, Erin Gibbs, Jessica Mangskau and Vince Drader. December 12. The MAK13s were officially sworn in as volunteers. pauza staff Dan Kearney, managing editor Frank Hennick, editor Karen Schaan, layout and design editorial committee Goce Spasov, PC Safety & Security Coordinator Bob Cone, PC Country Director Michael Radmann, Program & Training Officer editorial policy. This publication, which bears the name of Peace Corps Macedonia and the Peace Corps logo, must adhere to certain editorial guidelines. These guidelines re- January 19. Epiphany was celebrated by the throwing of a holy cross in blessed waters throughout Macedonia in honor of John the Baptist. quire that all content in this magazine be in good taste, politically neutral and culturally sensitive. Content should not January 20. A day many of us will never forget. Obama was sworn in as the 44th American President and many celebrated this historical moment. February 14. St. Trifun Day, the patron saint of January 17-20. Ohrid hosted the 2nd Annual wines, was celebrated in Tourism Fair with vendors from Macedonia and the Negotino. Local wines, surrounding countries. A favorite booth of many food, crafts and fun! was one giving away free servings of wild goat cooked by a professional chef. Can you say gourmet? 2 - pauza include profanity, advocate a specific religious belief, be insulting or slanderous, comprise the safety and security of any Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV), nor give the impression that the author is writing on behalf of Peace Corps or the United States government. To ensure that these guidelines are met, a committee made up of PCVs, Peace Corps Staff and Host Country Nationals (HCNs) will review articles for content. submissions. All PCVs and Peace Corps staff are welcome to submit articles to be published in Pauza. If you are interested in writing an article, please contact a member of the Editorial Staff. Submission deadlines will be announced. All submissions can be sent to [email protected]. Articles may be edited for length and content. Pauza always welcomes PCVs who would like to join our editorial staff. If you would like to help with Pauza, please contact a member of the editorial staff or e-mail at pauzamag@ gmail.com. cover photo: Kathy Zaleski photos submitted by Emily Audette, Heather Tomlins, Karen Schaan, Sara Ray, Brittany Gardner, Phil Lampron, Liz Renner, Benson Siwek and Kyungah Suk. Pauza winter 2009 features Happenings National Essay Contest by Tara Trepanier page 2 page 4 Winning Essays: A Woman Left With Nothing By Milena Stoimenova Helping Maria By Tamara Kjose All is Not Lost By Filip Poposki Taking the Plunge by Pauza Staff Vevchani Stara Nova Godina by Evan Brengle page 4 page 5 page 5 page 6 page 7 Travelogue: See the Balkans: Slovenia by Erin Gibbs Croatia by Meredith Gregory page 8 Albania by Colin O’Hara Montenegro by Melissa Hauke Bosnia & Herzegovina by Vince Drader Serbia by Jillian Kearney page 8 page 8 page 8 page 9 page 9 Greece by Karen Schaan Meet the Beans by Phil Lampron Ringing in the New Year-Macedonian Style page 9 The Three Days of Christmas by Heather Tomlins Home for the Holidays by Frank Hennick Darko the Dog by Jillian Schuster page 12 Lives of Other PCVs: Cambodia by Liz Renner Photos from Around Macedonia page 14 by Brittany Gardner page 10 page 11 page 13 page 13 page 15 winter 2009 - 3