one year, fun with language, and new glasses

So yesterday was one year away from home! Wow! I can't believe how fast the time has gone. Randomly, yesterday I had quite a few Macedonians (well 3) ask me how long I have been here. And I got to say one year that day.

I know as a language learner I should be more sensitive to people who try to speak english with me. Sometimes I think back on what I have actually said to someone and get really embarrassed. i.e. - I found a cello to play at the music school and the next day at work someone asked me, in Macedonian "How was it playing the cello again?" and I said in Macedonian "I am really good!" When I meant to say, "It was really nice!"

Anyway, yesterday a co-worker and I where brain-storming possible revenue sources for the national park. In english she said, "...maybe we could have a better relationship with the tourist agency that takes people on monkey excursions into the park..." She meant donkey, but I didn't dare correct her for I was sure I would start giggling. The rest of the meeting I had a visual image of Macedonians riding monkeys through the hills of the national park. Maybe like the ones from the Wizard of Oz.

Finally, I got new glasses. They are really cheap here and have been wanting a new pair for a while. They were done in less then a day, and I am happy with them. (See picture above of me with new glasses)