Yesterday all of the 8th graders celebrated their graduation by having a mini-prom. My village’s prom was being held at the local gas station/motel restaurant. Fancy. I declined the invitation to attend their prom due to the fact that I did not work with the 8th graders this year. Alas, I did not get out of prom this year. My site mate, Justin, invited me to attend his school’s prom as a chaperone. Upon arrival we were welcomed by several scandalously dressed thirteen and fourteen year olds. High heels, short dresses…and plaid shirts seemed to be all the rage. We took our seats at the teacher’s table where we were an open bar greeted us. After living in this country for a year and ten months nothing seems to phase me anymore. I am fully integrated into the culture and the norms. It wasn’t until Justin (a newer volunteer to the country), mentioned that it was strange that all of the teachers were drinking whisky and beer infront of all of the children. It’s funny that a year ago when I attended my first school Macedonian school prom, I thought the exact same thing. I remember being shy and feeling really awkward about it. But now, a year later, it is just business as usual. It’s funny how drastically my mindset had changed.
After several hours of dancing the oro and eating salad the prom came to an end (12:00am). All of the students and teachers headed to the disco club for the after party. The whole club was full of tiny kids holding beers and swaying awkwardly to the overly loud music. Some of the kids weren’t even tall enough to reach the bar, but the bartenders still handed them beers. lele. About an hour later the club started to empty out because it honestly was past their bedtime. They all looked exhausted. The teachers stayed and danced all night. Justin and I laughed that the teachers outlasted all of the kids. Go us. And now summer has begun.

June is finally here, which means I only have 5 more months until COS. This summer is going to be a crazy adventure and will go by faster than I can blink. Here are some of my upcoming summer plans:

June

• Let’s Dance Camp!: Kochani, Macedonia 
    A week and a half intensive dance camp which teaches several different dance styles ranging from hip hop, to ballet to bollywood. The dancers will be taught the dances during the week and it will culminate in a performance. I will be teaching jazz/ballet and some yoga.
• Camp GLOW: Tetovo, Macedonia
  An all girls leadership camp which focuses of cultural awareness and understanding. Girls from all over Macedonia are invited to take part in this event.

July

• It’s officially vacation time. I will be running around Europe with one of my besties and then meeting up with my parents in Italy to go on a cruise. My 20 day vacation will include the following countries: Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Czech Republic, Italy, Greece, Montenegro, Croatia.
• Ohrid, Macedonia. As if my vacation was not long enough I will be spending a few relaxing days with one of my friends in Ohrid.

August

• Ilinden in Krusevo.
• Greece (I need to use up those vacation days)
• COS conference in Berovo

And after all of that I have two months of school left. I have to pack and say goodbye to everyone. I know it is still five more months to go but it really does seem like it is tomorrow. Let the insanity begin.