Today I got up early and headed over to the Fulbright office to make a presentation for the "100 Days in Bulgaria" celebration.  I did a little math sitting there before the program started and (gasp!) I think I've been here for 135 days.  My presentation was cut short by a power outage so I only got to show half of my powerpoint presentation but I think that's okay.  It wasn't the best work of my life.

I had a hard time knowing what people would be interested in so I broke it up into three sections and figured that would be good enough--my experience with the students, with the teachers and the challenges and pleasures of teaching.  It was easy to give and I think that people were pretty interested in what I had to say.

The funny thing was when I realized how much of my life has been in some way or another connected to the Fulbright.  My first exposure came in 1st grade; my teacher was on a Fulbright exchange and was from the UK.  She taught us how to spell with extra "u"s.  Then I applied in college for a Fulbright but was unsuccessful.  This lead me to three years at Georgetown where I actually advised other students on Fulbright applications.  Finally I decided it was time to apply again and now here I am--living and teaching English in Bulgaria on a Fulbright fellowship.

How funny and wonderful it is that the Fulbright has shaped my life over the years.

Now I am off to coffee and to the Fulbright Christmas Party.  Tis the season after all!