They Feed Fulbrighters, Don't They?

Well, when it comes to the US ambassador's residence, don't expect much. Mostly finger food...and some wine. Which is, for obvious reasons, not a good combo. Fortunately, we learned this in September, and vowed not to make the same mistakes twice. Therefore, prior to our spring meeting at America's swanky Warsaw digs, we went out for breakfast.

This weekend marked a milestone in any Fulbrighter's life: the official year-end meeting. Of course, we decided to use Monday's festivities and important-people-luncheoning as the excuse for proclaiming a full-fledged "Warszawa Weekend," which equates to Maggie and Leanne taking the train from their respective cities to the capital, where they spend the weekend baking and sight-seeing with Mike and Elizabeth.

The rendezvous with the Fulbright counterparts was enjoyable...as always. However, the "official" luncheon at the ambassador's house was about as exciting as Rachel McAdams' last film. Fortunately, I had my camera and my fellow Fulbrighters are about as easily amused as I am.

Mike's sisters, Sara and Ketty, were visiting from Kansas. So, they got to take part in all the diplomat-meeting fun. Aren't we cute when we're all dressed up? We almost look like respectable adults...Of course, looks can be deceiving. Especially when the ambassador's back yard is adorned with a tent for his two small children. Leanne likes to make speeches. They usually concern her passionate loathing of passive voice, winter weather, and the overuse of the words "nowadays" and "phenomenon."
Eighteen months, two essays, and one Polish winter later, I got to take this picture. Jestem Fulbrighter! Jestem adult? Not necessarily...Who wants to abandon the finger food and go find piwo? If we go get our coats in pairs, no one will notice....
When in Poland, certificates are a necessity at any event signifying completion. So, here we are. Official Fulbright alumni with an important piece of paper to prove it.It was supposed to be a serious ordeal...yet, there was something about those certificates that screamed "kindergarten graduation." We couldn't help ourselves...

I returned to Poznań late Monday night. Tuesday morning, I was met by the customary mob of students who, along with their essay drafts, bombard my office on a day to day basis.
Did I mention that I love my job?

Thank you Fulbright for all the wonderful photo opportunities...and so much more.

Trans-Atlantic Visitor

Another former Wesleyan roomie visits Poznań!

The Art of the Pierog

Here's a rather odd statement: I like Kielce. I may be rather biased, since my good friend resides there...and she has twice invited me to assist her in corrupting her students with drama (ie. The Odd Couple and Arsenic and Old Lace).

This past week, I made my second trip to Leanne's Cold War Corner (of course, the trains didn't quite work out as planned, and I arrived about two hours later than originally anticipated). Her Fulbright shepard-by-default Włodzimierz and his wife Dorota invited us for a peirogi (basically the equivalent of Polish ravioli) making lesson on Monday night.

Leanne is the master of the frozen Tesco peirogi--meaning that she can boil this pre-made Polish dinner staple like nobody's business. However, when it comes to making the real thing from scratch, neither of us knew where to start. We could buy flour and potatoes...and that's about it...

Enter the expert: Dorota and her mad pierogi making skills.

Apparently, you can teach Fulbright ETAs new tricks.