Links to all of my on-line ramblings and other useful information.

IRIM International Relations students (smiling, because I made them)...Mihai (or Mike as he prefers) on the far right is holding up his U.S. Constitution--I told him it has magical powers (not really).

Old ATMs never die--this one had keys in English (obviously retired from the States).

Memorial near IRIM to Jews slaughtered in Chisinau in a 1903 pogrom 1903 and in WWII by the Nazis.  Not topical but interesting, nonetheless.

Yours Truly (in case you had forgotten) walking on thin ice and sporting a new haircut...yes, I know, I do not photograph well.

A new surcharge on ATM transactions is going to be implemented on March 1.  The ultimate result of the new charge and the fact that I am cheap is that I have been trying to get my next two months rent (EUR 1000) in cash before the surcharge goes into effect.  Of course, you can't get Euros out of the ATM, you get lei.  So I have been stockpiling my lei in anticipation of paying the landlord--I actually had 16,000 lei at one point... unnerving.  Today, I got a snazzy new haircut for 40 lei ($3.07) at the salon across the street.  All this did get me to thinking a bit about the cost of living.

I made a little chart on the right that breaks down some costs (as well as pics of the currency and an exchange rate board).  All told, American professors are in a bit better off than Moldovan ones.  Moldovan professors usually teach 8-10 classes per term for a base salary of $100.  They also teach extra classes,  tutor, or translate on the side for extra money.  I hesitate to publish this page because the Deanly sorts back home might decide to replace all us American professors with Moldovans!

My students are doing well and I am really enjoying teaching them.  I showed my language students The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman yesterday and they did just fine with it.  They are reading Everything That Rises Must Converge by Flannery O'Connor (thanks Jean Fallis) right now.  My American Politics students are finishing the Constitution and all of them have their very own copy (thanks Mike Digby).  Having any published material is a big deal here and to have given each a copy to keep was a special treat.  Books are scarce and very expensive here.  Professors generally give a copy of something to their students and then the students share or make copies.

The weather is still cold but when I was at the lake today (walking on it) I noticed some cracks and thought, "I may not be able to do this again."  Tomorrow is March 1st and I have been here nearly two months--I can hardly believe it! 

PS. I already paid the landlord his Euros, no use in flying over to rob me!

   Stefan cel Mare's  picture is on all the money