An Open Letter to My Wife

Dear S-,

7:30 AM, CET, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

I am here for our Skype date, but got your message (flight delay from Colorado-Boston).  Just made instant coffee in our new $50 microwave. Sorry to hear that your flight is delayed.  But Alex will wait for you.  Give him a hug for me. 

My first classes were yesterday, and I had 12 students in each.  That is a decent turnout on the first day, so they say.  (It triples last time's 4, out of 30+!)  I do not know my actual enrollments this term. 

I am far less stressed now that I do not have to work also at the downtown campus (EURO).  I was fearing the preparation load.  My PSU online MBA course is a constant psychological demand.  There are ungraded posts from last weekend to read and grade today, so I'll be online a lot today.  Skype me whenever, and I'll answer if I am here.

If you do come over later on in the term, we'll find an apartment again for a month or two.  I would love that.  No pressure, but you'd be most welcome. 

It is October.  JJ's and Amy's wedding next month!  It will be here before we know it.  I can't believe I'll have only been here a week tomorrow.  I have already had so many meetings, lost one job, picked up two new assignments, planned next week's trip to Bucharest via Sibiu for the Fulbright orientation, had my PSU Chat, been sick, gotten well, walked to Iulius Mall daily for four straight days, etc.  It never stops!

Day before yesterday I bought us our very own clothes rack, just like the one we had before, and did my first laundry.  The washers here at Economica II are big ones, and are free.  (These drying racks are great.  Maybe I can find a way to bring this one home, though it is pretty large even when folded.)  Yesterday, I bought coat, shirt, and pants hangers, and finally batteries for the travel alarm clock, as well as a varza, onions and garlic, so I can make a ciorba this weekend, and save buying dinner out every night.  Still have to find the nearest kitchen.  I thought there was one on every floor, and I can often smell good cooking going on, but I haven't found the kitchen on "Etaj 2" yet.

My left eye is still cloudy, and my depth perception sucks.  I miss at least one step every day, and yesterday one such miss jarred my spine.  Also, night driving is a bit difficult, so I have cancelled classes for next Thursday, and will make daylight trips to and from Bucharest.  The orientation is on our 37th Anniversary, Wednesday.  I'll be staying at Casa Victor, of course.  I am taking a new Fulbrighter (Aline C., who let me use her "Box 4 of 4" to ship teaching materials) from here to Sibiu on Tuesday, where we will pick up Charles and "his" new LBU Fulbrighter, and continue to Bucharest.  On Thursday I will return via Brasov, where I have  a lunch appointment with Claudiu Morarescu, founder ot the "Let's Improve Romania's Image" Facebook Cause.  I will also try to see Roxana's folks, at least to say "Hello."

There is more to tell from Cluj, but those are the highlights. 

I look forward to getting the Colorado tales.

Drum Bun!  I miss you.

Love,

D-