So what do you want to know? Well, I think that the two things you must know about me in order to get this blog and what I am up to follow.
1. I’m Carolyn.
2. I live in Sofia, Bulgaria.
(3. This is a blog.)
The rest? Well, that’s just extra–icing on the cake as some might say.
I started this blog in 2008 when I won a Fulbright. Now more than a year later I am still here and I am still writing. Only now I am working at the American College of Sofia.
My Name
With a name like Carolyn you don’t get a lot nicknames–I’ve had two. The first was Kiki and I came up with this one when Carolyn was too hard for me to say as a baby and by the time I started preschool I was determined that everyone would call me Carolyn. And they did. Until I turned 26 and my first Bulgarian tutor gave me the nickname Karolinka. This it seemed was the perfect name for my blog. But really, I am still just Carolyn.
Sofia, Bulgaria
If you’d like to see what a week of my life looks like you can check out this series Nova TV did on my life (Day 2, Day 3, Day 4 and Day 5). At this point I feel obligated to warn you: if you’re not laughing right now after watching this series, you probably shouldn’t be reading my blog. It’s not going to be a good fit.
Lets see, what else, what else? I’m a twenty-something (okay, nearly-thirty something) American living in Sofia, traveling around Bulgaria and generally exploring the country, people, culture and food. Now, I’m in the process of figuring out what it means to be an expat in Bulgaria. And I am doing my darndest to learn the language but it’s slow going.
My Blog
When I started this blog, I was doing it for me, my family (mostly my MoM and dAd) and my friends. I was trying out a new technology and figured if everyone else was doing it why not me?
Oh and it helps that I actually love to write. I never really imagined that I’d have much of a following but I figured that it beats sending out group emails. So if you wanted to know what I was up to, you could check but it wasn’t like you had an email from me in your inbox every week that you felt obligated to read and respond to whether you knew what to say or not. Thus my blog was born.
So that’s that. I am trying to capture snapshots of what life is like here–sometimes these are events, sometimes feelings, other times things I notice or moments that make me laugh too much not to document and share them. Am I an expert on Bulgaria? Of course not, gesh, I can hardly speak the language but for better or worse this is my city right now and I love it dearly. It’s a city that grows on you and one day you wake up and think: I am going to miss this place and I am not even gone yet.
Want More?
You can follow me on twitter but I can’t promise that in 140 characters you’ll be wowed by my grammar, insight or wisdom but you will be able to see what’s on my mind, what catches my eye and what makes me laugh (or want to cry).
If twitter’s not enough or not your thing, you could see what I’m reading, following and liking you could subscribe to my feed on google reader. Also if you’re not using a reader like google–you should be. I can’t get enough of it–it makes it so easy to follow my favorite blogs and lets me see what my friends are up to.
Still not enough? Well, I am not posting my email, phone number or street address on the blog. My MoM taught me better than that. So leave a comment, let me know what’s on your mind. I’ll reply.
Hi, Carolyn! I’m one of Mrs Keezer’s students.We’ve met a couple of days ago and I’m really glad I know people like you and Mrs Keezer.I would be really pleased if you could give me your skype or e-mail so we can talk some time if you want of course. Please write down to my e-mail.I’m waiting forward to your reply!
George
Hi there –
I just came across your blog looking for something entirely unrelated, and really enjoyed reading some of your pieces – they struck quite a familiar chord! I am also a teacher here in Sofia – I arrived from California in early August and am in a similar position of floundering around in this funny, fun and sometimes befuddling place.
It’s always nice to meet folks outside of work, and I would super appreciate tips on Bulgarian language classes, so if you ever would like to met for coffee or something, I’d be happy to meet someone new. My cousin and her husband went to Whitman in Walla Walla, so I could even act like I know your hometown!
Regards,
Samantha
Hi Carolyn!!
I want to come visit! Any plans to make it to the UK??
All the best,
Greg
You have a great blog, I love reading it. 🙂
Hi Carolyn. Dan from United Architects referred me to your site. I am currently an Amercorps/VISTA serving in Charlottesville, Virginia (just southwest of D.C. I knbow that I am not the oldest VISTA out there but sometimes when I am with the youngsters with whom I serve I feel pretty old. :). I received my B.A. in polisci here in Virginia. I sutdied German in hopes of doing post-graduate in Deutschland. Alas, that was not to be.
Anyway, I enjoy your blog and I will be back very soon. I am going to provide a link to your blog on my site.
See you soon.
Hi Carolyn!!
I will be in Sofia by the first week of March, desperately looking for some fellow english speakers! I am living in Georgia right now but I moved here from Sunnyside WA so I know all those little areas of town that you are from. Would really appreciate meeting up for coffee/beer/wine whatever once I get there! I please email me if you are interested, would love to hear from you or any other american/english/latin person that reads this message.
Trudy
Hello Carolyn!
I stumbled across your blog and find it really charming. (I studied poli sci in uni and am furthering my studies in Russian & Ukrainian. I also work with homeless in my city!) I really just wanted to comment to say that you’re kind of an inspiration and to keep up your good work. Bonne chance et bon courage in your Baba quest; they’re really the closest you can get to angels on earth.
Hey it’s me again 🙂 I was wondering if you have a skype or aim or anything 🙂 I don’t really know any fellow americans here and haven’t had a chance to go out and meet any because I’m too busy with school Oh, and by the way, I live with my Baba 😉
Hi , I’m a french guy lost in Sofia until June.
I do a day release in the technical university of sofia ans I live in studensky grad.
I you want contact me for anything send me a mail.
Regards.
Howdy:
Add me to the list if you’d like
Hi Karolinka,
Your blog is very interesting. I wonder, however, do you ever give your readers some feedback?
Enjoy your stay in Bulgaria, even though there is not so much to enjoy and yes. Trust me, it is not quite different here, in Italy. You’d love much more the pizza here, for sure.
Regards.
@Biliana Thanks for your comment. I do give readers feedback or follow up on comments that were made but of course it just depends on the situation. Sometimes I email people directly or I’ll just post to my blog.
hey, randomly found your blog. it seems neat. I like traveling and am interested in learning about the different places people go.
http://maureenlynn.wordpress.com
Zdraveite,
Carolyn, I really like the blog, you’re take on orthodox easter here in Sofia was spot on – I know the feeling, as I have been working here for a few months and still can’t quite get my head around the differences, but I do so enjoy trying.
Sofia is a great place to be, if you let it,
Enjoy
Hi, I am glad to hear you say so many good things about my native land. I am a Bulgarian actually living in the States. Cincinnati to be exact. I came across your blog entirely by chance, but I am sort of glad I did. Its just nice to see someone that knows and has been to the place were I grew up, even though I have lived most of my adult life in the states. I am pleased to say you will enjoy the Summer in Bulgaria by far one of the best seasons to enjoy there, because if you are too hot you can just skip to Vitosha (literally) or cool of in the Black Sea. I have never thought of actually looking for fellow Americans and trying to interact while I am in Bulgarian, but your blog has opened me to that idea, since Ill be there the whole summer this year. Anyway keep learning that Bulgarian I know its quite hard sometimes, and keep having a good time.
I was browsing for job offers in Sofia all evening and accidently found your blog. You have no idea how lucky you are to live and work there:) No matter I am not native English speaker I do still have a tiny hope to get a job there….
Good luck to you!:)
Hi!! I just came across your blog, looking for yoga classes in Sofia!~ I am a grad student from michigan trying to learn Bulgarian and conduct some preliminary research in Sofia this summer. I really like your blog – it’s definitely inspiring me to start my own. And, just wondering- have you found a good yoga place in Sofia?
I’m just settling in and trying to meet people here, so if you ever want to get a drink and talk about Fulbright, Bulgaria stuff, etc.- let me know!
-elana
Hi Karolinka:
I’m so glad I found your blog. I, too, applied for a Fulbright my senior year of college and was rejected. It was an ETA, I went on to get a Master’s in Education but have stayed on working at my university for the past 2 years in an administrative post. I’m looking to apply for another ETA this year to a different country, and would love to talk to you.
I’m worried the odds are against me because I’m not senior in college, nor do I have experience in the country I’m applying to. But your story gives me hope! Please e-mail me, I’d really like to talk with you: sherrismooth at gmail dot com.
Hello Carolyn,
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog, because my wife and I recently started our own blog about life in Bulgaria. We relocated to Sofia from Israel at the start of the year and everything we encounter is for us an adventure.
Regards,
Ellis Shuman
http://shumansinbulgaria.blogspot.com/
Hi Carolyn!
Friend of mine just showed me your blog, and honestly- I love it! It’s really interesting for me, to see my homeland from a different angle.
I really like your blog!
Dimitar
P.S. I’d enjoy a conversation with you (any time you like) via Skype, Mail etc.
It will be a repeat of all written above,anyway keep writting in the same way as you did so far,so well done….I will be very glad if we keep in touch and may be get to know each other personally one day:)
love your name! good luck in the city
Brave thing you did, to come live in Sofia.
And I’m very happy to see that you’re having a good time here.
Your blog gives a very interesting prospective. I found it browsing the web and i had so much fun reading it for the past two days 🙂 Thank you for that.
@la–Thank-you so much for your comments and encouragement. It’s always nice to know that someone is reading what I am writing and enjoying it!
Hi Carolyn,
I came across your blog a couple days ago and I love it! I’ve been to Bulgaria a few times and hope to return in the future with my kids.
We adopted 3 children from Bulgarian orphanages. 2 of them are from Kazanlak and the other was originally in Kazanlak and then moved to Varna. The first two have some sort of physical handicap and the last one is the bio brother of the other boy. (These are just 3 of the 6 kids we have…2 bio, 1 Russian and 3 Bulgarians)
It has been several years since I was in Bulgaria. I first came in 2001….wow…was it that long ago? I then made 4 more trips to visit and then bring home the children. (combined one trip with visiting one and bringing home another). My trips have always been eventful just trying to get TO the country….once we were 3 days late arriving after we had to be flown to Bourgas and bussed back across the country to Sofia all night long!
We love Bulgaria and plan to bring the children back to experience Bulgarian culture when we are able.
Ok, forgive my rambling…I enjoy your blog..it’s like being there! 🙂
Jill Tate
http://www.jilljackstate.com
Hey Karolina,
Kak si?
I am a student in New York looking to learn Bulgarian. I would love to know who your tutor is and where you found him/her. I really want to know Bulgarian (I tell everyone and honestly feel, I was a ‘Bulgarka’ in a past life) Everything I have found thus far is really expensive for me, but I really need some instruction, as learning by myself has yielded minimal results. I am willing to travel to DC over the summer, (as I was even considering going to the University of Chicago for some summer classes, but I may not be able to afford it as soon as I would like to) I really need some help with this. its so frustrating, but I won’t ever give up my search. I long to visit my motherland (yes, that’s what I call HER, haha) one day, and would love to learn there instead but that isn’t too probable, and is a figment of my fantasies surrounding this beautiful country.
If you could help me in any way possible, I would be indebted to you! Sorry to make this comment, such an outcry for help.
Thanks so much!
Jessy
Hey Jess,
I`m bulgarian living in Sofia for now, but used to live in the US.
Let me know if I can be in any help with your bulgarian.
And whatever happens just proceed going after your dream and who knows, may be soon you will be drinking your coffee here in Bulgaria.
God bless,
Toni
Hey Toni,
Thank you so much! 🙂 I certainly hope that I can learn Bulgarian quite soon. I have the passion for it, but finding the constant motivation to be your own teacher all the time at the age of 20 is extremely hard to do.
I would love to read some children’s books or something rather simple online to get a basic hold of grammar, but finding resources has been difficult. How I would love to have coffee in Sofia, or on a cold day after skiing in Bankso, or after a long tour of churches/monasteries. 🙂
(with some banitza, of course!)
Where in the US did you live? How long? You have my full, undivided attention, haha
Jessy
Zdrasti Jessy,
how can I reach you so I can send you some bulgarian stuff over. I can find some easy online children stories or other matherial that can be usefull. There are a lot of online schools, but I have to check which are the good ones. They are not that pricy ether so you may want to check them out too.
I have lived in Florida for 6 years. 2 of them in Ft.Lauderdale and the rest in Miami. Ihave a master degree in psychology from FIU, but I work in the TV industry here in BG.
What`s your major and which school you are attending?
I love NYC it`s the love of my life, after my 4 years old daughter of course 🙂 I`m trying to visit it every summer, but last summer I couldn`t get off work and didn`t get the chance to smell, feel and see it again.
Don`t worrie about the banica, I will teach you how to make your own. It`s very easy, but even if you are not in a mood of baking you can always buy banica in NY. My friends( bulgarians living in NY) are buying it from a bakery in Queens. I`ll ask them and will let you know.
Have a wonderfull weekend Jess.
Toni
Toni,
Zdrasti! Kak si?
You have no idea how happy I am to have read your last comment…I almost jumped, haha. I am extremely grateful for your offer, and I hope it would not cause you to go our of your way or anything. Is there any way that I could pay for the shipping or reimburse you in any way? I cannot let this favor go un-returned. Mnogo Blagodariya! As far as the online schools are concerned, I was looking into Mastylo, but I don’t think I know of any others.
Florida is pretty nice, I like it there. I have some family there that I try visit occasionally. But they’ve moved around a couple times, so I can’t remember where they are right now. Right now, I am studying English and Political Science at Hunter College in NYC. I am looking into diplomacy or international relations, but I would not mind teaching abroad in Bulgaria or Japan. (I am currently learning Japanese in school) Maybe one summer when you visit New York, I will return your gratitude — by then I might be able to carry light conversation in Bulgarian!
If you would like to contact me personally, please feel free to email: Jessyp7889@gmail.com
Thank you so much for all your help!
Priyaten weekend, Toni!
Hi! I came across your blog by chance and I enjoyed it quite a bit. Funny enough – I’m a Bulgarian living in WA (well, not Walla-Walla, but Seattle) and we’re close enough in age…
Cheers!
M
Hi Carolyn,
Nice to know you and good to hear you had a great time for your camel ride.
Hey!
Nice blog, we included it in our “Sofia blogs” list – http://sofiology.com/?p=172
greetings!
@Sofiology Thanks so much! I am excited to be considered part of the “blogging crowd” in Sofia! It’s not something I ever guessed would happen when I started this blog.
Hey,
I’m heading to Bulgaria in the fall next year for the Fulbright. Since you already did this, I was wondering if you could give me some housing advice? They sent me information, but just that I could spend a couple of nights in Sofia while looking for an apartment… not very helpful. Any ideas?
-Mark
oh, ps, your blog is amazing. well written, and very helpful. thanks
Hi!
Your blog is very informative and i love the videos from Nova. I thought the part how you never stamp your tickets was funny (on the bus). I visited Bulgaria for two weeks and traveled by bus, that was quite interesting i must say. Trying to get on the bus was hard enough it self. My friend had me cutting in front of everyone to get on (including old people) and reaching over to stamp the ticket, fun times lol.
I also loved the Chalga, all the REAL cafes (not like in America where burger joints are called cafes, that bugs me) with delicious cakes, and Zagorka beer mmmm.
Good luck and keep blogging 🙂 Thank you!
You threw a whole bottle of boza..?! Blasphemy ! You will be severely punished for this outrage: Bulgarian.
Каролинка, сега е време да си вземеш английско – български българско – английския речник и да си превеждаш думичка по думичка: ваканцията свърши! От година и повече си в България – трябва да проговориш, мила, трудно ще е отначало, но после ще почнеш да сънуваш на български. Повтаряй след мен:
Аз съм Каролинка и обичам
българските планини зелени,
макар американка,
българка да се наричам –
първа радост е за мене.
Аз съм Каролинка и свободна,
в край свободен аз живея,
всичко българско и родно
любя, тача и милея.
Аз съм българка и расна
в дни велики, в славно време,
щерка съм на земя прекрасна,
щерка съм на юнашко племе.
Някои корекции са направени специално заради теб, но като цяло стихотворението е познато на всеки един българин, които е завършил първи клас успешно. Под игото може да не го четеш, но Железният светилник може да се пробваш да го прочетеш, пък белким разбереш нещо. Тютюн също, Песента на колелетата, Диви разкази, Шумки от габър, Между пустинята и живота – едни хубави, увлекателни книги, които може да ти дадат представа за българския език и начин на мислене. Movies: Козият рог, Време разделно (само ако имаш силна воля, доста тежък филм, но все пак хубав), Крадецът на праскови, Момчето си отива, Куче в чекмедже, Васко да Гама от село Рупча, Вчера, Граница, Капитан Петко Войвода. За капак отиваш до Етъра и Карлово (Къща – музей Васил Левски). След тази изнурителна и тежка подготовка, може да се окаже че си 99% натурализирана и интегрирана в българщината и българското, което те изключва от редиците на експатриатите, и можеш да се чувстваш изцяло в свои води в България. А ако се научиш да готвиш лозови сарми, пълнени чушки и боб – яхния, тогава просто ще си безценна и не знам как ще те опазят от всичките ергени, които ще спят пред вратата ти.
Шегувам се, разбира се, радвай се на лятното време, зарежи София и отиди до нос Калиакра.
Успех в работата и в българския!
Hi, Carolyn,
I found this blog and enjoyed especially the Nova TV videos (funny!) and your post on Bulgarian folk dancing, which is a hobby of mine:
I lived in Germany a number of years, a long time ago. Unfortunately, I never made it to Bulgaria. It sounds like a fascinating and beautiful place. Hope to get there in this lifetime 🙂
Keep on blogging!
Katley
Hi Carolyn!
I like your blog very much and would really like to get in touch with you. Some months ago i have sent an email to the one from your school but maybe it got lost on its way. I’ll be thankful if you send me to my email a way i can contact you. Thank you.
Carolyn,
Good afternoon. I stumbled across your blog while searching Google during the last earth quake here in Sofia and have been checking in from time to time.
We have some similarities and I’d like to open a private but sociable conversation. (No, that’s not a pick up line; I’m “Married With Child[ren]”.)
While I don’t want to post too many details in the open at the moment, I can say “I have been taking Bulgarian language lessons too.”
Please consider dropping me an email.
Sincerely,
Mike B.