COS conference, etc

I will write more on this later, just wanted to say that COS (end of service) conference with my M23 colleagues--those of us to arrived in Moldova on June 11, 2008--was amazing.

http://www.worldofmoldova.com/en/skyland/

Here are some nice photos and information in English about the place where we stayed for a few days. Great food, pretty surroundings, an all-around great memory with people who have been very special to me and my experience in Moldova.

One of my favorite parts of this conference was when me and my colleagues (about 20 of us from our original 38 that left Philly together for Chisinau) sat around in a circle and took the time to praise each individual about the work they've done here and the qualities that we most admire in them.
I had previously thought about how a few of my closer friends in the group have affected me and my experience in Moldova, but I hadn't really processed how the experience of being surrounding by each of these individuals has changed me in positive, profound ways. At home in the US many of these colleagues that I have spent so much time with might not--would probably not--choose me as their close friend or weekly contact and confident as I likewise might not select to spend my free-time with them. They are each great friends, but we all have very different personalities, different interests, different ways of interacting with the world and approaching challenges. We each, however, share qualities that have brought us to our work in Moldova. Seeing our differences so closely has helped me to develop into a better, more confident person. One of my friends here was described by our fellow colleagues as doing everything she does "so joyfully". This person, for example, is such a self-confident, resilient woman who lives completely in the moment. I've never before Moldova spent so much time with someone who has such a free, open, uninhibited and joyful attitude and demeanor--in both her personal and professional life. I've been exposed to people who have so many characteristics that I truly admire and would like to see more of in myself.