Viata is in full swing....

I feel there is so much I can write about that has happen over the last three weeks since I came back from vacationing with my family in the states. One of which I will leave you to read on Davia's , my roommate, blog, at http://www.daviainromania.blogspot.com/ , I think she adequately describes how we were all feeling when the cultural differences between America and Romania were thrown into our face.

But on to better topics...Viata began, and I am still trying to find my place among the staff. I have been mainly at the rope course the last three weeks and that's were I will remain for the rest of the summer. It will be in more of a support positions than other lie a group leaders, but I feel this is were I will be most useful. I was thinking last night I been planning to come to Viata for more than a year, almost a year and a half, and now here I am in the midst of it. When I realize what Viata is trying to accomplish with these kids, it gives me chills. Viata's goal is to change the attitude of nation through the youth. It is trying to rebuild trust, motivation, and integrity in an cultural that lost all these values due to the harsh realities of communism. The youth who come are so cute and so excited to be at camp. They lack the sense of privilege many American kids carry and I find that quite refreshing. These kids might not have much but they have a free spirit- which I wonder for Romania to become more developed do the youth have to lose that spirit? Time will tell.

One short story before I have to sign off...this past week at Viata we had an blond hair and blue eye 8 year old named Maria. Maria wanted so badly to do ballet performance for everyone in camp. So on disco night-every Thursday night we have a dance party in camp, everyone dresses up and dances like crazy (so fun!)- we made it happen. Maria walks in with a pink shirt and a tutu made of white trash bags and ribbon. Despite her make shift attire she was the picture of dignity as she took her position in the center of the circle. The music starts...a instrumental versions of Hotel California.. and Maria begins her dance, you can tell by the look on her face the she is in her own world were she is the most beautiful and graceful ballerina. The whole camp is circle around her cheering and yelling... its like from a movie, but a really good movie. It was one of the most magical moments since I been to Romania. I not sure if my words properly capture it. This little girl had so much courage and dignity despite any circumstance...I think I could learn something from her. I will always remember Maria, the ballerina.