Fox Tales From Macedonia Blog

we went south for snow

Aimee Fox Pawlcyn — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:02:38 +0000

Yes, we had a beautiful white Christmas in NM! Mark and I just got back from a 12 day road trip; south through Kansas City visiting Lexi, on down to dad and Beth’s in Magdalena, NM then on to Cindy and John’s in Napa, CA. Along the way and back we did a drive by the Grand Canyon and Mount Rushmore, two very different places.

I believe this may be my 2nd to last post of postings … I have an idea for something new.

Grand Canyon

Aimee Fox Pawlcyn — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:01:29 +0000

We were so dissapointed at the amount of poeple and how commercialized this grand site has become. It cost $25 just to drive into the park. But, it is a sight to see. Next time camping on the north rim is in order.

Click to view slideshow.

Our welcome dinner at Mustards Grill

Aimee Fox Pawlcyn — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:00:42 +0000

After almost 10 hours on the road we were treated to an incredible meal at Mustards Grill, one of Cindy’s restaurants in Yountville, in the Napa Valley. We were well fed and cared for by Patrick and chef Dale Ray … yes, Mark at the chocolate tart and loved it.

A beautiful treat, sorry I missed the picture of the potato boats with pork belly

My birthday and the eve of the new year

Aimee Fox Pawlcyn — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:00:11 +0000

Cindy and John are such gracious and generous hosts. Here are some pictures of our too short stay; the garden, some of the library, our delicious meals. I also got a lesson from Marta on preparing prickly pear fruit without getting my fingers full of cacti spines or prickles.

My birthday dinner at Cindy’s new restaurant Brassica, was a delicious adventure through many menu items, we drank incredible champagne and wine and ate my handsome birthday cake. DELICIOUS, all of it, every last bite! Oh, and Mark likes eggplant

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

New Years was a Japanese dinner made by Mark and I under the direction and guidance of Cindy and John (a lot of direction and guidance).

Click to view slideshow.

The road home

Aimee Fox Pawlcyn — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:58:35 +0000

Instead of visiting the famous Wall Drug and the great Corn Palace in South Dakota we decided to see Mount Rushmore. In contrast to the Grand Canyon there was hardly any one there. We even got to see 5 mountain goats!

It looks so much different then I remember it from when I was a wee one seeing it with my family many years ago.

Click to view slideshow.

the road to Dad and Beths

Aimee Fox Pawlcyn — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:13:02 +0000

and their straw bale home in Magdalena NM. What a perfect place to spend a few relaxing slow days, with family, the great outdoors and a puzzle. Soon, maybe this might be my corner of the earth too. You have a beautiful place Dad and Beth, thank you for sharing it with us.

For a special treat we took an afternoon and went to T or C, NM and enjoyed a soak in a mineral hot spring bath. Those are the pictures of the strange long building and giant tub. Awesome! A great opportunity that may not be around much longer down there. Politicians….

Pie Town Cafe in Pie Town NM, THE best heuvos rancheros and breakfast burritos around, hands down. This place needs to be in the Roadfood Guide. Thanks for the ‘on the way out’ breakfast suggestion Dad.

Click to view slideshow.

I am home

Aimee Fox Pawlcyn — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:34:44 +0000

Yes, I have returned to the states. Below is the email I sent to my fellow PCV’s in Macedonia before I left. I believe it succinctly expresses why. In Peace Corps lingo ET means Early Termination.

As most of you know I have made the decision to ET. My work site has proven to be less then fulfilling and has been on a decline for some time. Peace Corps Staff has recognized the problem and was willing to move me to a new site however I have chosen to not ‘start all over’ in a new village and school. I have a lack of faith that a new placement will offer fulfillment nor meet the expectations I have that my skills and experience will be valued.

PC Staff has been supportive and respectful of my decision, although they do wish they could have talked me into staying.

I made a lot of changes in my life to get here and I will never regret the opportunity that I have been given and appreciate the experiences and friendships I have made during this journey.

I deserve better. I deserve more from my efforts. I have a lot to give. There is much to see and do out there and I am going to keep looking for it, just not here in Macedonia. I am going back to the home I grew up in, Minneapolis. I said goodbye to the 22 years I spent living in Kansas City spring of 2010. I have no idea where the next few months or years will take me, we never really do. I look forward to staying in touch with you to share where we have been, where we are and what might be next.

If I have not had the opportunity to say Goodbye … well, maybe it will be a fresh new Hello stateside a year from now.

Take from this adventure you are in what you need and what feeds you. Thrive. Feed others along the way. Live. Fly.

I have been in Minneapolis for almost a week. I am thankful for Mark’s love, kindness, generosity and faith; he has given me a home to come home to. And and iPhone 4s too I am going to take some time to settle in and feel around for what is next.

A huge thank you to every one that followed my blog, encouraging and supporting me through this journey. I have received nothing bet well wishes and praise for this decision and take that as a sign that you believe in me.

Peace,

Aimee

what’s keeping me busy

Aimee Fox Pawlcyn — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:18:03 +0000

Many of you, my friends, have wondered and asked how my job is going. This year I have been making posters for my counterpart to hang in the classroom. I thought you might like to see my skills at work …

My Family

Phonemic Symbol Chart

My Community Maps

Direction and Street Signs

Halloween

Ajvar

Aimee Fox Pawlcyn — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 08:58:10 +0000

It’s that simple.

45 or so kilo’s of red peppers

about 2 kilo’s of eggplant

around 2.5 litres of sunflower oil

2 almost 3 handfuls of sea salt

23 jars of various size

random neighbors, a wood stove, family just back from rabbit hunting, meat grinder, homemade new wine, sharing my soup for dinner (potato, leek, garlic) to keep us going, and one big spoon …

Click to view slideshow.

This friend of mine, she went to London

Aimee Fox Pawlcyn — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:39:19 +0000

and got to spend quality time with her squeeze, seeing London for the first time … together. A special time. I would call that a gift.

What a lucky girl she is, what a generous, kind and loving man he is. Looks like they had a great time: staying on a canal boat in central London, enjoying a warm romantic fire, cooking together with yummies bought at Portobello Market, exploring the London Underground, sharing a few pints, ating fish & chips, savouring curry and doing the touristy thing.

Click to view slideshow.

She said I could share their pictures on my blog. For those of you that know her she likes to stay anonymous sometimes.