Mirësevjen television interview~~~

"Mirësevjen", 22 maj 2014

Emisioni do të vazhdojë me një temë mjaftë të veçantë dhe të ndjeshme për të gjithë, fëmijët me aftësi dhe nevoja të veçanta. Të ftuara në studion e \"Mirësevjen\" janë Dr. Kathy Scott, fizioterapiste nga Qendra Shendetësore \"ABC\" dhe Oreada Kita, Drejtore e Qendrës \"Xhonatan\".

(translation): The show will continue with a very specific topic and sensitive to all children with disabilities and special needs. Invited to the studio of \ Mirësevjen \" are Dr. Kathy Scott, physiotherapist, from Health Center "ABC" and Oreada Kita, Director of the Centre "Jonathan".


Ada Kita and I were invited to be interviewed on a live morning show here in Tirana, about working with children with Down Syndrome and other special health care needs.

I was very nervous in considering whether to do this or not...but I rec'd some encouraging words, and a few "pep talks"....being interviewed on "live TV" was never on my radar...!

The moderator, Kozeta, was very good and made it easy for us. She spoke to me in English and translated for me.  It was a great opportunity to share the needs of the families and children with special health care needs, and the work of the Jonathan Center. 

 It turned out to be fun...yes...I am definitely laughing...!  When the YouTube link is posted, I will attach it to this blog so you all can watch it. 

always an adventure...!

I felt it...!!!

Early this morning at 2:59:19am there was a 5.1 magnitude earthquake here in Tirana.  The epicenter was south of Tirana.

It woke me up, and I thought "why is the bed moving and my light swinging from the ceiling...?"  

Am I thankful that I didn't rent that apartment on the 7th floor...!!!  

I haven't heard about any damage...in fact the first person to mention it during the day was another american just visiting for the week.

oh well...I guess it is just another day in Albania...

My Balcony garden...

 Those of you that know me, know that I love to garden. There is something therapeutic about having dirt under your fingernails.  I started collecting plants last spring/summer, and have added a few new geraniums in the window sill box. Some annuals that were a gift of seed last spring from friends in  NM, overwintered very well and are blooming now: the nasturtium and the snapdragons.  

At the end of the balcony is a Jasmine...it is just now blooming and smells so wonderful in the mornings.  It has grown now so that it is hanging well over the balcony...so when you climb the stairs into the house...you can smell it.  I can also enjoy it when I am inside with the balcony door open.  

Also at the end of the balcony is a strange succulent type plant...that has hundreds of little starters that fall off of the branches...those are my "weeds"...I am pulling them from my other pots all the time. 

Our Spring has been cooler than normal, and I am glad...it will give my plants and the new starts a chance to get some strong roots before the summer heat arrives.

One of the girls from ABC Health was in disbelief that I purchased a "bag of dirt...!"  to pot all of my flowers. Wait until she learns that I used to buy bags of steer manure...!  Americans...we are a strange group...!

So...enjoy my little garden...