IWC Newsletter - October 2018

October 2018

of the International Women’s Club-Sofia

November Coffee Morning – 6th of November (10.30)

president’s letter Dear ladies,

IWC Executive board 2017-2018

President Albena Jones, UK gsm: 0879 119 152 president@iwc-sofia.org Vice-President Maya Metodieva, BG vicepresident@iwc-sofia.org Treasurer Desislava Ivanova, BG treasurer@iwc-sofia.org Bazaar Coordinator Bazaar Team Nicole Simmons Diana Michaels-Christopher USA gsm: 0879 506 799 c.iwcbazaar@gmail.com Acting Charity Chairperson Krastina Aranitasi, UK charity@iwc-sofia.org Address 2 Maria Louiza Blvd., TZUM, fl.7, 1000 Sofia tel: 02 951 6117 www.iwc-sofia.org Office Manager & Membership Coordinator Zarina Benoun-Takova gsm: 0895 571 813 office@iwc-sofia.org tel.: 02 951 6117 (please call before visiting)

Project and Office Support Associate Milena Varzonovtseva admin@iwc-sofia.org www.iwc-sofia.org https://www.facebook. com/IWC2017

In the last month the IWC has been buzzing with activities thanks to your ideas and participation – so many members are getting involved in the club activities and the IWC projects are rapidly progressing.

Since the office opening day, there has been members there daily, working or having various meetings.

It was wonderful that many of you came to our new TZUM office location on the 25th of September, we shared some drinks, banitsa and pleasant, fruitful conversations. There was a show around of the premises and after members saw the bright, spacious communal sitting area on the 7th floor, which can comfortably sit around 30 people, it was proposed that we use the space for our language conversation groups and various other group meetings.

We had a full house at the 2nd stallholders meeting at the Polish Embassy, it was informative and beneficial, the Stallholders pack was distributed, and presentations were done by both of the IWC Bazaar Coordinators and bazaar team members.

Sadly, it was our last meeting hosted by IWC Honorary member Mrs. Aldona Krajevska. At the end of their diplomatic term in Bulgaria the IWC would like to express its gratitude and well wishes to Aldona and H.E. Krzysztof Krajewski the Polish Ambassador for their support to our organization over the years.

A big “Thank you” also goes to our Italian stall holder Mrs. Pamela Della Toffola and the entire Italian team for generously extending and invitation to the IWC for a bank account with UniCredit Bulbank at exceptionally favorable terms. After numerous meetings between the bank, myself and IWC Treasurer Desislava Ivanova who is an experienced professional in the banking field, we have opened new bank accounts for the IWC Charity Foundation and the IWC Club. UniCredit Bulbank becomes our new bank and a trusted partner, they have provided us with preferential terms and conditions and most importantly taken on board the implementation on my idea to introduce POS Terminals at the Bazaar this year. Details of the new IWC bank accounts are published in the announcements section the NL. The news about the innovative idea to provide each stall at the Bazaar with a POS (Point of Sale) Terminal was met with applauses form the stallholders.

I believe that this will be a key feature at our event that will aid to raise thousands more in funds for charity. Our positive transformation continues.

Our appreciation goes to IWC members: Krastina Aranitasi for volunteering to take on the responsibility of Acting IWC Charity Chairperson.

VP Maya Metodieva and Lilly Lisiova who have volunteered to become the IWC Calendar Coordinators and, of course, to all the 20 members and the Patchwork group who will all be featured in the calendar.

Good luck to all the Essay competition entries published in this NL edition.

I am sure everyone will enjoy reading them, please do not forget to vote for your favorite Essay by Sunday 21st October, sending the name of the writer to admin@iwc-sofia.org the winners and prizes will be announced in November.

And finally, a warm welcome to the new members, thank you for renewing your memberships to the existing ones and it is wonderful to see familiar faces returning to the IWC!

Albena Jones

IWC President

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IWC Club Policy Smoking Please note that all IWC Coffee Mornings are non-smoking.

group, a charge may be added for instance if a guest regularly frequents one of these activities without becoming a member.

A deposit is required from all members and guests attending an event with a cost involved. This deposit will be forfeited in the case of non attendance.

Language Don’t let a lack of fluency in English keep you from attending the monthly coffee mornings and other club activities. Many of our members speak other languages.

Remember, we are an international club, and we are here to support you. You’re welcome at any time.

*Charge for guests at the discretion of the activity group organiser with a min. sum of 10 BGN.

Suggestion Box The suggestion box is always available at the members’ signin table. Feel free to write your ideas, concerns, complaints, and suggestions to the IWC Board and drop them in the box.

Because you’re important to us, we want to hear from you.

Use of IWC Logo The Board has established the following policy for the use of the IWC logo and brand name. In order to prevent any misuse.

1. Written Permission must be requested from the Board a minimum of 2 weeks prior to event; 2. The partnering organisation/company should be in good standing in the community; 3. The event should seek to pursue the goals of the IWC; 4. No third-party usage will be permitted. An agreement will be signed between IWC and partner organisation; 5. The Logo may be used only for the agreed event and for specified time period.

IWC Visitors Policy The IWC doors are open to visitors throughout the year. Visitors are welcome to attend up to two coffee mornings and two activities prior to applying for membership. A 15 BGN fee is payable upon registration at the sign-in table during the coffee morning. For more information, please contact the Membership Coordinator at admin@iwc-sofia.org.

Events Charges All events are available to fully paid up members of the IWC. Where there is a cost involved, it will be kept to the very minimum.

Guests will be able to attend the events that are specified at the time. Not all events will be open to guests.

Events that are open to guests will also carry a ‘guest’ surcharge as follows:

Guidelines for Paid Advertisement 1. Priority for any vacant advertising spaces will be given first to IWC members, then to outside advertisers.

2. Advertisers are welcome to run or extend their advertisements for a period of six months. After that time, if there is a waiting list for advertisements of that size, the situation will be reviewed, and priority for available spaces will be given to (a) IWC members; (b) new advertisers; (c) existing advertisers. The same order of priority will apply to smaller ad space that may become available.

3. There is no waiting list for advertisements of a given size, the current advertiser may extend their advertisement for the contract period of their choice.

4. These guidelines may be revised at any time with the agreement of the IWC Board.

5. Paid advertisers are not endorsed by the IWC.

Monthly Events Free monthly events are free to guests. Events costing under 20BGN, there is an additional charge of 5BGN. Events costing 21BGN or more, there is an additional charge of 50%.

Monthly Activity Groups Monthly activity groups are free and any charge for guests will be at the discretion of the organiser of the

Rules For Announcements From Members 1. Advertisements will be run in two consecutive issues.

If the member sends a request to run the advertisement again, it will be extended for a further two issues. After that, the advertisement will be removed. If the member still wishes to include the advertisement after that time, the request will be considered, but placement is not guaranteed.

4. Recommendations for individuals engaged in business (e.g., dentists, hairdressers, etc.) will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Board.

5. Final discretion as to whether to include an announcement rests with the Newsletter Editor.

We ask members to send all announcements for the newsletter via e-mail. The size of ads should not exceed a single paragraph of five lines. The IWC board is not responsible for the accuracy of the information provided in these announcements.

Please send your contributions to newsletter@iwc-sofia.org not later than the 15th of the preceding month.

2. Advertisements must be submitted by members.

Members may not submit ads for non-members (e.g., for a friend who is selling a car, etc.).

3. Members may not submit recommendations for businesses. These recommendations may be submitted to the IWC Go To Guide. Businesses are also welcome to purchase advertising in the newsletter.

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HALLOWEEN Today’s Halloween is a hodgepodge of traditions originating from various cultures and people across the globe.

Halloween is said to have originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people wore costumes to ward off roaming ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III changed “All Saints Day” from May 13th to November 1st and incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain into the traditional Catholic holiday, hoping to replace popular pagan traditions with church-sanctioned behavior. The term “All Hallows’ Eve,” which referred to the night before the Catholic “All Saints Day,” gave rise through linguistic shifts to our modern word Halloween.

and toward honoring saints. Concepts of “Nature-and-Earth’ evolved into ‘Heaven-and-Earth’ while polytheistic beliefs slowly merged and were largely replaced by monotheism and saints. Nonetheless, remnants of the original pagan traditions, such as wearing costume disguises and the belief that spirits temporarily walk among us, remain and continue to play a part in Halloween tradition.

Other traditions along the way have also contributed to modern day Halloween. Why, for example, do we trick-ortreat for candy? There are a few possibilities. “Belsnickling, derived from the German mumming tradition of Peltznickel, was a Christmastime tradition in German-American communities where children would dress in costume and then call on their neighbors to see if the adults could guess the identities of the disguised guests. The children were rewarded with food or other treats if no one could identify them.”

The first known ancestor of today’s Halloween was born roughly 2000 years ago. During the annual harvest celebration of Samhain, Celtic people known as Druids donned animal heads and skins as part of their ghost-dispelling ceremonies. They danced around massive bonfires, making food and animal sacrifices to keep dark, other-worldly spirits at bay. Such spirits were thought to roam freely among humans only during a few short days as summer faded into winter.

The American melting pot of European immigrant cultures appear to have contributed many disparate elements to this unique holiday, with documented contributions from English, Irish, Scottish, Druidic Celtic, Catholic Roman, Canadian, Scandinavian and German communities at the very least, and likely many others as well.

The entwining of the various celebrations over centuries makes complete sense as cultures converged. Druidic Samhain merged with Feralia (traditionally celebrated in late October) when Romans commemorated the passing of the dead, along with Pomona which originally took place in early November to celebrate the harvest. All Saints Day was added around 741 AD, and then in the early second century the Roman Catholic Church declared November 2nd to be observed as All Souls’ Day, attempting to further dilute pagan traditions by shifting the focus away from Druidic spirits

In Bulgaria, Halloween started gaining popularity in more recent years embracing the American tradition. Many children and adults excitedly prepare themselves for Halloween with pumpkins and costumes. For them, the day of “contact with the world beyond” is just a way to have a bit of fun, to let their imagination run wild and take some photos to remember it by.

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Breast cancer awareness month Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer. The campaign starts on October 1st and ends on October 31st every year.

Breast cancer is the most common oncological disease among women worldwide. Discovered in time, breast cancer is curable in over 97% of cases. As the first symptoms remain unnoticed - cannot be felt and do not cause pain, screening is required. Breast mammography is used worldwide for the early diagnosis of breast cancer.

Mammography is a specific method in which the structures constituting the mammary gland are visualized with a low dose of X-ray radiation. The results and their eval-

uation are archived over a long period of time, allowing for the traceability of possible changes in the structure of the mammary gland. Over the month of October many clinics offer free screenings for women. A variety of events are organized around the world, including walks and runs, and the pink illumination of landmark buildings.

Grape harvesting in Bulgaria It is harvest time in Bulgaria’s wine country. The fall colors of the vines and trees are beautiful. The red, yellow, and orange shades make it a picture-perfect season.

Wineries are bustling and busy with grape picking and making wine. Harvest season is celebrated with fun activities such as grape stomping, wine tasting, folklore dancing and much more. It is a very exciting time of the year for the wine makers, and the wine lovers.

Vineyards are planted everywhere in the country (except for around the capital city of Sofia) and the best wine comes from the slopes while the massive amount of bulk wine comes from fertile valley floors. Gamza is a red variety from small grapes. It’s often compared to Pinot Noir. Dimyat comes from the Black Sea coast and is a white wine variety, the second most planted white variety locally. A big region in wine-making is the Thracian lowlands - everything south of the Balkan mountain range. Struma Valley is popular with its warm climate. Here Cabernet and Merlot are big. A special place in this region is the town of Melnik, famous for its wine. Shikroka Melishka Losa, which translates to “broadleaved vine of Melnik” and is also known as just Melnik, is red and grown in and around Struma Valley.

It has a perfumed and tobacco aroma, is rich in texture, firm in structure, and sometimes sweet. Like Mavrud, Melnik has big tannin and loves to spend time in oak.

Other popular varieties are Mavrud and Pamid, the first being the top selling local wine within the country and the second, the oldest of the native varieties. Even with those unique Balkan varieties, the international ones reign supreme in total acreage and exporting. Merlot takes the top spot in plantings. Cabernet Sauvignon, after all that success in the 70’s and 80’s, comes in second. There are many plantings of those two in the north but they can be found mostly in the south with Syrah and Malbec, while Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir are mostly in the north. For whites there’s Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Welschriesling, Riesling, Traminer, Viognier, and Muscatel. It is worth mentioning that 15% of the vines in the country are growing grapes for rakia, the brandy of the Balkans, made with all kinds of different fruit.

Wine making in Bulgaria dates back to the era of the Thracians, ancient tribes that existed more than 5 000 years ago. In the 1970s, Bulgaria became one of the largest wine exporters in the world. However, demand for Bulgarian wine declined after the fall of the Soviet Union. Since 2007, numerous small and medium-sized wineries have been established, focusing on quality rather than on quantity. They have consistently won awards at prestigious international competitions. These wineries continue the centuries-old tradition of winemaking. Today, the country has more than 260 registered wine cellars and there has been growing interest towards their production, as Great Britain, China and Russia are among the major foreign markets for those.

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Announcements  IWC-SOFIA NEW UNICREDIT BULBANK ACCOUNTS (IBAN): Foundation International Women’s Club-Sofia Currency: BGN IBAN: BG50UNCR70001523379029 Charity Foundation to the International Women’s Club – Sofia Currency: BGN IBAN: BG93UNCR70001523379031  It was proposed that Mr. Carlos Arellano is made an IWC Honorary member though he is not a female, because of his continued support and dedication to the IWC as the Mexican stall holder.  IWC has a contract with MultiSport, one of the best sport benefit cards, offered in Bulgaria, that provides access to over 650 sports facilities. The monthly fee is 43.20BGN, to add a child – 30BGN.  Our charity FSCI is looking for an English teacher on a voluntary basis once a week for 2 hours for the young children from the vulnerable community in Fakulteta.  We have received an invitation from last year's IWC Bazaar Guest of Honor – Bulgarian TV Presenter Mira Dobreva for participation in her TV show. She is looking for individuals with interesting life stories to share, can be done by English speakers too. See IWC President Albena Jones for details.  IWC Office coverage - our 2 office employees are Zarina Takova and Milena Varzonovtseva, providing coverage from 9am-5pm.  If you wish to use the meeting area on the 7th floor in TSUM kindly advise office@iwc-sofia.org or call the office at least 24hrs prior.

September highlights MCM – 11th September, Arena di Serdica Hotel

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Monthly Lunch – 20th September at Umami Restaurant, Marinela Hotel

Tonizar, his brother and their mother, would like to thank IWC for the support in a difficult moment for the family. The boys go to school with excellent results, and in karate they already win national competitions.

IWC Book Club meeting

Thanks to the generosity of the IWC ladies Samina, the lady from Pakistan who attended the September meeting, now has a sewing machine and money for supplies. She sends her heartfelt gratitude.

IWC Patchwork Group

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TZUM Office Opening – 25th September

2nd Stallholder Meeting (19th September 2018) Polish Embassy Preparations for the 24th annual Charity Bazaar on December 2 at the Inter-Expo Center are gathering steam! Many thanks to Aldona Krajewska and the staff at the Polish Embassy for hosting the second stallholders’ meeting on September 19. We welcomed 79 prospective stallholders and bazaar team members from 40 prospective stalls at this meeting, and a total of 37 stalls have registered. The powerpoint presentations from the meeting and the stallholders’ packet with all key information are posted on the website. Stall registration, volunteer requests and entertainment/workshop proposals can be made on the website, by email, or by filling out the forms in the stallholders’ packet by hand. The packet also includes sample letters to use for soliciting sponsors.

Members who are interested in contributing to their country’s stall should contact Milena who will put them in touch with the relevant stallholder.

In order to maximize both efficiency and fun, this year’s bazaar team is holding to some firm deadlines: • October 23: For stall registration, space requests and any “big new ideas” • November 15: for detailed stall layout requests, entertainment and workshop proposals, sponsor logos for the big banners, requests for assistance from volunteers and requests for transport for equipment.

Schedule of planning activities: • Tuesday, October 2, 18:30 Next Bazaar Team meeting, U.S. Ambassador’s residence, 18 Veliko Tarnovo St. New team members welcome; please RSVP to Nicole.

• Tuesday, October 23, 10:00. Romanian Embassy. Will include training in use of the use of post terminals to accept credit card payment.

• Monday-Tuesday, November 5-6. Time TBD. Opportunity to view setup of Interfood & Drink exhibit at Inter-Expo Center. Let Nicole know if you are interested.

• Wednesday, November 21 10:00. Turkish Ambassador’s Residence. Stallholders may purchase advance tickets from Ticket Portal. Stallholders who wish to hang flags above their stalls are requested to bring them to this meeting. The final bazaar agreements with stallholders will be signed.

• Friday, November 30—10:00-17:00. Stall set up and deliveries, Inter-Expo Center • Saturday, December 1—8:30-17:30. Stall set up and deliveries; distribution of final stallholder packets, Inter-Expo Center.

Bazaar team contact information: Role

Who

E-mail

Overall organization

Bazaar Co-coordinator Nicole Simmons Sisi Mahboub

c.iwcbazaar@gmail.com

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IWC Essay Competition Dear members, you can vote for Best essay by Sunday, 21st of October with sending an email to admin@iwc-sofia.org The winner and the two runners up will be announced at the November’s Coffee Morning and, of course, there will be terrific prices for our Top Three adventure writers.

My Most Memorable Summer Moment Anya Ciecierski I have had so many memorable moments during my first summer in Sofia.

But the one that truly stands out was the day I spent at the orphanage with six other ladies from the IWC. I had never been to an orphanage, in any country, and I had no idea what to expect. Books and movies portray the worst, so I prepared myself for a very sad day.

Instead, it was a day full of surprises and smiles; a day that really reinforced my faith that there are good people with big hearts who want to help others.

The staff I met at the “Tabitha Bulgaria Foundation” works so hard to care for the children and the elderly ones in their programs. They see the suffering of children and deal with the frustration of unappreciative people and ever-changing legal regulations and still, they continue with dedication and optimism.

can share their love. These are two marginal groups, often ignored by society, that crave attention. Tabitha’s program builds a bridge between the generations that is certain to have a deep impact on everyone involved.

I also met a group of teenagers from the Netherlands that come for a few weeks every summer as volunteers to play with the children and do repairs to the building such as cleaning and painting. The fact that a group of young people would choose to spend their summer vacation in this way, sometimes year after year, was inspiring.

At one point, three little ones came to sit with me while the other kids danced and sang songs. We watched cartoon videos, ate candy, and played with their new toys. Despite the language barrier, somehow we still communicated. This was my most memorable moment of the day and something I will never forget.

And of course, there were the children I met…… I was told that this center cares for about 50 children, ages 3 to 19. Despite the challenges they have faced in life, they were full of smiles. What impressed me the most was the genuine appreciation they showed for our visit and for the little gifts the IWC ladies brought with us. They were not greedy or rough, but polite and helpful. My first thought was, ‘someone has trained these children so well.’ I think that it was “The Babas.”

I was told that last year ten children were adopted from this center, mainly by families in America and Italy. I can’t help but think about all the opportunities, and challenges, they will have in a strange new land and wonder how much they will remember about their life in Bulgaria. And I wonder about the ones who are not adopted and their prospects for the future.

Tabitha has a program called the “The Baba Program.” A grandmother (Baba) from the local area is matched with two specific children and she spends 3 to 4 hours every day with them. Tabitha also organizes events with the local senior citizens and the children.

The older ones can share their experience, and the younger ones

But for this one day, we all just focused on enjoying a wonderful picnic lunch with some new friends.

It was truly a memorable experience. I appreciate that the IWC made this possible for me.

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To Super sushi master, Aspen Miwako Note Did you enjoy your flight with cabin attendants during your solo trip to London? I can imagine you cheerfully jumped into your mother’s arm when you arrived there. As usual, I was so lucky this year since I could catch up with you and your cousin Funy at the Rodopi mountain.

It’s been 10 years since you guys lived together, right?

I was so happy that everyone was pleased with the ingredients of sushi I brought from Japan. Rolling sushi was a lot of fun, wasn’t it? I could see your skill to put sushi rice on seaweed got so much better since last year. You clearly remembered where to put poached eggs, cucumbers, carrots, and red capsicums on rice. You successfully rolled in the hardest way at last, both sides of seaweed attached just the right way. Funy, her parents, Nikolai, and I, everyone was amazed and gave big hands for your professional skills. Aspen, your face was filled with confidence. Then you took lead and taught Funy’s parents how to make sushi. You were a great teacher. It was a first time you used a knife to cut a rolled sushi. But I could tell you were helping your mum in London because your knife skill was really good. As I told, you made the knife wet with your hands and cut in the middle twice, then cut it into 8 pieces. The only close part was the last part though! Funy’s dad was trying to steal the end of part of sushi which is staffed the most, and what is laughable, you knew his aim while cutting the sushi. Although everyone was carefully watching you, as soon as you made a cut, you grabbed the end of part quicker than Funy’s dad. The sushi was way bigger than your mouth and some staff were protruded out of your mouth. With a pleasant smile you said “I did it!!” while Funy’s dad was like “You got me!!”. “Hahahahaha”, everyone couldn’t stop laughing watching you guys’ conversation. It was so much fun, Aspen. We tried to make a rice ball together too.

Now I am watching photos of us enjoying our time together. I am recalling what your mum told me, “Aspen performed sushi making at her presentation at school. It was extremely well done”. That’s right, Aspen, you are now able to cut a rolled sushi and make a rice ball. I can imagine you are showing off your skills at school. I am hoping to see you again and spend time together at the Rodopi mountain next year. I wish your luck, Aspen. I will do my best too.

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Adrenaline Rush Albena Jones I have always been a dare devil. Both my children inherited this quality from me, from a young age I encouraged them to be brave and fearless, and introduced them to fun parks and Roller coasters. In the summertime this has become our favorite activity. We always combine our summer trips with a high doze of adrenaline by going to themed amazement parks and water parks - the scarier the better.

ture was amazing. This summer was no exception in the UK we traveled to Chertsey to visit one of our favorites Thorpe Park, this trip was very special as my younger one – daughter Elenda, aged 9, became 140cm. tall, which is the minimum height requirement to go on the Black Roller coasters (the most dangerous ones). On our previous trip there she was only allowed on the child rides, but now my grown-up girl was so excited, naturally I was bit worried, but my worries were in vain, after each ride the adrenaline did it’s job, she was screaming with excitement as if she had just drank 1 liter of energy drink. It was official, she was a little dare devil with having lots of adrenaline flow through her body. How does the adrenaline affect us? The chemical reaction of adrenaline release stimulates the nerves which leads to numerous, simultaneous effects in your body that prepare you for fight-orflight. Your blood flows to your skin, your digestive system and kidneys decreases, which allows increased blood delivery to your muscles. Your heart beats faster so more blood is pumped to your body each second. Your breathing rate increases allowing you to take in oxygen more quickly.

We have visited most of the UK parks and ridden on some of the World’s scariest coasters. When my son Joshua was 10 years old we conquered the World’s fastest Roller coaster Formula Rossa in Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi, UAE. This ride accelerated from 0-62mph in 2 seconds and reached a top speed of 150mph, you cannot imagine the rapid chemical reaction in the human body in these seconds, it’s exhilarating! Then I discovered that after such days of extreme fun, when my body should be totally exhausted, I was feeling quite the opposite I had so much energy, felt happy and care free and this effect went on for days even months after an overdose of adrenaline rush with my kids.

Last summer our adventurous spirit took us to the USA, we visited all the amazing water parks in Miami, actually on the entire Florida coastline, as at some point I ended up driving for hours to West Palm Beach to spend a day of thrills at Rappids – Florida’s largest water park. The adrenaline charge from our adven-

My believe is that adrenaline is vitally needed by our bodies, no matter if you are young or old, since the stone age when men had to go hunt for food and humans had to defend themselves from beasts the adrenaline’s natural frequent production helped them prevail, it made them strong and resilient to the elements of nature and immune to all sort diseases. In the modern world we live in, the natural causes for triggering adrenaline have disappeared, but they were part of our genetical structure and have very positive and lasting effects on our vitality, so we must find ways to revive them. When we go on scary rides, watch horror movies, bungee jump or zip line our in addition to the adrenaline our glands release many hormones, including aldosterone, cortisol and endorphin which stimulates the body and the mind and makes us feel good.

So my most memorable summer experience is having fun with my children, screaming with the loudest voice I have, laughing madly and uncontrollably and re-charging my body and mind.

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Един незабравим момент от това лято Ася Асенова-Бломсма Бях се вградила в “картината” и не усещах времето, а се разливах в пространствата. Още бях под въздействието на ефира, когато долових движението на природата около мен и отваряйки очи, усетих нейните “аплодисменти”. Мащерките пред мен, аплодирайки ме, запяха хорово, когато чуха думата “поточе”. Цъфнаха в розово и ме благословиха с аромата си. И следобедният вятър ми напомни за физиката на нещата, окончателно прогони духовните ми преображения и с настойчивост за внимание ми поднесе звуците и вибрациите на една картина от ежедневието на поляните, където пастирят беше главният герой. Творческата наслада отново ме заля, но със земни параметри.Този път словото създаде една класическа симфония, където най-малкият и непретенциозен човек доказваше себе си със завиден ентусиазъм и усилия да нахрани цялото човечество...

Само духът и материята на ЛЯТОТО ли допринасят за щастието и незабравимите моменти? Можем ли да бъдем щастливи по всяко време, дори и когато сме нещастни? ДАаааа, МОЖЕМ!!! Някъде бях чела, че целта на живота е да пресъздадем себе си в следващата найвелика версия на най-висшата си представа за това “КОИ СМЕ” и “ЗАЩО СМЕ”. Ако Бог твори и съзидава и чрез нас, посредством трите инструмента на сътворението МИСЪЛ, СЛОВО и ДЕЙСТВИЕ, то това важи и за нас хората. Всичко, което мислим, казваме и правим създава нашата реалност, твори нашия живот, т.е. творим онова, което искаме за себе си... А кой не иска да твори щастие и незабравими моменти в живота си?! Аз ли не искам?... Неее.. Аз сътворих една незабравима мисловна симфония в средата на лятото, която провокира и извади моя творчески потенциал и възнагради моите човешки сетива с невероятни духовни картини... Бях сама, близо, но духовно далече от моите близки, сред една зелена девствена среда в обятията на Стара планина, обсебена от фините ефирни енергии на метафизичното. Като частица от проявения свят на материални и духовни същности, аз мисловно проявих своето “съм” в безформената форма на Твореца, попаднах в Божествения свят на сътворението и “станах” частица от Изначалната Вечност. Исках да преживея себе си чрез необятния и съвършен свят на невидимото и духовното, на съвършенното и непроявеното... Не само с хляб исках да живея, но и с всяко слово на Божествените уста, както се казва в Библията. Моето духовно превъплъщение като част от природата провокира словото:

От край до край прехождаш из Балкана и търсиш млякото на майките. Звънците разногласи на чедата си навързал си ги още отзарана. Деня на паша си изкарал и с кучешкия лай на лудите безспорно стаден ред си вкарал, завръщат се от страх заблудените. Настигаш връх и спираш пътя, разстилаш стадото в покой. Замах на поглед, грижа за минута потапя в длан следобедния зной. И грижа сетна, галеща душата несръчно вади стария кавал. В ефирен бяг се носи над полята народна песен от сърце запял. Улавят ритъма й кръшни пеперуди, премени гиздави дърветата менят. Тук агънце ще припне майка да пробуди, там чанове надълго легенди ще звънят...

Сама, сред твоята зелена власт от теб частица ставам аз, разлистена усмивка след дъжда, която само слънцето разтваря ... Сега съм твойта тишина, запазила за вечни времена героиката на трагични нощи, когато български сърца се сливаха във жертва за свобода. Сега съм хладния ти скут, прикътала чрез нечовешки труд природния ти дар от божествата. Завивам тревния ти гръб с прохладна сянка, грижа на гората. Поточе палаво съм, с бисерна вода, умора да оставям без следа, и всяка жажда по човешката земя от буйнствата пенливи чрез теб да утолявам...

Някъде бях чела, че целта на живота е да пресъздадем себе си в следващата най-велика версия на найвисшата си представа за това “кои сме” и “защо сме”... Ето така се пресъздадох това лято, незабравимо и творящо. Но помнете, че може да се случи и през други сезони. Зависи само от нас...

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An unforgettable moment from this summer Assya Asenova-Blomsma I was embedded in the “painting” and I did not feel the time, but I spilled into the spaces. I was still under the influence of the air when I sensed the movement of nature around me and, opening my eyes, I felt its “applause”. The thymes in front of me, applauding me, sang chorus when they heard the word “stream”. They blossomed in pink and blessed me with their fragrance. And the afternoon wind reminded me of the physics of things, finally banished my spiritual metamorphoses, and, insisting for my attention, brought to me the sounds and vibrations of a painting from the everyday life of meadows, where the shepherd was the main character. The creative delight once again flooded me, but with earthly parameters. This time the speech created a classical symphony where the youngest and most modest man proved himself with enviable enthusiasm and effort to feed all mankind.

Do only the spirit and matter of SUMMER contribute to happiness and unforgettable moments? Can we be happy at all times, even when we are unhappy? Yeeees, we CAN!!! I had read somewhere that the goal of life is to recreate ourselves in the next greatest version of our highest perception of WHAT WE ARE and WHY WE ARE. If God creates and builds through us, through the three instruments of creation THOUGHT, WORD AND ACT, this applies to us, people, as well. Everything we think, say and do, creates our reality, creates our lives, that is, we create what we want for ourselves ... And who does not want to create happiness and unforgettable moments in her life?! Don’t I want to? ... Of course, I do! ... I created an unforgettable mental symphony in the middle of the summer that provoked and pulled out my creative potential, and rewarded my human senses with incredible spiritual pictures ... I was alone, close, but spiritually far away from my dear ones, surrounded by green virgin nature in the arms of Stara Planina, obsessed with the subtle energies of the metaphysical. As a fragment of the manifested world of material and spiritual essences, I mentally manifested my “I” in the formless form of the Creator, I appeared in the Divine world of creation and “became” a particle of the Original Eternity. I wanted to experience myself through the infinite and perfect world of the invisible and the spiritual, the perfect and the unmanifested ... Not only with bread I wanted to live, but with every word of God’s mouth, as the Bible says. My spiritual incarnation as part of nature provoked the words:

From end to end you walk through the Balkan, Seeking for the mother’s milk, The variously voiced bells of your children You’ve tied them up since dawn.

You have spent the day in pasture And with the bark of the mad ones No doubt you made order in the herd They are coming back, the lost ones.

You reach a peak and stop, You strew the heard in peace.

A look in swing, care for a minute, Sink the afternoon swelter in its palm.

And last care, caressing the soul, Clumsily takes out his old caval.

In fairy flight he drifts above the fields And sings a folk song from his heart.

They catch its rhythm, graceful butterflies, The trees change their comely finery Here a lamb will urge its mother to awaken, There sheep-bells will ring long legends...

Alone, in midst of your green power, A particle of you I become A smile coming into leaf after the rain Which only the sun can dissolve…

Now I am your silence, Keeping for eternity The heroism of the tragic nights, When Bulgarian hearts, Unified as casualties for freedom.

Now I am your lukewarm lap, Treasuring up with superhuman labor Your natural gift from the deities.

I cover your grassy back With cool shade, the care of the forest.

I’m a playful brook with pearly waters, The fatigue will leave without a trace, And every thirst in human lands through you will be quenched .......

I had read somewhere that the purpose of life is to recreate ourselves in the next greatest version of our highest image of who we are and why we are ... This is how I recreated this summer, unforgettable and creative. But remember that it can happen in other seasons, even when we think we are unhappy. It depends only on us...

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OCTOBER birthdays Veneta Behar – 3 October Diana Pazaitova – 5 October Sunny Stimmler – 12 October Mihaela Dobre – 16 October

Nicole Simmons – 23 October Lynne Godding – 25 October Sonya Petrova – 30 October

regular activities Patchwork Group This group consists of seven members and we are meeting every Monday in the PLUS TOVA café, situated in Marin Drinov 38 st., from 10 am to 12 pm. Teacher of the group is Dusica Trkulja who is showing the making of patchwork. The members of the group have made a patchwork pillow which they would like to show to IWC members during the morning coffee in November. The group will continue again in January 2018 with its classes as in the following few months we will focus on the charity Christmas Bazaar preparations!

Book Club Members read one book a month, and then get together to discuss the book (discussions are in English and are usually very fun and lively). We read a variety of fiction and non-fiction books from writers of all nationalities.

There is a morning meeting once a month on Friday. For more information contact: Sonya Petrova: andsonya@ yahoo.com.

Bridge The bridge group is renewing its playing sessions once a week starting from April as the private bridge club ”King of clubs” is not open during morning hours any more. Interested members are invited to play bridge with us. A place of the meeting will be fixed for each session. There is an English-speaking group and a French-speaking group. For more info contact Diana: dianakolarova@ yahoo.com, 0888 423 150 or Marieta: neykova-mp@dir. bg, 0889 849 354.

English Conversation Group We are five native English speakers who take it in turns to lead a weekly conversation group every Thursday from 10:30 AM–12:30 PM. Different venues and topics are chosen every week. All members and all levels are welcome. Co-ordinator of the group is Avantica Shinde, email: avantica@gmail.com.

Spanish Conversation Group Everybody who wants to practice and improve her Spanish is welcome to our weekly meetings. Also, if you are already fluent in Spanish or if you are a native speaker and you would like to participate, please enquire at CM to see who is leading this group, as there were changes.

Bulgarian Conversation Group Five Native Bulgarian speakers joined to form a conversation group by special request – just for you to grow and increase and to practice your B U L G A R I A N! We meet weekly at 10.30 every Tuesday. Please contact Jane Ewing for location – the teachers/ tutors are all wonderful Bulgarian friends from IWC who you respect and know. Don’t be afraid! Come join us! Zapovyaday!!

Contact Jane by e mail: janeaewing@gmail.com.

Russian Conversation Group To the attention of anyone who wish to improve conversational Russian language regardless of the level of her knowledge and practice: the new Russian Conversation group starts from February planning to meet twice a month. Everybody who is interested is welcome. Please contact Marieta Neykova who is a native Russian speaker by e-mail: neykova-mp@dir.bg or tel. 0889 84 93 54.

Hiking Club The hiking group is an energetic group of dedicated hikers who head up to Vitosha and the surrounding mountains every Friday. We usually meet at 9 am at Fantastico in Dragelevtsi. An email is sent to all hikers every Wednesday with more specific plans and this often includes different meeting points. A typical hike will bring us back to our meeting point at 2 or 3. For more information please write to Bistra Karakoleva (biskarakoleva@ gmail.com).

Tennis A group of members are starting to regularly play tennis together. We are of mixed ability and if you wish to join us or get on the regular emailing list then please contact Teodora Petrova on 0888 495066 or her email: teodora_p@yahoo.com.

Tuesday Playgroup Mums and dads with babies, toddlers and small children, please come along to our weekly playgroup! We meet every Wednesday at 10am, at someone’s home or in a park or play centre. It’s a great opportunity to meet new people (some of us have lived in Sofia for many years so are great sources of advice and information too), and for the children to make friends. It’s totally free and there is no obligation to host, so please do come and join us! For more information or to be added to the mailing list, please email Stephanie.Karaolis@ gmail.com.

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OCTOBER EVENTS IWC EVENTS 9/10/2018 10:30

Meeting point: at Alexander Nevsky Cathedral at 12:00 h. Expected time of return: about 16:30 h.

Transport: Tabitha’s van (5 seats available) or carpooling;

MONTHLY COFEE MORNING Arena di Serdica Hotel, Hall Arena, floor: - 2

12/10/2018 10:00

IWC members are kindly invited to attend the event which is organized in the Eve of the Enlighteners’ Day (November 1st) and the Day of Roman (26th October). It will treat issues connected with the future of Roman, its children and elderly. The event will include some information about Roman and the opportunities it offers, welcoming words by Roman Mayor, small program, prepared by the underprivileged children from the social institution and the senior people. There will be some refreshments to celebrate the holiday.

CACTUS LAB 64, Evlogi and Hristo Georgievi Blvd.

WORKSHOP – MAKE YOUR OWN PLANT TERRARIUM COST – 21.00-35.00 BGN, TIME 2 HOURS, UP TO 6-7 PERSONS PRICE INCLUDES: 1/3 plants by choice, ground, special mix and decoration stones, all equipment and accessories needed for the job, pot for the mini garden

17/10/2018 12:30 MONTHLY LUNCH BRICK CAFÉ BAR AND DINNER 11 KONSTANTIN SHTARKELOV STR./CLOSE TO JOLIO CURIE METRO STATION/

We kindly request the participants to bring BOOKS and some cakes, sweets, fruits, soft drinks.

20/10/2018 9:00

For further details, please contact: Albena Matova on 0888 511 519 (tabitha@dir.bg) or Maya Metodieva at her mobile 0887 686 777or by e-mail vicepresident@iwc-sofia.org.

IWC/5km run IWC charity Adults and kids run in support of the Bulgarian federation of the blind people, sponsored by GVC Location: South Park

31/10/2018 19:30 HALLOWEEN PARTY, JOINT IWC AND INTERNATIONS SOFIA DISCO CLUB, 12 GRAFF IGNATIEV STR. FREE ENTRANCE – EACH ATTENDEE WILL PAY OWN CONSUMPTION DRESS YOUR SPECIAL HALLOWEEN CLOTHES – LET`S HAVE FUN

25/10/2018 IWC & Tabitha Foundation event on “Bridge between generations” project Venue: MAX Day Care Centre for Senior People in Roman town (125 km NE off Sofia)

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October calendar

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17 12.30: Montly Lunch

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25 IWC & Tabitha Foundation event 1

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8 10.30: MCM

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31 19:30: Halloween party

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12 10.00: Workshop

20 IWC/5km run

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NON-IWC EVENTS INTERNATIONAL MUSIC DAY DATE/TIME: October 1, 7:30 PM LOCATION: Chamber Hall at Bulgaria Hall

JOSE CARRERAS CONCERT DATE/TIME: OCTOBER 21, 20:00 LOCATION: ARENA ARMEEC

MUZEIKO HOSTS KIDS ADVENTURE FESTIVAL DATE/TIME: October 5-7 LOCATION: Muzeiko

FIRE AND FURY: PULEV vs. FURY DATE/TIME :OCTOBER 27, 19:00 LOCATION: ARENA ARMEEC

W

e offer for rent a luxury property, situated in a quiet and peaceful place with quick access to the city center, both via Panoramen pat Street and Bulgaria Blvd., as well as on Tsar Boris III Blvd. Access is year-round on a new asphalt road. The area is mainly built with new luxury properties.

In close proximity is the private school “St. Sofia” and a kindergarten.300m. from them is the public transport stops.

• Total built-up area: 400 sq.m .; • Yard: 1000 sq. M. Ground floor - two garages, basement rooms, boiler room, barbecue area with fireplace; First floor - spacious living room with fitted kitchen with dining area, closet, builtin wardrobe, bathroom with toilet, bedroom; Second floor - bedroom 25 sq.m. with wardrobe, bedroom - 30 sq.m. with large built-in wardrobe, terrace, bathroom with toilet, winter garden; Flooring - high quality laminated parquet, granite.

Furniture: No, but it is possible to furnish; • Heating: Heating system with pellet boiler and electric boiler; • Full wiring for Internet, TV and Security system is installed; If you are interested please contact Maya Metodieva 0887686777 or vicepresident@iwc-sofia.org

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