“I’m finally joining the Peace Corps," I told my best friend at our favorite brunch place one Saturday in New York City. 

At the end of last month, I returned to New York City from Albania for a close friend's wedding. 

While Albania celebrates many of the same holidays as the rest of the world, one American celebration is still unknown. 

What kind of animals do they have in Albania? Do kids ride bikes? How do they build their homes? Do they play hockey? 

Not long ago I had the privilege of being a teacher chaperone for a group of American eighth graders on an exchange trip to southern France.  

Rise with the sun.