Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Thanks!
Dad, Carolyn, and Nathan - Thanks for calling this morning! It was soo good to hear your voices. I'll be thinking about you all day. Hope you guys have a fun Thanksgiving! Love you!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving!
Just wanted to say a Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I will sure miss the get togethers this year with both my Mom's and my Dad's sides of the family, but just wanted to let you all know I'll be thinking of you. As for me, I'll be celebrating pot-luck style with 15 volunteers/ Americans. Thanks to Dad and Carolyn I'll be making green bean cassarole! I think we'll even have a turkey (bought/killed/and de-feathered at the local bazaar). Our Mercy Coprs friend (from Scottland) has graciously offered to host dinner. It won't be the same as being home for the Holidays, but it should be fun and interesting to see the Thanksgiving creations everyone will bring.
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
New Apartment/ Holiday Wish List
Everyone has been amazing at sending me stuff. I am so grateful. I've put together another list, since it seems like people actually enjoy putting packages together, and well, since you're gonna do it anyway, thought I'd help you out. This is what I could use:
can opener
fabreeze****
body spray
stovetop stuffing****
French's Dried Onions (for green bean cassarole)****
onion dip/soup packs
thumbtacks
smart wool socks
scented candles
taco seasoning
a new flash drive (mine has a virus)
warm hooded sweatshirt
black stretch pants (for layering)
2 pocket folders
index cards
small reading light/ booklight
paper towels (cannot get here)
tinfoil (unheard of here)
small notebooks
tequila nips, Bailey's nips (hide and don't declare - contact Martha for expert instructions)
mouthwash
deodorant (it's so expensive here!)
oil-free face lotion
Reeces Pieces
Jiffy Pop
**** indicates urgent need
Packing in boxes and sealing with the US Postal tape seems to work the best. Make an inventory list on inside of box to further prevent theft.
Don't send big/heavy boxes - too expensive and difficult to carry home from the post ofice. I can live without all of this stuff, so don't feel like you have to send me anything. But, if you want to, Thank You in advance!
can opener
fabreeze****
body spray
stovetop stuffing****
French's Dried Onions (for green bean cassarole)****
onion dip/soup packs
thumbtacks
smart wool socks
scented candles
taco seasoning
a new flash drive (mine has a virus)
warm hooded sweatshirt
black stretch pants (for layering)
2 pocket folders
index cards
small reading light/ booklight
paper towels (cannot get here)
tinfoil (unheard of here)
small notebooks
tequila nips, Bailey's nips (hide and don't declare - contact Martha for expert instructions)
mouthwash
deodorant (it's so expensive here!)
oil-free face lotion
Reeces Pieces
Jiffy Pop
**** indicates urgent need
Packing in boxes and sealing with the US Postal tape seems to work the best. Make an inventory list on inside of box to further prevent theft.
Don't send big/heavy boxes - too expensive and difficult to carry home from the post ofice. I can live without all of this stuff, so don't feel like you have to send me anything. But, if you want to, Thank You in advance!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Sunny Saturday
I just have to say the weather here has been amazing! It has been in the 60's and sunny. It hasn't rained a drop in a month. Yesterday there was a snowstorm in Bishkek.
I'm gad it's warm here because I have no heat in my room at my host family's apartment. I have a space heater, but no where to plug it in.
Spent the morning exploring the bazaar - bought some cleaning supplies, shampoo, and some food, as well as a lightweight metal bookshelf.
I'm sad to report that my good friend Karen is leaving PC Kyrgyzstan. We'll all miss you Karen! People are dropping like flies around here! We started with 63 Volunteers and I believe we're now down to 49.
I'm gad it's warm here because I have no heat in my room at my host family's apartment. I have a space heater, but no where to plug it in.
Spent the morning exploring the bazaar - bought some cleaning supplies, shampoo, and some food, as well as a lightweight metal bookshelf.
I'm sad to report that my good friend Karen is leaving PC Kyrgyzstan. We'll all miss you Karen! People are dropping like flies around here! We started with 63 Volunteers and I believe we're now down to 49.
Weird Week
November 8, 2007
Things have been interesting here…today started off with a flu and an HPV shot administered by a doctor who carried his meds in a cooler to Andy’s apartment (that makes 24 shots in country). We congregated there at 9am, patiently waiting in line for our vaccines as we passed the time examining the goodies brought to us by the PC Medical officer: Q-tips, cotton balls, lotion, water filters, raid, and anti-fungal cream were the most popular items. Newsweek Magazine came in a close second.
Post-vaccines we met up with our SOCD Program Manager and the Safety and Security Officer and proceeded to then get introduced to the local chief of police. He was kind enough to give us his contact information answer our most dire questions. The Uzbek journalist that was assassinated here a few weeks a go, according to this man, ‘had some enemies.’ I suppose he was telling the truth.
Meetings of sorts, mixed with lunch, a trip to the post office (when I got a text that I had a package waiting for me – turned out it was for the other Rebecca), a stop at the American Corner Library, an apartment check, a snickers bar (was so close to buying the super snickers), a free ride home, and my favorite soy salad made up the rest of my day. Busy, satisfying, and I even have a movie to watch later: Little Miss Sunshine.
I finished a weird book last night: The Dogs of Babel. It was about talking dogs, depression, suicide, and grief. Kind of a downer.
Oh, I almost forgot! I took my first weekend trip last weekend. I went to visit a friend who lives about 2 hours away. Erika and I took a Marshrutka last Friday afternoon after (a very successful) Women’s Leadership Club meeting. I almost forget sometimes, because I live in the city, how poor and undeveloped – but paradoxically stark and beautiful – this country really is. On our way there, with the young man sitting behind me puking the whole way, we passed fields and farms, small villages, lots of cows and donkeys, and we drove up and through and around hills and mountains. The scenery was breathtaking. I was, for the first time since arriving at my site, fully engaged and appreciative of this place. I couldn’t stop looking out the window.
The small city we visited was strange, with a big TV in the center of town and a handful of women’s boutiques. I was impressed that it had some things that larger cities lack. I ate my first Jesus Burrito: a tortilla filled with refried beans, scrambled eggs, tomato sauce, cheese, and bay leaves. Scrumptious, as gross as it sounds.
Cameron was a wonderful host – he cooked dinner for us: pasta with pesto, garlic bread, and a cabbage salad. Delicious! We walked around a lot on Saturday, bumped into some other volunteers, and headed back Saturday afternoon.
We decided to splurge for a taxi on the way home. It was only 50 som more, which is a little more than a dollar. Erica and I walked to the taxi spot – a parking lot filled with leather – vested drivers shouting out locations – Bishkek, Osh, Uzgen, Talas, Nuryn! As you approached a car/ driver who shouted your desired location other drivers would crowd around and they would all simultaneously attempt to recruit you. Erica and I tried to bargain, but ultimately they were all charging the same price so we picked our man by the looks of his car, and how sober/ rested he looked. Taxi drivers here are notorious for driving from Bishkek to Osh and back without sleeping.
Once in the 1994 Audi we negotiated with the driver on a lower price, at the cost of 3 more passengers. As we started out I sat back and relaxed, tired from the day. But as soon as the driver pulled onto the main road he put the petal to the metal. I have never enjoyed a car ride less in my life. I asked the mother next to me if his race-car style driving was normal and she said yes, closing her eyes with her arms around her baby’s lap on top of her. I closed my eyes tight as our driver attempted to pass slower cars around sharp corners; at some point I dozed off. When I woke up we were in traffic behind a horse and 15 minuets outside of our city. I was relieved/ thankful/ surprised to be home and alive.
Things have been interesting here…today started off with a flu and an HPV shot administered by a doctor who carried his meds in a cooler to Andy’s apartment (that makes 24 shots in country). We congregated there at 9am, patiently waiting in line for our vaccines as we passed the time examining the goodies brought to us by the PC Medical officer: Q-tips, cotton balls, lotion, water filters, raid, and anti-fungal cream were the most popular items. Newsweek Magazine came in a close second.
Post-vaccines we met up with our SOCD Program Manager and the Safety and Security Officer and proceeded to then get introduced to the local chief of police. He was kind enough to give us his contact information answer our most dire questions. The Uzbek journalist that was assassinated here a few weeks a go, according to this man, ‘had some enemies.’ I suppose he was telling the truth.
Meetings of sorts, mixed with lunch, a trip to the post office (when I got a text that I had a package waiting for me – turned out it was for the other Rebecca), a stop at the American Corner Library, an apartment check, a snickers bar (was so close to buying the super snickers), a free ride home, and my favorite soy salad made up the rest of my day. Busy, satisfying, and I even have a movie to watch later: Little Miss Sunshine.
I finished a weird book last night: The Dogs of Babel. It was about talking dogs, depression, suicide, and grief. Kind of a downer.
Oh, I almost forgot! I took my first weekend trip last weekend. I went to visit a friend who lives about 2 hours away. Erika and I took a Marshrutka last Friday afternoon after (a very successful) Women’s Leadership Club meeting. I almost forget sometimes, because I live in the city, how poor and undeveloped – but paradoxically stark and beautiful – this country really is. On our way there, with the young man sitting behind me puking the whole way, we passed fields and farms, small villages, lots of cows and donkeys, and we drove up and through and around hills and mountains. The scenery was breathtaking. I was, for the first time since arriving at my site, fully engaged and appreciative of this place. I couldn’t stop looking out the window.
The small city we visited was strange, with a big TV in the center of town and a handful of women’s boutiques. I was impressed that it had some things that larger cities lack. I ate my first Jesus Burrito: a tortilla filled with refried beans, scrambled eggs, tomato sauce, cheese, and bay leaves. Scrumptious, as gross as it sounds.
Cameron was a wonderful host – he cooked dinner for us: pasta with pesto, garlic bread, and a cabbage salad. Delicious! We walked around a lot on Saturday, bumped into some other volunteers, and headed back Saturday afternoon.
We decided to splurge for a taxi on the way home. It was only 50 som more, which is a little more than a dollar. Erica and I walked to the taxi spot – a parking lot filled with leather – vested drivers shouting out locations – Bishkek, Osh, Uzgen, Talas, Nuryn! As you approached a car/ driver who shouted your desired location other drivers would crowd around and they would all simultaneously attempt to recruit you. Erica and I tried to bargain, but ultimately they were all charging the same price so we picked our man by the looks of his car, and how sober/ rested he looked. Taxi drivers here are notorious for driving from Bishkek to Osh and back without sleeping.
Once in the 1994 Audi we negotiated with the driver on a lower price, at the cost of 3 more passengers. As we started out I sat back and relaxed, tired from the day. But as soon as the driver pulled onto the main road he put the petal to the metal. I have never enjoyed a car ride less in my life. I asked the mother next to me if his race-car style driving was normal and she said yes, closing her eyes with her arms around her baby’s lap on top of her. I closed my eyes tight as our driver attempted to pass slower cars around sharp corners; at some point I dozed off. When I woke up we were in traffic behind a horse and 15 minuets outside of our city. I was relieved/ thankful/ surprised to be home and alive.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
End of Oct, Beginning of Nov
Lack of Resources…
Wednesday October 24, 2007
Through the sms (text messaging) phone tree I learned that the water for the whole city was being shut off for an unknown number of days. I’m not sure who found out first, but somehow everyone in the city knew before it even happened. This morning when I went to brush my teeth nothing came out of the faucet when I turned it on, but the bathtub was full of water. Strange to think about how quickly we learn to live with and without water, among other things.
At work today the bathroom doors were tapped shut. If there’s no water the toilets don’t flush.
At the café the menu was reduced to bottled beverages and pizza – no coffee, tea, pasta dishes, salads, or french fries.
Walking home I noticed women walking up from the river carrying buckets and teapots full of water.
Lacking resources in another way, my director at work wants me to find grants without using the internet. Talk about thinking outside of the box!
Thursday October 25, 2007
I had my first mini-breakdown yesterday. Had I not gone to a 7-hour wedding celebration Tuesday night I think I would have been fine, but I was just so tired. It was a combination of physical fatigue, not fully understanding what everyone was saying to me in Russian, and not knowing enough Russian to express myself and feel understood. I wasn’t sobbing, just feeling pretty low.
But lows and highs, good days and bad days, are all part of this experience. I have to develop a tougher skin; have to be able to function in this transitory state of being half in, half out linguistically and culturally. I have to learn not to compare myself and the work I’m doing with other volunteers – because each of our work situations are completely different, and we all have such different skills and strengths. I have to continue to learn and develop in order to be useful, and I have to figure out how to help build sustainability (while lacking resources) while grappling with the concept of development and what it means to be a development worker.
My good friends Adam and Tracy – who were in my training village, went home last night. They were having a hard time adjusting to their new living and working situations and finally decided it was time for them to leave. They are good people, and will be missed.
On a lighter note, Halloween is coming up, and this weekend there will be a big Halloween party at a local café. Lots of volunteers from surrounding villages will be coming down, donning costumes of all sorts. I’m looking forward to seeing people I haven’t seen since we came to our sites.
In Women’s Club this Friday we will be conducting mock interviews and will help edit the girls’ resumes. We’re looking for funding so we can get t-shirts made for the girls, and have begun thinking about putting together a Women’s Leadership Conference for next summer.
With the arrival of some packages from family, I have had new clothes to wear! Exciting. Great timing since the lack of water has put a damper on my laundry routine. Plus, I’ve received so many boxes of crackers that I haven’t had to spend money on food lately. It’s fabulous, really.
If anyone has any crafty, cheap, and easy home-decorating ideas let me know! I’ve been trying to think of ways I can make my new apartment more homey once I move in, and will surely be spending lots of time indoors as the weather turns colder.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
I can’t believe it’s November already! The weather has been getting cooler as the leaves continue to change and drop. Mornings and nights are cold, but mid-day the temperature has been around 50 degrees. Beautiful.
The Halloween party last weekend was a lot of fun. This local café hosted a Halloween costume party complete with games and prizes. So many volunteers came, which made it packed. Some people were really creative with their costumes. This group of 4 volunteers from nearby villages all game as Peter Pan characters. Along with my friends Kelly and Erica I was part of the three blind mice trio. We were more like 3 blind mice from the ghetto though, cause I made our ears out of black plastic bags, tissue paper, and elastics. We wore black clothes and sunglasses and drew on some whiskers with eyeliner. Good times.
We also carved pumpkins at Theo’s NGO and baked pumpkin seeds. Soo good!
Yesterday, when it was actually Halloween a few other volunteers and I went with Kelly to the shelter her NGO sustains for street kids, to teach the kids about trick-or-treating. They made masks and we hid behind different office doors, and when they knocked we handed out candy. They seemed to really enjoy it.
My friend’s cat is having kittens and he said I could have one. I’m so excited! Hope they pop out soon! Then I have to wait 8-10 weeks before they can be separated from their momma. I wasn’t going to say yes, when he asked if I wanted one, but I figured the kitten would provide some company and entertainment – since I’ll be living by myself soon, and won’t have a TV. Plus, there are no vets here, so I won’t have any other expenses besides the cat food (the pet store is right on the corner, so close). Cats here are about half the size as cats at home. They never get very big. And my friend’s cat is black, white, and grey striped so I know the kitten will be adorable. Maybe I’ll take two…
Let’s see what else…my first English Conversation Club – for my NGO’s staff will be held in an hour. Originally it was scheduled for Monday, and then postponed till Tuesday then canceled and rescheduled and canceled yesterday. So, if it doesn’t happen today, I’m going to be really frustrated, but I have to learn that that’s how things work here. My friend Meg, who has already been here for a year and who is an English teacher, has agreed to help me, since her Russian is 100 times better than mine. I’m so lucky!
Another interesting tidbit: I’ve had a little cold for about a week, and my host mother is convinced it’s because I shower (and get cold after the warm shower), so she’s banned me from showering. She says I need to go find a public banya (which is like a steam room) to use. I think I’ll just be sneaky and shower when she’s not home. Also, she doesn’t understand why I wash so many pairs of socks and underwear every week – I should only have 1 pair a week to wash – that would be more normal.
I’ve mentally rearranged my apartment (that I have not moved into yet) about 6 times now. I’ve never lived in a 1 bedroom or in an apartment by myself; I’m so excited!! A few things I could use for the new place would be – a can opener, small white Christmas lights, Tostitos brand cheese con queso sauce (in the aisle with the salsa), and a dust buster (in that order).
At the bottom of my page I’ve added some links to a few of my friends’ blogs. Check them out if you want to see some more pics, and read some other perspectives.
Wednesday October 24, 2007
Through the sms (text messaging) phone tree I learned that the water for the whole city was being shut off for an unknown number of days. I’m not sure who found out first, but somehow everyone in the city knew before it even happened. This morning when I went to brush my teeth nothing came out of the faucet when I turned it on, but the bathtub was full of water. Strange to think about how quickly we learn to live with and without water, among other things.
At work today the bathroom doors were tapped shut. If there’s no water the toilets don’t flush.
At the café the menu was reduced to bottled beverages and pizza – no coffee, tea, pasta dishes, salads, or french fries.
Walking home I noticed women walking up from the river carrying buckets and teapots full of water.
Lacking resources in another way, my director at work wants me to find grants without using the internet. Talk about thinking outside of the box!
Thursday October 25, 2007
I had my first mini-breakdown yesterday. Had I not gone to a 7-hour wedding celebration Tuesday night I think I would have been fine, but I was just so tired. It was a combination of physical fatigue, not fully understanding what everyone was saying to me in Russian, and not knowing enough Russian to express myself and feel understood. I wasn’t sobbing, just feeling pretty low.
But lows and highs, good days and bad days, are all part of this experience. I have to develop a tougher skin; have to be able to function in this transitory state of being half in, half out linguistically and culturally. I have to learn not to compare myself and the work I’m doing with other volunteers – because each of our work situations are completely different, and we all have such different skills and strengths. I have to continue to learn and develop in order to be useful, and I have to figure out how to help build sustainability (while lacking resources) while grappling with the concept of development and what it means to be a development worker.
My good friends Adam and Tracy – who were in my training village, went home last night. They were having a hard time adjusting to their new living and working situations and finally decided it was time for them to leave. They are good people, and will be missed.
On a lighter note, Halloween is coming up, and this weekend there will be a big Halloween party at a local café. Lots of volunteers from surrounding villages will be coming down, donning costumes of all sorts. I’m looking forward to seeing people I haven’t seen since we came to our sites.
In Women’s Club this Friday we will be conducting mock interviews and will help edit the girls’ resumes. We’re looking for funding so we can get t-shirts made for the girls, and have begun thinking about putting together a Women’s Leadership Conference for next summer.
With the arrival of some packages from family, I have had new clothes to wear! Exciting. Great timing since the lack of water has put a damper on my laundry routine. Plus, I’ve received so many boxes of crackers that I haven’t had to spend money on food lately. It’s fabulous, really.
If anyone has any crafty, cheap, and easy home-decorating ideas let me know! I’ve been trying to think of ways I can make my new apartment more homey once I move in, and will surely be spending lots of time indoors as the weather turns colder.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
I can’t believe it’s November already! The weather has been getting cooler as the leaves continue to change and drop. Mornings and nights are cold, but mid-day the temperature has been around 50 degrees. Beautiful.
The Halloween party last weekend was a lot of fun. This local café hosted a Halloween costume party complete with games and prizes. So many volunteers came, which made it packed. Some people were really creative with their costumes. This group of 4 volunteers from nearby villages all game as Peter Pan characters. Along with my friends Kelly and Erica I was part of the three blind mice trio. We were more like 3 blind mice from the ghetto though, cause I made our ears out of black plastic bags, tissue paper, and elastics. We wore black clothes and sunglasses and drew on some whiskers with eyeliner. Good times.
We also carved pumpkins at Theo’s NGO and baked pumpkin seeds. Soo good!
Yesterday, when it was actually Halloween a few other volunteers and I went with Kelly to the shelter her NGO sustains for street kids, to teach the kids about trick-or-treating. They made masks and we hid behind different office doors, and when they knocked we handed out candy. They seemed to really enjoy it.
My friend’s cat is having kittens and he said I could have one. I’m so excited! Hope they pop out soon! Then I have to wait 8-10 weeks before they can be separated from their momma. I wasn’t going to say yes, when he asked if I wanted one, but I figured the kitten would provide some company and entertainment – since I’ll be living by myself soon, and won’t have a TV. Plus, there are no vets here, so I won’t have any other expenses besides the cat food (the pet store is right on the corner, so close). Cats here are about half the size as cats at home. They never get very big. And my friend’s cat is black, white, and grey striped so I know the kitten will be adorable. Maybe I’ll take two…
Let’s see what else…my first English Conversation Club – for my NGO’s staff will be held in an hour. Originally it was scheduled for Monday, and then postponed till Tuesday then canceled and rescheduled and canceled yesterday. So, if it doesn’t happen today, I’m going to be really frustrated, but I have to learn that that’s how things work here. My friend Meg, who has already been here for a year and who is an English teacher, has agreed to help me, since her Russian is 100 times better than mine. I’m so lucky!
Another interesting tidbit: I’ve had a little cold for about a week, and my host mother is convinced it’s because I shower (and get cold after the warm shower), so she’s banned me from showering. She says I need to go find a public banya (which is like a steam room) to use. I think I’ll just be sneaky and shower when she’s not home. Also, she doesn’t understand why I wash so many pairs of socks and underwear every week – I should only have 1 pair a week to wash – that would be more normal.
I’ve mentally rearranged my apartment (that I have not moved into yet) about 6 times now. I’ve never lived in a 1 bedroom or in an apartment by myself; I’m so excited!! A few things I could use for the new place would be – a can opener, small white Christmas lights, Tostitos brand cheese con queso sauce (in the aisle with the salsa), and a dust buster (in that order).
At the bottom of my page I’ve added some links to a few of my friends’ blogs. Check them out if you want to see some more pics, and read some other perspectives.
Halloween Weekend
Kelly, Erica, and I were the Three Blind Mice. Matt, Rebecca, Christie, and Ted were Tinkerbell's Crew.
Halloween Festivities
These pictures are from the weekend before Halloween. We carved pumpkins at Theo's NGO, made costumes, went to a dinner party, and then to a Halloween party at a local cafe. It was fun celebrating an American Holiday in the Kyrgyz Republic!
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