Friday, February 27, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Thoughts...
I believe my idea of normalcy has become askew. What’s normal and who decides what’s normal anyway? My power just went out – it must be midnight. Earthquake trembles are as frequent as headaches. The water shuts off mid-shower and I just stop, all sudsy, and wait.
I dreamt of grocery shopping last night. I was having trouble filling up my basket because I was overwhelmed by choices and the store ended up closing. I then found myself in a Russian class and I couldn’t open my eyes; the class started laughing because they assumed I couldn’t speak Russian. I had to explain to them – in Russian – that I was tired from shopping, to make them be quiet. I woke up muttering “slushiteti menye pajalousta…ya ocheen ustala pa ta mushta…”
I’ve been immersed in learning and researching and preparing for Thailand. I’m traveling again soon. Thai culture and cuisine looks amazing and I can’t wait to be exploring and enjoying. I though the Russian language was difficult, but Thai seems impossible! Though the stories I’ve heard about the ease and convienece of traveling in Thailand have soothed away any insecurities. I’m so ready and so excited to go and to meet up with and spent time with my Auntie Carol. There’s no other person I’d rather do this trip with.
I dreamt of grocery shopping last night. I was having trouble filling up my basket because I was overwhelmed by choices and the store ended up closing. I then found myself in a Russian class and I couldn’t open my eyes; the class started laughing because they assumed I couldn’t speak Russian. I had to explain to them – in Russian – that I was tired from shopping, to make them be quiet. I woke up muttering “slushiteti menye pajalousta…ya ocheen ustala pa ta mushta…”
I’ve been immersed in learning and researching and preparing for Thailand. I’m traveling again soon. Thai culture and cuisine looks amazing and I can’t wait to be exploring and enjoying. I though the Russian language was difficult, but Thai seems impossible! Though the stories I’ve heard about the ease and convienece of traveling in Thailand have soothed away any insecurities. I’m so ready and so excited to go and to meet up with and spent time with my Auntie Carol. There’s no other person I’d rather do this trip with.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
PC Life Update
The winter is winding down here. My past few months have been spent working at my 2 NGOs, organizing a Women’s Empowerment Seminar Series, interviewing for my research, playing basketball with Ed’s English class, helping Matt with his Boys’ Winter Camp, and spending some time at the Center for American Studies.
Our Seminar Series was comprised of 3 1-day workshops on Violence Against Women (human trafficking, domestic violence, bride kidnapping, women’s rights/human rights), Career Skills (resume & cover letters, interview skills, leadership), and Women’s Health (family planning, abortion, nutrition, mental health). We invited local experts (NGO directors, doctors, lawyers, professors) to present to groups of 20 university girls and young professionals. It was a lot of work, but worth it.
This past Friday my good friend Justine left. She will be missed by locals and PCVs a like (check out her blog – www.justinekyrgyz.blogspot.com).
Anticipation for spring and new volunteers is keeping me going.
Rent just increased to 5,000com($125)/month! That’s 1,500com more than PC provides. I love my apartment and location too much to move though.
I finally got my 3rd small paper finished and approved. Must focus on my thesis now.
Congratulations to my friends at home who have recently gotten engaged and pregnant!
Our Seminar Series was comprised of 3 1-day workshops on Violence Against Women (human trafficking, domestic violence, bride kidnapping, women’s rights/human rights), Career Skills (resume & cover letters, interview skills, leadership), and Women’s Health (family planning, abortion, nutrition, mental health). We invited local experts (NGO directors, doctors, lawyers, professors) to present to groups of 20 university girls and young professionals. It was a lot of work, but worth it.
This past Friday my good friend Justine left. She will be missed by locals and PCVs a like (check out her blog – www.justinekyrgyz.blogspot.com).
Anticipation for spring and new volunteers is keeping me going.
Rent just increased to 5,000com($125)/month! That’s 1,500com more than PC provides. I love my apartment and location too much to move though.
I finally got my 3rd small paper finished and approved. Must focus on my thesis now.
Congratulations to my friends at home who have recently gotten engaged and pregnant!
Friday, January 16, 2009
A note to prospective cat owners overseas:
I thought I was doing a good thing when I adopted my tiny kitten over a year ago from a fellow Peace Corps Volunteer whose cat had a litter. If I didn’t take it, it’d probably end up on the street. I also thought I’d be gaining companionship and would have a little something to take care of, if for nothing else, to make me feel more responsible here, while living alone.
My precious Kyrgyz kitten was born with three ears (which I didn’t even notice until I brought her home). And eventually she earned her name Kangaroo – Roo for short, by spending hours inside my hoodies. She loved to borrow and cuddle against my belly; I would go about my household activities with her there.
Roo is a little over a year old now, and in heat. Imagine the most annoyingly excruciating sound and amplify it. Now, try living with this 24 hours a day for a week. For the past few nights I’ve felt sympathy for my neighbors (these old soviet-style concrete apartment buildings aren’t great at sound control) and have been effectively quieting my cat by distracting her every 30 minuets or so, all night long, by dangling a fake fish in front of her attached to a yellow plastic rod. The fish is on the floor, then with a flick of the wrist, the fish is on the bed. Back and forth until she’s tired and settles down for a bit. When there’s quiet I shut my eyes and pray my arms will work while I’m asleep.
On Tuesday I woke up nauseas; eyes bloodshot. Wednesday was better. Tonight I’m hoping for at least 5 consecutive hours of sleep. I googled “cats in heat” in the mists of my temporary insanity (from lack of sleep – remember I’m a PCV and am used to my usual 9-10 hours a night) and found articles detailing how to alleviate your cat with a Q-tip. It was more than disturbing. I know the humane thing to do is to get my cat spayed. Unfortunately for me, they don’t do that here – which may explain the plethora of strays.
So, my advice for all you animal lovers abroad is: get a male!
My precious Kyrgyz kitten was born with three ears (which I didn’t even notice until I brought her home). And eventually she earned her name Kangaroo – Roo for short, by spending hours inside my hoodies. She loved to borrow and cuddle against my belly; I would go about my household activities with her there.
Roo is a little over a year old now, and in heat. Imagine the most annoyingly excruciating sound and amplify it. Now, try living with this 24 hours a day for a week. For the past few nights I’ve felt sympathy for my neighbors (these old soviet-style concrete apartment buildings aren’t great at sound control) and have been effectively quieting my cat by distracting her every 30 minuets or so, all night long, by dangling a fake fish in front of her attached to a yellow plastic rod. The fish is on the floor, then with a flick of the wrist, the fish is on the bed. Back and forth until she’s tired and settles down for a bit. When there’s quiet I shut my eyes and pray my arms will work while I’m asleep.
On Tuesday I woke up nauseas; eyes bloodshot. Wednesday was better. Tonight I’m hoping for at least 5 consecutive hours of sleep. I googled “cats in heat” in the mists of my temporary insanity (from lack of sleep – remember I’m a PCV and am used to my usual 9-10 hours a night) and found articles detailing how to alleviate your cat with a Q-tip. It was more than disturbing. I know the humane thing to do is to get my cat spayed. Unfortunately for me, they don’t do that here – which may explain the plethora of strays.
So, my advice for all you animal lovers abroad is: get a male!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Celebrating the holidays with CAAW
A coworker's family
Shahru's kids
Camilla with Gulnara and Chingees
My Director's baby
2009!
January comes in like a flash – even with the countdown of days to the celebratory turning of the new year – its still seems to surprise me somehow. “It’s 2009,” I say aloud to myself – to no one in particular.
It was 2007 when I got to this place. More than time has marked my transformation. Evolution is a curious thing. My physical appearance has not undergone any drastic changes – and really I’m still the same old me, but I’d like to think I’m a better version of myself now because of my experience here. But, ah, my time is not yet up, so why you may ask am I reflecting on how this experienced has changed me. I have lots of time you see, and reflection is a continual process. This is just one of many reflections – and I find comfort in expressing myself in a New Years Resolution atmosphere.
Last night (New Years Eve) I was standing in Lenin square – enveloped in a fervor of excitement. Fireworks and sparklers were erupting in every direction – and the ones far off were backlighting Lenin who seemed to be the only thing standing still in the middle of it all. I let myself get carried away with the spirit of the place and the time and opened all my senses to the pure joy of it all. Adrenalin and champagne held back the cold, and in the chaos I felt so present, so alive, so home in a city I had grown to know and love over the past 15 months.
Some days I have no problem sleeping ten, eleven hours, then waking up and reading the day away. Lately I’ve been needing to finish books quickly; it’s an obsession almost. I feel like I’m running out of time and yet…I can’t stop procrastinating. I lose myself in books, in bazaar hunts, in cooking elaborate meals for one, in mundane everyday tasks – and yet in these escapes I find something satisfying. A feeling of productivity.
My New Years Resolutions:
1. Study Russian 1 hour every day
2. Exercise /Yoga
3. Work on my Thesis and other papers 4 days a week
4. Stop being the Junk Food Queen and Drink More Water
5. Learn more about the history and keep up with Central Asia Current Events
I think that’s a good start. I could write a resolution list that would fill a whole page, but that’s not realistic is it?
It was 2007 when I got to this place. More than time has marked my transformation. Evolution is a curious thing. My physical appearance has not undergone any drastic changes – and really I’m still the same old me, but I’d like to think I’m a better version of myself now because of my experience here. But, ah, my time is not yet up, so why you may ask am I reflecting on how this experienced has changed me. I have lots of time you see, and reflection is a continual process. This is just one of many reflections – and I find comfort in expressing myself in a New Years Resolution atmosphere.
Last night (New Years Eve) I was standing in Lenin square – enveloped in a fervor of excitement. Fireworks and sparklers were erupting in every direction – and the ones far off were backlighting Lenin who seemed to be the only thing standing still in the middle of it all. I let myself get carried away with the spirit of the place and the time and opened all my senses to the pure joy of it all. Adrenalin and champagne held back the cold, and in the chaos I felt so present, so alive, so home in a city I had grown to know and love over the past 15 months.
Some days I have no problem sleeping ten, eleven hours, then waking up and reading the day away. Lately I’ve been needing to finish books quickly; it’s an obsession almost. I feel like I’m running out of time and yet…I can’t stop procrastinating. I lose myself in books, in bazaar hunts, in cooking elaborate meals for one, in mundane everyday tasks – and yet in these escapes I find something satisfying. A feeling of productivity.
My New Years Resolutions:
1. Study Russian 1 hour every day
2. Exercise /Yoga
3. Work on my Thesis and other papers 4 days a week
4. Stop being the Junk Food Queen and Drink More Water
5. Learn more about the history and keep up with Central Asia Current Events
I think that’s a good start. I could write a resolution list that would fill a whole page, but that’s not realistic is it?
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