Peace Corps Kazakhstan is closing
12 years ago
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
some things never change
I've been home for less than a week --
I'm enjoying hanging out with my friends, speaking English and eating lots of deliciousness (and also sharing "Kyert" with my friends -- they don't like that part)
It doesn't feel like I've been gone for 2 years, I've managed to pick up where I left off and because everything is the same I haven't had to adjust to any kind of big changes --
However, I have changed --
I like this town enough to visit -- but I need to move on --
I'm enjoying hanging out with my friends, speaking English and eating lots of deliciousness (and also sharing "Kyert" with my friends -- they don't like that part)
It doesn't feel like I've been gone for 2 years, I've managed to pick up where I left off and because everything is the same I haven't had to adjust to any kind of big changes --
However, I have changed --
I like this town enough to visit -- but I need to move on --
Thursday, November 4, 2010
See you later, Alligator
Bye Kaz --
You were good to me, but it's time for me to get a move on.
My flight to Thailand leaves tomorrow! I'm super stoked. I'll hang out there for 2 weeks and then head back to America...
You were good to me, but it's time for me to get a move on.
My flight to Thailand leaves tomorrow! I'm super stoked. I'll hang out there for 2 weeks and then head back to America...
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Countdowns ON...all bets off --
It's been a while since I've been able to blog --
The countdowns have begun:
Days til I leave site: 17
Days til I COS: 21
Days til Thailand: 24
Days til America: 36
I'm excited to get back to America, but incredibly sad to leave -- bittersweet.
For those of you who thought I would NEVER last in the Peace Corps: "SUCK IT"
Coming back as a poor, homeless, jobless, carless woman doesn't sound all that exciting. But I know that everything will be okay -- actually, I don't, but my Aunt seems sure of it...so I'm gonna take her word for it :)
Now, if I had just placed bets with all those people who were certain I was going to fail...I wouldn't be coming home poor -- oh, well, I guess proving someone wrong is kind of like getting a big fat paycheck...kinda...
The countdowns have begun:
Days til I leave site: 17
Days til I COS: 21
Days til Thailand: 24
Days til America: 36
I'm excited to get back to America, but incredibly sad to leave -- bittersweet.
For those of you who thought I would NEVER last in the Peace Corps: "SUCK IT"
Coming back as a poor, homeless, jobless, carless woman doesn't sound all that exciting. But I know that everything will be okay -- actually, I don't, but my Aunt seems sure of it...so I'm gonna take her word for it :)
Now, if I had just placed bets with all those people who were certain I was going to fail...I wouldn't be coming home poor -- oh, well, I guess proving someone wrong is kind of like getting a big fat paycheck...kinda...
Monday, January 11, 2010
Ice, Ice, Baby --
I wish it would snow more. I’m SO over ice! It’s SO warm in the day and rains...then overnight freezes! Bleh. This makes walking difficult. I try to pretend I’m cool...mostly I fail. I slip, I slide and sometimes I even fall all over the place. I try REALLY hard NOT to fall. If I feel myself slipping I just stop and wait to stop...it’s kind of like if your driving a car :)
One day I wasn’t so lucky. There are 6 steps leading up to my apartment building. I was leaving my complex and heading to work confidently, per usual. I step out onto the steps and immediately am on the ground, then before I know it, I’m hitting EVERY SINGLE step. Kind of like sledding only not as fun because clearly I didn’t mean to be sledding. There were a few people sitting on a nearby bench. Great. I get up quickly and pretend that is exactly how I get down the steps every day. I’m sure they are not fooled. I hate when a day starts like that...I managed.
Two days later I decide that I’m going to make brownies...yea, brownies...I have everything I need for brownies...oh, except eggs...well, that’s okay the store is located directly across the street from me. I’ll just run over there quick and pick some up. Riiiiiight. This ALMOST worked. I put on a coat and grabbed some cash then ran to the store quick. The cashier was concerned that I didn’t bring anything to carry the eggs home safely in...ha. like I needed something to carry them home safely in...I live across the street. She put them in a plastic bag and I was on my way. Just as I was crossing the street to go home, I loose my footing completely and before I knew it I was on the ground. My eggs were all cracked. Defeated, I rose and continued walking home. I was NOT going to return to the store...I got home, took the shells out of the bag of cracked eggs as best I could and saved the eggs for scrambled eggs in the morning. Made brownies the following day...everyone wins...minus the part where I fell :(
Winter’s *almost* over...
One day I wasn’t so lucky. There are 6 steps leading up to my apartment building. I was leaving my complex and heading to work confidently, per usual. I step out onto the steps and immediately am on the ground, then before I know it, I’m hitting EVERY SINGLE step. Kind of like sledding only not as fun because clearly I didn’t mean to be sledding. There were a few people sitting on a nearby bench. Great. I get up quickly and pretend that is exactly how I get down the steps every day. I’m sure they are not fooled. I hate when a day starts like that...I managed.
Two days later I decide that I’m going to make brownies...yea, brownies...I have everything I need for brownies...oh, except eggs...well, that’s okay the store is located directly across the street from me. I’ll just run over there quick and pick some up. Riiiiiight. This ALMOST worked. I put on a coat and grabbed some cash then ran to the store quick. The cashier was concerned that I didn’t bring anything to carry the eggs home safely in...ha. like I needed something to carry them home safely in...I live across the street. She put them in a plastic bag and I was on my way. Just as I was crossing the street to go home, I loose my footing completely and before I knew it I was on the ground. My eggs were all cracked. Defeated, I rose and continued walking home. I was NOT going to return to the store...I got home, took the shells out of the bag of cracked eggs as best I could and saved the eggs for scrambled eggs in the morning. Made brownies the following day...everyone wins...minus the part where I fell :(
Winter’s *almost* over...
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Hello 2010 --
The very idea of a New Year’s Resolution seems rather overwhelming. I mean, I have goals for the day or the week...perhaps the month...but goals for the whole year...get real! Of course, you’re going to fail...a year is practically an eternity! I hope that I will always be setting goals and striving to be a better person – I think this happens in small steps. But New Year’s Resolutions tend to be the “vision” without the goals and objectives. I have things that I want to work on throughout the year, but plan to add new goals and edit previous goals as I continue trying to better myself. I’ve become a bit obsessed with lists...I made one. In no particular order –
1. Listen to church on podcsts at least once a week (I hope to edit this in the future to say twice a week) -- I've gotten out of routine and miss fellowshipping with other believers and, aside from a 10 hour overnight bus and 3000 tenge, a podcasted church service is about as close to church as I'm getting over the next year. CLBC (podcasts)...HERE. I. COME.
a. Pray often
b. Read God's word daily
c. Hide God's word in my heart by memorizing one verse per week
2. Be a friendly person -- If i don't have something nice to say, I want to not say it at all. I want to have time for people and only say those things that are encouraging and uplifting
3.Be the best teacher that I can be so that in the future I don't say things like "I wish I had done..."
a.Live so that the Volunteer who replaces me hates me...in the nicest way
possible, of course, because my school (hopefully) says things
like, "Christina..."
4. Take daily walks and appreciate life -- this has to be more than a walk to work :)
5. Use the travel days that PC gives me to visit people, strengthen friendships and see more of this country.
6.Cook something new twice a month (work on getting this to once a week) -- I've fallen into a pattern of oatmeal for breakfast and spaghetti for dinner -- one would think this would get old -- it hasn't, but I wan to try and cook new things
7.Write more hand written letters home (wherever that may be) -- who doesn't like recieving actual mail?
8.Read one actual book per month -- if this doesn't sound like much, I'm currently reading 0 books per month, but will work on increasing this number in the future.
9.Reunite with my sweet family at the end of this year and be an active member of my famly realizing that I didn't get to pick them, but I wouldn't trade them in for anything or have it any other way. I love you guys! and can't wait to see you!
I’m starting small...9 goals...really only 8 because I can’t really do number 9 for some time. I hope to re-evaluate where I am and make changes *when* necessary to these goals...
1. Listen to church on podcsts at least once a week (I hope to edit this in the future to say twice a week) -- I've gotten out of routine and miss fellowshipping with other believers and, aside from a 10 hour overnight bus and 3000 tenge, a podcasted church service is about as close to church as I'm getting over the next year. CLBC (podcasts)...HERE. I. COME.
a. Pray often
b. Read God's word daily
c. Hide God's word in my heart by memorizing one verse per week
2. Be a friendly person -- If i don't have something nice to say, I want to not say it at all. I want to have time for people and only say those things that are encouraging and uplifting
3.Be the best teacher that I can be so that in the future I don't say things like "I wish I had done..."
a.Live so that the Volunteer who replaces me hates me...in the nicest way
possible, of course, because my school (hopefully) says things
like, "Christina..."
4. Take daily walks and appreciate life -- this has to be more than a walk to work :)
5. Use the travel days that PC gives me to visit people, strengthen friendships and see more of this country.
6.Cook something new twice a month (work on getting this to once a week) -- I've fallen into a pattern of oatmeal for breakfast and spaghetti for dinner -- one would think this would get old -- it hasn't, but I wan to try and cook new things
7.Write more hand written letters home (wherever that may be) -- who doesn't like recieving actual mail?
8.Read one actual book per month -- if this doesn't sound like much, I'm currently reading 0 books per month, but will work on increasing this number in the future.
9.Reunite with my sweet family at the end of this year and be an active member of my famly realizing that I didn't get to pick them, but I wouldn't trade them in for anything or have it any other way. I love you guys! and can't wait to see you!
I’m starting small...9 goals...really only 8 because I can’t really do number 9 for some time. I hope to re-evaluate where I am and make changes *when* necessary to these goals...
Sunday, January 3, 2010
"When I say I'm a Christian" -- written by Carol S. Wimmer
When I say…”I am a Christian”
I’m not shouting “I am saved”
I’m whispering “I was lost”
That is why I chose this way.
When I say…”I am a Christian”
I don’t speak of this with pride.
I’m confessing that I stumble
And need someone to be my guide.
When I say…”I am a Christian”
I’m not trying to be strong.
I’m professing that I’m weak
And pray for strength to carry on.
When I say…”I am a Christian”
I’m not bragging of success.
I’m admitting I have failed
And cannot ever pay the debt.
When I say…”I am a Christian”
I’m not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are all too visible,
But God believes I’m worth it.
When I say…”I am a Christian”
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartaches
Which is why I speak His name.
When I say…”I am a Christian”
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority.
I only know I’m loved.
- Carol S. Wimmer
I’m not shouting “I am saved”
I’m whispering “I was lost”
That is why I chose this way.
When I say…”I am a Christian”
I don’t speak of this with pride.
I’m confessing that I stumble
And need someone to be my guide.
When I say…”I am a Christian”
I’m not trying to be strong.
I’m professing that I’m weak
And pray for strength to carry on.
When I say…”I am a Christian”
I’m not bragging of success.
I’m admitting I have failed
And cannot ever pay the debt.
When I say…”I am a Christian”
I’m not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are all too visible,
But God believes I’m worth it.
When I say…”I am a Christian”
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartaches
Which is why I speak His name.
When I say…”I am a Christian”
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority.
I only know I’m loved.
- Carol S. Wimmer
Saturday, January 2, 2010
2009 Recap --
Well, 2009 was certainly a good year. Let’s do a brief recap of moments from 2009...
January:
•Christmas in Karaganda!
•Gosti to my first host family
•Kresheny (I didn’t jump in the lake, but attended the service and watched the
others jump)
•Success at finding Diet Coke <-- this was a BIG accomplishment :)
•Jubilee party for Alex’s host dad
February:
•Site visit from RM = counterpart change!
•Visit to Jessik in Kgan
•“No Smoking” seminar with my new CP
•Alex moves into an apartment
•Reconnect with my paternal grandma via internet
March:
•Peace Corps Birthday party at the orphanage
•Arts-N-Crafts club at the orphanage
•Naryz --> travel to Shymkent
•IST
•Guiness Pub night with Volunteers and CPs
April:
•American English Competition in Balkhash 2
•BridgeTV
•DDR
•Reconnecting with my “dad” via the internet
May:
•OCAP conference in Karaganda
•Keep Shakin’ What Yo Momma Gave Ya – Women’s Empowerment Weekend
•Hiking in Talgar
•Ecological Seminar planned
•Playing basketball with the neighbor kids
•Lots of trips to the mini amusement park
•MULLET!
June:
•100 days of CAMP begins!
•One of my students gets a call back from Bota foundation
•Joke day at camp --> toothpaste everywhere :)
July:
•English Club and Kristina’s Store
•Hiking / Camping in the mountains in Talgar
•Circus
•Bowling
•17th school camp
August:
•I found an apartment!!
•Lots of swimming in Lake Balkhash
•Trying dog meat
•Travel to Astana
September:
•First Bell Ceremony
•I try Kymyz
•Town day celebrations
•Healthy Life seminar
•Teaching English with my CP = work!
October:
•BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
•Alex goes to America
•Halloween party
•Fall concert
•“Cooking Party” --> Monte
November:
•New Site Mate, Sam, arrives
•Shaping class
•Met other foreigners who live here!
•Circus time
•Playing LOTS of Skip-bo
December:
•MST
•School Day
•Out with women from Shaping class
•Christmas Eve Service in Almaty
•Road Trip to Taldy
•Karaoke
•Lady Gaga
Overall, it’s been a pretty good year in Kaz. I can’t complain. I am starting a list of things I want to complete while still in Kaz, rather than all the restaurants I plan to frequent after Peace Corps...although that is a fun list! :-)
January:
•Christmas in Karaganda!
•Gosti to my first host family
•Kresheny (I didn’t jump in the lake, but attended the service and watched the
others jump)
•Success at finding Diet Coke <-- this was a BIG accomplishment :)
•Jubilee party for Alex’s host dad
February:
•Site visit from RM = counterpart change!
•Visit to Jessik in Kgan
•“No Smoking” seminar with my new CP
•Alex moves into an apartment
•Reconnect with my paternal grandma via internet
March:
•Peace Corps Birthday party at the orphanage
•Arts-N-Crafts club at the orphanage
•Naryz --> travel to Shymkent
•IST
•Guiness Pub night with Volunteers and CPs
April:
•American English Competition in Balkhash 2
•BridgeTV
•DDR
•Reconnecting with my “dad” via the internet
May:
•OCAP conference in Karaganda
•Keep Shakin’ What Yo Momma Gave Ya – Women’s Empowerment Weekend
•Hiking in Talgar
•Ecological Seminar planned
•Playing basketball with the neighbor kids
•Lots of trips to the mini amusement park
•MULLET!
June:
•100 days of CAMP begins!
•One of my students gets a call back from Bota foundation
•Joke day at camp --> toothpaste everywhere :)
July:
•English Club and Kristina’s Store
•Hiking / Camping in the mountains in Talgar
•Circus
•Bowling
•17th school camp
August:
•I found an apartment!!
•Lots of swimming in Lake Balkhash
•Trying dog meat
•Travel to Astana
September:
•First Bell Ceremony
•I try Kymyz
•Town day celebrations
•Healthy Life seminar
•Teaching English with my CP = work!
October:
•BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
•Alex goes to America
•Halloween party
•Fall concert
•“Cooking Party” --> Monte
November:
•New Site Mate, Sam, arrives
•Shaping class
•Met other foreigners who live here!
•Circus time
•Playing LOTS of Skip-bo
December:
•MST
•School Day
•Out with women from Shaping class
•Christmas Eve Service in Almaty
•Road Trip to Taldy
•Karaoke
•Lady Gaga
Overall, it’s been a pretty good year in Kaz. I can’t complain. I am starting a list of things I want to complete while still in Kaz, rather than all the restaurants I plan to frequent after Peace Corps...although that is a fun list! :-)
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