So It's May.

Hey Guys!

So I said I would come back with an update in May.  I'm coming with not so good news.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was medevac'd from Mongolia.  Well, after I was medevac'd,  I was also medically separated.  Thus,  I will not be returning (or not any time soon).  Although I was disappointed at first,  I am now making the most of my time back.  I've started applying for jobs and internships and studying for LSATs (hopefully I can start Fall 2015?).  I had a great experience in Mongolia while it lasted and I will carry the skills I learned there throughout life.  They say everything happens for a reason, right?

Anyway.  I'm considering continuing this blog as a "Life after the Corps" blog.  Any inputs?  Also, if anyone has questions about any part of the process, feel free leave a comment with your email address and I'll send an email.

Thanks for taking this journey with me!

Hiatus

Hey guys!

Going on a hiatus.  I may pop in if I have anything to update you on.  But for now, probably no posts til May.  If you have any questions, feel free to ask!  Leave an email address and I'll message.  Thanks to all who've been reading thus far!

Peace Corps Week 2014

Hey Guys!

So this week is Peace Corps Week (and today is Peace Corps 53rd Birthday)!  I figure what better way to celebrate than to talk a little about the history of Peace Corps (just a blurb….you can read more here).  So Peace Corps started in 1961 under the Kennedy administration.  In his Executive Order, he said Peace Corps would "To promote world peace and friendship through a Peace Corps, which shall make available to interested countries and areas men and women of the United States qualified for service abroad and willing to serve, under conditions of hardship if necessary, to help the peoples of such countries and areas in meeting their needs for trained manpower" (See more on the Wiki page here).  Since this order, Peace Corps has sent volunteers to over 100 countries around the world.  

Well, as I said, just a blurb.  Be sure to read more information on the links I posted.  And be sure to celebrate Peace Corps Week by reading the experiences of volunteers around the world!  There is no shortage of awesome blogs on the interwebs!

Anyway, tata for now!

"The Problem With Little White Girls (and Boys) Why I Stopped Being A Voluntourist" by Pippa Biddle

So a friend of mine just sent me this post….and it was like WOW.  It really does make me think.  And it's not just about white boys or girls, but people coming from the "developed world" to help the "poor, underdeveloped" people of the world.  I think it's a must read for anyone doing, considering, or invited to Peace Corps.  The paragraph that really hit me was:

"Our mission while at the orphanage was to build a library. Turns out that we, a group of highly educated private boarding school students were so bad at the most basic construction work that each night the men had to take down the structurally unsound bricks we had laid and rebuild the structure so that, when we woke up in the morning, we would be unaware of our failure. It is likely that this was a daily ritual. Us mixing cement and laying bricks for 6+ hours, them undoing our work after the sun set, re-laying the bricks, and then acting as if nothing had happened so that the cycle could continue."

This really hit me because it made me think of all the times I've gone on service projects and built a house or fixed a hospital or build a retaining wall….with no experience!  Yes, we had maybe an hour of training, but is this service really about helping someone else or boosting egos to say "oh, there was that time that I did construction to help these needy people and that makes me good".  This article makes me give what I do a second look…makes me think about what my intentions are in service and how although service is great, service without adequate tools/skills may not be so useful.  Definitely take some time to read this.

Talk to you all next week!!

Cultural Window: Mongolia

Hey Guys!

Not much this week!  Here is a YouTube video giving you a snippet of what life is like in Mongolia (more so on the ger dwelling side of things).  This was made by one of the people in my group!!  Check out her blog here.  Tomorrow I'm going to a Tsagaan Sar celebration and I'm SUPER pumped!  Til next week, баяртай!!

As time goes on..

Hey Guys!

I know…my posts have been late every week.  And to be honest, it's mostly because I literally have nothing to write about!  The biggest thing from the past week is the Peace Corps event I went to.  It was a discussion on the experience of black volunteers in the Peace Corps.  There was a panel followed by a question and answer session.  It was great to hear that volunteers around the world have similar experiences when it comes to race!  Even the volunteers who served in African countries talked about not necessarily racially, but culturally as African-Americans.  It was definitely a great learning experience.  Outside of this event, my week has gone on about the same as the others: pretty uneventfully.  Hopefully I will have more to discuss next week!  By the way,  If anyone has any specific questions regarding my experience, feel free to ask by email or here (I can even make a Q&A post if anyone wants).  Talk to you next week!

The Highlight of my week! (Picture Post)

JANELLE MONAE!!!

Post slacking

Hey Guys,

So I literally have nothing new to update you guys on.  All I've been doing is sleeping, eating, and talking to Peace Corps.  But I just saw an article on Mongolian food and thought I'd share the link.  The three main dishes in Mongolia are buuz, khuushuur, and tsiuvan.  This link will tell you a little more about them.  Enjoy!!  I'll try to get you guys more entertaining things for next week!

News!

Hey Ya'll!

So I've been away for about 2 weeks.  I've had internet troubles and some other troubles.  Also, I'm currently on a medevac, so the next couple posts will be my journey back (Check out the link to find out what a medevac is).  That's been about it.  I did get a care package recently (super pumped!!) with all sorts of goodies.  Stay tuned for pictures!!

The package of greatness!  Granola bars, seasoning, peanut butter, thyme, crackers and smoked herring....sooooo excited!!

They even wrote messages on the box!

Well, on 2 sides.

And one of my favorite pairs of pants were in the box!  These are an awesome pair of wool camo pants!

2014 is here!!!

Hey guys!!

So I know I'm a little late (my school's internet went out...again), but  I'm here with a New Year's post!!  Since we last spoke, the 2 big events have been my school's Shine Jil party and the mini party that my site mates and I had.  At our school's shine jil party, we had lots of food, games, dancing, and singing (like most Mongolian parties).  It was lots of fun and everyone looked soo nice!!!  I left at about 11 pm (though the party kept on going without me....It started at 5!!).  Then on Tuesday night, my site mates and I all spent time together for the new year.  We tried to go out to dinner, but every restaurant was closed!  It was pretty crazy.  We cooked together and just hung out (one of my site mates' counterpart came to spend time too!), although I didn't make it til 12 (old age, I guess).  On Wednesday, no one had work or school so we spent the day resting and cleaning and later on we went to my site mates' counterpart's house for dinner.  Then it was back to work the next day.  That's been the past week, for the most part.  I am now back in my ger (and freezing...yay).  Thank goodness I can still make a fire!!  Anyway, here are some pictures from the school party!  Talk to you guys later!!

My library buddy (I'm now in the library when I have no class instead of in the teacher's room)

Some of the teachers from my school

Shine Jil dress!

Some of the teachers singing a Mongolian New Years song!

Cheers all around!!

The training managers, director, and accountants

Check out the dance floor (typical Mongolian dancing....in a circle)!

The one in the middle is one of my counterparts!

There was a game that they played where they had a guy and a gal from each table come up.  Then they used tape and taped around the men's heads, shoulders, stomachs, and legs and then see how many  balloons would use static to stay.  The team with the most balloons won.  Then they popped all the balloons....while they were still on!

2 of the teachers and I!

Christmas!!

Hey Guys!!

I'm a little late for Christmas, but Merry Christmas anyway!!  This past week has been filled with Christmas celebration.  My site mates and I have spent everyday since last friday together just watching Christmas movies.  It's been great!!  Although it isn't the same as being home, it's still good to have people to celebrate Christmas with (especially in a country that doesn't recognize Christmas Day as a holiday since they think Christmas is wrapped into New Year's celebrations).  We've taken all sorts of pictures since last week in preparation for Christmas.  In terms of the actual day,  I spent the entire night before awake and baking for my hashaa family and my teachers (I'm still in the apt, so it made it pretty easy).  The next day I woke up and delivered the cinnamon rolls I made to my family then went back to doll up to go to school (Since I had to make Christmas fun on my own, I decided to put on make up, straighten my hair, wear heels, wear a santa hat, and wear a christmas dress to help me along...everyone was shocked).  I brought in cookies, which disappeared.  Later on in the day,  my site mates and I continued our Christmas movie marathon and opened the stockings that one of my site mates' mom got for us.  It was awesome!!  Now here I am as everything is somewhat going back to normal.  Our school will be having a шинэ жил (Shine jil means new year) party on Saturday.  That will be the next exciting event.  Well, that's all for now!  I'll talk to you guys next week!

Because I brought 4 onesies to Mongolia (because why not?), we all had a onesie for a Christmas PJ photoshoot. 

More onesie madness!!

Pyramid!!

Our "formal" Christmas shot. Gotta love the props!

The cinnamon rolls I made for my hashaa family!!

I gave them the pretty middle pieces from the roll...these are the end pieces.

The 2 kinds of sugar cookies I brought to school for my teachers.  I made about 70 cookies (chocolate dipped and then i used a cinnamon sugar frosting with Christmas sprinkles on the other kind)!! 

Yum!

My school gave all the teachers gift bags like this one.  Super exciting!

Ahh Mongolia

So I don't have much for you guys this week either.  While in the big city I bought several goodies (Coconut oil....like a huge container, a new tie die winter coat....gorgeous, mozzarella cheese...because I need cheese in my life, coconut milk....because what is curry/most jamaican dishes without it, dried chili pepper....yay to pepper, a hair straightener....zelda is due for a trim, and my beloved christmas dress...fuzzy with reindeer on it), thus spending way more than I ever imagined I would while there. lol.    I got back to site at about 10 pm on Sunday to a frozen get (literally things I didn't think could freeze were frozen!!!).  When I got home, I was relieved but missed the convenience of city life (aka showering daily....like real showers, internet everywhere, not making fires, and, of course, the variety of food) and also the other volunteers.  It's still a little strange being back to site (between the rising prices, crazy students, and immense smog), but hey.  So it goes.  This week I switched with one of my site mates.  So I'm in an apartment this week.  Thats about it.  Talk to you guys later!!

Some of my Sukh 4 (Training Site) people.  Love them so much!!

Crashing the photo...because I can.

Some of the Sukhbaatar (Summer time people again) girls in the midst of a huge snowball fight during IST.  So much fun!!!

IST Fun Times

Since the last time we spoke, a lot and nothing at all happened.  I know that makes NO sense.  But it's the truth.  I spent the week (since Monday) in and out of training.  I did get to know my counterpart better, went swimming, and had a great snowball fight though.  I also got to see the other volunteers again (which is always great....especially since we won't see each other again until August).  That's basically been my entire week.  This is a super short post and I'm really sorry.  Now that I'm back in the city, I will do some minor shopping (I found a big ol bottle of coconut oil here that I need to buy!) then head back to site.  That's about it!  Talk to you all next week!!


PS:  Mangas had to be let go in the city because there was nowhere for her to stay (super sad huh?).  I'm pretty sad about that.  But there isn't much I can do because she's now gone (and I guess I don't have too much of a right to be sad since she wasn't my dog and I'm sure her owner is hurting too).  So that's one update, although a sad one.

Thanksgiving and Some

Hey Guys!

So I hope your Thanksgiving was PHENOMENAL!  I had quite an interesting Thanksgiving weekend.  After I last wrote, I went to school to play volleyball (started out as volleyball and then became basketball...but still very fun).  Then on Saturday, we had a culture showcase (lots of dancing and singing...had to leave early to do some tutoring) and later on in the day, my site mates and I had a Thanksgiving celebration.  It was great (pictures to follow)!!! My Sunday continued with more tutoring and Thanksgiving leftovers (one can never have too much mashed potatoes!!).  This week is practically whizzing on by.  I had classes as usual on Monday and Tuesday, then on Wednesday a teacher didn't show up so I had to teach a class other than the one I usually taught (which means I taught 1 hour instead of 2...maybe I was a little happier than I should've been) and then the entire school went out to the mountains for a fun day/exercise time.  After that, I went home to eat lunch then went back to school for my second class.  What did I find?  A mostly empty school!!!  All the teachers were gone and the halls were quiet!!  I didn't even have a warning!  So I went home and packed.  For what, you ask?  To go to UB!  In Service Training (IST) starts on Monday (but I had to come in earlier) so here I am preparing to see everyone after 3 months (and to learn, of course....)!!!!!  After an 8 hour bus ride, I arrived and then spent the next forever trying to find the guest house I'm to stay in (maybe it wasn't that long...but it felt much longer with my luggage).  When I got to the guest house, I met a nice French couple who were touring around Mongolia (and will be going to my aimag next!! woo hoo).  We had dinner and later on I went to watch a movie in town.  The movie was also a get together for people around the world who like to travel (and it was a chance to meet people they could possibly stay with if they went to their country).  It was a wonderful evening spent talking about Mongolian language, jobs, and teaching.  So I began my days in UB phenomenally.  Well, that's been it this week.  I'll be back next week with more info!  Enjoy the pictures and Happy December!

The little ones at the culture show.  Aren't they adorbs???

More little ones doing a traditional Mongolian dance

Cutest little waltz to "Once Upon a December"

Little pop stars in training (from young to old students...they all do this dance.  I have to figure out this song)

Cute little Salsa number (the poor girl later had a Janet Jackson Superbowl moment...twice.  Felt so bad for her!)

One of my little 5th graders singing!

More pop star dancing. Can't have too much of it, eh?

The ladies of our site (including little miss Mangas)

I somehow managed to burn myself on the stove pipe while checking on the gravy...here I am "nursing" my wound.

Our Thanksgiving dinner!  We had lemon garlic chicken, carrots, mashed potatoes, pumpkin bread, a huge salad (missing), garlic bread, stuffing, and gravy.  It was soooo good!!

The day after Thanksgiving.  Mangas ate everything in sight and got sick.  So she got a bath.  Look at those big, beautiful brown eyes!!  If only she was as sweet and innocent as she looks!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hey Guys!

Back, as promised.  The past few days have been pretty uneventful (except for the person who tried to steal me on Tuesday...it's always something).  I thought about doing a "What I'm thankful for" post, but decided against it.  So I'm here to say HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

I am thankful for all you guys who read my blog though.  See you next week with much more info!!

Sorry...again

Hey Wonderful People!!

Sorry I'm late again!  My school hasn't had internet in about 2 weeks (according to my counterpart, the school hasn't paid their bill...*sigh*).  I'm currently at a cafe using internet.  So let me quickly go through what i've missed (if it's not back by thursday....Thanksgiving....I will be back here to do a post....guaranteed).

So in the news:

1. I went on a hike (mission) with my site mate to find the river by our home...after about 2 hours, we found some streams and wetlands....no river (maybe next time).

Me and Mangas on the walk

"Meditation"...check out that view!!

1. I saw my puppy not only last Monday, but this Monday too.  I said her name and she ran to me...it made me so happy!!
2. Then it all went downhill....I was sick from Tuesday night to Saturday morning (too much pain, not enough energy, and too many trips to the squatter......I have never been that sick before and never want to be that sick again.....and I couldn't eat for all those days.  Wow is all I have to say)
3. In the last day of my sickness (when I could actually stand to do anything), I decided to start watching How I Met Your Mother.  I'm now almost done with season 3.....such a shame.
4. As I'm in the cafe typing this blog post,  I met a really nice older French man and we had a nice talk about life and what different people value in life.  It was great to talk to a stranger and foreigner who just restores hope that there are people who want to do good things for others.

Well...That's all the festivities of my past week and a half!  I won't have much to tell you on Thursday, but I'll stop by just to update you!  Bye for now!

A week in bullet points

Hi Guys!!

So sorry that I haven't been here in a while.  I had no internet last week, and thus couldn't post.  So here I am to post what's happened in the past week....in bulleted paragraphs.  Here goes!

1. I helped out with a Halloween party at another school in my area.  It was great!!  The students sang, danced, and did skits.  Then I explained the history of Halloween, did a spelling bee, and picked the best costume (There were a few good ones, but the other teachers narrowed it down.  I picked this kid with AMAZING skeleton face paint.  It was so good.  If I had another choice, I would've totally picked the kid with the homemade Scream mask)
2. I had a week off from school.  I spent it reading, sleeping, and working out.  I also did some minor english tutoring.  However, being home meant that I had no internet (since the internet I had in my ger decided to give up on me....time for my modem).
3. I bought a new coat and new boots...I'm ready for the winter!  Or so I hope...
4. I finished Insanity!!  Woo hoo!   The results weren't as drastic as I thought they would be, but it's fine...I'll revisit it in March (now I'm doing a mix of Insane Abs from Insanity, self workouts, and Zumba fitness....yay for exercise!!).
5. I witnessed a sheep being slaughtered on Saturday.  I felt so bad for the little guy!  I walked out and saw him tied to the truck in our yard and instantly thought "let me say hi, because I won't see him again".  About 20 minutes later,  I was leaving my ger and got to witness the whole thing.  The way it's done is that a small incision is mad in the stomach then the person reaches in and yanks the heart.  I watched for about 3 minutes while the poor fellow twitched and cried until he died.  Then the guy started cutting the ankles off and I decided that I couldn't watch anymore (first and last time I ever want to see an animal slaughtered....eek).
6. I went hiking with my site mates on Saturday.  It was freezing and windy but so cool!!  I fell about 100 times and froze my fingers off (literally... I couldn't feel or move them.  We made a fire along the way and it wouldn't even defrost my hands... I later called the Peace Corps Medical Officer (PCMO) and she said I may have gotten slight frostbite that damaged but didn't kill my nerves.  She said now that this has happened, I'm more susceptible to it happening again....just my luck huh?  I was wondering why I couldn't feel some of my fingers days after...)

An OBOO with a horse head on top...we weren't too sure why the horse head.

A ton of horses just randomly as we were hiking

Group picture....of course I fell as soon as soon as the camera went off

Group picture take 2...Success

And I fell again.  The dog just walked over me (that dog is my site mate's dog  her name is no longer чихэр.  It is now мангас, which is Mongolian for monster...aptly named as she's going through her biting phase...faces are not exempt from her wrath).

The fire we made...in it's beginning phases (it was no master fire...since it was so windy...but it got going a little more)

Attempting to warm my hands.

Again trying to warm my hands...there goes my site mate with the pup!

Well,  that's about my week!!  Not much to boast about.  I'm trying to figure out how to make my own cheese (preferably mozzarella, but I can't find rennet or citric acid here...so we'll have to figure that out) and my own resistance bands (can't find those suckers either).  If you have any suggestions, let me know!!  See you guys next post!!