So, it has come to my attention that there are some
volunteers that post on their blogs regularly. Apparently “it’s not that hard”,
but I have chosen the “I’ll post really sporadically” route. I never feel that
anything blog worthy ever happens. I read other volunteers posts, and they have
funny stories or good advice, and mostly I feel like life is just normal. Well,
as normal as it can be. However, since today officially marks my six months in
country, I figured I would try to throw together a little post and let my
multitude of readers know what’s up.
And now in no particular order, here are things that have
happened.
Winter. Winter was always a threat. I knew it was coming.
I was trying to prepare, but this Tennessee girl really had no way of knowing.
It’s October, and it is COLD. The worst part is it is only going to get colder.
Ugh.
· PDM. I, along with about 30 other volunteers and our
counterparts, went to Cholpon Ata, Issyk Kul to participate in grant training.
It was really great to get to see some volunteers that live other oblasts. My
counterpart, Aizada, and I also got a chance to really plan out our project
idea that will require a grant. I will write more about that later.
· Nurballa. As PCVs we are encouraged to take on
secondary projects for a couple of reasons. One being because for most of us
our primary organizations just can’t provide us with enough work to keep us
busy. The people we work with have a lot going on. Most of us have female
counterparts who are responsible for not only their work, but also all the
things their households need to run. (Health volunteers especially have a lot
of free time.) Another reason for secondary projects is so we can frame our
service into what we want. That is how I got connected with Nurballa. When I
first did my site interview with my program manager I told her I had an
interest in working with children with special needs. I specifically wanted to
use my exercise science background. Occupational and physical therapy are hard
to come by here, and I wanted to use my basic knowledge. Fortunately, my
program manager is a great women who listens to what we say, and she almost
immediately set me up with a day center for special needs children.
· Strong Women. I am fortunate to have an unbelievably
amazing counterpart. She has to be the best one out there. I’m telling you,
Peace Corps did me a solid. Aizada is great. Anyway, a K-22 in Talas, Tori,
worked with my counterpart to write a grant that allowed 20 PCVs and their
counterparts to attend a 3 day training of trainers in Cholpon Ata, Issyk Kul.
I was fortunate enough to be asked to give two of the training sessions. The
training ended in a 5K run/walk. It was a lot of fun, and I am so glad that
Tori gave me the opportunity to give some trainings.
· Bishkek. So, I had about a week in between PDM and
the ToT. Naturally, I spent that week in Bishkek. Granted I was there on
program leave, and to help Tori get all the materials. But, I had a weekend
that was all mine. Several volunteers decided to stay in/ come up to Bishkek
for that weekend. I think we had 11 people in our group. It was also Jacob’s
birthday weekend, so we had to celebrate! Bishkek is the capital city, and
where all my food dreams can be realized. It was great and delicious.
· Toktogul. Okay, this happened a bit ago, but I don’t
think I wrote about it. I went to the lovely city of Toktogul with some other
Talas volunteers, Cole, Anna, Kristen, and Andy, to celebrate Emma’s birthday.
It was a lot of fun. Toktogul is only three hours away, so by far the closest
to Talas.
· Food Poisoning. Well, we knew it happen. It did. It
sucked. I don’t want to talk about it.
Well, that seems to be the highlight reel. Happy six month
post.
