Counting Down the Days

I met my new permanent host family and am super excited!!  This family is unbelievable and I don't even know exactly where to begin.  Super nice, supportive, and patient with my language and understanding of the culture.  Definitely they will play a huge part in making another transition smooth.  I already feel super comfortable around them.  I am something like their 10th volunteer.  My primary project will be working with children in the orphanage and their are many opportunities for secondary projects as well.  Four days were spent touring my site, which as I have already mentioned am fairly familiar with.  But now I have a few ideas on where I want to start.  I will need a counterpart and also I must continue to progress my language skills.  Basically I am taking over a site from another volunteer who will soon depart back for the states.  Currently I am still really nervous but they were able to give me a pep talk and answer a lot of my questions.  Luckily I will have a short period of time after swearing in, which I can continue to familiarize myself with my site.  I expect it to be an extremely concentrated period of time.  There is only about a week left of PST, and pretty much from there Peace Corps cuts you loose.  YIKES!!  SCARY!  My schedule is packed with things to do, it kinda actually feels like finals week, but still much different.  The weather here is great!!!

Peranent Site Announcement!!

So it is official.... I will be staying my training village of Krasnay Rechka (that spelling could be extremely wrong) for the next 2 years as well.  I am really excited about the opportunity to work here because already I feel that I have made a rapport with many in the community.  My primary focus will be working with children with mental disabilities.  And I will also be asked to do many secondary projects.  I have a few in mind and I am anxious to get started.  Volunteers have said that starting an English club is a good place to start.  I have been assigned a new host family that I will be required to stay with for the next 3 months.  On Tuesday all volunteers will venture to their permanent site for a short 4 day stay. Some may have to travel upwards of 5 hours to their future homes, while for me I am pretty sure I can make it to my new house in under 5 minutes with a brisk pace by foot.  Today a hike was cancelled due to concerns about the weather conditions, so instead I will be making good ole' American food with friends!!! Cheers and to all!!

Mayday

Now, I am officially half way through PST.  I have been to the capital Bishkek a few times now, and neither trip was quite what I expected, UGH, but I do like what little of the city I have seen thus far.  Sundays have now become "sports days" where the trainees get together for soccer and frisbee usually, and reflect on the weeks events, gossip, and whatever else.  My small village is finally starting to rub off on me in some ways.   The kids here are very curious about American culture and typically say "Hi" in English in passing.  One day while seeking respite at the school yard from the heat students from my original needs assessment came up to Madeline, Jordan, and I and asked many questions about our interests, ages, names, etc.  It was fun to converse and take photos and even sign a few autographs.  The excitement is extremely encouraging!  I had my site placement interview, where I honestly explained my desires and needs.  Now it is just  wait and see.  A couple of times I have come away from language class more confused than when it started, so I have tried to get back into running a bit, and the Kangesh language group has invited us to hang out with them on many occasions.  They have been more than helpful.  There I don't have to worry about whether I conjugate a verb correctly or put the right ending on an adjective, or question what tense I am speaking in. One Friday part of the day was spent picking up trash in our local community.  Then on Saturday all volunteers spent the day outside painting, cleaning, raking, playing games, and spending time with the kids.  It was a great day!  Sunday was Easter and I spent it in Bishkek, browsing three of the major bazzars.  To say they were busy would be an understatement.  There are endless turns, and vendors can be quite eclectic.  After a hot and dry day I came home to a table full of yummy food and guests.  Family and friends proceeded afterwards to dancing to loud music.  Wednesday there was a Disco held at the Hub Site/Orphanage.  There were delicious apples and kiwis and of course most of the volunteers let loose on the dance floor.  Hehe.  Recently I had my language progress check and I was quite nervous and I think it definitely showed in my performance.  Saturday was culture day and each language group performed a SKIT.  And there were costumes too, YAY!  There were so many other great  musical and theatrical performances to by kids and other volunteers.  Well time is short and I must go!