Today was our family picnic. Well let me rephrase that, our family gathering. So our cross culture team gave us some money to have a picnic but it was not nearly enough to have a good picnic for all of our family members. SO we decided to have a fruit party. We had our LCF go to UB and gather them up for us. We had watermelon, grapes, apples, dried apricots, dates, peaches, plums, nectarines, and bananas. It was AWESOME. We really don’t get to see any of these fruits in our little town so it was really great to be able to do this for our family. So we cut up everything and had a whole spread for everyone. We had a great turn out. I think everyone really enjoyed himself or herself.
Afterwards Shar and I went on a walk around town. We went over to Ashley’s ger and hung out for a bit then I came back home. When I got home I realized I missed out on the first 15 minutes of the nightly soap opera that my family watches. It really is actually a good show…I know this because it has English sub tittles! Anywho tonight for dinner I had pasta tossed in mayo with cucumbers with some Mantel. Mantel is essentially a doughy biscuit.
Then, I was hanging out in my ger after dinner when my folks came in. They do this about once a week just to hang out in my ger, which is fine with me. So we are sitting around listening to some of my music and my Dad asks to see my camera to look at pictures. We look through them and afterwards I ask them what they are doing tomorrow. Typically Mondays we teach English to adults so I wanted to find out if they wanted to come. However I found out that my Dad was going to the hospital. I was shocked; I didn’t think he was sick. So I asked what was wrong. They told me he was fine but he was tired. So I picked up my rock that I picked up on my way home, thanks to a dog who tried to come after me, and gave it to him. He thought this was the funniest thing ever. (When at the family picnic they made me hold a hot rock and told me it was so I wouldn’t get tired) We were all laughing so hard, I have never seen him and my mom laugh so hard. Anywho, I told my mom I was a Psychology major during school and asked what was wrong….she told me he was fine. Just tired. I am still curious as to what this means, but he is supposed to go there for 8 days to rest.
P.S. The cutest thing happened tonight. When my family was leaving my ger to go to sleep, I gave my little sister a hug goodnight. Not only did she return it but she also gave me a kiss!! It was the cutest thing ever. I feel like I am apart of the family for sure now!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
July 14
The Monday after going to UB for Naadam it was a really chill day. I did some yoga with my little brother and cousins. That was entertaining in itself. Then I went over to Jo’s ger where a bunch of us just hung out for a bit and talked. Overall a really relaxing day.
The next day I thought was going to be the same. Come to find out I was totally wrong, which was fine. I got up and was fiddling around doing nothing too exciting. Then my mom came into my ger and informed me that we were going to the hodoo. (Country side) So we were off. Then before we got out of town we met up with Brittany, my other site mate, and I rode in her car with her. Let me just say I experienced some more Mongolian off roading. When they drive her if they have a choice between a paved road and a non-paved road, they chose the non. That was an adventure. At one point we hit a ditch so hard it turned off the engine, which should give you an idea of how the ride went.
Upon arriving we were basically out in the middle of nowhere and there were a bunch of cars. We got out and joined the crowd. There we stood on the tiny little stadium of sorts that should have been for about 15 people but there were a lot more then just 15 people on this thing. We watched a total of three fights, I say watched but I couldn’t see anything over everyone. Afterwards we went to look for food. We ended up deciding on Naadam Hos-sures. (which are basically dough with meat inside that are fried) We took them back to our cars and ate. Then Brittany’s family was going to go to the Hodoo to visit their family and asked me to come along. I thought I was already in the countryside, but I was wrong. We were in the countryside just not completely there yet.
I decided to go along for the ride where I experienced some more off roading. We were really getting out in the middle of nowhere! I finally have experience being in the BFE. I mean I thought I used to live there in Tallassee, Tennessee but nope! Once we got there we were ushered into a ger. Then they gave us some Sue-tee-tea (tea, salt, water, and milk) as well as the meat try. Ok folks when I say meat tray I mean it. PLUS this lovely meat tray had a GOAT FACE on it! I about died! Let’s just say I did not eat that!!! Then I met the family cat! I wanted to steal it!! It was the first cat I had seen her in Mongolia!
Ok after ‘eating’ we went outside to see all the other animals. They had a BUNCH of horses and cows. I got to wear my first Dell, which was really exciting! A dell is basically a robe dress thing that Mongolians wear when they are outside working. I want one! I think I am going to have one made. Then Brittany started to play volleyball with everyone while I played with the cat. Soon it was time to go but I seriously thought about taking that cat with me but I didn’t. Then we got into the car to go home. Before leaving the ger-site they stoped the car and the family members brought us the CAT!!! I was so excited! I have no idea why they did so, I guess this cat goes in between homes but I didn’t care because I got to hold the cat on the way home. Plus we named the cat hodoo monster otherwise known as H&M. (Yes like the store) :)
SO the ride home….y’all I thought I was going to be stuck out in the middle of the hodoo! Our car kept dying. I mean it would work for like a minute and then die. This was going on for quite a bit. We left at 8:30 and finally my Dad came and got us at 11:30. Thank goodness for him other wise we would have been out there all night! So my day that I thought was going to be uneventful turned out to be an adventurous one at that!
The next day I thought was going to be the same. Come to find out I was totally wrong, which was fine. I got up and was fiddling around doing nothing too exciting. Then my mom came into my ger and informed me that we were going to the hodoo. (Country side) So we were off. Then before we got out of town we met up with Brittany, my other site mate, and I rode in her car with her. Let me just say I experienced some more Mongolian off roading. When they drive her if they have a choice between a paved road and a non-paved road, they chose the non. That was an adventure. At one point we hit a ditch so hard it turned off the engine, which should give you an idea of how the ride went.
Upon arriving we were basically out in the middle of nowhere and there were a bunch of cars. We got out and joined the crowd. There we stood on the tiny little stadium of sorts that should have been for about 15 people but there were a lot more then just 15 people on this thing. We watched a total of three fights, I say watched but I couldn’t see anything over everyone. Afterwards we went to look for food. We ended up deciding on Naadam Hos-sures. (which are basically dough with meat inside that are fried) We took them back to our cars and ate. Then Brittany’s family was going to go to the Hodoo to visit their family and asked me to come along. I thought I was already in the countryside, but I was wrong. We were in the countryside just not completely there yet.
I decided to go along for the ride where I experienced some more off roading. We were really getting out in the middle of nowhere! I finally have experience being in the BFE. I mean I thought I used to live there in Tallassee, Tennessee but nope! Once we got there we were ushered into a ger. Then they gave us some Sue-tee-tea (tea, salt, water, and milk) as well as the meat try. Ok folks when I say meat tray I mean it. PLUS this lovely meat tray had a GOAT FACE on it! I about died! Let’s just say I did not eat that!!! Then I met the family cat! I wanted to steal it!! It was the first cat I had seen her in Mongolia!
Ok after ‘eating’ we went outside to see all the other animals. They had a BUNCH of horses and cows. I got to wear my first Dell, which was really exciting! A dell is basically a robe dress thing that Mongolians wear when they are outside working. I want one! I think I am going to have one made. Then Brittany started to play volleyball with everyone while I played with the cat. Soon it was time to go but I seriously thought about taking that cat with me but I didn’t. Then we got into the car to go home. Before leaving the ger-site they stoped the car and the family members brought us the CAT!!! I was so excited! I have no idea why they did so, I guess this cat goes in between homes but I didn’t care because I got to hold the cat on the way home. Plus we named the cat hodoo monster otherwise known as H&M. (Yes like the store) :)
SO the ride home….y’all I thought I was going to be stuck out in the middle of the hodoo! Our car kept dying. I mean it would work for like a minute and then die. This was going on for quite a bit. We left at 8:30 and finally my Dad came and got us at 11:30. Thank goodness for him other wise we would have been out there all night! So my day that I thought was going to be uneventful turned out to be an adventurous one at that!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Naadam Sunday
Hello all!!!
This weekend has been BusY! This Sunday my family and I went to Ulaanbaatar for the opening ceremony of Naadam. To begin UB I believe has NO version of parking lots. We ended up parking in a mess of cars that were on top of each other. There were a lot of people everywhere! The most since I have gotten here! When walking up the arena I saw a good amount of foreigners. I was surprisingly excited to see these people even thought I had no idea who they were or where they were from. Just seeing people in general I guess was exciting. Walking up to the arena doors it was crazy. People were everywhere trying to get inside. My mom told me that it was packed and they weren’t letting everyone in. While trying to get inside I found someone I knew!!!!!!! Crazy to think that! I ran into a fellow PCT, Katie, and she was trying to get in as well. Thankfully my uncle is a police officer and he knew the guys at the gate and they let us in. I think it was because I was an American because they were not letting anyone in. Once inside I realized why this was. IT WAS PACKED!!! For those of you VOL fans think game day with a MUCH smaller stadium. (Anna you would not of made it….thinking back to freshman year) Anywho we forced our way through the crowd and some how ended up at the front row.
Once there I happened to be standing next to a foreigner who I spoke to. I asked her if she spoke English, which she did. She was from England. I found out she was visiting her daughter-in-laws family. It was nice to be able to talk to someone for more then a minute. Meanwhile, Sunday was a HOT day. It wasn’t helping that there was so many people crammed into that small arena, but I really didn’t mind because I am storing all these warm memories to help me get through the winter. (which is just around the corner) So the opening ceremonies consisted of music, speeches, dancing, marching, parading, balloons, and skydiving. On the note, skydivers here are crazy. Marissa you should have seen them landing! They landed like they were standing up!!! I was surprised no one didn’t break their legs! (For those of you who don’t know Marissa and I went skydiving a couple years ago)
So after watching all that we ended up getting to go down into the arena, thanks to my uncle! Yet it was really brief, I think it was just a faster way out. But I got to see behind the scenes wrestlers! So basically wrestleing is huge here in Mongolia. They love it! I can’t wait for y’all to see what they wear! It is basically girl style underwear, bikini style, with a vest-ish that consisted of fabric and rope, and boots. Really cool looking! After we left there my Mom bought us all popcorn!!!!!!!!!! I about fainted when she bought it! It was the best popcorn I have ever had!!!!!! After the popcorn we went over to see some of the archery, but we didn’t stay very long. Then we went back to my mom’s parents house where we ate Naadam hoosers. (Which are basically fried dough with meat inside) They were really great! So that was the extent of my Naadam experience…..So I thought….I’ll write more on this subject matter later. Because as of now it is starting to storm outside my ger and I have Mongolian Language homework to do before my power goes out. (when it storms it is a sure bet that soon the power will go out)
Za,
B
This weekend has been BusY! This Sunday my family and I went to Ulaanbaatar for the opening ceremony of Naadam. To begin UB I believe has NO version of parking lots. We ended up parking in a mess of cars that were on top of each other. There were a lot of people everywhere! The most since I have gotten here! When walking up the arena I saw a good amount of foreigners. I was surprisingly excited to see these people even thought I had no idea who they were or where they were from. Just seeing people in general I guess was exciting. Walking up to the arena doors it was crazy. People were everywhere trying to get inside. My mom told me that it was packed and they weren’t letting everyone in. While trying to get inside I found someone I knew!!!!!!! Crazy to think that! I ran into a fellow PCT, Katie, and she was trying to get in as well. Thankfully my uncle is a police officer and he knew the guys at the gate and they let us in. I think it was because I was an American because they were not letting anyone in. Once inside I realized why this was. IT WAS PACKED!!! For those of you VOL fans think game day with a MUCH smaller stadium. (Anna you would not of made it….thinking back to freshman year) Anywho we forced our way through the crowd and some how ended up at the front row.
Once there I happened to be standing next to a foreigner who I spoke to. I asked her if she spoke English, which she did. She was from England. I found out she was visiting her daughter-in-laws family. It was nice to be able to talk to someone for more then a minute. Meanwhile, Sunday was a HOT day. It wasn’t helping that there was so many people crammed into that small arena, but I really didn’t mind because I am storing all these warm memories to help me get through the winter. (which is just around the corner) So the opening ceremonies consisted of music, speeches, dancing, marching, parading, balloons, and skydiving. On the note, skydivers here are crazy. Marissa you should have seen them landing! They landed like they were standing up!!! I was surprised no one didn’t break their legs! (For those of you who don’t know Marissa and I went skydiving a couple years ago)
So after watching all that we ended up getting to go down into the arena, thanks to my uncle! Yet it was really brief, I think it was just a faster way out. But I got to see behind the scenes wrestlers! So basically wrestleing is huge here in Mongolia. They love it! I can’t wait for y’all to see what they wear! It is basically girl style underwear, bikini style, with a vest-ish that consisted of fabric and rope, and boots. Really cool looking! After we left there my Mom bought us all popcorn!!!!!!!!!! I about fainted when she bought it! It was the best popcorn I have ever had!!!!!! After the popcorn we went over to see some of the archery, but we didn’t stay very long. Then we went back to my mom’s parents house where we ate Naadam hoosers. (Which are basically fried dough with meat inside) They were really great! So that was the extent of my Naadam experience…..So I thought….I’ll write more on this subject matter later. Because as of now it is starting to storm outside my ger and I have Mongolian Language homework to do before my power goes out. (when it storms it is a sure bet that soon the power will go out)
Za,
B
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
July 10, 2010
Saturday my family and I went on a picnic. Let me just begin by saying my family is so very loving. They were all very welcoming to me even though I lack Mongolian language skills. At times I am sure they were speaking and laughing at me but I was cool with that. We went to a river of sorts. My mom told me it was the biggest river in Mongolia. I told her she needed to see the rivers in America and it would put that river to shame. She laughed. Her and I went wadding in the river and the water was cold but not nearly as cold as the Mountain waters in Tennessee. Also my Grandpa, I have declared, is the best rock skipper I have ever seen. I thought I’d be cool and show them how to do it but I soon found out that they were better then I was. Also they call it ‘bunny rocks.’ (I think that is a loose translation but essentially the rock resembles a bunny to them)
Let’s see what else…my family feed me all day long like I was starving. I feel like that is all I did was eat. There was a bunch of candy, bread, juice, candy, veggies, and meat…the meat I steered away from. Then more family arrived after our being there for about twoish hours. Guess what they brought with them!!!! I newly slaughtered sheep. It was in that moment of seeing the gutted sheep that I knew I was finally going to get sick in Mongolia. I have made it about 5 weeks without getting sick, which I was extremely happy about. I just knew the minute I saw it I was in for it. Thanks to my background of several family members who like to hunt I wasn’t terribly grossed out from the meat. I found it funny I was sitting on a blanket with some family members when they began to cut it up and the lady sitting next to me told them to move the animal away so I didn’t have to see it. My response was I got up and walked over to the men and started taking pictures. They laughed. Let me just tell you, Uncles of mine back home these men could teach you a thing or two about cutting meat. They had that animal chopped up in 30 minutes!! I was impressed. THEN came the interesting part. (Which I took a video of and will be posting it on my fb soon) From the fire came hot rocks, which they put into a metal container along with the meat, potatoes, carrots, onion, salt, and water. Then they placed the container over the fire to cook.
Once dinner was cooking my family proceeded to begin a game of cards. Let me tell you all this, I watched this game for an hour and half to still be as confused as when I sat down. The only thing I picked up from the game was the fact that there were two teams but it was a lot of fun to watch them interact with each other. After the game it was dinnertime. Surprisingly the meal was really really good. I was hesitant at first but I actually enjoyed it! Soon after the meal we got back into the car and headed home. Upon arriving home I proceeded to the outhouse where I got sick for the first time. My luck I guess ran out but I am fine now. The moral of this story is when cooking with hot rocks expected the meal to be great but to expect to get sick.
That was my picnicking experience in Mongolia, hope y’all enjoyed reading!
ZA,
B
Let’s see what else…my family feed me all day long like I was starving. I feel like that is all I did was eat. There was a bunch of candy, bread, juice, candy, veggies, and meat…the meat I steered away from. Then more family arrived after our being there for about twoish hours. Guess what they brought with them!!!! I newly slaughtered sheep. It was in that moment of seeing the gutted sheep that I knew I was finally going to get sick in Mongolia. I have made it about 5 weeks without getting sick, which I was extremely happy about. I just knew the minute I saw it I was in for it. Thanks to my background of several family members who like to hunt I wasn’t terribly grossed out from the meat. I found it funny I was sitting on a blanket with some family members when they began to cut it up and the lady sitting next to me told them to move the animal away so I didn’t have to see it. My response was I got up and walked over to the men and started taking pictures. They laughed. Let me just tell you, Uncles of mine back home these men could teach you a thing or two about cutting meat. They had that animal chopped up in 30 minutes!! I was impressed. THEN came the interesting part. (Which I took a video of and will be posting it on my fb soon) From the fire came hot rocks, which they put into a metal container along with the meat, potatoes, carrots, onion, salt, and water. Then they placed the container over the fire to cook.
Once dinner was cooking my family proceeded to begin a game of cards. Let me tell you all this, I watched this game for an hour and half to still be as confused as when I sat down. The only thing I picked up from the game was the fact that there were two teams but it was a lot of fun to watch them interact with each other. After the game it was dinnertime. Surprisingly the meal was really really good. I was hesitant at first but I actually enjoyed it! Soon after the meal we got back into the car and headed home. Upon arriving home I proceeded to the outhouse where I got sick for the first time. My luck I guess ran out but I am fine now. The moral of this story is when cooking with hot rocks expected the meal to be great but to expect to get sick.
That was my picnicking experience in Mongolia, hope y’all enjoyed reading!
ZA,
B
Saturday July 7th 2010
Hello all!!! I know it has been a bit since I’ve written a blog but I have been busy busy busy!! I think it might be best to work backwards to fill everyone in on what been going on. Right now my brother, Porta Potty ( his name is not exactly Porta Potty but it sounds extremely close…so that’s what I call him) is sitting on my bed eating candy. He and my sister eat candy like it is going extinct. So last night I got home from a threeish day mid center training, where my site mates and I met up with the other 74 trainees for more training. It was great to be able to see everyone and hear about his or her experiences thus far.
During our mini vaca, as I like to call it, we had more sessions regarding Peace Corp and other necessary information. As a CYD we were able to meet with local agencies to become acquainted. That was really helpful to go and visit to see what they were all about. We meet with a Aimag Children’s Center as well as World Vision. Another thing we got to do, as CYD was I paired up with a fellow site mate, Jo, to inform other PCT’s about lifeskills. That is apart of my job is to facilitate Lifeskill training. Lifeskills is basically what one might think but here in Mongolia such topics are necessarily implemented within the schools like the U.S. For example in the U.S. we have Character Education that is somewhat similar but in Mongolia they don’t. SO it is apart of my job to try and show the importance of the curriculum and have them become apart of the education. Anywho what Jo and I did was explain to other PCT’s how to do this in their future sites.
Ah lets see what else….oh we had a 8th of July party which was a lot of fun! The trainers cooked for everyone and the food was great! We had kabob’s, watermelon, salad, and Kool-Aid! It was awesome! After that we had a dodge ball tournament by site. My site one our first game but lost the second. Despite my disinterest in dodge ball, it was quite enjoyable. That evening we also had a dance, which was great entertainment as well. Umm let see what else..oh I went to a monastery! That was really really fascinating! There was a bunch of prayer wheels and about tenish monks. The building was very ornate with colors and design. They had a little shop where I purchase a prayer bead bracelet. (it actually reminds me of the bracelets which were popular when I was in middle school) So the three day mini vaca was very eventful and was a great break from our busy schedule.
On a sad note, I am not sure if anyone at home has heard the news or not but a fellow American died here in Mongolia. The story goes that there were two Americans who were here for an internship of some sorts and were traveling around. They were hiking last week at some point when they got separated somehow. The one got back safely, but unfortunately the other did not. We have been told that the individual died from exposure. It is really a sad sad story. Something that I think we all have taken from this is to never leave anyone behind no matter what! Buddy systems are very important!
Before our vaca we had individual evaluations regarding our progress thus far. One of the topics was language. Let’s just say I am learning but Mongolian is a tough language to master. I have roughly a month left to achieve a novice-high level in Mongolian. I think I can achieve that but I have a lot of practicing to do!!! Some important dates ahead are: August 15 and August 20. The 15 I find out where I will be going in Mongolia and a bit more on my specific job duties. The 20th is when I will be officially sworn in as a PCV!!!!
I have to say that this summer is flying by! It is hard to believe that I have been here for over a month! I have to say I miss everyone at home!!! It is one week till my brother’s wedding!!! Congrats early to Jesse and Buffy Neace!!!!!
Ok well I am going to get off here. My family and I are going on a picnic!! I am really excited to see how this goes! They have watermelon so I know it is going to be awesome! Oh and Naadaam is this weekend as well! For those of you who don’t know what it is…please look it up!! It really is fascinating. Basically it is a festival of sorts. There is wrestling, archery, and horse racing!! I think tomorrow and Monday my family and I are going to be going to watch the festivities! I’ll get back to y’all about how that goes!!
Za,
B
During our mini vaca, as I like to call it, we had more sessions regarding Peace Corp and other necessary information. As a CYD we were able to meet with local agencies to become acquainted. That was really helpful to go and visit to see what they were all about. We meet with a Aimag Children’s Center as well as World Vision. Another thing we got to do, as CYD was I paired up with a fellow site mate, Jo, to inform other PCT’s about lifeskills. That is apart of my job is to facilitate Lifeskill training. Lifeskills is basically what one might think but here in Mongolia such topics are necessarily implemented within the schools like the U.S. For example in the U.S. we have Character Education that is somewhat similar but in Mongolia they don’t. SO it is apart of my job to try and show the importance of the curriculum and have them become apart of the education. Anywho what Jo and I did was explain to other PCT’s how to do this in their future sites.
Ah lets see what else….oh we had a 8th of July party which was a lot of fun! The trainers cooked for everyone and the food was great! We had kabob’s, watermelon, salad, and Kool-Aid! It was awesome! After that we had a dodge ball tournament by site. My site one our first game but lost the second. Despite my disinterest in dodge ball, it was quite enjoyable. That evening we also had a dance, which was great entertainment as well. Umm let see what else..oh I went to a monastery! That was really really fascinating! There was a bunch of prayer wheels and about tenish monks. The building was very ornate with colors and design. They had a little shop where I purchase a prayer bead bracelet. (it actually reminds me of the bracelets which were popular when I was in middle school) So the three day mini vaca was very eventful and was a great break from our busy schedule.
On a sad note, I am not sure if anyone at home has heard the news or not but a fellow American died here in Mongolia. The story goes that there were two Americans who were here for an internship of some sorts and were traveling around. They were hiking last week at some point when they got separated somehow. The one got back safely, but unfortunately the other did not. We have been told that the individual died from exposure. It is really a sad sad story. Something that I think we all have taken from this is to never leave anyone behind no matter what! Buddy systems are very important!
Before our vaca we had individual evaluations regarding our progress thus far. One of the topics was language. Let’s just say I am learning but Mongolian is a tough language to master. I have roughly a month left to achieve a novice-high level in Mongolian. I think I can achieve that but I have a lot of practicing to do!!! Some important dates ahead are: August 15 and August 20. The 15 I find out where I will be going in Mongolia and a bit more on my specific job duties. The 20th is when I will be officially sworn in as a PCV!!!!
I have to say that this summer is flying by! It is hard to believe that I have been here for over a month! I have to say I miss everyone at home!!! It is one week till my brother’s wedding!!! Congrats early to Jesse and Buffy Neace!!!!!
Ok well I am going to get off here. My family and I are going on a picnic!! I am really excited to see how this goes! They have watermelon so I know it is going to be awesome! Oh and Naadaam is this weekend as well! For those of you who don’t know what it is…please look it up!! It really is fascinating. Basically it is a festival of sorts. There is wrestling, archery, and horse racing!! I think tomorrow and Monday my family and I are going to be going to watch the festivities! I’ll get back to y’all about how that goes!!
Za,
B
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Weekend
June 27, 2010
This weekend has flown by!!! Friday my site mates and I got to go to Ulaanbaatar! That was a lot of fun! We took the bus into town, which was an adventure. First of all my friend Jo and I ran to my house after language class to drop off our books, so that we didn’t have to lug them around town. BUT when we got back to school our LCF (Language Teacher) told us the bus already had come and gone. Let’s just say I was frustrated. At that point I thought we weren’t going to be able to go but she quickly reassured us that the bus was just going to the other side of our town and then coming back to pick us up. That was a relief! Ten minutes passed and the bus was back for us! I think that might have been the first time since I have been here that I was worried. Anywho, we got on the bus and went to town!
When we got into UB we got off the bus to meet up with some other PC’s to get on a smaller bus to take us the remainder of the way to the restaurant. On the way we saw another PCT on the side of the road walking. That shocked us because none of us are suppose to be in UB and especially not alone. Caroline, our trainer quickly told us that that was our first ET. (Early Terminator) Three weeks in and someone is already going back to the states. Crazy to think that someone is already going home but I am sure there is a good explanation as to why. (We’ll just have to find out later!)
Finally we arrived at the lovely ABAF!!!!!!!! American Burgers & Fries might be my favorite place in UB. Ah that meal was amazing!!!!!!!! I had a coke, cheeseburger, fries, and real ketchup!!! (No mustard unfortunately but the meal made up for it) During the meal I don’t think we spoke a word because we were all so very much enjoying the food! The restaurant owner, who I forget his name, is Korean American and for what ever reason he had the genius idea of opening up this place. I am very grateful for him!
After our lunch we then had the opportunity to meet with three different agencies that we as CYD’s might be working with in the next two years. I was thrilled to be able to meet them all and I am really looking forward to getting to my site to begin working! One of the agencies was dealing with child labor and we got to meet some of the kids who they helped get off the streets. That was really moving to be able to see the accomplishments they have made in their work. I hope to be able to become apart of an organization similar to that one to help prevent further kids from resorting to child labor. A lot of my job will be working with children to help prevent a lot of the issues we have been told about since arriving. My hope is to try and make a difference in my Aimag (town) so that the children see their own potential in themselves.
After meeting with everyone we got on the bus to get back to our little old town. I think myself and site mates included were excited to go home after our long day. When we got back we went to the locale Karaoke café to wind down. We have yet to sing but it is really entertaining to watch the Mongolian’s sing. They get so into it and pretty much scream at the top of their lungs! Afterwards I headed home. When I got home my mom had dinner waiting for me. As I was eating my Mongolian sushi, which consisted of seaweed and rice, low and behold my brother comes on T.V.!!!!!!!!!! (Alicia Key’s latest music video came on) Chad you have made it to MONGOLIA! That was really cool to show my family who you were in the video! I think that they were impressed! LoL.
On to Saturday, in the morning I didn’t do anything too terribly exciting. I basically just relaxed. Then my mom asked me to make lunch. Those of you who know me know that I am not best of cooks but I was so excited to be able to cook something new for my family! I had no idea what I was going to make. She sat out a leg, thigh, winged piece of chicken for me to defrost. The first thing that came to mind was fried chicken! It took me an hour to defat the piece of meat and to cut it off the bones. After that process everything else was a piece of cake! I made fried chicken, French fries, and sweet tea!!! They loved it!
After lunch we had our first community meeting/youth group! It was great!!! I was so happy that people came out to hang out with us! I’d say we had about 15ish kids there. We played uno, poker, guitar, and basketball with the kids. It was a lot of fun. I was surprised there was two kids there that knew English fairly well. It really wasn’t too bad with the language barrier. I am excited to get to know these kids through out the summer, we are meeting every week!!
Saturday evening was fairly laid back. A couple friends came over and we chatted for a couple hours. Then I watched some world cup with my family. I have no idea who was playing. The TV screen was a little fuzzy but it was fun to watch it with them!
Last but not least Sunday, today. Today had been HOT! Seriously I don’t think I have ever been this hot before but I do not mind it one bit. I am taking in all the hot memories I can get! ( I am storing them up for winter time lol) This morning three of my site mates and myself went on our weekly hike. Whooo, what a hike!!!! We hiked for about four hours. The mountain that we hiked to today we could see an over look of UB. There are a ton of mountains around here and our goal is to a hike every weekend!
After we came down from the mountain we decided to continue our hike over to the town’s water hole. Haha it really is a water hole. It is so small yet the coldest water I have had in Mongolia. It was a lot of fun because there we so many animal around like goats, cows, horses. They were just hanging out. Then I got to hold my first goat!!!!!! It was a baby and the cutest little thing!!!!
When I got home I was exhausted! My dad made me lunch and I went to my ger for a nap. I also realized I got really sun burned today. I didn’t think about putting sun block on today. Oh well, after my nap I awoke to find prolly the biggest bug I have seen in Mongolia. I quickly got my dad and he took care of it for me. Thank goodness he was around.
Well that has been my weekend. Full of random and exciting things! I am going to go have dinner now.
Love,
b
This weekend has flown by!!! Friday my site mates and I got to go to Ulaanbaatar! That was a lot of fun! We took the bus into town, which was an adventure. First of all my friend Jo and I ran to my house after language class to drop off our books, so that we didn’t have to lug them around town. BUT when we got back to school our LCF (Language Teacher) told us the bus already had come and gone. Let’s just say I was frustrated. At that point I thought we weren’t going to be able to go but she quickly reassured us that the bus was just going to the other side of our town and then coming back to pick us up. That was a relief! Ten minutes passed and the bus was back for us! I think that might have been the first time since I have been here that I was worried. Anywho, we got on the bus and went to town!
When we got into UB we got off the bus to meet up with some other PC’s to get on a smaller bus to take us the remainder of the way to the restaurant. On the way we saw another PCT on the side of the road walking. That shocked us because none of us are suppose to be in UB and especially not alone. Caroline, our trainer quickly told us that that was our first ET. (Early Terminator) Three weeks in and someone is already going back to the states. Crazy to think that someone is already going home but I am sure there is a good explanation as to why. (We’ll just have to find out later!)
Finally we arrived at the lovely ABAF!!!!!!!! American Burgers & Fries might be my favorite place in UB. Ah that meal was amazing!!!!!!!! I had a coke, cheeseburger, fries, and real ketchup!!! (No mustard unfortunately but the meal made up for it) During the meal I don’t think we spoke a word because we were all so very much enjoying the food! The restaurant owner, who I forget his name, is Korean American and for what ever reason he had the genius idea of opening up this place. I am very grateful for him!
After our lunch we then had the opportunity to meet with three different agencies that we as CYD’s might be working with in the next two years. I was thrilled to be able to meet them all and I am really looking forward to getting to my site to begin working! One of the agencies was dealing with child labor and we got to meet some of the kids who they helped get off the streets. That was really moving to be able to see the accomplishments they have made in their work. I hope to be able to become apart of an organization similar to that one to help prevent further kids from resorting to child labor. A lot of my job will be working with children to help prevent a lot of the issues we have been told about since arriving. My hope is to try and make a difference in my Aimag (town) so that the children see their own potential in themselves.
After meeting with everyone we got on the bus to get back to our little old town. I think myself and site mates included were excited to go home after our long day. When we got back we went to the locale Karaoke café to wind down. We have yet to sing but it is really entertaining to watch the Mongolian’s sing. They get so into it and pretty much scream at the top of their lungs! Afterwards I headed home. When I got home my mom had dinner waiting for me. As I was eating my Mongolian sushi, which consisted of seaweed and rice, low and behold my brother comes on T.V.!!!!!!!!!! (Alicia Key’s latest music video came on) Chad you have made it to MONGOLIA! That was really cool to show my family who you were in the video! I think that they were impressed! LoL.
On to Saturday, in the morning I didn’t do anything too terribly exciting. I basically just relaxed. Then my mom asked me to make lunch. Those of you who know me know that I am not best of cooks but I was so excited to be able to cook something new for my family! I had no idea what I was going to make. She sat out a leg, thigh, winged piece of chicken for me to defrost. The first thing that came to mind was fried chicken! It took me an hour to defat the piece of meat and to cut it off the bones. After that process everything else was a piece of cake! I made fried chicken, French fries, and sweet tea!!! They loved it!
After lunch we had our first community meeting/youth group! It was great!!! I was so happy that people came out to hang out with us! I’d say we had about 15ish kids there. We played uno, poker, guitar, and basketball with the kids. It was a lot of fun. I was surprised there was two kids there that knew English fairly well. It really wasn’t too bad with the language barrier. I am excited to get to know these kids through out the summer, we are meeting every week!!
Saturday evening was fairly laid back. A couple friends came over and we chatted for a couple hours. Then I watched some world cup with my family. I have no idea who was playing. The TV screen was a little fuzzy but it was fun to watch it with them!
Last but not least Sunday, today. Today had been HOT! Seriously I don’t think I have ever been this hot before but I do not mind it one bit. I am taking in all the hot memories I can get! ( I am storing them up for winter time lol) This morning three of my site mates and myself went on our weekly hike. Whooo, what a hike!!!! We hiked for about four hours. The mountain that we hiked to today we could see an over look of UB. There are a ton of mountains around here and our goal is to a hike every weekend!
After we came down from the mountain we decided to continue our hike over to the town’s water hole. Haha it really is a water hole. It is so small yet the coldest water I have had in Mongolia. It was a lot of fun because there we so many animal around like goats, cows, horses. They were just hanging out. Then I got to hold my first goat!!!!!! It was a baby and the cutest little thing!!!!
When I got home I was exhausted! My dad made me lunch and I went to my ger for a nap. I also realized I got really sun burned today. I didn’t think about putting sun block on today. Oh well, after my nap I awoke to find prolly the biggest bug I have seen in Mongolia. I quickly got my dad and he took care of it for me. Thank goodness he was around.
Well that has been my weekend. Full of random and exciting things! I am going to go have dinner now.
Love,
b
Body Language is Universal
June 24, 2010
This week has flown by! We, my site mates and I, went on a day trip on Monday and Tuesday to a near by town to have a couple of classes on TEFEL for NON-TEFEL. Basically that is where we briefly learned how to teach English as a second language. Those two days were a lot of fun because we go to interact with some PCT’s (Peace Corps Trainers) who we don’t get to see too often. The rest of this week has also been very busy with language lessons, CYD Sector meetings, and Cross Culture meetings. AND tomorrow is going to be a very very exciting day because WE get to GO to the BIG city!!!! My sitemates and I are going to UB! (Ulaanbaatar) We are all very very excited!!!!! Not only do we get to go to a big city, but we also get to meet some very important people whom we will be working with in the next two years. We are visiting several agencies that we will be working for in our sector. AND we are going to ABAF!!!!!!! That is American Burger’s And Fries for you non-Mongolians!!! I am so excited to have yellow mustard…I can’t wait. I might not even get any sleep tonight because I am that excited!!!!! (Seriously)
HA, anyways…this week has also been eventful in my growing with the Mongolian culture. First of all I wait FOUR days till I took a tumpin bath! I think that might be the longest I have every gone with out bathing. Let’s just say I felt a tad bit gross! Oh and I FINALLY milked the family cow! That was an adventure!!!! It is so akwkard trying to hold the bucket, while sitting on a bucket, while crouching under a cow, while milking. But I did it…even if it was only for five minutes, I can now say I’ve milked a cow. Umm what else…today the power was out for most of the day. I think my mom was trying to tell me there was some sort of damage…I’m really not sure. BUT this comes into play when I tell my next story.
So today was extremely warm. I mean I was sweating up a storm all day long. SO when I got home for lunch the last thing that I wanted to drink was hot tea. I decided I would teach my family how to make sweet tea. I was so excited about this. I even found ice cube trays in the freezer, which just made my day!!!! I put on a pot of water to boil while I cleaned out the ice trays. As I am waiting for the water to boil I explained to my mom that I was going to make ice tea. (I think she understood me) Finally I looked at the water pot (which is basically a water heater) and realize that it is not on……then my mom informed me that the power was out. Let’s just say I was a tad bit disappointed!! BUT I am going to try again another day.
To continue on the subject of a hot day and my sweating, I have to say that body language is universal. All who know me well know that my feet sweat. I mean whose doesn’t? But I suppose on a sweaty day like today it was to the extreme. So in agreement of trying to follow the culture here today I realized that in my family’s house they take their shoes off when going into the living room/bedroom. I just realized this today. Now I knew that it prolly wasn’t the best idea to take my shoes off at this point but I wanted to be respectful. I took by black flats off against my better judgment. As I sat on the floor with my feet out stretched my brother came over with his machine. (Toy truck) At this point I was thinking to myself well maybe he won’t notice. He didn’t…for a bit. But as he was driving his machine around the living room floor he encountered my feet. Let’s just say I think y’all can image his reaction. He covered his nose while saying something in Mongolian and proceeded to run out of the room. So when they say that Body Language is universal, it’s true.
Hope y’all enjoyed that story! Lol.
Love,
b
This week has flown by! We, my site mates and I, went on a day trip on Monday and Tuesday to a near by town to have a couple of classes on TEFEL for NON-TEFEL. Basically that is where we briefly learned how to teach English as a second language. Those two days were a lot of fun because we go to interact with some PCT’s (Peace Corps Trainers) who we don’t get to see too often. The rest of this week has also been very busy with language lessons, CYD Sector meetings, and Cross Culture meetings. AND tomorrow is going to be a very very exciting day because WE get to GO to the BIG city!!!! My sitemates and I are going to UB! (Ulaanbaatar) We are all very very excited!!!!! Not only do we get to go to a big city, but we also get to meet some very important people whom we will be working with in the next two years. We are visiting several agencies that we will be working for in our sector. AND we are going to ABAF!!!!!!! That is American Burger’s And Fries for you non-Mongolians!!! I am so excited to have yellow mustard…I can’t wait. I might not even get any sleep tonight because I am that excited!!!!! (Seriously)
HA, anyways…this week has also been eventful in my growing with the Mongolian culture. First of all I wait FOUR days till I took a tumpin bath! I think that might be the longest I have every gone with out bathing. Let’s just say I felt a tad bit gross! Oh and I FINALLY milked the family cow! That was an adventure!!!! It is so akwkard trying to hold the bucket, while sitting on a bucket, while crouching under a cow, while milking. But I did it…even if it was only for five minutes, I can now say I’ve milked a cow. Umm what else…today the power was out for most of the day. I think my mom was trying to tell me there was some sort of damage…I’m really not sure. BUT this comes into play when I tell my next story.
So today was extremely warm. I mean I was sweating up a storm all day long. SO when I got home for lunch the last thing that I wanted to drink was hot tea. I decided I would teach my family how to make sweet tea. I was so excited about this. I even found ice cube trays in the freezer, which just made my day!!!! I put on a pot of water to boil while I cleaned out the ice trays. As I am waiting for the water to boil I explained to my mom that I was going to make ice tea. (I think she understood me) Finally I looked at the water pot (which is basically a water heater) and realize that it is not on……then my mom informed me that the power was out. Let’s just say I was a tad bit disappointed!! BUT I am going to try again another day.
To continue on the subject of a hot day and my sweating, I have to say that body language is universal. All who know me well know that my feet sweat. I mean whose doesn’t? But I suppose on a sweaty day like today it was to the extreme. So in agreement of trying to follow the culture here today I realized that in my family’s house they take their shoes off when going into the living room/bedroom. I just realized this today. Now I knew that it prolly wasn’t the best idea to take my shoes off at this point but I wanted to be respectful. I took by black flats off against my better judgment. As I sat on the floor with my feet out stretched my brother came over with his machine. (Toy truck) At this point I was thinking to myself well maybe he won’t notice. He didn’t…for a bit. But as he was driving his machine around the living room floor he encountered my feet. Let’s just say I think y’all can image his reaction. He covered his nose while saying something in Mongolian and proceeded to run out of the room. So when they say that Body Language is universal, it’s true.
Hope y’all enjoyed that story! Lol.
Love,
b
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