Merry Kwanzmas!

A Şeki Volunteer came up with this excited new term. I like it.

Keepin' Busy

For those of you out there considering the Peace Corps, let me warn you now: the Peace Corps is not a 9 to 5, M-F sort of job.

When I first moved to Zaqatala, I knew that my daily schedule was going to fluctuate. Although, I am working with a local NGO, I spend a small percentage of my time there. Even more so, this first three months I am focusing on meeting people, networking, and gaining my bearings.

Thus, I have got some down time.

So, what am I doing?

I am working on my graphic skills. I am strummin on my guitar. I am meeting with my Azerbaijani tutor twice a week. I am getting to know my host family (tonight, I am teaching my host brothers to play Spoons!). I am meeting with students and setting up conversation clubs and other small projects. I am learning about what support there is in Zaq and exactly what is needed that I can lend a helping hand to...

Overall, I am now convinced, I have the best job on the planet.

Resistance is Futile

I want you to close your eyes...wait! Do not do that. You cannot read my blog with closed eyes. Ugh...okay, go get a friend, husband, kid, anybody. Ask them to read you this entry while you close your eyes. Problem yoxdur.

Now, visualize getting out of your nice warm bed, sleep fuzzing your brain.

Visualize the frustration of knowing that first cup of çay is still 30 minutes away (water needs to boil, tea needs to steep, etcetera, etcetera).

Visualize clumsily making your way to the washroom where you...uhm...get to work.

Now, visualize your hand wrapping around cold steel. You turn a knob and the sharpest prick of cold water, followed by thousands of similarly intense pricks hitting your...well, you get it.

Visualize the realization that you really don’t need that çay to wake up.

Ah, I am really diggin’ this cultural assimilation thing.