Dear Friends and Family,

As you know, if you extend, Peace Corps graciously pays for a month long trip home.

Now, if I was on top of it, I would email these dates out to you, but that probably will not happen until I am about to board the plane, so...here they are. I am all about doing PC presentations and/ or recruitment stuff, so sign me up and I will build my schedule around it.


May 9th

Leave Baku (around 4 a.m.) and arrive in Anchorage around 4 p.m. (time differences...eek).

May 17th

Leave Anchorage (on noon flight) and arrive in Nome about an hour and a half later.

May 28th

Leave Nome (morning flight) and arrive at JFK the next day (early a.m.)

June 11th

Head back to the land of fire.

The best part: My Peps!

Yup. The best part of my vacation was my friends. Sounds weird, but we could have gone to Siberia and I would have been just as excited. 30 days with six awesome people - what more could a girl ask for?

So, what made this better than any other group gathering? Well...go with me for a minute...

Leaving everything you know and that you are comfortable with is probably not as hard as you think. Living without it for 27 months is harder than anything you could ever imagine. Planning for Thailand, preparing for Thailand, leaving for Thailand, that's got me through the down days. Knowing that I would be spending 30 days with people who love me despite my Star Trek obsession, my love for everything orange, and my foot-in-mouth wacky comments, was what made the bad days bearable.

Thailand was incredible because I shared it with 6 of the best people in the world. Well, that and the constant flow of shrimps and piggy.

Oh My Gosh...the Beaches!

Of course, you can't visit Thailand without fitting in some hardcore beach time.

My first Thai beach - Ko Chang! Holy smokes is all I can say. White sand beaches, warm smiling people, delicious pina coladas (in the coconut!)...life was perfect. One of my favorite places: Bang Bao. If I could recommend a beach for any beach nut out there - Ko Chang is it.

And I should know - we also went to Ko Samui! This island paradise was a bit more touristy than Ko Chang, but still offered a relaxing atmosphere where I worked on my tan for half a day (don't worry Mom. Aggie made sure I put on sunblock when I started looking a little red)!


Yup - my beach time was well spent. I have come to realize that vacating isn't just about doing all the things you can, but also about taking a moment to relax and enjoy a slower place. Odd, that I woke up around 6 a.m. every morning, but I blame that on Meghan and her darn internal clock.

Making Meghan Work on Christmas

Originally, this blog was going to be called, "The Awesomest Thailand PCV Ever, Eh," but I promised a certain PCV I would keep it easy on the ehs.

Anyway, I think this title is better. It pretty much says it all...after a brief excursion into Bankgok, Meghan and I headed toward Isan (Issan, Isann...however it is spelled) to visit a Thailand PCV and learn a little bit about what it is like serving in Thailand.

We had a great time.

I am still warmed by the reception we received, the people we met, and the generally awesome company we held. Our brief time in Isan gave us a great insight into the beauty and uniqueness of Thailand and allowed us to experience something very few people get to see: an untouched and untouristed-out Thailand.

Thank you Tony, Sherri, and everyone who hosted us, taught us to fish, and opened their hearts.

Unrelated, did you know eh was spelled with an e h? I always thought it sounded more like an a y.

And...she's back!

Whew guys. As of 7 a.m. this morning, I am once again a PCV in Azerbaijan.

Let the blogging begin!

Actually, I do have a lot to say (don't I always), but I'm afraid of info overloading ya'all, so here is what I am going to do: I am going to break up my Thailand musings into 3 bits. After that, I will get us back on track with some PCPP info, a debriefing of MSC (what? another acronym!!), and then start on the rest of my life.

Sound like a plan?

So, now that that's settled, let me get the real important stuff out of the way:

Thank you Meghan, Aggie, Regina, Tom, Will and Erik for taking me on vacation. I have no where near the words to express my most heartfelt gratitude and love for you all. Without being too overly dramatic, my life is worth what it is because of the support, love, and perspective you all give me. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Löki in Thailand

Well folks. I am going to try and get a couple more posts written and scheduled before I head out on vacay, but if I don't:

Civic Engagement

My new favorite term: civic engagement.

This has been a favorite term of mine for awhile. According to Wikipedia, civic engagement is defined as individual or collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern.

And there is no better group than Rotary International that embodies that definition.

I am extremely lucky as the Nome Rotary Club is extremely active. Throughout my childhood, I can't remember attending a meeting where the Club did not have a an active community project on the table. Although, I did attend most meetings for the hamburger and fries my dad was sure to buy me, I learned valuable lessons while munching away. The most important: being an active and responsible member of your community.

At any rate, I recently attended a meeting of a local Rotary club here in Azerbaijan. During my five minute intro speech and flag presenting, I told them this: I am truly blessed to have such a great role model of civic engagement as Rotary in my life.

Thailand or Bust!

Team AK is headed to Thailand for Christmas! Wicked Sweet!

UAF Rocks!

Now that I have dial-up at home, I have a lot more time to read the current news and peruse the internet. That's how I found a recent article [link] in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner congratulating the first graduate of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Peace Corps Master's International Program!

Hey! That is the same program I am in!

Even better, I got a brief mention in the article:

Another pair of UAF students studying for rural development degrees are serving, respectively, in Macedonia and Azerbaijan, said School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences spokeswoman Nancy Tarnai.

Pretty awesome if I do say so myself! Check out the entire article at http://newsminer.com/news/2009/may/11/uaf-peace-corps-program-has-first-graduate/ [link].

I am not going to Africa

While visiting my East coast peps, it came to my attention a certain sister of my mother's, let us call her my aunt, was telling everyone I am going to Africa.

I am not going to Africa. I am going to Azerbaijan. It's no where near Africa.

Imagine the aghast of my family when they found out my aunt had been misinforming them for the past few weeks.

Seriously.

Anyway, I have had a great time this past week visiting with my Moms and family. I was reminded again of how my Aunt B puts everyone to shame when it comes to cooking. Her Sunday dinner makes Thanksgiving look like a nice snack.

Thank you again and I will miss you all (and don't go visiting me in Africa, I won't be there).

My Sister, the Doofus

I had a great title for this good-bye post, but my sister thought it was dumb.

Whoever thought to buy her a plane ticket to Nome for the week was a doofus...or maybe just desperate to get rid of their extra clothing and unused cosmetics...

Anyway, I love Alaska. I love Nome. I love my friends, the Team. I love my family and extended family (Marsha, Mike, Annie, Olivia and Hunter). I love my church family. I love my former co-workers.

Really, I love everyone.

Thank you all for being my support, my rocks, and often my inner voices of reason. Thank you for teaching me neat strumming patterns and how to make kuspuks. Thank you for making me coffee and listening to me rant about politics. Thank you for making me steaks and sharing your crappy beer with me.

I heart you.

They Say It's Your Birthday

Löki's 25 today! That's wicked old!

Letter to An Editor

Here is a recent letter I wrote to the editor, Nancy, of the Nome Nugget.

Hi Nancy (or Dear Editor)!

Monday, September 8 denotes an incredible day in our great nation, National Literacy Day. In a fun activity for my friend and family, I asked everyone to send me a list of books they believe every high school student should read prior to college. In honor of National Literacy Day, I compared and contrasted lists to create the Top 50 Books A High School Student Should Read Prior to College. It is my belief that instead of spending money on silly SAT prep books or listening to a college professor lecture about "Utopians" and wondering what the heck the man (or woman) is talking about - each high school student should invest in a library card and a canvas book bag. After preparing the list, I thought I might send it to you in hopes that you can pass it along. This list is not finite. It is only a suggestion of books created from super smart people who know books, high school, and college classes :). Enjoy!

1. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
2. Leaves of Grass
3. The Good Earth
4. Diary of a Young Girl (Anne Frank)
5. Grapes of Wrath
6. The Invisible Man
7. The Autobiography of Malcolm X
   
8. Macbeth
   
9. The Odyssey
   
10. Juliet and Romeo
    
11. The Crucible
12. The Yellow Wallpaper
13. Paradise Lost
14. Stranger in A Strange Land
15. To Kill A Mockingbird
16. The Iliad
17. The Old Man and the Sea
18. Moby Dick
    
19. One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
20. On the Road
21. I know Why the Caged Bird Sings
22. 1984
23. Animal Farm
24. Of Mice and Men
25. Lord of the Flies
26. Uncle Tom's Cabin
27. The Scarlett Letter
28. As I Lay Dying
29. Mayor of Casterbridge
30. The Painted Veil
31. The Giver
32. Brave New World
33. Fahrenheit 451
34. Pygmalion (My Fair Lady)
    
35. Jane Eyre
36. The Color Purple
37. The Great Gatsby
38. The Chocolate War
39. The Handmaid's Tale
40. Crime and Punishment
41. The House on Mango Street
42. Catch-22
43. Farewell to Arms
44. Siddhartha
    
45. Black Like Me
    
46. Raisin in the Sun
47. Death of a Salesman
48. Waiting for Godot
    
49. The Jungle
    
50. Schindler's List

By the by - the books I have read or own are in bold. If you are so inclined, the un-bold books are probably ones that would be neat to include in a "care package".

Inappropriate, but...

The intent of this blog is not to spout off my political views, but I had to post this picture.  Of course, all those who know me have probably already heard me yammer on about my personal convictions. You know whose button is pinned to my jacket, and you know not to call me after 6 p.m. because I am watching the conventions.

So, what am I doing this next week while I spend time with my sister and finish packing (because we know that is not enough to keep me busy)? I am spending my free time volunteering for that guy.  It is extremely important to me to help the person I know will lead us to a better tomorrow!

Labor Day

Labor Day in Nome is a rocking event. We race bathtubs down front street and watch thousands of plastic ducks float down the Snake River (a fundraising event for our Rotary club). This year, I volunteered to help my dad and Charlie collect ducks and man the duck boat; however, before we could get underway, a fellow boater needed our (more specifically, Charlie the Awesome's) assistance. In the wise words of Brian, "And I learned something today..."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Liana Banana

My baby sister is all grown up...tear.

Let's Get Political

Tuesday was Primary Day here in Alaska. I love voting days - well, really, I love the sticker you get for voting. Stickers are cool.

The best thing about Primary Day was it turned out to be just one stop in the Tour D'Political for Nome. On Monday, my dad and I helped organize an Obama Rally (Obama's Alaska Office sent up a representative), Tuesday was Primary Day and another Obama event, Wednesday Alaska State Senator Donny Olson gave a Rotary presentation and on Friday, Alaska Senatorial Candidate and Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich will be in Nome!

Although, I am leaving the country in 25 days, I am pretty excited about this year's political climate. I am ecstatic at the number of young people taking notice of today's issues. I cannot wait until November - well, actually 60 days earlier for me as I get a special Absentee Ballot!

Register This!

Guess who became a State of Alaska - Division of Elections Voter Registrar?

ME!

My goal: register 10 people!

Go voting!

It's Been Fun

One of the great things about Nome is the amount of "fun runs". If you are so inclined, you can probably schedule a run a week based solely on when a fun run happens to be scheduled during the summer.

This summer, I took part in as many runs as I possibly could. Unfortunately, as the summer winds down, so do the outside activities. Two weekends ago, I participated in my last Nome jaunt for the next two years.

The cool thing about this fun run (the Dexter Challenge) was everyone had the option of biking it, running it or walking it. I chose to walk it (my dad and friend AnnieKate joined me). We had a great time arguing over cultural practices and quizzing AnnieKate on her upcoming driver's test.

I am going to miss these fun runs, but don't worry. Maybe I can plan one or two of my own in my next resting place!

Bad Idea...Good Idea

As my time here in AK winds down, I am indulging in all my favorite Alaskan past times.

One such past time is canoing. I love it. I love meandering down a river, forgetting clocks and time, and simply enjoying the beauty of the land around me. With that intent in mind, Amy and I planned an adventurous down the Nome River - regardless of the weather.

Well, the weather was normal for Nome (sideways rain); however, the mounting of the canoe turned out to be an adventure in itself. Needless to say, we scrapped the canoe idea (check out the picture for a reason why) and instead enjoyed a pointless meandering down West Beach.

I love Nome in August (big fan of sideways rain) and had a great time chatting, beach combing, and viewing the sights (check out the row of gold miners on the beach. At least 6 camp sites showed their American pride with flapping flags).

Next grand adventure, blueberry picking and a hike or two!