Kosher Kalories

A common Peace Corps myth is that you will lose weight during service.

I mean, for some this is true. I am sure in non-Azerbaijani countries it's a totally different bag of beans, but for here, well, the average size American girls struggle to maintain their weight in Az. But, this ain’t me.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’ve struggled with my weight before, but not the gaining part. It’s the keeping weight on I have problems with.

Before anyone gets the wrong idea, let me address the common misconceptions:

1. I am not anorexic. I can barely spell the word;
2. I am not bulimic. I like delicious food staying in my belly; and,
3. I barely think about my size, unless Josh comments on my butt size (thanks Donny).

My problem is that I get too busy to eat. In Az, all your food has got to be prepared. Ready made food is darn expensive and not really available. I, the pragmatic procrastinator, usually put food at the bottom of my “to do” list and it often gets overlooked or I run out of time.

I know this is a problem. I get that. Really, I do. I am also tired of Azerbaijanis commenting on how “skinny” I am. I really don’t think they mean it as a compliment.

Anyway, I think I found a solution to my problem. No ready made food in Az? Well, I am going to make some! A week ago, I started a batch of kosher pickles (check out the recipe I used here [link]). Inshallah, a delicious homemade pickle, a pack of tuna (thanks everyone for sending me tuna!), some mayo...and viola! a quick and easy meal.

I think this is going to work. Actually, it better work. I am pretty sure staying alive on cookies and Fanta is not going to contribute to the longevity of my lifespan.

National Dishes

It never fails to come up in conversation, the subject (or lack there of) of American national meals.

In Az, I have come to realize that almost every meal is considered, "national". They've got their dolma, their ash/plov, their küfta, their xash...and so on and so on and so on.

So, what do we got in the big bad US of A? Do hamburgers count? I think those are sort of national. What about squash dishes? Hey, maybe we could count chow mein. I think an American invented that.

I mean, that's sort of my point. America, the big melting pot, hasn't come up with a truly "American" meal. We do have ethnic meals down to a science though and last I heard, fusion was the "it" buzz word.

Anyway, what do I say to Azerbaijanis when they ask me to describe the American national foods?

Well, I try to say all that (see above), but normally, I just fall back on old stand-bys. For me, I think anything in Alaska could be considered a National meal. That's why, when I wanted to say, "thanks for all the awesomeness," to my friend Könül's family, I made burritos. It ain't National, but it sure was delicious.

PS Thanks Leysika for the sous chefing!

Warning: Intense Personal Reflection Post

Last night, I was walking home and I realized, I ain't Löki here.

I mean, I know this. I get this. I have "realized" this at least a half dozen times.

Still, whenever I actually think about it, it really hits me. Löki Gale Tobin from Nome doesn't exist in Azerbaijan. Lüki Qal Tobın, the Peace Corps Volunteer hangs out here.

You'd think these two people would be similar, but there really not.

In Az, Lüki doesn't hug people. Lüki doesn't rock climb. Lüki doesn't talk about politics.

In Az, Lüki doesn't wear mismatched tones of orange or drive a [fairly large for her] truck with the license plate Trekie.

In Az, Lüki lives alone and runs early in the morning (something Löki really dislikes in the States).

In Az, Lüki doesn't smile when walking down the street.

It makes sense that Lüki is this way. For many Azerbaijanis, she is the first American they have ever met. I am darn sure she is the first ethnic minority American and for those random people on the street, that first impression is often all she gets. If I act like Löki, well, I would be judged on the Azerbijani standards of behavior and found hugely lacking (and probably a little crazy).

So, my answer is to tone it all down. In public, I am 100% Lüki. In private, I am working on becoming less and less Lüki and more and more Löki, but it's still something like a 70-30% mix.

Why am I telling you all this? I bet this is sort of a "duh" for you all.

Well, it's because last night, I realized that Löki is being so darn suppressed that I am not sure she's there anymore. I mean, there are parts of me that had to change and I am not sure that they will change back when I return home.

That's scary. I hope, I mean, I know, I am changing for the better, but...what will that look like? What will the new Lüki/Löki look like?

I don't know, but it will be interesting to find out.