Mailin' It

I have been getting emails with mail questions, so I thought I would post a few helpful tips, along with another plug for my handy information packed link (located in the left-hand column for quick access) entitled Mail Instructions [link].

1. Your address contains funny letters: Yes. It does. As you may have guessed, the Azerbaijan alphabet contains non-English letters. At least it is not Cyrillic.
2. What is the best shipping method: International Flat Rate mailer. Go to your post office and check out their sweet stand.There are many sizes of envelopes and boxes for a range of prices. The mailers are free (you pay for them in the shipping costs).
3. Did you get my letter/ package: If you do not receive some sort of confirmation from me, probably not.
4. Did your address change: Yes. It did. It will be my address for the next 2 years.
5. Is there anything specific you would like: Yes! There is a pretty comprehensive list going on under Mail Instructions [link], but when in doubt, send dark chocolate and sauce mix packets.
6. Wow! Shipping is expensive: Yes, it is. Packages are awesome (really awesome), but I understand if it is out of your price range (it is definitely out of mine!). Send me emails, collaborate with others to reduce shipping costs, send me a holiday card. I really just want to know what is going on with you!

Did I miss anything?

Try This At Home!

Want to taste a bit of Azerbaijan? Get some friends together and try this delicious treat: Xǝngel (pronounced hang-jel)!

Dough: 6 cups flour, 1 & 1/2 to 2 cups warm water, 1 Tablespoon salt

Filling:1 lbs ground meat, 1 small onion [grated], 2-3 cloves garlic [grated], 1 Tablespoon sweet and sour sauce, 1 Tablespoon dried cilantro, salt and pepper to taste

Garnish: sour cream or garlic yogurt

Make dough. Cover and set in a warm place until ready to use.

In a mixing bowl, combine filing ingredients. Add a couple Tablespoons of water.

Using a small amount of dough (about the size of 1/2 a cup), roll out a circle at approx. 1/8” thickness. Using a circular cookie cutter (or cup), cut circles out of dough. Set scraps aside (roll scraps at the very end).

On each small circle, spoon in a small out of filling. Pinch square closed by bringing the sides together. My host mom has a super cool decorative pinch.

After each roll, set filled pasta aside in a single layer. Boil a pot of salted water and pasta in a single layer. Once pasta rises, allow to boil for 5 minutes. Remove from water and serve right away with sour cream.

An Ode to Family & Friends

I would write this in prose, but two in a row (see previous post) is a bit much!

At any rate, I want to thank everyone who has sent me a card, a package, a wedding invitation, an email or good mojo & thoughts!

I know I am only 4 months into service and will probably appreciate these things way more around month 18 or so, but right now, I cannot express how great it feels to get an “update” email from a friend back home (packed with gossip, of course) or a holiday card with pictures of a cute baby all over it.

It really means a lot.

It is incredible how separated you can feel when you are thousands of miles away and you know all your friends and family’s lives are moving on without you. Just the chance to take a glimpse back into all yours is worth every internet minute and gepik at the post office.

P.S. And special thanks to my dad (Lew Tobin), my mom (Lydia Harris) and my sister (Liana Rose Tobin) for sending countless boxes, the “oh! crap, I forgot” things, and chocolate.