Cooking in the Corps

And I learned something today: Löki's started a new blog category.

What? No? Geez. She is going to make us read more ridiculous posts about PC cooking...

Yes. She is.

Actually, this new blog category is all about cooking. Cooking in the Corps [link] to be exact. So, don't worry. You do not have to.

Really. You do not have to read it. I started it because several new PCTs mentioned they had no idea how to make rice. I joked about organizing a cooking 101 workshop for them, but decided this was way more sustainable and way more fun.

So, if you are interested, check it out: Cooking in the Corps [link]. Otherwise, just ignore those posts as they come up. I won't be too hurt...

Why I Like Azerbaijan

I feel like I have been complaining a lot.

I guess it is just that time of the...month? Service? Lökiness?

PCVs have no qualms about complaining about service, but we usually do it to each other. This is for a variety of reasons, the most obvious being we get it. It is hard to explain what it is, but when you live it, you understand it.

That doesn't mean I won't try and explain what it is to you. Obviously, I can get bogged down in the frustrating it, but there are definitely the awesome its that keep me going everyday; the its that have me thinking about applying for an extension, and that make me wake up every morning thankful I am here doing what I am doing.

So the counterbalance all the negative its I've been throwing at you, here are some positive ones:

Az friends (Könül, Timur, Shahane, Naile, Ema, Fariz, Rena, Sakina, Ibanez Xanim, Ulviyye, and mo)
PC friends
PC staff (the awesome Baku team that rocks it)
A great apartment (even if all the showers are lukewarm)
Free time (I am now trying to figure out how to dry persimmions)
Service projects (my photo grant is rockin' and my summer Z'Art camp project is gaining speed)
The return of Number 1 (thanks Liana!)
Lots of time for guitar practice
Guests & CouchSurfers

And of course, the opportunity to blog about it all!

Reach Out and Touch Your (Az) PCV

Got a PCV abroad and wondering how you can reach out and touch them? Just listen up and I'll give you the skinny:

Tap it out: Use AT&T International Texting [link] to contact your PCV. Texts from the US of A to Az cost $.025 a pop ($0.20 to receive). A relatively cheap way to put a smile on a PCV's face!
 Scott D tip: Use biteSMS [link], an "unofficial" iPhone application to save money.

Skype It! Skype To Go Number allows you to call an Az mobile for dimes on the minute.
Löki T tip: My ma calls me once a week for 10 minutes. Not only does make me feel more connected and supported, but it gives me an opportunity to say, "I love you!"

Chat services make the world go round! Use Google Chat, Jabber, AOL, MobileMe, that weird duck program Liana put on my computer... Chatting is free, easy and can often be done while reading online news sources or typing up emails. A PCV's life is a multitasking one.
Liana T tip: Arrange a chat "date" with your PCV! That way, you are talking computer to computer and it is free!

*For Az PCVs, AT&T seems to be the only carrier that carries text messages over this way.