Hi Sportsfans,
Ok the results are in:
Andrew Kelly: 1
Although technically its not over, its still VERY cold outside, and my taunting probably isn’t helping matters. Oh well, bring it on, that’s why I’m here! We never did get that much snow, but I have to admit, the temperatures were brisk, like below -20 C for a large part of the winter, so I guess it wasn’t quite a walk in the park (although I did walk in the park occasionally). I think all those years in Maine, digging my dad’s car out at 6am to drive my mom to work (1/8 mile tops) probably prepared me somewhat (I never quite knew who was more excited for me to get my license, me or my older brothers, hmm).
Anyway, spring is around the corner, and I am very much looking forward to it. I’m excited to get back outside and start jogging again along the river. I have GOT to get some pictures taken for everyone to see this town, I am so weak in that area. If you’ve noticed, Frank has rearranged the picture portion of the site to make it clearer for you all to know what pictures are from what event/topic/etc. Now I have to fill them up. I am getting some other pictures from other sources of past events, like the Sept 11th memorial that we had here. What I’m saying is, stay tuned, more interesting stuff is coming!
Also I want to explain why I’m password protecting the journals. There are three reasons actually. First, the Peace Corps has a policy against expressing views publicly, its vague but basically they are very touchy about how they are perceived. I totally get this and agree, and I think websites are a new and undefined thing they have to deal with. Therefore, if I control access it’ll make me more comfortable to just blow off steam and know generally who’s reading it. Its good therapy for me to write journals, but sometimes they can be perceived as, hmm, negative J .
Second is that it is generally thought that all of our communications are monitored, so anything I can do to stump these guys is worth it. I know, it ain’t the Enigma code, but it’s a start!
The third reason is that I’d like to share my site with some local folks here, show them their pictures. For those that read English, I don’t want them to misinterpret anything I write, it’s a fine line we tread here between bonding with people, yet understanding that Peace Corps doesn’t go into developed countries, so there are obviously issues that may be difficult to discuss for those that have their past, present and future in this country. This is a unique situation I think, because the Soviet states are developed, but are still very much backward in some respects. It makes for some difficult discussions. Sometimes I almost wish I was in a true third-world country, where the differences are stark (I said almost).
So if anyone wants access or has trouble, just let me know, I don’t want to limit to those purely interested in hearing about this adventure, its probably one of the most unique/craziest things one could do, so I like to share it, almost like we’re all here together (ok, everyone hold hands now..)
What’s new in Ust…hmm…I got mail…a
great package from my pals in
On that note, when I tried to explain that spring actually starts on the vernal equinox, well, it just wasn’t worth it. And ya know, March 1 really is a cleaner date, so what the hey.
Two other big holidays happened recently: Mans Day and Womans Day. Mans Day is at the end of February, it was originally the Soviet Soldiers Day, now its just celebrating all men. Personally I think it’s a great idea in general to promote men. I got little presents and a little party. Oh, the highlight was a card from the gals in the office, signed with lipstick kisses from everyone and I had to guess who was who. Office etiquette here is *slightly* more informal than back in the states. Womens Day is a much larger affair of course, and its pretty cool. Its not just for mothers (sorry mom) but for every female. All females dress up on that day, and all the guys bring flowers to work. I brought roses to all the teachers, and some chocolates. At Pragma, we had a large celebration in the conference room in the afternoon, champagne, flowers, fruit, wine, etc. Then all of the guys toasted the ladies. I’m getting pretty good at toasting in Russian now, but I’ve had a bit of practice.
My work at Pragma is finally
getting some teeth. USAID has tasked Pragma with building the consulting industry in
My secondary goal is to create another bubble here, only with this one, I’ll divest just before it bursts. Its my Monday-morning-quarterback portfolio management system.
Is that wrong?
Chto isho (what else..). Teaching plods along, but I have to say I’m getting burned out, the apathy is draining me. For instance, this quarter I assigned a marketing plan to be done by the 11th grade students, working in groups. On Tuesday I asked that they bring their existing drafts to class on Friday. On Friday I went in, and NO ONE had them. I asked why, no answers. I said “ok, on Tuesday I asked if ANYONE had any questions on what I am asking, and no one did, so…umm…what gives?”.
Nothing gave. Oy.
And the quality of my lessons is deteriorating as a result. My conversational English classes are a prime example. For last week’s lesson, I played the JLo song “I’m just Jenny from the Block” over and over and wrote the words on the board (not an easy task, btw). This week I brought my laptop in and played an episode of Friends for them (thanks Bill). They liked the JLo class but I don’t think they quite got the Friends humor. The thing that made them laugh was a couple loud boys mimicking the laugh track EVERY TIME, FOR THE ENTIRE SHOW.
For next year, I’m going to try to convince the school director I should teach night classes to adults. I think she’ll bite, anything for a buck/150 tenge.
And for my sister Kathy, YES I DO LIKE CHILDREN, YOU TRY TEACHING THEM!!!
At least I am comforted in the knowledge that there are probably three to four students that I have made an impact on, and I KNOW that they will remember and benefit from this experience for years to come. It’s a comfort.
I feel bad that I can’t give more exciting stories, but winter here is basically a time for people to just “get through” without too much sickness. Things’ll change soon, though. Next weekend I’m flying to Shymkent (WAY south) for the annual “Nauriz” festival. It’s the Kazakh new year celebrating the beginning of spring (incidentally, falling on the vernal equinox..hmm). It’s a big festival of song, dance, eating horses. The highlight of the day is a big game, polo-like, except that instead of chasing a ball around with mallets, they drag a headless sheep carcass around. Same, yet different.
Then next Sunday I take a bus for TWENTY HOURS (what’s up with all the capitalizing?) to Almaty, then I head to a small town called Taldy Korgan for an “All Volunteer Conference”, to be held in one of those “Sanitoriums” they have here. I’ve mentioned it before, but those are basically big resorts built in Soviet times to reward people with a little getaway. These days they are largely in disrepair, used rarely. There’ll be about 150 of us there, for five days, regrouping, getting some additional language training, having some roundtable discussions, getting to know the newbies, etc. Ok you’re right, it’s a five day party. I’m excited, I haven’t seen some folks since last August.
On a somber note, my fellow volunteer friend Chris in
Astana, the guy who arranged our New Years trip there, was assaulted last
week. He was jumped by a couple guys,
and ended up unconscious in a ditch, without coat, gloves, boots, etc. He was immediately flown to DC, and is there
now, recouperating.
He’s got a couple broken bones in his cheek, and severe frostbite, and
anticipates a couple months in the hospital.
It was bad news all around, and a wake up call to some of us (yours
truly included) that we’re not in
And this thing with
That’s not to say I’m not looking forward to witnessing a little ass-kicking of this animal, since I have some personal stake, having been there the first time (hence the password-protection!). Greg, I know, I know, GW is a moron and its all about oil.
This is why I love
I’ll surely have some interesting stories from the next couple weeks, so stay tuned and I hope everyone is enjoying the spring of 2003!
Paka,
Andrew
(ps, if you read my site, post a comment on the comment board, its simple, fast, fun for all ages!)