The Big Blue; Sky vs. Ocean : A Floridians Tale

wow

2010-11-20T06:10:00.004+08:00

Wow it's been a log while since I posted on this thing. Lets see, well I am no longer in Mongolia. That happened a year ago. I am in Florida and have been for 16 months. Nothing is as it should be. Of course what ever really is.

I work, a company job, in retail. **PUKE* so much fun I can't hardly contain myself. Nothing else is going on. That is the sum total of my life. Work. And it's not even something that I am proud or full filled in. Clock in clock out earn a check.

What happened to adventure, and life the true pursuit of living......where.......

all I can think now is how tired I am all the time. How truly dismal it has all become.

blah blah blah... and now we nap.

The end of an adventure

2009-08-17T06:07:00.002+08:00

The end of summer is drawing near. In less than a week all the kids in my area will be running up and down the halls of school. My area though has changed dramatically since my last post.
In the month of July my time in Mongolia came to an end.
I miss the beauty of the country and people, and wish that I could've stayed to finish teaching my kids, but such is life. I know that my students will do great.
As for me, I am onto a new advetnure.
I am home in Florida and will be adventuring to Hawaii in about 2 months for a new adventure.
Stay tuned.

Just for Fun

2009-03-27T17:01:00.003+08:00

There something that I have recently learned. I am a star.

You will all get a kick out of this.

In August when are sworn in as a Peace Corps volunteer, there is full scale show that is put on.

This show is preformed by all of the new volunteers.

We practice for weeks on end and learn all kinds of things that we didn't think possible.

Below you will find the link to my preformance. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did.

(Although if you look close enough you can see me counting the steps... I was so afraid that I would forget the steps)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztMFl7cFu4Y

(if this doesn't work go to YouTube and look for "Christy preforms a traditional Mongolian dance "Bayad")

The joys of Food!!

2009-03-27T16:44:00.002+08:00

So just a quick line..

I was shopping today and came across so far the most exciting think that I have found in many months. Of course it wasn't even something that I knew that I missed or could get that excited over.

I have coke, which is very important to me, potato chips, ramen noodles, snickers, m&m's and a resturant that I can get a decent burger at. Of all these things I have found something that I have been told don't exist in Mongolia.

I found PRETZELS!!

Delicious salty pretzels. Good with beer, good for dipping in mustard, good for a snack, and just plain delicious.

Now if I can only find goldfish!!

UUUGGGHHHHHH!!!!

2009-03-27T16:32:00.002+08:00

Of all things to happen to me! Why... Why this!!! First my camera quite working so I am limited to the documentation of my time here. I can only steal the eyes of others. (Pictures) Now, now I have lost all access that I have to the outside world.

On Wednesday March 25, 2009, my light went out. I was typing and then the table broke there was a huge crash; the tea went everywhere; and then there was nothing. No lights, no power.. nothing.

Now I am forced to use the connections of others. And this is not going to be a permanent solution. What did we do before technology? It is a question that I have asked myself frequently in the last few months.

Without skype, without email. Without cell phones and calling cards.

Now I am going to find out,...

I have no computer!!!!!! AGHHHH!!!!!

The days of Spring Break

2009-03-27T16:12:00.003+08:00

The time that I have spent in Mongolia has taught me alot of patience. There are many reasons, the atm lines, the random pushing, and the unknown.

A prime example was this week. It was the start of "spring break" there was supposed to be a competition that we (all of the Volunteers in my area) were to help facilitate but due to severe weather that was to come through Mongolia the competition was postponed. (indefinetly) There is no telling when it will be now. Along with that our break was supposed to be only one week. At least that is what I was told last week, before the break actually started.

As I was walking around town, just finishing my shopping for the day actually, I ran into one of my counter parts. We said the usual greetings and then she told me that our break had been extended for another week.

Now don't get me wrong I throughly enjoy vacation, it would have been nice to know that I had 2 weeks off before now. I may have been able to plan an trip or something.

That is just the way things go around here. (Still don't know when the competition will be.... Guess I will just wait and see.)

After the Holidays--- This is what happens

2009-03-09T13:16:00.002+08:00

After the first of January life tends to go back to normal, farily quick. The decorations come down and everyone goes to back work and that is it.

There is a witer break that I got to enjoy at the end of January. It was a whole week without work. At least without teaching. Becasue I worked alot that week. (It was actually the week of inaguration.- So more like February.)

I ran my own bed and breakfast that week.

My site me Ashlee and I decieded that we should have an inaugural party, celebrating the Bama. So we invited a plethora of our friends. From the far reaches of Mongolia they came.

We made Cheeseburgers on my ger stove, and it was like actually grilling. It was DELICIOUS!!

I had 12 guests stay at Christy's Bed-n-Breakfast.

It was much fun!

Except until the last night, when I got mugged.

But..... that is all in the past.

Shin Jilth

2009-03-09T12:55:00.003+08:00

All the girls. My counterparts that I work with.
The party decorations
Me and Nara, by the Shin Jilth tree
WHAT?!?
Apparently this holiday is the combination of Christmas and New Years. Shin Jilth literally translates into New (Shin) Year (Jilth). The excitment begins to build aorund the middle of December. The decoratioins come out and the sparkly things are everywhere.

The celeberations start the last week of December, and continue until the end of the first week of January.

There is a father Christmas. He brings gifts that go under a tree- the tree is a Christmas Tree, but here iit is a Shin Jilth tree. And he has an assistant, they are called Snow girls. (Usually little girls dressed up in thee cutest outfits.)

There is lots of food, and lots of drink.

I went to a party at my school. All the teachers get together and we had dinner and dancing. It was great fun.

I was a little underdressed though. Apparently it is the custom here to wear the most formal, promish style dress that you can find. (All I had was a simple black dress- every girl should have one in there closet.)

The night of New Years; Emily, Zeneta, Tuul, Ochgo and I were all at Emilies for the nightly festivities. We enjoyed a delicous dinner, and some bubbly. Then at the magical hour of midnight we watched all the fireworks that were set off, and toasted to the new year.

It was a great way to start 2009.

So much to discuss

2009-03-09T12:47:00.003+08:00

WINTER WONDER LAND
Okay so now it is March. The winter is offically over and I am begining to see my first Mongolian spring.

There has been so much that has happened....

Fisrt- My first Christmas away

It was not as hard as I had thought it would be, mostly because the culutre here is so different. The "Christmas" feeling just wasn't the same. I sent some time in the capital city of Ulanbaatar. It was a nice time. I got to see many people that I hadn't seen in quite some time. I also got to eat some great food.

I got back to my city Christmas Eve. Christmas day was a very quite day that I spent with my girlfriends here in my town. We had a late breakfast of eggs and toast. In the evening we went to another friends house for a mini "Christmas" party. It was a great time to be had by all.

I had recieved a package that day that had Santa Hats, and all of us girls donned them for the occasion.

(I will say that I miss the Christmams dinner and all of the family time)

The time for Thanks and reflection

2008-11-22T15:42:00.004+08:00

It is another Saturday in the land of sky and ice. Yes it is that cold here. Not much to do but build a fire and snuggle with a good book, or even a bad one.

In one week I will be celebrating my first holiday with out my family ever. It is a little difficult. (That is an understatement.)

I am so thankful to have access to speak with me friends and family on a semi- regular basis via the Internet. I am able to keep up with the births, and business' goings, well-being and talk to many. It keeps me in the loop. Reminds me that I am not that far away. Which is great....mostly.

It also reminds me of how far away I really am. Mostly I think that it is just the holiday season.

With it being my favorite that is usually spent blowing way to much money on those I love, and sharing lots of food and drink with those same people, knowing that the laughter that feels me with joy will be missing this year is tough.

I will remember that even though I am not there in person, my heart is.

2008-11-15T16:37:00.002+08:00

Okay so I am awfull at keeping this thing updated. There are many things that have happened recently. I will give the abridged version.

Mid October we had our first and only snow. It snowed for days. (3) It was beautiful adn amazing. There was a blanket of peace on the world. I can't even explain the sense of peace and inner harmony that I had as I looked at the soft white of the world.

Then I had a lot of planning for my Halloween party. It was school wide and abotu 200 students showed up. We played games, made crafts, read stories adn decorated cookies. ( I had help, but we made 200 sugar cookies the night before.)

It was a huge success.

After that there was the Games, a competiton to increase vocabulary and impower students to try new things and take a vested interest in their learning.

It went well.

Just another Day

2008-10-19T18:33:00.002+08:00

SO today is a nice day. Not to cold, not rainy, not snow. YET!
Soon it will be snowing. And then after a few weeks of that it will get to cold to snow.
then I truly might die.
No I am just kidding. There will be no dying. Just a little frostbite.
There are a lot of things that I am working on doing. Lots of stuff happening at my school. We have an anniversary party coming up, competitions - 2 actually(one math and one English games) Plus Halloween is around the corner. And as an American it is my responsibility to explain and demonstrate all those things that we celebrate or that they here about.
I will be doing a whole school party BIG! undertaking. Anyway there some things that I have been wanting to write about but I don't have my notes with me so for now..
That's about all.
I will share more with you soon. And if anyone is feeling generous I need: warm clothes and crackers., potato chips. The 2 things that I snack on that I don't have.
I am learning to make my own though.
I will leave you with one thought...
when the first snowflake falls, does it make a sound?
For now this Mongolian Ger dweller is signing off

Sad News

2008-10-05T13:01:00.004+08:00

OUR BELOVED: TOMMY

Unfortunately I have some disheartening news to share.

On Thursday October 2, 2008 a tragedy struck the town of Tesertleg. At approximately 11:30 am, a young one was killed.

In a moment the poor soul was stripped from this earth. The circumstances are unknown but we have reason to believe that this was accidental. The young one lost in this incident was none other than my very own, Tommy.

My young cat was lost.

The impact has been difficult but there was a private service and things are slowly moving forward.

Thank you for all the love that he felt from all of you.

He will be missed.

Please take this moment of silence to remember those so dear to us.

A weight loss plan that works!

2008-10-05T12:28:00.006+08:00

Before the diet (in red) After - 3 months

How many times have you started one of those diets that guarantees you to lose 20 lbs in 5 weeks. Or the one that tempts you into eating only liquids to loose inches?
Well those days are gone. I can stand by my weight loss plan because I am living proof. It truly does work. And these results are sure to amaze everyone you know.
In just 5 easy steps you to can loose 30 lbs in 3 months!

Step 1: Do something extreme. EX: Leave family friends and all things comforting behind and travel 1/2 way around the world.

STEP 2: Agree to live in a country where you don't speak the language. It is helpful if the language is extremely difficult to learn. This makes purchasing food and other items more difficult so only necessary things are purchased.

STEP 3: Make sure that the country you move to is of a climate that is the exact opposite of what you are used to. This will insure that the body utilize more energy to function thus burning more calories.

STEP 4: Be highly stressed. This step is my favorite because it requires no work. Steps 1-3 guarantee that you will be.

PLEASE BE ADVISED STEP 5 IS CRUCIAL!

STEP 5: Eat the same thing for just long enough that you body begins to reject it, and you become physically ill from the thought of or actually eating said food.

And that's all. Just 5 Easy steps to a thinner and happier you.
No substitutions, exchanges, or refunds. All sales are final.

*Also involved is the lack of all processed foods, fast food, and sometimes taste. No sodas as well.

**Possible Side Effects: Depression, hypothermia, starvation, death.

But hey think of how great you will look!!!

CHICKEN!!

2008-10-05T11:38:00.004+08:00

Left - chicken fingers (served with BBQ and Honey Mustard!)

Right- chicken finger salad.

There few things in life that can bring tears to my eyes. But on this particular day my eyes were welling. Yes today we ate CHICKEN! Believe it or not these are rare and cherished times. I am lucky enough to have found some one kind and lovely enough to have brought back chicken. This rare and taste bird is found only in the wondrous place that is UB.

A simple trip you would think could yield this taste bird, but in reality that is not possible.

To acquire this delicatessen one must first board a bus and then ride it for 10 hours (sometimes more) to cross the 500 kilometers to reach the city bountiful. Once there you must then buy the 2 kilos of meat and cleverly devise a way to get back on the bus and not melt.

Generally, as a PCV this not a task we can complete. As I mentioned before a wondrous person, my friend Allie, went into UB, got her own car and while stock her own supplies was nice enough to bring back the ever elusive, but wonderfully satisfying... CHICKEN! (Please be advised that Allie does have a cooler so the chicken made it back according to all safety regulations.)

Umm chicken....It's whats for dinner.

(Really I can't tell you how delicious it was, I am still drooling.)

The Apartment

2008-09-21T18:55:00.003+08:00

MY GER! (the thing in the middle is my cental heating)It has come to an end. My fantasy into the life of reality. I have been house sitting for a friend of mine, and it has been a wonderful time.

This also means that I will be without.......INTERNET!! Again. Oh the horrors of it all. The last week has been a reminder of the things that I left behind. But at the same time it has.... well no that's not true. I am going to go through another period of adjustment, I am not sure it will be that hard.

Of course it will be difficult leaving a washing machine, running water..hot, central heat, counter tops and other things that you don't realize you miss.

So for now I am of to the life I have chosen to live for 2 years, my ger!!

(It is a gorgeous apartment)

A few friends

2008-09-21T16:15:00.003+08:00

TUUL and OSHGO my friends!

I have some friends that I have met that are helping in my quest to become fluent in Mongolian language. They have been great. I just hope that i can actually make my brain absorb all this stuff. It has been difficult to say the least in learning the language. I try but I just can't get my mouth to make the sounds. The bonus is that it allows me a true understanding of the difficulties that my students face, and reminds me that getting frustrated is counterproductive.

I have a couple of projects that I am currently working on, and as soon as they get a little farther I will tell you about them. Until next time........

The things that we do..........

2008-09-20T23:11:00.005+08:00

We all go through things that we sometimes wonder "why". What possessed me to do that. Well 2 days ago my fellow girls of Arkhangi and decide that we wanted to have lettuce. (one of the things that is not readily available) To achieve this goal we took spoons and our 2 tumpins and filled them with soil from the stream. From there we realized that the tumpins were a bit heavy and easier to carry on our heads. I tell you, it is not as easy as it looks, but I am a natural. (Mom it is not water jugs). After the gathering of soil and fertilizer (aka- dung) we mixed it all together and then planted seeds, of lettuce, spinach, and herbs. Now we just have to wait and hopefully in about 2 weeks we will fresh greens! Here's to wishing!

2008-09-20T21:56:00.003+08:00

There have been a few developments. Well at least for me. The man in my life is just getting more and more demanding. Of course that is just like a guy. ( He's the black and white one.)
Yes it is a cat. A cute little Kittie. He has many names, it just depends on who is calling him.

Ain't he just a doll. But like all men he is pissing in the house and demanding. ( Cat Litter isn't readily available here.)
Since this picture he has gotten a little bigger, which means more food! And I don't even eat that much.
But....... he likes to snuggle, and sleep late, he also enjoys lazy Sunday mornings. One of his favorite times of day is nap time.
Just the kind of man that I need! And no talking back!!!

PS the other one in the picture is the is my site mates dog, Sophie.

A day in the life........

2008-09-16T12:21:00.003+08:00

So hello all of you world travelers.
I am doing well. I survived a weekend of consolidation. This is our version of the Emergency Broadcasting System. (It was only a test)
All things considered it went well. There was singing and dancing. Lots of fun was had by all.
I am on my lunch break right now. I have class in about one hour.
I have got a few extra things going right now. So plenty to keep me busy.
The weather has been great. However today is a little chilled.
There is a new boy in my life....
I know that you are all interested. I will tell you more soon.

Thank God it's Friday

2008-09-05T17:07:00.004+08:00

You know that life is starting to become more "normal" when you realize that it is finally the weekend. Everyone goes through some adjustment and periods in new jobs or places of living, but almost over night you realize that it is Friday and work is over and that means you have made it through another week of work. Then it dawns on you that you are in a routine. And only after routines are established can one truly say that they have become one with their location. Now I won't necessarily say all that for me, but it is slowly getting there. Everyday I have more to do and things just flow easier. I know that for me it will take a little longer but, it's coming.
I am hoping to hear from some of you soon.
A few pics of how we spend our weekends.

Thursday September 4, 2008

2008-09-05T15:59:00.001+08:00

I must say that I thoroughly enjoy teaching my 4th grade class. We have such a good time. My class starts at 9:15 and we finish at 10:00, and from the time that I walk into the class until the time I leave I have there undivided attention. I love it. They are too young to be afraid, most of them, so they all participate and have a blast. We start each class by shakin the wiggles out. Then we say good morning and begin the lesson. There isn’t much yet because I am working on setting up groups to make work a little easier. But it’ll come. With the class only being 45 minutes it goes rather quickly.
My 5th graders on the other hand are proving more difficult. But I know that it will soon be just as productive as my other class. I talked today with one of my counterparts about an English club, and some other possible projects. It was very encouraging. I always feel so much better about my decision to come here when I am working and the students (whoever they may be) are learning. Life here can get a little discouraging, mostly because of being so far away from my family and friends. I gotta tell ya, I knew it would be hard but…..
When you live your whole life surrounded by those that love you and that you love it is a little daunting not having them near. But it is a growing experience and I ain’t getting any younger, that’s for sure. So I am teaching in Mongolia. If for no other reason than to prove to myself that I can.
It’s not all doom and gloom, I did have a great cappuccino today and delicious Danish from the Fairfield today. Fairfield is a little lodge that also has a café attached to it. It was started a few years ago by a British couple (I think) and is pretty tasty.
Well I am off to get some water. (one of the things about not having indoor plumbing)
Till then.

Work

2008-09-05T15:58:00.007+08:00

My Job
I started work 3 days ago, on September 1, 2008. I gave a speech in English and in Mongolian, it was good.
I am currently teaching 2 classes. A 5th grade and a 4th grade, each class period is 45 minutes. So for 45 minutes 3x a week for the 5th grade and 2x a week for the 4th grade, I teach English.
I tell you it is not as easy as one might think. 35 students in a class, and you don’t speak there language and you are trying to teach then your language. Yes difficult is a good word. But I enjoy teaching and thus enjoy my job. Soon I will start an English Club with one of the other English teachers. (It was actually her idea). I am also hoping to teach a few more classes and maybe an adult class as well. One of the hardest things for me is the idea of teaching methodology. Since I didn’t study early childhood education it is one of those things that I can do, but explaining and teaching it may prove a bit more challenging.

My and My Ger

2008-09-05T15:58:00.005+08:00

My Ger
For those of that don’t know a ger is a traveling house. Mine doesn’t travel but that is what they were designed for. Mongolia is a nomadic herding country by history. A ger is circular house made of felt, wood and various other coverings. Mine is what the call a four wall. Meaning that it took four “walls” of wood fence like pieces to put together. I have a electricity, which runs my water distiller, computer, refrigerator, stove, iron and blow dryer. (That is all the electronics that I have.) I have a wood burning stove for warmth. Also layers of felt on the outside and the carpet inside help to keep it warm. I have a bed, a place for my clothes, a couch, table, chairs, cabinet for dish wear and food, a sink for washing and a small table for toiletries.
My clothes are washed by hand in my tumpin. I get my water from a well not far from my house.
It isn’t much but I call it home; at least for the next two years.

Home

2008-09-05T15:57:00.002+08:00

I am a Peace Corps Volunteer; I live in an amiag in the central part of the country. It is beautiful. Surrounded by rivers, streams and mountains, it is revered as one of Mongolia’s most beautiful places. Down side, I live in a ger.
That was my first reaction anyway. It really isn’t that bad. It does get a little chilly; of course it isn’t winter yet. I have some great site mates and many more very close. We are currently involved in a watching the entire series of Sex in the City. I just love those girls.

The Capital City

2008-09-05T15:57:00.001+08:00

UB
And we thought Darhan was great! Well let me tell you folks, when we got to Ulanbantaar it was as if I had just stepped from early days of the 20’s into the 90’s. (Yes not quite 2000’s but…) It was a really city complete with skyscrapers and over priced boutiques. Man I was in heaven for about 48 hours. The food was delicious. I actually had really honest to goodness pizza. (My mouth is watering right now just thinking about it.) It was like a dream… but like all dreams’ you soon wake up. And wake up I did. 2 days after arriving in the capital city of UB, myself and my site mate Zaneta were put into an Old Russian jeep, along with our entire luggage and began our 12 hour trip to our new home.

J-Town

2008-09-05T15:56:00.005+08:00

There were 10 of us in Javhlonat. We all had great families and it was a blast. My host family consisted of my aav (dad), ejj (mom) and 2 doo’s (siblings 21 and 15)
They were wonderful. The first night was a little awkward mostly because we didn’t understand each other, but as the summer went on, we became very close. My sister (21) Undral speaks English so it made things easier. We had a lot of fun n J-Town.
Language classes, training classes for our jobs and lots of group discussions. Our language teachers (LCF) were amazing. Nina and Nyma, we love them dearly.
There were nights of drinking and nights of volleyball. Hikes up mountains and aimless wanderings. Nadam our first Mongolian Holiday was a blast. Horse races and wrestling, hoserr ( a kind of Mongolia meets hot pocket food) and dance parties. Camping under the stars at Amber Blisin (a monestary) and spaghetti by fire.
Then it was over. Just like that we had gone through the whole summer.
(Of course I could probably write 3 or 4 pages on just the summer….but this is just a brief history.)

City of Dreams….

2008-09-05T15:56:00.004+08:00

As I said we all came to feel like Darhan was where the life was. During the summer J-town got to go to Darhan twice. Once for mid center days when every one went into town, and once on the way to and from Amber Blisin. (I guess technically that is 3 but the last 2 were only for a few hours so I count it as one.)
A few of us did have to go one extra time to teach a seminar, and it was nice.
I tell you it is amazing how good a hot shower can feel. Believe it or not you can forget what being really clean feels like. (Speaking of I should probably bath today)
So as the summer finished and fall on it’s way, we all went to Darhan for the last big hooray. It was another couple days of day time class and night time party then came the day the day we had all been waiting for…….. Placement day. We got the location of where we were going to be living for two years and our actual job. We got to meet our supervisors and go over a work plan. So much, so much.
Then we did it we swore in. (Not all 65 during the summer we lost 6 so only 59 swore in.)
It was official we were Peace Corps Mongolia Volunteers. Hip Hip Hooray, Hip Hip Hooray.

Darhan

2008-09-05T15:56:00.001+08:00

This was to be our city of dreams as we came to realize in the coming months. It had running water that was also hot (sometimes), internet and restaurants. It was like mecca. Only we wouldn’t see it that way for a little while. We spent the next few days in a daze of classes and revelry. By day there was workshops and info sessions by night, a group get to know you, party. Then on the fourth day we loaded up into Mekers (like mini-vans) in our respective groups and headed for our homes for the summer.
My Darhan Hotel Roomy

Day 1 in Mongolia

2008-09-05T15:55:00.003+08:00

The ger camp was really nice. We were feed a breakfast of fruit and bread and tea, then it was to another meeting, to get paper work, pictures and introductions of PC staff. We got sleeping bags and a water distiller. We had lunch with the ambassador and then we loaded buses again and headed for Darhan.

Over the Mountains and Across the World

2008-09-05T15:54:00.000+08:00

I swear that was the longest flight in the world! (Of course never really having been on a plane …) and I could not sleep, so I caught up on some movies. They had a ton. The Other Boleyn, Whorton hears a Who, and the one where the dad tells the story to the little girl and she is trying to figure out which one is her mom, and there may have been one more, I can’t remember. And I couldn’t sleep, at all. My body was wacked out.
Finally we landed. In Korea, and had to run to catch our connecting flight to Mongolia. Not that it mattered we sat on the tarmac for about an hour before take off so that they could load our luggage. People were not happy. Oh well, what can you do. When we final got to Mongolia it was dark and COLD, and we were greeted by many load shouts of cheer from PC staff and volunteers. We went from the plane to a bus, bus to the ger camp to unloading and finding our ger, to sleep.

Up Up and Away!

2008-09-05T15:52:00.000+08:00

So there we were all 65 (I think) Peace Corps trainees Mongolia bound.Trying to check out the hotel, maintain everyone’s two years of luggage, and find coffee, and food. (It was 8 am) It looked like mass chaos in the lobby. And the desk was none to happy. But our busses showed up and we got the luggage stowed and loaded up. The drive to the airport was nice, got see all the things that I would miss like……..Taco Bell. (Man I could go for a burrito supreme). And you thought I was nostalgic. As we got off the bus to enter the airport we all found out that we were early. (By about 2 hours) No one was even at the airline terminal so that we could check our bags. So we did the next best thing… we all weight our luggage just in case. (And let me tell you there plenty of people who had to shuffle stuff.) I weighed and waited. And then waited a little more….. (Bought a coloring book and crayons) …….then finally they opened. We got luggage checked and went to wait for the boarding call.
There in the San Francisco International Airport is where I had my last meal……………….
Well it was about a two hour wait for the boarding and call and
When they final did call us, I don’t think that Korea air had ever seen so many eager faces to go to Mongolia. We all made it aboard and it was nice. I tell you we had TVs and eye cover, ear plugs, socks, a toothbrush. Not to shabby. Of course when are on a plane for that long….you better get something.
As the plane taxed for take off I said my silent good byes.
[Oh right I had a cheeseburger and fries with a coke, what else.]

I left my heart in San Fransisco

2008-09-05T15:40:00.003+08:00

Well not really, but figuratively, because it was the place I was that still in the US.
It was beautiful. Never having been to that coast, I can honestly say that I want to go back. Partly because I really didn’t have much time to really see anything. I didn’t even get see that famous bridge that is supposed to be there. (I didn’t see so….)
The reason is because we all sat in a room for hours listening to all the important info that Peace Corp needed us to know. (Don’t ask what b/c I don’t remember-LOL)
However, I did go to Fishermen’s Warf, on suggestion… Thanks Pat and Rick!
I wish that the group that I went with had gone to the little hole in the wall Jazz seafood place we first saw, but alas we did not. Instead we went to a place that the hotel recommended, a fancy shmansy kind of place. We all figured why not splurge and that was where I had my last (well almost last) meal in the states. The menu was (for me) seafood, seafood and more. Clam Chowder, Caesar salad, and linguine with crab, lobster and scallops, was the full thing. I did also enjoy my last extra dirty martini, and a refreshing ice tea. (We got no ice – for drinks- in Mongolia).
Looking back the one thing that I really should’ve done was go to the North Face store for some warm gear. (Although anyone who doesn’t want to see me freeze to death and can’t quite figure out you might want to send… we have a north face store in UB….)

Departure

2008-09-05T15:36:00.000+08:00

San Francisco Bound: It all started at about 4 am. I got up had some coffee with my mom and then after loading all my luggage of to the airport we headed.
Close behind from his house was my dad, step mom Cindy and my sister Marie.
You know that you are up way to early when the coffee shop in the airport isn’t even open.
We all sat a small table just by the gate and waited a little while, we were plenty early.
Cindy gave me her watch b/c I didn’t have one. (I am so smart some times). We all talked, I was told to be careful and to try and let them know as soon as I could that I made it in safe. (Parents there always so worried.)
When the time came for me to go there were hugs and kisses and a few tears. Of course my mom wouldn’t leave she stayed at the check until she couldn’t see me anymore.
From there I went to my gate. Where I waited for what seemed like ever. The flight was slightly delayed, only a few minutes for boarding anyway.
I got on found my seat and closed my eyes. When I woke….
We were still in Orlando. It had been about an hour and we hadn’t taken off.
Soon after that we did.
The flight was not bad. It was made even more enjoyable by Jennifer. We were sitting next to each other and had a great conversation. She is a pretty cool person.
When we landed in San Francisco I was a little nervous and apprehensive. (And a little scared) I had never been out of the state of Florida alone. But I knew that I would be OK.
I hoped a ride with a couple other Mongolia bound PCT (Peace Corps Trainees).
Made it to the hotel and checked in, and from there began 2 days of intense Peace Corp inundation. (Of course I let the fam know that I was okay.)

Another Day

2008-08-27T14:35:00.001+08:00

So I don't have much to add today except that the closer that I get to September 1, the more nervous I get. That is the first day of school and I must give a speech in English and Mongolian. And for those of you that know me, and those that don't... I have a hard enough time with English that other languages are difficulty to say the least.
I will consolidate all of my notes and logs that i have been keeping and post that soon.
For now.. barshla. (means good buy)