Maps, Maher, and friggin Mosquitos

This last week hasn’t been optimal, I’ll just come out and say it. I know I usually spill a lot of feelings on this blog, but I don’t feel like making it any more personal than usual, so I’ll just keep this short. Saule and I broke up. I initiated the break-up and it killed me for several days, but in short, it must be. Please, don’t give me advice and don’t repeat the same “there are other girls out there” – that advice never helped anyone. And thank you Zach, for giving the first actual applicable advice ever, I appreciate that :-)

On to other things! Work is getting frustrating again… constant delays of our project, a constant worry about money for salaries and utilities, and a bad start to a German club (though a new Kaz20 is a fellow German speaker, so we’ll reorganize our efforts and start again!). I’m slow to study Russian and to finish anything I start (books, tuning piano, organizing mass amounts of files on my desk, organizing stuff on my computer desktop, etc.). I need a new source of energy.

I did, however, finally finish a map of Pavlodar that I’ve been trying to get together for the new volunteers as well as the many couchsurfers that come through here. I labeled everything with numbers and on the back side are the different sights/ objects in three languages. It’s nothing so fancy, but I’m quite proud of it :-)

And I’ve begun learning some basic Russian sign language. I decided that I’m going to teach Vitya a word or two every day – he’s a very intelligent boy and I think it’ll be a good way to learn some new Russian words as well, as when you have something by which to picture a word, it’s easier to know (rather than simply learning abstract words).

The new volunteers are going to be here in a week or so! I’m excited to meet them. In the city of Pavlodar, I have two new education volunteers who will be teaching at universities and one volunteer who is just outside the city limits, so she’ll also be very close by. Plus Maher has decided to stay in Pavlodar, so that’s basically four new site mates – I’m quite excited.

Oddly enough, we had mosquitos in our apartment, so Maher set up my net (that Peace Corps gives ALL volunteers). Who knew it'd finally find a use other than failed window screen attempts?


Squash and Tomato soup - spicy but wholesome.


Um, 'cause I wanted to?


Beautiful autumn scene outside my window and work.


"Hot boy" Andrew and Adam rocking out at a big concert in Pavlodar! Great job!


Vitalya and me!


The original three pav boys (right and front) plus me and now Maher.


I look like a pro, but missed about 90% of my shots ;-)


Just in case you didn't know. I especially enjoy the bottom two.


The Godfather's russian twin was my team mate. At one point, he turned to me and said very seriously that "Russian billiards is no laughing matter." I believe him.


Brocolli, potato, and cheese soup!


My only real clothing purchase in Kazakhstan to date. $100 for two pairs of jeans, two sweaters, a hat, and a pair of fall gloves. The darker jeans are lined with fleece! Bonus!


It's so cold in my apartment, I wear a hat and jacket (and shorts - no, nothing's changed :-p)