City sidewalks, busy sidewalks...

So, this is Christmas. I cannot completely lie and say that PC life is at all what I envisioned it to really be, even when I so often claimed to be so ignorant to not even have an idea. Sometimes things just seem so normal here and I can displace myself so easily. Those moments are something I really enjoy when they come.

The other day after leaving work, I went outside to a temperature pretty similar to the inside. I started walking around and took in the moment as much as my cold body was able without thinking of myself shivering and trying to warm up. Once walking, I was not as cold as when I’m stationary and so I was able to take it all in. I was walking in a city that’s decorated in lights, the people were putting up the New Year’s tree, and there was snow coming down. “Silver Bells” came into my head and that moment was something special. I didn’t feel like I was in Azerbaijan while walking down the street with a skip in my step humming the tune to myself and the one’s that came in close enough proximity to me. I came home to a cold room able to see my own breath and decided to make myself a French presses’ worth of coffee. I drank it on the floor while reading a book and listening to music on my iPod speakers. This was just one of those moments where I pictured myself doing the exact same thing if I were anywhere else. I thought of all you back home and tried to think about what you were doing at that same exact moment… I pictured some of you finishing up Christmas shopping in the rushes of Mayfaire/Mayflower and/or places of the like, some of you baking in a warm kitchen, some of you watching TV trying to relax a bit, a few of you were working, but thinking of when you wouldn’t be, and one of you was doing pretty much the same exact thing I was doing. 6300 miles away, my guesses and thoughts of you could have all been completely false, but I’m pretty confident there are some truth to them. If not, hey, that was my idea of you guys and I was comforted in seeing you in familiarity.

That’s my story for the day. Thank you for reading. I miss you all and find that my thoughts are constantly coming back to warm wishes for you all. Enjoy this season sans me being physically present… you should all know, like I know, that I’m still there, some part of me. The part that lives in thoughts and memories at the moment. I know you are all still with me.

Merry Christmas, friends and family, and Happy New Year, just in case I don’t write before then.

Ming love.

This is me and my cluster being awesome after swearing in as volunteers. Amazing.























Okay, so me putting pictures on here was a lame attempt this time, sorry! But, hey, at least here's an update!

I've sworn in, moved, and am now serving as a PCV in Mingechevir. Moving wasn't really an issue and getting readjusted to a new part of Azerbaijan is going well. I love this city and am thoroughly excited to be here. I do miss some cool cats from PST, but life goes on and we're all doing what we came here to do. Mingechevir is pretty spectacular, though, so far.

I got my new address, here it is:
Kim Joyce
Samad Vurgun
Kuch 20
Mingechevir, AZERBAIJAN
AZ 4500

Any love letters are much appreciated and read thoroughly.

The other pictures are one of me and my Sunday Soccer crew and the other is me in Baku... I actually think that picture's center is neat. Thanks to either Hannah or Alison taking that one.

Internet has been limited lately. I'll think of something super awesome to write about and I'll talk to you all soon.

Happy December!

To start out, here's an interesting statue located at the Aquapark in Sumgayit.

Now that that necessary image is posted for you delight, Happy December! This month is especially exciting for me because 1. I swear in as an official Peace Corps Volunteer and 2. I move to my permanent site, Mingechevir.

I've pretty much finished PST... only 2 hub days left.

Though this timeis thoroughly and completely exciting, it's also a bit sad. Now that we're finished training, all 61 of us go off to our sites. Yes, some of us are placed with each other, but it's not the same. We'll all be spread out and starting to really work. It's great, really, as that's what we're here for, but I can't deny that I'm really going to miss having everyone around.

Hopefully, at site, I'll have better internet access and can update more regularly. I should be able to as my workplace has internet, but it's slow at times, so I'll have to see where my patience is on that given date. I promise, though, I will try a lot harder. Ifully admit I've been lax since being here.

Here's another picture... this one of public transportation in AZ. The YD people are in a marshrutka in this one. One day you'll hear me tell stories of marshrutka experiences.

Okay, final note, I'll get you all my new address next week. I don't have it right now, so hold off on any love notes or care packages for a few.

Love and miss you all.