It's Always Sunny in Mingechevir (Unless Amy Comes)

As many of you know, I live in Mingechevir, Azerbaijan.  And, as much complaining as I can potentially do (by base fact of being in Azerbaijan), I cannot complain much regarding the city I'm in.  

Last week, we had IST (in-service training) and where 'training' is debatable, it was a good time to see fellow volunteers and all be in one little area for a bit.  So, there half of us were, in Gence, and it turned into something that we all probably expected it to - a venting session.  

Now, how do I put this out there without sounding like Mingechevir residents have that certain air of superiority... we love our city.  Granted, our working situations are on par with other volunteers, but we are all certainly quite happy about where it is we live.  This is not meant to say others aren't happy, but we noticed a difference.

So, during and after IST, I've been thinking about why it is we like Mingechevir so much and thought it would be good to put out into the blog world for my family, friends, and AZ7s (to show that your site directly impacts the type of experience you have).  Before reading the list, please realize all this is in AZ standards!  The awesome bumper cars are awesome, but they also look like death traps (and probably would never be qualified as safe in America).

First of all, we lucked out.  That's all there is to that one.  We got put in a site where 4 sitemates already were.  So, with the incoming 4, that makes 8 people for Mingechevir.  I have 7 great sitemates which, most assuredly, effects my quality of life.  I do not know how we would have survived host family living without our weekly hub nights.  Piggybacking off of luck, we all were able to find apartments for independent living.  It proved to be a difficult task for sitemate Bev when she moved here (6 weeks of searching!), but we were all able to find a place and be moved in within a week of being able.

Secondly, it doesn't always feel like Azerbaijan.  We all know we're in Azerbaijan, but, sometimes, the feel is something different.  We have trash cans throughout the park (and some people use them)! Other volunteers have

 commented on this.

Thirdly, we get visitors and visitors make Azerbaijan feel a little bit smaller when we're all spread out throughout this country.  Agsu Rachel comes a lot and Agdash Brandon can hop a bus and make it a day trip.  It seems like at least every other weekend we have someone here, so that's really nice.  Speaking of visitors, though, it seems clustermate/Guba Amy is the Eeyore of Azerbaijan and makes any sunny day a bit tutqun (gloomy).

Fourthly, our environment.  

We have a cool little area of Azerbaijan here.  No, we don't have those beautiful and soaring mountains, but we do have foothills, a reservoir, a riverwalk (a smidge reminiscent of Wilmington! and has cotton candy), the Kur river (for paddle boats and possibly kayaks), nice parks (with benches), and rides, really random rides.  Lately I've been commenting on how awesome we are because of our bumper cars and swings, and I still think that's totally true.

And, lastly, for the group here, it's a good fit.

 Mingechevir isn't too big, but it isn't too small.  We have a nice bazaar and can get random products we might want.  There's a built in support network since there are quite a few of us.  We have little traditions and enjoy, for the most part, spending time with each other, but we still get plenty of 'me' time.  And, we're all able to find a key Azerbaijani counterpart who's cool to hang out with and is a vital resource for any of our endeavors.

Of course, every site has it's bad parts like the constant harassment, work-related frustrations, the post office, cultural norms and breaking them... but, especially on the blog, I don't like to focus on that and would rather highlight the positive in this random part of the world I had never heard of before.  

Life... it's funny how we get to the places we end up.

(New P.S. I don't know why the font changes.  I tried to fix it, but with no luck).

Packing for a new life?

I've been thinking about a year ago and how it was being in America with only the idea of the country of Azerbaijan in my future.  It was less than a year ago, actually.  But, the reason I'm thinking of all this right now if because it seems a ridiculous amount of the AZ7s are finding out they're coming here... so early!  

I remember one of my main concerns was: what the heck am I going to pack?!  Being here now, knowing the contexts of which I live, I'm better able to answer that question.  You know, hindsight and all...

The things I'm glad I brought: my mac, my iHome, iPod, camera, french press, coffee, sheets, light blanket, pillow, a big backpack, a regular backpack, jeans, a winter jacket, a spring coat, hoodies, t-shirts, gum, chapstick, pictures, anything that reminds you of loved ones (trinkets, etc.), nalgene and sigg bottles, sharpies, note cards (PST studying), books, a good pair of shoes, lots of Smartwool socks, a mac external modem, flash drive, DVDs, that 2nd pair of glasses.

The things I brought that I probably didn't have to, but glad I did anyways: corkscrew, can-opener, canvas totebag, shampoo and conditioner (you can get it here, but anything from home seems so much better - conditioner is way better), toothpaste, lotion, toothbrushes, various medicines (sleeping pills, Aleve, mosquito balms, tiger balm), good batteries, flashlight, Leatherman, lots of magazines, Scrabble, Catchphrase, comfortable slippers, flashlight, headlamp.

The things I didn't bring, but had a cool family and amazing friends send: external hard-drive filled with entertainment, candies, spices, more chapstick, more sleeping pills, foods, a watch, gloves, anything for warmth in the winter, a pair of good winter boots, a keyring light, a planner, anything else I miss.

The things I should've brought: US dollars for those weird transition months, an external hard-drive, Taboo, the aforementioned boots.

The things I probably still don't need, but wouldn't mind having: a to-go mug, compact sleeping bag, a really good knife, any ethnic spices.

If you already have a good phone that's unlocked, bring it, saves you money on buying a phone here for other things.  If you have a phone already and have the money to unlock it, do it.  Will also be good for vacationing when all you need is to buy a sim card in a different country.

Don't forget to pack little gifts for your host families.  You can probably grab something here, but things from America are really appreciated.  

My list, especially the toiletries and such, will probably differ from other volunteers.  I am in a city, so I'm able to get more things than others may be in their regions.  Being in a city also means I probably have more stable electricity than others, so the headlamp is a little less needed, but I still use it.  Overall, though, I don't regret much of what I brought.  I've found a use for everything I put in my bags those late September days.  Don't be afraid to pack anything that makes you happy.  I packed tons of pictures, cards, and trinkets, a couple frivolous things, and a lot books, but that's me.  I don't regret it.  You can always ask family/friends to send you things as well, so don't stress out too much.  And, you will be able to get some things in Baku - it's just expensive.  Sometimes, you'll be pleasantly be surprised about what you may find in the regions.

Enjoy those days when all your material possessions are literally the only things you have with you.  Kind of liberating, extremely scary, and completely fascinating when there's 61 of you in a room together with the same ambiguity, fears, and thrills of what's about to happen.

Happy Packing AZ7!  Enjoy your last summers in the States before you take off!  :)

When You See Asparagus, Buy it... Always Buy it.

Last week, wandering through the bazaar, me, Agsu Rachel, and sitemate Laura almost had a cow - we saw bunches of asparagus! Typically, this would not be a highlight of the day, much less the week, but here in AZ, it's a world where those types of ideas are flipped.  Normal here is no way normal by home standards and typical is what you all would probably think atypical.  

I've slowly learned a lesson here about products, though, when you see something you want, buy it (especially in the regions)!  Yes, it hurts the volunteer budget, but the likelihood that you'll see that particular something again is a gamble that you'll probably lose.  I've been good at taking my advice about buying things (chocolate chip cookies, Pringles, curry, Ferrio Roche chocolates), but this past month, with the move and coming off Georgia spending, I've been dirt poor.  So, that day in the bazaar, I saw asparagus and I passed it up.

Further more, I banked on asparagus man having asparagus today.  I planned an asparagus stir-fry tonight with a box of tofu an amazing sitemate, Bev, provided, but, alas, no asparagus, no asparagus stir-fry.  The main ingredient is non-existent and, for the second day in a row, I've been disappointed with a small thing about AZ.

When life doesn't give you asparagus, make a better stir-fry.  :)

Feels like a Sunday.

Hello, friends (and new blogger pals)!

This is my attempt to write more frequently.  It definitely helps I have such a super cool friend who's pretty much the blogging Rookie of the Year to have for inspiration.  Mine will not be as developed as much as hers graphically or, probably, contextually, but whatevs.  Blogging should be fun.  It shouldn't matter whether I have something totally compelling to write about, as so long as I do write.  It is my idea, now, to stop weighing the importance of a given topic and to just do it.  

So, here it is: today is awesome.  Everything a good day should consist of is happening.  Simply put and very concise.  The reason I'm expressing this all right now is because of a few reasons.  Earlier today, we did a trash clean-up for Earth Day and, after, we did bumper cars.  Yes, I'm totally serious and it was amazingly fun.  Right now, I'm sitting on my balcony on a warm and sunny day, using the internet, just had a simple lunch of fruits, breads, and cheese, while enjoying a cup of coffee and my iPod shuffle.  I'm waiting for the birds to get a bit braver and come up to my balcony and eat the bread I've set out while I'm actually present. (It just happened and it was awesome).  I can watch them through my kitchen window, but it's not the same.  

This is my hangout on my (amaazing [by AZ standards]) balcony.  Photo Booth isn't the best, but it loads a heck of a lot faster than a picture picture.  The balcony is bigger than this one little glimpse.

Tonight I'm going to the Riverwalk to hang out with friends and ride this crazy swing contraption I've had my eye on since being in Mingechevir.  I've seen people do it, so I'm thinking I should live.  If we made it through sparks flying bumper cars, we can get through anything.

So, although yesterday had its solemn moments (remembering the audacity of VT and how it still seems like it was yesterday), its ridiculous ones (me continuously hitting refresh on my computer for 2 hours trying to know exactly what was going on in the Cubs/Cardinals game), and, eventually, the jaded moment before bed (Cubs lost), I proclaim today to be a good day, filled with coffee, music, birds, good company, a perfect balcony, simple and yummy foods, clean socks, and sunlight... glorious sunlight.

P.S. I'm working on a tour video of the new place.  Who knows when I'll have decent enough internet to actually upload it, but it's coming...

Be Yourself... Pretend Sometimes.

Let's start off this entry with a quick apology to those who read as I have not been good at blogging lately.  As previously mentioned, I go through writing phases.  Sometimes, I'm on and full speed ahead.  Sadly, though, most times I am not, especially lately as I've been eagerly awaiting my move to my very own apartment!  Host family living, that last part in particular, was something insanely difficult.  Alas, it is done now and I am happily hanging out in my awesome kitchen, listening to music, and staying warm during this cold spurt by sitting next to my lit gas stove's open fire... amazing heater, I know.  So, friends, please accept my apology.  If you're on facebook, you may know by now that I've uploaded my Georgia pictures, so, hopefully you enjoyed those.  A whole-hearted apology goes out to Ms. Larson, who I've heard through the grapevine told a cluster-mate of mine that I need to write more.

Anyways, now that that business is taken care of... let me wish you all a happy Wrigley Field Opening Day!!!  I wore my Cubs shirt, played softball, and made a bet with a fellow volunteer (who's a Cardnals' fan).  I think that chalks up to be a good celebration of the season's home start.  Not to mention, Johnson's catch against the Brewers!  Wowsers!

I've been thinking a lot today about my past year.  Probably because my birthday is in just under an hour (my time)... I've thought of all the steps forward I've taken, the steps I've skipped, and the ones that pulled me back quite a ways.  Overall, I think this has been a good year.  

One year ago, I was waiting for an impending graduation day, finishing all my school, internship, organization, and PAR work, worrying about my upcoming Peace Corps life, trying to manage and strengthen relationships I feared would be lost, and attempting to figure out where it was I was going to live over the summer before my departure.  Though all those thoughts and things were my reality, I found a bit of time to celebrate my birthday.  It's strange to think of how busy I used to be all the time being an over-extended student, worker, young adult, person... Luckily, I found that chunk of time to celebrate and kick off an amazingly unique new year of life.  

I was getting ready and I put on my favorite earrings, one read "Be Yourself," the other "Pretend Sometimes."  I'm happy to say I believe this past year was one that I was truly myself.  At the nights' end, I lost the "Pretend Sometimes" and I just recently started using the "Be Yourself" as a charm alongside my tree on my necklace.  I think this year has been the one where I grew the most, the one where I can withdraw some of the best memories I'll ever be able to, the one where experience outweighed ideas and contributed to them something ineffable... this past year was the one where not only I was myself, but the one where I've been the closest of knowing who I am so that I could be myself.  Knowing that I'm in a causal strain of life where one thing will inevitably effect another, I'm always changing, but this year, I was onto something...

So, here's to another year of life.  This one upcoming year will be my full birth year cycle in Azerbaijan... I can only hope I will be able to learn as much not being busy as I did this past one. 

P.S, I tried to post a picture, but my internet is too slow...  sorry.

Skyping it.

Not anywhere close to the topics I've long promised, but, hey, it's something.

I officially used Skype for the first time.  Now, I know it didn't come at the best of times for those on the receiving end of my calls (as they reached the intended persons at 6-7AM), but what can I say?  Excited at the prospect at hearing long lost voices doesn't do much for self control.  The respects I once had (and will have again upon return) were lost and my hands and fingers were clicking away at ease.  Sorry for those I woke up, but I cannot say I'm not riding the happy wave, still.  I'll try to time better next time.

Talk to you soon?!