Softballin'.

Sometimes what I call work here is something I would definitely be doing anywhere, especially in the summer. This season, I've been lucky enough to be able to put softball into my "work" schedule.  Best job ever.  

We just finished our summer season with 2 tournaments, one in Mingechevir and one in Gence.  Mingechevir's tournament was really great with a good amount of PCVs popping up and 3 teams.  We came in second there and Gence took the win.  But!  This past weekend, the final tournament, Mingechevir and Gence played a tight game and Ming took it home!  Hooray!  Apparently for the past 4 years Mingechevir has won the final "tournament," so it's fun to know we weren't completely defeated.  

This season really was pretty fantastic with all the usual ups and downs Azerbaijan holds for us.  I had a blast practicing with our guys, showing up at the stadium and proving that girls actually can play sports, and rocking out a pair of shorts during play!  We had amazing kids travel into Ming and our kids were able to travel in for a game, which really does make things a bit more exciting.  

As much as I do love playing softball, hanging out with the kids and PCVs, roasting/melting in the sun, and being able to yell as much and as loud as I want, I can't help but reminisce about the "old days" playing neighborhood games in the back yard, batting cages with my brother, and yelling at the TV every time the Cubs didn't do quite as well as I'd have hoped.

So It's Begun.

Wednesday morning, Mingechevir said goodbye to our first leaving AZ5, Cindy.

For those of you that don't know, I'm in the AZ6 group of volunteers.  That means that I am in the 6th group of volunteers sent to Azerbaijan.  So, when we came, the 5s were here.  I am not very attached to many of the 5s, but as previously mentioned, I completely lucked out with the 5s in Mingechevir and am very attached to them, so it was a sad morning when were forced to say goodbye to our first one leaving.  Most of the 5s left are slated to leave in September, but some have chosen to leave early.  

Me, Laura and Alexis woke up early Wednesday morning to help Cindy clear out whatever remaining in her apartment and to say our final goodbyes since most of us cannot get into Baku and see her off the right way.  I'm not going to lie, I shed some tears.  

Within these next few months, there will be more goodbyes, hub nights, pot lucks, TV marathons, and much more quality time with those I'll soon miss.   As excited as I am for my friends to get to go back to America, I do not look forward to the day when they will no longer have a daily presence in my life.  

Small World.

Sometimes the world seems smaller than it really is most of the time.

I got back from Baku Monday and strolled into one of the stores I regularly frequent to grab some cheese and yogurt.  Idly passing my time and taking a couple looks around just in case something new has popped up, I glanced into the freezer.  I spotted something that looked a bit... out of place.  Slightly confused and a bit in disbelief, I took another look down on the off chance what I thought I saw was what I really saw.  And, it was...

... I definitely spotted a pack of Carolina Turkey ground turkey from Mt. Olive, North Carolina.  I picked it up, double checked it actually said Mt. Olive on it.  When I confirmed that it was exactly what I thought it was, exactly where I thought it was from, I can't say that I wasn't a bit... comforted.

Though it's turkey and I'm still definitely a vegetarian, something about the sheer randomness of something else from my neck of the woods made the walk home one of wondrous thoughtfulness on how small this world is.  It's nice to know a couple of things that don't really fit made it over to Mingechevir, Azerbaijan.