Heradazzlus and Shinanigans.

(Alexis, Jackie, and me being hippies)

Last week, I went off to Lankaran for a bit of work and play.  The work aspect was helping Jackie and Jane with their Yay Kamp for Arts and Crafts week, which truly proved to be an exhausting and fun experience.  The play?  Beer Olympics.

Beer Olympics?  What?  Kim?  What?  You?  Those are probably a few of the key things floating through your head about this revelation I've made about myself and my activities...  well, then, yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes.  Being a bit off character and doing something I never even thought about doing during college (when kids are supposed to do mess like this), I decided Azerbaijan would be the best place to partake in these shinanigans.  And, let me tell you, it was fun.  Getting dressed up was a ball, hanging out with too many people was great (and a bit overwhelming and insanely intense), and playing various games was pretty fantastic. 

My team was a super cool one.  We were Heradazzlus.  Each one of us have Philosophy as a soft spot in our hearts and all 4 of us have the formal studies finished or are about to begin.  We had Bev, who was the biggest sport during the craziness, Alexis, Charlie, and myself.  We all wore togas that were bedazzled (yes, bedazzled), had appropriate head bands and accessories, and wore our nerdiness on our bare arms.  Fabulous.  

Lankaran was a great time.  I was able to further get to know some of the kids that are leaving in the next month or so as well as reinforcing friendships I started almost a year ago.  I got to travel down south, take some day trips with neat people (of which I'll write more on another time), and experience something that I pretty much avoided for 3 years.  I also learned something about myself, too... apparently I'm a beast at Flip Cup.  Awesome.

Mingechevir at its finest.

Beast cat.

This is Beast cat.  I don't know if it's a he or a she yet, really.  But, I can tell you, this one has been the strongest kitty since the litter was born.  Thus, the dubbing of Beast.

It was the first one to get fur and color, the first to put up a fight, the first to open it's eyes, and, now, it's the first one learning to legitimately walk.  Sometimes when it's awake, I bring it into my room and let it hang out with me.  

I know I'm not supposed to pick favorites, but it's getting hard...

... well, that may be a lie.  They're all my favorites for different reasons.  

I miss AC.

Please refer to the right of the screen and try to sympathize.  Not even the heat index.  My thermometer outside says 100 and it's in shade.

Ming Fling: July 4th

Mingechevir was a hot spot for the country this July 4th and, as much work and stress as it was, I believe it was completely worth it.

Months ago, while preparing for a hub night, an idea sparked in Cindy's kitchen.  The basic thought was to throw Cindy a massive birthday party at the reservoir with good people, great food for the grill, and spectacular festivities for all.  This was not born just out of sitemate love, but also because she shares her birthday with America and we thought we needed to do it up right.  

Somehow between that time and this past July 4th, the event grew into an all day thing including a weird presentation, America themed everything, educational centers, field day games, Capture the Flag, softball, 80+ kids, 13+ translators, 4 random English speaking guests, and 30+ PCVs (without Cindy).  Holy cow!  And, don't worry, we did not forget the after party.

Alexis did an amazing job with all the post daytime event's happenings and we had a party that I'm pretty sure we'll be talking about for a while.  The reservoir was pretty beautiful, swimming was incredible, dance parties were had, grilling was done, s'mores were hoarded, punches were thrown, music was listened to, chats were had, drinks were drank (probably excessively), and, I think, fun times were had by all.  

The beauty of my 4th here was that it probably consisted of everything I would've done at the beach in Wilmington, if I were there.  It was a very surreal and amazing time.  Looking forward to the 2nd Annual Mingechevir 4th of July next year!

Meet Scout and Company.

Last month, I adopted a kitten from a friend in Baku.  Originally the whole idea started out as me taking her cat when she returned to America, but she was too attached, understandably.  She was talking about this kitten she saw outside of the Iranian embassy when I was there and how tempted she was to steal it and take it home.  But, with one cat already to deal with, she decided against it.  That is, until I made the offer to take Leo, I'm thinking.  Scout-cat disappeared for a couple days and my friend was worried, but she soon returned.  I call this "the time Scout got knocked up."

When I adopted her, I technically didn't know she was a girl.  I have never had a girl cat before and actually prefer male cats.  So, I almost didn't adopt her or at least was second guessing it.  I decided I couldn't leave my friend hanging and adopted Scout.  I had no idea she was pregnant.

Fast forward to Cindy's goodbye potluck dinner where the idea first was seriously considered by me (though I was in complete denial about it all).  From that night on, I slowly revealed the truth to myself and began to accept it.  

This morning I woke up to find Scout with 4 little kittens attached to her body milking.  They look like aliens.  I'm pretty sure I have homes lined up for all of them, so here's to the next 11 weeks I get to spend with 5 cats living in my apartment.

(Baskin and Robbins)