Hectic Holidays.

I've been a bit MIA this past month, but I assure you it's for good reason. With the arrival of our new sitemates and the holiday season sneaking up behind us, this season has been particularly festive and filled with socializing and work. So, since I haven't updated as much, I'll just take you through the highlights.

Sitemate arrival. We got 4 new sitemates this month! With the arrival of new people, there were also welcome dinners, tours around town, general hanging out, and getting to know the new Ming family (while not forgetting those who've left).

Lale's return. Lale's back and I'm SO happy about it!

Sitemate Sean's birthday. Sean is one of the new sitemates here in Ming and, for his birthday, his friends came into town and spent it with him. We had great food, played fun games, and overall had a great time.

Christmas baking with my girls.

My girls came over after Sean's birthday festivities to bake Christmas cookies! As you (might) can see, the cutting out of cookies weren't the most traditional, but it was delicious and fun all the same. We made sugar cookies and chocolate mint.

Visitors!. Ming's had a ton of visitors this past month. As always, fun, but also tiring.

Sitemate Laura's birthday!!!. Laura is our Christmas baby, so we started celebrating early with a Chinese inspired dinner with homemade fortune cookies! I made fortune cookies for the first time in my life and, let me tell you, it wasn't nearly as easy as I thought they'd be. Some of our favorite 6s came to town to celebrate the birth of Laura and we played games all through the night.

Sheki Christmas. Sheki Danielle hosted a TON of PCVs for a Holiday Hoorah and it was great! There were cookies, Christmas movies, music, the fabulous hotel, Secret Santa, hot showers, and warmth (both company and temperature wise). What else could've we asked for?! Thank you Danielle for a great time!

So, friends, Merry (belated) Christmas! Happy (belated) birthdays to Natalie and Sarah, too! Next up, Baku New Years.

7s Invade Ming.

In no way should invade be taken as a negative term.  In Ming's case, it's the accurate one.  Since the departure of our 4 sitemates and leaving us 4, it sure felt like a lot of people were in Mingechevir for a few days over the AZ7 PCV visits.  We were fortunate enough to host 6 new trainees and, I hope, fun was had by all.  

The purpose of a PCV visit is to get a glimpse into PCV life.  Although most of it is accurate, some of it isn't as well since some of us take a lighter schedule while guests are in town or they might just catch us at a time when not too much is on your plate.  I was very glad mine came on days I actually do work, so that was, at least, something.  Last year on my PCV visit, we didn't do work at all, really, but did get a chance to finally relax from training stress (which is the more beneficial aspect to the visit, I think...).  So, I tried to find a healthy balance of work and fun.

The PCTs came in on Sunday and we were able to greet them and bring them all back to my place for the evening.  I cooked dinner, baked a big apple pie and served up some made from scratch banana nut muffins and biscottis.  It was nice getting to all hang out together the first night (and for all the subsequent ones) and kept many of the possible introductory awkward pauses at a minimum.  

Monday I was able to take my Trainees around Mingechevir for a walk before my afternoon Film Club.  I'm extremely proud of my FLEX girls, so it was great to be able to show them off a bit.  We watched our film, chatted for a bit, then it was time for us to go off to softball.  

Softball season is winding down this week with our tournament on Sunday, so we had enough people come out to play a game with us, the Trainees, and our kids.  I had a blast.  I love softball.  The night ended with us going down to Mingechevir's only haunt, the Wild West, where we had dinner, drinks, and an amazing (on the house) fruit platter at the end of the meal.  Laura and I were also able to take our Trainees through the city to look at all the lights (which would have been a shame not to... being in the Light City and all).

Continuing the tour of Mingechevir, we walked up to the reservoir the next morning.  We spent time there for a bit and I found a new spinny ride reminiscent of those dangerous playground spin rides.  Fun.  And dizzying.  My group had work at 2, so we headed back to change clothes before I started work at a new place.  This was a first experience for myself, as well, and it was a bit of trouble.  Basically, I go to a room filled with 25ish kids that don't know English... I think they want me to be a teacher and that is not what I want... at all.  We'll see what happens with that one.  The nice thing about after that, though, was we got to come home and relax before dinner at Laura's.  Our last night together was with good food, great company, and Apple to Apples.

It still amazes me that we've been here for a year and talking with the new people really drives that in so much more.  Having the 7s visit was a great experience and it was truly wonderful getting to know them and begin new friendships.  It was a blast staying up with Kathy and chatting the nights away, watching Anthony Bourdain with Kathy and Eli, talking on the balcony with Derek, experiencing a truly Azer moment (however frustrating) with Jessica and Alisha, walking around with Judy, sharing our first year stories with everyone, playing Apples to Apples with a new group of people, getting to chat with the ones I didn't really get to when I went in for Hub Day and to hear about what they're going through right now while also thinking how me and my group felt the same then as they do now.

As exciting as all that was, I was beat the day after.  I said my goodbyes in the early morning, went back to bed, woke up for a bit and then slept til the next morning.  

Next up, Softball Sunday.

If I Had Known Then...

Last week, I returned to Sumgayit.  It wasn't the first time since I got out of PST (Pre-Service Training) that I went back, but it was the first time I went back when a new group of trainees were also there.  The AZ7s have arrived and are going full force into cultural immersion in Sumgayit trying to learn the subtleties of the culture and gaining language and work skills to function as a volunteer.  

Going back was probably one of the strangest experiences I've had in this country.  It wasn't bad, at all, but it was incredibly surreal.  I was in the same exact place I was a year ago watching a new group go through what I and my fellow 6s went through.  It was odd being on the other side seeing them adapt to the 'wonders' of Sumgayit for their first real week and suddenly becoming qualified to lead a session at a Hub Day (and not playing Scrabble in the back row) and being a source to answer questions about volunteer life.  I guess we're officially not the newbies anymore.

With my return to Sumgayit was also my return to my old host family.  That was pretty much the one condition I had upon returning to facilitate a session.  I wanted to stay with my family.  Volunteers aren't supposed to go into Sumgayit when the Trainees are there; so, to be able to go back while they were there and do everything I wanted to do was nice.  In returning to my family, I essentially returned home.  A year ago, I was the bumbling quiet American girl in that house trying to communicate in baby phrases and barely making appearances out of my room. Not saying I'm not still that person in some ways... I definitely still pause in conversation, but it was easy this time around.  My family has a new Trainee staying with them this year and it was amazing to be able to serve as a translator and a guide of sorts for her.  I broke that family in for an American and seeing how comfortable she already seems to be... well, you can tell.  I can honestly say, full heartedly, that I love that family.  When I go there, I am in the company of a group of people that genuinely cares for me and enjoys my presence however bizarre it may be.  My dad still jokes with me about playing sports and is still proud when I tell him how games go and how many points I score.  My mom still brings up all those embarrassing stories of my first weeks in country while still being the most loving and animated woman I know here.  And, my sister still teaches me new things about my family and gives me fabulous back massages.  My days back home were incredible and filled with laughter, great food, fun stories, and, yes, a few misunderstandings, but it was cozy, familiar, and secure.  I also came home with 3 jars of my mom's murabbe (fruit preserves), so that was a bonus.

Since I was there on Sunday as well, I found myself at a familiar hangout - the Dove. The Dove is a spot where, every Sunday, you could find an American.  PST is filled with language classes, training sessions, studying, homework, and other tedious assignments.  Sundays were our only day off.  So, at the end of the week, some of us would play some soccer and/or grab a beer (or more) to unwind until we began another intense and tiring week.  I made a comment to the 7s there that it was surreal being in that same exact spot I probably was a year ago but with a whole new group of people.  As out of place as that is for me now, it was a good experience being able to go back and get to know the new group on a more social level in an environment I knew well.  

If I had known then what I know now I would've been able to get about and understand more, but I would have also lost the extreme optimism I had when I first came in.  It was surprising to see how into Peace Corps they are right now and it was a shocking experience for me to see how far away I've gotten away from that this past year at site. It was nice to be reminded of the excitement and enthusiasm that I might have lost.  I think it is extremely beneficial to take what I learned from this return to my Azerbaijani roots and return to site with a different attitude about my service.

So, thank you Sumgayit, family, AZ7s and new friends for those good days, the flood of old memories, and the needed mental refresher.  

Learning Azeri From Spiderman?!

Hanging out in Baku, I stumbled upon this with the help of Kim's roommate. So, AZ7s,  enjoy your first glimpse of the strangeness that is Azerbaijan and learn some Azeri while being entertained (while you still have fast enough internet to take pleasure in random videos)! Nush!

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!  :)