Final Softball.

As you might know, I've been involved with Azerbaijani softball since the first season I was actually a volunteer. I've written about it a few times and I hope I've conveyed how much this project has meant to me. I absolutely love softball and thoroughly enjoy the time I get to spend with the kids I get to through it. I've seen this project through 4 seasons (Spring and Fall) and, sadly, this season was my last.

This season's end was completed with a national softball tournament in Bilasuvar and one last scrimmage back in Mingechevir.

Unfortunately I was unable to attend the first day of the Bilasuvar tournament, but I was able to make it for the evening's PCV game, the sleepover at the Olympic Complex, and the second day's games. Mingechevir is a very strong team and has yet to lose in a tournament. There are many reasons for their strength... they know the rules, we have quite a few people that have been on the team since my first season and, well, they're older than a couple of the other teams. I was met with the news that they did not lose in the day's games and they also did not lose the second day's ones though the championship game against Gence was quite tense and had our team nervous. Champions since the inception. Glad it wasn't in my years that that proverbial ball was dropped...

We returned to Mingechevir and organized a final scrimmage since me and Laura are out of Mingechevir soon. Seeing the team organized for probably the last time was incredible. I met a lot of these guys 2 years ago when I was a brand new volunteer adjusting to all that is here and, now, I'm saying goodbye. I've seen them grow and they've seen me do the same. We've laughed, played, learned, etc. I think I've somewhat expressed to many of you my frustrations here being a woman and dealing with men, but these guys... they've always been the source I go to when I'm looking for an Azeri male that does not fit within those frustrations.

I miss it already.

Ming's Got a Mural.

When I was pleading for money in March for my 2nd year Environmental Project, it was mainly for what has just been completed in Mingechevir today... a mural.

I have had this in mind since I came to Azerbaijan to be a Peace Corps Volunteer. I didn't quite know what was going to be done, but I knew I wanted to bring a mural to wherever I was placed. And, now, it's done. There was a scare the morning of the first session because of an untimely rain (morning session was cancelled), but the rain eventually decided to stay in the looming clouds over our heads and give us some relatively cooler work days. This project has been one of my main focuses for the past year and now there's finally tangible evidence of the work. Awesome. This past week, there were 3 days completely dedicated to the mural and the completion of this project as a whole. My Azeri counterparts were all peaches and did the jobs they were supposed to do. Our artist was fantastic and accommodating, the Ministry connection's faith never failed and connected us to the right people in the Excom and media and Lale was exactly who she's always been to me - a patient, kind and supportive friend. I'm incredibly proud of this project and am glad to have been able to complete it. Now, on to the paperwork...

Below, you can see the progression of the sessions. I hope you enjoy. Thank you all so much, again, for your donations. Because of your funding, Mingechevir has its first legit public art.

Softballin': A Year Later

For the past 2 months, Mingechevir has been practicing softball twice a week for the Spring season. Practice has been great - very high attendance rates, lots of veteran players, and quite fun. A few weeks ago was supposed to be our first tournament in Mingechevir, but we were sadly rained out. So, this past weekend was the first Western Tournament in Gence.

Remarkably, and a feat in and of itself, the entire team showed up at the meeting spot at the designated time and we left ahead of schedule. I was quite proud. Unfortunately, some hot heads early in the tournament day made some of my pride fade away.

We played 3 games, all 40 minutes long. Our first game was against Sheki. We had an early lead, but our team got a bit too cocky and sloppy late in the game. We finished up 12-11 Mingechevir. The second game was against a new team, Tovuz. Tovuz had already won their first game against Gence at 7-6 and that was our fate, as well. This game, though, is quite notable because each team had an air of bad sportsmanship stinking up the field. It was the most intense game and, for me, the most frustrating. In a way, I wish both teams could've lost this one. The final game was the opposite of everything the 2nd game was and spirits were high as we went against our 'rivals,' Gence. After threatening to pull people out of the game, the team was able to push aside their attitudes and start supporting other teams. We were able to win the final game 13-7. Currently, we're tied for first with Tovuz with a 2-1 record.

I've been working with this project for 3 seasons now and it's still one of the most fun things I get to do. Even though this round had problems that we had never had before, we do have a fantastic group of kids. Sometimes, though, as much as I hate to admit it, this team needs to learn how to lose... something they've really never had to do before. Hopefully, they'll learn from this first tournament for the next 2 (of which I'll sadly be absent from) and come out on top the right way.

Student Spotlight: Sama.

Sama (front) with Sabina (who I'm hoping gets FLEX next year) at Novruz.

I mentioned FLEX a long long time ago here. It's been since then we've been waiting on the results from all those kids who applied study in America. We got word not too too long ago and, of the 42 that made it through, I'm happy to report that one of my students, Sama, will be going to America before I even have the opportunity to return. I am so excited that she'll have this chance to learn more about herself in an unfamiliar world.

Sama is one of those girls that's just special. You meet her and she's worlds apart from the majority of her Azeri counterparts. She's worked with Peace Corps Volunteers for years and her overall attitude beams of little parts we've all instilled in her. She's the first to speak in conversation clubs, plays softball with the best of them (and can hit from both the left and right), is a GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) alumna and is game for not necessarily meeting gender roles and norms here. I'm lucky to have gotten to work with her so intensely during this whole FLEX process and she is the product of a wonderful family, dedication, and many many Peace Corps Volunteers. She's a Ming success story, to be sure.

Sometimes, there are people who get the opportunity to study in America, but might not be open to all that entails. I don't see that being the case with her at all. I can't wait to see her in America being what I think of as a 'normal' teenager.

WO goes International.

Whilst in Georgia, Aaron and I had the opportunity to take the Azerbaijan National Writing Olympics Winners' essays to the International Judging to go against Armenia, Georgia and Moldova in a fight to the death... with words, ideas, and pens as swords. We are Peace Corps, afterall.

We rolled into Peace Corps Georgia's office* and met with the WO staff of Georgia and Armenia while keeping in touch via gchat with Moldova for the judging. Our late morning/early afternoon was filled with us reading the best of the best. And, I'm happy to report that Azerbaijan kind of beasted the competition. Out of 11 titles, Azerbaijan took 5! Though, one of those 11 is a bit sketch as only Moldova has a 12th form... whatevs. 2 of those 5 Azeri winners were Mingechevir to boot! All in all, it was a successful day. Congratulations to all the winners, Azerbaijan and elsewhere. Armenia, Georgia and Moldova made for great competition and I'm sad I won't be able to witness this fabulous project expand in the future.

As mentioned in an earlier blog about WO, it truly was wild to experience this project on a whole other level. This was my last WO and I think it's safe to say it's been my favorite. It might even chalk up to being my favorite project I've worked with in country. We'll see. I do try to do a lot of cool things...

*the above picture is not of PC Georgia's office. Just a place in Baku that makes me laugh every time.

Whoa Whoa... WO?

To keep you visually stimulated, here's a picture Evan took while he visited over Novruz.

Don't be too deceived; I know it's pretty, but you can't see all the trash littered throughout.

Donate here to help with the Environment issues here.

There's this project I've been a part of since I became a volunteer in this lovely country. It's called the Writing Olympics, or WO for short (because we in PC like acronyms).

Essentially, at the very root of the project, it's a writing competition for school and university kids all around the country. Now, as this has been something I've worked more in depth with, I've found that it's a lot more than that. It's planning Creative Writing lessons, organizing Volunteers throughout the country and encouraging participation with them and their students, more emails, planning, and budget concerns than I could've imagined. But, seriously, it's not that bad, though it is pretty capable of causing some frustration and headaches.

Last year when I joined up, I was a Point Person for the volunteer group previous to the new ones coming in. Unfortunately before I came in to Peace Corps, Russia invaded Georgia and those volunteers were forced to leave because of the threat of it all. Azerbaijan and Armenia can't hold a competition together because of, well, let's put it mildly and say 'issues'. So, last year's competition was a National one, just within Azerbaijan. And Armenia, too, held their own National event.

This year, that's no longer the case. With fresh faces involved and Aaron taking over the Point Person/Event position, I've been able to label myself with the role of 'mentor,' though this is a whole new experience for me as well. The Writing Olympics this year is back to International scales. We have Armenia, Georgia, and even Moldova involved. We're growing... and I like it. 2 weeks from now, I'll be in the land of milk and honey that is Georgia to participate in the International Judging with Aaron and some volunteers from Armenia and Georgia that I've been in correspondence with since November.

This 2nd year mentality is no joke. It's incredible being able to see projects I work closely with expand. Most of the time, Peace Corps likes to tell us we'll never know how we effect things, so it's nice to be able to witness.

A 2nd Year Project.

Now that I've been at site for over a year, I'm a bit more respected within the community. Well, at least with the officials (who are the ones that really make or break you big project wise). It has made my 2nd year significantly easier, but also quite a bit busier. When we first become volunteers, I think the majority of us realize our bigger projects are held for the 2nd year because of the trust gained within the 1st year of just being bumbling, looking for volunteer work foreigners.

I've been committing my 2nd year of service to a couple bigger projects and ones that I hold close to my heart. The biggest project currently on my plate is Mingechevir's Environmental one. This idea has been months in the making. In November, Sitemate Andrea and I sat down with the idea of an Art Contest (which is currently being held citywide) promoting the environment and youth's role in it. This idea seemed like it could fit in beautifully with a mural project I'd been toying with since I arrived in this country (the winner of the Art Contest will be the basis for the city's mural). From there it grew a little bit more to include an Environmental Club (which me and Sitemate Sean will be teaching), utilization of the local newspaper to feature youth, and perhaps a couple little gardens. While we're upping the antes this year around, we're not forgetting the yearly Clean Up that past Ming volunteers began and continued.

Here's where we need you guys' help. The costs of this project is around $550. This will include all the supplies we need, majority being for the mural. We've actually gotten quite a bit of support from the community in kind wise including rooms for the club, some free labor, a wall for the mural, newspaper space, and some other things. I have tried my best to not ask for donations in the past, but if you can give a little, it will be thoroughly appreciated. And! Your donation is tax deductible... right on time, yeah?

If you'd like to donate, click here.

Ah, To be an American High School Student...

I work with some really great youth.  Of the special few, 2 of the girls I've made really great relationships with the past year, with tons of practice and work, have made it to the 3rd round of FLEX.

FLEX?  What's that you ask?  FLEX stands for Future Leaders Exchange and it's a US sponsored program that sends youth from post-Soviet states to America to be a high school student for a year.  Through American Councils, youth all over these countries take tests to qualify for the opportunity.  The 1st round weeds out the ones who shouldn't even be in the room for lack of English knowledge.  The 2nd round is a quite a bit more difficult and only 15% of the original pool make it to the 3rd round to write more essays and interview.  From the 3rd round, only about 50 people from the batch will be invited to study in America and usually only half of that number are from the regions of the country.  Given my calculations, that would average 4-6 from each region testing site (where usually over 800 take the 1st rounds' test).

I've worked with my girls pretty intensely the past few months, beginning in July.  It began as a film and writing club, but has since moved to watching Gilmore Girls (and movies, still), listening to podcasts, and reading books in English.  They've wrote essays and/or short stories for every movie we've watched, we've discussed issues, reviewed grammar and have built vocabulary (I'm pretty confident that my girls are the only ones to correctly use extraordinarily in their essays - I'm leaving my mark).  We've posed question after question, situation after situation, for anything I thought could pop up on the tests.  I wanted my girls to be able to show everyone how great I know they are.  They wrote their essays Monday (one of which was one I posed to them as a timed assignment the day before) and one had her interviews today.  My other girl is interviewing tomorrow.

I'm so proud and lucky to be working with these girls.  And, what's really amazing about this program is if they make it through, I might be able to see them in my environment!  It's been such an incredible experience being there to support them throughout these testing sessions.  Not only has it been great seeing them come out of testings confident and smiling, but I've also been able to see other kids, too, with all of their hopes and dreams unfolding slowly in front of them.  I've been able to see supportive parents who want their kid to have an opportunity they've never imagined would be available.  I've made sure to tell my girls' parents how incredible it is for the girls to get this far and I think they know how big of a feat it is, at least I hope so.  This has been such a motivating experience.

We don't find out until Aprilish if they've been invited to go, but, no matter what, these girls have learned and experienced so much this past year.  And, if they don't make it, they'll definitely rock it out next year.  One of my strongest girls was a smidge too young to take the test this year, so they would be in good company...  

Softballin': Fall Fun.

I love softball.  

We play softball in Mingechevir and it is awesome.  This season was something a bit different... it was all AZ6.  The experience was tumultuous but, in the end, it proved successful.  Not only was it AZ6 running it in the country - in Mingechevir, it was only girls.  I know that doesn't sound like a big deal for all you people back home who're able to mingle with the opposite sex and enjoy the company of anyone you choose but, here, it's a big deal.  The season started off slow with bad weather and very low attendance, but the past 2 weeks were pretty incredible and we were able to gain some very valuable players.  We even named one of our favorite guys, Mensur, Captain!  

Today was the one and only Fall Tournament for this year.  Only 2 teams participated, but it was fun nonetheless.  Tim, Lucy, and Danielle traveled in (though Danielle had to take an emergency trip home) and brought much team spirit and support.  Rolling into town this morning was Gence bringing Mathias, Chris, Katie, Elmer and a really great team.  With my Cubs gear on and a strong team led by a new Captain, we played.

The first game was a close one and Mingechevir squeezed out a 16-15 win with only minutes left on the clock.  Mensur did fabulously guiding our team, creating a line up and manning the field.  We even had a new All-Star player, Allahverdi, shine through the sweetest slide into second I've ever witnessed!  My girls (Sabina and Sama) even came out and played quite wonderfully.  It was a tight game and Gence definitely gave us a run for our money!

The second game was very low in points for the first few innings and Mingechevir's defense was phenomenal - I am so proud!  We were leading that game 8-5 (I think) with only 15 minutes left when the whole game took a huge turn for the worse...  In true stereotypical Azeri male fashion, a group of guys show up and try to force us off the field even though there was another free field right across the way.  Things escalated very quickly and reached a very frustrating peak which included a bit of physical contact from the Azeri guys toward one of our Volunteers.  We were seriously being attacked... over a field.  Since it was near the end of the game, we decided to be the bigger people and leave, letting them treat the guests of their country so badly.  What gets my goat is that they pushed out the kids!  The kids!  Thanks guys for being so selfish.

We pushed aside our frustrations, bonded over the absurdity, and took our lovely group photos.  As angry as the last part of the day made me, I can't forget how incredible of a season it's been (even with the slow start).  I got to continue working and deepen relationships I made last season as well as create new ones.  These kids we worked with are truly the special ones, in my opinion.  They're the ones that make me want to be here and the ones I enjoy spending time with.  These are the kids I'll look back on with fond memories and wonder how they turned out while secretly hoping they're still the special ones who're polite, respectful, and full of untarnished life.  They are why I'm here and I'm better for knowing them.

A Kick in the Face.

Sometimes, as I'm sure you're all aware, things just don't go right.  Today was one of those days.  The days where everything goes wrong - where one bad something falls right after the previous bad thing.  

I began my day on the hunt for money.  ATMs get really crazy at the end of the month and just causes me migraines that last all day.  I was hoping to beat the crowds and I did!  But!  I also got behind one of those people who have multiple ATM cards.  To make matters worse, the ATM was only giving out 1 manat bills at 20 manat increments.  So, after waiting behind one person for over 20 minutes, I had to leave to go to work.  Fail.

I strolled onward to work unable to pay my phone, water and gas bills because my lack of money as it all remained in my bank account.  Minding my own business and hiding behind my sunglasses, I tried to breathe and let go of the too typical ATM challenge.  Then, out of no where, pops in my old counterpart/director from my first Host Organization.  I had quite a few issues with this guy and I always like to tell myself he doesn't exist outside of those horrible stories I tell of him.  But there he was.  Existing.  And yelling my name.  I shouted out that I was on my way to work and moved on.  Fail.

I arrive at the lyceum and heard 

the loud children upstairs from outside.  'Oh, geez,' I thought.  After my Tuesday experience, I was not excited to step in that room.  I get into a classroom and I try to be happy and positive, I really do.  But the kids! 

They yell and don't listen and I either have to talk over them, yelling to be heard, or just sit there miserable while all of them yell.  Not fun.  The director at that school wants me to tach them English songs, so I went with 'Twinkle, Twinkle' and 'BINGO.'  The problem with this class is that I have no place being in that room.  They speak very little to no English.  Not to sound exclusive, but since I've come to Mingechevir I've worked with Intermediate skills at the lowest.  I'm not trained to be a TEFL and not having an Azeri teacher with me makes for a very rambunctious classroom with more disciplining than teaching.  I end up kicking a couple kids out, not letting really late ones in, semi teaching some songs, and playing a disastrous game of 'Simon Says'.  Fail.

I had a Skype date with a friend, too.  So, I thought, this will make up for my bad day.  I go over to the fancy hotel and wireless doesn't work.  Fail.

So, I walk home breathing in the Fall air, looking around at the plants that still live and the colors of it all.  I glance at the fountains and the sunset trying to fill my mind with positive things and focus on the good as opposed to the full blown migraine and day's frustrations. With some Fall-type tunes in my head, I stopped at a different ATM and successfully got money, stopped by the store with the nice cheese lady and, though they didn't have my chocolate milk (I didn't let it bother me), got some banana juice instead and yogurt.  I finished my walk home to rest a little when I get a call.  I didn't know the number.  I don't usually answer when I don't know the number, but with new trainees in country, I decided to, just in case.  And, I'm glad I did.  It was Nazim!  He is one of my best students and only real male Azerbaijani friend!  He's in the Army right now (as it's mandatory for all males here).  It was nice to chat with him and see how he's faring where he is (a not very safe region).  I immediately updated Lale that I heard from him.  Finally, something good.

Now, something very good is about to happen.  Step Up and brownie night with Sitemates Laura and Alexis.  It might sound a little lame watching Step Up again this month (once in my film club), but nothing's wrong with dance parties, cute guys, and a bit of chocolate overload.  My migraine is already subsiding...

Thank goodness for the simple things.  

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.

A New Season, A Year Down.

My favorite time of year begins today... Fall.  It's extra special this year, too, because not only is it my mom's birthday (Happy Birthday, mom!), it's my one year mark of being in Azerbaijan!  It's kind of a milestone for me marking my first year completed and knowing that there's only a bit over a year left.  Not at my half way mark yet, but it's coming...

All of this is making me think that I really need to get motivated and start up all the activities I want to do over these next 15 months.  It's about time I start to focus on a bigger project, write some grants, and come up with some fresh ideas work wise.  I'm starting to do all this by revamping what it is I do.  I'm less focused on Conversation Clubs and general activities and am approaching this year with a  mentor type of attitude.  With Lale, my go-to girl, working in Baku until December, I needed to rethink what it was I wanted to do.  So, at the moment, I'm working with younger girls with their English and Critical Thinking skills through film, essay writing, podcast listening, and more photo clubs.  I'm also toying with some other ideas, but I need to flesh them out a bit more.  I'm also actively opening my house to these girls and other older youth to come over, hang out, and have some one-on-one time to improve skills as well as attempting to provide a safe haven of sorts whenever a growing teenager needs it.  My way of being a PCV is to try to impact the people I feel close to as much as possible.

With Fall coming also brings cooler weather 

foods in season!  Pomegranates have begun popping up in the bazaar and streets, apples fill trunks and cars and are getting to be cheaper, I saw spinach for the first time not too long ago, and soon persimmons and clementines will show up!  

It's getting to be that perfect weather time where wearing long sleeve shirts, sweaters and jeans is comfortable.  It's almost that time where a steaming hot cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate is refreshing and you can feel it go down your throat and hit your stomach.  Soon it won't be unbearable to cook a meal in the kitchen because of the heat and I can snuggle up in a thick blanket without sweating profusely.  

Sadly, I know, the perfect chunk of perfect weather will pass and become freezing quicker than I I had the chance to enjoy it and I'll be wanting it to be hot again, but I'm not going to think about that quite yet.  Today I'm enjoying the mild day with my coffee under a light blanket.  

Happy one year to me and my group and Happy Birthday, mom!

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.