We Made It!

Yes, this time I mean Kazakhstan. We’re here. After a dreadful but uneventful 19 hours from D.C. takeoff to KZ landing, we’re here. But obviously “America” beat us. English on t-shirts (ie: “My boyfriend appreciates me”). A duplicate of my Venus razor on a bathroom shelf. Cold Coca-Cola at every store. A Colgate commercial on TV. Brittany Spears on the radio. Of course, something tells me this isn’t quite like home.

In a nutshell, my (luxurious) Kazakh situation: a small apartment, living with a young Russian couple (she’s 19; he’s 25). Three rooms: kitchen, 2 bedrooms. And… drum roll please… a toilet and a tub!! Yep, unlike other trainees in this village, I’ve got both. (I wasn’t kidding about the luxurious bit. However, if you offered me a washing machine in exchange for my indoor toilet, I’d be happy to squat.) The food is tasty – hopefully I can maintain that opinion down the road. Lucky for me, I enjoy tea. I probably drink five cups every day. And the locals love bread. No meal is complete without it. My host sister (it’s hard to call her a mother when she’s years younger than me) often teams up with her mother, who lives in the neighboring building. They’re great cooks.

Six days a week, I walk about ten minutes to school. There, I face language lessons, cross-cultural lectures, technical training, and what seems to be a never-ending supply of immunizations. I’m getting used to the shots much more quickly than the language. As for how my Russian is coming along, I could tell you best in person with a deep “ugh” sigh. Some days are rough. My host family has taken me some sweet places, but they aren’t nearly as enjoyable when you have no clue what’s going on. Oh, how I hope I’ll catch on quickly. Still, going to the circus in Almaty was fantastic. I’ve also gone to Kok Tobe – Kazakh for Green Small Mountain (I think). Essentially, it’s a touristy place that reminded me of the midway at a county fair without the rides.

I’m pretty fascinated by what’s going on all around me, and after only a week in the country, I’ve already got a few stories to tell. But, without regular Internet access, relaying stories on any regular basis isn’t likely. I’ll see if I can get my hands on some envelopes – or postcards – and give snail mail a try. And, I’ll put a plug in for you sending mail! I would LOVE to hear from you, so hopefully you haven’t yet forgotten me! I’d love to hear how you’re doing and read any random U.S. headlines you think us Peace Corps trainees should know. : ) Also, I can receive calls and texts for free! On my end, sending texts is cheap; making calls is not. Paying $1 per minute on a PC trainee salary just can’t happen. If you like, call or send a text my way. (+7(777)846-3084) If I have any significant time on the Internet, I’ll see if I can figure out an application so you can send me texts from my blog… I know it can be done, if I can muster enough IT savvy. Anyway, I hope all is well, and I look forward to hearing from you!

Fine. I'll think about it. And cry.

So, I'm going to Kazakhstan. Now that I'm in Washington, D.C., that reality is much more in-my-face. It's been quite the day. I got in one more (much shorter) run with my dad before my parents and I drove to Denver. During lunch there, I managed to dump bbq beef brisket on my shirt and pants - perfect timing, since there's a chance I won't see a washing machine for years. No better time than the present to perfect the art of hand washing clothes, right? And I got in a bit of practice closing the flood gates of tears. Unfortunately, I can't say this is a skill I always possess. Say one word to me, and I could burst out in tears. I figure, I'm leaving people I love, places I know, and surroundings I (normally) understand. Bawling is ok. Thankfully, initial goodbyes seem to be the toughest. So for now, no Kleenexes are necessary. I'll let you know if that holds true over the next few weeks.

We Made It!

No, not to Kazakhstan. Not yet. (I’m still ignoring that looming reality.) This morning at 6:30, my dad and I walked in the driveway, with a 9-mile jog under our belts. That’s an hour earlier than I would have woken up on a typical day. My body would have much preferred the sleep to a grueling workout. It keeps reminding me of that each time I move, as I hobble around looking centuries older. Maybe there’s wisdom in a gradual mileage increase? Hey – at least I got to see a falling star and a sunrise, in addition to hearing an antelope. Ah – and how could I forget the friendly neighbors who restrain their barking dog, greet us, and ask how many miles we’re running? The wonders of rural Western Nebraska.

2,200 Miles of Goodbyes

Yep, I took a crazy trip. Here it is in a nutshell.
August 3: Columbus, NE and Orange City, IA
August 4: Orange City, IA and Sioux Falls, SD
August 5: Sioux Falls, SD
August 6: Sioux Falls, SD; Westbrook, MN; New Hope, MN
August 7: New Hope, MN
August 8: New Hope, MN and Seymour, WI
August 9: Appleton, WI
August 10: New London, WI and Chicago, IL
August 11: Chicago, IL and Des Moines, IA
August 12: Des Moines, IA; Omaha, NE; and back HOME!!



What a whirlwind trip! So many people to see – so little time. Seeing familiar faces was wonderful. Saying goodbye – not so wonderful. Many have assured me the time away will go quickly. And while I bet it will, I also know I’ll want it to slow down after adjusting to life in KZ. Regardless, in my last days stateside, I’m taking Micah’s advice and living in denial. I must say, stress dissipates when you refuse to acknowledge the fact that your life is about to drastically change. So, instead of writing about my packing struggles or my (lack of) Russian studies or other ways I feel completely unprepared, I’ll list snip-its of road trip highlights.

Seeing bits of my late grandma while visiting with her brother. Hearing my grandpa’s stories of hosting the National Corn Picking Contest. Seeing hundreds of lightening bugs as I drove by corn fields. Gaining a better picture of Jessica’s work. Seeing Erin days before she enters motherhood. Scheming with Caleb and then successfully drenching Jon in a water fight. Catching lightening bugs. Rollerblading without taking a fantastic spill. Hearing about Emily's crazy summer - and wedding plans(!). Delivering a wedding present… 9 months late. Eating a delicious breakfast with Mark at Fat Nat’s Eggs – and having our waitress repeatedly ask how we liked the “romantic section”. (Because obviously any guy and girl eating breakfast together are dating? Yet again, I'm informed by others who I'm dating. Drats.) Buying super-cheap socks at Macy’s. Time talking with Dustin and Kristen. Being back with friends in Wisconsin. Joining people for a corn roast. Going to church at Christ the Rock and seeing guys I worked with at Rawhide. Watching Julie & Julia in the theater. Making myself at home with Wes and April while he pushed the wrong button on my computer. (Side note: Wes – thanks for giving me practice removing malicious computer-eating files before my netbook burst into flames. It’s all good.) Paying no mind to the time and talking with April for hours. Surprising people at Rawhide by showing up there. (I just can’t get enough of the place.) Doing a great job of parallel parking on a busy Chicago street. Ordering my first meal of sushi – and loving it. Seeing familiar Heartland faces. Thoughtful conversations with Kara. Successfully navigating Chicago streets on my way to Des Moines. Catching up with Ang and Holly. Going to a Cubs baseball game. (Hey Cubs fans – they won! …Dare I specify Iowa Cubs?) Half price appetizers at Roja, where Tracy and I met up. Delivering a wedding present… a month early. Getting to Starbucks seconds before they locked their doors. Safely arriving back at home, at 2:30am.

Since returning home, the fun hasn’t stopped. I’ve watched my mom send my kite swirling in the Nebraska wind (and dive-bombing into a stubble field). I’ve gotten to drive my beloved Dodge Ram. Driving a manual is like riding a bike – it’s like I’ve been driving it all along. I got to see a storm so typical to Nebraska. One minute I wondered if the windows would shatter, and the next the storm had passed. And tomorrow I hope to jog 9 miles with my dad. Going weeks without running, then attempting 9. Hmm…

Here are some pictures of my time gallivanting around the Midwest. I will miss you, my dear friends. P.S. For under $1, you can (and should! :) send a letter to Kazakhstan. Someone told me I’d be going there soon.