You Never Know

"Don't lose the dreams inside your head
They'll only be there til you're dead
Dream
...
Everyday should be a good day to die"

Today was day one of the counterpart conference and again I'm reminded about how lucky I am to be here and work with such excellent people.  So I figured I'd type up some random words to amuse those that seem to enjoy my strange life.  I opened up my bank account for the grant the other day.. Oh nothing here is ever boring..believe me.  The bank employees (and some customers) had a large debate if the money I was going to receive would be taxable and it took about 6 of them to talk to me and then call my friend to have him translate for me.  It. was. HILARIOUS!  I had a fellow volunteer with me and it took everything in me not to bust out laughing.  I really need to improve my Azeri and possibly avoid such situations.  Or maybe I like the chaos, who knows.. I will now have 3-4 weeks until I officially start my project.  I'm BEYOND excited!  So much of my life feels like a fairy tale.  I'm working on a great project, I work with a great organization, I have a great family, and great friends all around.  :)  There are always issues and drama a plenty but with such wonders in my life, there is no need to mope around!

Oh I highly recommend the BeachBody Insanity videos, they feel great.  I only say this now because I'm not in the middle of a work out.  I may not say the nicest things to Mr. Shaun-T during the training but when we are apart I long for his insane behavior and all of his six-pack glory.  HAHA!

Life is simple and oh so beautiful. I don't ask for much, just love and dry shoes.

Oh and laughter..

Sleepyhead

"And you said, it was fire around the brim
Burning solid, burning thin the burning rim
Like stars burning holes right through the dark
Flicking fire like saltwater into my eyes
You were one inch from the edge of this bed
I dragged you back a sleepyhead, sleepyhead"

Let's see what have I been up to lately...

I know this is really late but here is some of what I did during the month of March.  Novruz is the Spring holiday during March. You can find more information here or here.

FUNNY STORY ALERT!  You guys should all be aware by now that I love to try everything once.  Well during this holiday you jump over a fire 3 times and you make wishes during this process.  My host family found it funny for me to say the one about wanting to get married this year.  So yeah, I'm game, why not?  We did the fire jumping and then went inside to enjoy some delicious food.  While we were hanging out and chattin' it up a hat was thrown into the house!  I nearly died!  This is also a tradition during this time, children knock on the doors, throw the hat, and then run.  Well my host nana filled the hats and talked to the parents of the kids.  She told the woman what I had said during the fire jumping, which just made me laugh...at that moment...  Well my host family knows my child-like spirit so they took me to toss my own hat. The woman that we tossed our hats to was the same woman at the house and she had something to tell me and it went a little something like this.. (the words are still blurry but the plot is there).

Woman: Do you really want to get married?
Me: Yeah!
Woman: I found a boy.
Me: Cool!
Woman: Do you want to meet him?
Me: Oh... ha ha.. No...

I probably shouldn't play around with these women... BUT does that stop me? NEVER!! Skip 2 months later.

Woman: How are you?
Me: I'm great!
(small chit-chat)
Woman: Do you like Azerbaijan?
Me: YES! I LOVE IT!
Woman: Are you single?
Me: Yes.
Woman: You should marry an Azeri man and live in Azerbaijan forever.
Me: InshALLAH! (God Willing!)
Woman: Really?!
Me: Oh..no.. ha ha ha..

Yeah.. I don't learn.  I probably have this conversation about 50% of the time when I meet a new woman on the street.  I kid you not.  I've been told there are sons and nephews available.


BACK to the Novruz goodies.. Here is an excerpt from one of my attempts to type up my happenings during March.. Nush olsun.

"Friday night, the Barda crew and a couple other PCV’s got together for Megan’s birthday and had some fun.  Afterwards, I took my FIRST night train into Baku! It was an experience.  I can’t take all the credit for my successful trip because I got help from my friend, Elvin.  He’s been such a great help to me and other volunteers in Barda.  I call him my Azeri Brother and I don’t know what’s going to happen once he permanently relocates to Baku, BUT I’m excited about his wedding!  It’s going to be exciting!  My other friend picked me up from the train station, which arrived an hour and a half later, ummm ooops. Sorry. HAHA! Then I was lucky enough to attend an event where the new US Ambassador, Matthew Bryza, for Azerbaijan was present and talking to the young minds of Azerbaijan.  The topic was interesting and it was fascinating to see the debate held between the group and Bryza. To watch the whole video click here.

After the event, I met up with my gal Jodi and had some delicious food and some good times with good friends.  The next day we all got together for some Sunday Brunch and I headed to Sumgayit with Jon (who was also visiting his Sumgayit Host Family).  It was amazing to see to my old host family.  I missed them dearly.  It showed me how far I have come with my language training even though my speaking isn’t at the same level as my listening skills.  News about my Sumgayit host family: my host sister got engaged, they miss me too, and we made a big bonfire for Novruz.

Now the days following (Wed-Sun) I was lucky enough to stay with one of my friends and his wonderful family that let me crash at their place, eat their food, and use their shower.  Yup those are important qualities to me and it made my time there quite amazing.  I was impressed with their friendliness, intelligence, and generosity.  During those days I visited with other PCV’s that came through Baku, worked on different projects over the internet, talked to my family, and explored Baku.  I walked all over that city and spent some time next to the sea just letting my mind go.  It was a relaxing time and I had a blast!"

I will post more stories...later (InsAllah!)

The Lucky One

"You’re the lucky one so I’ve been told
Free as the wind blowin down the road
Loved by many, hated by none
I’d say you were lucky cause I know what you’ve done
Not a care in the world not a worry in sight
Everything’s going to be all right
Cause you’re the lucky one"

In April, I applied for a Small Project Assistance (SPA) grant and on Monday I found out that it was accepted!  Hopefully, we will start construction on the greenhouse and worm house at the end of June.  This is great news and I've been scrambling to gather more information about organic gardening and worm composting before we start the trainings of farmers.  I want there to be an abundance of information.  My other idea is that if this project is a success to implement it in other villages or even other regions.  There is an organization that may find some interest in this project and want to start similar programs elsewhere.

My life has been going a million miles a minute and it's been difficult to find time to just relax.  Everyday I wonder how I became so lucky.

On the personal side, I've started the BeachBody Insanity program and I have to say it is appropriately named.  Next month, I will add in morning runs to help prepare for the 15km in October.  My goal is to drop some weight and increase my stamina.

Here are some of the better pictures I've taken over the last month.  Oh it's been such a joy and challenge..

 A must see.. Statue of Lenin in Yevlakh

 Some very furry camels hangin out outside of Mingechiver.

 Yeah.. I'm out of practice.  Some PCV's met up in the village of Danachi to play softball with Jane's kids.

 Gakh pilgrimage.

 Ah.. the Peace Corps life..

 On the mountain side in Gakh.  It was a beautiful day!

 Inside the old church.

 Everything about this day was beautiful.

 Jumping in a field of poppies

 The winding road.

 An old church in Qakh city.

 Yeah, that's a restroom, but isn't it cool?

 About 7' deep, I assume it's for composting..

 She had an amazing farm.

 Village visits always bring about the best photo opportunities.

 She was worried that my family didn't like me being so far from home.

 Farmer and a trainer discussing the latest crop.

 My favorite type of fences.

 These type of poles are everywhere.

 Out in the field.

 Inside one of the village greenhouses.

 Team Spirit! Go USA!

LOVE IT! :P 

 Mingechiver.

 I fell in love with this fountain.

Roses are in bloom, EVERYWHERE! It's jaw-dropping.