Happy New Years!!!

HAPPY NEW YEARS FROM KG!!!!

Winter days in Karakol, KG.... are so cold. I've slept in places where there were heating.. but not warm enough. I've also slept in places without heating... I don't think I slept at all that night. I was spending my night shivering in order to keep myself warm. Volunteers that have previously lived through a winter said that, "winter days are short but they are hard to get by. You will notice that you are cold all the time. You will crave for comfort food. You will miss your family and friends from home". A part of me is experiencing that. However, I embrace that because I know that it is part of the journey and adventure of working in another country.

Christmas was around the corner. Has everyone got to their Christmas shopping, somewhat perhaps? Even though Christmas shopping was stressful at times, I, nonetheless miss those times. I miss listening to the jolly Christmas songs as we browse from store to store to search for the perfect gift. I enjoy the atmosphere of having the crowd, and sometimes even the long line to checkout. Christmas is my favorite holiday. Sadly, we don't celebrate that here in KG. We do celebrate New Years and it will be the equivalent of Christmas...in terms of giving and receiving presents from each other.

Before I know it, another month has past. I go through the amount of personal possessions that I have in the country and realize that they have grown exponentially. Asides from the clothing  & bare essentials that I bought with me on the plane... that are other things that I have accumulated. For example, books/training material, water filter and space heater. All from Peace Corps. In country, I have made a few long term investment as well. Say for instance, purchasing a rice cooker because if you know me well enough... I don't really know how to cook. It would be safe to have that around and to try to experience a few dishes. I bought a small bag 2 months ago that I bring to work along with all my work related material. Cheap quality and it has already teared a bit. But that's ok as long as would last me for more than a year??? (Having doubts about the fact that it would last a year). And a huge thank you to those that sent me care packages. There are days when I am day and unhappy, but the items in the packages Cheers me on.

Oh, so the reason I bought that up (luggage and everything) is because I have officially move out of my host family and currently live alone in KG. Living with a host family was definitely a wonderful experience. I got to practice my Russian language, I got to taste traditional dishes and most importantly, we have numerous amount of stories to tell each other. However due to unforeseen circumstances, I had to move out. I will try to go visit. Two different host families and two completely different experiences. It bought me closer to understanding how the culture was and will therefore help me with my work. It also bought a lot of new faces and relationships into my life. To this day, I have many host dad & mom (that I think I will call host uncles & aunts), and host brothers and sisters that I intend to have for my rest of my life. : )

I know that I mentioned previously on how KG is surrounded by 90% mountains. It is absolutely breathtaking everyday to be able to see snowcap mountains around me. They are within a very close distance and are crisp and clear during the day time. Perhaps this has to do with the fact growing up in a big city. I rarely had the oppportunity to be closer to mother nature (moutains, ocean, stars, trees). Looking at them makes my day better when I am in a bad moon.

I recently spent New Years with my training host family and they had a very special tradition. The action and party does not start till late night. During New Years eve, the families would take their time to clean their home, prepare the food, and (still having to tend the livestocks). After all is prepared, we would first enjoy dinner with the family and then head out for guesting. It was an all night long event lasting from 6pm to 6am the next day. Very interesting... and exhausting I shall say.

Sorry.. no pictures yet but I wanted to post this blog up a I know that this is already late. I'll make it up in my next blog.