3:30 AM whilst camping near the Irytish. With a renewed vigor for purpose, friendship, peace and love, a blog post is gurgled onto the inter-web once more from this glorious nation…
To recap the happenings:
From May 16th-June 12th, I enjoyed the most splendid of vacations in the United States of America. “But Andrew”, you kindly inquire, “how can one have such a wonderful time away from their work when all they really did was go to their home?” Great question, inter-web browser. It was so marvelous when consideration is given to the enormity and grandeur of my friends, family and most beloved one. The three-week vacation was an amalgamation of seeing old friends and learning about their new jobs or lack thereof, an ignorance of technological advances (I-Phone? Headache. Nintendo Wii? Ruptured spleen.), family visits around the eastern seaboard, lifestyle changes, beer and one hell of a girlfriend. Recipe for perfection. Try it for yourself one day if you can— you’ll see its rewarding and impossible to complete—to at least force yourself to fit in as many people that are important in your life within a small time period to catch up and say, “hey, we’re friends and that’s all right.”
So America was cool.
Additionally, it’s really fat. Pennsylvania should have cellulosed with cottage cheese ripples by now.
I YAmerica!
To recap the happenings:
From May 16th-June 12th, I enjoyed the most splendid of vacations in the United States of America. “But Andrew”, you kindly inquire, “how can one have such a wonderful time away from their work when all they really did was go to their home?” Great question, inter-web browser. It was so marvelous when consideration is given to the enormity and grandeur of my friends, family and most beloved one. The three-week vacation was an amalgamation of seeing old friends and learning about their new jobs or lack thereof, an ignorance of technological advances (I-Phone? Headache. Nintendo Wii? Ruptured spleen.), family visits around the eastern seaboard, lifestyle changes, beer and one hell of a girlfriend. Recipe for perfection. Try it for yourself one day if you can— you’ll see its rewarding and impossible to complete—to at least force yourself to fit in as many people that are important in your life within a small time period to catch up and say, “hey, we’re friends and that’s all right.”
So America was cool.
Additionally, it’s really fat. Pennsylvania should have cellulosed with cottage cheese ripples by now.
I YAmerica!
N your calorie intake, America.
A return to Kazakhstan:
One of my fellow volunteers and good friends has moved into my city of Pavlodar to act as a teacher of the English language at a local university. This increases Pavlodar’s coolness level by 50 percent.
A change of scenery was needed, though not due to roommate problems whatsoever, and a new apartment has been procured. The aforementioned roommate, the awesome Baurzahn Ablyavich is still in the top five coolest people in the world’s history. The bird needs to fly from the nest sometimes, even if it is one consistently filled with deliciously prepared egg and cabbage breakfasts.
Additionally, my first SPA (Small Project Assistance) grant was approved recently. The funds will be used to purchase technological equipment for computer skills training sessions and for a HIV/AIDS support hotline. Hooray for community development.
And so we start a new segment for this, promising as best I can, weekly posting: Photo of the Week. The winner this week goes to the empty chili pot of achievement in cultural exchange. Yes, when people of various backgrounds get together in a 95° F room and eat spicy chili, you have a recipe for greatness. Throw in a few toasty rips of the ‘little water’ and you really have a good time. And thanks for stopping by, Pavlodar.
A return to Kazakhstan:
One of my fellow volunteers and good friends has moved into my city of Pavlodar to act as a teacher of the English language at a local university. This increases Pavlodar’s coolness level by 50 percent.
A change of scenery was needed, though not due to roommate problems whatsoever, and a new apartment has been procured. The aforementioned roommate, the awesome Baurzahn Ablyavich is still in the top five coolest people in the world’s history. The bird needs to fly from the nest sometimes, even if it is one consistently filled with deliciously prepared egg and cabbage breakfasts.
Additionally, my first SPA (Small Project Assistance) grant was approved recently. The funds will be used to purchase technological equipment for computer skills training sessions and for a HIV/AIDS support hotline. Hooray for community development.
And so we start a new segment for this, promising as best I can, weekly posting: Photo of the Week. The winner this week goes to the empty chili pot of achievement in cultural exchange. Yes, when people of various backgrounds get together in a 95° F room and eat spicy chili, you have a recipe for greatness. Throw in a few toasty rips of the ‘little water’ and you really have a good time. And thanks for stopping by, Pavlodar.
This week's winner: An empty chili pot, housed.
