So I know that it’s been at least 2 months since I last posted a blog but a lots been going on and my access to internet took a serious dive as the real winter set in at Kobda.  So let me update you

January was filled with snow and a lot of work.  For most of the early winter we didn’t have any snow, just a lot of cold wind and ice.  But all of that changed in January when we started having blizzards that would leave hidden snow valleys.  The ground would look flat and pristine but when you began walking you would suddenly flounder because you stepped in what normally would be a hole but is now a snow trap.  That’s really the best way I can describe it. 

February was a little more exciting and way more busy.  I finally started an English club and threw a Valentine’s party for my upper classmen.  I also went to the city a few times for internet (kinda) and for my friend Alex’s birthday.  February, even though it’s the shortest month seemed to drag by and it was really a test for us.  It also celebrated our 6 month anniversary of coming to Kazakhstan!  So February was a really big milestone for all of us.

March has been really good.  With March came the Kazakh holiday of Naurose, which is the traditional Kazakh celebration of New Years and the coming of spring.  A lot of volunteers go to the southern city of Shimkent but Jon and I stayed in our villages and celebrated with our families and schools.  Kobda threw a huge concert and had jurts, swings, singing, dancing, dombra playing, and the traditional meals of Koje and Becbarmeck.  My family threw three days of feast and I got to help prepare some of the food for the feast.  March also contained “Woman’s Day” and my host brothers birthday (both of which fell on March 8th) which meant we had a lot more feasts and parties.  March 14th was Jon’s birthday and me and Alex went to his village to celebrate with him and his school.  Then on the 23rd Jon and I headed to Almaty (where we trained) for a few days of rest and then IST (in service training).  We’ll be heading back at the beginning of April. 

So basically, March has been to crazy to describe. 

I’ve learned a lot over the last month or two, not only about myself and human relationships but about Kazakh culture and language.  I really hit the books this month because I was getting tired of only understanding half of what was said to me.  Also, I can be more of a help to my students if I can speak their language better.  Its made an immediate and vast difference.  Its nice as a volunteer to finally find something that has an immediate positive impact on my life (instead of having to settle for believing I’m only making a long term difference). 

I feel like I should be writing more about things like my students, my home life, Kazakh culture and language but everytime I sit down to write about those things…the words just never seem to come.  Even now, writing this, I’m having difficulties.  See, this is now just my life.  Its fun and interesting and really different from the states but I’ve been here long enough that the crazy bits are normal.  I mean, for example, I recently got roped into going to a singles Naurose party with my school and had to sing and dance for like three schools worth of young teachers.  Then I got chosen for this matchmaking game and now I have to avoid the Russian school for a while (because one of their teachers…I think…wants to marry me.  whoops).  It’s crazy, it was crazy at the time, but when I sit down to write about it I’m like “Humm, well, this is Kazakhstan”. 

I think I’m saying all of this to apologize for the lack of posts on my blog bot in the past and for this summer.  I’m going to be busy this summer and probably won’t have internet (because I doubt the school will pay the bill for the summer) and honestly:  I’m loving not having the pressure of the internet.  I am getting WAY more done without it beinging a constant distraction.  I mean, yes, I would love to have it a little bit more then I do–to check emails and things.  But I’m finding I only get like one or two good emails a week anyways, so why be online all. the. time.

Anyways, so that’s just a quick update on my life and a quick warning if I suddenly go silent for a few months.  I love you all and keep emailing me!  I don’t care if all you tell me is about doing yardwork…I love hearing from people.  And usually, if you email me you’ll get a more in depth response about the culture and things.  Love you all!