These past two weeks all of us Trainees had our Teaching Practicums, which means teaching English 3 hours a week in a local village school. Unfortunately, our local village school doesn’t actually have English classes (students learn German), so our poor students had to come after school for extra classes! But most of them seemed to have good attitudes and were eager to learn.
I taught a small class of ninth graders, and averaged about 4 students at each of my lessons (my largest class had 8 students and my smallest had 2!). But I enjoyed the small size, and got along great with the few students I had. During the first class I taught, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed myself! I didn’t necessarily expect to have such a great time, but I found I really liked teaching! So it was an encouraging start, considering that’s what I’m going to be doing for the next 2 years J.
I also found that, even though I’d never before taught in a classroom, my experience with Campus Life and even preparing intercession times in Norway helped me immensely with teaching. In some ways, teaching is really different, but the same basic skills of leadership, the ability to prepare and plan a meeting/lesson, flexibility, and speaking in front of a group are required. So I felt much more comfortable up in front of the class than I anticipated. And I think my comfort level—which also enables me to be more enthusiastic and have more fun—has a huge impact on the students and their response to me. So yay for God preparing me in unconventional ways! J
Some of you may be wondering how it’s possible to teach English when I don’t speak Kyrgyz (well). Good question! It was certainly a bit of an adventure. Even though I enjoyed the overall experience, I found not being able to explain things in Kyrgyz to be the most difficult and frustrating part. But generally, since the students didn’t know much English, I was able to teach things that I know in Kyrgyz. Lessons included greetings, personal information Q&A (How old are you? I am 25 years old…), numbers, and basic objects (What is this? This is a book.). At the end, I decided to try my hand at teaching some simple grammar, and threw in a lesson on personal and possessive pronouns. Overall, it went well, and when all else fails, charades is very helpful (no one is going to want to go against me in a charades match when I get home—Peace Corps Volunteers are champions at charades). I think teaching a language is fun (however difficult) because you can use a lot of games and other fun activities that might not be possible in, say, a biology class. And after 7 years of Campus Life, you know I’m a pro at games!
So there’s the Practicum experience in a nutshell. Sorry again for the lack of pictures... for some reason, this computer won't allow me to post any. It's all part of the Adventures in Kyrgyzstan! Next week: permanent site placement announcements!
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Saturday, October 15, 2005
"Chai each! Tamak jay!"--Kyrgyz Culture & The Abundance of God
“He has brought me into his banquet hall…” (Song of Solomon 2:4).
“…Open your mouth wide and I will fill it” (Psalm 81:10).
“…I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
“Chai each! Tamak jay!” (Drink tea! Eat food!)—it’s one of the first things we learned in our language classes, and the most commonly spoken phrase of any good Kyrgyz apa (mother). Coming from the Freeman family, one would think I’d be accustomed to this incessant insistence upon eating and drinking more, yet the Kyrgyz have still blown me away with the abundance of food they offer. Have you ever been to a party with 20 other people, eaten until you were so stuffed you thought you would be sick (or in my case, actually were sick), everyone around you having eaten until they were filled to the brim, and you looked at the food on the table before you and it appeared no one had eaten at all? I think that must be the goal of every Kyrgyz host; if it looks like there was a dent in the food, they must not have made enough!
Sometimes this is certainly overwhelming as a guest who wants to please the host by eating a sufficient amount, but it has also caused me to reflect on the character of God. One of my favorite Bible verses is 2 Corinthians 9:8: “And God is able to make ALL grace ABOUND to you, so that ALWAYS having ALL sufficiency in EVERYTHING, you may have an ABUNDANCE for EVERY good deed.” Living life with God—eating at His banquet table—is like going guesting in Kyrgyzstan! No matter how much I feed myself on His goodness and His riches, I can look at all God has to offer me and see that it’s like I’ve tasted nothing at all. I’ve only scratched the surface; I’ve only just tasted. I never come to the end of what God has to offer. When I feel I’ve come to the end of myself, I take joy in remembering I serve this God of abundance!
“…Open your mouth wide and I will fill it” (Psalm 81:10).
“…I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
“Chai each! Tamak jay!” (Drink tea! Eat food!)—it’s one of the first things we learned in our language classes, and the most commonly spoken phrase of any good Kyrgyz apa (mother). Coming from the Freeman family, one would think I’d be accustomed to this incessant insistence upon eating and drinking more, yet the Kyrgyz have still blown me away with the abundance of food they offer. Have you ever been to a party with 20 other people, eaten until you were so stuffed you thought you would be sick (or in my case, actually were sick), everyone around you having eaten until they were filled to the brim, and you looked at the food on the table before you and it appeared no one had eaten at all? I think that must be the goal of every Kyrgyz host; if it looks like there was a dent in the food, they must not have made enough!
Sometimes this is certainly overwhelming as a guest who wants to please the host by eating a sufficient amount, but it has also caused me to reflect on the character of God. One of my favorite Bible verses is 2 Corinthians 9:8: “And God is able to make ALL grace ABOUND to you, so that ALWAYS having ALL sufficiency in EVERYTHING, you may have an ABUNDANCE for EVERY good deed.” Living life with God—eating at His banquet table—is like going guesting in Kyrgyzstan! No matter how much I feed myself on His goodness and His riches, I can look at all God has to offer me and see that it’s like I’ve tasted nothing at all. I’ve only scratched the surface; I’ve only just tasted. I never come to the end of what God has to offer. When I feel I’ve come to the end of myself, I take joy in remembering I serve this God of abundance!
A Post on Packages
Some people have written asking if there is anything I would like that they could send me. And my answer of course is yes!! So I wanted to post a few notes on sending packages, and a list of things you’re welcome to send at anytime :-). My current address is on this page to the right; this will be my address until December 1.
Well, the first thing to remember when sending packages is that theft is very common among post office workers. It’s unfortunate, but many packages are opened and delivered with items missing. I once heard a story of a Volunteer receiving a jar of peanut butter with a finger mark in it! So of course, please don’t send anything of great value, and certainly no money. There are a few things you can do as a precaution against theft. First of all, it’s recommended that you insure everything you send, even if it’s for a very small amount. If they see the “insured” sticker/stamp on the box, they’re less likely to rummage through it. Second, tape the package securely and excessively. Tape the items in the box, tape the inside flaps, the outside flaps, cover the whole box in tape! The more trouble it is for someone to get into it, the less likely they will. And finally, try to be very general in your description of items on the customs declaration. No need to tempt postal workers with a detailed list of all the goodies you’ve included right on the front of the package! Emphasize the boring stuff, deemphasize the good stuff.
The next tip is to not send anything Express Mail, or FedEx, or Overnight, or anything more expensive. It doesn’t matter how you send it, nothing gets here in 7-10 days. For packages, 3-4 weeks seems normal. So go ahead and save your money and just send it regular Airmail, or whatever the cheap option is :-).
Okay, this next tip isn’t about packages, but I’ll include it anyway. For those of you who are interested in calling me (Mom & Kristen have the numbers), I’ve heard that http://www.uniontelecard.com/ has super cheap phone cards from the US to Kyrgyzstan. Even as cheap as 3-4 cents a minute; I haven’t personally checked it out, but other Volunteers swear by it.
Alright, now on to the fun list of things I’ll always be happy to receive!:
Books
Sermon CDs
CDs with your voice on them
DVDs
Magazines
Gel Pens
Notecards
Stationery
Stickers
Small Spiral Notebooks (aprrox. 4”x2”)
Uno/Other Small Games
School Supplies: Construction Paper, Index Cards, Sticky Tac, Star Reward Stickers, Sharpies, Classroom-Decorating Materials
Toiletries: Body Wash, Pantene Pro-V 2 in 1 “Smooth & Sleek”, Pantene Pro-V Hydrating Comb-In Treatment “Shining Start”, Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser, Neutrogena Healthy Skin Cream Powder Makeup “Blushing Ivory”, Maybelline Blush “Brick Rose”, Loreal or Ponds Facial Moisturizer, Brown/Black Mascara, Brown Self-Sharpening Eyeliner, Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Wet-Wipes, Body Splash
Food: Tic Tacs, Cheez-Its, Mint Oreos, Pringles, Fruit Leather, Trail Mix, Granola, Dried Cranberries, Fruit Snacks, Handi-Snax, Quaker Oat Breakfast Bars, Nutri-Grain Bars, Nature Valley Granola Bars, Milk Duds, Chocolate-Covered Coffee Beans, Crystal Light Single Packs, Gatorade Powder Mix, Sugar Free Kool-Aid Pouches, Gummy Bears, Dark Chocolate, Bite-Sized Chocolate, Chunky Peanut Butter, Tootsie Rolls, Instant Oatmeal, Hot Cocoa Mix, Apple Cider Mix, Chai Latte Mix, ANYTHING "Just Add Water", Any Other American Snacks!
Well, the first thing to remember when sending packages is that theft is very common among post office workers. It’s unfortunate, but many packages are opened and delivered with items missing. I once heard a story of a Volunteer receiving a jar of peanut butter with a finger mark in it! So of course, please don’t send anything of great value, and certainly no money. There are a few things you can do as a precaution against theft. First of all, it’s recommended that you insure everything you send, even if it’s for a very small amount. If they see the “insured” sticker/stamp on the box, they’re less likely to rummage through it. Second, tape the package securely and excessively. Tape the items in the box, tape the inside flaps, the outside flaps, cover the whole box in tape! The more trouble it is for someone to get into it, the less likely they will. And finally, try to be very general in your description of items on the customs declaration. No need to tempt postal workers with a detailed list of all the goodies you’ve included right on the front of the package! Emphasize the boring stuff, deemphasize the good stuff.
The next tip is to not send anything Express Mail, or FedEx, or Overnight, or anything more expensive. It doesn’t matter how you send it, nothing gets here in 7-10 days. For packages, 3-4 weeks seems normal. So go ahead and save your money and just send it regular Airmail, or whatever the cheap option is :-).
Okay, this next tip isn’t about packages, but I’ll include it anyway. For those of you who are interested in calling me (Mom & Kristen have the numbers), I’ve heard that http://www.uniontelecard.com/ has super cheap phone cards from the US to Kyrgyzstan. Even as cheap as 3-4 cents a minute; I haven’t personally checked it out, but other Volunteers swear by it.
Alright, now on to the fun list of things I’ll always be happy to receive!:
Books
Sermon CDs
CDs with your voice on them
DVDs
Magazines
Gel Pens
Notecards
Stationery
Stickers
Small Spiral Notebooks (aprrox. 4”x2”)
Uno/Other Small Games
School Supplies: Construction Paper, Index Cards, Sticky Tac, Star Reward Stickers, Sharpies, Classroom-Decorating Materials
Toiletries: Body Wash, Pantene Pro-V 2 in 1 “Smooth & Sleek”, Pantene Pro-V Hydrating Comb-In Treatment “Shining Start”, Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser, Neutrogena Healthy Skin Cream Powder Makeup “Blushing Ivory”, Maybelline Blush “Brick Rose”, Loreal or Ponds Facial Moisturizer, Brown/Black Mascara, Brown Self-Sharpening Eyeliner, Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Wet-Wipes, Body Splash
Food: Tic Tacs, Cheez-Its, Mint Oreos, Pringles, Fruit Leather, Trail Mix, Granola, Dried Cranberries, Fruit Snacks, Handi-Snax, Quaker Oat Breakfast Bars, Nutri-Grain Bars, Nature Valley Granola Bars, Milk Duds, Chocolate-Covered Coffee Beans, Crystal Light Single Packs, Gatorade Powder Mix, Sugar Free Kool-Aid Pouches, Gummy Bears, Dark Chocolate, Bite-Sized Chocolate, Chunky Peanut Butter, Tootsie Rolls, Instant Oatmeal, Hot Cocoa Mix, Apple Cider Mix, Chai Latte Mix, ANYTHING "Just Add Water", Any Other American Snacks!
Friday, October 07, 2005
The Road to Jalalabad...
This week I had the adventure of travelling to Bazarkargon, a village near the major city of Jalalabad, in the south of Kyrgyzstan, to visit a current Peace Corps Volunteer. It would take about 45 minutes to fly from Bishkek to Jalalabad, but the taxi ride took about 9 hours... The drive goes through the mountains and over some unpaved roads, so it was a crazy ride! Our taxi driver was nice, but a bit reckless, as most taxi drivers are. Anyone who's driven in a foreign country knows what I'm talking about :-). But in the end, after a long day of driving, we arrived in Bazarkargon safely.
I've been having a really good time here with Sua, a fellow trainee, and Holly, the PCV we're visiting. Holly has made us some awesome American food, which has been wonderful! The first night we had pizza, then on Wednesday we had stuffing, mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, and apple pie (yum!). And last night we had spaghetti, and today I ate a burrito! It doesn't exactly compare to real American food, but it tastes like heaven because it's just so much different from Kyrgyz food (which is generally very good, don't get me wrong). Just a little taste of home...
The visit has been good and very informative. The volunteer we're visiting has actually had to learn Uzbek because she is in a primarily Uzbek village and teaches at an Uzbek school. It's been fun to experience life here, but I really don't want to have to learn Uzbek like she did! We have interviews coming up in the next few weeks where we can request where we'd like to be placed, and so I have a better idea of what I'm going to say in that interview. Of course, I really want to be in a place where I can learn Russian, and it sounds like the north will be more conducive to that. So I'm going to make my preferences very clear to Peace Corps; they said that last year, most people got the place they requested, so the prospects look good. It sounds like they really take your preferences into consideration because they don't want you to ET (Early Terminate), so they want happy volunteers :-).
Just as a side note, I'm sorry I haven't really been able to post any pictures (besides that random one of us at the airport). It's kind of a hassle to do it from the Internet cafe, so I'll do my best in the future, but pictures may not be as frequent. Alright, there's the most recent experience! I head back to Tokmok tomorrow, so pray for a safe trip! :-)
I've been having a really good time here with Sua, a fellow trainee, and Holly, the PCV we're visiting. Holly has made us some awesome American food, which has been wonderful! The first night we had pizza, then on Wednesday we had stuffing, mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, and apple pie (yum!). And last night we had spaghetti, and today I ate a burrito! It doesn't exactly compare to real American food, but it tastes like heaven because it's just so much different from Kyrgyz food (which is generally very good, don't get me wrong). Just a little taste of home...
The visit has been good and very informative. The volunteer we're visiting has actually had to learn Uzbek because she is in a primarily Uzbek village and teaches at an Uzbek school. It's been fun to experience life here, but I really don't want to have to learn Uzbek like she did! We have interviews coming up in the next few weeks where we can request where we'd like to be placed, and so I have a better idea of what I'm going to say in that interview. Of course, I really want to be in a place where I can learn Russian, and it sounds like the north will be more conducive to that. So I'm going to make my preferences very clear to Peace Corps; they said that last year, most people got the place they requested, so the prospects look good. It sounds like they really take your preferences into consideration because they don't want you to ET (Early Terminate), so they want happy volunteers :-).
Just as a side note, I'm sorry I haven't really been able to post any pictures (besides that random one of us at the airport). It's kind of a hassle to do it from the Internet cafe, so I'll do my best in the future, but pictures may not be as frequent. Alright, there's the most recent experience! I head back to Tokmok tomorrow, so pray for a safe trip! :-)
Monday, October 03, 2005
The Banya
My first full day with my host family (a Wednesday—the day I was deathly ill), I tried to inquire about taking a shower. A shower? What was I thinking? “shower jok,” (Shower—no) my little sister replied, “Banya Vaskricenya” (Banya Sunday). That was when I, as many others, found out about “Banya Day.” Banya Day is almost like a holiday among Trainees: “Go to Tokmok to check email? Fly to England to be knighted by the Queen? No thanks—I’m don’t want to miss my banya!”
Banya is the Kyrgyz version of bathing, and I must admit—even though it only happens once a week—it is a really awesome way to bathe! It’s kind of a cross between a sauna and a bucket bathe. Most families have an entire room set apart from the house reserved for banyas. In it, there’s a wood stove that gets cranked up every Sunday and the whole room gets hot and humid. The stove heats the room, but also serves as a kind of water heater. Out of it, a faucet produces “isik” (hot) water. There is also a huge jug of cold water you mix with the hot water to make your banya water, and that’s what you use to clean yourself! One by one, each family member takes his or her turn in the banya, usually lasting an hour or more. It’s started to cool down a bit, so it feels great on a cold day; I can only imagine how wonderful it will be in the winter with those below zero temps!
Surprisingly, it doesn’t really bother me not to bathe all week. Those of you who know me well know I think showers are highly overrated anyway :-). Perhaps my attitude will change in the summer when I’m actually sweating, but I don’t really feel dirty, and it saves so much time not having to shower in the mornings or at night! The only thing that really bothers me is having gross, greasy hair, and this last week I figured out how to convey that I want to wash my hair: “Menin chacham jewm?” (My hair I wash?). So once a week (in addition to the banya), they give me a bucket of hot water and I can wash my hair, which makes me feel clean, and I’m good to go. All in all, it’s not a bad system. Would anyone mind if I only shower once a week when I come back to the States? After two years of this banya thing, I might not want to readjust :-).
Banya is the Kyrgyz version of bathing, and I must admit—even though it only happens once a week—it is a really awesome way to bathe! It’s kind of a cross between a sauna and a bucket bathe. Most families have an entire room set apart from the house reserved for banyas. In it, there’s a wood stove that gets cranked up every Sunday and the whole room gets hot and humid. The stove heats the room, but also serves as a kind of water heater. Out of it, a faucet produces “isik” (hot) water. There is also a huge jug of cold water you mix with the hot water to make your banya water, and that’s what you use to clean yourself! One by one, each family member takes his or her turn in the banya, usually lasting an hour or more. It’s started to cool down a bit, so it feels great on a cold day; I can only imagine how wonderful it will be in the winter with those below zero temps!
Surprisingly, it doesn’t really bother me not to bathe all week. Those of you who know me well know I think showers are highly overrated anyway :-). Perhaps my attitude will change in the summer when I’m actually sweating, but I don’t really feel dirty, and it saves so much time not having to shower in the mornings or at night! The only thing that really bothers me is having gross, greasy hair, and this last week I figured out how to convey that I want to wash my hair: “Menin chacham jewm?” (My hair I wash?). So once a week (in addition to the banya), they give me a bucket of hot water and I can wash my hair, which makes me feel clean, and I’m good to go. All in all, it’s not a bad system. Would anyone mind if I only shower once a week when I come back to the States? After two years of this banya thing, I might not want to readjust :-).
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