Ploofle

Well, according to my friend Sarah this blog is on a directory of PC peoples’ blogs, so the cat is out of the bag if it wasn’t before.  For those people I don’t know, welcome - and let that be a warning to you all!!

My host family was very happy to see me yesterday - I kind of snuck out the day we left because it was so early and I didn’t want to wake them up.  My teacher (and my host mom) confirmed that they were all sorts of sad that they didn’t get to send me off.  My mom said something about food - I couldn’t tell if it was they wanted to send me along with food, or if they wanted me to buy something in the big town - but I missed it, whatever it was.

They gave me slushy coke and yummy treats when I got back, and I brought back some photos I developed from the big city for them, so all was good.  Today I’m sure I’ll be back in the daily grind when I get back home.

It was really nice to have fast computers in-town.  I got to call Bonnie and even my dad for a bit on Skype with a reasonably decent sound quality.  Leandra didn’t get a real call per se, but she got a voicemail…eh, well it was nice to be able to talk to people and send out emails!!

I’m also in town today to go to the bank.  However, when we all went there, we weren’t allowed to go in, so I don’t know what will happen.  During Naadam pretty much everything but small stores close down for the week, so it’s today or not at all for my living allowance.  I have some saved, but I don’t know how much I’ll need during a special festival week.

I hope I get to see all the main events - the wrestling, horse racing, and archery.  Naadam time varies from community to community, so some of the other (Peace Corps Trainees) PCTs have already had Naadam and said it was a blast.  Some of the guys have also be already thoroughly schooled in wrestling. Heh…alrighty, likely little to no communication during Naadam, so expect a hiatus for now.  As they say here (phonetically), Cayhan Naadamaarai…

Tags: family, mongolia, peace corps

7pm, Thursday the 28th, St. Monica’s in Dallas

Tags: family

As many of you know, she’s been ill for a while - I visited her in Thailand over the summer when she first started doing poorly. I found out today from my aunt that she has passed away. Many of you from Texas/High School met her or knew her, so I know you all will understand what a important person she was to me. While most of the funeral rites will be in Thailand after the New Year, I have been told that there will be a memorial/mass for her next Tuesday in Dallas. If you are interested in learning the when and the where, please email me and I’ll send you the details as I learn more myself. I may or may not be able to make it, but I know you would be welcomed and appreciated for the support.

Tags: family

sooo…my sister really is moving. but I’m helping covering a lot of it - some of her rent, airfare, etc. - until she gets set up here. Anyone have any spare frequent flyer miles or other useful items?

In other news, I hereby am allowed to eat the free food at conferences. It has been granted - woo!

Tags: family, travel

I am currently waiting in Narita for a flight to Thailand. My grandmother has gotten pretty ill and I’m pretty worried, with a few regrets for things not done. My mom is already there and I’ll be staying with her in my aunt’s condo. It’s kinda meant cutting internship short, cutting stay with Bonnie short, and flying almost direct from BKK to Seattle for school starting. We’ll see whether I ever get adjusted to the time, or, more likely, get adjusted just in time to return to the US.

I’m worried this may be it. My aunt is coming to visit in a couple weeks, just about when I leave, and then she, my sister, and I may come during christmas break if it’s feasible.

My sister will be moving up to live with me in November in Seattle. I’m really looking forward to it, although I’ll be super poor in October due to moves and all.

I’ll be in Seattle for two more quarters - until mid-March, then in Atlanta until June-ish. In Atlanta, we’ve moved to a really cute little pink and purple (really) house that Bonnie’s sharing with a roommate. We can walk to all the stores we need and the marta station, and it’s near Little Five Points and East Atlanta Village.

I went to a great wedding a few weeks back in Seattle - it has inspired me, but imitation isn’t an option there

Tags: family, travel