Bouncing Back

October 23, 2008

Being sick last week left me angry, frustrated and constantly in the outhouse, but I’ve recovered and am moving forward in full force recovery mode.

Gastric calamities will not get me down.

Things are looking up in every sense of my being…my students are studying hard for the TOEFL exam, the FLEX test is coming up soon, and I’m planning a trip to India this winter, which will be amazing.

We bought two huge turkeys for our Thanksgiving dinner and have been feeding them tons so they get nice and fat in time for the feast. We were scared at first because they started attacking each other, but now they’re friends and I’m VERY thankful for this.

I’m also thankful for the generous person who left a copy of O Magazine in the PC office…and even more thankful for the awesome pumpkin pie recipe inside.

It was soooooo good.

At least I might be able to get a job in a bakery when I go back home…making pies is now one of my favorite things to do.

A year ago I would have never thought such a thing. Time really changes everything, doesn’t it?

Funky Town

October 16, 2008

I’m officially in a funk.

I thought of this today as I laid down in my room, once again ignoring the stack of Russian books to the side, the half-finished lesson plans in a pile, and the pile of clothes that seriously need to be washed.

This week I ignored my Russian teacher’s calls, I ignored my fifth form class completely, I ignored my host family when they asked me to come hang out with them, and I decided not to go hang out with my American friends in the city like I do every week.

And today, as I sat down to watch “Hairspray” for the 18th time this week, I realized I was truly pathetic.

I either need a big kick in the ass or a smack in the face.

Maybe both.

Ashgabat Never Sleeps

I've been here for one year and I will openly admit I now truly love Russian pop.

I don't know how I lived without it for so many years.