Well a lot has happened between the last time we were able to write a message. First and foremost we passed our language exams, which is good because Mike dosen't want to get on a plane anytime soon. We didn't do the best but we definitely weren't the worst, and most importantly we scored the same. After our tests there was a lot of celebrating and relaxing. It was really hard to say goodbye to our families, they were such a big part of our lives this summer. Mike seems to think I am as nice as his host mom and will continue to do and press his laundry- you would think after almost a year of marriage he would know that his hands are capable of laundry too.
I made American pizza for my family as a little going away gift. Quite the experience because I had no oven and only a ger stove. With a little hard work and elbow grease - mission accomplished. It was actually excellent by my standards but then again I like things with flavor and most importantly cheese. My parents thought it was ok I think mainly because it was so different. My siblings however loved it. It was a good thing because I take after my mother and don't know how much to cook so I ended up with 7 medium pizzas.It again was an amazing experience to watch them eat something that reminds me so much of home.
All of the trainees are back together, attending meetings and celebrating site announcements. Mike and I are so very excited to be able to live together again and in our own place. Who would have ever guessed that our first place would be a ger. Yes, Mike and I will be living in a 5 wall ger for the next 2 years. We hear that 5 wall gers are pretty spacious- well as spacious as 1 round room can be. We are really looking forward to the amazing experience. I can't say we weren't a little bit shocked and even a little bit scared. What doesn't kill us can only make us stronger, right. Since we are living in a ger we will also have a haasha family. This means essentially that our ger will be on someones property. Great news for us- we will have someone to show us how to survive Mongolian winters. From what we know it is a younger married couple with either no children or a baby. Our ger will be located in an aimeg center called Murun. It is a fly site(I should mention that neither of the 2 runways are paved)!! Mike is so excited. This means that we are ruffly a 30 hour drive to U.B but only a 1 hour flight. From what we hear we really lucked out it is supposed to be the Switzerland of Mongolia. The province has a lot of trees and water. Check it out on the internet for us we are pretty much going in blind. We do know that we have reliable internet access and might even have at the places we work. I am working at a Mathematics school(1900 children) teaching 5-10 grade. Mike is working at the other school(2500 children) in the city as a school social worker/after school director. Many things to look forward to. Sorry we are so vague right now but we don't have a ton of information.
We love and miss you all and will write more as soon. We love reading all of the emails and blog posts. We love and miss you all- Allie and Mike
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3 comments:
Sain u,
You certainly sounds like you are getting into your evironment. Glad to hear the shoes made it, that they fit and you are comfortable. I looked up Murun on the internet and here is what I found: a town of about 28,000 residents situated in the Valley of Delger River, at an altitude of 1283 meters above sea level. Not much info to be found other than a refrence to it being the Switzerland of Mongolia, it is very close to Siberia so we are guessing it's very cold. No reference to skiing that I could find. Wow, a five walled ger, how lucky are you? I guess you won't have internet at your house. You will however become experts at cooking without a stove, can't wait to hear those stories. I read somewhere that if you take the trans siberian railway and make stops along the lake you can buy smoked fish. This lake supplies 2% of the worlds fresh water and 65% of Mongolia's fresh water supply. Have you eaten any fish since arriving in Mongolia? Did you know that Mongolia supplies a large portion of the worlds cashmere and supposedly high quality due to the extreme high and low temps.
Debi and Jim had a family lunch on Sunday for Jill's 21st birthday which is on August 14th...can you believe she's already of age. Dad and I celebrate our 21st anniversary in a week....it's easy to remember how many years using Jill as a guide.
Marina won an award for her photo of the little boy giving her the finger through the National Press Photographers association/Women in Photojournalism...the awards are in Texas so she will go to accept next weekend.
Since you passed your language tests (congratulations), does this mean you have been sworn in as Volunteers? We want to see photo's of you in Mongolian garb, don't forget. Let us know your new address so we all can keep in touch.
Everyone sends thier love...it will be great to hear your voices again.
Love,
Nancy
A 5 walled ger!!! There will be no talking to you after this;) Glad you passed the test. Don't forget to randomly change English words for your students. Happy to hear that it sounds like things are going well for you. You are missed. Keep up the good work.
thank god for Nancy
she reads it all and tells us about it
I am so serious
i really appreciate it since you know me
i don't really look at maps or look up anything to much
to busy chasing dogs and jim
maya is great by the way
went to vet and had a bath and toenails clipped and didn't even cry
even jumped into the car with me
although today when i got my keys she hid under the table!
guess no running water and inside bathrooms in a one room ger????
sorry!
switzerland is beautiful, i have been there - hope this is as nice
love mom
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