Once upon a time there were four animal friends walking in the forest. A wolf, a fox, a hedgehog, and a rabbit. Suddenly, they found a bottle of vodka in the middle of the road! However, they thought that the bottle was too small to share amongst the four of them, so they decided that whoever got drunk the quickest would be allowed to drink the entire bottle themself.
"I get drunk after just one taste of vodka," said the wolf.
"I get drunk after just one smell of vodka," said the fox.
"I get drunk after just one look at vodka," said the hedgehog.
"I get drunk after just hearing about vodka," slurred the rabbit.
So the rabbit won and got to drink the entire bottle of vodka by himself. THE END.
Discuss.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
"Ashgui dee" = GREAT!
Mongolian doctors....seriously....way to give me all that crazy unnecessary stress.
Apparently DC took a look at the images, and snuffed. "Humph, that little thing. It's nothing. 85% of people have such things in their kidneys. The pain was most likely from a low grade urinary tract infection, with some sand in there somewhere. Nothing to fret about, simply keep pushing fluids."
:::faints:::
However, all this worrying has made me reassess all the crazy stressfulness that is my life here in Mongolia. I don't need it. I will have to talk to the seminar people, and if they can't cut back my hours then I'm going back to the soum, or just taking a vacation and visiting Dornod and other friends.
Being healthy is such a nice thing.
Celebrated Gregory's birthday yesterday with my boyfriend. We had surprisingly delicious and cheep cake, instant noodles, and shared a beer. It was nice.
Apparently DC took a look at the images, and snuffed. "Humph, that little thing. It's nothing. 85% of people have such things in their kidneys. The pain was most likely from a low grade urinary tract infection, with some sand in there somewhere. Nothing to fret about, simply keep pushing fluids."
:::faints:::
However, all this worrying has made me reassess all the crazy stressfulness that is my life here in Mongolia. I don't need it. I will have to talk to the seminar people, and if they can't cut back my hours then I'm going back to the soum, or just taking a vacation and visiting Dornod and other friends.
Being healthy is such a nice thing.
Celebrated Gregory's birthday yesterday with my boyfriend. We had surprisingly delicious and cheep cake, instant noodles, and shared a beer. It was nice.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tomorrow Never Knows...
...and apparently neither do the doctors here.
One says blood clot, one says cyst, still another says tumor...is it new, have I had it from before?
I'm tired.
Tomorrow is Gregory's birthday and I miss him.
I'm going back to the countryside tomorrow until we hear from Washington, and there are three possible answers:
1. Nothing to worry about just forget it for now/take such-and-such a medicine/etc.
2. We want to know more go to Bangkok.
3. We want to know more, we are medically separating you from PC and bringing you back to America.
I know being healthy is what is most important, I know this. But I'm just hoping and praying that they at the very least let me finish ... I only got 4 months.
Fingers Crossed.
One says blood clot, one says cyst, still another says tumor...is it new, have I had it from before?
I'm tired.
Tomorrow is Gregory's birthday and I miss him.
I'm going back to the countryside tomorrow until we hear from Washington, and there are three possible answers:
1. Nothing to worry about just forget it for now/take such-and-such a medicine/etc.
2. We want to know more go to Bangkok.
3. We want to know more, we are medically separating you from PC and bringing you back to America.
I know being healthy is what is most important, I know this. But I'm just hoping and praying that they at the very least let me finish ... I only got 4 months.
Fingers Crossed.
Waiter, there is too much pepper in my paprikosh
Typing is difficult. I'm tired from not eating, from the drugs they gave me, from waking up extra early to be on time only to end up waiting for the Mongolians, and from the fact that I'm ready for all this to be over!!!!
I got my CT this morning. It would have been unremarkable if it wasn't for the fact that they exploded my vein. Okay explosion is an exaggeration, but they didn't put the catheter into my arm enough so when they started pumping the meds through the IV it burnt for a second before starting to gush out of my arm and all over the last of my clean shirts!!! (Thank goodness for the free box at Peace Corps, hooray free new shirt!) So I look at it for a minuet..."Hmmmmm, I don't know if this is what should be happening..." and begin frantically waving as this was our prearranged signal for something is wrong. The doctor comes in and asks whats wrong..."Ummmm... this" I say and point to my gushing arm trying not to pass out, and trying not to forget my Mongolian as they didn't know English, and my Mongolian is the same as my "interpreter's" English. So that arm gets de-IVd and swaddled up, and the other arm gets stuck...and immediately starts gushing blood! The nurse called over the doctor, he jiggles it around in my arm for a painful but thankfully brief moment, and voila! Its it...the scan finishes with out a hitch!
However, when it inevitably came time to analyze the image, we were told to come back after noon...O_o...seriously? You guys just exploded my arm..."I know you are not the official doctor but can you tell me what you think." "Well there is a mass, you can see right there" Okay, okay, we are not going to punch out the doctor. "Yes I know, but can you tell me exactly what you think it might be...should I worry?" "I will have the results for you after 12 o'clock" ... "Ooookaaay. See you later than." :::sigh resignedly and weakly shake head:::
But that's okay. Physically I feel much better. I'm on some kinda antibiotics specifically designed for the urinary system. This afternoon I will meet with the Urologist who should be able to give me answers.
Okay, pushing buttons has become too difficult. Will update again later.
I got my CT this morning. It would have been unremarkable if it wasn't for the fact that they exploded my vein. Okay explosion is an exaggeration, but they didn't put the catheter into my arm enough so when they started pumping the meds through the IV it burnt for a second before starting to gush out of my arm and all over the last of my clean shirts!!! (Thank goodness for the free box at Peace Corps, hooray free new shirt!) So I look at it for a minuet..."Hmmmmm, I don't know if this is what should be happening..." and begin frantically waving as this was our prearranged signal for something is wrong. The doctor comes in and asks whats wrong..."Ummmm... this" I say and point to my gushing arm trying not to pass out, and trying not to forget my Mongolian as they didn't know English, and my Mongolian is the same as my "interpreter's" English. So that arm gets de-IVd and swaddled up, and the other arm gets stuck...and immediately starts gushing blood! The nurse called over the doctor, he jiggles it around in my arm for a painful but thankfully brief moment, and voila! Its it...the scan finishes with out a hitch!
However, when it inevitably came time to analyze the image, we were told to come back after noon...O_o...seriously? You guys just exploded my arm..."I know you are not the official doctor but can you tell me what you think." "Well there is a mass, you can see right there" Okay, okay, we are not going to punch out the doctor. "Yes I know, but can you tell me exactly what you think it might be...should I worry?" "I will have the results for you after 12 o'clock" ... "Ooookaaay. See you later than." :::sigh resignedly and weakly shake head:::
But that's okay. Physically I feel much better. I'm on some kinda antibiotics specifically designed for the urinary system. This afternoon I will meet with the Urologist who should be able to give me answers.
Okay, pushing buttons has become too difficult. Will update again later.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
The Mongolian word for Kindney is "Boor"
Yey! My kidneys, liver, bladder, etc. etc. are working perfectly!
I know this because of the IVP test. Which did not hurt at all!!! This may be because I am just such a beast at taking pain. But most likely its probably because they slipped me some drugs, which knocked me out and uber dilated my eyes for quite a while. In the wait for the results to be processed I was taken out to a restaurant and fed a bacon cheeseburger! Yum! Then we went back to the hospital to find out the news...
Boo! There is a low density mass in my right kidney. Maybe a blood clot??? We are calling it a blood clot, but who knows. No one...hence another trip to the doctors office! I'm actually starting to like it over there. They have these nifty Korean water dispensers that instead of Dixie cups have these flat paper cups that sorta slot open to put water inside...more like a mini envelope than a cup. It really space efficient.
Also a theory has developed as to how I got said "blood clot" in my kidney. I got accidentally knocked into a pile of luggage/boxes about 2 weeks ago. I noticed the bruise on my arm that night, but then had forgotten all about it by the time my killer pains had started the next day. Hm...maybe, maybe. The majority of kidney blood clots come from internal bleeding due to trauma, which will eventually go away by itself. However, it never hurts to double check. So after my CT scan tomorrow I also get to go visit a urologist!!!!
All of this is actually really interesting, and makes me miss my forensic anthropology days. The body is fascinating.
I know this because of the IVP test. Which did not hurt at all!!! This may be because I am just such a beast at taking pain. But most likely its probably because they slipped me some drugs, which knocked me out and uber dilated my eyes for quite a while. In the wait for the results to be processed I was taken out to a restaurant and fed a bacon cheeseburger! Yum! Then we went back to the hospital to find out the news...
Boo! There is a low density mass in my right kidney. Maybe a blood clot??? We are calling it a blood clot, but who knows. No one...hence another trip to the doctors office! I'm actually starting to like it over there. They have these nifty Korean water dispensers that instead of Dixie cups have these flat paper cups that sorta slot open to put water inside...more like a mini envelope than a cup. It really space efficient.
Also a theory has developed as to how I got said "blood clot" in my kidney. I got accidentally knocked into a pile of luggage/boxes about 2 weeks ago. I noticed the bruise on my arm that night, but then had forgotten all about it by the time my killer pains had started the next day. Hm...maybe, maybe. The majority of kidney blood clots come from internal bleeding due to trauma, which will eventually go away by itself. However, it never hurts to double check. So after my CT scan tomorrow I also get to go visit a urologist!!!!
All of this is actually really interesting, and makes me miss my forensic anthropology days. The body is fascinating.
We all make mistakes aka "You have beautiful testicles"
Every week I teach a new group of teachers, and part of my introduction is a mini speech, that is half in English and half Mongolian. It gets us acquainted really quick, bonds us as teachers and foreign language learners, and is funny. So here is my intro speech ^_^.
So that's my into speech. Awesome huh? The testicles story is true. I also told a man that I ate a person's head and eyes. This is because the words for sheep and person (hun hoon) are sooooo similar! In fact I hate the Cyrillic vowels: Ү, У, Ө, and О...they are soooo similar. My ear is starting to hear the difference (after 2 years), however my mouth refuses to cooperate. Stupid American mouth.
Hi! My name is Cassandra, but you can call me Cass, Anu, or Teacher. But please, please, please do not call me bagsh (teacher). I am not a bagsh, I am a teacher. You are not bagshnar, you are teachers. If your students call you bagsh they are thinking in ... Mongolian. If they call you "Teacher" then they are thinking in ... English! And that makes the learning process easier. Now, I know and understand Mongolian, but because this is a Speaking and Listening class, we want to use English as much as possible. If you don't know a word, use a different word, or describe what you are talking about. When I first moved into my ger I didn't know the word orts (felt flap that covers the hole in the roof of the ger). So one day it starts raining and water is coming into the hole in my ger, and I run next door and yell "Migaa akhaa, tuslaarai, geriin malgai yaj khaakh ve?" ("Migaa brother, help, how do I close the ger's hat?) :::pause for laughter::: I didn't know the correct word, but by using words I did know he was able to understand me. So lets us as much English as we can. Also, I know that we are all teachers, but we never stop learning. All of you are here because you want to improve your English. And because this is the speaking class it is important that you speak! Don't be shy! Don't be afraid to make mistakes! I make mistakes all the time! Once I was talking with this women, and she had such beautiful eyebrows that I wanted to tell her, so I said, "Egchee ta yamar saikhan tomsogtoi!" ("Sister, you have beautiful testicles") :::pause for laughter::: She looks and me very strangely and asks, "Tomsog gej uu?" ("Did you say testicles?") :::pause again for laughter::: I thought for a second before I realized my mistake. "Ugui, ugui, ugui, tomsog bish! Homsog! Ta yamar saikhan homsogtoi!" ("No, no, no, not testicles! Eyebrows! You have beautiful eyebrows") :::pause yet again for laughter::: So you see, its okay to make mistakes! We can do it! So now instead of me just standing here and introducing myself to you, I want you to ask me questions. What do you want to know about me?
So that's my into speech. Awesome huh? The testicles story is true. I also told a man that I ate a person's head and eyes. This is because the words for sheep and person (hun hoon) are sooooo similar! In fact I hate the Cyrillic vowels: Ү, У, Ө, and О...they are soooo similar. My ear is starting to hear the difference (after 2 years), however my mouth refuses to cooperate. Stupid American mouth.
The Waiting is the hardest part...
Went to hospital this morning (note my use of British English :::shakes fist:::). Got an x-ray of my stomach and intestines to make sure that I obeyed directions and didn't eat or drink. There was a little bit of gas in my intestines, and a scary moment when I was told that I would have to get an enema ("Don't worry it will be just like before." "What do you mean before?!?!? I've never had an enema!!!" "Oh really, well get ready for one." ... thanks Doc that's almost as reassuring as when you informed me that the IVP will be extremely painful as I feel the fiery ink drip coursing throughout my entire body over a 30 min period...as if I wasn't nervous before O_o). However, when they redid the x-ray from a lying position I was declared ready to go.
This was when they told us we had to come back at 12:30 because the morning was reserved for walk-ins ... WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?! So needless to say, I'm cranky, having not eaten in over 12hours and not able to eat for another oh 4 or so hours. Also I'm not allowed to drink anything, not even water...so I've become uber cranky. Not to mention that needles freak me out a bit, and I'm nervous about passing out when the IV me. But better to find out.
Also got a call from the director of the training seminar asking if I was ready to be picked up. "Um, I have to go to the hospital, I can't go back today." "Really, Jessica told us that you were tired and just needed a day or two to rest." O_o ... Although I'm not overly surprised that he thought this, as many Mongolians will go to the hospital simply to do that. Rest with out having to worry about their lives for a few days. Sounds kinda nice actually ^_^.
Okay, time to nap if I can. Will update when updatage is possible.
This was when they told us we had to come back at 12:30 because the morning was reserved for walk-ins ... WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?! So needless to say, I'm cranky, having not eaten in over 12hours and not able to eat for another oh 4 or so hours. Also I'm not allowed to drink anything, not even water...so I've become uber cranky. Not to mention that needles freak me out a bit, and I'm nervous about passing out when the IV me. But better to find out.
Also got a call from the director of the training seminar asking if I was ready to be picked up. "Um, I have to go to the hospital, I can't go back today." "Really, Jessica told us that you were tired and just needed a day or two to rest." O_o ... Although I'm not overly surprised that he thought this, as many Mongolians will go to the hospital simply to do that. Rest with out having to worry about their lives for a few days. Sounds kinda nice actually ^_^.
Okay, time to nap if I can. Will update when updatage is possible.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Tell Them What They've Won!!!
Horray for my 100th entry! To celebrate I'm going to the hospital! Yey...???
Actually I've already been to the hospital today. I just get to go back tomorrow. It seems that the dixie cup of urine, the 2 giant tubes of blood, and the multiple ultrasounds of various internal organs resulted in no conclusive diagnosis. Yes there are quite a few extra white blood cells floating around, traces of blood in my urine, and all the signs of a kidney stone...but no stone. Hm...
So tomorrow I will go back and get an IVP (intravenous pyelogram: an X-ray test that can show the size, shape, and position of the urinary tract, including the kidneys and ureters. During IVP, a dye called contrast material is injected into a vein (intravenous, IV) in your arm. Then, a series of X-ray pictures is taken at timed intervals.) Its supposed to not hurt. But like the gremlins I'm not allowed to eat or drink after midnight.
I feel better that I have in a while. Maybe I passed the stone last night and that is why I hurt so bad for those 4ish hours. Hopefully this is the case.
Also, the "Korean" Hospital I went to was really nice. I've been in a number of hospitals in various parts of Monglia (countryside, town, and city) and while some were okay, many of them scared me a little, though that might have been because of the sovietesq construction. However, this hospital was nice. It almost didn't feel like a hospital (I think it was the rugs instead of tile floors that made it feel so). They staff was very efficient, the prices moderate, the doctors very professional and highly qualified. I really enjoied my time there...well as much as one can enjoy such an experience. I also have a nifty medical card so that in the future they can easily call up information should I need it. It reminds me of a library card, and that makes me happy, I love library cards. Although they spelled my name "Cassandre".
So that is the update. Now to treat myself to some salad and possibly a "smoothie". Will let you know when there is more to be let known.
Actually I've already been to the hospital today. I just get to go back tomorrow. It seems that the dixie cup of urine, the 2 giant tubes of blood, and the multiple ultrasounds of various internal organs resulted in no conclusive diagnosis. Yes there are quite a few extra white blood cells floating around, traces of blood in my urine, and all the signs of a kidney stone...but no stone. Hm...
So tomorrow I will go back and get an IVP (intravenous pyelogram: an X-ray test that can show the size, shape, and position of the urinary tract, including the kidneys and ureters. During IVP, a dye called contrast material is injected into a vein (intravenous, IV) in your arm. Then, a series of X-ray pictures is taken at timed intervals.) Its supposed to not hurt. But like the gremlins I'm not allowed to eat or drink after midnight.
I feel better that I have in a while. Maybe I passed the stone last night and that is why I hurt so bad for those 4ish hours. Hopefully this is the case.
Also, the "Korean" Hospital I went to was really nice. I've been in a number of hospitals in various parts of Monglia (countryside, town, and city) and while some were okay, many of them scared me a little, though that might have been because of the sovietesq construction. However, this hospital was nice. It almost didn't feel like a hospital (I think it was the rugs instead of tile floors that made it feel so). They staff was very efficient, the prices moderate, the doctors very professional and highly qualified. I really enjoied my time there...well as much as one can enjoy such an experience. I also have a nifty medical card so that in the future they can easily call up information should I need it. It reminds me of a library card, and that makes me happy, I love library cards. Although they spelled my name "Cassandre".
So that is the update. Now to treat myself to some salad and possibly a "smoothie". Will let you know when there is more to be let known.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
I want a kabob
Before I shower and go eat a kabob, I feel like I should update, because I know that I wont be back online for a while. But what is there to update about??? I feel that much of me has remained the same, while the world moves on. Peace Corps service is almost over, and a good number of the M18s (my group) have already left. While so many are getting ready to return to America, I feel a bit like the odd duck out as I am staying. Yeah there will be a lot of new people coming, but I am out of the Peace Corps world, and I think it would be a bit wierd. Also, I'm lazy.
I was also asked the question last night of "Is Peace Corps really worth it? Is all the work really worth it in the end?" For me the answer is yes. And fully realizing that and knowing that is a nice way to end my Peace Corps service. Okay, well I'm tired and there isn't much else to say...will try to be more through in the future.
I was also asked the question last night of "Is Peace Corps really worth it? Is all the work really worth it in the end?" For me the answer is yes. And fully realizing that and knowing that is a nice way to end my Peace Corps service. Okay, well I'm tired and there isn't much else to say...will try to be more through in the future.
Temporary Address
Since I will be at the training seminar for the next 4 months or so, and won't be getting out to my site very often (if ever) until its over, I would recomend that any letters, packages, etc. be sent to the following address:
Касандра Вайнэр
Энх Тайвны Корпyс
Тов Шyyдан
Шyyдангийн хайрцаг 1036
Улаанбаатар 13
ΜΟНГОЛ УЛС
Cassandra Weiner, PCV
Post Office Box 1036
Central Post Office
Ulaanbaatar 13
MONGOLIA
This way the packages will go to Peace Corps and when I'm in UB to use the internet and what not it will be very easy to pick up! Thanks!
Касандра Вайнэр
Энх Тайвны Корпyс
Тов Шyyдан
Шyyдангийн хайрцаг 1036
Улаанбаатар 13
ΜΟНГОЛ УЛС
Cassandra Weiner, PCV
Post Office Box 1036
Central Post Office
Ulaanbaatar 13
MONGOLIA
This way the packages will go to Peace Corps and when I'm in UB to use the internet and what not it will be very easy to pick up! Thanks!
Friday, April 3, 2009
and the beat goes on
I'm still alive, still in Mongolia, still working like crazy, but enjoying it as much as ever.
My director gave me permission to stay with the training seminar for the whole 4 months. This is great because the majority of Mongolian English Teachers in the whole country will be attending. Not to mention the connections I'm making. Its hard work, but worth it. Only down side, no hot water (so I still take my bucket baths), and I don't practice Mongolian, always English, English, English. Which would be okay, if it weren't for the fact that I have a Language Proficency Test coming up in May! But who knows, I'm bring my text books with me this time so that I will have something to study!
I find the busy schedule keeps the missing at bay, and that living indoors has improved my health. Though I've been putting on weight because of the delish food prepared for us by Mongolia's master chef.
Okay, will try to write more later...a month in the countryside with no internet or phone service (unless your standing on the mountain of course) has made me impatient about technology.
Love to all ^_^
My director gave me permission to stay with the training seminar for the whole 4 months. This is great because the majority of Mongolian English Teachers in the whole country will be attending. Not to mention the connections I'm making. Its hard work, but worth it. Only down side, no hot water (so I still take my bucket baths), and I don't practice Mongolian, always English, English, English. Which would be okay, if it weren't for the fact that I have a Language Proficency Test coming up in May! But who knows, I'm bring my text books with me this time so that I will have something to study!
I find the busy schedule keeps the missing at bay, and that living indoors has improved my health. Though I've been putting on weight because of the delish food prepared for us by Mongolia's master chef.
Okay, will try to write more later...a month in the countryside with no internet or phone service (unless your standing on the mountain of course) has made me impatient about technology.
Love to all ^_^
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