The Movie was called Cloverfield and was actually quite enjoyable, you should check it out. It was totally worth the 2,000 tugrigs it cost to get in!!!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Cloverfield
Yesterday I found myself in a real movie theator, eating real popcorn, drinking an orange soad, and watching a movie in English...........utterly surreal, UB is a whole different world!
The Movie was called Cloverfield and was actually quite enjoyable, you should check it out. It was totally worth the 2,000 tugrigs it cost to get in!!!
Cloverfield
The Movie was called Cloverfield and was actually quite enjoyable, you should check it out. It was totally worth the 2,000 tugrigs it cost to get in!!!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Stupid Groundhog
So its snowing again....our heat streak must be over :::tear:::
Also since people seem to insist on sending me things (its perpetually christmas for me!) I've decided to update my list of things that I need since I suddenly find myself with enough lady products to last my whole two years here ^_~
Nerf Screaming Vortex (or other light weight durable outside sporty equiptment)
Stickers
Children's Books
American Candy
Pictures of Yourself or America
No-Bake Cheesecakes (or things of a similar nature)
Kool-Aid
Flying Monkeys to do myevil wonderfully productive bidding
and of course the randomosity factor is always delightful!
now off to treck through the light snow and do some work O_o
Also since people seem to insist on sending me things (its perpetually christmas for me!) I've decided to update my list of things that I need since I suddenly find myself with enough lady products to last my whole two years here ^_~
Nerf Screaming Vortex (or other light weight durable outside sporty equiptment)
Stickers
Children's Books
American Candy
Pictures of Yourself or America
No-Bake Cheesecakes (or things of a similar nature)
Kool-Aid
Flying Monkeys to do my
and of course the randomosity factor is always delightful!
now off to treck through the light snow and do some work O_o
Monday, February 18, 2008
"I'd rather eat sheep back thanks"
I realize that it has been a while since I blogged, and Tsagaan Sar has come and gone….and well its Mongolia’s biggest holiday so I should write about it…….however, Sarah has the pictures, and really I need to pictures to convey the entirety of what my Lunar New Year holiday was like.
So with that in mind, please be patient (or check out my site mates Jim and Julie’s blog: http://moultonsinmongolia.blogspot.com/2008/02/my-friend-sarantuyas-family.html ) and I feel I must discuss a most disturbing discovery about Mongolians.
Now every culture has its peculiarities, Mongolian included. At times they have an over fondness for glitter and vodka. At times they have an inexplicable disgust for veggies and the Chinese. All this and more, yet it is part of what makes Mongolians the culture of people I have grown to know and love. However, I have just learned a fact about Mongolians that is simply unforgivable (parents you may want to hide your children for this one)…
THEY DON’T LIKE POP-TARTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Due to a most awesome package sent to me by my Grandparents, I once again was able to rediscover the glory that is a Kellogg Pop-Tart. In pursuing the 2 goal of Peace Corps (to spread American culture) I decided to share this glory with some Mongolian friends…only to discover that not only did they not like the processed pastry goodness, but as the one said, “If I eat this I will throw up.” I informed him we could no longer be friends, and well I doubt he realizes I was serious.
When my friends left I went into a corner, cradling the remaining Pop-Tarts and cooing to them that “don’t worry my little friends, everything will be all right, Cassandra still loves you!” Then I broke down and cried like a baby fresh from the womb. But then the light at the end of the tunnel (or at the head of the cave as the saying goes in Mongolian) appeared. I would no longer feel obligated to share my Pop-Tarts with the unappreciative! I could, in time, consume all 8 of the beauties myself! I cackled in palletorical delight and hid the box behind my books (another glorious part of the package G&G sent!).
On the upside, its getting warmer! In the -10s C!!!! This means that not only can I stop wearing long johns, but that I can also go outside and not risk frostbite of the face!!! This in turn means that I can escape the solitude and sub sequential cabin fever solitary apartment life has instilled in me!!! And this in turn means I will probably stop talking to Pop-Tarts….maybe….
So with that in mind, please be patient (or check out my site mates Jim and Julie’s blog: http://moultonsinmongolia.blogspot.com/2008/02/my-friend-sarantuyas-family.html ) and I feel I must discuss a most disturbing discovery about Mongolians.
Now every culture has its peculiarities, Mongolian included. At times they have an over fondness for glitter and vodka. At times they have an inexplicable disgust for veggies and the Chinese. All this and more, yet it is part of what makes Mongolians the culture of people I have grown to know and love. However, I have just learned a fact about Mongolians that is simply unforgivable (parents you may want to hide your children for this one)…
THEY DON’T LIKE POP-TARTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Due to a most awesome package sent to me by my Grandparents, I once again was able to rediscover the glory that is a Kellogg Pop-Tart. In pursuing the 2 goal of Peace Corps (to spread American culture) I decided to share this glory with some Mongolian friends…only to discover that not only did they not like the processed pastry goodness, but as the one said, “If I eat this I will throw up.” I informed him we could no longer be friends, and well I doubt he realizes I was serious.
When my friends left I went into a corner, cradling the remaining Pop-Tarts and cooing to them that “don’t worry my little friends, everything will be all right, Cassandra still loves you!” Then I broke down and cried like a baby fresh from the womb. But then the light at the end of the tunnel (or at the head of the cave as the saying goes in Mongolian) appeared. I would no longer feel obligated to share my Pop-Tarts with the unappreciative! I could, in time, consume all 8 of the beauties myself! I cackled in palletorical delight and hid the box behind my books (another glorious part of the package G&G sent!).
On the upside, its getting warmer! In the -10s C!!!! This means that not only can I stop wearing long johns, but that I can also go outside and not risk frostbite of the face!!! This in turn means that I can escape the solitude and sub sequential cabin fever solitary apartment life has instilled in me!!! And this in turn means I will probably stop talking to Pop-Tarts….maybe….
Sunday, February 3, 2008
We Can Dance If We Want To
Okay so check this....Mongolia has this holiday right....Teacher's Holiday! I randomly got people wishing me happy holidays and congratulations and giving me presents! The best was given to me by my very best Mongolian Friend Shuree: A book all about the Beatles.....in Mongolian!!!!!! What better way to improve my language skills and further my obsession!
To celebrate this momentous occasion we went to a B Productions Concert that featured the hottest young singers in Mongolia including the former member of Carmand, the one, the only, BOLD!!!!! It was an awesome concert, and only 3,000 tugrigs (though I was given the ticket as a gift!) In UB a show like this would put you back around 10,000 tugs! The only problem, these singers performed the most excellent dance music, but no one danced or even really moved for that matter! I mean they could have at least thrown a little head bob or two in their...ever interesting Mongolia.
Also, Tsagaan Sar ("White Month" aka Mongolian Lunar New Year) is fast approaching and I am sooo excited. This is a time to eat buuz, drink arig, get socks, and wear a del! Im uber excited
To celebrate this momentous occasion we went to a B Productions Concert that featured the hottest young singers in Mongolia including the former member of Carmand, the one, the only, BOLD!!!!! It was an awesome concert, and only 3,000 tugrigs (though I was given the ticket as a gift!) In UB a show like this would put you back around 10,000 tugs! The only problem, these singers performed the most excellent dance music, but no one danced or even really moved for that matter! I mean they could have at least thrown a little head bob or two in their...ever interesting Mongolia.
Also, Tsagaan Sar ("White Month" aka Mongolian Lunar New Year) is fast approaching and I am sooo excited. This is a time to eat buuz, drink arig, get socks, and wear a del! Im uber excited
Thursday, January 31, 2008
I've only partially frozen to death ^_~
Life has been crazy hectic of late and thus I have been unable to keep you all up to date on the fascinating tales of my Mongolian misadventures. But as my classroom computer’s internet finally works I’ve decided to fill you in! So here are the top 5 most important things that have happened to me since my last update.
1. I got rid of my cat. I was simply to busy with life to really care for the annoying beast, and there was a VSO Volunteer who really wanted her, and is far more qualified to be a cat caretaker as her daughter owns a Cattery. (Yes, I too was surprised by the fact that such things as a Cattery exist, but they are British, so maybe the driving on the other side of the road and spelling “colour” wrong has something to do with it ^_~). Also Omkhee is now called Phoebe (still keeping the whole smelly cat theme going). To be honest though, I’ve already forgotten what cat life was like, and don’t really miss it.
2.
3.
4.
5.
So this is all for now….Tsagaan Sar (“White Month” aka Mongolian Lunar New Year) is coming up next week, so I will be sure to tell you all about it and hopefully have pictures!
2.
3.
4.
5.
So this is all for now….Tsagaan Sar (“White Month” aka Mongolian Lunar New Year) is coming up next week, so I will be sure to tell you all about it and hopefully have pictures!
Sunday, January 6, 2008
My Babies!
Battushig, Me, Uguurmur, Orkhon
Uyanga, Uyangtuya, Olzi, Me, ErdentsetsegBorlgilma
My Waiters ClassTuesday, December 25, 2007
"Last Christmas and Merry, HO HO!"
CHRISTMAS BAYAR MENDE XURGI!
Its hard to believe that it is really and truly Christmas as I sit here in the PC office at 7am having spent all night on a train after a most hectically interesting 2 weeks ... confused? Well lets take a little trip back to yesteryear.....
Saturday 15-
Meet up with all my fellow M18 volunteers and our Mongolian Counterparts (CPs) at the PC Office and caught a bus to Terelge, the ger camp where our IST was held...had a few training sessions...caught up with old friends...tripped and sat on the ger stove (thank goodness for thick jeans and long johns or my butt would be fried) 2nd degree burning my arm on the stove pipe...huddle shivering under blankets next to Dwan, attempting to keep warm in sub-zero temperatures
Sunday 16-
Woke up late and got "toast" (aka bread that may once have layed on a stove for 2.6 seconds) for breakfast, it seems as if most people have forgotten the sitting on the stove incident, until they see my arm. Have around 10 hours of training sessions...took my Language Proficiency Interview...died from the stress of it...came back to life to watch Indian Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark with my CP and remembered why I was in love with Harrison Ford as a child...hung out with my Sukhbaatar boys and helped Fahd to win big at poker
Monday 17-
Woke up late, again, had "toast", again, and had about 10 hours of sessions, again...realized that it takes 2 days for burns to really start to hurt...took a hot shower!!!!...hung out with my CP for a while...wandered around to the various gers attempting to find people to hang out with, but kept walking into awkward situations...accidentally walked into the Trainers poker game, stuttered confusedly, blinked 7.9 times, turned and left...decided to call it a night, went to my frigidly cold home for the week, and gossiped with the girls for a bit...had a random 10 minuet freak out during which I said "I have 2 brains and the little one is eating the big one" and also "Why am I such a young, stupid, white girl?"...that passed and we all laughed about it and went to sleep together in the big bed in an attempt to keep warm...it worked!
Tuesday 18-
Woke up not late only to realize that breakfast only included "toast" and slabs of fat that were trying their best to be bacon...10ish hours of sessions...Talent Show!!!!!! I helped in 2 skits, one on the proper method of cuddling to keep warm in winter, the other called A Day in the Life...of Sarah (wonder who came up with that idea hmmm ^_~)...was once again amazed by how talented Mongolians are...DANCE PARTY! and Video Games...back to the ger for some 13 (this awesome card game I play with my SB boys) and major winnings on my part...hung out with some of the CPs for a bit...stole Yoomie's sleeping bag and slept warmly
Wednesday 19-
woke up late and didn't even bother with breakfast...the CPs left...10ish hours of sessions...Kim's Bachlorette Party!!! which included a horrifyingly hilarious parody of a striptease by James, Chris, and Kevin...escaped the massive gathering of women to go play cards with the guys (and take more of their money!!!)...stole Fahd's bed as the party was still going on at my place and was warm thanks to Sharsons amazing fire making abilities!
Thursday 20-
Woke up late (surprise, surprise)...learned that sessions were cut short!!!!!...took too long to pack and was the last one on the bus...drove back to UB...checked into the guesthouse...had amazing Indian food...went to sleep early
Friday 21-
Decided that since I had a few free days I would go up to Sukhbaatar (SB) to visit the Mongolian Family...caught a car to Darkhan with Jacob, Fahd, Dwan, Peter, Jason, and Robin...3ish hours in a speeding car (horrify on Mongolian roads)...in Darkhan caught a meeker (van type thing) to SB...2ish hours later...Jacob, Peter, Dwan, and I visited our families, ate ALOT of food, drank ALOT of suutai tsai ("milk tea") and airg ("vodka" true Mongolian style)...crashed at Jacob's families house
Saturday 22-
work up earlyish...Jacob, Peter, Fahd, and I took a hike in the SB mountains...went to Jason's families house to hang out with the SB city folk and our Mongolian teachers...went back to Heraldo to hang out with our teachers there...realized that I don't know nearly enough Mongolian songs
Sunday 23-
woke up and had breakfast with Jacob's family...visited with Charlene's family...decided to skip the walk to the river to help teach my family how to use the computer they got...went to the store with the family to get marogen ("ice cream") as was our tradition...said our goodbyes...Jacob, Peter, and I caught a late night meeker back to Darkhan...took a hot shower at Peter's place...watched the end of Small Soldiers on his cable tv...feel asleep warm and comfortable
Monday 24-
was awoken at 7am by, wait, could this be real, am I dreaming, that's right it was Jacob watching, LIVE FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!!!!! and a Patriots game too!(sorry Miami)...exhaustion took over and I fell back asleep...got up later, ran some errands for Cady (Peter's wife who was making us Christmas dinner)...chilled with my dvv ("little sister") who is studying in Darkhan...then went back to Peter and Cady's to have amazingly delicious Christmas dinner with the two of them, Yoomie, Dylan, Jess, Kevin, and Jacob...caught the 12:40am train to UB with Jacob
Tuesday 25-
was awoken upon arrival at UB...caught a taxi to the PC office...and here I am now...maybe I will go watch Rush Hour 3 later, or go for sushi with Sharson and Fahd...don't quite know...but tomorrow morning my plane leaves boku early...Merry Christmas!
Its hard to believe that it is really and truly Christmas as I sit here in the PC office at 7am having spent all night on a train after a most hectically interesting 2 weeks ... confused? Well lets take a little trip back to yesteryear.....
Saturday 15-
Meet up with all my fellow M18 volunteers and our Mongolian Counterparts (CPs) at the PC Office and caught a bus to Terelge, the ger camp where our IST was held...had a few training sessions...caught up with old friends...tripped and sat on the ger stove (thank goodness for thick jeans and long johns or my butt would be fried) 2nd degree burning my arm on the stove pipe...huddle shivering under blankets next to Dwan, attempting to keep warm in sub-zero temperatures
Sunday 16-
Woke up late and got "toast" (aka bread that may once have layed on a stove for 2.6 seconds) for breakfast, it seems as if most people have forgotten the sitting on the stove incident, until they see my arm. Have around 10 hours of training sessions...took my Language Proficiency Interview...died from the stress of it...came back to life to watch Indian Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark with my CP and remembered why I was in love with Harrison Ford as a child...hung out with my Sukhbaatar boys and helped Fahd to win big at poker
Monday 17-
Woke up late, again, had "toast", again, and had about 10 hours of sessions, again...realized that it takes 2 days for burns to really start to hurt...took a hot shower!!!!...hung out with my CP for a while...wandered around to the various gers attempting to find people to hang out with, but kept walking into awkward situations...accidentally walked into the Trainers poker game, stuttered confusedly, blinked 7.9 times, turned and left...decided to call it a night, went to my frigidly cold home for the week, and gossiped with the girls for a bit...had a random 10 minuet freak out during which I said "I have 2 brains and the little one is eating the big one" and also "Why am I such a young, stupid, white girl?"...that passed and we all laughed about it and went to sleep together in the big bed in an attempt to keep warm...it worked!
Tuesday 18-
Woke up not late only to realize that breakfast only included "toast" and slabs of fat that were trying their best to be bacon...10ish hours of sessions...Talent Show!!!!!! I helped in 2 skits, one on the proper method of cuddling to keep warm in winter, the other called A Day in the Life...of Sarah (wonder who came up with that idea hmmm ^_~)...was once again amazed by how talented Mongolians are...DANCE PARTY! and Video Games...back to the ger for some 13 (this awesome card game I play with my SB boys) and major winnings on my part...hung out with some of the CPs for a bit...stole Yoomie's sleeping bag and slept warmly
Wednesday 19-
woke up late and didn't even bother with breakfast...the CPs left...10ish hours of sessions...Kim's Bachlorette Party!!! which included a horrifyingly hilarious parody of a striptease by James, Chris, and Kevin...escaped the massive gathering of women to go play cards with the guys (and take more of their money!!!)...stole Fahd's bed as the party was still going on at my place and was warm thanks to Sharsons amazing fire making abilities!
Thursday 20-
Woke up late (surprise, surprise)...learned that sessions were cut short!!!!!...took too long to pack and was the last one on the bus...drove back to UB...checked into the guesthouse...had amazing Indian food...went to sleep early
Friday 21-
Decided that since I had a few free days I would go up to Sukhbaatar (SB) to visit the Mongolian Family...caught a car to Darkhan with Jacob, Fahd, Dwan, Peter, Jason, and Robin...3ish hours in a speeding car (horrify on Mongolian roads)...in Darkhan caught a meeker (van type thing) to SB...2ish hours later...Jacob, Peter, Dwan, and I visited our families, ate ALOT of food, drank ALOT of suutai tsai ("milk tea") and airg ("vodka" true Mongolian style)...crashed at Jacob's families house
Saturday 22-
work up earlyish...Jacob, Peter, Fahd, and I took a hike in the SB mountains...went to Jason's families house to hang out with the SB city folk and our Mongolian teachers...went back to Heraldo to hang out with our teachers there...realized that I don't know nearly enough Mongolian songs
Sunday 23-
woke up and had breakfast with Jacob's family...visited with Charlene's family...decided to skip the walk to the river to help teach my family how to use the computer they got...went to the store with the family to get marogen ("ice cream") as was our tradition...said our goodbyes...Jacob, Peter, and I caught a late night meeker back to Darkhan...took a hot shower at Peter's place...watched the end of Small Soldiers on his cable tv...feel asleep warm and comfortable
Monday 24-
was awoken at 7am by, wait, could this be real, am I dreaming, that's right it was Jacob watching, LIVE FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!!!!! and a Patriots game too!(sorry Miami)...exhaustion took over and I fell back asleep...got up later, ran some errands for Cady (Peter's wife who was making us Christmas dinner)...chilled with my dvv ("little sister") who is studying in Darkhan...then went back to Peter and Cady's to have amazingly delicious Christmas dinner with the two of them, Yoomie, Dylan, Jess, Kevin, and Jacob...caught the 12:40am train to UB with Jacob
Tuesday 25-
was awoken upon arrival at UB...caught a taxi to the PC office...and here I am now...maybe I will go watch Rush Hour 3 later, or go for sushi with Sharson and Fahd...don't quite know...but tomorrow morning my plane leaves boku early...Merry Christmas!
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