Familiar Faces

Got another picture from one of my site mates:
will eventually upload my own pictures

Jacob, Kim, Me, Peter, Jim

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While perusing the textbook that I will be using in the next to years here in the Cho, I was pleasantly surprised to come across some familiar faces. That's right! No longer does an appearance on Sesame Street signify your superior celebrity status. Mongolian English Textbooks are the new measure of success. Some of my personal favorites were there: Jackie Chan, Yoko Ono, Bob Dylan, Mozart. There were some reminders of famous folks in their prime: Black Michael Jackson, Michael J. Fox, Sylvester Stallone. There was my old roomie Lauren's favorite: David Bowie. There was the family's pet dog Bullet's favorite: Lassie. There were even my sister Meredith's favorites: ET (^_~), and Mary-Kate & Ashley Olson (called the world's most famous teenagers).

In addition to having a veritable cornucopia of characters, the language used is also rather hilarious.

The nerves I had about teaching are currently gone in light of the fact that I get to teach from this textbook, and hear my students compare Dolly Parton and Eddie Murphy.

Stalin, Cellphones, Soup, and "Sain Naidz"

So the other day Sarah, Kenny and I went to visit the remains of the old Russian communist military base. The day was perfect. Blue sky, amazing clouds, cool breeze. The 5k walk passed quickly as we talked about why we joined the peace corps, marveled at the various monuments along the way and finally arrived at the one time center of Commie Russian Cho. It was something else. Most notable was the giant statue of Stalin, in his typical Stalin pose, across the square from another giant statue, this one of an unidentifiable solider hoisting an AK47. Surrounding this square was the ruins of the bases many buildings. We went our separate ways for a bit, like children, scavenging the remains for lost treasures. I found a button from a soviet uniform. Sarah found some glass bottles. While leaping from a deteriorating wall in what we guessed to be the mess hall, I managed to dislodge a slab resulting in the most glorious bruise on my left palm! Then it was time to go home.

We had made it a little over 2/3 of the way home when suddenly the 5 cups of tea I had drank with breakfast hit me. Luckily there was a gas station with a jorlon ("outhouse") strategically placed across the street. So I entered the jorlon and as I was doing my "I REALLY REALLY HAVE TO PEE!" dance what should happen to fall out of my pocket and into the dark abyss ... that's right my cell phone O_o. I suppose it was bound to happen to me at some point (losing my cell phone that is), and I guess mine is a more entertaining story than that of one who was pick pocketed. All the same it was not pleasant. Luckily I was able to purchase a new phone the very next day (for only 35,000 tugriks!) and able to keep not only my number but all of my minuets! My new phone now has a wonderful bungee chord accessory that allows me to hook it to my belt loops insuring no further jorlon incidents.

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I've come down with a bit of a cold (although in true PC rumor mill fashion its been passed along that I have the flu). So yesterday I took it upon myself to make some soup. 2 hours later I had what was quite possibly one of the most delicious soups I've ever eaten. I'm really surprised with just how well all of my various culinary experiments are turning out. The fact that they take so long is not very fun, but the eating is most fun!

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Dwan, Me, Yoomie, Carina

Sain Naidz = good friends

I really miss them. Yesterday Jim and Julie invited me over for some spaghetti, and we had great conversation, and reminisced a bit about our host site mates. That in conjecture with various emails and the fact that my duu (little sister) and Jacob's duu sent me texts today just to say "CASS I LOVE YOU" has made me a bit lonesome. Although I did get to go to lunch with my fellow teachers today and it was nice.

Speaking of teachers, today I was put in charge of making the test for hiring my school's new English teacher. Then I was responsible for grading it and interviewing the top candidates O_o. It was nerve wrecking, but exciting all the same. I'm glad that regardless of my young age and little/no experience my school values my opinion. This bodes well!

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*NOTE*
I have been repeatedly asked 2 things by multiple individuals, so let me answer them for everyone!

1. What can I send you?
-letters (i love them most of all)
-American flag
-American map
-coco powder
-toothpaste
-photos
-sensitive skin face lotion w/ sunscreen
-books
-movies
-most anything else I can get here, but anything sent is greatly appreciate

2. My friend is interested in PC/Mongolia/what your doing, can I give them your information?
-Yes! Part of the PC mission is to inform others, plus I love babbling on as you can probably tell. Just give them the link to my blog (which has my email address on it) and the can read about it or email me (though it may take a while to respond).

AIM in the Cho!!!!!!!

Have just discovered that AIM works out here in the Cho!!!!!!!!!!!

If you have aim and want to chat send me your sn, and I will try to get word out to when I will be on.

I also have a phone if anyone wants to call me you can get an international phone card cheep and I will give you my number.

Okay thats is all!

Living Alone aka Hyam the Bologna of Mongolia

Having just recently entered into the world of solitary living, I have come to the conclusion that I don't like it. It is very disconcerting especially for one accustomed to a full house (man that Uncle Jesse was dreamy, with that hair and that voice :::sigh:::, but I digress). I think it would be more tolerable if my place was smaller. As it is, there is too much room for one person, leaving plenty of space for the Armas ("monsters") to hide O_o. This fear is only perpetuated by the placement of my hall mirror in conjecture with the bathroom's glass door, resulting in seeing my reflection in a reflection....creepy to the max.

Even more disturbing than the space however is the silence. Sure I get the street sounds, and the random muffled movements of my neighbors but its not enough. Where is the singing roomie? The fighting siblings? Even the bark of a certain annoying German Shepard would be welcome at this point.

But Cassandra, don't you have a t.v.? Why yes, if I wanted to watch static (which would let in more Armas... I've seen the horror movies...I know @_@). However, my world band radio does work, though its a choice between the Mongolian FM station that plays the same 7 songs all day, or spending tens of minuets scanning the short waves freaking myself out with the extraterrestrialesq static interspersed with harsh sounding Russian or Chinese. I usually resort to the prior as the latter tends to make me paranoid, which in turn brings on a desire to search for bugging devices under the guise of cleaning. I currently posses the most dust free dwelling in Dornod.

Don't get me wrong, there are upsides to living alone. I can spend all day lounging in my jim jams reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows with out interruption or having to explain why I was crying hysterically about a mere book. (Pshhhht, mere book... more like redunkulously awesome book!!!! Kudos to Ms. Rowling. It was well worth the 8 or so year wait since book 1 came out!!!) I can leave the bathroom door open, walk around in limited clothing, sing at the top of my lungs and dance like a fool with out fear of reprimand or ridicule.

Despite the perks, living the solo life has driving me slightly mad. The other day I developed an uncontrollable desire for tsuvian (a Mongolian noodle dish), and proceeded to spend almost 2 hours making it. It didn't taste good. It didn't taste bad, but it didn't taste good. More frightening may be the fact that I enjoy, even crave hyam, something my fellow PCVs would shudder to hear. We don't really know what hyam is other than the fact that its some meat, but into a log form and riddled with fat. It can also be eaten without having to cook it first. I find it delish! It is to Mongolia what bologna is to America. Needless to say I love bologna.

I have also started talking to the giant wall hanging of Chinggis Khan that's over my bed. He is very opinionated, but has giving me great tips in my quest for global domination, as he once achieved that very thing. Although his fondness for Korean soap operas is moderately offsetting.

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Needless to say, this is all a bit exaggerated (except the hyam bit, I really do enjoy hyam). It will take some getting used to, but I think I will really like it here. Work has yet to start my Counter Part is still in UB. I miss everyone.

Bi Tinig ("I'm Stupid)

Sorry Every on I totally forgot to add Mongolia to the end of my address. I also translated it into English, but don't know if it will actually get to me if you use the English part alone.

Cassandra Weiner, PCV
Ангал хэлий Багш
Дорнод Aймаг
Чойбалсан Xот
Шаталсан Сургалттай Техник Технологийн Коллеж
Mонгол улс

Cassandra Weiner, PCV
English Teacher
Dornod Aimag
Choibalsan City
Shatalsan Technical College
MONGOLIA (via China)


*NOTE*
You can still send things to the old address, I just wont get them until I make a trip into UB (my next of which will maybe be around Thanksgiving, but most definitely I will be there for Christmas).

Chome sweet Chome

Greetings from The Cho. I'm here!!!

Moved into my apartment yesterday. It is rather large. I have a kitchen with a full sized fridge, a bathroom with shower and washing machine, a living room with a tv, and a bedroom with a double bed. Also my favorite is the seashell hanging in my living room, I almost cried when I saw it, as it reminded me of home so much. I don't know where they found shells in this landlocked country but I'm glad they did. I'm still getting the hang of opening my door (its a bit tricky and sticks somewhat), but all in all its really nice.

A large part of me still wishes that I lived in a ger, but I don't dwell on it as this is where I am meant to be and who know what craziness is yet to come.

I already love The Cho, or what I've seen of it all ready. Its a little, depressing, highly soviet influenced, flat, windy place. I can easily see how people wouldn't like it, but it just feels right to me. I cant wait to get out and explore. Today I get to go to the market and buy groceries so I can start cooking for myself again. And hopefully at 5 Kenny and Mai (the M-17 PCVs who've been here a year) will give me and my fellow Chobieans a quick tour.

I'm at the school right now, I got to seem my class room. Its a nice size, used to be a math room if the geometry decor is any indication. The internet here is quick, and free. Its hard to believe that this is my PC service right now, but once my 26+ hr work weeks start up, I know that I will be way busy.

I got to speak with my Mom on the phone yesterday morning before I got to site, it was nice. My dad got on and I only got to say a few words before my phone card ran out. Its really nice having a phone again, if just to keep in touch with everyone as we are now spread out to all corners of Mongolia. I miss everyone, back home and here in Mongolia. But the excitement is overwhelming, and I cant wait to really start.

Meeting the Boss Man

Today I got to meet my supervisor. His name is Enkhjargal (Peace and Happiness ... the same as my little sister ^_^). He knows about as much English as I know Mongolia and we were able to have a nice little chat. He seemed very proud that his English teacher could speak Mongolian. I also got to speak on the phone with my counterpart Gansukh, he seems very cool and his English is great! So I will be the 4th English teacher at the college. Oh my college seems soooooooo cool. It is a technical college that teaches: cooking, hairstyling, shoe making, auto mechanics, jewelry making, and much more!

I also got to hear about my apartment. I have a bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom. It is also apparently near the school which is nice. Also as my city has pretty much everything except spices and mustard I don't have to worry about buying supplies here in UB and lugging them all the way to Dornod. (Though I did buy this red watch from the black market that matches both my glasses and my goy pilach "pretty dress").

I am getting soooooooo excited to get to site and begin work, though as Jacob had to remind me yesterday we will soon all be leaving each other. :::tear::: My Heraldo sitemates are all so awesome and far far away (except for Jim and Julie who are also in The Cho as we call it). I'm probably going to cry worse then I did when I left my host family. But its okay, visiting wont be as hard so Kenny tells me (he currently lives in The Cho), as the paved road goes farther east each month and the bus ride is down to about 12 hours!!!!!!!!!

Also I have Halloween to look forward to as this year The Cho is hosting the Western Region Halloween Party!

I have my new address:

Cassandra Weiner, PCV
Ангал хэлий Багш
Дорнод Aймаг
Чойбалсан Xот
Шаталсан Сургалттай Техник Технологийн Коллеж


Okay got to get back to school ... love to all!

MY NEW HOME!!!!!!

So folks ... the old address is no good ... don't have the new one yet but I do know where I will be living and working for the next 2 years .....

:::drum roll:::

Choibalsan aimag center in the far east of Mongolia (it is a fly site or 20 hrs by car/bus)

I will be living in a 2 room apartment

I will be teaching English at a College in addition to helping the Mongolian English teachers improve their teaching skills.

Crazy huh???? I was really dissapointed at first, but now I am sooo excited.

This is a great opportunity and I got "promoted" because they were impressed with my practice teaching.

Well I got to dash ... I am in Darkhan for 2 more days and then I go to UB!!!!!!!!

Longer update later!