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).