Hello friends and family!
I know it has been WAY too long since I last posted an update. But I have good reason, my life has changed completely since last I blogged and finding time/enegry to organize my thoughts has been histuu (difficult in mongolia). So let me update you on whats been going on here in Mongolia!
I have left my darling amazing host family and my comfy little soum (soum: a small town which is a part of a bigger city) tearfully and then met up with all 72 PCV (peace corp volunteers) in UB (the capital of Mongolia) for one week. We partied, found out where we would live for the next two years, became offical PCV and then parted ways to live in our new homes. First I would like to explain how they told us about where we would be place. First they spread out a HUGE map of mongolia on the floor, then one by one, they called out our names and physically placed us on the map. I thought it was a really cool way to show us where we would all be. Then there was the swearing in ceremony which is when we go from being a trainee to an offical volunteer. We all get dressed up in our deels (traditional mongolian clothing) and someof us, including yours truely, put on a talent show! I, along with 3 other amazing volunteers, sang the popular mongolian song Aynee Showod which translates into Migrating Bird. Its a love song that sings about his love travling along with the birds to his lover (Awww). It was an amazing experience to be able to get on stage and sing infront of our future directors and pcv; I will never forget it! For those who want to see this perforance go to my facebook page and its also on Youtube...but i dont know what the video is called.
So now that I have vaguely updated you on that, let me tell you about my new home for the next 2 years. I live in the East of Mongolia in Chengis Khan's birthplace, Khentii Aimag. I live in a smaller soum in Khentii that has about 10,000 people and was built on the train line, which is good news for me cause that means better food! I live in an awesome apartment with running hot water (YAY) , a bathroom (yaaaay!) , and a kitchen (yAAy). There have been 8 other volunteers in this town before me so my mongolian english teachers who I work with (there are 5 of them) know alot about working with a PCV. I also am very lucky since I have a sitemate! He works in the hospital while I work in the school. He has proven himself to be amazing company and I look forward to working/living with him for the next two years.
One last thing I wanted to talk about was why I havnt posted any pictures. Reason being I go to internet cafes which have tons of viruses so if i did upload pics I would probably end up with a virus...which means no pics for a while...sorry friends! But I have been taking ALOT of pictures so once I get interent I will load them all up.
So thats it for now, if you have any questions please post them and I will try to answer them soon. Miss everyone from home SOOOO much!!!
<3 ellie <3
Hooray, Lenorie! I loved reading your blog post and living vicariously through your incredible adventure. I am so amazed at your spontaneity and passion--congratulations on finding something to truly pour your heart in to.
ReplyDeleteWhen do you start teaching? I'm going in to week 6 tomorrow of teaching English here in the U.S. where it's hard enough, even without a language barrier :)
Jonathan and I are planning the wedding slowly but surely. Other than that, we're just hanging out--certainly not out there saving the world like you are. However, my students are currently learning about Mongolia is AP U.S. History, so I'll have to tell them that I heard from you. Hope you're having a fabulously enriching time; I'm sure you are. Miss you! Michelly
Michelle! So good hearing from you. LoL I dont know if I am saving the world but I am working hard to in trying to help this community. Teaching in mongolia has been interesting! The students are so excited to have an american teacher that, for the most part, they are well behaved and eager to learn. And there is always a Mongolian English Teacher with me sharing the spot light which makes thing alot easier! Tell Jonathan I said "hello" and tell you students i say "cain uu!" which is like "hello" in mongolian.
ReplyDeleteHi Ellie The Great
ReplyDeleteWho would believe that one day you will exchange information about teaching with Michelle from Mongolia!
I hope that Mongolian is not taking over your ...Hebrew! can you still speak/understand Hebrew?
Well following you put me on facebook, this is one more thing I never thought i would do
I gathered about 5-10 national geographic magazines for you, will send them soon
love
eema