I finished my second week of teaching. It's getting easier. I think that, despite Machiavelli's convictions, it is important to win peoples' hearts for their respect rather than scaring the hell out of them. I think that my meanness must have been really transparent to the students. This week, we played baseball on Thursday for two hours, which went over really well. I also hosted the first Ecology club at the school, and we walked to the lake. It was a meeting in an attempt to start to raise ecological awareness. Remember when we were kids and we had to learn about recycling and the animals that were disappearing (that are mostly now extinct)? Nothing like that really exists here unfortunately, but I am trying to start an organization at the school. Today, at the teacher's meeting, I asked the teachers to brainstorm what they think the school needs, so I can start researching which grants are available for us. Despite my grandiose expectations for what I would be writing a grant, the school needs basic amenities like hygenic toliets and heat. I am moving in the direction of figuring out how to find money to help the school with these projects. The previous volunteer was called Mikko, so I have an alias now. It is Mikko. All of the kids who don't know me call me Mikko. I have developed a really strong relationship with my family. My host father is rad. Last night he pulled out his double barreled shotgun and taught me how to shoot it. I mentioned to him that my dad has a couple of shotguns at home for when the "bad men" come. He also pulled out his Communist party card from during the Union. He loves the notion of the Union, and I am convinced more and more that it was something special. He talked about how all the different nationalities remained but they were patriotic over their broader Union. Sound familiar to our own? He said that Kyrgyzstan is democratic now. And that if the Communists came around, he would be a Communist again. He is also really Muslim at the same time. Contradictions in people foster their greatness, I think. I have gotten back into the habit of writing letters for everyone. The post office is convienently located across the street from the school, so I can go over on my lunch break. Everyday I sit in the cafeteria and have my tea and fried potatoe bread. I write my letters, read my book, and plan lessons. I am finding my way here. My skin is almost completely back to normal due to a lack of stress and normal digestion. Last night, this old Russian lady needed help to find the main street near my house. She would only speak to me in Russian. She was frightened by the vicious dogs on my street and was disoriented about that much I am sure. She spoke Russian during the ten minute walk and was explaining herself, which was precious. When we made it to the main road, the only road with street lights, she thanked me and we parted ways. Weird things like that happen here. Another comic antecdote happened Wednesday during my third through fifth classes. I had some diarrhea come on, and I had to leave my classes to use the outhouse. The students were really relaxed about it all. I guess that they were used to the teacher leaving for twenty minutes at a time to rip some ass. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah! I will be back on by New Years. I got some photographs back that I will scan in as soon as I can. I love you guys. I have received a lot of letters this week. I feel loved. You should feel loved as well. -MJ
