Svet jokh

There's no power at the school right now, "Svet jokh." Class has been cancelled for the next week; it will recommence next Wednesday. I delivered some excellent classes despite the freezing cold classroom and students. I feel like this semester I have a better idea of my methodology for conveying the essential information. I think that shorter chunks of entertaining activities that sandwich a grammar lesson work well for my 45-minute classes. I was able to write some letters and practice a lot of yoga over the last few days in light of not having classes. I also delivered a seminar on the grants that are available to our school and community. I managed to brainstorm some exciting prospects for where we can go with the resources that are available to us. With one of the grants, we are going to get new furniture and linoleum for the school. I am going to attempt to create a partnership between our school and the nearby, brand-new Biosphere Preservation Center with the US Embassy Democracy Commission Grant. Using another grant, we are going to get some new technology, like televisions and maybe a couple of computers. Finally, the women in my community would like to find a way to get some new sewing machines with the Peace Corps Partnership Grant in order to start a sewing collective. I am really excited about this because it shows evidence of women's leadership and it's completely unexpected. I feel really positive after our discussion this week and am prepared to start this process in motion. We have the potential to bring in to our community about $20 000. I started taking piano lessons this week with a local teacher in Cholpon-Ata at the music school. I am working on Bach now, but we plan to move onto Russian composers soon. For one month, it will cost five dollars for eight hours of instruction, which is next to nothing compared to the $400 each semester at Reed. Between Russian, piano, and my excursions into the wild, I am really beginning to set up a stimulating life outside of my work here. We are definitely approaching the dead of winter here. I have never been so cold before in my life. You can be in the relatively warm house and still feel cold from within. When I was at the school yesterday, I got so cold that it took me about three hours when I got home to warm up. The Kyrgyz cure for being cold is drinking obscene amounts of tea, which makes me warm but manic. At my house, all of the siblings are within a mile radius right now, having come in from Bishekek and other cities. My family is huge between the mother and father and their four daughters and two sons (and their spouses) and the 10 or so grandchildren. I have never had to deal with so many family members in such a small place. My privacy is compromised, and it's never quiet. These experiences that push me out of shape at times are also the most beneficial for me to realize that I am not the center of the universe. I feel less homesick and stronger now that I have been at my site for two months. I find myself being forward-thinking and productive rather than thinking about the past or home. I can tell when I have been really busy when I start writing a letter and it feels like it's been awhile or check my inbox with too many new messages to respond to in one session. I still miss everyone incredibly, but I think that it's good for me to be here (in Kyrgyzstan) tuned into the present. I need to meet with one of my students now. I wish you well. Californian people, be careful of the mudslides and inordinate amounts of snow. I read about it on the BBC News, and the taxi driver talked about it on my way into the city today. Until we meet again. Love. -MJ