I dedicate this entry to the parenthesis

It was hard to get up for work this morning. After three days in a row off from work because of Sunday’s Independence Day, I had to resume my 6:30 am wake up call from the receptionist (just kidding, I have an alarm clock). Independence Day in Kazakhstan marks the fall of the Soviet Union back in 1991 (I was 6), but the December 16th date to celebrate the day was chosen to commemorate a military massacre of a Kazakh nationalist demonstration that happen in the late 80s (although one of my students said that was “sly” of them, to turn a infamous day into a positive national holiday, thereby – perhaps – trying to forget about it). The Kazakhstanis also have a Constitution Day, the day when they actually made Kazakhstan Kazakhstan (which in the states we just call Independence Day).

Anyway, we actually had a break from school that was greatly appreciated (we work Mon – Sat). I definitely slept a lot all three days off, but we also did a lot. Saturday and Sunday night we got together at Meghan’s apartment (she’s the only PCV in town with her own place) for dinner, drinks and movies (I think we watched 4 in two days). Sunday night there were fireworks downtown, but after noticing (during movie 3 of 4) that we could see them from Meghan’s window we decided to stay inside, saying that we’ll spend plenty of time outside when spring and summer come back around (did I mention it is REALLY cold here?). Sunday afternoon I got to go out the suburbs (more like a village or countryside settlement outside the city) with my host mom and sister to visit the grandparents. Last week I met my host granddad (who by the way, I can’t really understand because of his thick Ukrainian accent and missing teeth) when he came into town to deliver rabbits and eggs (kinda like the tooth fairy but he leaves dead animals in the freezer). Their house was a lot like mine in Uzunagash but with rabbits, chickens, a cellar full of potatoes and a cow (not in the cellar). After fish pie (bony but delicious) and several cups of tea and juice (and a little vodka to honor the holiday) we took the city bus back into town to relax (I cleaned my room… a little).

Monday I was invited by one of my English tutorees (19 and ethnic Russian, too bad she has a fiancée) to go to the Petropavlovsk general historical museum, where she got free English practice explaining everything to me (and I mean everything… yes I know that it is a cannon) and I actually learned some cool things about the history of the area. For instance, the oldest buildings in Petro are a water tower (actually a block from my house) and a Russian Orthodox Church (down by the river where the original fort and settlement were built).

Tuesday was supposed to be my productive day, organizing my room (still haven’t done that since I plopped everything down back in early Nov), doing laundry (it piles up when you have to do it by hand), studying Russian (ya ne panimayu paruski) and writing letters and emails home. Instead, I slept till noon, took a walk with Mike to see the “ice city” and New Year’s tree that have been set up in the city center (everything really looks like Christmas, but here it is to celebrate New Year) and go work out.

So now back at work, I have a week and a half until winter break which will be Dec. 30 – Jan 9. I think I’m traveling to visit some other PCVs and see another area of the country, but I haven’t made concrete plans yet.

Future blog topics (in no particular order): Cheating, smoking, Christmas (those are three words you don’t usually see together)