Hello! Sorry it's been so long since blogging. This time, I have little excuse. I have had the internet for about two weeks, but just haven't had a mind clear enough to really sit down and blog. Nic and I are once again in a state of transition; a series of events in Kyrgyzstan led to Nic and I taking interrupted service, which means that because of circumstances beyond our control (i.e., a politically unstable situation) that we would not be continuing our service in the Kyrgyz Republic. Now, don't get me wrong; Nic and I are still doing the Peace Corps. We are enrolled to leave again in March. But we will not be doing in it in the Kyrgyz Republic. It's funny how being married brings out a protective behavior in me that I may not necessarily exhibit when I am fending for myself exclusively. Nic and I were not necessarily in a dangerous part of Kyrgyzstan, and I came to the realization last night that if I were single, I would have been more inclined to stay in country. But now I've got not only a husband, but two sides of the family to be concerned about. I don't, under any circumstances, want to put my husband into any unnecessary danger or excessive discomfort. As a single person, I was more likely to push myself; as a married person, too much is at risk. Anyway, truth be told, being in a state of transition again is tiresome, and thoughts considered while in an unexpected and uncomfortable state of transition are best for private journals, not public forums.
So here's the deal with us. Nic and I were not really able to do our jobs and were rapidly losing face with our community. Every meeting, event, and club that we planned was canceled because we were constantly in a state of standfast or consolidation, which meant that, for our own safety, we were being contained in one way or another, be it in our village, in our home, or in a consolidation center. After much discussion with one particular staff member that we got along with fairly well, we decided that the best decision would be to put our name in the hat for a country better suited for us. After all, as returned Peace Corps volunteers, we would have more say in where we were going and in what skills we wanted to put to use. We have been back in the US for twoish weeks, and have been busy turning in paperwork and applying for things. Nic and I have a position waiting for us in March with the Peace Corps. We will, if everything works out, be going to a French-speaking African country. We cannot be officially invited until we are finished with medical clearance, which, as you Peace Corps folks know, can take forever. I have faith that this assignment will work out.
In the meantime, Nic and I applied for volunteer positions with Heifer International's Overlook Farm in Rutland, MA. Although I was expecting to receive the position of Farmer Chef, the position was already filled. Nic and I will both be education volunteers in the fall. I'm looking forward to this already, and have located some jeans to patch (any nice or new clothes will be promptly eaten by goats). I've also been trying to think of ways to get away with not checking any bags. Airline baggage prices are friggen insane. But winter boots are heavy, and probably not the best things to carry with you in your carry one.
All in all, things are looking positive. I miss my host family from Kyrgyzstan, but look forward to a bright future. I've started Rosetta Stone again, and maybe will be able to actually get a grip on French before I leave. Fingers crossed!
