Livin' in the future

I am officially on Peace Corps, round 2! I recieved an email today with information about final travel arrangements, and have contacted SATO travel to make our reservations. From New York, Nic and I will be traveling to Istanbul, and then from Istanbul to Bishkek, where we will remain for training (approx. 3 months). We will be leaving either March 25th or 26th (more than likely the 25th, but we will find out here in the next few days), and will be back in 2012, if the world doesn't end. I feel like this time is the "for real" time and am, in truth, letting myself get excited at this point. I quit my job (last day = March 4th), and am going to start doing more exercise, sleeping more, and eating better to ensure that I'm healthy, fit, and mentally prepared for the crazy adventure I have in front of me. My priorities are shifting now that I know for 99% certain that I am leaving at the end of next month. I am going to really focus on learning the bare-bones of Kyrgyz (or as much as one can learn in one month), hone in on a few high-quality grammar books and teaching aides, and develop the upper body strength I need to feel confident about my posture and endurance while lugging 2 fifty pound bags across all of the Kyrgyz Republic. Potentially while on horse.
But for now: A nap.

Mardi Gras

Nic and I returned last night from our adventure at Mardi Gras. The holiday of Carnivale has long been one that I've thought about, imagined, and even dreamed about. I've had dreams that I was traveling to New Orleans by bus for the purpose of preserving giant ant statues that had been built all over the city; I've had nightmares about bodies escaping from their above-ground tombs and floating at my feet. And what can I say? The drive to the city of New Orleans was creepy as can be. Our drive was lined with swamps. Trees covered in moss growing from capsized boats and flooded homes, long abandoned, decorated the skylines. Big black birds perching against a background of grays glared at us as we sped by. It was a trip!
Nic and I were in New Orleans for Monday and Fat Tuesday. The first day we accidentally stumbled upon a parade, where we collected beads that were tossed at us. I got pegged in the head by a bag of red and silver beads. The parade was zodiac themed, with huge floats of all of the zodiac signs plus a couple of pagan gods. These detailed floats looked like hours upon hours of work had been poured into them, not to mention hundreds upon hundreds of dollars. They were gorgeous, grotesque, colorful and surreal animals, gods, goddesses, and figurines that towered over our heads.
On Fat Tuesday, we awoke early to discover that even as early as 8:30 A.M., people in the hostel were buying vodka shots and mixed drinks to go with their breakfasts. People streamed into the streets fully decked out in incredible costumes. It was like halloween plus voodoo plus tribal drunken hullabaloo. My favorite was a Gumby costume. I talked to the guy about the costume, and he had been working on it for four months. The costume was made of a soft, pliable painted foam that was not only huggable and flexible, but maintained flare legs and raised facial features even when Gumby posed in grotesque, frightening, or adorable poses. Entire families dressed up, and people, regardless of age or gender, acted extreme together. The cutest family that I saw was all four seasons plus Ewok. That is, Father Winter (husband, decked out in white robes and snowflakes), Autumn (wife, autumn leaves), Summer (Grandma, huge colorful flower hat and skirt), Spring (baby girl, daisies, too impatient to wear the hat), and a tiny baby Ewok in the stroller (fuzzy, small, lovable). I saw two parades. One was the Zulu parade, featuring large, clown-like African American figurines that smoked cigars and drank Crown Royal, and the other was a random trucker parade. Literally, decorated trailers attached to 18-wheelers were driven around and people screamed, yelled, and caught fun exciting toys, jewelry, and (!) underwear. The Zulu parade was gorgeous and fun.
The Zulu parade was hosted by a group known as the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club, which is a Carnival Krewe that was founded in the early 1900s. The origins are in the working-class African American group known as The Tramps. The group is the largest African American group that puts on parades, and it prides itself in benevolent aide and social assistance. The group takes care of it's members in various ways, ranging from financial aide to sick care, and pulls its resources from dues paid by members of the Zulu Krewe. The group known as the Zulus decided to satirize the stereotyping of blacks by mocking the caucausian Rex parade and caucausian minstrel show makeup (i.e. blackface, tribal associations) that dominated the 1910s and 1920s.The Zulu floats featured African Americans in exaggerated blackface, clownwear, grass-skirts, and donning spears and stuffed tigers, alongside steppers, hip-hop dancers, and brass-instrument bands.I'd never seen anything like it. These folks were incredible at putting on shows. Here is a brief but informative article about the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club. BTW, Nic and I got a coconut.
In spite of the three amazing parades, the highlight of the Mardi Gras experience was, by far, the costumes. There was Bert (From Sesame Street), Beaker (from the Muppet Show), a Storm Trouper, Candy Hearts (Lick Me and Eat Me), a season family, Boxed Wine, Beetlejuice, Gene Simmons, Grim Fandango...etc etc etc. I was fully amazed at the creativity of all of these folks. Here are some photos. Me and two childhood superheroes.



Well, that's it for now. Have a great day, everyone!

Jackson

Got to Jackson! Nic and I are on our first leg of the journey to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Jackson is disappointing. I was hoping for something new and neat in this city, but the stores, restaurants, and even TV channels are the same as in Arkansas. It's extremely disorienting to drive for five hours and then eat at the exact same restaurant that is five minutes away from my house in Little Rock. The homogenization of the American business-scape is terrifying and boring at the same time. It's terrifying because large chains are wiping out small gems of businesses. It's boring because I like being able to go to any city, small or large, and find a variety of restaurants, businesses, specialties, and cultures. Instead, I am met with the exact same IHOPs, Waffle Houses, McDonald's, Burger Kings, and Starbucks(es). What's the point in traveling if these chains are replacing local culture? Local culture is, in my book, the only thing that makes traveling worthwhile, refreshing, and energizing. New Orleans should be great. Though I am expecting to see some chains, the Muffalatta was invented in New Orleans, and you just can't experience local culture in any better way than via regional foods.

Last night I went with Noah and Amber to see the famous Goodtar Jones. Goodtar was amazing, as usual. Goodtar is the Jack Johnson of the post-modern folk scene (or is he? he sure does sound like him in that one song). Donning mortor board and 4 guitars, Goodtar sang about everything in my life, and his too. I rode back with Noah and Amber but we didn't get back until 5:00 A.M. It was my job to keep Noah awake enough for driving home, and I can't remember the last time I had such tired discussions. They ranged from video game stories, to 90s emo music, to fast food. One great thing about Noah and Amber is that I feel like I can fully be myself around them. I wish that I were capable of being fully myself in most social situations. It feels so good.
I've been writing short stories that are roughly based on a combination of reality and weird dreams that I've had. I promise they're written better than this blog. I tend to go on "creativity kicks" where I'll get an urge to create, create, create...and then it fizzles. And then I'm back to my normal smiley self that focuses her energy on breakfast and a full night's sleep. I am not sure what to do with them, really. I want to give them to others to read, but I'm afraid they might figure out that the story is loosely based on something they might have been involved in, or that it is almost entirely a dream I told them about. I have written poems and short stories for years, but have never been confident about them, except for when I was 17, and put all of my energy into slam poetry. Why did I stop?!
Tomorrow is my second attempt at having a cooking class at Our House. I have recruited one volunteer and a friend of mine from UALR has recruited an additional two. This week should be great; because tomorrow is valentine's day, Nic and I are cooking deserts with the kids. Deserts are always a smash hit.

Snowstorm in Arkansas

Today I woke up to a ground covered in snow. I had work at 6:00 A.M., and the living room next to my bedroom looked so bright I thought I had overslept. It felt almost miraculous, until I called my manager and found out I had to be at work anyway. I was only there for a few hours, but we were very very slow when I was there. I got sent home, and the store ended up being shut down so that Nic could stay home as well. It was a great day. Nic, Tristan, Veronique, and I all chased around the dogs, who were confused as all get-out about why the snowballs dissapeared when they hit the ground. We have two dogs, one big fluffy dog that loves the snow, and one tiny skinny dog who is a nervous wreck, but imitates the big dog. They both ate a significant amount of snow.
I finished knitting my first scarf, made of wool from Cora (the name of the sheep). I bought this wool at the Sheep and Wool festival in New York. I can understand now the addicting properties of knitting. I like having something to do with my hands, and it feels like you are always working on a project in a good way. I wore my new scarf today during Nic, Tristian, and I's epic walk to waffle house, where we ran into the guy that got my dad into some trouble not too long ago. The scarf is a bit short, as I typically like longer scarves, but it very thick and warm. I feel proud. I am going to get some more yarn and move onto project number 2. Which I haven't decided on yet.
All in all, today was a beautiful day, although the snow is turning into slush and ice. I'm about to enjoy a cup of tea with Malvern honey. This day is only getting better.

Call for Supplies and Funding

I am spearheading, alongside my husband and Mindy of the Our House shelter, a new cooking and nutrition program for the month of February and March. Here is my call for supplies and assistance. Help us out!

I am currently seeking assistance with a new program at the Our House shelter geared at children and youth ages 7 to 19 years old. The program, entitled “You can cook too!” is a weekly nutrition and wellness program targeting at-risk children and youth. The program is a two hour volunteer-led program with three main components. First, youth at the Our House shelter will learn basic nutrition and meal-balancing. Second, each recipe will be discussed within the context of its origin, nutritional value, and cultural significance. Third, the at-risk youth at Our House will have an opportunity to learn a new skill (cooking), as well as enjoy a delicious meal that they created themselves.

A minimal amount of supplies and funding are required for this program. We are asking for small donations of either supplies, cash, or grocery store gift cards to help support these weekly programs. All donations are tax deductible and a tax receipt for all donations, supplies and cash alike, will be provided upon request. Thank you for your consideration, and I hope that you choose to support this new Our House program. Every donation, small and large, will help contribute to the nutritional well-being and skill level of at-risk youth in Little Rock.

Needed Supplies for the “You can cook too!” Program:

Cleaning supplies and kitchen necessities:
Rubber gloves (20 pair)
Ziplock bags (Gallon sized)
Clean coffee cans with lids
Paper towels

Fresh Food/Perishables (Needed Weekly):
Eggs
Milk (Powdered, condensed, and fresh)
Cream (Fresh)
Butter
Basic Vegetables (carrot, potato, yam, onion, cabbage, greens, tomatoes)

Non-Perishables (Needed Weekly):
Flour
Corn Meal
Sugar
Baking Powder
Yeast
Salt
Rock Salt
Pepper
Italian Spices
Garlic Powder
Oil
Vinegar
Cocoa Powder

Specialty Foods (Needed for last week of February's Black History Month lesson)
Cassava
Plantain
Corn Meal
Vanilla Extract

As of today, I have been married one year. I feel great!