Life is But A Dream

I had to return my rental car because the cost of rental and insurance was more than what my per Diem allowance was. Peace Corps will not reimburse for car rental but will give you mileage. So I was back to using public transportation for short trips (the bus system sucks in California especially central coast public transportation) but my son who owns a construction company had a work truck I could use for emergencies.  The truck is a diesel 2500 that needs 2 parking spots and it was a little intimating to drive. At first my foot couldn't reach the pedals and it was hard to handle but once I got use to it I was fine (did I have a choice!!).  I did find that when people saw me behind the wheel, they just kind of moved out of the way, I felt powerful!!  I had to make a stop at Costco to pick up a few things before I came back.  There were only single parking slots and one between two other trucks (not nearly as big as the one I was driving), so I squeezed in between the two and figured I would run in and out before they got back and saw they had little room to get into their trucks.  As I was coming out of the store I pass an older man with a cart full of groceries and apparently he was watching me as I came up to the truck, opened the door and was just about to get in, he said I would have never guessed in a million years that would be the car you were driving!!!!  He just so happen to be the owner of the truck that I parked next to.  He smiled and shook his head and so did I.  As I was going back to my son's I notice the gage light on so I pulled over and called my son.  Mom he said, it is just overheated, you have to get to a gas station and put water in the radiator. Sure sweetheart, but the hood of this truck is above my head, how do you propose I do this? Mom, you will figure it out, if not call me.  Darn, nothing is ever easy.  I went to the first gas station I saw and just hoped that someone would help me.  I pulled as close as I could to the water hose and got out to open the hood and I knew I was in trouble when I couldn't get the latch to unhook.  I went inside, and explain my problem and the attendant came outside to help.  He asked why I was driving this huge truck and again I explain it was my son's work truck and I was only borrowing it. Well, he put water in the radiator and I was off to spend a couple hours at the beach. Another crisis adverted, I did not blow up the truck!!! It was a GREAT day.  Here are a few pictures.



My ride

At the beach an Art Show

Look how beautiful the Beach was



These last six weeks have flown by but alas all doctors have cleared me to go back to Azerbaijan.  I left on Sunday and was in Baku on Tuesday at 2 am with rain. Oh joy. Fortunately, a friend of mine gave me a North Face rain coat, boy did that come in handy.  I got to the hotel around 3:30 am and went to sleep. In the morning, I went to the PC office, met with the doctors, they told me if I have one episode of swelling that HQ told them they had to send me home. I told them that if I did, I probably would not tell them.  I also spoke with my program manager and the director.  The next day Wednesday, I took a bus to Zaqatala, a 7 hour bus ride but at least it stopped raining.  I was greeted by my site friend Kaylee and my cat Mint who let me know it was about time I got back!! I spent the next couple of days paying bills,buying groceries and cleaning.  The dust on the floors made me sneeze it was so bad. The weather is finally warm enough that I can sleep in my bedroom again, so I clean the floors, put clean sheets on the bed and it is now ready.  I go back to school on Monday and there is only a month left of school.  My site mate had started conversation club at the university here for me so I will go with her on Wednesday and we have decided to split the group up.  I am also working with her on a summer camp in her village in September.  Zaqatala's summer camp will be in June and I am working with my Azerbaijani friend on that.  She wants to have an environmental summer camp with hiking, park clean up and recycling.  So we will see how that goes.  I am planning a couple of trips this summer, one to Croatia and one to Georgia.  So it looks like it is going to be a busy summer.

Life Challenge:  You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream   C.S. Lewis

Medevac a Blessing or a Curse

Now that I am backed home, I had forgotten all the blessings we have living in America. Here is my short list.  What I am enjoying is toilet seat covers and toilet paper!!! Going out to eat at a variety of restaurants, getting a bargain, driving a car, sitting in the front seat of a car, a variety of fruits and vegetables, warm weather, and enjoying my grandchildren.  I drove up to Northern California to visit family for a week and it was beautiful up there, it was so green it almost blinded me!!! I drove back home along the coast and it was wonderful.  The Pacific ocean is awesome!!  I have been to the beach several times, just walking and watching the surfers surfing.  Did a little shopping since my backpack had all of my clothes and the pack was still in Frankfurt, I love Target and Kohl's, you can really get a bargain (jeans for $10)!  Finally received my backpack on Sunday afternoon. It is amazing, I'm feeling really good and my knee has not swelled or hurt at all.  I went church and I didn't have to drive a million miles and I had a choice of churches.  I didn't get jet lag or have adjustment problems, just kind of fitted right in right away.  I've enjoyed my granddaughter Emma in gymnastics and my grandson Owen in basketball. Both their birthdays are next week, so I get to spend it with them.

My son's patio

Looking out at the mountains



I did learn about friendship.  A great friend in Azerbaijan is taking care of my apartment and making sure my cat Mint get lots of love. Another friend there e-mails me and checks on me to make sure I am okay and "when am I coming back!!"  I have many friends that call me and e-mail concern about my health and are praying for me.  My dear friends from Northern California and from North Carolina wants me to stay with them.  Kind of hard with either one with doctors visits here!!  I learned that all friends teach us lessons of some kind and possibly I teach them, but I have certainly learn from them. Not all friends are alike and that is as it should be. You have friends you hike with, go to book club with, go to Bible study with and you get the idea.  But you are still surprise and even hurt when you think that you have a close friend but it turns out different.  I thank God for his blessing that he gives me to learn the lesson because after the hurt and sadness there is reasons why friendships comes and goes.

Medevac is a blessing and not a curse as it recharged my body and soul.  I have a few more tests to take but, my doctor told me he would clear me to go back to Azerbaijan, so it is up to Peace Corps doctors to either clear me or medically separate me, which means I don't go back.  Either way, I am good with that.  It will just be another chapter in my life and I so look forward to what God wants me to do next!!

Life Challenge: The things we do to others become our world.... Alan Christoffersen's diary "A Road to Grace" by Richard Paul Evans

Azerbaijan 1 Volunteer O

This country finally got me.  I'm being medevac home for treatment of my knee.  For the past month it has swelled up 3 times for no reason, they had to drain it and give me steroid shots.  The doctors are perplexed, so they decided to send me home because the specialists and treatment here are better.  So I have 45 days to get healthy and go back to complete my service.  I still have plenty of blog stories of Azerbaijan before I throw in the towel, so I am planning to go back!!!

I stayed in Baku for a few days prior to going back to the US.  They needed to stabilized my knee and knock out this pneumonia that I had.  So it was wonderful as I just rested and received calls and visits from friends. Tuesday morning they picked me up at 2 AM to take me to the airport for a 4:50 AM flight to Frankfurt with connecting flight to LA arriving at 2 PM Tuesday (I gain 12 hours). Got to the airport went through customs and security, and got on Lufthansa, a nice plane with plenty of leg room.  I requested an isle seat so I could stretch my legs and get up and walk around when it starts getting stiff.  Made it to Frankfurt in 4 1/2 hours and when I arrived at 7 AM, it was snowing lightly.... yuck.

Frankfurt Airport Closed

 



I got off in terminal A but notice the connecting flight was in terminal Z.  The shuttle took us to terminal Z but stop at Z4, my gate was Z69.  Good thing I had 3 hours layover because it took about 45 minutes to walk there.  As I am waiting to get on the plane, the snow was getting heavier but planes were still taking off so I wasn't worried (I should have been!!). We boarded at 10 AM, the snow was getting worse.  We were told that the flight would be delayed, and then again delayed, and then again delayed...  At 5 PM (after being on board since 10 AM) they cancelled the flight.  Before we got off, they did offer us something to eat which figure I better eat something.  After finally getting off the plane, we were told to go to customer service to reschedule our flight.  The lines were so long, I ended up standing in line for 7 hours (total time on the plane and waiting to reschedule was 14 hours).  They finally schedule me for the next day a flight from Frankfurt at 1:30 PM to Munich and then Munich to LA at 3:30 PM.  I had to sleep in the airport as there were no hotels available (a fair was in town) and all roads in and out of the airport were closed.  After sleeping for a couple hours I am waiting in the lounge for my flight and I notice that the time between getting to Munich and the connecting flight to LA was only about 30 minutes.  If that airport is anything like Frankfurt, then I wouldn't have enough time.  I went up to the counter and was told to go to customer service counter again (which was a good 2-3 hours standing in line again) to have it changed.  I told them they really needed to change my flight to the earlier one, because I don't think I will make the connecting flight.  She was very rude to me and told me it wasn't a problem, and they can't change it because of my luggage needed to be with me and to just sit down and deal with it. At this point I was going to write a not nice e-mail to this airline and airport.  As I was waiting for my flight, they announce that the flight to Munich was delayed 45 minutes.  I shook my head and when up to the counter and told them if they don't change this I will have a melt down.  I am tired and hungry and I need to get to LA. I also didn't have a working phone, so I was able to use the airline phone to call my son.  I kept giving him different times of when I was coming in on the different flights.  I was angry and frustrated and told them I wasn't moving until I got a flight to LA. After 20 minutes, they found a flight on United going to DC and then LA.  She asked if  I wanted to go to Washington to LA.. Yes, just get me out of here!!! (They hate putting you on another airline because it cost them more money).  So again, I called my son and told him the time of the flight (hopefully this was the last time).  I had 1 hour to get to the terminal (again, I was at terminal A needed to get to terminal Z). Tickets in hand, I am off to terminal Z hopefully for the last time.  I Never want to see this airport again!! As I was heading to the terminal I found the UA reservation counter (most of Frankfurt airport is Lufthansa), so I got my boarding passes and called my son to confirm again.  I got to the gate and had 10 minutes to spare, once I was on the plane I finally relax at least I was headed home yea.....  Once I was in DC, I went through customs and waited for my luggage and guess what?  My luggage NEVER made it on the airplane, it was still in Frankfurt.  So in DC I was told, once I got to LA to file a claim for my lost luggage.  I went through customs and security and off to my connecting flight and as I arrived at the gate, they just announced boarding (yea... I made it, I'm going home).  Landed in LA at 1 AM, filed a claim for my luggage, and then my son, daughter-in-law and grand kids picked me up and drove me home.  After 3 days, 3 cancelled flights, I finally made it!!

I had to rent a car, no extra car in my family or friends and anyone who lives here knows you need a car to get around. There is no straight through public transportation.  PC does not reimburse for rental cars, they expect your family or friends to take time off to drive you to doctors appointment's which all of my family and friends work and I would not ask them to take time off to take me.

I did go to the doctor's on Friday, he was very thorough and took lots of blood and x rays.  I go back in a couple of weeks to find out the results.  Wish me luck.

Life Challenge: Patience is the art of concealing your impatience.... Guy Kawasaki

My Heart Is Heavy

My pastor's 8 year daughter died last Saturday after 2 1/2 years of fighting cancer. My heart is so heavy and so sad.  This family is truly God blessed as I could never be as strong as them.  Please go to their blog "PrayforDaisy" and  read this incredible story and the journey they all took. I pray that my faith be that strong, but I have a long way to go. Love your children and your family every day.



This has been a hard week for me. My knee swelled for no apparent reason to the point I could not walk.  Our PC doctor finally approved for me to take a taxi to PC office in Baku because getting to the train or bus station was not an option.  The ride took over 5 hours because he took a route through the mountains (where trains and buses do not go because the roads are narrow and steep), oh joy, plus the fog was so bad you could not see 10 feet in front of you.  I was a little nervous to say the least, but the driver is a good friend with my friends from the wedding palace, so he was a little cautious.  He even asked me if smoke bother me and when I told him yes, he did not smoke in the car. By the time I got to Baku it was too late to see the specialist at the hospital so arrangements were made for the next day.  When I went in, he immediately drained the knee, he was not sure what cause the swelling but because I had surgery in that knee, he believes that arthritis settled in and this is a flare up. They sent some of the fluid to the lab to make sure there was no infection, then gave me a shot of steroid in my knee and sent me back to the hotel to ice and elevate it for a few days. A possible reason I was told that why this may have happened is the weather here in Zaqatala because it is humid, damp and extremely cold and that could cause the joints to flare up. I tell ya, this country is killing me!!!  After a few days, my knee was doing much better, still a little stiff but I was release to go home.  I decided to take an early bus, so I left the hotel around 7:30 am and hop on a bus that said 20th of January (near the bus station), okay then, I will just get off there and take another bus into the station - easy???? - NO,  I found that what is posted on the bus is not necessary their route. Darn, I spoke with the driver with my limited language skills, and he told me to cross the street take #65 bus.  Okay, good, maybe this one will go to the bus station.  Jump on that bus (okay I didn't jump) and thought this looks right and of course as soon as I said that, this bus makes a u-turn and heads back into town. Darn again, got off that bus and cross the street and finally see a bus that has"avtovazal" aka bus station. Yea, check with the driver to be sure and I was finally on my way.  Once at the station, I found the marsh for Zaqatala and got on. Waited about 20 minutes and then the driver came and told me that there wasn't enough people going to Zaqatala so he wasn't going today.  Double Darn, I walked over to the buses and found a Balaken bus (which is the next town pass Zaqatala) leaving in 45 mins with lots of room.  Whew, the only problem with the big buses, is they take about 2 hours longer than marshuka and make many more stops.  But at this point, I was just glad to be headed back.  It took almost 10 hours to get back and by then my leg was pretty cramped.  Now I have to go back to Baku next week so the doctor can check my knee and there is also a counterpart TEFL conference.  I will take an over night train to Baku at least I can stretch out and sleep a little and not waste a whole day traveling.

I received a call yesterday from our security in Baku, we are testing our EAP (Emergency Action Plan)... I am the warden which means in an emergency my cluster (or group) comes to my house. Since I knew a test was coming, I had asked most of the new volunteers beforehand to come over to my apartment so they knew where I lived.  The only exception was the Qax group as they are about two hours from me. Okay, now I asked security, yes now said security.  Take this down, you have 15 minutes to let everyone know and they must come to your apt. immediately. Okay, I remembered I only had about 1.20 mante on my phone, I was going to buy minutes today....what to do (it was take me 10 mins to get to the store and back and I need to call everyone NOW).  Okay, decision made, just keep calling everyone until the minutes run out.  I called Kaylee, listen to me I said and don't talk, I read her what I was told and then told her to get here ASAP, I had only 15 minutes to call everyone I couldn't talk. I did that to each volunteer and I reached all but one (called her twice and texts her to call me).  Whew did this with a couple of minutes to spare and enough money (had .42 kopeck left) on my phone. Next, I waited for everyone (they had to come to my apt., sign in and note the time they came), I made peanut butter and honey sandwiches and star buck's coffee for everyone.  By 2 PM everyone had shown up and signed in.  I would say that this was a successful test!!

Updates:  Weather still has been cooperating, very cold at times, but no snow in the city.  I can handle that!! Thank you God.
My homeless animal project is going very slow, have to get approval from the organization headquarters in Baku, so I am working on a business plan.

Life Challenges: The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.... Helen Keller

Kindness, Hearts and Frustration

My kindness starts out with the packages from family and friends.  My Christmas tree (a little late, but I can keep it up all year!!) from home. Isn't it AWESOME!!!  Weather stripping, index cards and laminate, scarf, coffee, stickers, videos and chocolate, to name a few things, it was a GREAT CHRISTMAS!!!! Thank you all so very much, those packages means so much to me...

 

My Christmas Tree and my Gnome



I received an unexpected text this morning from a PCV I don't have much contact with. It was one of those random acts of kindness that I need to do more of to others.  He said "Hey Annette, I just wanted to say that you are wonderful and I will pray that your Friday is full of blessings and love".  How kind was that!!!  I am surely blessed, because I always receive texts at the right time, SKYPES when I am feeling low and packages when I don't think anyone cares. I just want to thank you all again for your friendship, love and your acts of kindness. It truly means a lot to me....

My heart is for these animals here and it has been a frustrating week with this project I have started.  After 6 weeks and constant requesting another meeting with the Director I finally got to meet with him, only to be told by him that I must go to Baku and meet with the Department Head and receive their approval before we could proceed.  So, why wasn't I told about this in our 1st meeting, several weeks ago and when I was at MSC training I could have set up an appointment and had it taken care of.  Now I have to wait until TEFL training at the end of the month.  On a positive note, it gives me more time to write up a business plan and then use this as the basis for my grant.  I am hoping to get this translated into Azerbaijan for better understanding of what I am proposing.

and Frustration.....We are again requested by HQ in DC to complete a living allowance survey and again, I had asked for clarification.  Most of the volunteers are living in host families and the newest volunteers are just settling in so either groups do not know the cost of purchase goods and since most  things are included (e.g. gas, electric, water and food) in the monies that is paid to their host families why would they even want to complete this survey.  For us who are in independent housing, it is a totally different situation and they (HQ) needs 80% participation or the results are invalid.  So, for those of us who actually care about this survey (meaning maybe additional living allowance) it will end up null and void because most of the volunteers that are living with host families will probably not complete it like last year.  When I tried to explain this to our finance manager I was told it (the survey) was complicated...hmm complicated, interesting response. Maybe I am missing something here and I would love to be enlighten, but call me silly,  I honestly can't see it.

Well, God has blessed our weather, in the low 50's in the day.  Only need two (yes) two layers to wear in the morning (high 30's low 40's in the morning) but the sun has been shinning and the mountains are awesome (with snow covering them).  I keep praying to keep the snow in the mountains and so far my prayers have been answered!!!  I only have one more month of winter and it sounds like the east coast back in the states are getting all of our winter weather!! Thank you Lord!!

Life Challenge:  Common sense is not so common....  Voltaire

Half Way There

MSC is over (Mid Service Conference) and we are half way through our service.  Wow, I can't believe I've been here for 16 months, half way (trust me at times it seems like 16 years!! especially during winter!!). Our group went to Baku for medical examinations and dental exams.  We spent two days talking about goals to complete for the coming year.  Because I am in a new school this year, I requested and received approval to take my counterpart to TEFL training at the end of February with the new group of volunteers and their counterparts.  I have also requested to participate in the TEFL training of the new volunteers (AZ11) that are coming in April.  Since I have worked with every type of teacher that they talked about during my training, I can give some insight on how to manage to work and teach with them without KILLING anyone!!

Kaylee and I in Sheiki

My project for neutering animals is going very slow.  I had the one meeting where they were really excited about my idea and even requested an application for a volunteer for the organization. I have been trying to get information to start the grant but so far no luck!!  Either my friend who is the translator is busy or the Director has not been at his office.  I did give the application to one of the workers and I just keep my fingers cross that she gives it to the Director.  I've found that in this country everything takes twice as long (hurry up and wait... that's my favorite thing to do!!), but if you are patience and presistent then you eventually come out with the information you need.

Looking out my window!!!!

 

The weather has been holding out, at least for snow.  It did start raining today and has not stopped.  When I left school, the temperature was dropping, so we may get snow.  It has been cold, but not freezing which is good.  I am running my little heater and for one month (and I was gone for one week for MSC), my electric bill was 25 manate (or around $40.00), more than Peace Corps allotment, so it is expensive.  I have been keeping it off as much as possible, having the PC issued Big Bertha sleeping bag helps, but I do notice my joints are starting to hurt when it gets too cold, and then I have to turn on the heater.  It is the end of January and hopefully only one more month of winter and with any luck or God willing no snow!!! Yea right, I only pray.  We did get enough snow last year for two winters!!!

I hope the New Year is a blessing to you all.  I will blog more, I promise. Not much happening this month, and not getting into any trouble, but I am sure it will find me!!

Life Challenge: Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again!!  Franklin P. Jones

Pineapple and Homeless

I had a very productive week off. Since "Mint" adopted me I have been trying to get her neutered because she leaves for hours and days tramping the streets and I don't want her to get pregnant.  I don't think it will be a problem right now, she is young and it is winter.  I need to have this done soon or at least by Spring. I had a meeting with Zaqatala branch of Veterinarian Services but it is not like what we have at home.  This government agency is involve with cattle breeding and disease prevention.  I spoke to them about neutering the homeless animals and the benefit it would have to the community.  They seem very interested in my idea as they do not have any kind of a program like this in Azerbaijan regions even though the country had signed a declaration regarding animal rights. I explained by neutering one female cat or dog there would be over 200 LESS kittens or puppies in that animal's life span (I am being very conservative with the numbers). There is so much more that comes along with that, no aggression, biting, spraying, wailing, to name a few and this would certainly benefit the community. I am going to write a grant for basic cost of neutering, vaccines and emergency medical care. And if necessary a humane way of putting an animal down.  I would like to match Azerbaijan with partners in the US to help launch this program with videos on how to capture strays.  I have a few locals that are willing to help so it will be sustainable.  My goal is to secure a vet, cages, a taxi driver that will transport the animals to the clinic and the medical supplies.  Right now I am waiting on the cost of this from the organization. I will give them a few days, then I will be calling!!

Ohh... the Pineapple (in the title)... My friends at the wedding palace had an engagement party and a WHOLE pineapple was left over, Esmira asked if I liked pineapple and of course I said "yes", so she gave it to me.  I haven't had pineapple since leaving the states.... it was WONDERFUL and ohhhhhh so sweet.

Weather Report.... we are in a heat wave 41 degrees and sunny but by Thursday it will drop 10 degrees with snow showers... Oh joy. I'm putting on another layer!!

Just a reminder about my layers!!!!



Life Challenge: Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms... George Eliot