On The Home Stretch

Our Crazy Group AZ9

TEFL Group

While most of my group is at the finish line and is getting ready to go home, our COS (close of service) conference was a wake up call to some and with others it was fear or excitement about going back and getting a "real"  job or going to graduate school.  This experience has at times been extremely hard, frustrating and disappointing (as I had written) but then there are days the rewards definitely out weighs everything else.  I wanted to tell my group (because I have done this before) when you get back everyone will want to hear your story for about a minute and then they move on.  It's not that people are uninterested, it's that they cannot understand what we have been through and the profound change in us.  We are certainly blessed living in America and trust me I thank God everyday for that blessing. But for many American people it is not for them and they do not want to hear about it.  We should not be angry or frustrated because that is the way they are.  We have learned a lot here but what's important to us is not necessarily important to everyone else.  This is not a bad thing, it is just how it is.  I learned this lesson the first time around, and I don't take it personally.  But I am afraid for some it will be extremely difficult and readjustment will take a long time.  I just want them to know, it ALWAYS gets better and before you know it, you have been readjusted!!  I'm here until June so I have some time.  We have about a zillion reports to complete, so I will have more time to complete them!!

During COS I brought Bounty in to get spayed and when I picked her up I was able to meet with the person in charge. I explained to her that there was about 15 of us volunteers that wanted to work with the organization and helped with the sterilization and education.  They have two mobile vans complete with equipment and if we could get them to come to the regions, we can help with the epidemic overpopulation of dogs and cats.  She agreed but they need another vet, assistant and driver if they are to do this.  We are in the beginning stage right now, but it is moving forward, please keep us and Azerbaijan in your thoughts and prayers in tackling this project.

School started this week and as usual the schedule is and will be in turmoil for a few weeks.  Fortunately, only Monday was a crazy day so I just went home.  But Tuesday the classes were good (I co taught 6 classes), Wednesday (5 classes) and Thursday (5classes).  I won't teach on Fridays as I am going to help at another school to teach one class, then I am going to help at the Institute to teach a conversation class.  I am also working on Fridays to gave out applications for TEFL's in the schools and Community and Youth Development applications in organizations.  I have been to the Olympic Center and the Red Crescent (like our Red Cross) and asked them to complete the applications.  I am also looking for host families.  It seems that you have to make the effort yourself because most of the staff in Baku do not want to come this far out on a regular basis to promote the Peace Corps volunteers opportunities to the communities.  So if we want volunteers up here next summer, I need to find places for them!!

On Monday I am taking several students to Sheiki for the FLEX (Foreign Exchange to America) test.  The marshrutka is a two hour drive each way but they are doing 2 test that day (if they pass the first one, they take the second one).  I have one student who has worked very hard so I hope he passes both tests.  If they pass both tests, then in a couple of months they go to Baku for an interview.  Out of around 2000 students in Azerbaijan who try out, only about 50 students go to America.  It is very  competitive.

Life Challenge: Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: Condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned:  Forgive and ye shall be forgiven!! Luke 6:37