Latvia Web Journal |
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| The goal of this page is to keep my friends
and family informed and up to date on my life for the next two years. (ps.
there may be typing mistakes. I used a keyboard with the cyrillic alphabet)
April 20, 2001:10am, Riga I finally got to experience being ill in Latvia. It was okay really, I had everything I needed but felt bad. The response was amazing, my school director wanted to sent the school nurse to see me at home, but I had what I needed from Peace Corps. A huge note of thanks to Nathalie! She rescued me over the holiday weekend when a book and koolaid packs appeared from America. Yea for Nathalie! April 12, 2001: 8:20pm, Aizpute The reading list has been updated. I do like to keep that together. I never would guess that in the 10 months I have been here I would have so much time to read. March 28, 2001: 1:20pm, Aizpute I was in London last week with my sister! WOW! An amazing city, with food, shopping and more shopping. The prices are out of this world too! I visited Laura Jordan for a super meal at a restaurant called Embassy of the Republic of Texas. It was good. I was very happy to see two movies in London. "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "13 Days." I really enjoyed being in the city, but there was a little culture shock also. I cannot believe that it has been almost 11 months here! I am so busy, it seems odd to think that some people think Peace Corps is a break. I am busier than ever and more keeps coming. Maybe I should practice NO in all my languages?? March 12, 2001: 3:45pm, Aizpute Happily it seems that spring is coming. I am counting the days to the equinox, but until then I will just have to hope. It is warmish again. It hasn't been below freezing in about a week in a half. Yea! So today I wore my raincoat, my lighter - non parka jacket- since there has been rain and the slush is slowly going away. Next week is spring break! I can't wait. I am traveling of course so that will be very thrilling! I will report when I get back. If anyone knows where I could get books for reading, I'd love to know. Student reading that is. There aren't many choices for them. February 22, 2001, 9:30am, Aizpute The weather has been down right odd to me lately. Sun shining and snow all at the same time. This is new. I thought clouds were needed to get snow, but I guess I was wrong. The sun is quickly moving back to sun at early hours again. I am shocked at how fast the days lengthen. I am excited to get back to 20 hours of sun a day after this dark winter. Look out on the news for Peace Corps Day events. Celebrating world volunteering. Maybe visit the web site or ask local news to cover events in Washington about the Day. February 9, 2001: noon, Riga Today I finalized my spring trip. My darling sister and I are traveling to London. We are meeting and planning a super trip. I hope to learn all the British English I can so my students can understand me better. (Of course they use y'all now, but their national exams are done by British English types) Next week in my Early Service Conference. This is my first big milestone in Peace Corps Service. So after this I have close of Service, then I go home, so it was a build up to get here. I am shocked that I have been here over 8 months now. It seems only yesterday I could barely say hello in Latvian, let alone travel and talk to people. The only things I miss almost seem silly. Grape KoolAid and Dr. Pepper, plus frozen drinks, and good texmex. February 1, 2001: 3:30pm, Aizpute I love my adult english club. They are a super group and every week happier and more open with each other. They ask really good questions too. My favorite was about coming from a multinational nation!! WOW! Snow is still amazing, I love the way it feels when it flies across my face. (those pesky ice chunks in my eyes have got to stop) I am also knowing the joy of neighbors who do not shovel their sidewalks, leaving a coating of ice 2 or 3 centimeters thick in some places (UGH). But I still like it, I just can't stride like an American. Slow small steps and all is better! January 17, 2001: 2pm, Aizpute School is back in session. Classes are fun I think. Slowly the students are getting back to work. I am trying for interesting things this semester, but I hope for good listeners and learners and speakers!!! My sister Kristine and I are planning a trip to London in March! Thanks Mom and Dad for help too!!! (Peace Corps life does not lend itself to London trips. The budget is not there! But I am very excited about London and seeing my sister! December 30, 2000: 10:35am, Riga Christmas was joyful. I spent the holiday with friends in another town, on the Baltic Sea (Liepaja). We ate and drank with the furor only a family could have. What is weird, is that even though we had a tree and exchanged gifts, it really didn't feel like Christmas. Perhaps some other get together? Almost surreal is the passage of time here, just flies by. I also forget that I have had a birthday here. I went to see Charlie's Angels last night. The wonders of a big city include theatres with heat!!! Anyhow, it was a pleasant film. Not super, but fun to watch. I enjoy sitting in movies with non English speakers, because when I hear the jokes I laugh, while they read the subtitles and laugh later, it is pretty amusing. So far my New Year plans are vague. I am trying to travel to Estonia, but so far the person who is hosting a party is not home. She seems to be away, and I don't want to show up in a strange country and not find what I want, so today I should find out for sure. Happy New Year to you! Thanks for reading! December 14, 2000: 5:30pm, Aizpute The school semester ends Tuesday, I am actually almost done calculating my grades. This is number crunching galore. Now I understand the stress of my teachers all through school. Pressure too. I don't know yet if I will travel any for the holidays, but all my love to you my friends and family. Your support makes it all possible for me. Thanks and Happy New Year too! December 5, 2000: 5:45pm, Aizpute Last week was SNOW!!!!! It melted the next day, but I liked it anyhow. Seeing it, lots of it, coming from the sky was amazing. It was little flecks of fluff which made me all wet, my hat, my bag- everything, wow!!! More will come soon they tell me. Sunrise is nearing 9am now and sunset is around 3:30pm. This is very different from the winters I know from Texas. I am not as cold as I expected, my apartment is too warm and only one room at school is cold. I seem to be okay with winter, but my students say that more will come! Last week was the All Volunteer Peace Corps Conference. So I spent most of the week in Riga, with every other volunteer from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. It was fun, especially seeing the people I haven't seen since I got to Latvia. So I finally bought a TV. It is bigger than my old tv from dorm life. I got it used and another teacher helped me get it home. Programming it was a challenge, the directions were in Latvian. I got the clock right off correct, but channels - I had to get help. I like tv and news again!!! November 14, 2000: 5pm, Aizpute No snow yet, just cold and wind and rain and rain and rain! I do hope it becomes snow soon. I seem to be warm enough now, with hat and mittens! My apartment is nice, the water is hot and the heat makes a nice room temperature. I got my first plant! Hopefully it will survive the winter with me and we will be very happy! I want a cat, but I fear what will happen in two years. I could bring it to the USA, but then what? So for the time, I am sticking to plants. Perhaps a fish! I am enjoying life in an apartment. To cook and even to clean, provides something to do. No television yet. I am breaking down and looking. It is going on two months without. I miss news. So I am looking for a cheap tv. No small task here. There are some used, which I look at regularly. November 4, 2000: 5:30pm, Aizkraukle School is going well still. On Halloween I had the best English Club meeting. We carved two pumpkins. I may send pics home when I have them. I am also seeking access to a scanner, so my personal pictures have a home. I visited a new place to eat in Riga. It is called Ai Karumba. Very American style. Had a superb cheeseburger, well Sierburger in Latvian. With amazing fries. Cool place!! So it is almost winter here. The sun is coming up after 8 and going down before 5. Cold to me anyway. I still have not busted out my very heavy coat yet. I am using my raincoat with liner, with general warm success! October 18, 2000: 5pm, Aizpute School goes well, my 20 lessons a week are usually enjoyable. Generally the students want to learn and are eager. So with that all things are possible. Next week is the first school holiday. I may visit other folks here in Latvia. Maybe have people to my town too, I am not sure. As for home, I am thinking about getting a tv. Apparently I cannot get CNN or BBC, but even Latvian news I can understand some. October 7, 2000:2pm, Aizpute If anyone out there is up for some "light" reading, try the United Nations Human Development Report on Latvia 1999. It provided several hours of interesting reading for me. Of course I have it on paper and it was great to get ready to sleep. The weather is very nice right now. Alternating between very cold and warm. My thermometer reads mid 60s inside my apartment, but in the sun outside it is warmer. Of course when the sun goes down, my apartment gets to 60 degrees very fast. October 2, 2000: 3pm, Aizpute My new address is The weather is amazing. Fall is really here, cold frost some mornings, but the colors make up for it. I am taking photos, so I hope to meet a scanner soon and put some up here. I may be going to Lithuania in a couple of weeks, to see the big market. It is a field trip of sorts. So I will share as soon as I know anything. I think I have seen more of the Olympics here than I ever watched before. The coverage may not have been by big name athletes, but the variety was good and enjoyable. Sunday morning I watched the US - France Basketball game, then the closing ceremonies. Very nice. I think that next games in Athens will be very interesting. September 22, 2000: 3pm, Aizpute Big news! I have an address. My own place, with three rooms, bigger
than anywhere I have ever lived alone. So I will be like a dried pea
in a hopper until I get used to it. The walls are a bit bare, so if anyone
has ideas I would love to know. It even has hot water, not very hot,
but it should get better when the heat comes on. School is going well, I am happy with my classes. Scheduling is still a challenge for me, I just move around to much. I am a floater, no room of my own, so I have to get keys, and tote my stuff all over school. September 15, 2000: 2pm, Riga This week at school, things were more understandable. The schedule is the hardest for me. It changes every day, times rooms, class - everything. So I try to flow and the students help too and remind me when I am about to make a mistake. I had a great afternoon Thursday with another teacher. We had a long talk about America and all the Latvia connections. The world gets smaller ever day. September 11, 2000: 3pm, Aizpute So this is the second week of school. I am very excited about my classes. One large class is very hard, but I believe it will work out, we just need to find our groove. The school renovations are moving along. More insulation has been put on and they are finishing it. My students tell me that they will finish the windows and insulation next year, after energy bill savings. September 6, 2000: 1pm, Aizpute I joined the school choir. The students thought it was funny, teacher with students, but it will be very fun. They sing very well, and I am happy I can join. As a group, we will all go to Riga next summer and sing at the festival. WOW! This is a big thing. I feel good. I am looking for an apartment. So as soon as I have the address, I will share. Letters and such are a big boost, and I relish getting them too. Thanks:) August 31, 2000; 3:12pm, Aizpute School looks great. They have new windows, and have been insulating. They are putting styrofoam on the outside of the building, and painting it textured. Looks nice, hopefully the winter will be warmer inside. Classes start monday, I can't wait. I will have a new address soon, please stand by. Riga will still work, but now I have to go to the capitol to get it. Travel is long and a pain, so look for my new address. August 20, 2000; 1pm, Valmiera I wanted to keep everyone informed as to what I am doing to entertain myself, so I am adding a Reading Room. All the books I have read so far are included. See what my mind has been up to all summer. August 13, 2000; 2pm, Valmiera It is not raining finally. Wow, has it rained though. Incredible amounts. What amazes me is that it just keeps coming, and just collects in the streets. Yesterday was an American Studies seminar, hosted here in Valmiera for Latvian teachers. All of the teacher Peace Corps trainees, participated and it went very well. I presented a brief history of American Space Flight. I had fun doing it and I think the teachers enjoyed it too. Speaking with them later, they are all interested in materials on the subject, so maybe I can tackle something like that. August 5, 2000; noon, Valmiera This week we finished our model school. School kids in the Valmiera area, sign up to come to school in the summer and be taught by all of us trainees. It was fun. My classes went well. The practice was good, because Latvian students are deep inside similar to American students, but their style and attitude is a little different. Tonight is the Opera in Sigulda. I am taking the train with some friends this afternoon, then tonight we have a charter bus to return to Valmiera. I am excited. Sigulda has neat stuff, so I will let everyone know what I see there. July 30, 2000; 2:45pm, Valmiera It finally stopped raining. There is some fear about the damage to agriculture. The wheat fields are laying on their sides. So this means there won't be enough hay for the dairy animals or enough wheat for the local bread to be made. With luck, there will be enough salvage to prevent disaster. So hope with me. Saw Gladiator at the movies last night. Since I saw this in May before I left home, it was fun to see again. The theatre here in Valmiera was built in the 50s so the architecture is interesting. That and the hard seats. Since Gladiator is not short, wow - it felt really long. The movies are shown with Latvian and Russian subtitles, so I try to learn a new word from each movie. What is interesting is that they charge 1Lat. That comes out to about 1.60 USD. Amazing huh? In Riga, where everything is expensive anyway, they charge 2Lats for the movies. Even then, tons of fun! July 23, 2000; 5pm, Valmiera So a note about the weather, it has rained and rained the past week. What is amazing to me about the weather is that the rain comes down in huge amounts. If it rained like this in Texas, flash flooding would destroy everything. So instead here the rain just collects and makes the sidewalks impassible. It sometimes is amusing to be walking in the street, dodging cars and puddles, just because the sidewalks collect more water than the street. Amazing! July 18, 2000; 5pm, Valmiera Aizpute, has a small castle ruin, which was occupied by a family until WWI. The town had several factories and is now home to about 6,000 people. My school is primary-secondary and has nearly 1,000 students. They come from the area- essentially the county-ish area. I will teach 9-12 graders in English and about American culture type stuff. Since everyone here has seen "The Bold and the Beautiful" my work is cut out for me. One of the other volunteers in training here has a digital camera, and the pictures are available online. Visit Rich's Site for the details. Apparently it is possible to order prints too! No, not a commercial, just notification. July 12, 2000; 6pm, Valmiera Latvian language is progressing nicely. I am looking forward to learning more and being able to fully express myself, more than functional usage. This week we also started some Russian, which besides the alphabet, seems to be learnable also! Wish me luck. I leave tomorrow to visit Aizpute and see my school and my next host family. The bus trip will be long, but like everything else here - speed is not necessary. When I get to Aizpute I will stay with my new family for 1-3 months as I discover my community and meet people. If you are bored and want to help make me happy, I would really like letters. I don't even need much else, just news and stuff from home. :) So news from Aizpute soon. Good part is that they are computer equipped, and they will be available for use. July 2, 2000; 3:20pm, Valmiera: During World War II, Ludza had a Jewish Ghetto. There is a monument in memory of the event. The old Synagogue is still there even, but has not been reopened since the area was cleared of the Jews. It is the saddest building I have ever seen. I looked in the windows and you can still see everything inside, ready for Sabbath. Just dusty and unused. Very sad. The rest of Ludza is less sad. They have a beautiful museum, about the ancient people who lived in the area. Apparently there were some pre Homo sapiens in the area. All the signs were in Russian and Latvian, with vocab beyond me so far, but there were displays of the bones and artifacts. Even a Wolly Mammoth tusk and where it was found. There were also swords and shields from the German armies, and Napoleons soldiers too, and of course the Russian artifacts were there. Very interesting place. This week I find out where I will go, then Sunday the Embassy has its July 4th party in Riga. Then the week after, I will visit my site and meet my next host family. June 25, 2000; 4:45pm, Valmiera: My address is: I find out July 4th, where I will be going, so stay tuned for the announcement. I would love to hear from everyone, so drop me a line. I am having fun, there are always people here doing something, so that is super. Yes, I am healthy, and I may even be getting healthier. The food, while strange, seems to be good for me :) June 10, 2000; 3:20pm, Valmiera: We arrived in Riga then went to Jurmala on the Gulf of Riga off the Baltic Sea. Very beautiful. The highway from Riga to Jurmala is called something along the lines of "11 minutes in America" because during Soviet times all the movies that needed "American" looking roads were filmed there. The weirdest thing is that the sun comes up at 3:30 in the morning and goes down at 11pm. Very odd. When winter comes it will rise between 10-11am and set 4-5pm. Good news is that I can get a lamp for seasonal affective disorder if the darkness gets to me. Oh Since this is my first internet use, I forgot to bring my address. My parents have it if you want it. I will bring it next visit. My dad is [email protected] and usually replies. May 15, 2000; 10:30am: April 29, 2000; 3pm CST: First I go to Chicago to meet my co-Volunteers, from there we will travel together to Riga, Latvia for orientation and the beginning of training. Latvia is on the Baltic Sea, between the Estonia and Lithuania. On either side the large nations are Russia and Poland. So far I am almost outfitted. I still do not have luggage or a sleeping bag. The Peace Corps limits me to 80 pounds of luggage, so I am concerned about my ability to pack that. I have a parka, long underwear and my winter boots arrive this week. I am hoping that Graduation will complete my necessities. Week of Thanksgiving, 1999: |
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