Not much going on

Hey guys!
I just thought I would update a little bit, not too much has happened here in a while. I keep teaching every week which has gotten a bit better. My kids are getting a bit more involved in the lessons, but I fear that I am becomming the game person… In fact I know I am because every lesson I teach the kids expect to have a game. It’s ok as long as they actually try and are learning something, which theyy are so big bonus there I guess. I am up to 3 clubs now. Teacher’s club which is going well, I have had a few new teachers showing up now which is great. My girls club has dwindled a bit, but I have about 7 girls that come regularly which is great. Last week they all had a simple conversation in English, I was so happy/proud that I literally almost cried. I also have a boys club of about 3 boys for my 6th grade students. They are really good students and learning really fast. They have gone through about 4 lessons in about a week and a half. So I am really happy with the progress that is being made here.

In other project news I am starting to look at grant projects. Just today I received 2 big bags of books from the Darrien Book Exchange full of English books to use at my school. That was very exciting. I am also looking at writing a grant to buy musical instruments for my school. My hope is to start a music club where I teach students english through learning music. I know some people in my village who can teach music and willing to help out and I have always loved music. I know that my kids would be interested in this and it’s a great way to learn English and a new skill, learning to embrace music. So that is the first project I am actually looking to tackle! It’s very exciting.

Other than work I have been spending a lot of time just wandering around my village and getting to know more people. Now that the weather is nicer (probably 60s) I am taking walks at least 3 or 4 times a week. Good for my health and good for my community integration because I am always stopped and asked into homes for tea. That’s a huge plus.

Last weekend was really fun because I was finally off of what we call site restriction, that is where you can’t leave your home for the first 3 months of service. I took firday night and visited Mayagozel and her family, which was wonderful. Then on Saturday a bunch of us PCVs in the area spent the evening bar hopping around Ashgabat. We hit all of the sites: Zip bar for cheap beer, English pub for live music, The Grand Turkmen Hotel for kareokee, and the Florida Room for dancing. It was a ton of fun and we even ran into some of our Peace Corps Staff members at the Florida which was hillarious… not many people can say they have danced with PC Staff at the disco, but I officially can. It was good times. Overall, things are going well and I am really excited about my new prospects! Until next time! Be the Change You Wish to See in the World and Sog Bol!