So, I guess the most important thing to mention is I have experienced my first very, very personal loss while serving in the Peace Corps. It is not my first loved one to die since I've been here, a dear friend's mother, to whom I was also very close, passed away when I was still in training. That was devastating enough, even though we weren't technically related. This time, I had to say goodbye to my Grandma Leree. People say that because this is the natural order of things that it is somehow easier to deal with the loss. Intrinsically, I know this must be true, but when it is my own grandmother to whom I must say goodbye, it isn't as simple as the acknowledgement of the "circle of life". This is one of the greatest challenges individuals face when joining the Peace Corps and also our greatest fear. We all dread the call informing us that something terrible has happened to someone we love back home. There is nothing I could have done to have prevented this, again, a fact of which I am well aware. However, being here, without friends from home or family, it yields a sense of powerlessness and isolation that can never really be anticipated until one is in the situation. I do not say these things to solicit sympathy or to scare off potential volunteers. It is a fact of life as a volunteer that I simply wish to point out. I knew when I joined and departed America there was a very real chance one of my grandparents, and maybe even others would not make it through the 2 years. An unfortunate consequence of going off and seeing the world and pursuing one's dreams is the inevitable missing out on so many milestones, both good and bad. I was not there to see my nephews' Christmas pageant, or my baby sister go to the Neches River Festival, or help her get ready for prom, I missed the birth of my best friend's first baby, will not get to attend and be a bridesmaid in a lifelong friend's wedding, was not there for another life long friend's mother's passing, and I was not there to see my Grandmother in her last year on Earth, or to tell her goodbye. I am happy with the path I have chosen for myself, and I knew what I was giving up when I joined, but it doesn't make the loss any easier. I guess for me, one of the greatest challenges with coming to terms with this loss is that I had every intention to go to Kansas and spend some real quality time with my family, as I have not been able to do in years past in university in New York and as a child growing up in Texas. Sure, I have spent time with my family, and my grandma even got to attend my graduation from NYU (the last time I saw her), but I was so looking forward to the little bit of free time I would have after my service ended and the next chapter of my life began where I could learn where it is that I came from, all about our family's history, and just get to know them better. Of course I have plenty of family to still do that with, but there is something about Grandma that was kind of the glue of the operation, and the vacancy she left with always be felt. I wasn't ready to tell her goodbye, but in the end it wasn't really my choice, nor were the circumstances under which she departed. At least with modern technology I was able to speak to my family before she actually passed, and even if for the briefest moment, I did not feel so alone in this difficult time.
Now on a much lighter note, I would like to inform you, dear reader, that today I experienced a 5.7 earthquake. The epicenter was in Azerbaijan, which as most of you now know, is the border on which I live. At around 8:40 this morning I was startled from my sleep from an intense rattling, and in my delirium felt the Earth shake for I'm guessing close to 30 seconds, but I could be wrong. It is a bizarre thing when your whole world literally shakes beneath you. I have in my life been through hurricanes, tornadoes, a flood, an ice storm, a record breaking blizzard, and now a relatively significant earthquake. It was not significant enough to cause severe damage, but according to this site which tracks earthquakes, it was on the scale to cause some.
This is the local map of where it originated from and Lagodekhi is in the picture.
http://www.emsc-csem.org/Images/EVID/26/265/265439/265439.local.jpg
Here is all of the information on the quake, should you be interested.
http://www.emsc-csem.org/Earthquake/earthquake.php?id=265439#
Last weekend, I was in Tbilisi for several committee meetings. On Sunday, the U.S. embassy hosted a concert with Terrence Simian's Zydeco Experience performing. It was a free concert as a celebration marking 20 years of American, Georgian relations. It was honestly one of the most exciting times I have had in the country! There were quite a few Americans there, but there were also loads of Georgians, especially younger Georgians. It felt even more special since Zydeco music feels so close to home, given the strong Cajun influence in Beaumont. For hours, Georgians and Americans alike let loose and danced and just enjoyed the care free atmosphere all together! It truly was a wonderful celebration!
As part of the evening, Goodloe and I decided to get dressed (I dare not say up, but more up than normal), and go to dinner to feel like normal people for a night. As we were leaving the restaurant, a man ran out after us and stopped us. He informed us he is a director and is directing a commercial soon, which he wanted us to be in! It was very tempting, and he called Goodloe later so we could go to the studio. The commercial was for a casino. However, given the economic issues already plaguing this country and the devastating effects casinos can have on people's lives (from individuals to the entire society) and in our positions as volunteers here to promote peace and understanding, we thought it might be a conflict of interest, so we opted out. The main things to take from this last story are: I am still a diva, even when showers are few and far between for me, people still recognize my star power, I'm kind of a big deal, and I've still got it! :)
Now on a much lighter note, I would like to inform you, dear reader, that today I experienced a 5.7 earthquake. The epicenter was in Azerbaijan, which as most of you now know, is the border on which I live. At around 8:40 this morning I was startled from my sleep from an intense rattling, and in my delirium felt the Earth shake for I'm guessing close to 30 seconds, but I could be wrong. It is a bizarre thing when your whole world literally shakes beneath you. I have in my life been through hurricanes, tornadoes, a flood, an ice storm, a record breaking blizzard, and now a relatively significant earthquake. It was not significant enough to cause severe damage, but according to this site which tracks earthquakes, it was on the scale to cause some.
This is the local map of where it originated from and Lagodekhi is in the picture.
http://www.emsc-csem.org/Images/EVID/26/265/265439/265439.local.jpg
Here is all of the information on the quake, should you be interested.
http://www.emsc-csem.org/Earthquake/earthquake.php?id=265439#
Last weekend, I was in Tbilisi for several committee meetings. On Sunday, the U.S. embassy hosted a concert with Terrence Simian's Zydeco Experience performing. It was a free concert as a celebration marking 20 years of American, Georgian relations. It was honestly one of the most exciting times I have had in the country! There were quite a few Americans there, but there were also loads of Georgians, especially younger Georgians. It felt even more special since Zydeco music feels so close to home, given the strong Cajun influence in Beaumont. For hours, Georgians and Americans alike let loose and danced and just enjoyed the care free atmosphere all together! It truly was a wonderful celebration!
As part of the evening, Goodloe and I decided to get dressed (I dare not say up, but more up than normal), and go to dinner to feel like normal people for a night. As we were leaving the restaurant, a man ran out after us and stopped us. He informed us he is a director and is directing a commercial soon, which he wanted us to be in! It was very tempting, and he called Goodloe later so we could go to the studio. The commercial was for a casino. However, given the economic issues already plaguing this country and the devastating effects casinos can have on people's lives (from individuals to the entire society) and in our positions as volunteers here to promote peace and understanding, we thought it might be a conflict of interest, so we opted out. The main things to take from this last story are: I am still a diva, even when showers are few and far between for me, people still recognize my star power, I'm kind of a big deal, and I've still got it! :)
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