HAPPY HALLOWEEN...

From Batman and Catwoman...

When Things Get Normal...

So I've been creeping on other PCV's blogs and realized that I've fallen down on my photag duties. I guess when you settle in and things become "normal" you forget that this normal is temporary...as is my memory. So, I'm going to work on keeping an eye out for things that won't be "normal" forever. Just to catch you up...things are good here. We're crazy busy - not always a problem, so I'm diggin' it while it lasts.Here are the bullet points:- We're both teaching at a local university. The Agriculture University is piloting a program with a small group of students in which all of the courses are taught in English. D's course is covering transnational corporations...or something like that...mine has a public speaking / technical writing focus. Yes - public speaking...no jokes, doubters - I did it every day for five years in a high school classroom - a relatively intimidating arena, so I think I can manage. It's a lot of fun, but we spend most of our free time getting our lessons ready since there's no set curriculum.
- D's "My Mic" event has become something truly incredible...something sustainable - a Peace Corps buzz word, and a pretty elusive goal for volunteers. Last month it had traditional Azeri music & dancing, break dancers, beat boxers, a guitar club, a rock band, and poetry reading. It's amazing to realize that you can actually see confidence grow in these young people...they step up to the mic one person and leave another. It sounds dramatic, but it's true. This event gives them a chance to shine, and that's exactly what they do.
- The Ganja AzETA (Azerbaijan English Teachers' Association) branch - my primary host organization - is showing great promise this year, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. We're starting an "AzETA Serves" chapter that is doing a clothing drive for a local orphanage this fall and will start another drive in the spring. We're also planning a literacy project with little ones that will focus on storytelling and creative writing.
- And all the hour here, hour there gaps in our days are filled with conversation clubs, essay revisions, and lesson planning.

We're getting so excited for our trip home in December. I cannot wait. Only seven weeks to go...Of course, I've been keeping a list of all the things I miss (which means food because I am an Atwood / Lanfear). Dustin thinks this is totally unproductive, but there are far worse things I could do, right?...So, here are the big ones...

- MEXICAN FOOD...all of it, including Taco Bell enchiritos (which some people don't consider Mexican food, but I say stop being so snotty and eat it already...) - BBQ - TEXAS BBQ...that means beef brisket, my friends - MARGARITAS...which some people would lump into the Mexican food category, but I think it deserves a category all its own - WAFFLE HOUSE...I know my Georgia crew is hearing this one...smothered, covered, and peppered, kids - AUNTIE ANNE'S PRETZEL DOGS & PEOPLE WATCHING...you know you do it - MELLOW MUSHROOM...bring it on...LUBY'S LUANNE WITH FRIED FISH...because there's nothing like eating moderately priced cafeteria food with elderly people. Oh yeah...

We love you guys. Thanks for keeping up with us. Hopefully we'll catch up with some of you in TX! Here are some pictures to show you what we've been up to lately...

AzETA teachers playing a game at "Start Strong" - a few weeks of workshops just before school started.

My AzETA Teachers at the End of Start Strong

Working on 4Mat Lesson Planning and SOAS - Select, Omit, Adapt, Supplement

A Few Weeks Ago We Decided It Was Time To Get Busy Cleaning Our Rugs / Sleeping Bags Since Winter Was Coming (It's Here Now, By The Way) So I Documented Our Fall Cleaning...I Got A Little Dramatic Near The End...And Apparently All My Hair Is Falling Out - Gross...

We got to go to the World Boxing Championship and Olympic Qualifying Rounds in Baku a Few Weeks Ago...This is American, Jesse Hart pounding someone from Qatar...

The Arena Was Pretty Empty - So All The Americans Waving Flags and Chanting "USA" Were A Little Obvious

We've Now Been To Two Azeri Weddings. This is Ilaha - She Was a Peace Corps Trainer and Works At Dustin's Office. This Day Also Happens To Be Our One Year Anniversary In Azerbaijan. Azeri Weddings Are Pretty Glamorous - Hence The Golden, Sparkle Walls...

Remember Kama, Our Host Sister in Sumgayit? We Went Back A Few Weeks Ago For Her Oldest Brother's Wedding. So Much Fun...I Think We've Got The Azeri Dancing Down To A Science...

Here are Vusal, his wife, Sadeat, and Baby Muslim At The Wedding...He Seems To Be Eyeing The Green Stuff...

Muslim Look A Little Irked, Maybe It's The Hat...Here He Is With Dustin and His Uncle (Sadeat's Brother). He's a Wonderful Man Whose Family Is Always So Kind and Welcoming...Do You Remember The Post Where The Kids Are Teaching Dustin Azeri? Those Are His Kiddos.

The Groom Getting Ready To Pick Up His Bride...What You Don't See Are All of His Relatives Dancing In the Parking Lot In Front of Him...

The Bride and Groom Make Their First Appearance Together. We Were All Just Upstairs Where There is More Dancing, The Red Ribbon Ritual - The Brother of of the Bride / Groom Ties a Red Ribbon Around The Bride's Waist to Symbolize Purity, An Exchange of Gifts Including a Mirror and a Lamp - More Symbolism But I'm Not Sure What Specifically...Here the Bride's Looking Up As Her Friends Throw Flower Petals From the Apartment Above.

My Buddy, Xayal - A Peace Corps Staffer...and the Coolest Tie Ever...

The New Peace Corps Trainees Are Now In Country and Went On The Site Visits Last Week. Ganja Got Quite a Few and the PCVs Got Together To Show Them A Good Time...This Is In Our Backyard...My Favorite Part of This Picture Is the Collection of Ziplocs Drying On The Line In the Background...Nice...