Living On Purpose: Winter 2015 Update

Happy Spring! This post is long overdue, but with the recent opening of our youth development center, preparing for the 3rd semester of the disabilities program, and PCVL duties, quite frankly I haven’t had the time to sit down and write. Nevertheless, here is the most recent update of my life in Mongolia. I hope you enjoy.

As a Peace Corps Volunteer Leader, I was called into UB this past December, to assist with the M24 Non-TEFL IST (24th generation Community Youth Development and Health Peace Corps Volunteer’s In Service Training). I primarily supported our staff at headquarters with logistical, and administrative task, as well as facilitating Human Trafficking and Empowering Individuals with Disabilities task force meetings. I thoroughly enjoyed becoming better acquainted with the new volunteers, and was grateful to share my experiences with them as a peer mentor.

UB is always a nice getaway. Living more than 1000 km from the nation’s capital, its nice to visit every so often and take advantage of the modern amenities and treats. I spent my down time before and after the seminar hanging out with friends, watching a few movies such as “Interstellar” at the theatre (great movie by the way), and indulging in my fair share of Indian cuisine. I also played one too many games of Banana Grams, and to say that I am addicted would be an understatement. My love for the game is thankfully shared by PCV friends, so we were able to keep ourselves entertained with round after round of spelling our hearts out. It was pretty intense to say the least.

After the the seminar I participated in a bi-annual volunteer advisory council meeting, hosted by Peace Corps Mongolia. During this meeting the volunteer advisory council or “VAC,” presented various concerns on behalf of the 124 volunteers living in country to Peace Corps Mongolia staff. Issues included everything from volunteer leave and travel policy, to site development and volunteer work reporting. I was in UB for a full 3 weeks, so soon after the VAC meeting was finished, I boarded a flight back to site, and began preparing for Christmas and New Years festivities.

I celebrated Christmas with my site mates at my home. Peace Corps was gracious enough to give each province with volunteers turkeys. So after laboring away all day in the kitchen, we had a wonderful Christmas Day Turkey dinner, with mash potatoes, gravy, salad, and dinner rolls. As always it was nice to spend this very special holiday with fellow Americans.

New Years was incredible. I attended a total of 3 parties, in 1 week. The Children and Families Development Department hosted an office meeting for all of its workers, and a larger more extravagant community party for the children. The Children's party had a rendition of Dr.Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas," dance flash mob, and singing performances. My counterparts and I, hosted a New Years party for the Youth Development Center, and invited young adults ages 18-35 to participate in a night of singing, dancing, eating, and games. All in all, I had a hectic yet joyous end to the 2014 year.

Fast forward to mid-February 2015, and it was time once again to celebrate Tsagaan Sar (“White moon”), the Mongolian lunar new year. This year was the year of the sheep, and would also be my final year celebrating the holiday as a PCV. I went all out, having a new deel (traditional Mongolian garb) and hat made. If you’ve read my previous post about Tsagaan Sar, then you would know that the holiday requires you to visit the homes of friends and family, were you great one another in the traditional Mongolian custom, and eat ALOT of traditional Mongolian food. Since, its my last year living in Altai, I had quite a few houses to visit. I ended up visiting a total of 16 families in 1 week. My counterpart and friend Batbayer, invited me to her home on Tsagaan Sar eve or “Bituun,” to celebrate with her family. It is customary to eat as much as you can on this day, and you typically spend this time with your family. Tsagaan Sar is my favorite holiday, and I hope to bring it back to America, and celebrate it with my friends and family. There are a number of RPCV Mongolia (Returned Peace Corps Volunteers) groups in the states that host Tsagaaan Sar parties, so its nice to know that I don’t have to completely retire my deel when I move back.

So there you have it, my last winter in Mongolia as a PCV, which was actually the warmest winter on record! Spring is finally here. The herders are birthing baby sheep, goats, camels, horses, and cows, now that the weather is warming up. The days are getting longer, and the Mongolian parliament has even voted to enact daylight savings, so beginning next weekend (March 28th), Mongolians will set their clocks ahead one hour for the first time in 16 years! Hopefully everyone remembers. My only concern is how will the herders get the memo? Yikes!

As always, I’ve included some photos below.