Parte del verano dos 2013

Za. What an eventful and productive summer 2013. I had the opportunity to work with an
amazing bunch of individuals in Darkhan. Time really does fly when your busy, you almost wish there were more hours in a day. I was a little nervous and apprehensive about being a trainer this summer to be honest, those emotions were short lived after meeting my training group. The M24 health trainees were an outstanding group of people to work with. I couldn't have asked for a more respectful and engaged people. Our days were long and tiresome but I would do it all again in a heart beat. So after all of the reports, evaluations and meetings it was time to swear in the 24th class of Peace Corps Mongolia Volunteers. Trainees performed a series of traditional Mongolian songs and dances and were sworn in by both our PC Mongolia country director and the US ambassador to Mongolia.

M24 Health Trainees along with HCT Bolormaa and I

PST 2013 Health Sector Training Staff

Health Technical Trainers

Hanging out in the tent during our PST staff picnic

PST 2013 Trainers

Indian for dinner at Asian Kitchen (The best chicken curry in Mongolia!)

Bolormaa and I

Friends and fellow Health PCVs La'Mia and Rosemary

PST HCT (Host country national) trainers and I

Newly sworn in M24 Health PCV's

Olivia, LoRee and I

DPT Christy (Director of programming and Training), HCT Mendee and I

HCT Zoloo and I

Laura and I

Swearing in

After the swearing in ceremony, I packed up my things and headed south for UB (Ulan Bator). At the conclusion of one year of service all PCV's are required to attend MST (Mid Service Training) as well as receive both dental and medical exams. Our MST was held at a ger camp 50 kilometers east of the capital near the infamous "Tsonjin Boldog" Chinggis Khan Statue. MST was a time to reflect back on the success' and challenges of my first year. During sessions we were able to share our projects, discuss future plans and possible collaborations with other PCV's. After MST I headed back to UB for a few days before departing for Altai. I was FINALLY able to get a little bit of R&R/downtime so I decided to catch a movie, and well lets just say, I had the unfortunate displeasure of watching X-men Origins: Wolverine 2. Now don't get me wrong I love X-men, Hugh Jackman and the first Wolverine was amazing, however I knew something was wrong when the movie began at a weird cross between and Castaway and Inception. Anywho enough about Wolverine, I was able to go to a couple of art galleries and museums which were phenomenal. And to top it all off I ate at a fantabulous Sushi restaurant named "Nyomi." (Cue Nelly Furtado's Why do all good things come to an end?) It was that time again to say goodbye to a few great M21 PCV's and good friends Leon and Kate. They threw a going back to America party, were they had a hilarious "Roast." Then it was back to good ole Govi-Altai! We have two new M24 PCV's Jerome and Max. Jerome works at the General Hospital in the aimag center and Max lives and works in a soum village 1.5 hours outside of the aimag center at a secondary school. As always my birthday not only marks yet another year of life but the end of my favorite season...summer. FYI: August 29th is also Michael Jacksons birthday (RIP). I was blessed to spend time with some of my good Mongolian friends and site mates. Going into my second year of service I still remain optimistic and confidant in the work that lies ahead. Capacity building and sustainability are not only parallel components of community development they are what I strive to accomplish in every single aspect of my work here in Mongolia. God has put me here for a reason to not only fulfill his purpose, but to live my life on purpose. 

Staff Picnic

Baseball

Partner Water Balloon Toss

Picnic

Writing Post cards in the Park (UB)

Post Cards (Friends and Family be on the lookout :))

UB art gallery (one of my favorite pieces)

This particular exhibit featured artist from Bayanhongor province.

Me

La'Mia

Sushi!!

Kate and I

M23 health PCVs

Leon and Kate

M23s

Holding an eagle 

My site mate Love and I

Quote of the week July 29- August 2

Quote of the week July 1-July 7

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it, I see everything else. -C.S. Lewis

Summer Update 2013

Me, Bolormaa and Leah

Hey guys! Summer is finally here (cue DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith's Summertime) and boy have I been busy. I know its been a while since my last post so here we go. My plans for this summer were initially up in the air until around late March when my application was approved to be a PST (Pre-Service Training) health sector technical trainer. I was and still am thrilled at the opportunity to work in close collaboration with the PC staff as well as the new trainees. PST for new volunteers is a time of new excitement and new beginnings. You're learning an interesting language, being equipped with sector specific skills and knowledge to thrive at site as well as living with a new family and forging new friendships with fellow PCT's (Peace Corps Trainees). My PST experience was an amazing time. I was blessed with a caring and supportive host family, enjoyed hands on opportunities to learn about Mongolian culture and while the language was a challenge for me at times, I eventually found my niche and its been nothing but smooth sailing since then. Our health sector technical team is comprised of three people including myself, Leah (M23 first half trainer) and Bolormaa who is our HCT (host country technical trainer). PST is 11 weeks and I'll take over after week 6 for Leah, while Bolormaa will remain on until the end of training. As a trainer I've been tasked to guide and mentor the new trainees  (M24's) as they embark on this incredible journey that is PC Mongolia.

PST Staff 2013

Hiking in Darkhan

I left site on May 17th for TOT (Training of Trainers, you notice PC has a ton of acronyms) in Darkhan, a city four hours north of the capital. Training of trainers was an intense two weeks of practice facilitation, revising session outlines from previous years and becoming better acquainted with PST logistics and staff. TOT concluded on Friday May 30 and it was off to UB to welcome the new M24's (that is the 24th Peace Corps Group to serve in Mongolia). They had a late arrival and didn't get in til around 11:30pm, nevertheless we were still there  patiently waiting to welcome them with open arms.

Welcome to Mongolia!

The 4th annual international UB Marathon/5k was held that Sunday morning after welcoming the M24's. We couldn't have asked for a better day to run, the weather was perfect. There was also a good turnout of PCV's, PC staff and US Embassy staff. The current marathon world record holder Patrick Makau of Kenya didn't compete but during the opening ceremony he was presented with an honorary medal said a few words and we were off to the races. I ran along side fellow PCV's and good friends Mari and Anna. Once again good times, great people and memories that I will cherish for years to come.

Anna, Me, Karen, and Mari

Me, US Ambassador Piper Ann Wind Campbell, Karen and Mari

Ronny, Anna, Me, Ambassador Campbell, Karen and Mari

Peking to Paris is a transcontinental car race that was occurring at the same time as the Marathon. Participants take cars no older than 1970 and drive from Peking, China to Paris, France. It started in 1917 and UB is a pit stop on the route. We had the pleasure of meeting an English couple who had competed in the competition the previous year and had also participated a similar tour in Africa and South America.

Peking to Paris

Meanwhile, the new KFC and Cinnabon (first international chain restaurants to open in Mongolia) were on my list of places to visit while I was in town. The KFC was unlike any KFC I'd ever been to, it was 2 stories and there were flat screen tv's everywhere, I should also add the wait to place an order was about 20 mins. The Cinnabon located in the heart of downtown UB wasn't as busy, lived up to my expectations and was relatively affordable on my Peace Corps Budget. 

I had a couple of days in the city and then it was off to Dream Eco Camp in Batsumber Soum (village) two hours north of the city. I spent an incredible week at this picturesque youth camp. There was no cell phone reception or internet, but I did have the chance to watch game 5 of the NBA playoffs (Go Heat!!). The kids were a pleasure and while their English skills were impeccable (all of the students attended the Orchlon international school in UB and most had even lived in America or abroad at some point), myself along with  two other PCV's assisted with life skills trainings. During our downtime we hiked and played basketball, volleyball and soccer with the kids. The serenity and peace I experienced at my time in Batsumber was priceless, I definitely look forward to going back next summer.

A two hour off road bus ride and we were back in UB. I competed in the 3rd annual Diplomatic Basketball tournament. It was an honor to represent the Embassy of the United States. Kuwait, Russia, Japan and branches of the Mongolian Ministry were also in attendance. Myself along with a few other volunteers participated, there was both a Men's and Women's team. We both took home the gold medal and a snazzy trophy. So that was my last hoorah before heading back to site. It was a hectic and adventurous start to my summer that I wouldn't trade for anything.  

Men's Team

1st, 2nd and 3rd place group photo.

Women's Team

Team USA

The guys and their trophy

Celebrating our win at UB Jazz

Quote of the week June 24-30