December 19 letter

Hi Mom!

I think perhaps the mail is just slow in general getting here, or they have lots of delays with the first few and it’ll get better. At any rate, I’ve only gotten the letter from Alice (her 2nd, but not 1st). I hope things aren’t lost.

Anyway, I received official permission to start my clubs yesterday! I have the stamp. Now I have to give a copy to the woman in charge, and I’m all set!

I’ve taken on an adult student who’s a doctor. She wants to learn English, and I figure I can pass her off to the health volunteer, Liz, if she gets far enough along. [Note to readers: Liz ended up leaving Turkmenistan to come home at the end of December.]

My birthday was great! I think low expectations is key. I’m not used to lots of birthday attention. My students made a big deal and got me a few very typical presents--chocolates, a picture frame/clock, a mug, a stuffed lion. The teachers got together on the sly and got me a cake with English writing on it (!) and a heavy collector’s statue of a camel. Ha! I think it’s something I’d never buy or display on my own, but it’ll be fun to have as a reminder.

I played violin for everyone in return. I’m getting the feeling that it’ll be easier to practice well in this new office I have! I spent 1.5 hours there yesterday when a student showed up without her instrument. I was able to play with no worries about how much noise I was making or how I sounded--I’m the only violinist over the age of 8!

I don’t know if I mentioned, but I went to all my superiors about my work permit. Peace Corps said it was great that I wanted to do extra work there and that I should talk to my local superior, the same head woman. Well, she said, quite ungracefully, no. She said I have no work permit and she’d advise me to stay at school #15. Well, great! I was miffed so I looked at the stamp in my passport and sure enough, I have the same darn work permit as everyone else. So I dangerously took things into my own hands and told my school that I have the stamp, so I’m cleared to work. We’ll see if that'll fly or not in the near future.

So today is Sunday. I love Sundays because I have absolutely nothing to do. I work both jobs on Saturdays, so Sunday is the only real break. So far I’ve read, listened to some music,, written some tutoring plans, and I’ll probably meet with Bibi to write plans for her classes today. I love having the whole upstairs to make noise or have peace and quiet. I think it’ll help the longevity of my existence with this family if I can just disappear once in a while--or every evening.

I still have a bad cold, but it’s easy to handle compared to the fever I had last week. I only lament the lack of tissues and ample toilet paper. I feel very stingy on the T.P. issue! Save, save, save!

Well, I thought you would call on Friday. (Scott said you had planned on it.) But it’s just as well. We had a special birthday dinner--Sprite and Coke were served! And a cake. Hopefully all is well at home. Say “hi” to anyone who asks! Grandma, too!

Love,
Kari