First class during training
Nick's first class
1. Novelty. This was the class I did my “unit plan” with in training. It was an 11th grade and I’m pretty sure we did an ecology unit based out of the terrible textbook called “Eye-AP-oh-va.” One of the most awesome things about being a PCV in Kaz is the novelty. Especially when the students only see you for one week (it doesn’t have enough time to wear out during training). You feel like a rock star…
Our awesome LCF during training
2. Language C-something F-something. Anya, was our LCF. She was the first person from Kazakhstan we really got to know. She was young and taught us a lot about the culture and things that we should and shouldn’t do. I remember her giving us a lecture about saying “Hello” to her in the morning. When you don’t say hello, it is very, very, extremely rude. After her talk with us… we made sure to say hello to her EVERY. TIME. WE SAW HER. She liked it. 
She was awesome.
Volunteers you never thought would change your life...
3. Sometimes you meet people… think they’re awesome… then, change your mind… then, realize they really are awesome. These two volunteers were in our training village in a different group. It just goes to show that you shouldn’t write someone off until you’ve gotten to know them…. and shared a couple beers. Sagar and I celebrate Cinco de Mayo in a very special way… it’s the anniversary of our friendship… even though we’d know each other since August… it took 10 months. Drewber was always a friend… once you got past the bad puns.
Getting to be whatever you want... 
4. Being an expert. So, in Kaz, if you are even slightly interested in something… you are an EXPERT at it and can do it and make other people do it. For example, last year in Aktobe a volunteer said… “My parents sent me a yoga book… I looked through it… asked some people if they wanted to try… and BAM! I became a yoga instructor.” It’s pretty much that easy. Add some enthusiasm and you’re set.
Delicious BAURsaki hiding under the flat bread
5. BAURsaki. Pretty much every volunteer learns what these are in the first week. They resemble the chinese donuts you can get at a chinese buffet… except you must add your own sugar. This also reminds me of a short story from another volunteer. She was having a rough day and sat down for tea (middle of the afternoon) with her host brother. He was dipping the baursaki in sugar… so she thought, ok, why not? IT WAS DELISH. A few days later they sat down for tea and was spreading butter on cookies… she thought, ok, why not? AGAIN, DELISH. I couldn’t help by seriously laugh at both of these. One time, during a conference in Almaty… our group (Kaz 20) was eating dinner… and there were FRESH, DELISH Baursaki on the table… we finished the ENTIRE PLATE (they’re suppose to be eaten like dinner rolls, you’d never eat a WHOLE plate of dinner rolls). We asked for more and sure enough… were granted our request. We didn’t TOUCH the dinner, only the baursaki and after about 3 more plates (for each table full of volunteers) the baursaki lady came out of the cafeteria and we all gave her a standing ovation. It. was. awesome.
*I’m still not totally sure of the layout for these kinds of posts… they’re in no particular order… Regardless, hope you enjoyed it!
