Long time no see! 
A lot has happened since Camp GLOW in Karkaralinsk, but then our blog was blocked for a while, but we’re BACK and my energy has been restored!!
A few updates! Right after Camp GLOW in Karkaralinsk (about a month and 1/2 ago) I wrote a quick grant for a Teacher Training Summer Camp. Nick and I prepared for about a week and 5 volunteers put on an amazing camp for about 35 teachers from our Oblast. We taught them a lot of things and played a lot of games. We were able to do a lot of arts & crafts projects that they can teach their students too! There are a few pictures below of the camp.
For the 3rd of July, Nick and I hosted a 4th of July part at the American Corner in Karaganda! A lot of volunteers from Karaganda came out to help. We hosted an Independence Art Competition, shared some info about the 4th, had an awesome water balloon toss and then had tea and sweets. We had about 50 people come out, so it was pretty awesome.
For the 4th of July, we spent the day in the capital of Kazakhstan… Astana. We took a train early in the morning, walked around the city all day and then took another train back in the evening. This city is confusing and amazing. The buildings are wild and there aren’t many people hanging around. We got to enjoy a good ole fashion 4th inside the Embassy complete with red, white and blue cupcakes and water balloon toss. We had some good conversations, met some very interesting Americans doing work in different parts of Kazakhstan, and got to say goodbye to the latest group of PCVs leaving Kazakhstan (pictures in the slideshow at the bottom).
Next and more excitingly… Nick started a movie night/film club at the library in the center of Karaganda!!! The movie night/film club takes place two times a week on Mondays and Fridays. The numbers keep growing and growing as word gets out about his movies! This is one of the projects Nick has wanted to do for the longest time, since we’ve been in Kazakhstan, so HOORAH! WTG Nick.
This past week, I just got back from Camp GLOW in Kokshetau (read more in the previous post) and I’ll do a huge update about that later. It was truly the best week ever. I had an amazing opportunity to work with the most positive and energetic people I’ve ever met and they really lightened my spirits and made me happy to be in Kazakhstan.
Nick and I are busy planning for our trip to the Balkans in August and thinking often about my Mom. Mom was just diagnosed with breast cancer and is working through steps to take care of it in the quickest way. She is doing great, but we wish we could be there. It was especially hard while at GLOW, getting information and not being able to Skype, but now that I’m back in Karaganda for the next week and a half, it’s been amazing and having the opportunity to “be there” without actually being there is incredible. Please send positive thoughts her way. She’s been in great spirits, but could always use more.
That’s all for now. Enjoy the slideshow.
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