2011: A Review

I may be a little late in wishing you all a happy new year but believe me that you were all in my thoughts in the early hours and days of 2012. Last year was my first full year in Azerbaijan and this was possible due to the consistent support and spontaneous messages of cheering I would receive throughout the year.  Though much of my communication (both sent and received) is written, I feel much closer to you all when reading your emails or texts.  Thank you so much for that.

2011 has been quite a year with a lot packed into it.  I first began teaching with counterparts at my school in January, after being at my permanent site for only a few weeks.  January was when I began my first conversation clubs and first learned what it was like to be an American teacher in an Azerbaijani school (like being the most famous celebrity ever).  February and March saw me survive my first Azerbaijani winter and continue with my language lessons.  I began an advanced conversation club which provided access to some of the most engaging students I've worked with.  Also in March, my first regional teacher training were held, a project I continue today and which expanded the boundaries of where my service could be held.

Spring came with lots of non-school projects started.  Early April saw Writing Olympics, Azerbaijan would eventually go on to clean up at the international level.  We also held our first softball practice in Khachmaz-its pretty incredible to think where they are now considering where they began.  April also began one of the oddest relationships in my life-my landlady.  Finally I could be an adult again when I moved away from the host family and into the clutches of a kind, if not overly intruding, landlady.  May slowly, but surely came to a close and with it, the end of school.

Oh the beautiful freedom of summer.  Now that there wasn't school hanging over my head there was so much more we could do!  Summer was very hot, so much so that we put baseball on hold, but that didn't stop me from traveling and exploring this country.  I conducted more teacher trainings and helped with 3 different summer camps around the country.  Volunteers and friends around Khachmaz held our own camp, both here and in Khudat.  I began meeting with Elsean, the region's methodologist, and that became a really enjoyable friendship.  I also got to visit the fam in America for my sister's wedding.  Summer was extremely busy, but very very fun.

As summer changed to fall the weather began to cool, but the pace didn't.  Every weekend from September to mid November was scheduled with a different activity.  Softball tournaments, teacher trainings, new volunteers coming in, old volunteers leaving.  Traveling to Ganja and Goychay, Baku and Tbilisi or hosting volunteers who came to visit Khachmaz.  By the time Thanksgiving came around I wanted a weekend off.  So I took one and didn't go anywhere for the holiday.  It was a much needed respite and prepared me for a super busy December.  While preparing for multiple holiday parties it was shocking to see that the semester had already drawn to a close-it felt like it hand't yet begun.

There was a lot of sport activity this year, which was new for adult me and really, really nice.  Softball, though at times a pain, became one of my favorite activities in Azerbaijan.  I am looking forward to spring coming and the accompanying practices.  My site mate Glendene and I began practicing yoga together this year which has been a massive benefit for me.  It is like practicing with a private teacher multiple times a week and I can only continue to be grateful for this.

Regarding hobbies, 2011 saw the inception of my most recent 'once in a life time experience' to plan-renting a private yacht in the Mediterranean.  Deposits have been paid, flights are being purchased, and all of us are getting very excited for June.  I blogged more than ever this past year-publishing a new post about once ever 3 days (including my ever-expanding Hip-Hop from the Land of Fire series).  They say the best way to become a better writer is to write-lets hope that's true.

So what have I learned this year?  At times, I feel very little; this culture still continues to baffle me and I feel about as solid in life direction as I did when I left for the Peace Corps (which would be: somewhat).  If anything I've learned a greater ease in allowing others to run with ideas. Coming into service there were so many times where I felt the need to involve myself and my American ways; more often is the case now that I agree with an idea and find I'm providing more moral support than anything else.  This is an advanced skill for a leader and I'm grateful to receive practice in it.

I'm extremely excited for 2012.  This is the year will show the results of long term projects.  This is the year of a yacht trip.  And, this is the year I can return to my friends and family in the states.  Please check out 'New Year: New Goals' as well.  I can't wait to share my 2012 with you.