So just what do you DO???? Well, let me tell ya...

Oh, the stories... We have so many we need to post, but I've realized, by taking a look at all our posts, that I haven't written a lot about school or the work we do here. I suppose that is because we are still in our 'adjustment phase' and everything is still new, weird and difficult, yet, exciting...so writing about work would seem boring. But you be the judge:

I work in a School Complex (which is a school of more than 1200 students). In Mongolia (most of Mongolia) all grades are combined in one school. So there are 1st graders-11th graders in my school. I have 8 English teachers that I work with. They are my counterparts. I help them with their lesson plans, teach them new methodology, observe their teaching, team-teach with them, and also teach them more advanced English grammar on the side. One of the classes I team-teach is an English Club. This is just a fun club for students interested in learning more English and learning more about American culture. They also have a pen-pal program and communicate with schools in America. Finally (but not really, I have other things I do, but won't bore you longer), I also have 2 classes a week where I teach 19 Primary School teachers English as well as methodology.

So a couple of weeks ago was Alcohol Awareness week (per Peace Corps). This is the first time Peace Corps has declared this week as AAW (Alcohol Awareness Week) and all volunteers were encouraged to do some fun activities in their school to raise awareness. My English Club watched a video about victims of alcoholism and had a great discussion about the negative effects of alcohol. We also had a poster contest to finish the week. Here are some pics of the winners:


Don't worry-- I'm not gaining weight-- I just have about 5 layers of clothes on!!! Brr.

Every weekend for the past 4 weeks each school in Mandalgov has hosted a series of sports competitions for the teachers (there are 4 schools in Mandalgov). A couple of weeks ago Justin participated in a long distance solo run and a relay with his teachers. I tried to get a good picture of him running, but he was so far away! They got second place in this heat.

All of the teachers lining up for the awards ceremony:



Also, going on at the same time as that track meet was an ROTC type thing. I got a picture of my students preparing for this event the day before the track meet.


Justin's school is also a large school, but less than 1200 students. He has 3 English teachers that he works with and teaches several classes to middle school and high school students. A couple of weeks ago his counterparts took us to the 'park on the hill'-- called Monument Park. It is very modest, but special in its own way. Here are some pictures from Monument Park:


This is the view from the top of the hill. Mandalgov, our new home for the next 20 months.

They had a HUGE bell on the way to the top of the hill. I asked Justin if he'd take a picture of me ringing the bell....I never said my husband was a photographer...nice angle, hun.

This is one of my favorite pictures. It is of a wishing tree (and an ovoo-- the pile of rocks in the front of the picture). People come to the wishing tree to give a gift/offer (the silk scarves you see) and then bury their faces in the tree to do their wishing. I may try it soon...


And finally, a picture of my happy husband watching The Simpson's and eating a beloved bag of Doritos that his sisters, Deana and Kristen, sent to us in a package. We received triple packages this week (from his sisters and mine) and feel so loved! Thank you!