Merry Christmas!

We had a humble gathering at our ger on Christmas day. Megan (our sitemate) came over. She brought over some amazing pistachio biscotti that she had made. I will be bugging her for that recipe. She used pistachios from a package her mom sent to her, but I'm sure I can subsitute it with something else.

We made a great dinner of roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and rolls. Justin and I bought several cans of green beans while we were in UB. I think sadly we only have one can left...


I made christmas stockings for all of us! I made them out of posterboard and duct tape. We filled them with awesome candy and I put in a can of pepsi for each of us.



We all bought gifts for each other. It was wonderful being able to give gifts and receive gifts on Christmas Day.



All in all, it was a success! We had a great time hanging out together, talking, eating, laughing....Certainly doesn't compare to being home--but nonetheless, we had a great time!

Here Comes Santa Claus!

For the past couple of weeks my English Club students have been learning about Christmas. They do not celebrate Christmas here. The closest holiday they have to Christmas is Shin Jil (New Year's). As described in my last post, they decorate Shin Jil with tinsel, Christmas trees, pictures of Santa (some people even dress up as Santa) and so on, so it looks very much like Christmas--but they are celebrating the new year. Therefore, most Mongolians will tell you that they know Christmas--but really they are refering to New Year's (they think it is one and the same). I thought I had it easy when I was teaching them about American Christmas traditions because they all seemed to know about it already. Then when I had them make Christmas cards they all wrote 'New Year' or 'Happy New Year' or 'Good luck New Year' etc. I decided that my next lesson will be more in depth to explain why we celebrate Christmas and the difference between that and New Year's.

That was an interesting lesson. I have been teaching my students the Christmas Hymn "Silent Night" (they LOVE to sing and want to learn many english songs). While the song was going on in the background I asked if they knew who Jesus Christ was. Some didn't and some only recognized his name when I said it in Mongolian. So then I put the two words together "Christ" and "Christ-mas" I heard a lot of oooooooooh's. A light bulb had turned on. I told them that Christmas is religous and it is celebrating Christ's birth-- not the new year. Obviously there is more history behind Christmas but I couldn't get into a deep conversation, nor a history lesson with them.

Now that they know the difference it is time to make decorations for the Christmas Party! We made a Christmas chain, Angels and snowflakes. For the Christmas chain they wrote on each strip what they wanted for Christmas. I was impressed that most of the things they wanted were not materialistic. They wanted peace, health, happiness, a cleaner environment, good health to friends, etc. So I told them (after they had written quite a few) that they could also say which THINGS they wanted. So as an example I went first and I wrote 'I want perfume for Christmas'. They all laughed like it was silly, but they got the hang of it. PS, I really do want perfume for Christmas. I miss the clean fresh scents!

The party went very well. We had it last night. My mom will be proud to know that I brought her Christmas Bingo set with me here. All students were to bring a small gift (worth less that 1000 Tugriks) and put it on a table where they were then numbered. Instead of raffling the gifts off, we played Christmas bingo a million times until every student won a gift. It was a good way to teach them holiday nouns and explain other traditions (such as stockings). We then sang Silent Night. I used the Peter Breinholt version (beautiful!). The students were still struggling, but we sang it a few times to get it down. After the singining we ate and danced.


Meanwhile, the teachers had their own table. We drew names a couple of weeks ago and bought a gift worth up to 10,000 tugiks for the name we drew. Here is a picture of me giving my gift. When giving gifts you must give with both hands and receive it with both hands. (Or you can give it with your right hand only, while the left hand is touching your elbow and the receiver must also receive it in this way).

I received a nice, red, leather notebook, some pens and some hand lotion (that I did desparately need!). One Christmas party down and one more to go.

What is American Traditional Clothing?

Tonight one of my students came over to my ger to talk. She wanted to practice her speaking skills because soon she will have a speaking exam. I asked her basic questions, 'What's your name, How old are you, What is your favorite subject', etc. Then we just got to talking about other things. She asked me if I owned Mongolian traditional clothing (a dell) and I said yes. Then she asked what American traditional clothing looked like. I was stumped. Then Justin (who was making dinner in the background) yelled 'blue jeans!'. It is true. We've been wearing those comfy second layer of skin for a long time. Then she asked about American traditional food. Hot dogs? Hamburgers? Meetgui (I don't know).

The countdown for Christmas is here. Mandalgovi will have a humble get together at the Newberry Ger. 2 out of 5 of us are missing (1 of our sitemates is in UB working--bummer-- and the other is in the States on Medical leave--also bummer). I am excited to roast some chicken, mash some potatoes and bake a pie!



Now, there are actually 2 countdowns going on. One is to the best Holiday ever (Christmas-- only 5 more days) and the other is for a day I am dreading. Shin Jil (6 more days). I know I probably offended a great deal of people but I am just not looking forward to this party. Shin Jil (meaning New Year) is just what you think it is, except in Mongolia they decorate New Year's with Christmas decorations-- even Santa has an appearance (but it's nothing at all like Christmas, so it's kinda just there to mock you). Each organization puts on a huge Shin Jil party and I've heard they can last up until 6am the next morning. It is drinking vodka, dancing, drinking more vodka and dancing some more. Now, to some this sounds like a dream come true, but there are two things you need to know about me: I don't drink AND I don't dance. I'm lame. I know. So why am I even going to this party? 1)I do want to go. I want to experience new things and live a little, I can't stay shut up in my ger all the time. 2) There are 3 major holidays in Mongolia and this is one of them. If I didn't participate it would be disrespectful-- and like #1 said, I do want to go. 3) This goes along with #1, but I can't say I've experienced Mongolia and lived like the locals if I don't celebrate Shin Jil with them. And 4) I am in total obligation.

This Shin Jil party that I am going to is put on by my school. Spouses/family aren't invited to organization parties like they are in the states. Therefore, Justin cannot go with me. If you know me, you know I'm a very shy person without my hubby. But I'll survive. This party is on December 26th. Expect an update by December 27th.

For now, I am keeping it out of my mind and focusing on Christmas! I will be watching A Muppet's Christmas Carol and wishing I was singing the songs along with my family at home (one of our crazy traditions).

Missing Home

Life isn't always sunny and warm. In fact, for the past several days it has been the exact opposite. Cold and dark. We are averaging only about 8 hours of full daylight (not to mention I live in a ger without any windows, so when the sun's not shining my ger is a very, very dark place) and the temperatures dip into the negatives daily now (not counting the windchill...and there is always wind). Anyway, I could go on with the woes of my life. But there is no point in doing that. The holiday season has arrived and there is much to be thankful for! One thing I am ecstatic about is the Peace Corps Volunteer that lived in our ger before us left us a Christmas tree!! It is stored in a closet at my school, so you better believe that on Monday afternoon I will be carrying a box that has "christmas" handwritten on the side! Justin and I made a great purchase at the Black Market in Ulaanbaatar (where we purchased our hats and his coat)...we bought a silver tinsel garland. It is currently draped over our 'closet'. Christmas music has constantly been playing in the background of our home. Christmas movies are beginning to be watched. And best of all (my favorite anyway) the baking has begun-- well, it never ended, but the 'Christmas' baking has begun. Despite all this I miss home. I am so very lucky to have Justin here with me. Peace Corps Volunteers are very strong people, you have to be. But I have it easy because I was able to take my best friend with me through this crazy journey.

Baby, It's Cold Outside.

I really can't stay
(but baby it's cold outside)
I've got to go away
(but baby it's cold outside)
This evening has been
(been hoping that you'd drop in)
So very nice
(I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice)
My mother will start worry
(beautiful, what’s your hurry)
My father will be pacing the floor
(listen to the fireplace roar)
So really I'd better scurry...

Baby, it's cold outside!


The Christmas Season cannot officially begin in the Newberry home until after Thanksgiving (even right after Thanksgiving dinner is considered cheating to Justin)-- Justin won't allow it. I see his point, but I yearn for those Christmas tunes. They take me back to a magical time when I was 5 and naive. My mind was open to so many things, and I was in a safe haven--nothing to worry about and everything to explore. I think my life is still as adventurous, but I do take caution a little more than I'd like to.

Anyway, I brought Christmas into our ger a little early this year. I was sitting at our desk/vanity creating Thanksgiving cards to give to my teachers. I had my iTunes playing in the background (Norah Jones, I love her), chicken roasting in the oven, and a glorious apple scented candle that my sisters sent to me in a package (THANK YOU!). Justin was still at school, so I had the ger to myself-- all 375 sq feet. Then all of a sudden the beautiful sound of Josh Groban's voice in 'Silent Night' started melting my heart. Usually if this happened (a Christmas song ventured its way into my iTunes playlist) I would immediately stop it and switch songs...You don't want to ruin the magic of the Christmas Season before its time! But, this instance, I let it slide. It's close enough, isn't it? My ger was warm and cozy, I was creating holiday cards in the spirit of giving. Silent Night chose the best moment to pop up on my iTunes. It was magical.


Then, I heard Justin's footsteps in the sand outside our ger and I quickly changed it back to Norah. Only 2 more days and I'm safe to listen to it all I want!

Well, the low temperature tonight is -11. It was a pretty rough walk home from school this evening. I noticed at about 5:30pm (when most of the teachers start to leave) that they were bundling up quite sufficiently (even more so than usual). They did so almost as if it were an art. I was mesmerized at how skillful they were with a scarf: wrap around the neck once, then the head, then leave enough just under your chin so you can pull it up over your nose once you're outside in the blistering wind. (And yes, the wind is blistering. While Justin and I were at the showers today he saw a child with 'rosy red' cheeks and commented on how red they were. The poor kid's cheeks weren't rosy from the heat of the shower, but were blistered and wind chapped. It's brutal out there.) I'm sure I will learn plenty from the masters for winter has yet to officially begin.

Justin and I will leave to the big city (Ulaanbaatar) in 2 days (Friday morning). Peace Corps has a nice Thanksgiving potluck dinner for any and all PCVs who decide to travel that way. Of course we're going! There will be turkey!! Also all of our friends will be there--whom we consider family. We went through a lot this summer during our Training, and a handful of them Justin and I are very close with. It will be exciting to see these amazing people again!

After our Thanksgiving weekend, Peace Corps also has a 1 week training for all Teachers. So Justin and I will be away from home for a little over a week. We've already been advised to get rid of all liquids in our ger. Anything we want to save needs to be put in the fridge (lotions, contact solution, nail polish, shaving cream, shampoos, etc) or else we will be coming home to frozen supplies. Justin and I have already seen ice creep its way into our ger in our water buckets...How frightening.

Well, here's an early Happy Thanksgiving from us to you! Cahan amraray!