Friday, January 25, 2008

Has life always been thematically organized?

Dear Ones,
I found out that my life here, unlike anyother time before that I have noticed at least, goes in clear themes.

I have not shared this past theme with you because, well, it has to do with a beautiful thing extremely close to the heart. Therefore, I don't want to tamper with it. It is not ready to come out yet; I know you trust my judgement.

Just know I have been keenly aware how time is a luxury. I have been savoring my time as if they were drops dripping from an ice cube into my mouth, on a scorching, hot summer day.

So this past month has been good, to say the least. YES there are frusterations.

But, it has been good.

As far as the rest of me in Armenia,
My biggest frusteration:

The language..

The worst possible thing for a volunteer is if they know Russian, it has killed me.
Everyone has established their relationship with me already in Russian, therefore very difficult to stop it and say, "No, let's speak in Armenian. We will take the quality of our relationship and understanding down a knoch, but hey, I'll learn Armenian." I have said this. But you would be surprised how people genuinly attempt to speak Armenian, and then naturally without even thinking about it resume in Russian.

Because that is what we are used to.

So my level of Armenian is poor. Very poor. So poor that I am even worried about passing the test in the end of this.

Ummmmmm
Work is good. But I think I will transfer jobs and work for Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) in the child protection department in the begining of February.

I still plan on trying to raise money for Zangakatoun, but it has been extremely challinging trying to find sponsorship on this level.
Also it has been extremely difficult to be in a work place when the boss doesn't know anything because she is contantly tampered with the higher ups, "yes you are going to get money, you will have a job at the end of the month, and no we are not sure if there will be funding."
There are no defenite answeres and so people are left blind with hope.
I don't know.
But it is good.
I know this one is so short. I pressume, my next month won't be as drops dripping. So more to come,
promise.

The holidays were great, Ispent a portion of them in a cave in the winter.
Yes, I love it.

I hope you are all wonderful.
Please don't forget to check in once in a while.

I am missing you, now especially,
Viktoria


Furnace