Sunday, September 3, 2007

Hi Everyone,

Didn’t do much today. I updated my blog (that took a while – you should check it out! Lots of pictures!), walked around the neighborhood a bit, tried to find the Women’s Club (I think I need to actually call the director of the club. The hotel where it is held didn’t know anything about the club.), and went to pick up a few food items. This last errand required going to about 3 different places – Ramstore for clothes detergent, cereal, bread, etc.; a smaller eclectic grocery-type store for those cookies I mentioned in my last posting; and a fruit and veggie vender for bananas (3 bananas = about $1.10).

I also made a lesson plan for my Academic Speaking class on Friday. This was an easy one. I get them to do as much talking as possible and I give a brief lecture about presentation organization. I just hope that I can stay awake through the 3 hour class. Too bad I don’t have a lesson plan for tomorrow. J I guess that is what the morning is for.

Oh, I also called the husband of a teacher I work with. He is from the States and moved here a while ago (like 10 years ago) for the Peace Corps. He works for an environmental consulting company in Almaty, so I am interested in what he is working on and hope I can tag along every once in a while to see his projects first hand. Also, I made a few tutoring contacts. I meet with one potential student this Wednesday. I will meet another potential student later in September. I still need to phone a few other potential students. There is also an opportunity to make a few extra dollars at the school with another business program. I will check that out this coming week.

I made grilled cheese for lunch (delicious) and a salad with cookies and other random things for dinner. I am still trying to get over a stint of not feeling well last week, so I am taking it a bit easy as far as food is concerned.

The heat has gotten to me over the past few days. Two days ago I actually passed out on a public bus. I think it was a combo of the heat and not feeling too well. Luckily, the people on the bus pulled me up and I got off immediately. By good fortune, I was at my designated stop to get off the bus, KIMEP. I went into the school and laid down in my cool basement office for a while. It is a weird feeling, knowing I was about to faint. I knew I was going to, but I was only one bus stop away from my stop to get off. I willed myself to stay conscious, but I couldn’t do it. Things went white, and I guess I slipped down to the ground. I was only out for about 5 seconds, but it was a weird feeling. I felt so much better while lying on the floor of the bus. I’m sure it was gross and dirty, but oh well. I stayed at the school for an hour or two to make sure I would be able to make it up the hill to my apartment. Kinda scary, yeah? I guess it is a good thing I have a cell phone.

Chey/Hita/Lex/Chris, in your professional opinions, am I alright? J

Yesterday, I was on a bus a lot traveling in the mountains. That bus was also really hot, and it smelled! I tried to stay off of it as much as possible, got in the shade if possible, and avoided walking too much in the sun. Today, I slept kinda late and took a nap in the afternoon. I guess today was a combo of the heat and yesterday’s activities catching up with me, requiring some time to recuperate.

That’s all I have for now.

Have a good day/evening!

Amanda