Tourist for the day

I started going to an English club last week. It is a place for locals to come and practice and learn conversational english and a place for us to go to help and make some friends. Usually there is a short lesson and then simple conversations and hanging out with them. Mostly college aged people come. It was really cool last week and I really enjoyed going. Im excited for tomorrow to get to go again. I heard a lot of cool things are happening in the group. I also went to a friends house on Sunday. It was good to be in community with a few families. They were all quite a bit older than me, but I could learn a lot from them. Their children were so fun though. One of the families who works in the office was there. They have three girls (7, 4, and 2 years old) and a boy on the way. These girls were so much fun. They reminded me of some girls at home.

Saturday we went around with a group that is here for a week for a history class. A guy that we know loves the history here, so we went with them to hear the explainations of what things are. It was cool to get around and see tourist sites in the city, even though we were exhausted. I hadnt really realized how crowded the area was until Saturday. I think that part of the city is especially crowded. We got on the tram and were cramed in there like sardines. There were times when my feet werent even touching the ground because the people around me were so close they were holding me up. You wouldnt believe how many people can fit in a tram.

Busy busy busy

Well we didnt have too many adventures this weekend. We spent most of Saturday at Ikea and a grocery store. A lady we know took us and showed us what things were once again so we would have a better idea of what we were buying. Sunday we went to the other side of the city and walked one of the tourist streets. We went to a bazaar or market that is only once a week. One of my dear brothers who just got here as well went to a bazaar near his house and told us this story. He wanted oranges and asked for 10. They thought he wanted 10 kilo because people usually buy at the bazaars in bulk for huge families. So they gave him 10 kilos of oranges. If you didnt know, 10 kilos is about 22 pounds. That is a lot of oranges to carry home. (: Things like this happen all the time living in a new place. I went to the stands where you bagged your own fruit, but they still thought I was crazy for getting a kilo. I have a few pictures of our time in the city.

Here is part of the city and the boats you use to cross to the other side of the city.


This is near our apartment. These are mostly apartments crowded together.


This is another view of the busy city. There are so many taxis.


Work is going to get busy soon. I feel like there will be a lot to do before we move. We are thinking maybe May or June I should be moving to England. For now I am enjoying being here and learning how to live here for the next 4 or 5 months.

Language learning

I started language learning yesterday. It was actually kind of fun to learn the language. I think it helped that my teacher has a crazy personality and has so much energy. She is very fun. She taught me a lot in just a few hours. I am mostly learning the basics of how to survive here. Since I still don't know how long I will be here, it will be hard to learn very much. I have learned letters and a few numbers. I think Julianna and I are going to go out on our own and wander around the city on Saturday. It should be an adventure. Julianna is my roommate who moved here with me. She will soon be teaching 3rd grade at an international school in the area.
Work is also good. Today was just my second day, but it is fun. I have done simple things so far that no one else really wants to do, but I still enjoyed it. It will hopefully get much better when I actually know what is going on. I learn more each day of how I was made to do these type of things. I dont really know many others who would like to do what I did today. It feels good to know I am where I need to be.

I have a few pictures that I will be posting soon. Im sure I will have plenty after our adventures this weekend.

I made it!!

Wow, I finally made it to my new city. On the way here I had and interesting trip. When we got to Germany, one of our layovers, we went to our gate they called for us to board the plane. We went through the doors and then boarded a bus which 30 min. later it seemed brought us to our plane out in the middle of no where. Its a wonder that all of our luggage made it, 11 bags total for the 3 of us. He indeed provides!! Apparently they dont really have customs here. We had no problems getting our visa or anything. They didn't ask a single question.

As we traveled through Germany and as I watched us fly over out the window, my heart broke. I loved flying with the German airline and getting to hear the language and eat brotchen on the plane. However I really wanted to stay. I was excited to get here too, but I was also sad to leave. I thought that I had already become burdended for the people here, but I need to fall in love with the culture and the people of Central Asia. I began to ask Father to grow my heart for my new country and then London as I move so that it will become my passion like Germany has. Please do the same.

Yesterday and today we have been exploring with a lady who has been here for 3 years or so. Her husband works in the office with me. We have gone to a few stores and malls. I have learned a few words so far, but not really much. I have learned the word for sale though. Finding the sale aisle in a store is an important thing to know. I somehow managed to order food in the language. It was pretty simple words though. I had some Doner today for those of you who know what that is. Yum. It is kind of like gyros in the states, but a lot better.

It's almost here

In 6 more days I will be flying to the other side of the pond. I can't believe this has finally happened. I have been planning for so long. It is finally reality.


The past two weeks have flown by, but have been great times with family and friends. I was so excited to get to go to Jessica's wedding. It was so good to see her and many other brothers and sisters. I will miss all of these people dearly.

Cristmas with family was bittersweet. We had a good time playing cards and eating apple pie, but it was sad knowing I won't be there next year. I am so thankful for my family and the love that Father has blessed us with. I am starting to make lists and pack my bags. It is mostly piles right now, but it is slowly coming together. Sunday I will be going with my parents to my cousins birthday party. Please be thinking about the good-byes I will say. I have a feeling it will be really hard for me to leave my grandparents and cousins and especially my sister.
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Just a Few More Weeks

We have had a lot of fun the past few weeks. I went to New York City last weekend with 5 other girls. It prepared me a little more to go to another culture and big city. We walked across the Brooklyn bridge, rode the subway, ate New York pizza, and went to the WTC memorial. We also saw the Broadway show Hairspray. Sunday it rained all day. We were soaked but still managed to see the edge of central park, Rockefeller center, and Chinatown. We had an interesting experience getting on the bus in Chinatown to come back to Virginia. At least we made it on the bus.


Apparently there is a tacky Christmas light tour in a city nearby. Random houses all over the city participate. We have seen 3 houses so far that are incredibly festive with thousands of lights. We saw a house last night that was ridiculous. There was a tour bus and limos parked outside this residential house to look at the lights and take pictures. It will be on TLC on the 13th if you want to see what Im talking about. There is even an appearance of Mr. and Mrs. Claus at this house. Yeah it was incredible.