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russian warning sign

Week 4 Wrap-Up: Holy F#*k, I Know Russian

And we’re done, people! I told my teachers that I surprised myself during my final week of lessons. Big improvement from the week before, thanks to finally getting good sleep and no longer being ill.

November 26, 2011 · Read full story · Comments { 7 }
my russian learning classroom

Questioning One’s Purpose: Thoughts During Week 3 of Russian

Learning or relearning a language is like a roller coaster. I’m up and then I’m down… and it sometimes isn’t easy to see the light! This past week has been especially hard, but I’m back and ready to smash my final week here in Bishkek.

November 23, 2011 · Read full story · Comments { 4 }
horses outside bishkek

Taxi Cab Convos in Bishkek

A taxi ride in Kyrgyzstan always ends up making me feel a little self-conscious and worried about my reproductive future. Ha, I know, right?! If only there were a ring on my finger and a bun in the oven, I could finally earn the respect of my taxi drivers.

November 18, 2011 · Read full story · Comments { 11 }
sign in russian language

Thinking in Russian

Learning Russian is a tough process! What do I do to keep my morale going strong? I focus on the small gains. This week’s small gain involves… well… I’m sure you can guess!

November 14, 2011 · Read full story · Comments { 12 }
working by candlelight

Russian by Candlelight: 1.5 Weeks In

I have studied many languages now in my time, but I have yet to master any of them. Latin in high school was not about speaking. Italian was learned in college, but I was never good at conversing. Spanish in Guatemala was a small triumph when I found myself booking tours and arguing with people without thinking too hard by the end of it. But Russian…

November 10, 2011 · Read full story · Comments { 7 }
bebe burger

Bishkek, I Can’t Get You Out of My Head

My arrival into Bishkek caused my blood pressure to rise. It was 3 am, freezing cold, I hadn’t slept a wink on the flight from Istanbul, and still my body was overly aware of the moment we touched down at Manas Airport. It was so cold the air was icy, making it look foggy through my airplane window.
I’m here … Read more

November 8, 2011 · Read full story · Comments { 11 }
packing for k-stan

I’m Unprepared… and I Like It

I bought the Istanbul section of the Turkey Lonely Planet, and have yet to look at it. I booked a hostel for the first night in the city, and I have no idea how to get there. I know when my flights will be landing; I know when they should be departing.

October 24, 2011 · Read full story · Comments { 8 }
Kyrgyz hero Manas

Day 273: Reasons I’m Excited for My Next Trip (and reasons I’m not)

I can’t believe it is already the last day of the month of September! October starts tomorrow and that is a time in Australia when more and more individuals find themselves outdoors. But I’m heading out towards the end of the month, on a trip I am both excited and nervous about.
I’m going to Kyrgyzstan… Read more with a stop in

September 30, 2011 · Read full story · Comments { 9 }
kyrgyz family dinner

Day 256: Tempted By Things I Hate But Also Love

Pat called to let me know he had started the rather long journey home from work, and to chat. I took it upon myself to blurt out a thing or two clawing away at my otherwise calm mind. “The language school wrote back and said that all their school dorm rooms were booked up.” I could hear the disappointment come out in Pat’s voice when he responded.

September 14, 2011 · Read full story · Comments { 3 }
bishkek markets

Day 225: Learn About Bishkek via My Guest Posts

Putting a post up for every day is not only overwhelming for myself, but also probably for my readers. In addition to that, I also post articles in various other areas that you wouldn’t know about unless you also follow me on Twitter and/or Facebook… Read more. Because of that, I like to do an update from time to time here

August 15, 2011 · Read full story · Comments { 0 }