ThirdGoal.org

Celebrating 18 years of service with President Obama

Thanks to a local friend of PCVs in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan President Obama "traveled" the country giving everyone the chance to become a PCV and be congratulated by the President. Seen here is a very active local volunteer at the library's American Corner.
It's What's For Dinner

I came home surprised one night to find my host mother had purchased two whole pigs - but first, we had to prepare the heads!
Toasting an Engagement

Making a vodka toast at my host cousin's engagement party. Engagements are a very public event in Armenia, and shared with the entirety of the bride and groom's families. Along with toasting to their future, the groom formally proposes to the bride at this party.
Wedding Party

Part of a wedding ritual for an Armenian couple. The groom's family welcomes the bride's arrival with dancing and gifts, and shows off the live chicken gifted from the bride's family.
Host mother

Posing with my host mother, Gohar, on the couch in her Armenian apartment.
Parade of Flags - 40th Anniversary of Peace Corps

The Parade of Flags during Peace Corps 4oth Anniversary Celebration in Washington, DC.
Can you spare a square?

During the first few days of our Pre-Service Training a few of us got together for a much needed pizza break. I quickly became friends with another PCV, a CA woman who was older and wiser than myself, except in one area...the Macedonian bathroom (or the hole-you-pee-in room). We went to the ladies room together and I did my buisness, but I heard a not-so-soft gasp coming from the other stall. I finished and came out to see her doing the bathroom jig in her long, flowing skirt. 'What?! Ho...
Kids will be kids!

It just goes to show you that no matter where you are, kids are kids! Who needs fancy, new, brightly colored toys? After a gift was received by our Macedonian family, the grandchildren quickly put their imaginations at use with the box. They had fun for hours!!
Girls just want to have fun!

This group of girls became very special to me, very quickly. As only children can do, they welcomed and loved me before I could even get my newly learned and practiced Macedonian 'hello' out of my mouth. We spent a great deal of time together and always, always laughed (I wonder if most of their laughing was at my attempt to speak their language!?). They proved that language does not bond people together, it's the special connection that occurs after your first shared smile. They continue ...
Rakia

Rakia is the local 'moonshine' and is used for many things besides toasting special occasions (think of it as an all around product - household cleaner, shines your wooden furniture and cures what ails you!). This is Tosho, our Macedonian father, with his great friend and neighbor, Baba Vera, making Rakia on a chilly Fall day. Baba Vera always had a smile on her face!

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