May 14, 2005: Headlines: COS - Kazakstan: Blogs - Kazakstan: Early Termination: Alcohol Abuse: Personal Web Site: Peace Corps Volunteer Ian in Kazakstan: We're volunteers now

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Kazakstan : Peace Corps Kazakhstan : The Peace Corps in Kazakstan: May 14, 2005: Headlines: COS - Kazakstan: Blogs - Kazakstan: Early Termination: Alcohol Abuse: Personal Web Site: Peace Corps Volunteer Ian in Kazakstan: We're volunteers now

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-141-157-61-208.balt.east.verizon.net - 141.157.61.208) on Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 9:23 pm: Edit Post

Peace Corps Volunteer Ian in Kazakstan: We're volunteers now

Peace Corps Volunteer Ian in Kazakstan: We're volunteers now

Our group of 25 has unfortunately shrunk to 24. this past week one of my friends here was sent home. there was an incident involving alcohol and pc took it very seriously. it really is a sad situation. pc and kazakhstan were lucky to have this guy. he is smart and has a remarkable ability to put people at ease. he was going to help start the first wheelchair factory in k-stan. now he is at home. for all of us at graduation there was a bitter sweet taste in our mouths. his absence is noticeable. we all miss him a lot, and wish him the best.

Peace Corps Volunteer Ian in Kazakstan: We're volunteers now

5.14.2005
moving on...

so long kapshigai! we graduated yesterday and since then we have been slowly leaving town for our destinations. due to the massive amounts of luggage we all have there will be no lucky volunteers flying to site. i give props to betsy and becky who have just started a 56 hour voyage (and this is the express train, known as the "spanish train!") to uralsk.

it is hard saying goodbye to my host family, i have gotten to know them very well, and i will miss them. saying goodbye to the volunteers (we are officially volunteers now!) has been exceptionally hard. just saying that i spent ten weeks with this crew can hardly describe how close we are. we have shared everything... and probably most helpful of all, we have shared laughs, tears, hugs, and smiles. we will all be together again in 3 months, but this chapter is over.

our group of 25 has unfortunately shrunk to 24. this past week one of my friends here was sent home. there was an incident involving alcohol and pc took it very seriously. it really is a sad situation. pc and kazakhstan were lucky to have this guy. he is smart and has a remarkable ability to put people at ease. he was going to help start the first wheelchair factory in k-stan. now he is at home. for all of us at graduation there was a bitter sweet taste in our mouths. his absence is noticeable. we all miss him a lot, and wish him the best.

the reality of leaving is starting to set in. the last 10 weeks have seemed like summer camp. i have been surrounded all day every day by americans. the difference between training and working is going to be drastic. there will probably be many days when i don't speak english at all. this should be helpful with russian, but i fear that it will intensify any feelings of homesickness that i may have. realizing this has been the starting point for realizing just how much of a commitment i have made. in four days i will be working 40 hours a week, in russian. this work will be with people who are at risk for contracting HIV/AIDS. i guess until now i didn't realize how hard this was going to be. i am kinda scared and surely nervous. but, i am excited, motivated, and, i am ready.

so, it is off to pavlodar. i get in on monday morning at 6:30, and will immediately ask for a few days off. i am exhausted, mentally, emotionally, and physically. after the two days on the train i will need a few days to just chill. my new host family will meet me at the station, and i will begin six more months of living with a family. this family is russian. there is a mom and a dad and i will have two sisters. the apartment is near the beach and the downtown area. it should be great!

i hope you are all well, please have a glass of nice red wine for me.

ipod: R.E.M.





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The Peace Corps Library Date: March 27 2005 No: 536 The Peace Corps Library
Peace Corps Online is proud to announce that the Peace Corps Library is now available online. With over 30,000 index entries in 500 categories, this is the largest collection of Peace Corps related stories in the world. From Acting to Zucchini, you can find hundreds of stories about what RPCVs with your same interests or from your Country of Service are doing today. If you have a web site, support the "Peace Corps Library" and link to it today.

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After Uzbekistan, the Peace Corps has announced the suspension of a second program this month - this time in Haiti. Background: The suspension comes after a US Embassy warning, a request from Tom Lantos' office, and the program suspension last year. For the record: PCOL supports Peace Corps' decision to suspend the two programs and commends the agency for the efficient way PCVs were evacuated safely. Our only concern now is with the placement of evacuated PCVs and the support they receive after interrupted service.

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Story Source: Personal Web Site

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Kazakstan; Blogs - Kazakstan; Early Termination; Alcohol Abuse

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