Happy Birthday Gramalie!

August 5 - Today I helped my family prepare green beans out of the yard for winter. This involved picking them, then tearing the ends off and slicing them in half. Tomorrow they will be laid out to dry in the sun, next to the apricots which have been drying for about two weeks now. Mariam and Tyrone played on my computer and we exchanged some music. They liked Johnny Cash and asked if I had any games on my computer, which I couldn't find. I also transferred MGMT, Deerhunter, Velvet Underground, and the Kill Bill soundtrack to their flash drive (that's all of the music I have on my laptop). I called Gramalie to wish her Happy Birthday and Hripsime and Mariam were both happy to wish her well too.

Tyrone got a new bicycle this summer. Today I noticed he has rigged up a headlight to the handlebars. This is a cheap little red plastic flashlight taped to the front of the bars with clear packing tape. Very clever. He knows English. He and Mariam are both taking English with the PC TEFLs and they are the best speakers in their classes. I am not surprised. Last night they were excited because on Thursday, they're going to receive certificates for the program. But Tyrone is too shy to speak with me. Sometimes he'll randomly say "I'm hungry" or "Oh my god" (in a New York accent), and it is really hilarious.

The excitement about the certificates is interesting. Mickey and I did an assessment of the Village Hall, mayor's office, and school system for our practicum and learned that the only recognition for academic achievement that the teachers give to students is a pat on the back or an apple, literally. So that is why Mariam and Tyrone are excited about the certificates. However, they place a huge emphasis on achievement and awards in the arts...dancing, musical, and theatrical.

This afternoon the PCTs in my village presented our mayor, Aram, with a frame for this 100 year old map he has kept folded up in the town safe. He was surprised and loved it.

Finished The Ugly American (the Ghesh Americatsi, as I say in Armenian to my family). Good read, makes me all the more happier to be doing what I am right now. I am passing it along to all of my CBD friends to read. We have a pretty solid book exchange going right now. Mari has lent me Jane Eyre, which I'm reading next.

Eight more days left! We have our LPIs on Tuesday. It seems like I just arrived yesterday, the summer is all ready almost gone and that is unbelievable! But I also feel as if I've been here for a very long time.