Do you smell what I smell??

     Wow! It's been one hell of a week! Thank God it's Friday! And how do I celebrate??? I sit in my room. Does it get any better?!?
     I did have some excitement today. To begin, it's actually cold!!!  Talk about refreshing excitement! And then, IT happened! I wore a jacket for the first time today since I've been here. And guess what  found in the pocket??? No, come on, you gotta guess!! Yes! That's exactly right! An unused kleenex!! It was sooo soft! I had forgotten what they felt like! It gives a runny nose a reason to live! Hold on, I just gotta blow my nose one more time! I truly forgot what that was like. Kleenex will definitely be added to the Christmas list!
     Speaking of noses, came up with yet another brilliant idea! (That makes a total of 2 in this lifetime!!) Well, you know how so very much I want you to experience Kazakhstan? Well, here is the ultimate experience for your very own noses...I'm going to send you, in an airtight bag, my very dirty, and, oh yes, very smelly clothes!!! Just one whiff and you WILL know more than you ever wanted to know of Kazakhstan!!
     I've been here a month now and have had 2, yes 2!!, opportunities to wash my clothes. As of tomorrow, I will have no choice but to forego my morning splash in the bucket, and instead use ti to wash my underwear with a bar of soap. I can't wait!! Are you as excited as I am?? I really don't think so!
     On Tuesday and Thursday of this week I "taught" at a university in Almaty. Each class was an hour. It had to have been the combination of the July heat, closed windows (due to traffic noise) and begin extremely nervous. I was completely drenched! Don't even ask what I would have done at that point for a Klondike bar!! But, it was a learning experience. Unfortunately just not for the students!! I now know, that I do not know how to write a lesson plan. Really, it's a good thing to know! Somehow I survived. The students were great; very forgiving. And their English was well beyond what I expected. They should have been teaching me English!!
     The host family is doing great. I don't have any complaints other than I'd rather not be living with a host family. As much as I love them, I prefer living alone. They would make great neighbors though! And, everyday I'm able to communicate a little better with them. From that sentence do not assume I mean that my Russian is improving. NO!!! I'm just getting really good at charades!! Seriously, my Russian is improving a bit. Albeit, via a slow and painful process. In addition to class I do study a lot. And by a lot, I mean A LOT! And from THAT sentence, please do not assume I'm disciplined and dilligent. Like I said, before, I live in a very small Kazakhstani village. What else is there to do!?!
     I live about 2 blocks from the Mosque. Several times a day I can hear what I believe is their call to prayer. Of course I have no idea what is being said, but it does sound neat. Nothing against Muslims, but I'd rather live in a Jewish village! Too bad the Peace Corps doesn't go to Israel!!!
     Right now I can smell something cooking. And my host mother is an awesome cook!! And by amazing, I mean it's amazing that I can smell anything over my own body odor!! Although, it is the most effective means of birth control known to man. Nonetheless, I must investigate to kitchen/dining room/reading room.
 
Hope you're all eating as well as I am!!!
Much, much love,
Rachael