#1 – Here is a picture of my host family with my cousin Moosheg after his police ceremony.

#2 – This is the few from the floor where Emil and I sat and watched Armenia lose to Ireland, also diminishing there hopes to qualify for the Euro 2012 cup. Sad, but the snacks were great!

#3 – This is the poster that hangs up in the computer lab in school. Yes, it is translating all of the computer terms into Armenian for the students. I think I need to study it too..ha.

#4 – I wish this photo was not blurry but it still captures the intensity of their faces. Emil and his friend Artur had a 6 round boxing match in our yard one night and I was lucky enough to be the only spectator. No one was hurt, just some bruises and well, Artur might have lost some hair when Emil grabbed for it when he fell down once. Awesome.

#5 – Here is a view from the train between Armavir and Gyumri where you can see the towers that guard the border between Armenia and Turkey. Peace anyone?

#6 – This is a shot of the inside of the train car. They are a lot of fun to ride. Very slow, but fun.

#7 – I met Kim in Gyumri one Saturday afternoon a few weeks ago and we were lucky enough to meet this character on the side of the street.

#8 – This past week I traveled up to Berd, three volunteers (Caroline, John and Ashley) are living to gain information about how to start a foundation and well, have a good time.  This is a photo taken from Ashley’s host family’s house.

#9 – Ashley’s Toilet. Yes, it is outside and yes, it is a hole in the ground. Cousin Kim, I think I would rather go in the lake

#10 – Part of the excitement of the weekend was the Halloween Party which about 20 volunteers came up for. Kim and I worked together to become the European Union. It was a last minute effort that was partnered with Pippy Longstocking, Kim’s original idea. We are cool.

#11 – A view of the dancing at the party. I took a lot of photos, but there weren’t too many that people would appreciate me posting…ha.

#12 – This is a photo a few days showing how winter has arrived in Berd. It was warm, well, with 6 layers on.

#13 – The sun came back out Monday and Tuesday so John took Evelyn and I on a hike up to one of the peaks overlooking Berd. It was beautiful. From the other side you can see Azerbaijan….again, another closed border.

This past month was the fastest yet, as things are picking up. Not at work, where I only have 5 scheduled classes a week, but the routine of Armenian language classes, teaching piano lessons, and working out have made me feel more at home. I still often wake up hoping I was somewhere else, but it is short lived as I know my time here has purpose, even on the slowest of days.

Tomorrow a group of teachers at the music school and I are meeting to discuss plans on how to improve the music school and determine their needs. With sustainability (the peace corps buzz word) in mind, I am going to present the idea of opening a foundation thats sole purpose is to raise and distribute money for the music school (in scholarships, providing new instruments and paying for any renovations needed to the facility).

In Berd, I got a lot of good information from Armenians who have started their own. Also, last week another volunteer, Matt, came to Talin and educated my Armenian tutor and I on fundraising. It is still very much at the beginning stages, but I am encouraged to be working toward something that I excited about.

Next up: This weekend, I will be heading to Mrgashen to see my host family there before heading to a three day Peace Corps conference early next week.

Miss you guys!