December 22, 2012
A funny thing happened this morning when I sat at my
computer and first saw the weather had been 1 degree when I went to bed, but
upon refreshing my screen, Google indicated the current temperature to be 37
degrees. I knew there was no way in hell that there could have been such a
steep rise overnight and went to the weather bug website to double check and it
confirmed that it was indeed a lot warmer today than it had been for many days.
I dressed in the same fashion I have lately, but switched
the heavy duty sweatshirt for the fleece one and arrived at the American Corner
to find it closed. By 9:30am, there was still no one to open the door and I
called Natalia to have her contact the coordinator. A few minutes later, a
young woman, her face tied up into a frown, opened the door and was none too
happy to hear me ask for paper to copy our handouts. She later told Gulnara she
had to account for the paper used there and our session wasn’t considered part
of their program. Gulnara promised to return the paper sometime next week
.
Just as I had suspected, only a handful of teachers were
gathered by ten o’clock and few of them could follow or sing along with the
booklet of Christmas carols Willoughby had painstakingly put together for them.
I personally can only sing a couple of them and chose not to take part in the
sing along. Elena agreed that carrying the program for two whole hours would be
extremely tiresome and we agreed to ended by eleven, have a coffee break and
then I’d take over with the activities I had brought.
The teachers had fun with the “Call to Santa” pair activity
and the “Let it Snow” practice where they needed to make changes to the lyrics
while listening to the song several times. I really like the modern rendition
by Michael Buble and wished we had access to the YouTube so they could have
actually seen him sing it.
The Forum board met for about an hour to discuss the winter
break professional development series and the nomination of Gulnara to attend
the women’s leadership conference in the U.S. I had already agreed to have
dinner with Willoughby on Christmas Eve at a Chinese restaurant and other
members decided they wanted to join in the fun too.
Zarina had a samsi waiting for me when I got there along
with coffee and some pastries. I reminded her that my landlady hadn’t called or
come by and that I was sick of the noise in my place. Zarina would like to be
present when she comes by to collect the rent so she can interpret for me.
Olga and Leila were going to help out with some games for
the conversation group, but wanted for me to go first. I did the same two
activities I’d done for the Forum teachers and the students were delighted with
them. The games provided by the other teachers weren’t related to Christmas,
including the popular “Pop my Balloon”, but the students really got into them
and had a good time. Candy was passed out at the end.
Given the rise in temperature, it was then 45 F, the snow
was melting everywhere causing huge puddles to accumulate on the streets and
sidewalks. I decided to walk home and save myself the claustrophobic ride in
the minibus. The Christmas tree was going up in front of the Ala-Too Square and
a small crowd of onlooker had gathered around it along with individuals dressed
in costumes related to the holidays. I took some photos and some of them
willingly posed for me while families paid to have their photos taken with
them.
I'm not sure whose characters they were representing
At the Beta Stores, I frantically looked for a suitable
present for the Santa exchange, an activity I have always loathed, and could
find nothing remotely appealing for that sum of money. A clerk at the store
recommended I go up to the second floor where more choices existed and just
about when I was ready to give up, I saw a simple necklace for exactly 200
soms. I asked the shopkeeper if she had a pretty bag for it and she did for
just an additional 15 soms. I spied a pretty bracelet and got it for Zarina
hoping to give it to her privately.
Fanciful Christmas tree outside the Beta Stores
The commotion at the apartment was so bad that when I heard
voices on the landing, I opened my door and found a heavy-set woman across the
landing bringing out boxes and something that looked like a small generator. I
mimicked to her that the noise was driving me crazy and she responded she didn’t
understand. I was so furious I slammed the door in her face. Whoever is above
me continued to drag furniture or drop heavy objects on the floor or against
the wall, or whatever in the hell it might be they’re doing all night. I couldn’t
concentrate on doing anything at all. Even watching a movie with my headset
didn’t prevent the noise from coming through.
I need to get out of this place for sure. The sooner, the
better.
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