Music to my ears!

I spent my morning at Gavar's Music School with one of the social workers from VIA, Narine.  (She's also the girl I go to the gym with) This morning was the most amazing I have had since I have been here.  I witnessed some incredibly talented women sing and play the piano.  And they were excited that I was American and could communicate with them in Armenian and that I was genuinely interested in listening to them perform, that I now have an open invitation to visit whenever I please...so I am going back Monday morning:)  I also let them know that my dad plays the trumpet and they have extended that invitation to my dad and whoever else comes to visit!  Dad, they were besides themselves that you played, they kept saying shat opres, which means very excellent kind of literally, but also means they were very pleased:) 

 

So, every day I am finding something else that I am excited to share with those who are coming to visit and to write about for those who are interested.  I was also given the key by my NGO two days ago and my director called me Laur-jan.  Jan is a huge sign of affection here so it was major progress. Jan basically means either my Lauren or Lauren dear and it is a really good thing when someone uses it:)  My relationship with my NGO grows by the day and I am really looking forward to working with them over the next 2 years.  And being able to come into the office, even if no one else is here, is really great.  It gives me the chance to have somewhat of a schedule which I like and also gives me the chance to chat with the social workers as they come in here and there to check-in and drop-off materials.  In fact, that is how I got to go to the musical school today.  I was in the office yesterday working and Narine came in to meet with one of the families she works with.  Had I not been here, I certainly would have missed the opportunity to hang out with her yesterday and to get the invitation to the school today.

 On Wednesday, the day I got the key, I met with several people from VIA to go over some things.  During that meeting with Rudek, Gegham, and Sat from VIA, we actually got a lot accomplished.  I was able to ask what they were looking for in a volunteer and we have come to the conclusion that for now, I will start to work on a capacity assessment tool, start to build workshops for such things as resume building, computer skills, health, etc, and I will also start working on lesson plans for an English Club, which will probably meet once/week and each week will have a theme, book reading, film viewing, overview of current events, etc.  Next week, there will also be a meeting with all of VIA,, Rudek, Gegham and all 13 social workers to discuss an annual plan which will certainly clear a lot of things up too.

Narine and I are headed back to the gym today for our 3:30 class and we are hoping to ask if we can start going everyday:)  The whole gym concept is very new here, so when I originally asked if I could go everyday I think they thought I was crazy, but now they seem to be warming up to the idea!  I am hoping to get a yes before it starts to get really cold, they have a treadmill and bike which will be great for cardio and also weight machines and a whole exercise class room (getting a little ahead of myself, but I have thought about proposing the idea of teaching a zumba class too!)

I have to say, everyday here Gavar feels more and more like home, I think this is the best possible placement for me.  And, while initially it was difficult not being around Americans, it's actually pretty tough at first not to have other Americans around, it has been a blessing in disguise for me.  My Armenian has gotten better, I am making friends, getting to know the culture, and falling in love with Gavar and its people more and more every day.  And the opportunities as a result of integrating are pretty amazing...sitting in at the music school this morning was truly one of the coolest experiences I've ever had.  One of the girls even got excited to perform Celine Dion for me and sang My Heart Will Go In, I was blown away with how good she was.

 

I have also been able to go to events, picnics, churches, try to play the accordian, and so much more thanks to the wonderfully kind and hospitable Armenians I have met in the short time I have lived in Gavar.  I think of how much I have already been exposed to here in less than a month and can't even imagine all of the exciting new experiences awaiting me in the future!

This weekend I am headed to Lake Sevan to spend the weekend with all of the other volunteers for our official site unlock.  We are put on site lock for the first month to help us with integration and such and now it totally makes sense.  While I am excited for this weekend and to see everyone, I am already a little sad to leave Gavar!  But, when I told my host mom Alita I wanted to bring something to share with everyone in Sevan, she got really excited and so for the last few days we have been making home-made pasta sauces, ketchup, and who knows what else.  She is turning me into quite the cook and I am loving spending the time in kitchen with her, even though the only extra apron she has is child size so everytime I put it on, I think of Tommy Boy...fat guy in a little coat...haha:)

So that is all for now, happy to report Gavar and I are getting along just fine, hope to write some more soon!