An itty bitty update

I've been horrible at posting lately mostly due to the fact that I've been a little caught up in "American life" within Mongolia. I had a school break which I spent with Americans. Then there was my Thanksgiving vacation which I spent in Ulaanbaatar with Americans and on Friday I will leave once again for UB for a Peace Corps training event with a whole bunch of Americans. I'm sure we will eat our share of pizza and speak English at a normal rate, rather than "How.....ARE....YOU?"haha. I catch myself speaking slowly to my American friends now.

Every night after school, I've had shin jil (new year) dance practice. I will yet again be in a dance. I'm hoping I won't be kicked out at the last minute like I was for the Latin American dance. There is a very good chance of it though since my counterpart/Mongolian sister Handaa and I will miss many practices due to our P.C. training. Hopefully not. I really do want to be a "snow girl". I'm not sad about missing the practices that go until 8 at night though. They're very serious about their dances. I was told we will perform twice and shin jil lasts four days. I've been asked by many people back home if Mongolians celebrate Christmas. Since most are Buddhist, they do not. That does not stop them from wanting to learn Christmas songs though. Today I taught one of my classes "We wish you a Merry Christmas" and yesterday I wrote the words for "Last Christmas". I think someone is singing that George Michael Christmas song at the Shin Jil party. I need to find a dress for the party though! Everyone dresses up in prom-style dresses....except with more flash...lots of glitter and sparkle are required. Hopefully I can pull something together at a decent price.

Soon I will update about Shin Jil happenings and Peace Corps training event!