A Year in Review

As May 2009 winds to a close, we’ve begun to look back on our first year as Peace Corps volunteers in Mongolia. We’ve seen and done some exotic things, learned some random stuff, had some real cross-cultural challenges, and we’ve had some of the most rewarding experiences we could have ever hoped for.

Often times, as you can imagine, life here is different. We've had to adjust to a new way of bathing and to using our handy-but-complicated clothes washer. The weather is a little more complicated here than advertised, and the travel is excruciating at times.

Despite the challenges of our jobs and different ways of life, the biggest challenges we’ve faced have been missing out on family events. Nathan’s dad almost died twice this year resulting in double bypass surgery and few months later, aortic stents. Leslie missed her brother Stephen’s wedding and the birth of Karsen, niece number three to oldest brother Chris. We’ve both missed holidays, impromptu family gatherings, having our friends over for barbecues, swinging by just to say hello, weathering the recession job losses of Nathan's brothers and their main sqeezes, and so much more.

Instead, we've grown closer as our own little family and brought in some new folks to help us make it, which include our counterparts and fellow Peace Corps volunteers. We performed at our swearing-in ceremony, put on a show in Bayankhongor, and have enjoyed learning all about Mongolian music. In fact, Leslie was published for the first time in a peer journal, Voices, discussing music, which is a nice resume booster and proud moment.

Thanks to everyone for sending us packages and continuing to care. We hope you also continue to read our blog in year number two, and we hope to see you in October when we fly to Ohio for Nathan's brother's wedding and trip to PA for some Shaffer family fun.

Here's to year number two!
Leslie and Nathan