May 28, 2012  HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY! 

Aren't they the greatest <3 

I’m in the “Princess House!”

When I got the names of my host family there were rumors going around that my house was like the “princess house” and that my family was super sweet and the mother spoke very slow and clearly so we could understand better.

THEY WEREN’T RUMORS! All true. I really do live in THE Princess House and my host mom is the most precious of all moms! BE JEALOUS. I have a grandma and grandpa who live next door, a mom, a dad, one sister who is 22, one brother who is 24, and another brother who’s 25. And guess what?! I’m 23! Isn’t that perfect?!         

22, 23, 24, 25. IT WAS MEANT TO BE.

I complete this little sequence of theirs J I only hope I’m worthy enough to be a part of this family and to live like the princess they have been treating me as. My grandma took my face and kissed me! She took my hand and just kept looking at me with a smile… we couldn’t say a word to each other, but it was such a warm feeling.

We had SO MUCH FUN doing these. Mama told me she has never laughed this much :) 

After a 40 minute “marshutini” van ride my group of 12 trainees finally made it to our NEW HOME for the next 3 months. When we made it to our school all of our host families were waiting outside for us with anxious smiles, excitement, and even some with flowers and balloons! We found our families, went our separate ways, and our journeys began!

I came to this brick wall house with a bunch of gardens in the back not knowing what to expect and when I stepped inside I thought to myself, “this can’t be real.” I never thought I was signing up for such luxury! There’s no way I get my own padded bed, closet, desk, and hot-water-no-hole-in-the-ground-toilet bathroom!

WHAT THE HEEZY?!

I almost feel like I’m cheating something. Don’t get me wrong! I love it. But this really wasn’t what I was expecting! I had so many images in my mind and this didn’t even come close! But then again, who knows, after my 3 months training when I have to move out and go to my permanent village of 2 years, it might be a different story. Most volunteers live in places with no electricity, hot water, or actual toilets haha that’s where the real crazy fun begins :p

Anyways, I have a pet dog named Gucci outside and a cat from Russia named Kooka inside. We also have a white rabbit with HUGE ears I can’t remember the name of. I can’t wait to bond with my sister like a best friend especially since we’re basically the same age. My mom and dad seem very happy and try everything they can to talk to me (with hand gestures). My brothers smoke outside for my sake even though smoking inside is the norm! Neighbors came from all around to say hi to me like I was some “prize” haha. THIS WILL BE GREAT.

Now if only I can become fluent in Armenian by tomorrow… that would be great J

All the kids haha so cute