Hey everybody!

Another quick, thoughtless post. Everything is good here! I never thought I would hope for days where the weather is above 15 degrees F. At this point, this almost feels like shorts weather! I have been making videos recently to distract me from my work. So I will post those here:...

I just got back from Peace Corps training in UB. I brought along one of my counterparts. Overall, I think the training went pretty well for the both of us. I felt like my CP was a star given her participation ;) We have formulated some delightful side projects here and there which you will be updated on as they progress. Until then, keep checking up on my flickr page and youtube account, as I will be updating them with media fromt he holiday festivities!

Jason

Hey everyone!

I just got through the last leg of PST and I am officially a Peace Corps Volunteer. I am now stationed in the Dornod Province and have a new mailing address, so please contact me to get that information! This will be a quick update because I have a some videos to show everyone... well lets just end it now. Enjoy!

Take Care! I have a 12-14 hour journey ahead of me!

A sense of great purpose is often accompanied by a sense of great loneliness. Taking the road less traveled requires a great conviction and determination that few have. You never see a trailblazer with companions by his side; rather they tread the path behind him for others to follow. The biggest tragedy for a trailblazer is for no one else to follow in his footsteps. With no legacy left behind, his purpose was moot. The few companions you make along the way should be treasured.

The people I have interacted with here are all very unique personalities and leaders in their own right. They all have direction and vision, and I feel this is a common trait among Peace Corps volunteers. We constantly talk about sustainable development in our training seminars, and because some of the improvements we are bringing to these countries are novel, having a following is essential to cutting a new path. As a trailblazer, it’s easy to leave those you lead behind, so it is important to set a stable pace. More importantly, you need to ensure that someone will carry the torch when you are gone in two years.

With all my experience in leadership theory, I don’t even think I could provide an answer for the ideal Mongolian Peace Corps Volunteer. Leadership is fickle and situational. Fundamentally, I think Burns had it right with Transforming Leadership theory for the change we are encouraging in our communities. Leaders serve to empower others so that change becomes inter-generational.

There is a counter force in Mongolian society to western schools of leadership. Many Mongolian workplaces have a hierarchy with a high power distance. This power distance is culturally ingrained along with other fundamental differences (see Hofstede). A low power distance is required by many social change models to increase collaboration and reduce stagnation. Hopefully, during training we can identify many of the implicit and informal cultural norms in Mongolia and modify our western school of thought to more closely align with this unique Asian culture.

In some ways, I think leaders in a foreign culture need to compromise their own integrity to get things done. From a Psycho/Sociological stand-point, we all have sort of dual personality dependent on our social roles. Each public face we take on is considered the “front stage” and our “back stage” personality is the one that shines behind closed doors. Often times, the roles we play influence or even integrate into our fundamental personalities. When you hear the phrase “maintaining face” it is the front stage roles we play that are being threatened. This is especially true for honor societies in southern America, and what I feel is uniquely salient in Mongolia (and some other Asian countries for that matter), where collectivism, pride, and integrity reinforce social law.

As Peace Corps Volunteers, we are all on an unfamiliar stage, placed in roles we are not accustomed to. Our own integrity may be compromised to maintain face in an unfamiliar culture, which is important to maintaining social ties and relationships. This line of thought could also be translated as “emotional labor”, which until recently has been neglected as a form of labor. It is defined as the inducing or suppressing feelings to sustain a countenance that induces a state of mind in others. Many of the attitudes we held stateside maybe inappropriate to express in certain situations, and the need to suppress them is imperative. I haven’t seen emotional labor translated into Leadership Theory, but I am sure I could write a book on it when I am back in the states.

I could go on and on and still get nowhere close to defining a form of leadership and mentality suitable for Peace Corps Volunteers in Mongolia, so I will end it here… to be revisited on a day when my head is more clear and there is some more experience under my belt!

Traveling Mongolia is a cardio-holic’s dream. Nalaikh is a semi-urbanized district of Ulaanbaatar cradled in a grassy steppe circumferenced by several hike-able hills and mountains. Rain is hardly an issue, and when its presence is eminent, it reveals itself during the late hours of the evening. Rain during the day is rare, but when it occurs it lasts for nary 20 minutes. Basically, Mongolia is gorgeous in the summertime.

Mongolians all idolize the power that rests in these mountains. It is believed that many of the taller mountains channel particular spirits that will listen to prayers offered to an овоо/ovoo located at the mountains zenith. Part of what makes mountains so sacred here is that it is the origin of life on the steppe. Storms drop most of their moisture on mountaintops, and the excess water is distributed to rivers below. The majority of trees in Mongolia seem find their home on the sides these mountains to collect this rare moisture. If not for the mountains, herders would lose their livelihood and the land would be nearly inhabitable by any wildlife.

There are many cultural rules regarding who can visit the tops of these mountains. Some are restricted to males only, while others are open to both genders. I am not too familiar to the norms, but asking about a mountain you are vying to hike would probably be respectful, especially by a foreigner.

If there were a national pastime in Mongolia, it would be the жорлон/jarlon sprints. Bowel movements are something salient in every Mongolians life. The bathroom culture here is something I experienced immediately. Let me start off by noting the very personal relationship Mongolians have with toilet paper. If you are not regularly carrying, you are S.O.L. when the urge hits... so to speak. Many public restrooms charge for occupancy, and those that don’t lack any form of cleansing wipes. As a visitor to Mongolia, my advice to others is to learn how to ask, “Where is the toilet?” This phrase will become essential to your survival in this land.

Foods to avoid: Everything

You may have been excited to come to Mongolia and drink the “айраг/airag”, but be forewarned, what most people don’t tell you is that it is a potent laxative. This is first have knowledge from experience and conversing with other Mongolians. They regularly drink the stuff to cleanse their G.I. tract. I was cautioned to only take a sip because it was my first time, but I was stupid and naïve and took two sips. I’ll spare you the details, but my morrow consisted of Bismuth tabs and competing in the жорлон/jarlon Olympics.

A week or two prior to this event (which was during Nadaam) I partook in a feast of freshly slaughtered sheep, buckets of yogurt, and home-style pasteurized milk. Lord only knows what really did it, but I am placing my chips on anything dairy. The morning after this feast, I was like a cherubic water sculpture with liquid flowing from both ends.

There is no way Mongolians can eat what they do and go through life without experiencing the slight discomfort of bloating and indigestion after a sour meal. No immune system can keep up with what is thrown at you here. With that said, I have come to appreciate that these people are tough... and hide it well if they aren’t feeling too well. I give props to the Mongolian people everywhere.

I have been in Mongolia for over two weeks now and my body has undergone some odd changes. After walking the University of Maryland campus for over 4 years, to and from class, late night trips to the diner for an extremely unhealthy milkshake (rumor has it that the UMCP ice cream is not FDA approved for sale outside campus) one would think that my cardio/aerobic fitness was tops. Top off that exercise with the regular trudging up mile of hills after a 15-minute high-speed bomb on my long board.

It takes me about 15 to 20 minutes at strolling speed to get to the school where I spend 4 hours a day learning Mongolian and 2 to 3 hours of technical TEFL sessions. Oftentimes, I find myself running late for my 9 o’clock language sessions due to several factors (i.e. Waiting for breakfast, boiling my bath water on these spring-like chilled mornings, motivating myself to rollout of my 3-ply ply board mattress, ect.). Many Mongolians have spotted and commented on the American running around with a green bowl full of rice with iPod earphones in his head. If that American were on the UMCP campus, he would have made it on time. But in Mongolia, this American cannot run a block without losing his breath! I have found myself gasping for air with my hands on my head after only a minute of brisk jogging. I blame the altitude.

I would kill for a microbrew, but unless you are in the big city (Ulaanbaatar), you have to settle for cheap Korean beer (i.e. Cass and Hite). The only decent lager is imported/franchised from a Singapore, Tiger (from the makers of Heineken).. oh and the Australian import Fusion. Finding a store that has them is few and far between… but all this is beside the point. When it comes to beer, in the states, I could hold my own like any other, but don’t get me wrong, I was never a heavy drinker. Mongolia does something to a man, where after half a beer, you’ll find him here sheets in the wind.

On a more serious note, Mongolia does have a drinking problem, and part of it stems from the Soviet control in the mid 20th century. 40% Russian vodka replaced many of the more common forms of Mongolia alcohol like айраг/airag (aka. fermented mares milk which is about 3%) and Mongolian vodka (around 30%). High proof Korean beers have also become more pervasive. There has always been a strong drinking culture in Mongolia, but these high proof foreign substitutes exacerbated the issue.

Bathing habits are its own discussion, probably for a latter date, but it’s worth mentioning. I used to bathe for nearly 20 minutes at a time in my private, steaming hot shower at least once a day. What happened? I am hardly bathing as frequently. Is it the complicated process of bathing in Mongolia? The use of a түмпэн/tumpen is especially problematic for a shower glutton of my caliber. Barely a liter of hot water for my whole body, at first, seemed barely sufficient, but I became quite accustomed to it. It’s rather quaint to stand in a tiny tub, barely the width of your shoulders, and attempt to scrub yourself clean. After several weeks I have developed some techniques to splash as little water as you can… and comfortably.

As I write this, I am about 3 days without a bath, yet smell as fresh as a bouquet of Wilhide's flowers! I am walking around smelling like Green Mountain’s Spring, whereas in America, after 3 days I would be drawing in the flies, asphyxiating from my own stench. Its definitely not the lack of activity, I blame it on the altitude.

I am finally in Mongolia and have begun my daily routine. It has only been two weeks here and I think that it is safe to say that this really is the "toughest job you'll ever love". I have met many great people here in Mongolia and have been placed in some compromising situations. Hopefully this rushed post will shed some light on that vague comment.

The first week here was orientation in the most thorough sense.... from my Tefl position to receiving 8 vaccinations to understanding the bureaucratic structure of the Peace Corps. During the first week I stayed in a small town outside of UB. It seemed pretty much like the first week at summer camp, or my freshman year at college. Everyone was still on honeymoon.

Currently I am in Nalaikh, which is one of the largest training sites. It is about 20 minutes outside of UB, so, conveniently, I have access to many commodities that make my peers jealous =D. One of which is the internet! The people here are great, although I have had a mixed reception. To many of the older generation, we Americans are perceived to be Russian or "Îðîñ" in Mongolian... (the term "ruski" is also pretty common here). To the younger generation, especially young children, they are elated to see that we are American and shout out English greetings and run away. It seems to be the extent of their English training.

Only recently though, I have been met with some hostility. One of the main threats here is drunk men. They themselves are not the threat alone, but its possible they could be provoked somehow. I have received a few angry fists and placed in a possible scenario where I could have been robbed...

If any of you aren't familiar with the following situation, i will explain it =) Typically native mother asks a tourist to hold their child then haphazardly places the child in your arms so that you have to catch him or he would hit the ground. While this is in progress their partner in crime robs you while you are occupied with the child. It may be my paranoia, but in the alleyway that I was walking and the aggressiveness of this Mongolian woman spelled trouble (not to mention her husband was yelling something when he came from around the corner.)

Anyways... if you are one of my family members, don't be alarmed. Their are far more friendly people in Mongolia!

That is it for this brief update. I am trying to find a CD-R to upload some pictures, so hopefully you will seem them soon.

Take Care!

Jason

This is it! The Final Countdown!

I have been packing like crazy trying to get my belongings to fit regulation! (2 checked-bags 50lbs each 107 linear inches and 1 carry-on bag 45 linear inches). Less than 8 hours till I am on the plane to San Francisco for staging and then it is off to Mongolia on June 4th. Everyone asks me how I feel about the situation, but it is hard to put in words (not to be cliche). I think that I have been "mentally prepared" since February, so the shock may not hit me until I am actually on Mongolian soil! I am glad to escape this Maryland heatwave though (our air conditioner has been broken for the past week).

I have a Temporary Address now for my 3 month training in Mongolia... if you want to send any care packages *hint hint* or just notes of support!

Jason Douglas PCT

Post Office Box 1036

Central Post Office

Ulaanbaatar 15160

Mongolia (via China)

I set up a flickr account as well, so you can (eventually) see more pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasonpdouglas/.

Take Care!! More updates to come!

About three days after being contacted by my P.O. (January 13, 2010), I received a rather large envelope which seemed to be brimming with rules and regulations. Playing it cool, I opened my credit card statements first, then some alumni mailing from the University of Maryland begging me for more of my money (I won't even get started with that one). Once there was no mail to defer my excitement and savor the moment even longer, I savagely opened the parcel with one fell rip.

Inside, an envelope and letter that had fallen to the ground. I picked it up and it decreed...

"It is with great pleasure that we invite you to begin training in Mongolia for Peace Corps service."

With a vacant stare I read the last words of my placement ad nauseum...

"...Mongolia for Peace Corps service."...

"...Mongolia for Peace Corps service." ...

"...Mongolia for Peace Corps service." !!!

Mongolia for Peace Corps Service!?! There must be some mistake! ... it was no mistake, they are "banishing me to outer Mongolia", they are sending me to the coldest placement available. No beach, no sun, no tropics. I considered it to be a faint possibility, but never imagined to become reality. Mongolia.

Although my expectations for Thailand or the Philippines were shot, bare in mind Mongolia wasn't low on my list either. All joking aside, it is one of the most interesting places for a person like me. Having visited the Galapagos Islands a few years back, I can really appreciate the Country of Blue Skies. Mongolia's rich human history dates back to the Neolithic era, as noted by an undisturbed and detailed geological time line of fossils and artifacts. The country's nomadic culture left much of the land pristine and unpolluted.

Despite owning pretty much a third of the world, Mongolia has lost much of its territory to the ever expanding China beginning with the Ming Dynasty.

Why I mention this.. It is baffling to me how an empire that was so influential lacks a worldly Mongolian speaking population. There are 5.7 million Mongolian speakers (thats less than about 100 world languages), the majority of whom are in Mongolia. Secondly, it is a very old language... although it was mainly oral and and received written text later on (12c Genghis Khan).

Why all this is relevant? I have searched high and low for a Mongolian starter book, but no one provides it. Immigration to the US has been low compared to other Asian nations which may be the primary explanation. Oh well... something to add to my wish list.

I have been exploring "vlogging"... so expect an update soon=) That is all for now.

I have always had my apprehensions towards blogs. First and foremost being the world does not need to be exposed to the fleeting, transient hodgepodge of musings and meanderings that are my consciousness. But then again, it is a good way to keep in touch with the 'fam' or anyone who happens to take interest in my adventures.

I was hoping to hold out on a blog until I reached the 'tipping point' when I receive my Peace Corps invitation, but anticipation was eating away at my patience. So here is my official Introduction to the blogging world.

Salutations,

My name is Jason and I was nominated for the Peace Corps in May of 2009 for English Teaching in Central Asia/Asia.

For those unfamiliar with the application process, I will provide a brief overview (feel free to skip this part). Shortly after one submits an extensive collection of paperwork, essays, and references the applicant receives a phone call to set up an interview with a regional recruiter. The recruiter pokes and prods the applicant to discover what situations will break them and where they are most comfortable. After this initial interview, he receives an vague nomination and a parcel of medical evaluation forms to fill out.

At this point, one has spent several exhaustive weeks running between doctors to check one's every nook and cranny so that one may be branded with a seal of approval. Application... submitted, nomination... received, medical paperwork... mailed. Several weeks go by and one should receive a status update that looks something like whats to the right ~~~>

...and now you are up to speed! I almost cannot stand the irony in that phrase. There is nothing speedy about the process. The process alone reminds one of the patience and flexibility that is important in every applicant!

While I have been at this sort of stagnation, or Peace Corps limbo, waiting for my placement, I have taken part in many ESL/TESOL volunteer opportunities with the Literacy Council of Montgomery County and A-OK Tutor/Mentor program. I am about to undergo an intensive 4 week CELTA certification class in Toronto to gain some professional experience. Although it is not required, as Peace Corps will provide their own training, I cannot sit around waiting for my call to service with no experience under my belt!

Till Next Time!

Jason