Well, dear friends, this was a short-lived little blog.

I received information that Blogger is blocked in Kazakhstan and is very very difficult to access without using a proxy site (and even then, it's still a bit spotty).

So...I will be moving to wordpress.

Already, my patience and flexibility are being tested. Much more is in store, I'm sure.

My new blog address is: http://abbymenter.wordpress.com

Hope to see you there.

I am currently trying to learn Russian. And let me tell you, it is not easy. In fact, I find it to be quite the opposite. It is almost as difficult as trying to pack all of the crap that I need for a two-year hiatus from living down the street from Target.

On that note, I began packing the other day. Emily was kind enough to help me sort through all of my clothes, and it wasn't too difficult to eliminate a handful of things that I really don't need to take. Such things included: a "dressy" dress, a 27th cardigan, and that one shirt that I haven't worn in 5 years, but just might want in the next 2. That sister of mine sure is a trooper.

Then, we moved on to shoes. This was a completely different story. I can understand that the reality of me needing a pair of 8 year old blue chucks that have holes for heels and "Bush is a Tool" written on the side of them is not likely. In fact, according to the welcome book, Khazakhstani women wear high heels most of the time...including in the frozen winter. Professional dress is required most of the time (my mother jokingly thinks that maybe the Peace Corps picked the wrong girl...). Dilapidated as they may be, however, do I really want to be on the other side of the world for two years without the shoes that got me through high school, undergrad, the year I spent as an R.A., my first art show, student teaching, my first professional presentation, and my master's defense? I think not. Their well-worn character is a comfort that, I imagine, will be much needed at times.

August 17 is quickly approaching. I am very nervous, excited, scared, nostalgic, nauseous, anxious, worried, sad, pumped, energetic, and everything in between. Mostly, however, I am very ready.

First post. It's official (or as official as things can be). I finally received an invitation to serve in the Peace Corps...in Kazakhstan. After a year of trudging through the application process, all I can hear now is the sound of Jenni's voice when I told her I had received an invitation. "Abby! This is happening!"

Lilly, my sister's dog is curled up on my feet right now, and the reality of how desperately I am going to miss home is beginning to sink in. This is going to be hard. Really hard. The difficulty, however, is what makes this upcoming adventure so important, so necessary, and so perfect.

For years, I have felt like something was missing in my life. It was something that I couldn't quite put my finger on and could only ineloquently describe. And for the first time...in a long time...I feel fulfilled. So at peace with my place in the world and the world's place in my heart. So, even though it is difficult to leave my loved ones, my family (and you are all family), it is the love they/you have given me that requires this (really difficult, albeit, temporary) move. I have to "pay it forward." It's time to share.

I think part of the inner peace that I am feeling, amidst the anxiety and nausea, comes from the satisfaction in no longer feeling like a hypocrite. I have, essentially, preached peace, love, and understanding for much of my young, liberal life. Looking back, however, I can't remember doing anything tangible...anything real...to make this happen. It feels good to finally respond to and acknowledge what I know is right, necessary, and so very pertinent to our human well-being.

Part of me feels a little selfish in this venture. I know that it would be nearly impossible for me to give as much as I will receive from the people of Kazakhstan and the other Peace Corps volunteers. Maybe this is why I'm going, though. Because I want to be a better person. I want to be more aware, more whole, a lot kinder, and a bit simpler. And while this experience may not completely satisfy these desires (or are they needs?), I have a sneaking suspicion that it will keep me on the right track.

On a lighter note: I had joked with Lisa for a long time about how the only place I was not interested in going for the Peace Corps was Mongolia. For absoloutely no other reason than the cold, cold weather.....

...that's right, folks. A significant portion of Kazakhstan is actually further north than Mongolia. Who knew? I like to think that this is simply the universe lining up the way that it is supposed to, because, despite the sub-siberian bitter cold, I know I will be happy there. I would be miserable without winter. You can't snowboard in Indonesia (not that I'm aware of, anyway).

That's all for now. Shout out to Bubb, my inaugural follower.