Тараканы!!!

Ok, so there were some surprises upon my return to Kstan, mostly good news, nothing too big of a deal; but then a surprise that I could have done without. I walked into the kitchen and looked where we keep the bread and I see something- my first response was ‘huh, it’s like that cute little guy from Wall e’, but then reality set in- ‘A cockroach!! Kill it!!’ (Тараканы is cockroach in Russian) So in that week I killed about three or four and haven’t seen any since then. I was hoping by some miracle that those were the first uninvited scouts, but alas, to my utter disappointment- there are more, as I killed about 5 more last night and saw little babies!! Noooo! Our bottle of raid is now spraying mist and it’s time to restock on the ammunition. Uulkan was over last night, who is now aware of our cockroach issue, and as we talked I have found out that such things as the Orkin Man, or exterminators in general are nonexistent; which I figured. So it’s me vs. the cockroaches- We’ll see who goes first. But on the positive side, at least they are small (hopefully they stay that way), and so far, just located behind the cupboard and have not expanded to other areas. They also have a theme song- which was part of a cd we were listening to- the song by the W’s “The devil is bad”, the chorus goes-“you are the devil and the devil is bad, you are the devil and the devil is bad, you are the devil and the devil is bad, you are the devil and you are bad!!”

Still Single

So, one of the most popular questions about my time in the States- is not about the price of gas (which was a popular question in the States regarding life here), but- did I meet anyone? And of course the answer is-no. The sarcastic side of me wants to say- I've lived there for 27 years w/o a purposal and you think I'm going to meet some prince charming and be swept off my feet in two months? I'd have a better chance of winning the NYS lotto.
As some of us sat around the table discussing my lack of a fairy tale romance, I was also asked if my family asks me about it- and I replied -no. My parents don't ask nor am I pressured to find someone- which I very much appreciate! At that I think I sensed some envy. Chika then told how his parents are often asking him and are actually planning for him to be married next August- he doesn't even have a girlfirend!! Pressure I am glad not to have.
Then during our conference, we decided to post our names, email, phone#, and bdays so wecould stay in better touch- have more unity and fellowship among us. As I scrolled down the list, I noticed how many were born about the time or after I was going to kindergarten, and I wrote my info down. Luckily, I do have the benefit of looking younger than I am- not that 29 should look old, but when the facts are out for all to see (as was my 1979 bday) I thought something might be said- and I was right. One of the guys whom I noticed was born in the same year but is married with a family, asked me why I wasn't married yet? At this question, my mind is always flooded with a bizillion answers- it's just choosing which one-
*no one ever asked *you're asking the wrong person- ask the guys *I was only 2yrs at Bble college *Gd called me to missions *Guys who want to serve in central Asia, as oppsed to a church in America are hard to find *I choose to put His will first in my life.....
But I replied- Gd has not given me a husband. I think some people believe that significant others grow on trees and all you have to do is pick one. Well maybe in the game of LIFE you can just stop at the stop sign next to the chapel and stick the opposite color peg in your car- but that's not how reality (or G) works. Being single is a gift from Him, and I am glad b/c I would not have been able to do as much as I have if I had a husband and family to care for. Until he chooses to change the situation I am quite content with my present status.
So it leads me to ask- why isn't singleness celebrated? Why must it be seen as a problem to be cured by marriage? And sometimes the biggest frustration for singles comes from the chch and other Xtians- whose only encouragement is to get married.

Another Culture Lesson

Besides going to the Tower the weekend after my return, I attended a wedding that Saturday. The couple are friends whom I occasionally help out with their English club when their native speaker is unavailable. Anyhow, it was a great day and I was happy to be able to celebrate with them! This led me to asking some questions about weddings in this culture, so I talked with my friend Uulkan who shared some insight into typical Kyrgyz customs.
In the city, the 'wedding palace' is only open on Saturday and Sunday so that is when pretty much all weddings take place. Cars are dressed up with paper flowers, ribbons, and often I see a centerpeice of flowers, with two big gold rings and a dove or a heart, that crowns the couple's ride. Also are the many photo ops at the monumental places all around the city-THE place is the eternal flame, where flowers are left and the couple kiss. And like here, while driving through the city, horns are honking.
The Bride and groom typically have a simple band of gold (worn on the right hand)- not much of the flare and pizzaz of back home with platinum bands donned with precision cut diamonds. After the formalities of it all, it is time for the celebration- lots of food, drinking, and dancing. Pretty similar to home- just different food, music, and alcohol. As for guests, attire is usually your nice stuff, but here, some girls who go to a wedding really dress up- hair and everything! It would be like if you showed up at wedding looking like you were going to the prom, or you were part of the wedding party- but not.
One very interesting thing of note- for the first MONTH after the wedding, the bride lives at her mother-in-laws house and works- cleaning, cooking, etc.!! I laughed to myself as I imagined what that would be like in America :)
But unfortunatley, somehow or another they too have the bouquet toss to see who is the next to be married. All the unmarried girls are called out- even if they are engaged- so it's not just the 'single' girls. Not a favorite traditon of mine b/c no matter how much you do not want to participatein it- people call you out. All people know who should be in that group of eligable girls who must enthusiastically have their hopes in catching a bunch of flowers to foretell their destiny-lame! And if you are not present- the whole thing is put on hold as your name is yelled and you are found. Well, wanting to avoid the previous, I joined the group- standing off to the side, out of the bride's throwing range and watched as someone caught the flowers in a happy victory.
I'll be getting another chance though, as two more weddings are planned for this October. I enjoy going to weddings- celebrating with the people I know as they start a life together, but sometimes, being a single girl in her late 20's in a marriage oriented culture gets a little crazy.