A Little About The Kyrgyz Republic...

Today's post is just a brief history and geography lesson! When I received my invitation to the Kyrgyz Republic, I honestly had no idea where it was and I had only vaguely heard of the country. It appears that I am not alone! So, here's a little bit about the country that I will be in for the next two years!

THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC:

Better known as Kyrgyzstan, the country is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, China to the east, Tajikistan to the south, and Uzbekistan to the west. The capital, Bishkek, is also the largest city and is located in the north of the country. 

Previously a part of the Soviet Union, it gained its independence in 1991. Approximately 5.7 million people of different ethnicities make up the country. 72% are ethnic Kyrgyz, 14% are Uzbeks, 6% are Russian, 1% are Dungan, and the remaining 5% are others. With Kyrgyz and Russian as the official languages, three-fourths of the country speak Kyrgyz, which is a Turkic language and uses the Cyrillic alphabet. Uzbek and Russian are the two next most spoken languages in the country, with Russian more common in the larger cities and in the northern parts of the country. 

Kyrgyz diet mainly consists of meat (goat) and a more limited availability of vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes, cabbages, carrots and onions). Dried fruits, beans, rice, bread and pasta are also widely found in the country throughout the seasons. 

Now, you know (for the most part) where Kyrgyzstan is, what language they speak, and what foods they eat! I hope that close friends and families can relax a little, now that they know more about where I am going! 

Blessings and have a wonderful day! 

2 Months Mark

Today marks two months until my departure date for the next chapter in my life! It's crazy to see how the time has flown by and in three short weeks, I will be done with graduate school courses. At this point, the fact that I will soon be moving across the world for the next two years of my life, has yet to hit me. To be perfectly honest, I'm more focused on trying to even get through my last three final papers. It's quite terrible. To be so close to finishing grad school, yet so far away. THREE FINAL PAPERS PEOPLE! THREE... each 15-20 pages long. However, I think that as soon as the last paper is submitted, things are gonna get real. I will have to actually grow up. Do grown up stuff. Without my mom. Like REALLY without my mom.

It's funny as I sit in my school library and write this post, I can't help by look back at my time in Denver. It has truly been one of the best experiences of my life. The people I have met, the wonderful foods I have access to, and the beautiful natural sceneries that I'm surrounded by. I remember my first quarter of grad school. There were so many times when I thought I was way over my head and had almost quit. I'm so glad I didn't though. I have met some of the most amazing people here, who I now get to call my friends. I haven't flunked out of grad school, so I wasn't over my head. Most of all though, I have proven to myself that I can adapt and I can stay strong enough to make things work. 

Whenever I begin to feel nervous about Kyrgyzstan, I just remind myself that when I first moved to Denver, it was a similar feeling. I'm sure there will be times that I want to just quite and give up. However, I have learned that if you just give something a chance, it can suddenly become the best thing ever!

Lately, I have had so many people ask if I'm nervous. Of course, there are some mixed emotions at times. However, the one thing that I've learned over these past few years is that God always provides. So am I terrified? No. Do I have some doubts? Yeah... but God has opened up so many doors that has led me to this next chapter, that I feel at peace with it. I feel as if this is what I am supposed to do. He has taken such good care of me and has shown time and time again that there is no other way BUT to trust in him. So, for those of you who are reading this, I have a few prayer requests:

1. Patience. Patience as there will frustrating days. Whether it is due to language barriers, assimilating to a new and different culture, or even just on days that I want to go home. 

2. Trust. Continued trust in God that he is watching over me and won't forsake me. 

3. Strength. I will need strength as I will be halfway across the world and with limited internet access, which means that I won't be able to talk to my mom as often. Strength and trust that God will watch over my mom and take good care of her while I'm away. 

4. Safety. It will be a long flight to Bishkek. Safe flights. For those of you who don't know me, I hate flying. For someone who loves to travel and was on 13 planes this past summer alone, the thought of leaving my life in the hands of two people and/or an airplane that is tens of thousands of feet above the ground just isn't something that I will ever truly be ok with. So. Safe flights. 

Or if you'd rather, good vibes would also be super helpful and much needed!

It's very funny how life works out. Until next time.... спасибо!