Banuuu.

Sorry there has been quite a gap in my writings just not muchh has really happened it feels liike but, looking back on the week, I feel it warrants a blog- besides I want to tell you all my exciting weekend planss... ;)

So yes, I last wrote to you on Mondayyy... Since then I have been a much larger part of family life and have taken to sitting with them in the communal room. It has meant I have been exposed to a lot more of Mongolian culture as well. I have helped Granny cook a meal - well chopped an onion but I think that counts- and been shown Dok's sowing which, I must say is exquisite. Unfortunately. Tommi also got a call on monday which has meant he has had to leave for the countryside. Goodbye English conversation at homeeee.. It has made trying to communicate where I am going this weekend interesting though.... Have ended up getting Zulaa to ring home for me to explain? In other way it is funny miming food, drink etc.

It has also meant that I have been exposed to Mongolian TV? As well as watching 101 Dalmatians in Mongolian, yesterday I managed to catch Top Gear and then watched Extreme Wipeout USA... oh yeah I is cool. I also have started semi following a Mongolian Soap... what is is called and what is happening I do not know. I do know however that someone has just died as there are a lot of slow montages set to dramatic music and some hysterical tears (the acting leaves a lot to the imagination). The advertising out here is also absolutely mental. Pepsi and coca cola really are waging something of a proxy advertising war out here... Also, random film music is on these adverts, like the title song to the animated 101 Dalmatians is on what appears to be a recruitment ad? Most odd.

As for my lessons, it really is so rewarding. I have eight classes in all but two of them are just horrible. Their attitudes stink and they just don't want to speak English. Seeing as I am the English speaking teacher, this makes an hour and a half lesson go so. Slowly. But yes, my other classes more than make up for it. I especially like the class that I take twice a week at the Children's Palace. I was so so tired on Tuesday and they picked up on it so one of them gave me a back massage- felt so loved. This week I have been doing family with them and giving them words to describe people but I also gave a brief English Literature lesson (which they loved!) and a lesson on travel this morning at the Golden Bridge Center. I feel particularly loved there as all of the people from the afternoon classes have started coming in early to hear a native speaker. Today, in a class which is normally 8 to 10, there were 20?! Crazy- extra chairs had to be brought in.

As an aside, Harry, I also semi- completed your task which has left me branded as the "crazy-enthusiastic English volunteer". I was going through words you could use to describe appearance, one of which is "stunning". Anyway to illustrate this, I ask the class "what does the verb, to stun mean?". A girl at the front of the class was on her phone so I ran towards her going "MLEHMLEHMLEHMLEHMLEHHHHH". Face. Was. A. Picture. So yes. Task completed? ;)

I also started my proper Health and Safety Training this week which has meant about 20 more children have been trained there. I have actually run out of certificates so more have been sent from London!? That makes 60 so far. And four more classes still to go. I had news back from the head of the project at the British Safety Council and he wants to cover my story when I return to Blighty. It also seems like I am in the running for this 100 pound prize for strong outreach! Helltotheyes Henners.

Today I am in the Projects Abroad office and (Zulaa has told me to mention this ;)!) she and Zolo cooked me Mongolian Dumpling soup after she saw my facebook status about it yesterday! I say Mongolian dumpling soup but it was actually Korean Ramen (reallllll spicy- my stomach is going to make me regret that later) with dumplings floating in it. I have to say it tasted pretttty darn good even if my throat was set alight by the kajun pepper? Pictures were taken. :P

All that is left to say now are my weekend plans! Tonight I get more Western Food *yay* as Jemma and I are having a girly movie night with ice creammm mmmmm. I'm staying at hers tonight and then am going shopping with Kate and Jenny in the morning followed by a quiz night tomorrow evening at somewhere called the Taj Mahal (God knows where that is!). THENNN I am working at the Children's Palace (hello second sunday in a row working) with some Japanese Chilren followed by the ballet at 5 which I believe this week is Swan Lake. And then I am into week three? Crazy how fast the time is going.

Anna (the crazyenglishvolunteer)

<3 xxxxxxxxxxxxx