Stars & Stripes

Tomorrow, I trade in this:

for this!

Remember in old school NHL for Genesis how they used to give the "3 STARS" of the game? EA SPORTS - "it's in the game!"

For the last couple weeks I have to give my 3 stars to the following performers:

Aunt Gail - representing the University of Delaware Blue Hens. She booked a flight to Thailand in a matter of moments after I told her I was moving there, renewed her passport, and will also be joining us on a trip to Angkor Wat/Cambodia! I am very excited.

Nargiz Mashuri - representing Arizona State Sun Devils. This Russian-speaking saviour helped me to ship all my winter stuff home to the U.S. I spent a lot of time (4 hours) and money to get it done, and Nargiz went through it all with me! Kaz postal service is a nightmare. They go through everything, itemize everything, weigh everything. They had to hand-sew (with a needle!) a cloth covering for my box. A lesson in inefficiency...

NEPA - captain Mark Sindaco - representing Penn State University. Mark, Melissa, Nick, Mimi, and lil Nicky have all been wonderful during my time here, keeping me updated, and sharing a little NorthEasternPA warmth. Speaking of post offices, these guys sent me a package well over a month ago and it still hasn't arrived. Well, maybe it has and some random Kazakhs are enjoying Season One of the The Office. I have a one hour window today and I'm going down to the post office to check. One last time!

[UPDATE: So in between exchanging Tenge to Dollars, lunch dates, and cramming my wardrobe into a suitcase, I went to Kaz Post to look for my package. With "The Hawk Will Never Die" attitude I tried every angle. After dropping clue words, they finally responded to the name "Joseph" & lo and behold there was my package. I had a very Shawshank moment! Mad props to Mountaintop and all the good Coal Crackers of the world. It must be cold there (but not as frigid as it's been here!) & their DVDs, CDs, and other fun stuff warmed me up. I tried to convince Amanda to cancel our dinner plans for a National Lampoon's Vacation marathon!]

Twenty four hours from now I will be on a flight bouncin' to Bangkok. I love & miss everyone. The journey continues...