Still here

Sorry about missing the Trope Tuesday post yesterday.  My internet was sporadic, and I didn’t think it was worth it to keep refreshing every time I wanted to access tvtropes.  I’ll make it up next week with a good one. The rest of the week is going to be pretty busy.  We have a make-up… Continue reading Still here

What’s your backup?

So I just got back from Easter vacation in Turkey, at Trabzon and Lake Uzungöl.  It was pretty awesome–I’ll definitely be blogging about it in the next couple of days!  First, though, I wanted to share something interesting that happened on the way back. While I was hanging out in Batumi with some other TLG… Continue reading What’s your backup?

მოტაცება, or how to bag a wife–literally

მოტაცება (pronounced mot’atseba) is the Georgian word for bride kidnapping, as opposed to regular kidnapping, which takes a different word.  It’s an ancient practice in the Caucasus region that doesn’t happen as much as it used to, but still happens, especially in the rural areas.  Today, most Georgians condemn it, but there’s still a whole… Continue reading მოტაცება, or how to bag a wife–literally

Staying in Georgia

So I’ve decided to stay here in Georgia for another semester.  Things are working out really well, I enjoy teaching English, and for the full experience I think it will be better to stay for a full year. I’m not sure if I’ll stay in Kutaisi yet, though.  It’s a convenient place to live, but… Continue reading Staying in Georgia

Winter in Kutaisi

From what I hear from my friends, it’s been a pretty mild winter back in the States.  Here in Georgia, though, it’s been a much different story. I think we’ve had only three sunny days since I arrived here in Kutaisi almost four weeks ago.  The natives tell me that this is highly unusual.  The… Continue reading Winter in Kutaisi

Getting settled in the land of the Kartulis

About three weeks have passed since I came to Georgia, and I’m starting to feel comfortably settled in this new place.  I like it a lot out here: my host family is great, I get along really well with everyone at the school where I work, the kids are so crazy eager to learn it’s… Continue reading Getting settled in the land of the Kartulis

For the love of traveling

I had a realization as I was visiting Tbilisi this weekend: I love traveling. I love standing beneath a tattered, windswept tarp surrounded by market stalls and people bartering in a language I barely understand.  I love walking down the dusty pavement of a chaotic bus station in the developing world, and the confidence that… Continue reading For the love of traveling

Dila Mshvidobisa Sakartvelos

That’s Georgian for “good morning, Georgia.” It’s 7:20 am in Tbilisi right now, and I figure it’s time for an update before starting another day of TLG orientation. So Georgia is a pretty interesting place so far.  We haven’t seen too much of it, because we’ve been in the hotel most of the time doing… Continue reading Dila Mshvidobisa Sakartvelos

Teaching English and other future plans

I got my flight plans today from the TLG people in Georgia!  I’ll be flying out next week from JFK, connecting in Kiev and arriving at Tbilisi Wednesday afternoon.  On Monday, I’ll take the train down to my aunt and uncle’s place in New York city and spend a couple of days with them before… Continue reading Teaching English and other future plans

STARS OF BLOOD AND GLORY 1.1 is finished!

That’s right!  After what felt like six hours of un-anesthetized brain surgery, Stars of Blood and Glory 1.0 is finally complete!  Here are the stats: words: 76,326 chapters: 18, prologue & epilogue ms pages: 360 start date: 20 Dec 2011 end date: 2 Feb 2011 Some extended stats, just for fun: days spent writing: 36 miles traveled: ~5,500 viewpoint characters: 5 characters from… Continue reading STARS OF BLOOD AND GLORY 1.1 is finished!