Barev Dzez, (hello in Armenian)
Well...I decided to resurrect my blog for various reasons, but I am glad to be back and writing on my own time again. The first thing I did when I opened up my blog page was go back and read through my adventures in Israel and Palestine, along with the few posts in India. Still can't believe I went through all that I did, especially the times in Israel and Palestine. Quite the adventure. Back to Haystan: I really am enjoying every minute here, I can't believe two months have already flown by. A quick recap on what I am doing here: I am volunteering with an organization called, Birthright Armenia (Depi Hayk) and no, it is nothing like Birthright Israel, two completely different organizations. I take language classes twice a week with an amazing teacher and intern full-time at the UNDPI (UN Department of Public Information). Our department is in charge of writing web stories, organizing events, and raising awareness of human rights/sustainable development. Please like and follow to keep up with the exciting news about everything taking place here in Armenia:
http://un.am/en/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNArmenia/
For those interested in Women's Rights:
https://www.facebook.com/WomensSupportCenter/?pnref=story
Children: Children of Armenia Fund:
https://www.facebook.com/COAFkids/?fref=ts
One Armenia: promoting Sustainable Development
https://www.facebook.com/onearmenia/
Right now, many of these awesome organizations have holiday awareness and campaigns going on, check em'
...
The UN Armenia staff, in all departments, have been nothing but the best. I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to be surrounded with for most of my days. Aside from working at the UNDPI, Birthright Armenia has been an amazing program to work with. The Birthright Armenia team works hard to ensure all volunteers are able to find their own path here in Hayastan and figure out for themselves what it means to be here. Most of you have probably seen pictures of me and my host mom, Aida. She welcomed me with warm arms and helped me feel at home from day one. Our relationship has grown day-by-day and I couldn't be more thankful for everything she has done for me. From baking, to dolma making, to helping me learn Armenian and Russian might I add, it has been nothing but amenalav (the best). I could sit here all day and talk about the amazing people I have met here from my co-workers to new friends. I absolutely love each and every one of them. Here is a quick recap of the places I have traveled to within a quick two-month span:
Lori, Vanadazor Region
Spitak (city hit by the quake in '88)
Lake Sevan
Lastiver (beautiful place to hike)
Gyumri
and I know there has to be a few more, I can't think right now.
Anyways,
Aside from interning, re-applying to graduate school (which I hate spending time doing), and learning everything, I actually have a side project I have been in the process of working on: tracing Saroyan's steps within Armenia and Fresno. From growing up in a fairly large Armenian-American community, I see the connection that Saroyan makes throughout his stories. It's hard to explain for those who are not from Fresno or who have not read Saroyan, but for those who have, he discusses how he always heard about Armenia and grew up in Fresno with people who were Armenian, but there was still some disconnection as he never quite understood some things or why certain things were the way they were. His life was complicated from being in an orphanage, to gambling, to Paris, to almost losing EVERYTHING, Saroyan undoubtedly put Armenians, as well as Fresno on the map within the United States; and what I mean by 'put on the map' is he has the ability to captivate an audience to get interested about this city right smack in the Central Valley. Go Fresno. Go Saroyan. Go Haystan.
The next five months of my life will consist of working on this project alongside my internship here at the UN and just enjoying everything here in Hayastan. I swear some days I feel like I'm in Fresno with some of the interactions I have with people, feels like I am in Sunday School all over again. Or just talking to my best friend and cousins all the time. Anyways, feel free to keep up with me and my journey.
Best,
A. Fox
Well...I decided to resurrect my blog for various reasons, but I am glad to be back and writing on my own time again. The first thing I did when I opened up my blog page was go back and read through my adventures in Israel and Palestine, along with the few posts in India. Still can't believe I went through all that I did, especially the times in Israel and Palestine. Quite the adventure. Back to Haystan: I really am enjoying every minute here, I can't believe two months have already flown by. A quick recap on what I am doing here: I am volunteering with an organization called, Birthright Armenia (Depi Hayk) and no, it is nothing like Birthright Israel, two completely different organizations. I take language classes twice a week with an amazing teacher and intern full-time at the UNDPI (UN Department of Public Information). Our department is in charge of writing web stories, organizing events, and raising awareness of human rights/sustainable development. Please like and follow to keep up with the exciting news about everything taking place here in Armenia:
http://un.am/en/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNArmenia/
For those interested in Women's Rights:
https://www.facebook.com/WomensSupportCenter/?pnref=story
Children: Children of Armenia Fund:
https://www.facebook.com/COAFkids/?fref=ts
One Armenia: promoting Sustainable Development
https://www.facebook.com/onearmenia/
Right now, many of these awesome organizations have holiday awareness and campaigns going on, check em'
...
The UN Armenia staff, in all departments, have been nothing but the best. I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to be surrounded with for most of my days. Aside from working at the UNDPI, Birthright Armenia has been an amazing program to work with. The Birthright Armenia team works hard to ensure all volunteers are able to find their own path here in Hayastan and figure out for themselves what it means to be here. Most of you have probably seen pictures of me and my host mom, Aida. She welcomed me with warm arms and helped me feel at home from day one. Our relationship has grown day-by-day and I couldn't be more thankful for everything she has done for me. From baking, to dolma making, to helping me learn Armenian and Russian might I add, it has been nothing but amenalav (the best). I could sit here all day and talk about the amazing people I have met here from my co-workers to new friends. I absolutely love each and every one of them. Here is a quick recap of the places I have traveled to within a quick two-month span:
Lori, Vanadazor Region
Spitak (city hit by the quake in '88)
Lake Sevan
Lastiver (beautiful place to hike)
Gyumri
and I know there has to be a few more, I can't think right now.
Anyways,
Aside from interning, re-applying to graduate school (which I hate spending time doing), and learning everything, I actually have a side project I have been in the process of working on: tracing Saroyan's steps within Armenia and Fresno. From growing up in a fairly large Armenian-American community, I see the connection that Saroyan makes throughout his stories. It's hard to explain for those who are not from Fresno or who have not read Saroyan, but for those who have, he discusses how he always heard about Armenia and grew up in Fresno with people who were Armenian, but there was still some disconnection as he never quite understood some things or why certain things were the way they were. His life was complicated from being in an orphanage, to gambling, to Paris, to almost losing EVERYTHING, Saroyan undoubtedly put Armenians, as well as Fresno on the map within the United States; and what I mean by 'put on the map' is he has the ability to captivate an audience to get interested about this city right smack in the Central Valley. Go Fresno. Go Saroyan. Go Haystan.
The next five months of my life will consist of working on this project alongside my internship here at the UN and just enjoying everything here in Hayastan. I swear some days I feel like I'm in Fresno with some of the interactions I have with people, feels like I am in Sunday School all over again. Or just talking to my best friend and cousins all the time. Anyways, feel free to keep up with me and my journey.
Best,
A. Fox
