21 Aug – Only two years ago I arrived in Kazakhstan and my time here is nearly gone. Last week I finally received word from Peace Corps that I will finish my administrative business in Almaty on November 5. In lieu of a one-way ticket to Wichita I am opting for the cash equivalent to the cost of that ticket. I have a one month jaunt through Australia and New Zealand planned before I return to the U.S.

In my final two and a half months with my organization, my single goal is to complete the strategic plan we started in January. We worked diligently for six weeks before I went on vacation to India. Since that time it has barely been touched despite my inquiries as to when we will return to it. Something else always gets pushed ahead. Things just work that way here. My director has assured me the strategic plan will be a priority beginning in September and we will complete it before my departure the first week of November.

Recently I have been working at home. The office is being outfitted with new paint and wallpaper throughout. When I stopped in earlier this week it truly looked as if a tornado had swept through, all the furniture in disarray from being moved repeatedly. The chaos should resume order soon.

In the meantime I have a couple of very minor projects from my director. I have also sorted through all of my possessions in preparation for my departure, setting aside things to donate, give away, ship home, or take with me. Of course I have spent time planning my upcoming trip. And I generally take a couple of walks a day. As with most of my time here, the first half of the summer flew by. The days pass more slowly now, yet it is still does not feel like I have lived in Kazakhstan for two years. Other volunteers say this will happen. Time flies by so quickly as a Peace Corps volunteer. This is an amazing contradiction when considering that getting work done here takes an enormous amount of patience and diligence.