It's over. Actually has been for more than a month. We finished up a bit earlier than intended, but we managed to say sad, heartfelt goodbyes to just about all the most important people we came to know and love over the last two years. Our sitemates were extremely helpful in taking over projects that we didn't quite have time to finish up ourselves. Conveniently, the time we chose to leave was right around our Close of Service conference, the last big meeting of our group of M21s. Going to that actually made me feel a lot better about leaving early. All our friends were heading back to site afterwards, but you could tell that most of them had checked out and were returning primarily to wrap things up and say their own goodbyes. There are many exceptions, of special note being the record number of volunteers in our group who have decided to stay a third year, either independently or with Peace Corps. We're very proud to have been part of such an impressive group of human beings. As the Mongols would put it, M21s fo' life!
It's been strange but nice to be back for good. There are lots of things we missed about America, but on the other hand, we've had a lot of time to realize how wonderful our lives were in Mongolia. We are different, dare I say better, people for having spent two years there. It's a time I couldn't forget if I wanted to. After all, I have just about the two most wonderful souvenirs possible: a wife and a cat. The former is admittedly a bit more substantial than the latter, I know, but we're very pleased to have our furry friend here with us all the same.
So now it's time to figure out the future. In a couple weeks, Kaede starts the process of finishing her Master's Degree, and I've been studying for my Coast Guard Captain's License. Hopefully I'll be able to score a sweet job on the water down in California. Kaede will finish her Master's in December, and then we aren't completely sure what our next step will be. Some combination of school, work, and/or living abroad again.
Welp, this is it: the end of Genghis Jhan. Thanks to all of you who've read and commented and sent your love and support over the last two years. I know I became pretty remiss on posting in the second year, but having this blog was always a major source of comfort and joy for me. I hope you enjoyed it too. There's a good chance that I'll have to take it offline in the next few months. Or at least make it private, as apparently I'm less likely to be hired if a Google search for "John Russell Mongolia" returns "That Piece of Shit John Russell" (who'd've thought?), but that seems appropriate. Disappearing without a trace, any and all tracks trampled into chaos by hundreds of horses whose riders were then killed, just like the great leader whose name inspired it.
It's been strange but nice to be back for good. There are lots of things we missed about America, but on the other hand, we've had a lot of time to realize how wonderful our lives were in Mongolia. We are different, dare I say better, people for having spent two years there. It's a time I couldn't forget if I wanted to. After all, I have just about the two most wonderful souvenirs possible: a wife and a cat. The former is admittedly a bit more substantial than the latter, I know, but we're very pleased to have our furry friend here with us all the same.
So now it's time to figure out the future. In a couple weeks, Kaede starts the process of finishing her Master's Degree, and I've been studying for my Coast Guard Captain's License. Hopefully I'll be able to score a sweet job on the water down in California. Kaede will finish her Master's in December, and then we aren't completely sure what our next step will be. Some combination of school, work, and/or living abroad again.
Welp, this is it: the end of Genghis Jhan. Thanks to all of you who've read and commented and sent your love and support over the last two years. I know I became pretty remiss on posting in the second year, but having this blog was always a major source of comfort and joy for me. I hope you enjoyed it too. There's a good chance that I'll have to take it offline in the next few months. Or at least make it private, as apparently I'm less likely to be hired if a Google search for "John Russell Mongolia" returns "That Piece of Shit John Russell" (who'd've thought?), but that seems appropriate. Disappearing without a trace, any and all tracks trampled into chaos by hundreds of horses whose riders were then killed, just like the great leader whose name inspired it.
Sain yawaarai, hairtai naizuud. Daraa uulzie.
