Monthly Archives: August 2017

The sacrificial lamb

Posted on August 29, 2017 by Liz Barron

In the West, gratitude is the go-to emotion for our times, and we–begrudging, resentful and churlish– must learn to sprinkle it like salt to add savor to our lives. Since the end of the bitter and twisted, grasping 1990s, experts … Continue reading →

Posted in accident, America, Armenia, Armenian matagh, Cooking, Cross-cultural understanding, family, Food, friendship, gratitude, love, pagan ritual, positive psychology, Religion, travel, Village life, Vodka | Leave a comment

Forever Blowing Bubbles

Posted on August 24, 2017 by Liz Barron

Peace Corps staff have seen it all before of course. They know the frustrations Volunteers will feel, and can anticipate dips in energy and enthusiasm across our two year cycle of service. I am a Community Youth Development (CYD) volunteer. … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia, art, Cross-cultural understanding, family, joy, Learning, love, Peace Corps, Picsart, Play, Things that gladden the heart, Things that make a difference, travel, Village life, Women, work, Youth | 2 Comments

Sealed with a Kiss

Posted on August 22, 2017 by Liz Barron

The woman at the post office had to lend me one of their super-strong plastic sacks and then hail me a taxi. I live only a few hundred yards from Hay Post but my birthday haul of presents was just … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Armenia, family, friendship, joy, love, packing, Peace Corps, social media, Things that gladden the heart, Things that make a difference, travel | 7 Comments

Say No To Permanent Erections

Posted on August 20, 2017 by Liz Barron

The 4-year old poked me in the back with a toy gun and then held the revolver to my temple. My physical reaction was visceral, intense and surprising. I bristled with rage. I wanted to kill that kid for violation, … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia | Leave a comment

I don’t know myself at all.

Posted on August 18, 2017 by Liz Barron

Gazarnaguine they call it here. Carrot orange. The color of my hair ever since I was born. Admittedly my hair– much like the rest of me– has had a little help from the bottle this last twenty-five years, but still … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia, bad hair day, Beauty, Belfast, clothes, Cross-cultural understanding, Embarrassment, errors of judgement, fashion, fear, friendship, know thyself, Northern Ireland, red head, Terrorism, Women | 1 Comment

Pleased to know you Picsart

Posted on August 17, 2017 by Liz Barron

We only know each other through social media but as soon as we met for real, Ani and I both went in for a hug. It was the same when I was introduced to Madlene, another member of the Picsart team … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Armenia, Armenian art, art, Education, joy, Media, Picsart, social media, Things that gladden the heart, Things that make a difference, work | 3 Comments

For Anahit

Posted on August 12, 2017 by Liz Barron

Anahit is 15 and things are going her way. She brims with possibility and could sell self-esteem. She has plenty to say and everything to do. In her case, this includes geometry, at which she excels, and languages, of which … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia, Armenian art, Cross-cultural understanding, Education, Fundraising, joy, Language learning, Learning, Literacy, love, Peace Corps, Poetry, Shakespeare, Things that gladden the heart, Things that make a difference, Village life, Women, work, Youth | 3 Comments

I made them myself

Posted on August 11, 2017 by Liz Barron

I have taken my attempts at host country integration a little further than most Peace Corps Volunteers in their first three months of service, in that I have seen the inside of an Armenian operating theater, and a large number … Continue reading →

Posted in Armenia, Food, Gallbladder, Gallstones, Healthcare, Illness, Peace Corps, Sickness, Social niceties, Things that gladden the heart, Wellness | 7 Comments

Lunch Potato Dinner Potato

Posted on August 9, 2017 by Liz Barron

Bile has always been my favorite body fluid, with its Elizabethan associations of vituperation and coruscation. Imagine my distress then, when I learned that, due to a gallbladder silted with more stones than an Armenian gorge, my own bile was … Continue reading →

Posted in America, Armenia, Cross-cultural understanding, fear, friendship, Healthcare, Illness, laundry, Sickness, Social niceties, Syunik Marz, travel, Women | 4 Comments

A little help from my friends. Part One

Posted on August 8, 2017 by Liz Barron

The spiced chickpeas were in one bowl and the eggplant curry in another. The rice was cooked, although not very well. It was clumpy and sticky despite having been soaked and rinsed. Why did I buy basmati? If I can't … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology, Armenia, Armenian art, Cooking, Duvet covers, Embarrassment, family, fear, Food, friendship, Great weekends, Illness, Peace Corps, personal failings, Sickness, Things that gladden the heart, travel | 1 Comment