Learn Georgian in your spare time!

Howdy all or as they say in Georgia: Gamarjoba!
I have been doing lots of paperwork since my invitee packet arrived. The PC has provided some very cool mp3 files of basic Georgian so I can listen and learn. I have to figure out how to download them onto my player so I can walk down the street mumbling this strange and interesting language. It is all starting to sink in right now and it is a little trippy, to say the least. I'm scheduled to leave 2 days before school ends so I will be cramming year-end conferences and grading into those last few days in the states! Should be a blast. Well just a quick note. Gotta get back to work.
John

Georgia is the offer...and The Dude Abides!

Hey all,
Last night my neighbor presented me with a whopping big packet from the Peace Corps. When I opened it, I found that I had been posted to Georgia. Not home of rednecks but of 'reds' (Stalin was born there) and now a NATO applicant. Funny how times change....
I had been waiting for my invite for a few months and was starting to get a bit worried. Now, as I stare at my invitee packet, I realize that what I set in motion last year has reached a milestone. It is put up or shut up time...and I'm going!!
An interesting side note....Today, around 2:45 PM, while I walked to get some coffee, it hit me that I will be leaving my beloved Portland. I know in my heart that my choice is correct, but I realized that I'll be putting my rudder to all I hold familiar and cozy in a few months. Soon I won't have a choice of 50+ microbrews, see $3 movies, read the WW, stroll to the Laurelthirst for some music, plunk the Sandy for steelhead, or hop in the car and drive for low tide at Haystack rock. In a way this is awesome. All to often we become so very comfortable and forget how amazing our homes are....even when things don't go well. So, from now until June I have in my heart not only the excitement of a new adventure but a renewed appreciation for all I've often taken for granted in this jewel of a city.
Georgia is a former Soviet republic that through the centuries has been ruled by Soviets, Russians, Muslims (Ottomans), Byzantines, Romans, Persians, and thankfully, now Georgians. For a history teacher this is a dream come true!! Challenges involve learning not just a new language but a new alphabet as well (check out the picture on this post). That is my greatest concern. I'm not worried about a different culture...quite the contrary, I'm really looking forward to it. Well, I have alot of research to do and lots of report cards to write as it is the end of the semester. If there are any current or returned PCV's that read this, please drop me a line with any info whatsoever!!
All the Best,
John

Reports of my demise were exagerated!

Hello all!
I'm sorry for not posting for awhile but I don't think anyone is reading this anyway:) Since it has been quite some time since I last posted (Labor Day) I just thought that I would let everyone know that the Peace Corps have finally sent me an ivitation. I suspect it will arrive this week sometime. I still have no idea where I'm going or exactly when I leave, so you can imagine my excitement/nervousness. I feel like Ralphy waiting for his "Little Orphan Annie Decoder ring" in "A Christmas Story". I too, like Ralphy, will grab my PC letter and lock myself in the bathroom to read it. Of course, there's no one to bother me at my place. Well there is Speedy the Beagle. I've had alot happen over the past few months but nothing earth shattering. I will post a few pics from my friend Katie's visit (we had a great time) and Christmas in Ohio.
All the Best.... Think ROMANIA!!!!
John