arthur and i have a tradition. we wake up to the armenian radio and dance armenian while still lying down... and sing along and have fun until we get out of bed to embrace the day.

this morning it happened to be one of my favorite dance hits that woke us up (go go go harout)... and it was nice to start the day this way, especially because it is so grey, cold and... today's weather is for lack of a better word... kakaish.

i will be taking a little time to get away in a few weeks. i figure that it it time to get out for just a week. as long as every six months i get out for a week and see something new or different in this world... it is enough to keep me passionate about life... about armenia and about the world we live in. travelling is my favorite pasttime.

i am getting made fun of quite frequently for my passion about taking care of the street dogs in yerevan. i don't really mind. there are a lot of people doing great things here... a lot of people are passionate about children, orphans, womens issues, refugees, and elderly... and not as many are concerned about the thousands of street dogs we have in yerevan... so if i have to be the freak... then i will be. sticks and stones will break dog's bones but words will never hurt me.

one of my best friends who is farther away than I can handle is getting serious with her significant other. i am sad that i am not with her... and i am sad that i am too far away to see her smiling about it.

on the flip side... in armenia... there is a wedding every five minutes on the weekend. all you have to do is go to church on any given saturday or even sunday to witness one. i am happy to have the chance to see so many young couples taking the plunge. being a newlywed... i can say it is a great thing to do ... when the person and the timing is right.