Sunday, September 11, 2016

The Book Is For Sale

Today I can say I've accomplished a life goal by writing a book. That it's topic is another life goal, one I held on to for 30 years, makes it all the more special. "Mail from Kyrgyzstan: My Life As An Over-50 Peace Corps Volunteer" is available on Amazon.com in every country they have a presence. It's totally affordable at $4.49USD for the digital edition and $15.99 for the paperback. People from 50 countries viewed the blog I kept while writing the book at least once. I truly hope they have access to an Amazon wherever they live.
I'm an old guy and marketing the book on Facebook is as far as I can go. Any help you can give by tweeting, hooting and hollering about it will be greatly appreciated. Writing a nice review will be equally appreciated. Thanks in advance for your support.

Whether I sell a few copies or a lot the journey of writing the book has been life affirming for me. My Peace Corps experience made me a better person and I strive every day to continue to improve.

Saturday, September 3, 2016

Time

November 9, 2009

I Want to Pull My Hair Out!!!

I'm punctual. I'm not usually on time. I'm usually early. I can't help it. I remember having to be at a play reading in Manhattan at 6 pm. These things never start on time so being punctual was not a necessity. I knew it usually took me about 40 minutes to get there. I left my apartment at 5:30. Wouldn't you know a train was pulling into every station where I needed one. I arrived at 5:55. Even when I try to be late, I can't. But, don't think I'm the King of Early. That would be my dad. 

Time takes a different meaning in Kyrgyzstan depending on the situation. Classes always start on time. Meetings sometimes do; often times don't. Social events? Fugeddaboutit. A 5 pm party will rarely begin before 6.  Closer to 7 most likely. I've learned to time my departures accordingly.

But, there's one aspect of time that drives me wild. If a student can't make a private class they never call to say they can't. They just don't show up. If they're going to be late, they simply arrive when they can. I guess they think our classes are a social event, and in many ways they are, but they should still let me know of any schedule changes. I tell them that this is inconsiderate and unprofessional, you know, trying to impress upon them that they can't do this in the real world after college. A couple have learned very well. The others...?

I think I know where this behavior originated. It stems from living in country which until recently had little access to technology. Even in a city like Talas, many people still don't have a land line in their house or apartment. Someone in the family probably has a cell phone, but that doesn't mean there are units on it to make a call. The most common excuse for not calling someone, for whatever reason, is “I had no units.” No cell plans here. It's pay as you call. Actually, I like it. Cell phones are still relatively new here. Five years ago barely anybody outside of Bishkek had one because cell towers hadn't been built out in the sticks. Village residents have neither type of phone, especially if they live in a remote or mountainous area. Anyway, what I'm getting at is this: the ability to notify someone that you'll be absent or late is a relatively new option. And the importance of doing so hasn't reached high priority status yet.

Frustrating? Yeah, for an on-time guy like me. End of the world? Nope. After all, the commodity in largest supply for a volunteer is time. What upsets me most are the lost classes. Classes I really want to teach and they need.

People definitely treat time differently in the countries I’ve lived in and traveled to since 2008 than in the US. I can attribute a large portion of the decrease in my stress level to letting go of my frustration concerning time. I had two choices in Kyrgyzstan: fight a losing battle or change the way I look at time. I chose the latter. I don’t believe I’ve accomplished less because a meeting starts an hour late or an appointment is rescheduled three times.

We’re taught that time wasted can’t be recovered, which is true, but that doesn’t mean if you’re not losing time that you’re achieving anything of vast, or even minimal, importance. Americans are professional time wasters. And when that work appointment was canceled, what were you doing during that time? At the turn of the century, people would read a newspaper, surf the web or go outside for a smoke break. In 2016, playing Spider Solitaire comes to mind, or messaging on FB or WhatsApp. I wonder how many people fill it with something useful.


I’m still an on-time guy. The difference is I have e-books and Duolingo, the language learning app, on my phone in case I have to wait for someone to arrive. (And, yes, Spider Solitaire, too) I also have a notepad app so I can write if ideas pop into my head. These are much more pleasant activities than looking at your cell phone for the time every two minutes while your anger percolates to a boil so when your late arriver finally shows, the first thing you do is ignore them, make a sarcastic remark or, worse yet, yell, ensuring the meeting or evening’s plans will not be very enjoyable. Forgetting about punctuality in others and preparing yourself for a wait will eliminate so much stress in your life it will surprise you. I know. Man, does that sound like a self-help book, or what? “Your Way to a Stress Free Life.” Dr. Wayne Dyer would be proud of me.