Checklist

As usual, I have reached a certain point where I desperately need a checklist to be able to complete the tasks I have assigned myself to do...

1. Get a haircut. Jemma (one of my best friends. we studied together in Berea) told me that getting a haircut is not only freakishly expansive in Germany and Norway, but also that the air in Norway is so clean that it makes your hair grow a lot faster... So, need to cut the hair really short.

2. Write a letter for myself in two years. As usual, a letter to my-dear-self would be appropriate, to serve kind of a reminder of the person I wanted to become before EMMIR. I even found this page: www.ohlife.org. It's really good, you should try it.

3. Create a campain and name it "Արի գրկեմ". It would be a fun way to remember the experience connected with the increase of transportation fees in Yerevan... That was really fun.



4. Add a bunch of stuff to the wishlist of my amazon.com account. I did have of the job already. I added Henrikh Mkhitaryan's T-shirt, some gaggles, passport cases, mugs, a super cute electronic shaver, and all this for my younger brother who is going to spend a semester of an undergrad program  in a university in the States. For me? Meeeh... some girly stuff: mugs, shoes, a coffee maker, a mini fridge... You know, dorm supplies.

5. Read "Age of Migration". Although I am almost half way through the main textbook we are going to use in EMMIR, I still need to finish it before the first semester starts.

6. Spend some time with my parents. Recently I have been doing that a lot, but I think that is still not enough. I have never been away from my parents for more than 9 months... and here we have two years.. I am so gonna miss them taking care of me.

7. Lose some more weight. This one is still optional.

Արի գրկեմ...

Արդեն մի քանի շաբաթ է ուզում էի հայրենասիրության մասին ինչ-որ բան գրել, այդպես էլ չէի կարողանում գաղափարներս ի մի բերել, կենտրոնանալ ու կարգին միտքս շարադրել: Սպասեցի` մտածելով, որ մարդ ես, մի առիթ կլինի, մի բան կգրեմ...

Եվ այդպես էլ եղավ:

Բողոքի ցույցերի առաջին օրը մտածեցի, "ոչինչ, որ թանկացրել են քաղաքային տրանսպորտը, գոնե խեղճ վարորդներին տակը մի բան կմնա, ընտանիք կպահեն...":

Հաջորդ օրը սկսեցի թերթեր կարդալ, ֆեյսբուքյան նորություններ ու մարդկանց մեկնաբանությունները: "Ինչ վարորդին փող մնալ... Խեղճ մարդիկ հենց իրենք են առաջին տուժողները:"

Ու ինձ "գցեցի փողոցները": Ընկերներիս հետ գնացի կենտրոն, կանգառում սկսեցի բղավել "Բոլորս վճարում ենք հարյուր դրամ" ու նման բաներ: Մի քանի հատ էլ 150-ը ջնջած, արդեն ձեռքից ձեռք ընկած ու ճմրթված թուղթ ունեի ձեռքիս: Ակտիվիստներն էին տվել...

Ճիշտն ասած, կյանքումս ոչ մի բողոքի ցույցի չէի մասնակցել: Չգիտեի, որ այդքան "հավես" է... Սկսեցի մտածել, թե ինչն է այստեղ պակասում... Ու մտքիս մի բան եկավ, որը արտացոլում էր և իմ տրամադրությունը, և ուրիշներինը: Ուզում էի ասել "շնորհակալություն" ոչ միայն ակտիվիստներին, որոնք առավոտից ուշ գիշեր փողոցներում պայքարում էին իրենց ու քաղաքացիների շահերի համար, այլ նաև նրանց, ովքեր այդ ակտիվիստներին լսում էին, սուս ու փուս հարյուր դրամ էին վճարում ու իջնում երթուղայիններից...

- "100 ես վճարել? Արի գրկեմ"...

Սկզբում մտածեցի, որ ընկերներս չեն հավանի գաղափարը, ուր մնաց մի հատ էլ անծանոթների գրկեին: Բայց արի ու տես, ինձնից ավելի շատ ոգևորվեցին: Այդպես էլ գնացինք խանութ, մարդա մի քիչ "գցվեցինք" ու նարնջագույն "վատման" ու թղթեր գնեցինք:

Տանից դուրս գալուց առաջ ծնողներիս ասացի մեր գաղափարի մասին: Ժպտացին, "միայն ոստիկանների հետ խնդիր չունենաք, մնացածը` ոչինչ":

Ինչ խնդիր, այ մամ ջան... Մենք "խաղաղապահ" ենք:

Դուրս եկանք փողոց: Սկզբում մի քիչ ամաչեցինք, բայց հետո գնաաաց... Քաղաքի ոգևորվածությունը մեզ էլ անցավ, մենք էլ դարձանք դրա մասը:

Մեր հաղորդագրությունը տեսնողներից առաջինը մի տատիկ էր: Մի քանի վայրկյան նայեց պաստառին, հետո տոպրակից հանեց մեկ հատիկ դեղձ... Տեսավ, որ շատ ենք ու մի հատը չի հերիքի: Իր նուրբ ձեռքերով դեղձը կիսեց երկու մասի, որ գոնե երկուսին հերիքի: Դա էլ իր շնորհակալությունն էր: Այդ պահին ուրիշ բան չուներ տալու: Կարող է իր օրվա դեղձն էր, էն էլ մեզ տվեց...Հետո էլ ավելացրեց "Ապրե'ք, էրեխեքս: Ապրե'ք, ձեր հոգուն մեռնեմ":

Ոնց չվերցնեի դեղձը, եթե այդքան սրտանց էր տալիս... Ու ոնց դրանից հետո ավելի չոգևորվեի...

Ես, ասենք, ջհանդամ, շուտով մեկնում եմ հեռու երկիր` մագիստրատուրայում սովորելու, երկու տարուց նոր վերադառնամ... Բա էս կինը ոնց այստեղ ապրի? Թոշակից ինչքանը տրանսպորտին վճարի? Ու քանի նման տատիկ-պապիկ կա...

Հասանք կանգառ: Մի լուսանկարիչ, որի անունը, ինչպես հետագայում պարզեցի, Արթուր էր, ասաց "Պահիր թուղթդ, նկարեմ", ու այդպես էլ արեցի: 




Մինչև ուշ երեկո մնացինք կենտրոնում. երթի գնացինք, հետո էլի` կանգառ: Հոգնած հասա տուն, բացեցի ֆեյսբուքը ու ինչ տեսնեմ? Իմ "արի գրկեմ"ի նկարը` 1000-ից ավել "լայքով"...  Աչքերիս չէի հավատում:

Շփոթված նստած էի համակարգչիս առջև ու ժամերով կարդում էի: Որևորությանս չափ չկար: 100 դրամ վճարել կոչ անող ֆեյսբուքյան էջերից մեկում մեկը գրել էր "բա ֆլեշմոբի նման մի բան արեք, ակցիան շարունակեք..." Մի գիշերվա ընթացքում մեր "իվենթին" ֆեյսբուքում միացավ հազարից ավելի մարդ: Բոլորն ասում էին, որ հիասքաչ գաղափար է, ապրեն ակտիվիստները...



Հաջորդ օրն էլ ավելի մեծ թիմով դուրս եկանք: Այս անգամ ակցիային մասնակցողների մեծ մասին նույնիսկ չէի ճանաչում: Ծանոթացանք:

Ազատության հրապարակից Մաշտոցի պողոտայով քայլեցինք, միլիոն մարդ տեսանք ճանապարին: Կեսը կարդաց` ժպտաց, մյուսները եկան "գրկվելու": Լրագրողներ էլ կային, լուսանկարիչներ էլ: Ճանապարհին էլ մարդիկ ասում էին "Վայ, դուք երեկվա նկարի աղջիկն եք... Գիտեք, չէ, որ "բրենդ" է դարձել ձեր կարգախոսը"

Ճամփի կեսին իմացանք, որ քաղաքապետարանը որոշումը կասեցրել է: Սկզբում մտածեցինք, որ  սուտ-սուտ լուրեր են տարածում, բայց հետո հավաստի աղբյուրներից տեղեկացանք, որ, իսկապես, փոքրիկ հաղթանակ ենք տարել:

Մի ծիծաաաղ... Մի ուրախություն...

Շարունակեցինք մարդկանց գրկելը: Այս անգամ` որպես շնորհավորանք: Ապրե'ք, որ 100 եք վճարել: Դե եկեք` գրկեմ:

Քաղաքը երբևէ այսպիսի պայծառ չէի տեսել: Աղջիկ-տղա, ջահել-ահել. բոլորի ժպիտն անպակաս էր, աչքերում էլ փայլ կար:

Սիրում եմ ժողովրդիս: Այնպես կուզեի` միշտ այսպես լիներ: Ոչ թե տառապած, այլ հույսներս վեր ազգ լինեին, աչքներս էլ օտար երկրի ճամփին չլիներ:

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Էլի ուշ եկա տուն, մի բաժակ սուրճ խմեցի ու անցա այսօրվա անցուդարձի մասին տեսահոլովակ պատրաստելու գործին: Աշխատեցի մինչև լուսաբաց: Մեկ-մեկ ինձ թվում էր, որ դրսից էլի ձայներ են գալիս, գոռում են "ՀԱՂԹԱՆԱԿ", դուրս էի նայում, բայց փողոցները դափ-դատարկ էին: Առավոտյան ժամը հինգն էր...

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Երբեք որևէ ցույցի, քաղաքական գործերի չեմ մասնակցել: Մտածում էի, որ իմ գործն ուրիշ ձևով կանեմ, մի բան կմտածեմ, որ էս ազգի համար մի լավ բան անեմ, մի բանով օգտակար լինեմ...

Այսօր հասկացա, որ շաբաթներ առաջ, որ ուզում էի հայրենասիրության ու ազգասիրության մասին մի բան գրել, հակառակ ուղղությամբ էի գնացել... Այսօրվանից չեմ գրում, միայն գործում եմ... Միայն գործում...

Ի դեպ, մեր ակցիայի մասին կարող եք ծանոթանալ այստեղ`

http://imyerevan.com/hy/society/view/4063/

http://zham.am/am/news/10885.html

http://www.tert.am/am/news/2013/07/26/orakarg/

https://vimeo.com/71080150

http://www.mamul.am/am/video/6272263

http://lurer.com/?p=110523&l=am

http://www.aravot.am/2013/07/30/271586/

http://www.newsbox.am/ari-grkem/

http://www.tesadasht.am/hy/news/2653

http://shamshyan.com/arm/W7TuOX5Lvn.html

http://lurer.com/?p=110523&l=am

http://panorama.am/am/society/2013/07/25/yerevan/

http://karen.antashyan.com/ari-grkem/

http://hasarakutyun.am/?p=18009

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=507063489375533&set=gm.549239185142329&type=1&theater

Too arrogant?

Recently I was thinking about what would be the perfect motto for me. You know, something to always stick to no matter what, or something that would help me put myself together when I get too emotional...

I didn't come up with it myself, but I found it: a perfect motto for me, which sounds extremely arrogant when you read it at first.

Do you think it would sound less cocky if I interpret it like this, "Even if I lose, I gain experience, I learn, and that lesson is valuable enough to be considered a victory of some kind"?

Dad: "This looks like something you would have cooked"

My parents can't stop reminding me that I should learn how to cook. And they are probably right. I am so clumsy in the kitchen, that they think that I will start a fire in the apartment or something of that kind.

So, I decided to prove that I am very much capable of making a meal for myself by making them lunch... all by myself. I even captured the whole process, so they know it was me who did it.

When my parents arrived home for lunch, "OMG" - Laura cooked!! o.O

My dad looked at the meal and said, "This looks something like you would have made. It's like you mixed anything we had in the refrigerator and tried it...Woow, spicy!" Actually, he said it in Armenian, "Qez shat a nman. Amen inch kharnel es irar u "jarit" es arel..."  Oh well.

Thanks dad. -_-

Eggplant, tomatoes, green pepper, eggs, salt and pepper, and all many more spices I vould find in the kitchen. Dad was right, my secret ingredient is - fry anything you can find in the refrigerator.

No potatoes were hurt during the frying process. :D

This was actually yummy. I am proud of myself.

A little closer to EMMIR

Since the day I received the email from EMMIR saying that I was promoted to the main list of potential scholarship holders, I was, of course, using every opportunity to find out everything and anything I could about it.

My first step was trying to find out whether or not there were any other Armenians in EMMIR before me. This is going to be the third cohort of EMMIR and there was one Armenian student in each of them, including me. How awesome is that.

First thing for me to do was finding out who the other two were. And I did. Two amazing girls, Irena and Tamara. We skyped a couple of times with both of them. They were so supportive, gave me really nice advice.

I thought I would meet Irena for their graduation ceremony in Germany in September and see Tamara in November, again in Germany, but surprise, surprise! Irena wrote me a message saying that she is in Yerevan and that she wants to meet up.

We talked for three ours. She inspired me, made me excited about Germany and the whole program in general. Now, I really really can't wait to start the journey.

Beautiful Irena and myself at Cinabon Cafe. 

Starting from today I have 39 days left in Armenia... I wish I could start packing right away.

EMMIR Preparations

Since there is approximately 40 days left for me to start my journey in Europe, first destination being University of Oldenburg, Germany, there are a lot of things I should prepare for.

Luckily, so far I have been taking care of the "important things" like registering for the German visa, buying the ticket, arranging accommodation, etc pretty early, something that is very unlike me. I am a "last-minute" person, which has always ended pretty bad for me. Thank God my dad was around to remind me every single day that I should take care of stuff a looooot earlier than the deadline. Besides, I am growing older, I should be more responsible...

So, I already have the ticket and the visa, which means that I can already start the countdown: 40 days left for me to start the Master's Program!

Just got the German visa!

Another thing I already took care of is the accommodation, for which I was kindly assisted by the University of Oldenburg.

You know what else is weird? I already started reading the main textbook for the first semester. It's called the "The Age of Migration" by Steven Castles and Mark J. Miller. I have reached the 3rd chapter already, and I go on reading, I would most likely finish it by the time I actually have to start reading it.

So far so good... 

To be honest, I am a little nervous about being the youngest among all the students. I am only 22 and have no academic background on migration (although, EMMIR is short for European Master in Migration and Intercultural Relations, and I graduated from the department of Intercultural Communication from USLU (Brusov) University in Yerevan).

What I also have researched is that many students drive a bike to school, and I decided to join them. With the help of my friends I have learned how to drive a bike in a day and now, of course not being very secure about the excellency of my skills, but still hopeful that I will somehow manage, I am going to say with confidence that in Europe I will be driving a bike!!

Riding a bike, day 2 - Already on my own!! Didn't hit anyone yet! 

I already bought almost all the Armenian souvenirs that I will take to Europe with me: some Armenian magnets, tissues, covers for wine bottles, etc. Do you think I should take Armenian wine or brandy with me? I am thinking about 5 year cognac, which I am sure is strong enough for nobody but me to drink... My dad jokes that I should only use it in case of medial need... you know...

What I didn't do yet is improving my German skills. I took German classes when I was in high-school, and even took the Sprachdiplom test (like German TOEFL). I failed the writing part, but got a diploma for the speaking assignment. It was 5 years ago, and that's one hell of a long time to forget the language... which is exactly what happened to me. BUT I'm on it. It is mandatory to take a German language class with EMMIR and I am glad that I will have the chance to finally master it.

To be honest, I can't wait to start a new life in Europe, become more independent, more mature and finally learn how to cook... Cooking, btw, is something that I also should learn while still in Armenia. I am like a new-born piggy in the kitchen - no idea what I am doing... 

"Who Moved My Cheese?"

Motivation. Everybody needs it. Some more than the others.. I, for example, need constant motivation in life to survive. Therefore, I am always in search for it.

I believe that we all should train ourselves to always seek motivation even if we think we may not need it at that particular moment. What do you know? You may turn an average morning into a fresh start. 

Recently a friend of mine suggested a book for me to read, which would "blow my mind." It's called "Who moved my cheese", written by Dr. Spencer Johnson. It is a pretty powerful book, especially when you are about to change your life and you need motivation. 

I wouldn't say it was life-changing for me, because at this point of my life I am not standing on the crossroads, thinking what to do. I know what I am doing. BUT... the crossroads are yet to come (duh, I am moving to Europe! I see more than a few crossroads there) and it's good that at least now I know what to read when that time comes.

"Imagining myself enjoying new cheese even before I find it, leads me to it" - Reminds me of myself imagining studying to Europe before I even applied to EMMIR.

Here is the link to the pdf. of "Who Moved My Cheese"

And for those, who are would prefer watching "Who Moved My Cheese" - Voila!

Screwing up stuff

Without giving a back-story and revealing disturbing details, I wanted to write a little about break-ups. Not necessarily of boyfriends and girlfriends, but of friends in general.

For the past months I have basically lost most of my closest friends under different circumstances. Recently, one more is out. This time it maaaay have been my fault. I may have crossed some sort of an imaginary line... :D :D

What actually helped me get over it (and I did get over it pretty fast) was one line a heard in a movie.

Conversation between an aunt and her niece.
- Darling, you are so young and so beautiful. You will have so many hearts to break. But look at the poor guy. This may be his only chance in a lifetime!

And now, every time I think about the incident, I smile. I did something good! So proud of myself! 

Darbnik

When you hear the word Darbnik, what does it tell you? Think about it? What is the first thing that comes to your mind? If I were asked this question earlier in 2012, I would probably answer that Darbnik sounds like a name the owner gave to a clothing shop for babies and pregnant women.

In reality, Darbnik is a small village in Ararat Marz with a little over 1000 inhabitants, mainly refugees from Azerbaijan, Iraq and Syria.

Darbnik is quiet and peaceful: a few small houses, a kindergarten and a school. No traffic noise. A dormitory was built there to provide shelter to refugees

Sometimes you can see kindergarten children walking in line with their teachers, passing through the football field, with weirdly tall grass. Someone should have cut the grass.

Or, you can see the newly built children's playground, where three or four children are enjoying themselves. Their mothers and grandmothers are sitting under the tree, on the bench and talking...
It is extremely hot in summers, no wonder there are such few people out.

This is how Darbnik looks like most of the time. However, when there is special occasion, everyone is out.

This time, the occasion was World Refugee Day, which was organized by "Mission Armenia" CNGO.
We were there too.

Although we all got tan, because there were no shades where we could hide from the sun, we had a pretty good time. Some of my Diversity kids were there too.

A team from Yerevan joined us, so have a peaceful game with the local teenagers. They were excited to find out which team was stronger. Yerevan lost.

Probably one of the touching moments was watching a beneficiaries of "Mission Armenia"- a group of elderly people performing to Armenian national music.

warming up before the game, and by that I mean my Diversity kids were playing volleyball with the locals while the football teams were changing.

The Diversity kids were drawing slogans on the paper, to cheer their team when the football game starts

Let the game begin!

The White Umbrella March

One of the World Refugee Day activities, as I mentioned previously, was the Umbrella march. We planned to give out 200 white umbrellas to the youth, students and members of different NGOs and informal groups, and of course refugees and repatriates.

The preparation didn't take a lot of effort: only a couple of sleepless nights, lol. However, in the end it was all worth it.

While, in the beginning I was thinking that I will not be able to control about 200 people all together and make sure it all goes smooth and according to plan, when the police came I realised at at least there will be two men who would take care of me if I lose control. 

The hardest part was the very beginning, because I thought we were late. I started panicking and calling here and there, but when we got to the Republic Square (where was our starting point) and I saw all those people patiently waiting for UNHCR and the umbrellas, I calmed myself down, pulled myself together and started ordering everyone around. Now, of course I was not alone there. I had my colleagues and the heads of the NGOs that were also trying to keep everything in order.

I think the best moment, however, was when we finally started walking. I was the very first person to walk and lead the crowd towards the well designed route (Republic Square, UN House, Amiryan Street, M. Mashtots Avenue, Freedom Square, Northern Avenue, Abovyan Street, Republic Square).

On our way, I called my mom, and I was like "Mom, where are you?" and she replied that she was coming home from work, and her workplace is on Amiryan Street, so I kinda made my Mom proud when on her way home she saw her daughter leading a humble group of 200 people. I waved at her! :)

There were a bunch of photographers and journalists and of course we were on the news! It was a good event, it really was. Probably the pictures would tell you more...


Also, here are some links of when we were on the news.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW6fXRpF3Pk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuB6kNzh7fY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96jpy6C4lU0
http://shamshyan.com/arm/2013-06-14-june-rebels.html
http://imyerevan.com/hy/events/view/3427

Tigran Shadunts and I are talking. I think we are late.

Before the walk started. Picture with gorgeous Syrian Armenian Ladies

The policemen and myself starting to walk on the Republic Square. This is the moment I was talking about being incredible.

Republic Square. The route is just starting

Half way through, we stopped to take pictures. 

Standing on the Freedom Square with the leaders of the NGOs that joined us. I have a scary face.

Another one, only this time Anahit (my supervisor) is standing to my right. I still have an ugly expression on my face.

One of the umbrellas! Cute, huh?

Photos taken by professionals! (c) Photolur

Jumping at the WRD exhibition

As I said, one of my super-fun activities for World Refugee Day was organizing an exhibition/bazaar with participation of refugee and expatriate women and men.

After asking here and there "hey, do you know any Syrian Armenian women/men who are doing handicraft?", we finally managed to have the the whole first floor of UN House filled with works of talented participants.

"Was in tough?" - one would ask. Yes, it was. "Did I manage?" - you would wonder. Yes. I did!

I would like to thank Vrouyr Bilemjian, my very good Syrian-Armenian friend, who provided contact numbers of those talented Syrian-Armenian women, who not only got the chance to exhibit, but also sell their works.

I am happy we organized this exhibition.

Btw, the Diversity for Change group was there as well. They are always there for me! :)

Arman, one of my Diversity kids. One of my dearest friends.

Levon is one of my Diversity kids. Great kid!

My Diversity for Change Team showed up to support me and enjoy the exhibition

Why am I hiding behind Piero?

Yumms!

Sarkis Rshdouni proudly standing in front of the Textures

The talented Syrian-Armenian women I was talking about: Tikin Lousig, Aline and Rosette

After the flash-mob: getting ready for the exhibition

So, June 17-18th we were busy getting ready for the exhibition at the UN House in Yerevan.

First, we had to select the Textures from the flash-mob that we were going to show at that exhibition. Sarkis (the initiator of the Flash-Mob), Michayel and Gevorg (the professional artists, also my good friends), Tigran and a couple of other volunteers were hanging out at the UN Office, eveningish (meaning till 11pm, lol)

This is how it looked like:

After the selection process was done, Sarkis kindly took them to Blik (btw, the name means something totally inappropriate, so Sarkis had a wide smile every time I said it) and have all of them framed! The next day he was at the UN office again to help me hang (well, actually stick) the works.

However, textures were not the only items we were going to exhibit. We had many other works waiting there for us to take care of. And by us I mean myself, because I had to organise and rearrange the works in the UN hall singlehandedly. One of the toughest days of my life, but so rewarding... So rewarding.

I had the lucky chance to meet with all of the participants of the exhibition, who were Iraqi and Azeri Armenian refugees, Syrian Armenian ladies who were all so nice. They brought the works they have made, hoping to sell some or just show to others.

We finished getting the exhibition ready by 8pm (while actually my working day was supposed to end at 5:30, but who's complaining?) and the only thing that was left was waiting for the 20th, the opening ceremony of the WRD Exhibition. More on that read next. ;)