My name is Casey Michel, and I’ll be serving for two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kazakhstan, teaching English to secondary school students. During my off days, I’ll be eating horse meat, playing buzkashi, and practicing my falconry. I’ll thank you to refrain from making any references to Borat.
A Word From Our Sponsor
The only person, group, or entity I write for is myself -- though you, of course, are not far behind. I claim all words as my own, and seek to represent neither the Peace Corps, the American government, nor the nation of Kazakhstan. Any and all resemblance to characters and themes, bureaucratic or otherwise, comes by sheer coincidence. This is the first disclaimer I've ever had to write, and I'll be damned if it's my last.Posts That Aren't Awful
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What I’m Tweeting
- Teen pregnancies have dropped over 25% over past five years from five-year stretch before: talkingpointsmemo.com/news/teen-preg… 4 hours ago
- North Texas judge cites a little-used clause to force a lesbian couple to live apart: blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2013… 4 hours ago
Founding Principle
"I promise that no matter how bad my blog is, it will still probably be less annoying than Casey's." --Patrick McAnaneyOther Stuff
Contrary to how this blog may appear, there are a few other things that peak my interest outside of Central Asia. If you care at all what those things are, and I'm not sure why you would, Tumble over here: http://caseymichel.tumblr.com/Archives
April 16th, 2011 at 5:26 pm
Casey,
I stumbled across your blog this morning and am grateful that I did. I’ve read several of your entries and have been both entertained and educated. However, I’d like to learn a bit more about you. I think I’ve pieced together that you grew up in Portland and were going to school at Rice University.
I live in Houston myself so I feel a bit of an affinity with you and I’m looking forward to more of your posts.
I hope your two year stint turns out to be all that you hoped it would be and more.
Mark Roden
April 19th, 2011 at 7:49 am
Mark,
Thanks for both the readership and the kinds words. Not much more to add about myself — I spent my first 18 years in Portland, graduated from Rice in 2010, and left for Kazakhstan in March. As I graduated with a degree in English (and Sport Management), I’ll be an English teacher once we’re sworn in in mid-May.
Interestingly, have another Owl and a recent graduate from St. Thomas in my group as well, so the Kaz-Houston connection extends beyond just Chevron. We’ve all be moaning about the dearth of Mexican food over here — what I wouldn’t give for an enchilada for Chacho’s right now.
-Casey
May 15th, 2011 at 5:37 am
Hey Casey,
have enjoyed several of your posts! Your journey has been fascinating and I appreciate you sharing it, especially since I doubt I’ll ever make it to that part of the world. You’re light years ahead of me when it comes to understanding the complex history of Asia but I’m learning, thanks to you! Take good care of yourself and keep writing.. hugs, Bev
August 1st, 2011 at 12:50 pm
Casey
I’m a volunteer serving in Ukraine, and I caught your latest post on Ken Debevois’s Continuing Education. Fantastic. Seems like you’ve really captured some of the feeling of Peace Corps service in the former Soviet Union. If you ever find yourself out in Ukraine, hit me up, it’s tremendous out here.
Ed Oser