and the ordeal continues...

So, Pishik took a turn for the worst-- and I felt helpless!  She has lost so much weight, refuses to eat or drink, and is so lethargic.  I left work for a short while today, in order to take her back to the vet.  In the elevator she used all of the energy she could muster to hiss at a poor man that was concerned about her (such a crankster :-)). 

The doctor gave her 4 shots and a suppository-- not a pleasant visit to the doctor for her.  I had to leave her there for observation-- and then picked her up after work.  Pishik was in her box, on the receptionist's desk.... she was definitely getting preferential treatment. 

Now, she is home and snuggled into my robe.  How am I going to give her injections and force feed her??  Guess I will have to recruit Emily!

Pishik's Ordeal

Sometime during the week (last week), I decided that the meowing had to end.  So, I made an appointment for Pishik to get spayed (sterilized)-- and worried about how she would react to the whole ordeal for a few days.  Saturday came, and with the help of my moral support (Emily) we made our way to the Animal Hospital. 

The clinic is actually set-up quite nicely-- with a downstairs shelter and 24 hour watch center for the animals (mostly cats).  Pishik was not to fond of being in this setting, and she stayed quiet on my lap for quite a while.  When the doctor came to prep her for the surgery-- she meowed, like a child being separated from its mother.  I felt bad for her -- especially when a traumatic meow came with the insertion of the anesthetic.

Check out the MIDDLE screen.

Emily and I chatted away, while watching the whole thing on the video in the operating room.  I was glad that the camera wasn't close enough for me to see everything-- just enough to see that she was on the table being "fixed".

After some tea and a lot of chatting, the surgery ended.  The assistant carried Pishik out-- she was a pathetic looking lump-- I got an acknowledgment out of her, so all was good.  However, I was told that she was weak because she was too thin-- which I realize, but she eats all the time!


 I said my goodbyes-- and left her in good hands, knowing she was not going to like being left behind.  Especially since she has difficulty being kind to other cats and strangers.

So, today (Tuesday) I had a friend call and check on Pishik (translate for me)-- and was told that Pishik has been very aggressive and that she isn't eating.  The doctor asked if I would come and visit her, so her stress levels would be eased a bit.  GOOD LORD-- what kind of high maintenance cat did I inherit!???!!!

She was giving some serious STINK EYE!

Laiza and I made our way to the clinic after school -- and were taken to her.  Pishik was responsive, but very sore and weak.  She meowed and wanted me to hold her-- and that was the end of her stay at the hospital.  The assistant and the doctor told me that they thought it would be better for Pishik if I brought her home---  fan device around her head and all!  AND... now she is home, making me miserable because she is in pain, won't eat, can't sit still, runs away from me, and is just plain pissed at the world.  I guess I can't blame her for the last part.

The empathy was just pouring out of me

Needless to say... Pishik is home.  I wonder how she is going to react when I have to take her back to get the stitches out?? 

Evil Eyes leave Baku...

Two weeks ago, I joined the Evil Eyes on an ultimate adventure to Georgia.  The weather was phenomenal and the hospitality was out of this world!  I believe I can speak for all that went when I say that it was a remarkable and short trip. 

We left Baku on Friday night, arrived in Tbilisi on Saturday afternoon, bought return tickets (took an hour and a half), caught a taxi to ENTREE, and then headed for the hippodrome to play some frisbee.  The Flying Khachapuris had enough players for two teams-- so the battle for the field began.

The Evil Ones took control of the field, and won 3 of 4 games to 5.  It was tiring, exciting, and very different (playing with one another and not against each other).  Good times were had by all-- and then we decided to mix it up a bit.  The Khachapuris and Evil Eyes joined together-- forming some good match-ups.

Eventually, a few cocky, one-handed (due to the other holding their scared indulgence) players -- notice no names are mentioned-- made the game more interesting and frustrating... and we all decided that it was time to take a well-deserved rest with a choice partner in hand.

The break didn't last long though... we all parted, only to meet up again at a Georgian restaurant-- that served delicious pork kabobs (ribs) and all the fixings that accompany a great SUPRA.  Yet, again good times had by all.

Sunday came a bit too quick... and we were all a bit haggard looking when we arrived at the hippodrome.  However, ULTIMATE players suck it up and push through the tiredness-- or so I was told-- I was definitely not a positive player on Sunday.  Exhaustion had kicked in.

After a few hours on the field, some good playing time, and some more sun-- we all went to brunch.  The Flying Khachapuris certainly outdid themselves!  We filled ourselves up, refreshed, made a quick stop at ENTREE, and found ourselves nestled in our compartments on the train-- ready to head back to Baku.

17 hours later-- we arrived, said our goodbyes, and headed to work.

My parents arrive in BAKU!!

My parents finally made the long trip to Azerbaijan, and it only took 10 days through snail mail!  


Last year my students made flat people and sent them to America to visit my family members.  When the flat people returned from America, the students enjoyed reading about their adventures in America.  They shared the photos of the places they had been and were genuinely excited about having been able to "take" the trip to America.

Well, the flat people and my parents made a huge impact on one particular student, Ayhan.  At the end of February, Ayhan asked if it would be okay for him to write a persuasive letter to my parents.  His letter focused on persuading my parents to come to Azerbaijan to visit, and he creatively mentioned that if they weren't able to make the trip in person--- that they should send him a flat Debbie and a flat Elmer, so that he could take them around Azerbaijan.

Flat Debbie and Flat Elmer arrived in Baku late last night-- and Ayhan was delighted to pick them up at school this afternoon!  Ayhan was so elated-- he was jumping around with a big smile on his face-- he even emailed my mom to let her know that they had arrived.  It was so great to see him light up the way that he did.  Thank you mom and dad!