Full Circle

I came to Mongolia for the first time when I was 19. I've come back at the age of 25, after studying Mongolian for three years, to complete my dissertation. There are some days where my brain seems to throw up its hands in defeat at the constant barrage of Mongolian, and then there are days where I really feel like I am understanding and learning things I couldn't have without all of the time and energy I've invested in my studies. There's still a lot more to do for my dissertation data collection, and I need to be better about keeping track of what I already have and my interpretations.

But for now, I want to share a few special moments.

Getting back in touch with my 2007 group leader and the possibility of her returning to Mongolia this summer for her own research

At the Norman Rockwell exhibition, I saw an older Mongolian woman who looked so familiar to me. I managed to rather quickly memorize everyone at the Arts Council, but I've met a lot of people at SUIS that I don't always know/remember their name. After staring at her furtively for about fifteen minutes, I associated the name Hongorzul, and after fifteen more minutes I worked up the courage to approach her. In 2007 Hongorzul was incredibly helpful to my field group, and she took us on a trip to Sainshand in the Gobi region so I could visit the Danzanravjaa museum and monastery.

Here she is in 2007 ringing the great bell.

It was very neat to see her again and to be able to say that the experience inspired me to start studying her language and then return for my PhD.


But the person I was most excited to run into was my museum mentor and all-around great lady, Nara from the National History Museum. It turns out she now works at a research center of SUIS, and I never might have known if I hadn't gone to a Cultural Heritage conference this past Friday. It was so good to see her, and a little funny to remember that I said at the end of 2007 that I didn't think I'd return.

Nara and I in 2007 :) We'll have to get a 2012 picture together

There are still times where Mongolia feels overwhelming and/or frustrating, but it is a very special place. I feel incredibly fortunate to have gotten so much support over the years to continue my research and so lucky to have re-met old friends :)