Deegeen Vartouhi

I had to dedicate a post to one person in particular that I have come into contact with since my stay in Armenia. The very moment I saw her, I was immediately transported to a different time; a time where the waist of a woman’s jeans reached a good three inches above her belly button, REM was played on 102.7 KIIS FM (Let me digress, excuse me current 102.7, popular music doesn’t equal mediocre rap/hip hop…I want Rick back. Rick Dees and I have a made up love/hate relationship on this blog if you haven’t noticed) and the mention of Chuckie Cheese pizza made me salivate.  I am talking about 1994. I am also talking about the Sahag-Mesrob School days. From when I was in Pre-Kindergarten to the beginning of 2^nd grade, I attended an Armenian elementary school. My experience there, though short-lived, has been burned into my memory with thoughts of a many a barahantez, Armenian homework, and loud, yet beloved Armenian teachers. One teacher that worked there, Deegeen Vartouhi was a very talented lady. She had the most beautiful singing voice and often used that voice to scream at spoiled little Armenian boys fighting over a ball. Her grace, her friendliness and her strong presence defined the incredible relationships she made with her students and their parents. So I walk into the room where I work at the Ministry of Culture, with Vram close by my side, and I see this woman sitting in the center of the room. She looks and sounds exactly like Deegeen Vartouhi, but with some interesting differences that make her quite a specimen to watch. I am going to go ahead and bullet point these because I would like to emphasize some of her fascinating characteristics:

 

·      I often don’t understand what she is saying to me. She refuses to speak in English with me, which I admire. 

·      Whenever I look at her gives me this huge smile.

·      She doesn’t have a computer in front of her, but everyone else in the office does. She only has a calendar, pens, and official looking folders placed neatly on her desk.

·      She sits with her hands folded waiting for people to come to her with work/letters to which she either responds with a yell or a laugh.

·      People come and visit her and talk about life in general too – I get the sense she gives great life advice.

 

I was totally struck by this woman and even though she has this slight edge/meanstreak to her, people in the office seem to be drawn to her with her shortcomings and all. I think Hayastansi Deegeen Vartouhi and I are going to get along splendidly.

 

 

Maybe she’ll let me make her soorj one day. I can dream, can’t I?