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Perfect World staffer Molly Mew is spending several weeks in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, as part of a volunteer nursing program with Projects Abroad. Molly will be keeping us up to date on her trip via e-mail. Here's an excerpt from the first installment of her adventure. To read the rest, visit Perfect World's blog at www.adn.com/underagethinking.

This week I start my placement at the State Children's Clinic volunteering as a nurse. In order to do this I must brave the daunting streets of Ulaanbaatar. Cars and buses drive haphazardly with no regard to the pedestrians crossing in front of them or the lines on the road. The best form of transportation is to hail a cab, which is really just anyone with a car, and attempt to negotiate a price and destination using sign language. While terrifying at first, I started respecting myself more for being able to be forceful and clear. It's an odd feeling when you get a sense of accomplishment from making it from one end of the city to the other without being abducted.

The culture is difficult to get used to, and I miss the brisk Alaska weather, but I'm getting more comfortable. I look forward to finding out more about the health care system. From what I've seen it looks as if it will be grim.

-- MOLLY MEW

PLAYLIST

Forget the weather and move it, move it

With the current bout of dismal weather, it's hard to stay perked up and in a summery state of mind. Sometimes the best thing to do is get together a bunch of friends, pump up the music and have a dance party! These classic dance hits of the '90s will have you singing and dancing to songs you probably haven't heard in years.

• What Is Love -- Haddaway

• Beautiful Life -- Ace of Base

• I Like to Move It -- Reel 2 Real

• Be My Lover -- Hysterie

• Barbie Girl -- Aqua

• We Like to Party --Vengaboys

• Blue (Da Ba Dee) -- Eiffel 65

• Around the World (La La La La La) -- ATC

-- COLBY BLEICHER

QUE PASA

Haunted Irish castle featured in TBA play

TBA Theatre's Advanced Academy presents "The Daemon of Darby Castle" this weekend. Based on a legend about the most haunted castle in Ireland, the play will be performed at APU Grant Hall at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $6. Call 677-PLAY (7529) or go to www.tbatheatre.org for more information.

Moose's Tooth celebrates with Wilco, Whipsaws

Moose's Tooth celebrates its 12th anniversary at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Moose's Tooth parking lot. The festival includes performances by Wilco and the Whipsaws. General admission is $35, available at Bear Tooth or online at www. beartooththeatre.net.

Arctic Valley run is Sunday

The Arctic Valley Trail Run is Sunday, with racers meeting at 8:30 a.m. Racers can choose a junior (ages 10 to 16) 3-k run, an open 6-k uphill climb beginning at 10 a.m. or an elite 9-k uphill run beginning at 11 a.m. Challenge yourself at this scenic race or just come out to cheer or volunteer. Call 248-8978 with questions.

-- CHLOE MILLER