Weather update

Grades 9 and below did not report to school today. For grades 10, 11, and 12 and teachers, it was business as usual. I was plenty warm walking to school this morning. Well,  my eyelashes are still trying to thaw out, but otherwise, no problems.

It really  wasn’t  too bad. There was no wind in the morning going to school. It was a bit biting on the cheeks on the way home in the afternoon. Lots of moisturizer on the exposed face parts to combat the dry skin. But all things considered, I am managing. We warm up some soon. I just might survive Siberian winter. Only about 4 or 5 weeks left of this worst part.

Peace and love to you all!

January Update

It has been a while since I have posted! Life here has been busy. I didn’t go to the US or anywhere else for the winter break. It was a bit strange not to be with my family for the holidays, but I had a good time here in Pavlodar. I finally got to go to some museums and explore the city further. I am learning what winter really is and that it can be fun at times. I won’t write a lot for this post, but I am including some photos of my life as it has been here in Kazakhstan for the last few weeks.

Peace and love to you all!

Christmas in Kazakhstan

Dinner with wonderful friendsHoliday soda, just like home, but in Russian and Kazakh!

My Christmas tree, a present from a friend who was afraid I would be homesick. So thoughtful and sweet!Made my family’s traditional cabbage rolls. It was a challenge to find all the ingredients, but I did. They were tasty.

This is how you do negative 19 degrees Fahrenheit For the holidays, it is traditional to gift the eldest tribal member with traditional clothes.

A wintery day at the market with the mosque in the distance

My lovely new skates

 

Skating at the rink outside my apartment. All the soccer fields are turned into skating rinks in the winter. FREE to use! That day, it was warmer here in “next door to Siberia” than it was in Kentucky. Sorry, Kentucky!

Kick off for the NIS Science Fair!!!

My first attempt at cross country ski. Not entirely successful, but lots of fun. It will just take some practice!

Skating at ANOTHER FREE rink not far from my home. This one has music and better maintained ice. But I have to walk about a mile. Totally worth it!

Getting ready to attend the Ukrainian Festival today.

 The theater where the Ukrainian event was held was once a movie theater. It is a lovely building. The tree below is in the lobby and the “leaves” hanging off of it each have the name of an ethnic group or nationality that makes up the country of Kazakhstan. The display name translates to something near to “Our Earth” or “Our World.”