what’s your sign?

Happy Chinese New Year!

My daughter comes home for lunch today and asks me what my Chinese Zodiac sign is….hmm I don’t know but I’m interested to know.

Well after some searching and reading this is suppose to be my year – The year of the Dragon!  That’s my chinese zodiac sign, the Dragon!

It says:  A powerful sign, those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Dragon are energetic and warm-hearted, charismatic, lucky at love and egotistic. They’re natural born leaders, good at giving orders and doing what’s necessary to remain on top. Compatible with Monkey and Rat.

I don’t really believe in this stuff but they’re always fun to read!

Curious what you are,  click here.

Happy Monday!

weekends are for…

staying inside and keeping warm, working with the girls on their science experiments and baking.

I hope your weekend was warm and pleasant.

yesterday

the 19th of January the Russians celebrated the Russian Orthodox festival of Epiphany to commemorate the baptism of Jesus Christ.

It was cold but I didn’t want to miss it so I braved the elements. I wore layer upon layer and went out there with a group to watch it.

While watching I couldn’t stop thinking to myself how crazy they are but then I don’t get it.  I don’t totally understand it but I appreciated it.

Here are some photos from my day and a video. (I meant to post these yesterday but after 4 and a half hours outside I just felt so tired after that!)

enjoy.

friday’s fave five

Anyone else think this month is going just a little too quickly?  Well it’s another week gone, and a good week actually!  things are getting into the rhythm that I want.

Thanks Susanne for Fave Five. it does help me to be in the moment and be aware of that thing(even if it is just one thing) a day to be thankful for.

Here’s my five for the week;

1.  emails from my sister.  And to know that everyone is doing well at home.

2.  a new kitchen gadget.  it’s one that I’m using a lot and I’m so thankful that I went ahead and bought it.

3.  if there is one thing I love about being able to live in different countries, it is the opportunity to learn and witness their cultural and religious traditions. Yesterday I braved the elements and went out to the Ural river where I watched the Russian Orthodox festival of Epiphany, commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ.  I’m still reading and learning about it and trying to understand why they dip themselves in such freezing water.

4. work out buddies.  Let me just say this - it totally beats exercising by yourself.  And I know it makes that hour go by quicker.

5.  My first ever Zumba class.  This one I really enjoyed.  I felt so totally un co-ordinated but it was fun to learn some Samba, Merengue and Salsa moves. Hmm maybe one day I can put it altogether.

For more Fave five’s start with Susanne.

Happy Friday everyone.

corner view–black and white

Corner View is a weekly appointment - each Wednesday - created by Jane, and hosted by Francesca.  It’s where bloggers from all corners of the world share their view on a pre-arranged theme.

Thanks for this weeks theme Kelleyn.

Well right now this theme has me thinking of contrasts….and so many of them right now!

My photo’s are of Thailand and Kazakhstan!  I know the elephants aren’t exactly black but this one just came out from his bath so his coat is shining.  As for the snow, it’s beautiful!

For more corner views start with Francesca.

Remembering MLK

some years ago we had the opportunity to go to Memphis, USA for a Tumbling and Trampoline competition that Renee had qualified for.  I'll be honest with you the thought of going to Memphis didn't excite me much.  But once I got there, and walked Beale street, ate some good food and danced to the jazz music on the street, it was great.  And between Renee's sessions and exploring the city I'm thankful that I made it there.

Of course it was exciting to go to Graceland but what was so great was being able to go to the National Civil Rights Museum with my family and learn more about Martin Luther King Jnr.  If I remember correctly the hotel is the Museum.  Anyway Renee who was 6 at that time asked many questions and couldn't understand much of what she was seeing. 

Today I'm thinking about what I saw and the questions Renee asked.

Today I'm reminded to always include, to not judge, to respect and above all to dream!

Happy Monday!

friday’s fave five

oh it’s been a while since I’ve done this  - reflecting on Five favorites for the week. I hope to make this a regular but no promises.

Well I’m here today and here’s my Five;

1.  A hassle free and smooth transition back into school. It’s always hard to get back into the groove of things after some weeks off, but my girls have made it look easy.  maybe I just stress too much!

2. Easy dinner preparations – OMG I don’t know why I never did menu planning for dinner each night.  Things have gone so smoothly – no chaos, no running around wondering what to put together for dinner and best of all my kids who are fussy eaters have enjoyed the meals.  Yippee. (I have to do it again next week!)

3. Tea and scones. On a cold January afternoon gathering with friend, enjoying hot tea with warm scones was wonderful.  It’s moments like these that really count.

4.  Playing floor hockey and making it through the 2 hours.  It’s been a while since I’ve done some serious exercising and I thought I was going to collapse but I made it.  We are much stronger then we give ourselves credit.

5. and this book which I hope to get my hands on…..soon!

I hope your week  was pleasant and your weekend will be filled with love and goodness.

Thanks Susanne – your faithfulness to FFF is inspiring!

p.s just had to say that now I can totally relate to the FFF Winter banner.

this is the day……

even though it’s cold, dull and dreary outside it is another day that I’ve been given – a chance and a opportunity to make it a great day.

And it has been. 

catching up with a friend over coffee, happy children back at school and a warm house.  I’m guilty of taking things for granted, and I don’t want to be.

I hope you were blessed today and recognized it.

hugs…

corner view–ring out the old, ring in the new.

с Новым годом !  (Snovim Godam - which is Happy New Year in Russian)

Corner View is a weekly appointment - each Wednesday - created by Jane, and hosted by Francesca.  It’s where bloggers from all corners of the world share their view on a pre-arranged theme.

Ringing out the old….. in Thailand

Ringing in the new……. armed with my 2012 Kazakhstan calendar!

I’m looking forward to this year.  I plan to make the most of it.

For more corner views start with Francesca.

after the weekend

we’re slowly getting back to normal. 

Our weekend was a mix of lazing around with spurts of energy here and there where we put away our Christmas decorations, lights and moved furniture.  We also found time to walk by the Ural river – frozen river and watched the locals ice fishing. I really want to try it sometime.

My girls are back at school this morning and it’s just Joshua and I at home.  I’ve done the last of our laundry and now I have to put away the summer clothes we used in Thailand.  I’ve done a menu plan for our meals for this week and so now I’ve got to go out grocery shopping.  In this cold weather it’s not something I look forward too.

Do you plan your meals for the week?

Happy Day!

back at home

after 3 weeks of soaking up the sun, sea and warmer weather it’s good to be back at home.  We had to go back to Thailand which is where we spent our time.  I think it was good for my girls to have some closure.

our first day back home and it snowed, just a little dusting but enough to remind us to switch gears and get ready for the colder weather that is coming.

Well with the holiday season behind me and the New Year ahead of me I feel myself wanting to hit the ground running.  I have this urge to make this year count.  Not really too sure what I mean by that right now. 

thankfully the weekend is here and I have time to put to paper the many thoughts, ideas and dreams floating around in my head for 2012.  I hope your year has started off well. 

Best wishes to you all and may every good thing come your way!!