this time last year…..

I left my kids at home (Thailand at the time) and made the trip to the other side of the world. The “pre-assignment” trip is what they call it.

I told myself when I made that trip to come here with an open mind and from all accounts of what I was told – to not have high expectations of the place!!

Well it’s been almost 11 months now and to be very honest with you – it ain’t that bad. It really isnt!  Yeah the winters are harsh and  the school is a little too small for my liking (but my kids love it so I have to be ok with it!) and we can’t always find what we want at the grocery stores. But otherwise it really isn’t that bad.

In fact after 11 months here what I’m most thankful for is the people I’ve met..Both the local and the other expatriates.   it really is the people that that make this a not so bad place to live.   I’ve met some wonderful  people, and I hope to see these new friendships that I’ve made blossom. 

Tomorrow I’m hosting a couple who are here on their pre-assignment trip.  I hope I’m able to answer their questions and share with them that living here can be a wonderful experience.

weekends are for……….

being busy.

A birthday party, a farewell party, and celebrating the kids and another school year at the school’s award ceremony.  It’s the last weekend before school’s out and so it was busy.  

I’m looking forward to just sitting on my bench and smelling the roses. 

I hope you had a great weekend.

only 5 days left

the girls first school year here in Atyrau is coming to an end.  I can’t believe it.  It only seems like yesterday was their first day at school and now they only have 5 left.

 

The girls amazed me at how quick they were able to adjust from a school of almost 1000 kids to only having 65 here at their new one. I’m so proud of them.  I’ll admit that it took me a little more time to get used to such a small school.   There are times when I wonder if hubby and I are doing right by them by having them in such a small school. But then at some weird level I feel like my kids will somehow be better in life because of it.  Apart from the core subjects that they have to cover there are so many social and life skills that they need to learn because of the size of the school.

Well school’s almost out and we are ready for Summer!!

corner view–in the sky

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.

this weeks theme is “in the sky”.

before I leave my corner of the world  I hope to make it into this mosque.  It’s just across the road from where we live.

I always see it busy on Friday’s where there is a call to prayer.

for more “sky views” start with Francesca.

Race Day

we spent the morning watching the kids do the school’s annual triathlon.  The weather was wonderful and the community support was great

Renee and Tanysha and all the other kids did really well.  I’m amazed at how ‘physically fit’ the kids are.  Well apart from the physical aspect of the race there were so many other life lessons learned today! 

They all did such an awesome job!

The girls received their medals and certificates for completing the race successfully.

We shall all sleep well tonight!

Enjoy your Saturday.

corner view–on the ground/at my feet

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.

this weeks theme is “on the ground/at my feet…..

the weather here is so beautiful right now. And it’s hard not to notice all the blooming happening from the ground up.

Right now the village looks beautiful. 

It’s sad that I can’t say the same about my backyard yet…………. I hope to do something about it this weekend after the kids do their triathlon race.

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For more on this week’s theme start with Joyce and Francesca.

good byes…..

I hate good byes.  I know I’ve only been here for 9 months but I’ve met some really good people in that time.  And now I find myself having to say good bye to some of them.  

Today we went out for coffee, just a couple of us to appreciate and say good bye to a dear person who has been so wonderful to have in our community.  It’s people like these that are hard to find.  people who add to the community in so many ways.   She’ll be missed but it’s her time too leave.  I know she’s looking forward to her new adventure!!  

 

At home one relies on parents, away from home one relies on friends. 

Chinese Proverb.

weekends are for…..

celebrating mother’s day and remembering Dad whose death anniversary happened to be yesterday.   We also enjoyed a play in the park. the kids did “Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet”, for the community which was so great.  We also  attended a Girl Scouts bridging ceremony, a retirement party and farewell party.

It was a busy weekend, and now I can’t believe Monday is over.

I hope you’re week has started off well.

when they were younger…….

I look back on these photos and I’m reminded how quickly the years go by.  I’ve been mother for 12 years now and it’s been an adventure.  everyday is an adventure!!

corner view–mother

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.

 

I often think of my mother and wonder how she’s adjusted to being a widow.  It’s been 2 years.   I also worry some. 

How do you go from living and sharing your life with someone everyday and then one day it’s gone……………..

Mother’s day is this coming Sunday and I’m thinking this one is going to be an emotional one for my mother.  That’s because it falls on the date of Dad’s death anniversary. 

It’s times like these when I wish I could be closer to home……..

thanks Joyce for the theme.  for more on mother’s  start with Joyce and Francesca.

so many gifts to be thankful for…

I haven’t done this for a while, give thanks here on my blog.   There is so much I’m thankful for right now, where do I start.

well thankful and grateful for……

51.  warm, warm weather.  I’m loving it.

52.  lady bugs – crawling and flying and watching Joshua try to catch them.

53. the pool finally opening over the weekend.  I know it’s only going to get warmer from here on out.

54.  happy children.  we’ve been here just over 9 months and my children have their groove.

55. meeting new people and making new friends.

56.  emails and phone calls from home.

57.  new flowers being planted and the anticipation of seeing them bloom…..soon

58.  a husband who loves me and makes me a nice cup of coffee

59.  spontaneous hugs from my son who I know is thankful that winter is over.  He’s spending so much time outside!!

60.  people who volunteer to host some orphans here  over the weekend.  then feed them, organise games for them and just love them.  Such a blessing to see.

61.  the opportunities that I am presented with!

 

Happy Monday to you all and have a great week.

weekends are for……

getting back in the pool, friendly soccer games, a farewell/block party and celebrating Cinco De Mayo.

I’m loving the weather right now and just having a good time.

Hope your weekend was a fun one too..

corner view - Hmmmm

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.

In every corner that I’ve lived I try to learn as much as I can about the people, their culture and of course try  their cuisine.

Obviously I tried and loved Thai food and there is always a craving for that spiciness.

Well after 9 months here I must be honest and say that I haven’t really ventured out much and tried Kazakh food. I’m not there yet and I don’t know if I’ll ever be.  I’ve read and heard that traditional food here revolves around horse meat.  Yes you read correctly, horse meat!!

Hmmmmm………I’m guessing that their nomadic way of life influenced their cuisine, and so hence the horse meat.  They also prefer sour milk, which I don’t know if I’ll ever have the stomach to try it!!

 

for more Hmmmm’s start with Francesca!

It’s May Already?!

Wow, where did April go to ?  The days have just been going, going and going and I seem to have lost track! 

April was such a busy month for me with planning and organizing the Amazing race for the older kids here in our camp.  I literally hit the ground running as soon as we came back from Spring break. I’m happy to say that I think the race went well and that the kids really enjoyed themselves.

Istanbul was lovely and I want to go back and explore it some more and Australia, well Australia is always beautiful.

Well it’s May and unfortunately I don’t see it slowing down any time soon  I’m looking forward to summer already!

Happy May!