Come Into Our Yurta: June 2014

Monday, June 9, 2014

2011 in Atyrau, Kazakhstan

every time we move, it’s different.

And with each move we have faced different challenges. In fact each one has come with it’s own unique issues!!

In all honesty when we started thinking about moving on from Bangkok, Thailand – Kazakhstan was not even in the picture. In fact we had our minds set on South America. We were ready Maracaibo. But of course things change and you go with the flow.

So when we were finally told that Kazakhstan would be our next location – we thought, that’s cool!

I guess it really would not have mattered either way, cause we were ready.

Looking back, I think that’s probably the reason why I have enjoyed this assignment/location and that things have really been great. We came ready. Either way, we were going to enjoy this stop.

And we have!!

Here are some photo’s of our first few months in Atyrau, KZ. Actually it was the last 5 months of 2011.

Kazakhstan bound!

Our house, DV153 – all the houses are the same.

new friends

getting used to the local currency

evening view of the Ural – from inside our community camp. Dostyk Village

local restaurant.

local fisherman

streets of Atyrau. Russian Orthodox Church in the background.

DAIS – the school getting ready for 1st day of school

first day of school for Renee and Tanysha (Josh just wanted to be in the picture!!)

air shipment arrived

Saturday sports – a parent led activity for the children on the weekend.

our first snow ever!!

and I had one happy boy!!

and girls!

And we had a white Christmas that year and it was gorgeous!!

What can I say – our first 5 months in Atyrau were beautiful.

We went with the flow…..we opened our hearts and were ready for anything.

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Last Saturday??

could this be my last Saturday here in Atyrau, Kazakhstan?? If all goes well with our visas, this may well be my last Saturday here.

As I sit out here on my patio I’m choosing to slow down just for a while (because there’s a million and one things to get done!!)

I’m not going to deny it – I am an expat. I get that adrenaline rush when my hubby tells me that it’s time to move again. I love it. It’s exciting. A new country, a new city, new opportunities, new relationships and of course the challenges. I would be in denial if I did not admit that there are challenges.

there are so many emotions all at the same time but I don’t think I would want it any other way.

Stay too long in one place and I start to get this itch, like I can’t sit still and little things that only happen in the location that I’m currently calling home, start to bug me. Yes that’s what happened in Bangkok. 4 years felt a little too long.

This time around – we are leaving just before we would hit our 3rd year. But I feel ready. 3 Kazakhstan winters is good enough. I am at peace to leave and for my family we feel like we are leaving at a good time.

Of course I’m going to miss the place, the people and the community. And I would be lying if I said I wouldn’t.

Don’t cry because it’s over. SMILE because it happened.

Dr Seuss

this week I’ll share photo’s of our past 2 years, 11 months here.

It’s been a joy.