Our Family
Andrew
Charity
Avinelle Lynn
Eloise Ann
Recent Blogs
The Kazakh Flag
Ever wondered what this beautiful “Elsa” blue flag (as Avi would put it) means?? It was created in 1992. The blue and gold are preserved (minus red) from the Soviet times. The sun represents life and energy. It is also a symbol of wealth and abundance. The sun’s rays are a symbol of the steppe’s Read more about The Kazakh Flag[…]
Sooooo Fit
There is quite a few gyms here. We see runners, cyclists, and even fitness classes. I tried to join a gym but there isn’t a YMCA type place that offers childcare so that was a no go. It’s actually not terribly expensive to take fitness classes or join gyms. (for the most part) I even Read more about Sooooo Fit[…]
No “Supersize”
This oatmeal is one of the most ginormous bags I have seen to be able to buy in “bulk” here. 5 kilograms is about 11 pounds. We have noticed typically when buying things in stores you can’t buy large “bulk” of just about anything. There are a couple of stores where you can buy Read more about No “Supersize”[…]
Talking About Money (деньге)
Pronounced “Den-ge” like the fever. Isn’t the money here so beautiful, colorful and interesting??!? Almost anywhere in the world except the US has colorful money, and it is all an ugly green. 😝 It’s really funny how normal it is to ask how much things cost. This was a bit of a surprise when we first Read more about Talking About Money (деньге)[…]
English Club
I said I would blog about this…Last fall I started a little unofficial English “conversation” club for different Moms in our apartment complex. Basically it started with the Moms I was meeting at Avi’s preschool. I wanted to get to know more people in our neighborhood, inadvertently practice Russian, but create a space for ladies Read more about English Club[…]
Eye Doctor AKA “Super Hero Status”
Things are fairly advanced here in Almaty so I decided to get my eyes checked as they’ve been really bugging me lately with my current prescription. They told me to prepare for a 3 hour long appointment. I went to a highly recommended Optometrist office. Thankfully they had great staff that spoke English. (my Russian Read more about Eye Doctor AKA “Super Hero Status”[…]
The Rainy Days…
Oh how I love the rain! 🌧💧💦☔️ Here in Almaty we get true four seasons of weather. I really really love it. Today is particularly cold, and the above pic is this morning where the clouds are hanging low over the mountains. Last night it was pouring rain (and already had been for a few hours), Read more about The Rainy Days…[…]
Let’s have some “chai”
Having “chai” (tea) and snacks is a way of life here. It could be an isolated event (like my “English Club” I’ve started….another blog on that later), or it could be at every meal. This is not as much a coffee culture, although there are LOTS of coffee shops across the city (NOW… only 10 Read more about Let’s have some “chai”[…]
“Napkin Ninjas”
This is something Andrew and I giggle at every time we go out to eat here. Sometimes there are cloth napkins and even so, there is usually small flimsy napkins or even tissues on every table. But once you use a napkin and set it down on the table- beware!! The servers quickly come snatch Read more about “Napkin Ninjas”[…]
Central Asian Bread
This post has been a long time coming. Oh my goodness! Any of you Americans that have traveled to Central Asia or my expat friends who live here in Central Asia can attest that the bread here (know n as naan- pronounced “non”, tandoori naan, flatbread, Read more about Central Asian Bread[…]