Monday, December 13, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Charity Ball and Staff Christmas Party
It has been a busy week full of parties and fun. Wednesday night I went to see an KHL (the Russian pro hockey league) hockey game in Astana. One of the parents at our school scored a goal.
Then on Thursday, Nina went with Shari to the Japanese Emperor's birthday celebration.
On Friday night we had a babysitter for Sadie and went to the Charity Ball hosted by the Radison. Our camera battery died after we took five pictures. Hopefully, some of the other teachers who went will share their pictures with us. Nina was going to wear five inch heels but couldn't even make it to the car in them so she switched to the boots she had made in Shanghai. The food was good and over 2 million Tenge was raised but they probably spent that much just on the food and alcohol for everyone.
Saturday night was our staff Christmas party. Again, there was a lot of good food. We did a white elephant gift exchange which was a lot of fun. Everyone gets a number and that is the order you pick a wrapped present out of the pile. When it is your turn you can either pick a present out of the pile or steal someone's present that they already opened. Gifts can only be stolen twice so there is some strategy to getting the gift you want. Many couple worked together to make sure they got to keep what they wanted. I started out with a bunch of American candy and ended up with a book on poker strategy. Nina had to pick last and picked an unwrapped gift. It ended up being some lame candle holders, but overall it was a fun way to do a gift exchange.
Monday is Nina's birthday but we are planning on laying low. The last day of school for the year is Wednesday and we are going out after early dismissal with some of the staff for Nina's birthday.
Then on Thursday, Nina went with Shari to the Japanese Emperor's birthday celebration.
On Friday night we had a babysitter for Sadie and went to the Charity Ball hosted by the Radison. Our camera battery died after we took five pictures. Hopefully, some of the other teachers who went will share their pictures with us. Nina was going to wear five inch heels but couldn't even make it to the car in them so she switched to the boots she had made in Shanghai. The food was good and over 2 million Tenge was raised but they probably spent that much just on the food and alcohol for everyone.
Saturday night was our staff Christmas party. Again, there was a lot of good food. We did a white elephant gift exchange which was a lot of fun. Everyone gets a number and that is the order you pick a wrapped present out of the pile. When it is your turn you can either pick a present out of the pile or steal someone's present that they already opened. Gifts can only be stolen twice so there is some strategy to getting the gift you want. Many couple worked together to make sure they got to keep what they wanted. I started out with a bunch of American candy and ended up with a book on poker strategy. Nina had to pick last and picked an unwrapped gift. It ended up being some lame candle holders, but overall it was a fun way to do a gift exchange.
Monday is Nina's birthday but we are planning on laying low. The last day of school for the year is Wednesday and we are going out after early dismissal with some of the staff for Nina's birthday.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Even More Cute Sadie photos
We were stuck inside for most of last week due to the OSCE summit. On Dec 1 and 2 it snowed as well. Sadie wasn't into the snow; the wind was really blowing and it was pretty frigid outside. She lasted about 5 minutes before we all came back inside and she took off all of her clothes. It is a good thing our apartment is heated so well.
The other day she found our stash of blue stickers and had a blast playing with them.
Nina bought Sadie a plastic kitchen set to use in her playhouse. Sadie likes to make us fish and eggs on her little stove. She puts it in the pan, puts the lid on and then folds her arms across her chest while she waits for it to cook. When it is done she will put yogurt and spicy sauce on it for us. She also likes to pour us cups of tea and water.
The other day she found our stash of blue stickers and had a blast playing with them.
Nina bought Sadie a plastic kitchen set to use in her playhouse. Sadie likes to make us fish and eggs on her little stove. She puts it in the pan, puts the lid on and then folds her arms across her chest while she waits for it to cook. When it is done she will put yogurt and spicy sauce on it for us. She also likes to pour us cups of tea and water.
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