A morning at the orphanage

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Each week, a group of teachers and students from our school goes to a local orphanage to hold babies and/or play with toddlers. This morning was my first chance to join the group on their weekly visit. Despite the warm and welcoming environment, I was surprised at how emotional it was for me to walk into the place.

Some of the kids have challenges that are quite apparent while others appear to be quite "normal" in their physical and social development.

I was glad for the chance to go. It helps to keep one focussed on the important stuff.

Recipe for an evening

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Friday, September 24, 2010

• 6 women from around the world
• 6 dishes from around the world
• 2 pretty okay bottles of wine
• some chocolate
• no husbands, partners or children

Mix well.

Guaranteed: a good meal, great stories, and laughing 'til it hurts...

UB Children's Park!

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Under the blazing mid-morning sun, we ventured out to the very newly re-opened Children's Park here in UB. Apparently the park's remake has been more than three years in the making. Good thing they got it (mostly) done now because winter will be a-comin' before long. But today was blazing hot, and gorgeous--in the shade. We enjoyed a few rides and the pretty open spaces--and then retreated to the relative cool of our apartment.

"turning Henry"

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Saturday, September 4, 2010

This week was A's birthday and for weeks she has been talking about wanting a "Henry cake." Why, Henry, you ask and NOT a Thomas cake? (After all, Thomas is her true hero.) Pook logic goes like this: A is turning 3, and Henry is Engine #3.

Therefore, she wanted a Henry cake.

Well, anyhow, here it is: one engine, two coaches.

Capture the flag

Terelj National Park, Mongolia

Friday, September 3, 2010

I just finished spending three days at ger camp with my students. The big hit this year with the kids was "capture the flag," which they played amongst the scrub and rolling terrain of this lovely place. My job was to serve as some kind of border guard between the territories. However, I'm afraid I wasn't clear enough on the rules to be of much use to either team...

This year's weather was a spectacular improvement over the rain and snow we had last year at camp.

Pictured here: one team's jail house.