Pink trains, orange pumpkins

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Friday, October 29, 2010

Tonight was A's first time to go trick-or-treating. The original plan was for her to dress up as Thomas the Tank Engine, but a last minute request to be a "girl engine" required a change in plans. One of the "secure" communities in UB sponsors a trick-or-treat evening, and I was only grateful that it wasn't too cold to be outside. This time last year I remember that it was much colder.

Yes, it was odd to be wandering around in Ulaanbaatar trick-or-treating. Houses were decorated with all manner of ghosts and ghouls and at least one werewolf answered the door when we knocked. A seemed to take much of it in stride.

A went home content with her 10 or 12 pieces candy. Three is a great age.

Thanks to a different A for her help in painting the costume.

Riding brown camels

South Gobi desert, Mongolia

Thursday, October 28, 2010

From the top of sand dune in the South Gobi, Frank managed to send me this text yesterday: "Just rode six hours on camels." From the elevation on the dunes, he had just enough reception to receive and send one text.

I spent this week in UB while Frank, B and R wandered the Gobi. Frank reports that the two highlights of trip were staying with Mongolian families in their gers and the camel adventure in the dunes.

PS: Yes, they are wearing their parkas in the desert. After all, it IS winter here!

Great pictures, R--

Gold and silver

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Sunday, October 24, 2010

It's a pretty touristy thing to do when you're in Mongolia, but since this is the week we're giving a tour of the place to family, Frank decided to give it a try: for about a dollar you can hold a golden eagle for a few minutes and have your picture taken.

Frank seems to be enjoying himself, no?

Next stop was the giant Genghis Khan (Chinggis Khan) statue.

The Rajah's Rice (and other mathematical tales)

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Friday, October 22, 2010

Lately I have been inspired to read to my math students a bit more often. I recently acquired a copy of The Rajah's Rice for A. It's a version of the "rice on the checkerboard" story, which is a perfect fit for a unit on exponential functions. Another favorite of mine is The Quilt Maker's Gift which I read recently to my class during our "shape" unit.

EVERYBODY seems to love being read to, whatever their age.

International games

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Thursday, October 21, 2010

Exuberant is the only word for it. From the next room I heard pounding--and when I came to investigate, I found the 12th graders engaged in a hearty round of game from Korea which they had just learned as part of International Day. In the morning we had a Parade of Nations where all the kids dressed up in their national costumes (Americans tend to get stuck wearing the flag or cowboy boots), but the highlight of the day seemed to be the games they got to learn. Don't know the name of this game or how to play it, but the students were surely having a GREAT time.

Welcome, hearty travellers!

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Uncle R and Aunt B arrived last night for a 2 week visit--yay!

They came bearing apples (honey crisps!) from Yakima and a wagon-load of other food -- and new books for A. But mostly, they bring their good company and a sense of home.

Now, we must try to keep them entertained, warm, and fed for the next two weeks.

Welcome to Mongolia!

"It's like Costco, but without the food"

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Thursday, October 14, 2010

On our way home from work today, Frank and I stopped at the new store in our apartment complex. My colleagues were all a-buzz about the opening of this new store, and we thought we'd better check it out. You never know what you might find there...

Mostly, it seems, someone emptied out part of a Costco store in the States and shipped it over to Mongolia--vitamins, dried fruit, bottled drinks of various kinds, pencils, party napkins...

We managed to buy two items, and as we exited the store, Frank famously remarked that "it was like Costco, but without the food."

Alas, there was not a single item in that store that could form the basis of a meal.

Tessellate!

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Today was the end of our "shape" unit and the majority of my students have finished their tessellation projects. They got to choose between sewing, cutting fabric shapes, or multi-media.

Pictured is one of the finished projects.

Nice job, R!

Mongolian circus!

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Sunday, October 10, 2010

We attended a Mongolian circus show tonight, and it was wonderful. Somehow I think I was expecting acrobats and contortionists, but thought there might be a few clowns or whatever. The thinking was that it was something that A might enjoy.

The show was dazzling! Women dangling from hoops from the ceiling, flying about on trapeze swings, and descending from voluminous scarves that hung from the rafters, and men tossing each other into the air. It's difficult to describe, but it was a spectacular performance.

Wow.

Sakura bakery

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Just north of the Circus lies a lovely little Japanese bakery called Sakura. Fine cakes, cream puffs, and fruit & nut tarts are to be found in the bakery case. But, best of all, is the savory bowl of udon noodles on the short luncheon menu.

Don't miss it.

UB farmers' market

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Saturday, October 9, 2010

I don't think it will be around much longer this fall, but today I found a farmers' market here in UB. Mostly potatoes, carrots, beets and more of the same, but there were also lovely splashes of color.

Next year, I'll get here earlier in the season!

Pictured here: seabuckthorn, lingon berries(?), blue berries, rose hips, and black currants(?).

UB shapes

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Saturday, October 9, 2010

I am teaching a unit on "shape" in 10th grade right now, which has caused me to be almost hyper-sensitive to the geometry around me. Suddenly, the sidewalks are all tessellating, and oddly-shaped buildings are leaping out at me. Saw this nice gas cap today, too.

Team Origami

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Thursday, October 7, 2010

The omens for our origami field trip did not look very good this morning. UB's traffic was so bad this morning that more than 50% of our students had not arrived by the starting bell. I tried to keep up hope that our trip would not be cancelled due to the traffic nightmare that has lately ensnarled UB.

An hour later, things looked much better and off we went. My 10th graders did wonderfully with the younger children, and (I think!) a good time was had by all.

I love unit origami.

Sunday scones

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Sunday, October 3, 2010

In preparation for an origami party at a friend's house today, A and I set to work baking some scones. When I found her hiding the measuring spoons in the flour tin, she said " I am making cupcakes because a lot of children like cupcakes."

It's a great scone recipe:

Oatmeal Scones with Raisins or Dates
(or dried cranberries or whatever dried fruit you have)

Baked at 450 F (or hot oven)

Whisk together in bowl:

1 ½ cups all purpose flour (or whole wheat works well too)
¼ cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt

Stir in, using your fingers if necessary to separate the fruit:

1 ¼ cups old fashioned rolled oats
½ cup dried fruit

Whisk together then add all at once:

1 large egg
10 tablespoons (1 ¼ stick) warm melted butter – I usually use just 1 stick (8 TBL)
1/3 cup milk

Mix with a rubber spatula, wooden spoon, or fork just until the dry ingredients are moistened. The batter will be sticky. Transfer to floured surface (or just do directly on cookie sheet – this works fine with the less butter version). Pat into an 8 inch round about ¾ inch thick, cut into 8 or 12 wedges.

Bake until lightly browned (10 -12 minutes).

Serve warm & enjoy! (Thanks for the recipe, C!)

Winter is a-comin'

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Yesterday morning it snowed. They were big flaky snowflakes, and they didn't stick around long, but it was definitely snow. On the way to work, the hills surrounding UB were also covered in white.

Today's visit to the Naran Tuul (the Black Market) revealed stacks of long underwear, hats, and boots of all kinds on display.

Yep, winter is a-comin'.

Welcome, Baby B!

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Friday, October 1, 2010

Colleagues gathered this afternoon after a long week of work to celebrate a coming baby. Out came the fabric, and we decorated "the world" with landmarks and/or special features of our home countries. Later, I'll finish it with a border and a backing.

Welcome, Baby B!

(Nice job, A, on laying out the continents for us!)