Down to the frozen river

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Friday, February 24, 2012

Today the temperature was up to -10C/14F, and the time seemed right to spend a sunny afternoon on the frozen Tuul River. A gusting wind, however, shortened our fun. Brrr! Nonetheless, there was time for some hot chocolate heated on the camp stove (thanks, U!) and much sliding and rolling about on the ice.

Note: UB's power plant in the background and the prayer flags in the bushes.

UB talent show

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

We celebrated the first day of Mongolian New Year with a talent show this afternoon. A danced, Frank recited poetry, and our neighbors' children recited poems in Russian... Everyone was awarded "first prize" cookies.

Day 1 of 5 at home...

Tsagaan Sar assembly

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Before the beginning of each Tsagaan Sar holiday, our school puts on a big assembly which highlights various aspects of Mongolian culture. The highlight for me of today's Tsagaan Sar assembly was, of course, watching the "baby animals" prance across the stage.

Click to view...

Hearts Day

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Last night A and I snuck out and decorated our neighbors' doors in honor of Valentine's Day...

E-bikes

Suzhou, China

Thursday, February 9, 2012

We arrived in Suzhou last night, and today the basketball tournament begins. I got up early and took a stroll around before heading off to the school where the games will be played. This trip to China is my first chance to get a look at these "e-bikes" ("e" as in electric). They sneak up on you silently so it's good to keep an eye out for them.

But, wow, there is no cloud of blue smoke or rattly-roar. Very exciting!

-17°C: Spring!

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Saturday, February 4, 2012

This afternoon Frank fired up the computer and soon joyfully announced that it was above 0° Fahrenheit (-18°C). That is SPRING compared to the last two weeks of bitter cold! I celebrated by going for a jog with one less layer of clothing. I also took along Frank's GPS watch and inscribed a message. See if you can read it...

100 days

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Next week in pre-school, A's class is celebrating the first 100 days of school. We were asked to bring in "100 of something"--legos, peanuts, whatever. Naturally, my mind turned to fabric bits. I cut, and A helped arrange them...

4 seasons

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Friday, February 3, 2012

With more and more time indoors, my friends and I recently produced another fabric creation. Lots of coffee and chocolate were consumed during the creative process, but this time, the inspiration was not mine.

"Four seasons" was the theme that my friends came up with. But please note that if this wall hanging were to represent Mongolia, the winter scene would make up more like half of the picture...