Getting Ready

Each day we continue to do a few more things to get ready for our new club for children with disabilities and their families.  We have found someone to make the special matts that we need.  We have also ordered flooring that will keep the children warm and comfortable and allow them to sit directly on the floor.  We are moving furniture and setting up the rooms to be functional and fun.  It is fun to see it all come together.  Check out the video below to find out more.  Our plan is to begin with a training on February 17-18th. 

Extending New Years - Eating Pineapple

One of our previous receptionists collected some money from her new co-workers at New Years in order for us to buy some gifts for children with disabilities.  It was fun to have some extra money to buy some toys and other things for the foster children I work with.  We bought a Russian scrabble game for the older children.  We were also able to purchase a tent/tunnel play area and a doctor kit for the younger children.  The laughter as they played was priceless.  It also gave them an opportunity to learn what the items in their medical kit were.  This might allow them to be less scared the next time they see a doctor.  

Additionally, we were able to buy some fruit to enjoy together.  Over the last several months,  I have realized that although they might have eaten pineapple before, they don’t know what it looks like.  As a result, I took whole fruit (pineapple, apple, orange, and banana) and cut the fruit in front of them giving them some to try.  They all really liked pineapple and now realize what it looks like before it is cut.  

Throughout the activity I continued to make statements that required them to correct me (pointing to the apple I would say “this is a pineapple, right”).  Coming into the activity they knew what an apple and banana were, but didn’t know the names for pineapple and orange.  It was so fun watching them learn new things.  

One of the best parts of the activity was watching the caregivers response.  They were really confused at first when I took out an entire pineapple, a knife, and a cutting board.  However, as I started making comments and asking questions, they realized I was using it as a learning experience.  They were able to see the value of the activity and also seemed to really enjoy it.  

I am so thankful for the donation that made all of this possible.  The children learned so much in one day and had fun at the same time.  

The Never-Ending New Years

I thought you might enjoy hearing about the New Year's activities that never seemed to end for me.  New Years is a huge holiday here.  It is the holiday where you have a decorated tree, put up lights, and Santa gives gifts.  Offices have New Year's parties and everyone celebrates with family.  It has been about five years since I have been able to celebrate New Years with my Kazakh family and this year was the most fun yet!

Before I started celebrations with my family, we were busy with celebrations at the office.  We had several different parties for different groups of people (see more on our Office Blog).  On our last day of work, we had an office party.  Some of our staff planned out games and activities for us.  We spent a fun three hours eating horse, making ice-cream sundaes, and laughing together.  I am so thankful for the staff I get to work with each and every day.

On the 30th I made fudge and pumpkin muffins for the upcoming festivities. Then, on the morning of the 31st I went to my Kazakh family's house and made a chocolate cake.  We waited at their house to hear from my Kazakh mom to let us know she was done with work.  Then, we drove several hours to the city of Shymkent, where my mom's parents live.  Her family was gathering to bring in the New Year together.

Upon arrival, we were given tea.  If you know anything about Kazakhs, you know that tea means a small meal (or big), not just tea.  A couple hours later, we enjoyed a traditional Kazakh feast of noodles with horse meat.  Afterwards, we had tea again.  (it was around 9-10pm by this time).  We put all the food away and visited with each other until about 11pm, when it was time to begin preparing for the New Year.  We started setting the table for the traditional meal that is eaten at midnight.  The table was crazy ... it was about 20 feet long and was covered.  There was no room for anything else.  We brought in the New Year together (toasting, watching a speech by the president, and eating food together) and then went outside to watch fireworks going off all over the city (we were on a hill overlooking the city, so we were able to see everything).  At 3 am we finally went to bed.  We had to move the table out of the way, to make room for all the mats where the girls would sleep in the living room.

The next morning we woke up and had another meal around 11 am.  Then, around 1pm, it was off to the village where my dad's family lives.  There, we went to four houses (two of which provided us with full meals while we just had tea and salads in another).  Around each table we toasted the New Year and we each spoke our blessings upon those seated at the table with us.  At this point I think I had had about 5 full meals in 24 hours and we weren't done yet.

The next day, my cousin who was married in the fall came to town and we had horse for lunch again. Then, my immediate family headed back to Taraz.  The next day we hung out together as a family because one of my Kazakh sisters was heading back to Astana, where she studies.

We had seven days off work for the holiday, since it fell near a weekend.  This allowed me to enjoy time with my family, but also enjoy several days of rest on my own.  I was even able to have some friends over to play games over the break.

I was blessed to be able to spend this special time with my Kazakh family this year.  Although I miss family and friends in the States, it is so fun to have a family here to celebrate special events with.  No matter where I live, I will always be missing out on something with my family.