Day 42

Oh the frustration of opening bank accounts remotely. We had tried to do this November last year in Eastbourne, but because of money laundering regulations and the fact we had mentioned Kazakhstan for a job, it took a long time to open the account and migrate away from our former bank. But we’re now waiting on an internet device to turn up from the UK, which is probably stuck in Almaty somewhere as the customs officials decide how much we should pay for it. Of course our mortgage provider and credit card companies are quite interested in being paid. On the plus side, when it arrives all stress will ease and having a HSBC account across the Eurasian continent will be rather useful.

Had a fun day ordering lots of equipment. At least it is a case of putting lots of items on a wish list and then waiting patiently for several months to see if (1) there will be any funds allocated to it, (2) whether they will approve the item, (3) whether they will negotiate with the supplier for a fixed percentage discount, (4) move on to issuing a tender for bespoke, specialist items, (5) find out how much import duties will be, (6) electrical testing of a bespoke item by someone who has never seen this equipment before and (7) finding the space for final installation and hoping that we can plug it in to the right power outputs without tripping the university’s power station. At the very least I understood a bit more about procurement. My worry was that there was no clear procedure. And I was right.

Also strangely enjoyed having yet another student come to query my marking scheme for some homework assignment where I gave marked them down by 1 mark on the whole paper (19 in total). It was also curious that students here expect lecturers to drop everything and instantly know how to solve a problem they found in a book related to the subject they had a lecture on a month ago. They certainly provide a lot of entertainment.

Took Rebekah out for a chocolate milkshake and a cookie this evening. Poor girl is feeling rough too, but I think the trip helped ease the pain. She wants to come back to the UK and have home schooling but close to her friends. I said this could not happen. So she wants a compromise where she goes to school in the morning and then home school for the afternoon. I think we’re all feeling that we could export our friends to Astana. You are all sorely missed!

Last night I heard from my sister that my gran had been taken into hospital; collapsed after what they think was food poisoning. Just made the distance feel that little bit greater. Already bad enough that my pseudo-sister decided to have a marriage ceremony slap bang between having left for Kazakhstan and when we intend to return. Love you Laura!

One great thing about living at Riverside is that we are above an exclusive food shop, which is really expensive for most items. But after 8pm all their freshly baked goods are half price. So Ali has enjoyed the best Kazakhstani chocolate muffin. The other exciting news was use of the milk jug we purchased yesterday (yes we know how to live it up in Astana!), but Matthias will have to tell you all about that.

 

Ali was offered a potential job teaching English. Could be interesting. Though she would have to leave the country in order to apply for a work visa. Might have to consider it when back in UK.

Ray