Day 82

3D movies in the home! I'm sure I said before that NU offers an interesting mix in their care package. Most of the grumbles have been aired before as well as the highlights. Although Ali would rather trade the 3D tv in for a larger kitchen (as would I), we watched Monsters University in 3D after the kids went to sleep. Very impressive technology right there in your home. Not that we could watch a lot of 3D tv. Began to cause headaches, so will have to be careful with the children. But tomorrow night is their surprise. And on a school night too.

Today managed to get back home for lunch with the family, then walked them down to the play park on my return to work. Was followed by a dog all the way. I tried to scare the dog and it ran off, but always kept coming back. With one final scaring away the dog, I left my family at the play park only to get a call from Ali a few minutes later to say that she abandoned it and sought refuge inside the university. The dog came back. It is difficult to know the temperament of any animal, especially a wild dog and none of my family is particularly happy with dogs about.

So we have an over abundance of security guards who sit around staring at you, when they could be out there trying to keep the university clear of wild animals. A bit of exercise might cheer them up a little bit too.

Get to fid out how much common sense the Kazakhstani students have tomorrow. We're going through safety in engineering, which is an excuse to watch a lot of violent explosions. I also came across a video whilst putting this presentation together of a man free climbing a 1,700 ft tower. My hands are still sweating at the thought. I could probably make it to the part where the caging disappears, but with no chance of climbing back down under my own power.  

Ray

Day 81

Happy Mother's Day. Certainly in the minority of those who celebrated it in Kazakhstan today. Other expats look towards May and the locals who have probably wrapped up that celebration with International Women's Day. So tried to ensure Ali felt as special as she is to us with eggs benedict (only without the ham, toast instead of muffin and an easier alternative to Hollandiase sauce), a relaxing morning and then onto Segafredo close to where we used to live at Riverside. The children enjoyed it too as there were a few kids play things in Segafredo, so Ali and I could stare out of the window and remark how different Astana looks without the snow and ice. Often the comment "didn't notice that was there before" escaped our lips knowing full well that it was buried in several feet of snow for the past few months.

Met up with other Christian expats today and also played guitar with another guitarist, which has been a very long time since I last did that - possibly TRBC in Horsham days with Doug and crew. Came across a couple who have returned to Astana after a long break back home. They had lost their child and you can see the grief etched into every sinew and fibre. It is remarkeable how much courage they have just to continue day by day. It is also a powerful lesson that for all the woes and drama we experience in our lives, an event like that puts everything into perspective. It is not to say that the other things do not matter, but they matter a whole lot less when faced with this. My thoughts turn to Laura (my pseudo-sister) and Duncan who had the anniversary of the passing of Jasmine recently. Howard Nowlan. Daren Nowlan. Steve and Gail Whitington. The list goes on. You are inspiration.

Ray

Day 80

One tired out little girl - hoping Daddy's
T-shirt will help me sleep

Things looking very different without as much snow. Mud and kind of brown looking grass appearing everywhere. We did try out the very tiny children's play area which seemed to be a hit.

Ray rose to the challenge of making homemade custard to accompany my apple crumble so spent much of the afternoon over the stove. It was a huge success (eventually!) and we enjoyed being the Whitby hosts for a lovely evening with the wise couple from downstairs!

Ali

Simple Saturdays. Lazy morning with the kids, started to think about tonights meal, tried to make custard, tried to make custard again. Hmm, and again. Finally figured it out.

Basically we stayed on campus, went to find the play park (the one that is open), went to find the gym (the one that is open) and also the mini-market (the one that is open). Notice any trends? We know the uni is young and there are lots of issues, but today we nearly had a serious accident. As we were walking back into Block 38, a piece of marble tile fell from somewhere above and nearly hit the girls. Obviously don't want to think what would have happened if it had. Suffice to say that this is one step too far. The Block obviously has been rushed, leaving a series of issues. I guess it is comforting to know that despite the moans and groans of the UK, a building like this would result in major fines for the landlords and probable closure until it was rectified. At least the manager has taken this seriously, though I doubt it would be nothing more than a cursory investigation to see where it came from and check if any more from that area is likely to come down.



Heads up

On the plus side, cooked roast chicken and invited a UK couple over. Gerrald is working for UCL at NU and Lina has taken our children as surrogates grandchildren. Lina is teaching Rebekah to knit!

Parenting is always a concern in a building with paper thin walls, but then without consistency the children tend to run riot. We are hearing this from the family living beneath us. It's gone 23:15 and the doors are slamming, children screaming and hear a lot of stomping. Curious though that there are so many security guards in Block 38 (more so the the Canadian Embassy as we were told by one worker there who lives in Block 38) and they do nothing except stare at you.

So in continuing to parent our children, I asked them how we can get them to do what they are told straight away, without any groaning, moaning, sulking and complaining. Matthias said that if we want him to go to his bedroom to get ready for bed without any problems then we leave a trail of chocolates on the floor for him to follow. Think he may have watched Monsters Inc a few too many times.

Ray

Day 79

A day of partial of frustration with NU policies and management. Felt like I was telling my boss what he should be doing. I wouldn't mind but he is a full professor and I am not. Think I still have a problem with egotism and unrealistic equality. And of course the university is young. Repeat to fade. Really must figure out a plan of action of surviving this situation. I am not yet ready to return to Brighton Uni. Was also slightly disappointed when analysing some images that my graphene oxide samples did not have single atoms of caesium covering the surface. Only took me 2 hours to figure that out.

Had a visit from my family for lunch which was great. And also had a lads evening with Matthias and Harry Potter (Prisoner of Azkaban).

Not writing much this evening. Just got back from a run of the stairs and trying not to be sick.

It's the weekend and hoping for uninterrupted sleep tonight. Roast chicken tomorrow!

Ray

Day 78

A tricky day to write about. Not a lot happened that contrasted life here in Astana with that back in Eastbourne. Perhaps our first experience of the daily grind. I don't think Ali seeing pictures of the Eastbourne beach front or the Beach Cafe helped, so it would be nice to know that it is all going downhill and nothing much is being missed; except the bacon.

Although, the taxi ordering situation has become exceptionally frustrating. Ali phoned, NU reception didn't understand at first. We wait 30 minutes without any call, so I phone them and reception asks whether we are still waiting. Another 10 minutes go by and I phone again. Another 10 minutes go by and I phone again. Suddenly the taxi appears (at the wrong door to the shopping centre) and there's already a passenger in the car. They see we are a group of 5 and then she exits the taxi. If this was a one-off it would not be too bad, but taxi ordering times are all over the place. We try and predict a 30 minute delay on another day, I go and do some shopping and no sooner do I get down the first aisle when Ali is calling me to say the taxi has arrived.

Perhaps it would not be so bad without children, but that is not possible for us without babysitters. What gets my slightly strange dairy animal is that just outside one could find several taxis waiting for business and yet not one of these ever appears to be on the call list for NU reception. Of course if we had learned some Russian we could negotiate with one of these for a similar price and hope that we say the address clearly enough.

But we now have chocolate chip cookies and all is, once again, okay with the world. Alright, so it isn't unless one is very blinkered and I believe humans are instrinsically egocentric and their boundaries are usually measured by their sphere of direct influence. And so chocolate chip cookies can help me in my small corner of the universe.

Ray

Day 77

A day of two halves. Worked in the office in the morning and worked in the office in the afternoon. Only where the offices are located are a secret and looks like NU workers need a measure of deniability. There is a strict boots under the table policy, but how strict is strict no-one really knows. NU have at least stopped people flying off to Zanzibar and claiming they are working from the pool side at a hotel.

We had the Block 38 work crew come and attempt to fix the radiators again. But it's several hours later and the radiators are still full on. At least they came and tried and were polite about it. Spent some time with the family skating on the first floor of Block 38 and chasing the cleaning staff. They all appear gruff until you smile and wave and then they are a little lost and end up smiling in return. Perhaps its something to do with lack of creativity. Who came up with "Block 38" as a name for a set of residential apartments for staff? Sounds more like sun block factor to me. But on the up side, at least it is easier to direct taxis on site.

So, I have now submitted my request for a research trip. Not sure what my Dean will say. It'll either be to the UK, Japan or staying put in Kazakhstan. Trying not to get my hopes up, but it could turn into a busy Summer. Otherwise it'll be tasking the first cohort of PhD students with all my ideas in September, assuming we can get approval for the PhD program. But then I'll be lecturing back to back classes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels until new staff arrive.

Just had a Skype conversation with my Gran. That was her first ever internet and Skype experience. Thank goodness for modern technology and working internet in Kazakhstan. Ali was remarking today that we are blessed to be in a country that depsite certain restrictions and "difficult to understand why" policies, at least we have a lot of modern conveniences. Our hats go off and hearts go out to all those in countries where internet is a luxury, hot running water is a pipe dream and KFC is a glorious distant memory.

Ray

 

Day 76

I have always wondered why I have an incessant focus to complete the task at hand. It is why I “get into” a lot of things and equally, to the frustration of my wife, I become obsessed with so many different activities. I get lost in films or games, so much so that Alison can barely draw anything but a few mumbled words from me that have no bearing on the conversation. I am the proud owner of inline skates, two road bikes, a mountain bike, a radio controlled petrol driven car (1.2cc engine), a Warhammer 40,000 army, a Bloodbowl game, Starfleet Battles with expansion pack, Warrior Knights, have an electric guitar and brought another acoustic guitar quite recently; the list goes on.

It is why am back into running, cannot give up the hunt for the World’s best cheeseburger and always on the search for an advanced laptop (now Ultrabook) for “work”.

It is why I have to avoid MMOGs, why I need to ensure my credit card is blocked if they ever produce a full costume for WH40K, why I have to reign in my ego when it comes to checking my research profile.

I yearn to find completion. I desire to be the very best. I set goals which are realistic, but it takes precious time and energy. 

And I now realise why I am this way.

LEGO made me.

Have you ever felt that growing excitement? The satisfaction that you are on the right path? How about the anticipation of a job well done? That you have completed your goals and produced something to be truly proud of? That is what LEGO has done to me. Seeded it early in my life, brainwashed me, hoodwinked me into needing to achieve in order to get that endorphin release. It is a powerful rush. And the complexity of the LEGO set has to grow in order to increase the endorphin kick.

I have just spent 30 minutes today assembling LEGO models with Matthias and I realised I am still wanting to live this rush by buying my son the toys that I really desire. I am currently in distraction therapy and Matthias has benefitted from expanding his LEGO collection. My concerns have now switched to Ali. I have seen her eyeing these super cool new LEGO sets for girls...

It was a really good day and the best way to spend my final day of the Nauryz holiday with those I love the most. And I am not talking about the LEGO TIE Fighter and the LEGO Sarlacc.

Ray

Day 75

If you ever wonder whether economic sanctions could have an impact, I believe it depends on how much individuals are willing to endure. For nations it will be the suffering endured by the majority of the populous and how much grumbling can be kept under wraps by the leadership. Isaac Asimov wrote about an interesting perspective in Foundation. You might think this is pointing in the direction of comments on Russia given the events in Crimea; they certainly can withstand a cold shoulder from the rest of the world (barring China) for some time. I was actually thinking about Pyrex.

Today we purchased a load of Pyrex dishes from one of the supermarkets in Astana. Of course Pyrex is made in France and it made me wonder how much grumbling my life (and my wife?) would be if I couldn’t get access to Pyrex. Silly really. But actually trying to cook anything more elaborate than super noodles and suddenly you will miss having kitchen utensils and cookware if you could not get them in the country. So this is a roundabout way of me saying I am very happy that we managed to buy Pyrex dishes and very much looking forward to a roast at the weekend.

We also experienced refunds in Kazakhstan. Quite an elaborate process. I had to explain that my inline skates had a fault, showed them it, they attempted a repair and couldn’t. They offered a replacement and I tried to negotiate a better model and pay the difference. Well it all worked and thankfully the guy in the store spoke good enough English to translate to the store manager. And after 20 minutes of filling in various forms, showing them my passport and signing what I can only assume are the refund forms, I can expect the money to be credited to my card in 3 to 5 working days. This allowed me to purchase the new set of skates. So slightly different operation in Kazakhstan than the UK, but I believe it worked. And this is my long way of saying I am also the proud owner of some black and fluorescent yellow inline skates. Now all I need is some rainbow striped protective gear and shell suit to complete my outfit.

Ray

 

Day 74

Such a lazy day. Spent most of the morning in pyjamas milling about doing almost nothing, which seemed to be exactly what we needed. I was even fortunate enough to get catnap in too before heading off for Sunday afternoon get together with the flock. The taxi ride past a few sites of Astana showed a certain after party feel, but when the party took place I am not exactly sure. Seems that they have packed up and moved on.

I believe spending time here for holidays is going to be tough. There is not a lot to do and not a lot in the surrounding area, which I believe I mentioned before. Plus NU's policy for holidays is perhaps understandable but disagreeable. So I will have to take a limited amount of time off work during Summer and then the rest at Christmas, as there is no chance anymore of carrying days over into a New Year and you get nothing for not taking them.

My educated guess is that Kazakhstanis are family and friend orientated, by and large and so spending time on holidays or simply days off are time to spend with others. All fine by me, except that the majority of my family and friends are still in the UK. I also see that NU policy has been developed in response to some curious events that happened near NU's inception, but rather than deal with the problem individuals, they have come up with more ingenious ways of trying to ensure it could never happen again.

Thankfully the security have relented a little over allowing taxis onsite, but not sure for how much longer. They are staffing all exits and entrances and give you the "Soviet Stare". If I didn't look non-Kazakh enough, I also wet-shaved my head. Easier than getting my staff card out! Slight concern will be trying to get off and on site when I get my bike. I don't think the barriers are tall enough to duck under and alas are long enough so that I cannot go right down the centre. Need a creative workaround.

Ray

Day 73

So the snow is finally melting & it's actually feeling a much more sensible temperature. Ray tried to convince me before we came that the winter was only a few short months but on doing my calculations it seems there has been almost 3 months of snow since Christmas & if it started a month or two before that then it really is almost half a year of snow... That's a lot!  Although I know that in the boiling hot temperatures of August I shall be longing for it to snow. I continue to believe that I was born for a British climate!

A great family day. We have given the children the whole week off school as they didn't get a half term break. I am super impressed with Ray who managed to cook a roast chicken in our new 1 metre square kitchen. I was a little sceptical before he began but he did an amazing job and the children were delighted to have gravy again after so long!

Ali

Fun day with the family. Went out to Khan Shatyr and the receptionist actually understood what Ali had said. This has been a battle for a few weeks. It helped to say something along the lines of "Hun Shutup", but I either take it personally or suffer the insult and we get to where we are going. The kids took great delight in repeating it over and over again.

We did 2 lots of roller blading and I managed a run of the stairs, so we are nicely working off the vast quantities of cheeseburgers we had since arriving in Kazakhstan. The downside of the roller blading is that I really like the technology behind it, so have become interested in the type of polyurethane they are using in the wheels and its durometer rating and what is good for the marbleised floor tiles they have downstairs. "Hun shutup" I hear Ali cry; ah, now I know the distinction.

I believe it finally made it to plus 5 degrees C today and the snow is in rapid melt, which means the city's greyness is coming through. It also means the smells of the sewers and creeping through too. Hopefully once all is melted, then the smell will not last, otherwise with a warm Summer things could get riper per than a piece of Brie left on a radiator at full blast.

A saving grace about the Nauryz festival is that work on the building site had stopped for the day. We did try to find some aspects of the festival, but failed. There were some plastic horses and traditional huts, but we had seen them on the way to another shopping centre yesterday. I am still trying to understand the nature of this celebration. There's singing, dancing and eating of food, some competitive games, at least what I remember from last year, but very little focal point other than people celebrating. I think if they could label it, "be happy today day" then I could grasp that. But this whole 5 day event seems rather devoid of meaning. Hopefully a Kazakhstani will take pity on me and explain what it is truly all about.

Matthias took great delight when his Dad attempted a small jump on his inline skates and ended up on his backside. He then proceeded to chase me down the corridor saying "do it again Dad". Poor boy is in for a few surprises on his Wedding Day.

Ray

Day 72

Enjoyed a day off work, so spent it with family going round a shopping centre and being drowned out with festive music. At least people are cheerful and getting in to the spirit of celebrating spring. I of course joined them with a customary cheeseburger. We also decided to purchase some roller blades for me and spent the afternoon terrorising the cleaning staff as the Whitbys bladed around the first floor, trying not to fall over (at least Ali and I were).

Cannot quite believe that we have been in Astana for this long, but there has been plenty of drama to keep us occupied. Finding out that single bedroom flats have 4 electrical sockets in their kitchen was quite strange when we have only 1. I would love to know what was going through the architects mind when they came up with that decision. Still, everything is still new and shiny. One downside was how thin the walls and ceilings are. Any little sound transmits quite audibly through to the neighbours (and vice versa). That will take some getting used to. I feel I am designed for a detached dwelling and not even sure if I could cope going back to Central Avenue. Perhaps our neighbours will sell up so we can get next door, though we would miss them!

There is a crazy pricing strategy in Astana. You can buy one Disney puzzle for £1.50 and the next one for £5, similar finish and number of pieces and both well-recognised movies. Lego is either really expensive or suddenly on 50% sale, so the Tie Fighter the Matthias got for Christmas is now £20 and I am tempted to buy one just for me or wait until the X-Wing is reduced in price.

But I did buy Ali a present today. For all the hard work she has done over the last few months (and years), she is now the proud owner of a washing basket and washing up bowl. Who says romance is dead? ;-)

Ray

Day 71

So it looks like my youngest children and I are due for a chat. Just settled to write a blog entry and noticed that my wallet was open on the desk. On closer inspection it is missing all the coins and the credit cards, but not any notes. A quick search has failed to turn them up and they are all asleep. So will have to rely on them remembering where they put them when I see them at breakfast. It is a sign of things to come. When the notes go missing I'll know that time has arrived. Or Ali has run short again.

Heading into Nauryz, locals are getting excited. I received a carving of a dombra for going into the coffee shop. This evening we received our second internet delivery and it was the first time of ordering a whole chicken. Had been a lot reluctant until now. So unpacking the chickens, both were in the same bag and some lump of unidentifiable product in a smaller bag. Ali looked horrified and I thought it was giblets, wrapped them up in a bag and put them outside. About 2 hours later I decided to double check the list of items we ordered. Turns out we were missing beef steak...

Had lunch today with my wonderful family at work. Though it is slowly thawing outside, the wind has picked up and nearly blew them away. So much for living closer to work. It is safer to get the coach right up to the front door of the uni. Still they braved it in and back again and I like the fact that everyone looks at us. I am slowly training my children to stick their tongues out at people when Ali isn't looking. I don't think she has yet caught on.

I am properly in training for fitness and regaining my youthful vigour. Plus I ordered my new bike today. My hope is that Kazakhstani customs will leave it alone. And that we stay in Kazakhstan so I can use it. There is a chance my Dean will let me go to another country to get some research done. But perhaps I can take one less child and keep the bike instead?

With the holiday tomorrow a few staff have flown the coup. When trying to find out what is there in the local area around Astana, searches have drawn up a big blank. A 4 hour car drive will get us to some destination of interest, but the journey is not favoured by children. Would be much easier to fly somewhere instead.

Nauryz kutti bolsin!

Ray

Day 70

Was reassured today after a frank conversation with HR personnel. Though it will take time to see if anything will pan out and steps taken to correct the fiasco experienced. I was told that we (foreign staff) are wanted and I have no reason to doubt it. Only that it is difficult to fully accept such a statement when the events have occurred in the manner of their choosing. I guess there needs to be better dialogue in future. But the contract situation needs to be resolved very quickly.

Rapidly heading towards the holidays (Nauryz) and so placed another internet shopping order. Not wanting to panic buy, but we have little idea how available shops and transportation will be during this period. It sounds like there will be lots of crazy celebrations. So will be interesting to see if we can join one of them for an hour so as not to stress the children. At least it is not like the Festival of Colours in India (Holi), but maybe I could through some coloured powder and see what happens...

Temperatures are finally hitting the postive centigrade part of the scale, but only during the day. Leaving the snow and rain to freeze overnight and leaving us with an ice skating rink where ever we go. Have to develop a silly walk mixed with a shuffle in order to limit slipping. Not sure I could get a grant from the Ministry of Silly Walks though.

Small success; Rebekah managed to scoot with both feet off the ground. I've only been trying to get her to do this for about a year!

Ray

Day 69

Had some revelation today after a chat with one of the managers who orchestrated the foreigners move from Riverside to Block 38. I tried to discuss the lack of space in the kitchen and how a 1 bedroom apartment had twice the space for less people. I was told there were no other rooms available. It appears the university management had reserved all the largest rooms for their own people, leaving us with what was left. I said we could not afford to privately rent given that the university will not subsidise us the value of these apartments. I tried to say that without any resolution how could my family be expected to live in this apartment and that it would leave very little choice but to resign and move home. The response summed up the problem. I was told that this attitude of giving ultimatums would be considered blackmail by the senior managers. 

It seems that the local staff are attuned to us foreigners being greedy materialists who are unhappy with anything the locals provide. Perhaps not all, but a lot of emails and discussions contain similar themes. Trying to understand our position does not seem to be an option. I am going to try and talk to some of our local staff tomorrow.

It also made me feel great after haranguing her for this attitude that she said she is leaving the job in a few days to take care of her sick mother. 

We had our first internet shopping delivery today. They got everything right although we were unsure of the swap items. And only £1.75 for next day delivery. The selection was not as great but all the produce appeared in good order. 

Ray

Day 68

Arnie Schwarzenegger moment,
"I'll be Bach"

Our first day of school in our new home seemed to go well although not hugely productive.  It was interrupted by various workmen fixing or checking various issues... Frustrating for me but a treat for the children to have so many breaks! Walking (or more like slipping and sliding on the icy slush) to meet daddy for lunch was very exciting for them and I think they made Ray look particularly cool amongst students and staff as they were dressed as Alice (from wonderland!), Spider-Man and Rapunzel! 

The delivery of our new piano was an extra special highlight of the day! Music lessons here we come!

Ali

Apologies in continuing the saga, but we feel it is important to update those that are interested in how the developments through recent turmoil are going and to anyone who might be considering coming to NU who would benefit from some insight.

There were a low number of people who refused to sign the residential contract on Saturday and turns out a greater number of people who refused to sign a few years ago. But today the universities separate entity for dealing with foreign staff found a way to get their own back. Today it was announced that the foreign staff would get their 20% pay rise to get back in line with pre-devaluation of the tenge. But in order to get this you have to sign all forms, including the residential agreement, and accept a new social policy contract (basically the benefits). In the benefits a lot of perks are downsized. They have cut travelling anywhere in the world for your holiday and restricted to only flying back to the country of origin. Not a major problem for us, but would have been nice to use the same cash value to fly somewhere else. So it is a bit silly of the university to change that. In the new contract it now stipulates that the accommodation provided is not considered large, so just bring your toothbrush! They actually said bare essentials, so a change of socks might also fit.

Turns out that the residential contract also stipulates that the tenants are liable for any wear and tear and by signing this contract we have empowered this organisation to access our pay, without any ability to oppose and challenge their charges.

And just to make the foreign staff feel a part of this dynamic university by taking some perks away, they say that if you are a vice-Dean and above and your flight is over 5 hours, including any stopover waits, then you are entitled to business class seats. And your spouse / partner and any dependants too. So essentially it feels like a “stuff you little people, you are not important enough” mentality. This borders insanity. They don’t want staff to abuse their contracts by taking these perks away, they say that money is low and they struggle to find funds for awarded research projects, and then splash out on many thousands per flight for their senior management team.

Oh, should add that if anyone from NU senior management team happens to be reading this, I hope you see the hypocrisy of these events and the growing despair in the lower ranks. Perhaps this is by design? I have no real problem with senior staff flying long distance having a nicer seat, though any staff travelling long distance for work should be given this too. I would also be fine that it is a perk for holidays for senior staff, but then you really should not be disclosing these perks to the rest of us. And then giving the business class benefit to their whole family too!

As you might imagine, there is a growing concern within the lower echelons of staff. We have a number of champions who are trying to fight this, but the top down directives are difficult to disperse.

As for the kitchen, well it will be a long struggle to fight the allocation. I am still in awe at the incredulousness of a manager who thought that designing a small kitchen in a “larger” apartment and having a “larger” kitchen in a small apartment would be perfectly acceptable. Was also told today that an oven not screwed into the kitchen unit is perfectly acceptable too as you have to deliberately pull at it to move it.

There’s only so far the excuse of “we’re a new university” can cover the mistakes being made and in ten years time when I look back, I hope it will be with detached fondness or exasperated glee.

Ray

Day 67

A tiring day. Mostly trying to recover from the stress of yesterday and the week. A manager got in touch to say that all the issues on the apartment I raised would be dealt with and offered many suggestions. The problem was that one of them was for us to buy an electrical extension lead and plug it into the socket just above the sink in the kitchen, so that we could plug the toaster and the kettle in at the same time. I guess that often health and safety is not a priority to some or once again they just do not think it through. Another was for us to buy a special cleaning fluid and clean the apartment to get rid of any grouting stains. I was less than pleased. After sending a plumber, he managed to resolve the leak in the kitchen, by flooding the kitchen and leaving me to dry it, managed to turn one radiator down to halfway heat (whilst being fully switched off) and unable to do anything about the other radiator. I should be thankful it’s a Sunday and there was service, but I reckon that we will be paying the bills whilst they try and fix their mistakes. Whilst we appear to struggle with (what is for us) a few problems, the place itself is quite nice, despite the tiny kitchen. Managed to cook a meal for all 5 of us, but it was a very simple affair, having to balance plates, cookware, dirty dishes, sauces, all within our small workspace.

Was really please with what they had provided in the kitchen. Some excellent knives and cookware. Just wish they provided a sink plug or a washing up bowl. Ray had to improvise by using the largest pan. At least we don’t have to bathe our children this way. Anymore!

Ali had a great idea and that is to get those making these decisions to come and try for themselves, rather than making policies from afar. But this type of management only occurs in Undercover Boss. Tomorrow I try and meet with one of my managers. I doubt much can be done. I suspect that some of the Kazakhstani managers, who are tucked up in their luxurious apartments, want to bring the remaining foreign staff in line with expectations of the local staff. A few of the perks are being chipped away and the value of the social policy contract is highly suspect. Perhaps the foreign staff have just had it too good and now the rest must get in line.

To be honest, these are only minor concerns for Ali and I, but the potential of where it could lead is more concerning. It was funny, though perhaps you have to be in the situation, when I heard it reported again that the HR department workers believe that our new contract is better than the old one. They said this to a friend of mine and justified it by saying that, for example, the tuition provision had doubled over the last contract. My friend said that was great news, only that he did not have any children and from what he knew, the higher tuition allowance was still nowhere near covering the actual costs of tuition in Astana. It highlights the parrot repetition of policies from above as well as being unable to compute the real impact on our lives. I remember Joe from my office saying that when he started here, their health policy only covered $300 for terminal illness. When he and the other foreign staff complained, HR were really affronted. It turns out that in Kazakhstan, the best policy any worker anywhere would received just less than $300 for their terminal illness cover. And so the policy precipitated from a position where they think that what is better for them is going to be equally as attractive to us. It is strange to try and navigate through this, but by understanding why things occur the way they do, it will make it easier to bare.

Mum, how do I stop this crazy ride?

Rebekah and Matthias are improving with their roller blading and enjoying a huge lobby area to skate in (the pictures are not from our lobby by the way). Found a multi region code for the DVD player, so we can play all our old and new DVDs. Even managed to run the new stairs and was pleased that most of the lights worked and all the stairs were evenly spaced. Kyria had a minor nose bleed so had to unpack the humidifier and hydrate the place.

Found the local, on campus shop a 10 minute walk away in the slush and was better stocked than we first realised. Seems we can pick up emergency supplies of bread, milk and chocolate without a huge taxi ride. Pleased Ali lots. Tricky to push the pushchair through the slush, missing the Phil & Teds.

Ali & Ray

Day 66

A contortionists haven

That was the quickest we moved. It does help not having to sort an entire house, but still 8 boxes, 5 suitcases, 8 rucksacks (okay 3 were quite small), and an assortment of extras almost safely moved without problems. When on the bus about to leave Riverside I noticed a stack of 3 boxes, unsupported in the “cargo” bus next to us. I tried to get Ali to tell someone that these would crash to the floor as soon as that bus moved. She was told it would be fine. Lo and behold, they crashed. And they were ours. And they wouldn’t provide insurance. Thankfully I had ensured anything breakable was moved into my work office the day before and anything left we took with us. Good thing too. A friend was called to an office whilst still at Riverside, but he couldn’t speak Russian. So he took a translator, went to the office and they handed him one of his suitcases. Stunned, he said his thanks and enquired how they managed to get it. Turns out they retrieved it from the road where it had fallen off a truck! He was thankful there was nothing valuable or breakable in there.
 
The other end of the process was smooth enough. I didn’t want to sign the paperwork, but I had 3 children tired and 5 of us very hungry. So I signed and wrote “in protest” on each page. Turns out there were two that did not sign at all and were prepared to go the distance. Only lasted 2 hours and then the staff relented. We’re not sure where it will get them, but we have to fight the manner in which this is being conducted.


1 plug, 2 electrical items and no room to carve a baked bean

We went through the apartment (or dormitory if you look at their literature) very carefully. They really did try to finish this block in a hurry. The grouting is the worse I’ve ever seen and if I had been privately renting, I would have walked out the door. But there are many issues both great and small. The worse are the health and safety problems, which can mostly be dealt with. The grave concern is the kitchen. We are lucky to have a larger space than most others, with our 3 bedrooms, but the kitchen we have is tiny. There is about 15 inches of useable worktop split into 3 sections, which either means we are preparing raw food next to clean plates or preparing any food right on top of the hob. For a single person, they might manage to cope. For a family of five, this is never going to work. So we have tried emailing the right people, but no-one will tell us who the right people are. So also going through my Dean, who at least will be willing to listen and try and find the right people in the chain of command.



Quality finishes

I think I could cope if they left the contract alone and tried to deliver at least 90% of the expectations (derived from the documents they provided and past experience of longer serving staff). But they are constantly chipping away.

On the plus side, we are warm (a little too warm as two of the radiators we cannot turn off) and well fed. Whether we get any sleep though will be a matter of whether the building site right outside our windows will be active or not.

Just to counterpoint our experience, we have tried to ensure that the children are not affected. Ali took them to Segafredo for breakfast whilst I packed the last of the bits and organised the porters to move our kit downstairs. Rebekah now has her own room; Matthias and Kyria are sharing. All are very excited. Plus we have a 3D TV. Despite the fact we do not have any 3D DVDs, the children were very excited to watch Matilda with the 3D glasses on. Now we are trying to get them all into bed and sleep. Sleep. Someone stole the ‘r’ from that long lost friend; now just a fiend.

Ray

 

Day 65

The madness continues. A day of trying to get the managers in charge of relocation to listen and respond to the questions asked has gone nowhere. Even after talking with the President of the university, he wants all communication to go through the Deans, which has been impossible given that my Dean was away this week. Today we received an ultimatum to sign the residential contract or we will not be allowed to move and we would have to pay for our Riverside apartment if we continue to stay. Bearing in mind that because we are foreigners, the cost of these apartments would be astronomical. I was not happy. As it happens, a lady moved today because she could not move tomorrow and she had to pay 4,000 tenge for towels that were not deemed "clean" enough. Unfortunately, tomorrow I am likely to be very argumentative if they try that with me.

The saving grace is that I did speak to someone in HR, alas not high up enough, but someone who is Kazakhstani and she agreed with us that the process has been badly handled. I just do not see anything changing as a consequence.

I heard that someone tried to claim a flight to a destination other than their home, which was a perk of the old contract, but was told that everything was changing and they were not allowed. So it is in direct violation of our contract, the procedures are being pushed through without reference to us (yet again).

I am also concerned that they really do not want any foreigners here, but was told that it is simply that they do not understand foreign mentality and have no ability (probably empowerment) to do so. So another great piece of news came through the emails saying that taxis are being banned from entering the university. Not only do we have to walk out of the university to the front gate and wait for our taxi in minus 40 degrees C during winter time, we also would have to walk all our children the 0.3 to 0.5 miles to our new accommodation with our weekly shopping in hand. Somewhere along the line this silliness has to cease. I cannot see any one about to join NU would be happy about this and are likely to take the next flight home. But it is going to take that before a manager realises the problem and tries to put it right.

Must pack the computer away and hope they don't damage it, because they wont pay for their mistakes. Yet I am forced to pay for mine.

Ray

Day 64

The packing is going slowly. At least we are not having to sort as well as pack and pretty much everything must come with us. Had no response from the move organiser. Seems like they do not have any power to make decisions and probably cannot or dare not to send our complaints up the rungs to people who can do something about it. It makes me feel like I am part of a cattle herd, being slightly more revered as I am a foreigner, but essentially being rounded up and forced along the pathway of their choosing, irrespective of what I think or feel. At some point they'll attempt to brand me; hope they have a decent logo.

I believe this is the first time I have felt that my employers really do not care, which is hard to take. All others at least gave the semblance of considering us little people, but there appears to be none of that here. The balance of power is top heavy and the separation between the Dean’s level and above and us lower lifes is growing. This I directly attribute to old Soviet mentality still entrenched in Kazakhstani management laid over a framework of policies that must accommodate anyone requiring employment and can only operate at the generosity of the handouts and direction from above. Why have I not handed my notice in and moved back to the UK? Well, despite the politics and incompetence that dogs my heels, it is only once in a while that I feel this challenged and I still have to find my mojo since moving to Astana. Plus the Kazakhstanis are a friendly bunch (all except that one guy with a tray. I got your number Matthew and that is 5:44).

Went out with family for an English breakfast this morning. That was quite an experience. Had bacon, which I haven’t seen since getting here. But one had to use a microscope to see it. Also had beans in tomato sauce, but they were more like kidney beans. The sausage was a hot dog and they even found a smoky brown sauce. Not quite a full English breakfast but closer than I’ve got to one since last year. A great effort for the Kazakhstanis. I do applaud you. I suppose at least last year we could have offered something a little more Kazakhstani-like with a our new range of horse foodstuffs.

 

We also found that we could get from our apartment to this diner without leaving our building. Now that we are moving on Saturday, Ali is gutted she hadn’t realised this earlier.

Ray

Day 63

 Trying to get organised with the packing and spent the day shopping for wide sellotape. Not sure it needed all day, plus the KFC and milkshake, but it certainly made the accomplishment of finding the sellotape more emphatic. Kyria dressed for the occasion; amazing how a Monsoon dress has lasted the years.

Kyria aged 3 years and 3 months

I certainly felt the clash between Western and Kazakhstani mentality when trying to get information regarding this move. It made no sense to me (and many others, so nice to know I’m not alone, or it may be my fragmented personae) why they chose to let us know 4 days before moving in the middle of a working week and to move us on a Saturday first thing. They are providing a team of helpers, but no boxes, packing material or sellotape (hence the trip out). Frustratingly they do not seem to realise that they arranged for us to be in temporary accommodation and for us to keep everything packed until the new rooms were ready and that our original boxes all survived the trips from across the globe and through Kazakhstani customs.




Rebekah aged 2 years 9 months

Further, they don’t seem to realise that insurance might be a good idea. When I enquired about it, I was told that there would be a gentlemen watching our boxes at all times and nothing would get lost as it should be adequately labelled. But they wont provide anything to affix the labels to our broken and non-existent boxes. When I then asked about whether they would accept liability for damaged and missing items, it drew a stunned silence.

We’re also being downsized. We were originally given an apartment with 130 m2 and now have one with 111 m2. It might not seem much to you, but then these rooms were small to begin with and getting less room is really not helping feel loved and wanted here. Their response was that the senior managers made these requests and that should be that. I told them that once again individuals are making decisions without reference to any of those directly affected and that they would certainly change their tune if they were the ones enduring the seemingly endless string of disappointments. I surmise that this is a universal phenomenon of the “I’m all right Jack” syndrome. Of course, most of this falls on deaf ears. They are unwilling or unable to do anything about it and perhaps that is the biggest frustration. That from top down and the last 3 years have bred policies making new staff feeling sometimes abject and verging on unwanted. The next hardest part is that I reckon I can do a better job, but I have no appreciation of how tightly my hands would be tied by even higher management. But at least I feel as though I fought for what is right. Yes, silly, naive me.

Must choose to be gracious and the rest will follow and the difficulties wont seem as bad!

Ray

 

Day 62

Ali is suffering from a cold and decided to stay indoors today. The sun was out and melting snow, so perhaps Astana will transform from white to full colour over the coming week. Alas it wont be fully melted by the time we move from Riverside to Block 38 (on campus). It is a shame the NU managers are not more creative; why call a new set of apartments for foreign academics a “block”. Unless they really don’t want us here and are trying to make us uncomfortable. I would not be surprised if there is a button somewhere that makes all the walls move closer together. I can hear myself shouting “C3PO, where are you? Come in 3PO”.

So we have to get everything packed up and ready to move at 10:20 Saturday 15^th March. Decided it is best I work from home and start the process slowly over the next few days. Will certainly need a few cheeseburgers to help the process.

Called into see my manager today. He wanted to go through the dilemmas of teaching chemistry and that I was going to coordinate this module and the negotiations with the actual chemistry department was still ongoing. Knowing full well that the head of chemistry doesn’t really want to do this anyway. Plus it also means that I get to try and negotiate with a colleague who doesn’t get on with our manager. Oh joy. So starting from a really poor position, I guess this is doomed to failure.

Anyway, been dreaming of nice road bikes and wondering how well the locals treat road cyclists. Most cars do double up as a makeshift taxi and dive to the side of the road without much care. But outside the city I am guessing it is much quieter. But equally no help if something goes wrong with a bike and no chance of Ali coming to rescue me (as she has done twice in the UK). Might have to invest in satellite tracking, just in case I take a wrong turn and end up in Russia. No officer, I did not pack my passport and no I do not have any money to bribe you with. Nibble of an energy bar?

Ray

 

Day 61

The short cut from the bus and you can just about
make out Khan Shatyr in the background

Very relaxing morning, well for the others at least. I got up before 8am, which was not too bad considering it was a public holiday and a rough night of swapping beds (why is it for a King sized bed that Rebakah and Kyria migrated from one side to the other to push Ali and I out?). Managed to run the stairs and was entertained with singing from the cleaner. Once we decided to get dressed, we ventured forth by bus into the city. We got off roughly where I thought we needed to be and after one fairly short walk managed to end up at Gymboree, which was conducted in English with 2 rather exuberant Kazakhstani lasses; where do they get their energy? Managed to squeeze in a quick milkshake and cheeseburger, then back to Riverside for dinner with Lena and Gerald (a wonderful older couple who have travelled the world with their children who are now all grown up and have children of their own). Was great that they were willing to subject themselves to the Whitbys, but much fun and food had by all. Then back to our apartment to finish off Harry Potter (for Rebekah and Matthias). And we find that the day has passed too quickly and still far too much left to do. At least it is a short week, but no doubt to be filled with many trials and tribulations.

There's till plenty of snow, but rumour that it might hit positve degrees sometime this week. But I actually find it quite relaxing. Besides seeing Astana "naked" might not be all that wonderful. Time will tell.

Will try and encourage Ali to share her thoughts, but she thinks that being a full time mum, teacher, minder, negotiator, cook, entertainer, laundress, cleaner, oh and wife, is making her tired. Strange that.

Ray

Day 60

The ice slide. A little rough at the top.
And at the bottom if you get it wrong
on the way down

A long day, but enjoyable. Started off with a stair run. Five repetitions (of 11 flights) by the end of which my lungs felt turned inside out. It is perhaps not so surprising as to how quickly fitness can seep away from a body when you stop. What is astonishing is how fit we think we are, until we come to actually try and do the feat we think is within our grasp. Reality bites.

It was snowing, which was a little surprising, thought we had seen the back of it. But by the end of first service, that had melted. The sun is definitely more warming now, even though the temperature remains below freezing. Headed back from the morning meeting so that Rebekah and Matthias could continue their excellent progress at roller blading.

Got a taxi out to our second meet today, but this time it took nearly an hour to arrive. We had ordered 2 taxis as there was a group of us, but whilst one taxi arrived and hung around (allowing the driver to get a catnap), it turns out the other taxi driver was stopped and interrogated by the police on the way to us. Anyway, trekked to a new part of the city for a wonderful get together and then dashed back to make a 7 o’clock meeting so we could go to a hybrid Kazakh, Ukzbek, Turkish restaurant with Louise, Kevin and Sean (all NU and Riverside colleagues). They were a big hit with our children; glad our lot can be civilised and interactive with other adults. A medium walk back and the temperature had dropped a lot. Not great when wearing jeans. The plus side is that Astana does look great covered in snow and with glittering lights everywhere. Still not brave enough to try the ice slide. Overall, not a bad city to live in (tomorrow perhaps a different story).

Astana by night

Always wondered how much an impact we could have on the locals, but a wise woman today reminded me that it's not just the locals, but other ex-pats that need interaction and support.

Ray

Day 59

A wonderfully relaxing day, slightly tempered by the large crowds and bustling noise that accompanied Ramstor Mega shopping centre today. The Kazakhstanis like to go all out to celebrate International Women’s Day, so lots of singing and shopping. Curiously it appears that the women have the day off and send their children to the shopping centres unaccompanied, perhaps just for a break!

Still, we managed to pick up several sets of roller blades and proceeded to see how incredibly quick Rebekah and Matthias picked it all up. Kyria was quite content to wear the safety pads and jump on her scooter. We are all eager for the snow and ice to disappear, which will make the whole getting out thing possible. I’m still not taken with the idea of running outdoors at the moment, though Sean (friend from NU and Riverside) is keen to have company. Apparently there is nothing like running outdoors at minus 15 degrees C. Will savour that for next year as I try valiantly to run 11 flights of stairs 4 times without keeling over. I should mention that Sean is a keen triathelete and can do the stairs 10 times and then head outdoors for several miles of running. He also wants me to get a bike for the Summer, but mine has been loaned out and hopefully getting a beating from John Fuggle. If Sean heads back to Abu Dhabi, perhaps he can pick up a cheap full carbon set up, purely for to accompany him of course. We don’t need to send all our children to college and university...

Busy day tomorrow, but at least Monday is off. Will have to figure out what to do, though I think Ali already has plans.

Ray

Day 58

Since our children felt very left out seeing all the world book day pictures from friends yesterday, we decided to have our own book day today. It was a great success & now they want book day tomorrow too, even though it's Saturday! We had a book hunt in the corridor, made our own library & did lots of fun things with our favourite books.

Our home school family friends visited this afternoon & Ray was able to begin his long weekend a few hours early so all in all it was a good day.

Ali

Being one of the very few families in the new cohort for NU is strangely isolating. We’ve written about the problems of other families at NU being housed at two other locations in Astana and then the division of families who are sending their children to international schools, those that are trying the local schools and those who are home schooling. So it does take effort to get out to reach another family. But the other effect is that the many other members of staff who are either single or married (and without children) then would band together to go and do things. Understandably so. A niggle of frustration resounded in my mind when these “no children” Riverside residents / NU staff were organising their trip out this evening to a restaurant and not one invited us. Perhaps it was a misconception that we would be busy doing family things. Or perhaps inviting a young family out would cramp their style; I know I have embarrassing eating habits. Perhaps we are unloved by them, though I doubt that is true.

Whilst we do have each other, the Whitby does need social interaction beyond our quintet. Ali had a family from Highvill over. Another homeschooling family in Astana, takes the total up to 2! It is unsurprising how precious it is to find a family with similar aged children that also happen to have similar temperament too.

Had a short day in order to start the International Women’s day celebration. It is a big event over here and they take it seriously. We had a School-wide gathering on the balcony, with formal presentations and speeches. Whilst I am all for celebrating the fantastic job that women do everywhere, I do somewhat object to only leaving it to a single day per year. However, when in Rome...
 

Now heading into a 3 day weekend and we really don’t know how to spend that time. But time together is always appreciated. We found a cool app and having fun. Today attack of the spider, tomorrow alien invasion.

Ray