Day 100

So after months of going out in the cold, we finally left our winter coats behind. Yet Astana seems to have skipped the spring and moved straight on to summer today as the children and I were positively stifling in our lighter jackets while out for the day today. The locals obviously really feel the cold and are still going about well wrapped up - that's why all their places indoors are so incredibly warm. On a very crowded (and very warm) bus today Kyria sat on the lap of a Kazakh lady (they either give up seats for children or invite them to sit on their laps!). This lady was obviously concerned that Kyria's thin cardigan was completely inadequate to protect her from the elements... I showed her the coat I was having to carry and tried to explain that it was simply too hot.  I'm sure they think we don't dress our children properly at all. Fortunately the American friends we were with had shorts and T-shirts so it's not just us who were warm. I know that once the real heat of summer hits I'll be longing for that -30 degrees C again. As Ray says... I'm never satisfied about the weather! Personally I think I'd be perfectly happy in a steady 15-20 degrees... Where should we live next?

Ali

Experienced a great get together of staff and faculty for a singing contest called Two Stars, where a member of staff and a student form a duo to sing 1 song in English and another in Kazakh. Happy to report that my office colleague won. Think the children really enjoyed it too. Matthias and Kyria went with Joe for the announcements so they got a moment in the limelight.

The student academic misconduct highlighted some interesting aspects of rules and whether to follow them. Cheating by bringing in notes into an exam is a serious offence. The rules are strict and yet it was the view of the managers that the punishment for the student should not directly or indirectly lead to the expelling of the student. It was their first crime and therefore the student received a lesser punishment and a warning. I am still trying to gauge whether this is a good thing or not. The student showed no remorse other than they got caught. The student is done a disservice as they knew full well it was wrong to cheat. Other students are also done a disservice as this sends the wrong message. Plus the two strikes and you're (possibly) out for serious offences does not happen in the real world, so this does not help students learn for the future.

Anyway, chocolate helped ease the frustrations. That is until I got an email from HR, which stated that new Kazakhstani holidays have been announced and so our working week has been altered. I now am required to work from the 4-11 May, in exchange for getting 1-3 and 7-10 May off. It's not a hassle, but it is just another reminder of T.I.K. (this is Kazakhstan). If we don't like it, then quit. Trouble is I've heard that some people are going to, not as a result of this holiday rearrangement, but just the combination of events since Christmas without any sign of improvement. However, 100 days in and I am feeling a little more relaxed about the situation. It could all change within an instant. Someone quipped that if the President passes away and the number 2 guy takes over then pack your bags and get on a flight home. But if the number 3 guy gets the top spot then just get on a flight home.

Happy Easter everyone.

Ray

 

ps. San Diego, Ali?