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