Fall is here....

Hello! Well, we got back from vacation in Belek, Turkey, (it was great--more on that in another post) on August 18th. While we were gone enjoying the pool and sea and 90 degree weather, the temperature in Nizh was in the 40's to 50's and rainy. We returned to a cool 60 degree climate. The next few days were in the 70's, and nice, but now it is even cooler, and rainier. The leaves are starting to change, and the temp has dropped, and is in the 50's-60's. Everyone is wearing a coat now, and the kids are all seen in hats as well. It is incredible to me to think that it is still AUGUST, and it is already this cool! I keep thinking it is October or something...

What is going through my mind right now is..."If it is this cool now, what in the heck are we in for when winter arrives?! And apparently, winter is well on its way!" But, as Lee keeps reminding me, we are in siberia, and what did I expect?? hmmm... i think I thought it would be "warm" until at least september. Maybe there will be some warmer days, i don't know :)

However, we are going back to the states on September 8th!!! WHOOOO HOOO!! Can you tell I am excited??? First of all, I can't wait to see my loved ones, and then, I can't wait to be in a country that is english speaking!! the thought of going into a store and being able to ask for, or about, anything i want, is particularly pleasing! I also am looking forward to the simple things--like having a yard for the kids to play in (and weather that is condusive to being outside in), grilling out, and having friends with kids and common interests! The russians have a tradition of applauding when their plane touches down at their destination---at first I thought it was kind of corny, but i really think i might just burst into applause when we touch American soil! I have always thought of myself as patriotic, but living abroad had made me open my eyes, and appreciate things I took for granted before. So, now, I am VERY proud to be an American--there isn't any better place to call home in the whole world!

Well, that is it for now... i will post pics from Turkey later. just had to let you know about the weather :) love, j

MOSCOW!!!

Wow! what a city! I LOVED it!! It was much better than I ever expected, and I can't wait to go back at some point! It was beautiful, there was lots to do and see, and many, many good places to eat!! Ahhh! I had my first steak since February while I was there, and man, did it taste great!

IS ThiS For rEAl????

Only in russia.... i had to share these pics, because i got such a hoot out of taking them and thinking about posting them and sharing them with you all. These pictures were taken with sheer wide eyed wonder!! The first 2 are taken from my window and are pictures of a lady who works for the city. Her job is to make sure this area is taken care of and looks nice. Well, the grass had been getting a bit long, and instead of simply mowing or weed eating it, she used a scyth! I didn't know they were in exsistence anymore... poor dear, someone should enlighten her :)

The next pic is of customers at a store grabbing at and buying all the fans. There is an apparant shortage of "ventilators" in Nizh, and this big pile of them were gone in about 10 minutes!


The last, and best! pic is of a guy at a beer tent. I was out with some friends, and we spied him, and I simply had to take a pic! you wouldn't see this in the states, and i couldn't resist. So, i pretended like I was taking a pic of my friend, natalia (left hand side) and shot the pic of this fine looking dude :) I love the fact that he has on sunglasses, no shirt, a plaid summer suit, and what I have learned are called "cheese vents"--that is the expat word for the pointy tan and white vented shoes that russian men wear all summer! hee hee!

Children's Yard...aka Detsky Sad

These are pics of emma passing out snacks at her school on the playground. Notice how all the girls are wearing hats or kerchiefs! too cute!

Emma

Here is Emma getting dressed for a day at kindergarten... She still loves going, and has made some friends that she really likes! She is also speaking russian to her friends and teachers, and even to Paul at home! It is funny to hear her talk--to my untrained american ears, this is what is sounds like, "Etta moy, Poll, nev saw" which means something like "that is mine, paul, don't touch that"... Lee says that she speaks without an accent and pronounces the words correctly! it is unbelievable!!!

Out and about with Emma and Paul...

These pics were taken a few weeks ago, but thought they were cute enough to post. They were taken on a Sunday in the middle of July, while we were outside playing. The kids were very good, and loved riding their bikes :)