First day of school. My second graders.

Please watch the very short video of my class.

Some interesting sights around town....

All the new teachers had to go to the local clinic to get tested for HIV and TB.  Don't you just love the blue booties!

The area called Zaisan which is where ASU is located has really changed.  Good news the Buddha statue is still here and I think it will stay.

 

 

I played tour guide for these new teachers--Christy, who teaches second grade with me, Steve, resource and Maureen, third grade.  It was fun!

Chinggis Khan statue at Sukhbaatar Square.  When I was here three years ago, you could not get this close to the statue.  Perhaps it has changed because the Chinese president is coming to the city and in two weeks Putin will be here.

This is near the school and it's very dusty.  Not sure how this works!

Hello from Ulaanbaatar (UB), Mongolia. As I walked around the city, I noticed several changes. Some I'll share now, others later. Many of you will recall my stories of dodging traffic as a pedestrian. Well, UB has installed the green and red men with good results. However, there are those who still can't give up the old ways!

The city looks a lot cleaner because these trash containers are everywhere.  Wow!

I'm having lunch at one of my favorite restaurants, Cozy Nomads, with my favorite person in Mongolia, my PA from three years ago, Boogii.  It was my first time meeting her son, Huchit, pronounced whocheat.  I'm bound and determined to learn Mongolian!!!

On My Way Back....





A future Mongolian traveler?

Merry Christmas

Last Friday night we had our Holiday program at Centro Formacao Joao Paulo II, a beauiful garden setting where you can walk among the Stations of the Cross. I'm leaving this Sat. for Bali and then home on Dec. 18 for two weeks to enjoy family and friends!

Loi Krathong, a Thai celebration at the end of November during the full moon. We dined family style at a Thai restaurant on the beach and afterwards lit paper lanterns releasing them over the seas thus releasing bad spirits and welcoming good thoughts. In Thailand when they do this, the planes have to be diverted because of the thousands of lanterns flying upwards. It was thrilling to be a part of this!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

The Many Faces....

The Resistance Museum was opened a short time ago.  I was very impressed with all the information explaining the Timorese's struggle for independence.  I'm definitely going back.  When I arrived, the President was just leaving.  I wanted to get his photo, but security wouldn't let me.

On Sunday, I participated in a 5K Walk/10K Run for charity.  Many people of all nationalities were either walking or running.  Please check out this foundation which supports women entrepreneurs in East Timor.  http://www.alolafoundation.org/

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception--like many Catholic churches the inside was spectacular.  It claims to be the largest cathedral in Southeast Asia with seating for 2000 people.  I watched as they got ready for Saturday Mass.

And more faces....