Joining the Modern World

Well, I'm at an internet cafe. All hope is lost with our school computers. The internet wasn't working for a couple of days. Our computer guy's answer is, "It's not working." Even when it is working, it's so slow, by the time I get the non-working home page to open, my free time is up. So, here I am. At an internet cafe. Ah, the sweet bliss of a working, fast, clear internet connection. The modern world is a great thing. If only our school internet could join it. I guess we signed up on a ten-year contract with some internet company when they were the only ones offering internet services. Too bad.

Things are winding down. We have another three and half days of school. Wasted days, really. It's going to be a week of partying. The parties started Friday, and will just keep going. We are all done really. I have one more test to give. That's about it. It's going to be a good feeling to finish.

Joe and I have started packing up our apartment. We get to go see the new apartment next week some time. We are excited because I timed the drive to work, and it's only about 10 minutes. Such an improvement. The other day we drove home (okay, Joe drove home) in the rain and traffic and construction and crazy drivers and we just about lost it! It's so hard after a hard day at work and a long meeting. I hope that next year being closer to school significantly improves our quality of life!

The days are running into each other, but there are some quality moments that stick out. Sophia has taken a few lurching steps towards her nanny. Not me, mind you. Not Joe. Just her nanny. :) She actually gave Joe and I a "pot-sa-loy" today. That's Russian for a kiss. Really, she just holds her open mouth towards us. It's the first time, though. We were getting a bit jealous since her baby doll was getting all sorts of kisses and we were getting snubbed! She's also completely amused by Joe and I doing our best gorilla imitations. We beat on our chests. When we ask her to tell us what a gorilla says, she tries to beat on our chests rather than her own. She loves it, though.

We are planning on going this weekend or next week to stock up on interesting little toys for the plane ride home. What will this trip home bring? We can't wait to get there, no matter how terrible the journey. Maybe she will sleep the whole way. (Okay, I'm laughing at myself now.) We also have to look for a little something for her first birthday. I think all major presents will wait until we are at home, though. It's just too expensive here!

We had a nice day here. We went for a walk and put down a blanket in the park. The weather has been beautiful. The roses are in bloom and everyday I smell them when I walk into work. It's very green and clear. A very different Almaty from the winter Almaty. They are like two different cities.

I wanted to post some new pictures of Sophia, but I'm having trouble locating the USB drive. There's always something. I will try to post some soon if I can't get it to work.