People in Pune...

Are you a people watcher? I am! I think God's creations are fascinating. And each time we travel to a new place we get to see more of His handiwork in action. These are just a few of the photos I took on our bus tour of Pune.  If you are friends with me on Facebook you can see the full album by clicking HERE.  

Adventure with the Divaz

Are you an adventurous person?  

I didn't think I was...but, I have watched tv shows like The Amazing Race and dreamed of participating in some of the things they were doing.  Well, I woke up on Saturday at six in the morning ready for an adventure.  A real adventure!  I went along with Anna and Andrea, the hosts of  the Divaz Next Door talk show, and four other moms to take part in a day of canoeing, rock climbing and zip lining courtesy of Cayo Adventure Tours and PlusTV.  I can't share every detail because there will be a tv show highlighting our adventure coming up in a few weeks and I don't want to give everything away.  

We all took a pledge in the van on the way to Barton Creek Cave that we would not back out of anything. So beginning with crossing this hammock bridge I participated in each event to best of my ability.  I just kept telling myself to not look down but straight ahead!

At first I was nervous about the cameras...I was mostly afraid of cussing while zip lining or freaking out in the cave while canoeing.  Fortunately, neither one of those things happened for me!  The cave at Barton Creek is listed among  9 of the most beautiful and unusual cave destinations in the world by Mother Nature Network, and was actually one of the highlights of my day. 

Canoeing inside the Mayan underworld was intriguing, fascinating, tranquil and yet thought-provoking.  I expected to feel trapped being underground but I didn't.  Instead I was in awe of the fingerprints of God I saw in the stalactites, stalagmites, and halagtites.  The unique shapes and designs that form naturally over hundreds of years were at times breath-taking.   

Looking up, around and down into the water...pausing now and then to breathe in deeply and exhale slowly with my eyes closed to fully take in the moment and be grateful for the entire experience.  I couldn't keep my eyes closed for too long because I didn't want to miss a moment of this opportunity.   Quartz shimmering like diamonds as the 1000 candle lightbulbs bathed the rocks with illumination.  Our tour guide from Cayo Adventure, Teddy, was highly knowledgeable and he deftly guided us through the water with his expertise and his stories.  

It was easy to see why the Mayans believed the gods lived in there...and why they chose to perform some acts of worship inside the caves.  The majestic formations have a cathedral-like feel and reveal the handiwork of God all along the way.  Here in Barton Creek the cave includes 10 ledges of known sacrifice sites and the skeletal remains of nearly 30 humans.  

After the cave we had lunch and then got ready to experience rock climbing...here I am all set to climb!

And then learning how to zip line...I would love to do the zip line again!  

If you ever have the chance to come to Belize make sure that you plan to spend some time with Cayo Adventure Tours...you will enjoy each minute of your time with them! (click here for their Facebook page)  They offer several different tour packages to choose from...I know our family will definitely be planning a trip.   

When you meet Mike and Maria, the owners, or Teddy, the tour guide, be sure to tell them Hi from me!! 

How many Belizeans are on Facebook?

Source

Have you ever thought about how many people use Facebook in the country where you live?  Belize ranks #157 out of 213 countries on Facebook.  To find out if there are Facebook statistics for your country you can check here:  Facebook Statistics.

This chart breaks it down by the age of Facebookers here in Belize:

Tom and I are part of the 5 % of Facebook users in Belize between the ages of 45-54.  It is not surprising that the majority of users are in the 18-24 bracket.  We started using Facebook when our sons were teenagers.  And now it is a way for us to connect not just with them, but with family and friends back home in the states and around the world.  

After reading these graphics I remembered that the Belize Census information that I posted back in November showed that 26% of Belizeans have computers and only 23% of Belize's population have internet access.  However, there are also internet cafes throughout the country and in Belmopan you can use the internet while you dine at the Bull Frog Inn or between classes at the University of Belize.  And some people have internet access on their cellphones.  Over at the iBelmopan blog they figured out that 90% of Belize's internet users are on Facebook.  That number is not at all surprising...it seems that everyone we know who uses the internet here in Belize has a Facebook account.  

So how about you...are you on Facebook?

It's a matter of time...

Are you a polychron or a monochron? With six years of living outside of the United States you would think that I would have heard these terms before.  But I haven't.  Maybe you haven't either and have no idea what I am talking about.  Let's take a look at a definition I found on these terms:

Source

Do you see yourself in these terms?  Do you like to be on time or does all time flow together and is not a big deal for you?  Some of us get uptight when our schedules are disrupted and, after all, those of us from the US have often heard the phrase "time is money".  However, our US culture also sends out the message "just go with the flow" to those of us who are stressed and need to learn to slow down.

Anthropologist Harley Han said  "Culture reinforces biology".

Tom and I lived for five years in a polychronic culture while we were in Russia.  While there were some people who kept schedules and liked to plan out their time...many did not.  It was not uncommon for people to be 15-30 minutes late and still see themselves as on time.  The same is true here in Belize.   

When you travel or live in a different culture it is helpful to understand this concept. Pay attention to the guidebooks about the country you are visiting.  In Germany I have heard that public transport runs with precision but in other countries there may be long gaps between buses or trains.

If you don't come to terms with cultural differences regarding time you may find yourself feeling disrespected when people are late, or perhaps you may become judgmental and condemn a whole people group as lazy.  When what is actually true is that polychrons are relational beings who value people over appointments.  If they are on their way to meet with you and come across a friend or relative who needs to chat they will stop and visit with that person and then come to see you.  All the while believing that you will understand the importance of what they HAD to do.  It is simply a difference in cultural values not a lack of pride in self or disrespect for you.  Each of us tend to believe that the way we do things where we come from is the way that makes the most sense.

So for you monochrons when you have to face a situation like this outside of your monochronic culture give yourself and others the gift of letting go.  Schedule your meetings and then plan for the lateness of the polychrons you have invited.  There is much we polychrons and monochrons can learn from one another but to start we need to bless each other with the grace needed to find a common ground.

say what?

After we crossed the river on the ferry we went into San Ignacio. Our friends wanted us to see the sights on Bullet Tree Road. This sign got me to ask Tom W. to stop  the car in the middle of the street to snag a photo:

  It is not the Hyatt we are accustomed to in the states!

everything is bigger in America

Each time we go somewhere to eat we are constantly amazed at the portion sizes of food and drinks.  When did a small drink become so large?!  The culture shock continues...

which path would you choose?

There are several superstitions here in Russia. One of them involves a setting like the one in the photo. On the right side of the photo there is a narrow path between the tree and the column or you could choose the wider path between the two columns. Superstition says that walking under that angled beam means walking through the devil's gate.

It is fascinating to me to watch a group of people walking this direction so that I can take note of which path they choose. Not being superstitious I always choose the wider path.

Which path would you choose?!

Sunday outing!

Spencer, Tom and I all went out to lunch today... as we were walking we saw this band of Cossacks headed our way!

that's not appropriate

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

The lesson we just finished at Language school is about what is not appropriate to talk about. Apparently some of the same subjects that people don't like to talk about in the US are the same ones we should not bring up here.

Politics
Religion
Salary
Sex
Painful Past
anything too personal

Of course the rules are different for close friends. But, think of what you feel comfortable sharing in a circle of friends, at church or at an office party.... we don't always lay it all out there for the world.

We try to have boundaries and say what is appropriate. Isn't it interesting to know that others do it too!

nice warm day

Friday, November 16, 2007

Coming out of the UTK building after paying our internet bill I saw...

a man standing and talking to his friend wearing a t-shirt, shorts, socks and his houseshoes.

This may not seem unusual to you but it has been very cold, rainy and people have already begun dressing for winter. So everyone else who was out today was wearing their winter coats, hats and boots.

It reminded me again that you can't say "all Russians do..." Even older people here are willing to be different, do what makes them comfortable and not just follow along with what everyone else around them is doing.

And guess what Tom was wearing when I returned home? Yep, t-shirt, shorts, socks and his houseshoes!!!

Superstitions

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Our lesson this week has been on superstitions. I am not saying that all Russians believe these but these are a few that we were taught or were told to us by our Russian friends:


If you spill salt it means you will quarrel with someone
If you find a horseshoe on the road that is lucky
Whistling in the house means you will lose your money
An empty bottle on the table means someone will die
If you give someone a tissue they will cry
If you give someone something sharp there will be a quarrel
If your eyes itch you will cry
If your left palm itches you will receive money
If your right palm itches you will meet someone
If your cat washes himself that means guests are coming
If you break a dish that is lucky
If you hand someone money over a threshold that is bad luck
If your cheeks are burning someone is saying something positive about you
If your ears are burning someone is speaking negatively about you
If you wash your hair before an exam all the knowledge you have acquired will be lost
If you have not studied before an exam, sleep with your textbook under your pillow and you will wake up with the info
Newborns cannot be shown to people for 40 days or someone could put an evil eye on them
The number 13 is unlucky
If a black cat crosses your path you have a go a different route
If you leave home and forget something and you decide to go back and get it… you have to look in a mirror to avoid bad luck
If your son looks like his mother and your daughter like her father your fate promises to be happy
If you were talking about someone or you happened to think about them and then see that person, he/she will have a long life

What superstitions do you know about?

Botanical Garden

Saturday, October 20,2007

wedding cars at the front gate!















view from our seat!














Tom noticed the etching on the side of the monument right away!



















monument of Ivan Kusenko
a professor of the agricultural institute



















map of the grounds














men are still working on the fence and the path




















sign at the back entrance
it says Botanical Garden
it was created in 1959
by Ivan Kusenko



















Walking in the park with Tom is one of the month relaxing things I have done in a long time. We had errands to run today…one of them was to photograph the entrance to the Botanical Garden.

The garden is still under construction. Many of the paths are still being laid. Painted bricks in various designs line the paths that have already been completed. There were many young families out today with strollers, kids riding bikes, teens sitting on benches reading, grandparents out with their grandchildren and Tom and I taking it all in! We found a park bench to be a nice place to catch up with one another and just chill for a bit.

We both decided we were definitely going back there. It has the feel of the botanical garden that we used to visit as a young family when we lived in Pasadena, California. One of my favorite photos of Nathan as a little boy was taken at Huntington Memorial Gardens there in Pasadena. When working as a nanny I would take Nathan and Kelsey over to the park when nap time was over. Tom, Nathan and I would walk there on Sundays from the campus of Fuller Seminary.

We hope that you enjoy the photos as much as we enjoyed being there!

culture questions

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

I was going over the culture questions from our lesson with Sasha. They were about setting goals, complaining and what makes a quality life... one of Sasha's answers was intriguing to me.

She told me that young men are told to do three things:

1) plant a tree
2) build a house
3) have a son

I love the imagery involved in this answer, for me it illustrates the path of patient endurance, stability and leaving behind a legacy.

There was one question that she didn't know the answer to. Spencer's language helper Vlad was also here so we asked his opinion. He couldn't answer the question either.

What does the "ideal Russian" look like?

Tomorrow I will ask my teacher at school. If you were asked about the "ideal American" or the "ideal____ fill in the blank with whichever country you are from", what would you say!?

Russia's bounty

Friday, October 12, 2007

diced potato with fresh dill

sliced tomato













One of my favorite things about life here is the vegetables... here is a photo of some of the fresh produce found on Sasha and Tania's farm! I sure wish you could taste them!

it is written...

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Spencer and I have been reading t-shirts just for fun… here are a few of the English ones we have seen:

Just Do It
I Love My Attitude Problem
Born to be Blonde
Bring it On
Feel the groove in your legs
USA girl forever
Baby Girl
Attitude
Imagination can change the world
Prada
G-Unit
Baby Phat
Really love Sunday morning
Witness
Ask me if I care?
Boundless Energy
Republic of Juicy
I’m the king of the world
Grow your mind
Feel the music and Rock forever
Uncle Sam
Smile just a little bit
Shopping makes me feel better

First Bell!

Saturday, September 1, 2007




















September 1st is when the first school bell of the year is rung. It is always a big celebration here.

Children from our church were a part of this mornings ceremonies at their schools. We can say "pozdravlaio" (congratulations) to a few special kids:

Pavel R. and his sister
Ruth
TJ W. and his sister
Hannah


I pray that God blesses this school year and that each of you enjoyed the morning festivities, celebrating with classmates and friends!


****news update****
and on the fourth day, we were blessed with the return of HOT WATER!
Tom leaves the states today and will be here on Monday!

hurray for the weekend!

Friday, August 17, 2007

what a day!

I got a phone call from Tom last night. He is doing ok. He is getting up to walk, still taking pain medication when needed and getting rest. We were able to talk last night for quite a while... which is a wonderful thing! Until I woke up this morning and I felt the aches and pain of not getting enough sleep.

I contemplated not going in to school this morning. After all it wasn't required. But, I knew that Arina had prepared lessons for me and I didn't want to just blow her off. So I got up, dressed and headed out the door for school. Arina has a personality like Nathan. She does everything in two speeds fast and faster!

We covered three lessons in two hours! She would say "do you understand?, great, moving on!"

I came home to Spencer who had done three loads of laundry! He said he wanted to see if the washing machine is working or not. It did fine for the first two loads and on the last one it started to leak. He tried calling Slavik and could not get a hold of him. So far the toilet still works.

Tomorrow we will go out and look for a dresser for Spencer. We were given a gift from friends who decided that it was time for Spencer to stop living out of his suitcase!

I am enjoying a quiet evening while Spencer is out at a birthday party. I feel very tired physically and didn't want to be a party pooper so I stayed home.

I had a language helper session this afternoon. We worked through the lessons that I had covered with Arina. Then we did the culture questions for the lesson on friendship.

From the perspective of my language helper Oksana, who is filling in for Sasha, she talked about the difference between an acquaintance, a friend, a good friend, and a close friend. She is only 24 and I am 44... she knows at age 24 what it took me until age 40 to learn!!!

Unique Race

Sunday August 5, 2007

Speed on heels: Russian women run in unique race
Associated Press
Sunday, July,29 2007 (Moscow):
Russian women proved on Saturday that they can do what no man in the world can: running a 100-metre race in 9 cm (3.5 inches) high heel shoes.

The new sports competition, "The High-Heel Race" was held this year in five Russian cities between July 16-28.

Last year, over 200 women took part in the first sprint race in Moscow, Petersburg, Yekaterinburg (the Urals) and Novosibirsk.

The race was such a success that the Russian edition of Glamour magazine decided to support it and turn it into an annual event.

"Generally our women are very fond of heels, make-up, hair-dos, minis and whatever in order to present themselves," said Anna Rykova, a fashion expert.

"On one hand it is not good because their attire is not an everyday one. On the other hand, (this style) attracts foreign men because our women are always looking good - from morning until night," she added.

Oksana, one of the high heel racers, said Russian girls were permanently competing. "Our girls are dressing better than girls abroad and they are paying more attention to what they wear.

Everyday for them is like a beauty contest.

"The winners of each race get cash certificates of 100,000 roubles ($4,000) to spend in the city's shopping malls.

museum lover!

As a child I saw the inside of so many museums that I remember where we were by what museum was there...


Canton, Ohio- that was the Football Hall of Fame !
Springfield, Mass- that was the Basketball Hall of Fame !

Can you tell that I had brothers that my dad wanted to keep entertained?!

When I was homeschooling the kids I got the museum bug myself so whenever we are in a city that has some type of museum I am up for checking it out!

On our recent trip to Oklahoma Tom and I found the Sod House Museum.


Here is what it looks like!
















This is the marker outside:


























I found the place to be interesting... the little sod house was fully furnished the way it would have been back when it was lived in.

















There were exhibits about the Russian Jews that came to Oklahoma, the Germans who came from Russia, the African Americans who settled in Oklahoma and so much more.

If you are in that area and have about 20 minutes or so to spare... stop in and check it out!

Victory

May 9th is Victory Day in Russia. You can click here to learn about the song "Den Pobedy". Spencer had to remind me this morning what the date was. I think he just wanted to get out of school. It is great to go to school in Russia there are lots of holidays!

** a side note for those who may not know: if there are highlighted words within the text of my blog you can click on them and it will take you to a website that is connected to the topic that I am writing about.