Random Happenings

Happy New Year! I celebrated New Years Eve down in Karaganda (about 9 hours southeast of me) this year and had a blast. We ate deliecious food at a Ukranian restaurant, then partied at Elena's apartment, and the next day went to see Repunzel in 3-D (or, Tangled, as I understand it's called in America...) and then had dinner at a fantastic Georgian restaurant. We also stopped at Ramstore (An American-style grocery store only found in a few big cities) on the way home that night and I was able to get Coca-Cola Light - and it was amazing. 

Patrick, Audrey and me

Erica and I. Erica is a fantastic hostess - thanks again!

The whole group at the restaurant.

Then I came back home. Things have been pretty slow here in Krasny Yar since I'm still on Winter Break. So I've been keeping myself busy with my guitar, crocheting, and watching movies. Here's my latest, and least ugly hat (I've done a couple others this winter that I'm not so in love with. But I think this one turned out pretty good.) 

Sorry for the emo-ness of this picture. It wasn't intentional. Just wanted to show off the hat. And yes, that yarn has sparkle in it. This is what Kazakhstan fashion has done to me.

Also, I've been bonding with the cat recently. Since I've been keeping my bedroom door open at night, so as not to freeze to death in my icebox, he's been sleeping at the foot of my bed - to which Baba Valya declared, "Holly! You're sleeping with a man!" And laughed for a good 2 or 3 minutes. Awesome.

Demok, with that evil look in his eye.

Meanwhile, Hannah and I were invited to sing after mass at the Catholic church this week. We didn't exactly know what or who we were singing for, but decided to go along with it anyway. Hannah had an nice version of Silent Night that we threw together the night before. Turns out that was a good choice, because after we sang, there was a small choir that sang a few other Christmas songs, and then the priests from Switzerland sang/played a couple of songs also. It was really nice! 

It was fuh-ree-zing in there. We could see our breath. So, they all sang with their coats and scarves on. We especially liked the priests in their robes, jackets and scarves. Also - note that the priest at the keyboard is playing without music. He was really good!

Proof that it was super cold today (somewhere around -25 C): 

Notice the frozen hair, eyelashes, and nose. Fun times.

Luckily I had the nice, hot bannya waiting for me when I got home today. Now I'm clean, I'm warm, and I'm ready to get back to work tomorrow. Yay! (There's only a little sarcasm there)