International Woman's Day

Today is International Woman's Day and I had a day off of school. They make a big deal about it here and I found out too late that it is also Mother's Day thrown in. I had a great project for Mother's Day, but put it away for May when I am used to having Mother's Day. By the time I figured it out it was too late to do the project for the moms. Oh, well, there is always next year. Thinking of Mother's Day brings back a sweet memory. It was in January and I went on my first cross country skiing lesson. I got home and was getting out of the car when Natosha and Jamara ran out to meet me. I was so excited that I had come back alive and told them that it was the best day of my life. Jamara was 6 years old and she started crying and said, "I thought the day we brought breakfast to you in bed was the best day of your life." (Mother's Day) I had to do some quick talking to get out of that one. I am so fortunate to have so many sweet memories that float around in my head.

This is the playground right outside my window. All the snow is gone now and many kids play here after school. When my window is open I can hear them laughing and shouting. It is a very comforting sound - knowing that I am not responsible for them.


Here is my dining area in the same room as the kitchen. The hanging plant was given to me by one of my students who moved back to Hungary. It is really striving!

This is my kitchen with a gas stove and washing machine. It is pretty small, but I have enough counter shelf to roll out pie dough. Who needs any more room than that?

This is my lovely bathroom. The technical water (water to the toilets) froze this winter in the above ground pipes, so I had to use a bucket to flush the toilet for a few weeks. Everyone was in the same boat, so no complaints. Twice I have gotten black water while I was taking a shower, but I try to think that it is good for me. It wasn't good to the nice white towel I was using. Otherwise, everything is lovely. I have a water heater, so won't run out of hot water and have alternate water if the town shuts off the water.

Sorry this picture is so dark. I use my second bedroom for my exercise room and love my plants that were given to me by another student who used to live in this apartment.

Did I tell you that I have a cleaning lady once a week that is part of the rent? (The rent is paid by the school.) I just have to pay $100 monthly for utilities whether I use that much or not.