Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Another Tsagaan Sar - Lunar New Year. I was invited to many friends' homes for traditional visiting and had a wonderful time. The University established greeting day on the third day of Tsagaan Sar. There are many rituals and protocols involved. You will notice I am in my deel, and that I am seated. Greeting is by age - eldest first, so I'm seated and very near the head of the line!





Bottz are the traditional New Year food - every meal! They are usually regular pastry white, but our new Home Ec teacher managed to dye them for our greeting. What looked like a plate of Easter Eggs turned out to be delicious bottz.

I am standing with our Director, Enkhtsetsg (to my right) and Tsotsog, a teacher in our department.

After greeting in our building and departments, we went to the Main Building to greet the President and other administrative officials.


























As if all the celebration around Tsagaan Sar weren't enough, my colleague Oyuntungalag had a birthday! I was invited to a wonderful dinner to celebrate this special day. Anu, her daughter, is a possible future Columbia College woman!


Well, I am expecting an unexpected adventure this weekend - perhaps there will be an interesting post early next week.....




Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Last Friday was Teacher's Day. I National Holiday to celebrate teachers at all levels. What a great idea! Our University cut our classes to one hour each, and then hosted an amazing party for 400 - 500 faculty in a converted warehouse.



















There was wonderful food, substantial drink and national entertainment. And, lots of loud music for dancing - and we did! I enjoyed celebrating with all my colleagues.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Well, I'm back in UB. First surprise, I was met at the airport by 7 colleagues (it was nearly midnight). I have a cozy apartment in The Teacher's Dorm. Second surprise, the school got a facelift and a new statue of two children reading a poem about teachers out front. Third surprise, I am teaching 12 classes, each 90 minutes, each week. It is good to be working here again.






Rick and I have been raising funds to establish a book ger in UB - a place where children can come and have access to books, toys, paper, crayons - stuff kids like, and need.




Thanks to generous friends and family, we were able to fund a new book ger in the northwestern part of UB. This district is especially poor. Many of the children who come to the book ger are street children, and several others live in gers with little heat. Parents can bring their children to enjoy a little heat and a lot of fun.










The book ger was very busy with children, volunteers and parents. There is a nice plaque on the outside of the building that says Lynne and Friends. And, by the way, we're working to raise money for another one! Join us.....