Holidays

Thank to the 4 days off my parents got on the occasion of the independence anniversary, we went to a natural resort called "Burabay". It is a big territory filled with forests, lakes and beautiful mountains.
My dad and Amir
getting ready for the evening walk in the village where we stayed overnight. My dad and Amir decided to swap the hats
mom and dad
next day we visited museum of natural wealth of this region - birds, animals, insects, minerals, everything was represented in big variety.
walking in the forest
this deer is living in a zoo
unique rock in the middle of the lake reminding of a girl's profile. Legend says the girl threw herself from the cliff into the waters of the lake and turned into this rock. We were able to walk towards it this time, as the lake is solid frozen.

Kazakhstan - 15 years old

On 16 December Kazakhstan celebrated its 15th anniversary. So young! All over the country celebrations and concerts took place, the president addressed the people of Kazakhstan underlining the achievements and sharing new goals. The ambitios goal that impressed me was to become a first world country, in a number of years time. We are now a second world country, well, good luck, and we'll try to help as much as we can to achieve this.


flag of Kazakhstan

Update

Dearest friends, we had a little problem with internet, therefore couldn't post anything for a few days. We are back online from today and are happy to update our blog. We are doing very well, enjoying our life, looking around, meeting people, celebrating birthdays, tahmina is re-connecting with her relatives whom she hasn't seen and talked to for some time, amir is adjusting to a new place. we miss haifa, that's why i am posting few pictures from our last day in haifa, and from the last holy day we attended there. melonna sent us this pictures today. thank you, Melonna!

Happy 19 Day Feast, Masa'il - Questions

It is not permissible to ask questions from Him Whom God will make manifest, except that which well beseemeth Him. For His station is that of the Essence of divine Revelation... Whatever evidence of bounty is witnessed in the world, is but an image of His bounty; and every thing owes its existence to His Being... The Bayan is, from beginning to end, the repository of all of His attributes, and the treasury of both His fire and His light. Should anyone desire to ask questions, he is allowed to do so only in writing, that he may derive ample understanding from His written reply and that it may serve as a sign from his Beloved. However, let no one ask aught that may prove unworthy of His lofty station. -- The Bab

Day out with mom

Today is Sunday, a day off in Kazakhstan! hahah! So unusual after living in Israel for 3 and a half years to witness quiet Sundays again. People chill with their families and friends inside if it is cold; if it is warm outside, like today, they go for a walk or shopping; if there is a lot of snow they go skiing and skating. My mom was so excited to spend whole day with us. My sister asked us to look around for wedding dresses which we did with pleasure today. It was +3 today, soooooo warm and no wind at all, the weather as if we ordered for our smooth adjustment. The snow is melting everywhere, dark roads and walkways are showing again and it feels like spring. Since we don't have a car, we took a bus to the center of our town and walked from shop to shop. It was a very pleasant walk, good workout, and it gave us a chance to explore the town more. Here are few pictures we took:

I must say peaple living in our area which is quite cold during winter are concerned about being warm and looking beautiful at the same time. They come up with the most exclusive models of hats and coats and boots that are warm and suitable for winter. I was so impressed by the choice of fur hats in this store that couldn't help but to take a picture of the one I liked the most.
Old wooden mosque
Amir and mom on the background of the monument to those killed during Second World War
we love hanging out together!

our beautiful mom:)

8 months

last night we watched our wedding again, showed it to our friend who came to visit.

life indoors

The cat I was hearing about from my family all the time is now a big part of my life. Every morning he comes and myaws at our door asking to let him in. He hates being alone and often looks for company. His name is Persik which means Peach in Russian but it doesn't have anything to do with peach:) The name is given to him because he is half Persian and half Syamiac cat
My mom gave us bed sheet with this cute pattern on it. I love it:)
Our first guest was little Ali with his parents - my Bahai friends. Last year when we saw him he wasn't talking and walking yet. He brought some candies to have with tea.
Ali with his parents Asel and Tanatar
part of the room my parents gave us for this month while we are staying with them
Persik and Amir are posing for the camera
Persik liked the empty cabinets in our room:)

where we are

Finally some pictures from where we are. my parents live at the north of Kazakhstan, very close to Russian Siberia. Therefore we have all four seasons, the winters are cold, the springs are beautiful, the summers are short and pleasant, the falls are warm and colourful. The town is rather small, only 150000 population. Almost every third person you meet on the street you know or saw before. for me who hasn't been here for a while, it's may be every 15th person...:):) These pictures were taken on the second day after our arrival, it was around -18C
For Amir it was a first time to see this kind of winter. He was very excited. the snow here is dry becouse the climat is dry, which makes it easierto bear . But the snow doesn't turn into a snowball, unless you pour some water on it...
Amir was also excited to see how much steam comes out of our moouths! but one's gotta be careful not to breathe with ones' mouth all the time, sore throat is very common for this reason.
happy to be home...

Sacred Experience

floor tiles in Ridvan garden
sea shore in Akka
flowers at one of the Monuments
Bahji...
Olive park in Bahji
Reading before going to Akka

Pilgrimage has been really a Sacred Experience. One of the purposes is to re-fresh or for some people to establish special connection with God and the central figures of the Faith by visiting the Holy Shrines and the Holy Places associated with their lifes. It is a very thoughtful experiece, one re-considers his whole life during pilgrimage, finds answers to his questions and goes home full of determination to serve his Lord. Since everyone has this chance in life at one point, i thought i won't post pictures we made in the Holy Places, but rather try to convey the spirit of love and fellowship that united us with other pilgrims. And may be to post pictures of some cute moments and small elements that made our journey special apart from the main impression.

Bryan, we were in the same pilgrimage group
His sister Charmain
Me and Charmain during one of the tours
in Mazra'i garden
Bryan and Amir on the balcony of the Mansion of Bahji
Bahji Visitor Centre

the youngest pilgrim in our group:)
it's not an easy task to go on pilgrimage
walking and praying in the Monument Gardens, we met up with Jamal
diverse group of a beautiful half of humanity
in the court yard of Al-Jazzar mousqe
happy pilgrims with Shohreh and Mutale
bye-bye Katya and Carlos! we will miss you a lot!
the Shrine of the Bab on the last night of pilgrimage