by: Nicole Sandler

12-6-2000

Well, the good news is that Alison and I are both feeling much better. A few days of antibiotics has her just about back to her happy self. She loves going outside, but it snowed again the night before last, so we were stuck inside yesterday.

Today seemed nicer and the snow was melting, so we headed out. It got progressively colder, and it's now freezing!

I'm very bummed because my friend Amy, from Houston, is leaving tonight. She flies to Moscow at 2:30 AM (the same flight I'll be taking Tuesday night), and leaves for Houston Friday morning. Alison and I will miss her and her precious son, but my wallet won't!

She's been a really bad shopping influence on me! On Sunday, we went to the bazaar... we were told it was like a giant flea market... but they sell everything. I bought a beautiful Shearling jacket.... This jacket at home would cost at least $1200. I only paid $210. Amy bought a mink jacket (and also only paid around $200 for it). Yes, they had beautiful leather and fur coats at this flea market.

We also went for another massage last night. Luckily we've had the services of Jezegul to baby-sit.

I wish I could paint the picture happening right now. Amy had to leave to go for her exit interview at the US Embassy here in Kazakhstan. (I'll be doing that on Monday.) Amy and I ordered lunch, but it took so long that she had to leave to get to her appointment at the Embassy. So, she left me here, and they just brought the food.

I'm typing, with Alison on my lap, feeding her a Kaz pizza and eating some sort

of hamburger type dish that I guess I somehow ordered, and Amy's plate of food is sitting here as well. Feeding a child, eating, and typing email is not easy to do. The room is filled with six computers, and on four of them are American Peace Corps workers, so at least it's a compassionate group in here with me.

However, I don't think Alison's going to last very much longer sitting relatively quietly on my lap. So, I'm going to sign off now... she's getting really cranky!