Monday, January 26, 2015
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Ski Weekend: Gudauri Georgia
So the CLO office coordinated a ski trip. Given we brought our Prius, which is great for around town (gas is about 8GEL/gallon over here (~$4/gallon)) we don't adventure into the snowy mountains on our own. We rode to Gudauri Marco Polo hotel, just under 2 hours from Tbilisi.
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After checking in and renting gear, the boys headed off to snow boarding lessons.
Clarissa and I checked out the scenery and played in the snow.
Clarissa made a ton of snow angels. Unfortunately, the snow was real powdery and we could not make an Olaf (I could not follow her into the snow either....I would sink down to my knees in snow).
We noticed that Queen Elsa had been here!
Later in the afternoon, we headed to the pool and hot tub.
Gudauri is located on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains in the Kazbegi region of Georgia. We enjoyed a beautiful sunrise as the sun came over the mountains.
After breakfast, we went for a walk into the town of Gudauri. It is a cute little ski village with pretty new looking hotels.
We saw a pretty church on the edge of the mountain.
After our walk, the kids played in the snow (we totally forgot to pack their sleds). Note the flying snow about to hit Clarissa in the face.....big brothers....sigh.
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Richard practiced his snowboarding skills.
Played with icicles.....
Apparently, no one was safe from snowballs.....thanks, Mason.....
They had a little inner tube ride, which Clarissa loved.
The next day, we opted to ride the ski lift up the mountain....and back down...(FYI, I don't ski, I tumble down mountains. In fact, the two times I have been on a ski lift, well I have fallen on my face getting off. So I will stick to hanging out at the pool and getting a massage....that I can do!)
For Christmas, we got a GoPro as a gift. We forgot the helmet mount, but we did take it on our ski lift ride.
The CLO is planning another ski trip this ski season. Mason is wanting to try skiing instead of snowboarding. Richard enjoyed snowboarding and wants to snowboard some more.....so we may be heading up the mountains again soon (is it summer yet? I like warm beaches.....).
After checking in and renting gear, the boys headed off to snow boarding lessons.
Clarissa and I checked out the scenery and played in the snow.
Later in the afternoon, we headed to the pool and hot tub.
Gudauri is located on the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains in the Kazbegi region of Georgia. We enjoyed a beautiful sunrise as the sun came over the mountains.
After breakfast, we went for a walk into the town of Gudauri. It is a cute little ski village with pretty new looking hotels.
We saw a pretty church on the edge of the mountain.
After our walk, the kids played in the snow (we totally forgot to pack their sleds). Note the flying snow about to hit Clarissa in the face.....big brothers....sigh.
Richard practiced his snowboarding skills.
Played with icicles.....
Apparently, no one was safe from snowballs.....thanks, Mason.....
They had a little inner tube ride, which Clarissa loved.
The next day, we opted to ride the ski lift up the mountain....and back down...(FYI, I don't ski, I tumble down mountains. In fact, the two times I have been on a ski lift, well I have fallen on my face getting off. So I will stick to hanging out at the pool and getting a massage....that I can do!)
For Christmas, we got a GoPro as a gift. We forgot the helmet mount, but we did take it on our ski lift ride.
The CLO is planning another ski trip this ski season. Mason is wanting to try skiing instead of snowboarding. Richard enjoyed snowboarding and wants to snowboard some more.....so we may be heading up the mountains again soon (is it summer yet? I like warm beaches.....).
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Monday's Moment: Teaching & Bidding
Image from: http://public.media.smithsonianmag.com/legacy_blog/06_21_2013_periodic-table.jpg
Friday, January 16, 2015
Will you accept this.....post?
So we got our bid list for our second assignment on Monday. We have about a month to research all seventeen of the posts and then rank them as a high, medium, low fit for our family. With two school age kids (eek, Clarissa is starting Kindergarten next year!), that is the most important thing to us.
That being said, I feel a bit like the Bachelor (or Bachelorette depending on the season) (yes, I know it is a horrible show to be drawn into......).
As we read a post report and watch a video, you start to fall in love with that post (just like the bachelor does on a date). You begin imagining your future at that post.
Then, just like a new date card being delivered, you begin researching another post and you fall in love with that post too.
How can I be in love with more than one post?!?!?!
But you have to be careful, because ultimately we don't decide (the CDO does), so you don't want to get your heart shattered if our rose doesn't get accepted......
Coming up later during the most dramatic bidding season ever, the sleepless nights awaiting the email with our next post, how do the kids react, the phone call to tell our parents where to book their next plane ticket too, planning the move to the most romantic location in the world, you will not want to miss it!
That being said, I feel a bit like the Bachelor (or Bachelorette depending on the season) (yes, I know it is a horrible show to be drawn into......).
As we read a post report and watch a video, you start to fall in love with that post (just like the bachelor does on a date). You begin imagining your future at that post.
Then, just like a new date card being delivered, you begin researching another post and you fall in love with that post too.
How can I be in love with more than one post?!?!?!
But you have to be careful, because ultimately we don't decide (the CDO does), so you don't want to get your heart shattered if our rose doesn't get accepted......
Coming up later during the most dramatic bidding season ever, the sleepless nights awaiting the email with our next post, how do the kids react, the phone call to tell our parents where to book their next plane ticket too, planning the move to the most romantic location in the world, you will not want to miss it!
Monday, January 12, 2015
Monday, January 5, 2015
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Tbilisi Tips: Enamel Workshop
So earlier this year, I took an enamel class at the Embassy and wrote about it here. Sometime late spring, the CLO office (which coordinated the class), switched to an organization from the Tserovani IDP settlement.
An IDP settlement is for Internally Displaced Persons. Tserovani is a settlement for people displaced from the South Ossetia area of Georgia during the 2008 War. About 7000 people live in this settlement (note the red roofed houses go on practically forever).
With the help of the Peace Corps, some women from the village have established a social enterprise, Ikorta, that leads a hands-on enamel jewelry workshop (I totally stole that wording from their info sheet).
The workshop runs on Saturdays from 11am - 5 pm (we've ended early both times.....). Due to the size of their shop and assistance people will need, class size is limited to 6 people (with a minimum of 3 people). You are served coffee or tea, with a light lunch made from traditional dishes from the South Ossetia area. They will provided transportation for groups upon request.
Prior to arrival, they will ask what jewelry items you are thinking of making so they can have a number of designs to choose from (we've made pendants, earrings, rings, and cuff links). They go to the gold market in the city and pick up the silver forms/ribbon.
I picked some rectangular cuff links to make for Richard.
I went with circles because they are easy :)
You adhere your designs with a powdered glue to your item.
The women will help you with your shapes too!
The next step is to pick out your colors (this might possibly be the hardest part!). I went with orange (looks white) and teal for the turtle I was making Mason; dark red and black for the cuff links I was making Richard.
Then using your brush, you put the enamel powder into your jewelry.
The women will fire the jewelry in the kiln (note the temp....769 °C).
Coming out of the kiln, the colors will be all black. As it cools, the color returns. Depending on the depth of the jewelry, you will do this portion of the process two or three times.
You then paint a clear top coat onto the jewelry and the women fire it one more time. At this point you are finished. In the evenings, after work the women meet back at the house and will seal and polish the jewelry into the final products. They will then coordinate delivery to you within a week.
The cufflinks and turtle I did.
An IDP settlement is for Internally Displaced Persons. Tserovani is a settlement for people displaced from the South Ossetia area of Georgia during the 2008 War. About 7000 people live in this settlement (note the red roofed houses go on practically forever).
With the help of the Peace Corps, some women from the village have established a social enterprise, Ikorta, that leads a hands-on enamel jewelry workshop (I totally stole that wording from their info sheet).
The workshop runs on Saturdays from 11am - 5 pm (we've ended early both times.....). Due to the size of their shop and assistance people will need, class size is limited to 6 people (with a minimum of 3 people). You are served coffee or tea, with a light lunch made from traditional dishes from the South Ossetia area. They will provided transportation for groups upon request.
Prior to arrival, they will ask what jewelry items you are thinking of making so they can have a number of designs to choose from (we've made pendants, earrings, rings, and cuff links). They go to the gold market in the city and pick up the silver forms/ribbon.
I picked some rectangular cuff links to make for Richard.
You begin by using the tweezers, the end of the paint brush, and the scissors to mold the thin silver ribbon into the designs you want.
I went with circles because they are easy :)
You adhere your designs with a powdered glue to your item.
The next step is to pick out your colors (this might possibly be the hardest part!). I went with orange (looks white) and teal for the turtle I was making Mason; dark red and black for the cuff links I was making Richard.
Then using your brush, you put the enamel powder into your jewelry.
The women will fire the jewelry in the kiln (note the temp....769 °C).
Coming out of the kiln, the colors will be all black. As it cools, the color returns. Depending on the depth of the jewelry, you will do this portion of the process two or three times.
You then paint a clear top coat onto the jewelry and the women fire it one more time. At this point you are finished. In the evenings, after work the women meet back at the house and will seal and polish the jewelry into the final products. They will then coordinate delivery to you within a week.
The cufflinks and turtle I did.
The cufflinks Jim made and the pendant Ann made.
The cufflinks Sarah made and the rings Crystal made.
Note: I will keep editing this post and adding more photos of cool things we have made.
The women will meet during the week and work on projects of their own. They will use these items to sell at bazaars/fairs. You can also purchase additional items already made (I've bought some earrings). They will also have items other women in the settlement have made (I got some super cute wool felt snowmen).
I have gone to two classes already at Ikorta with a group of ladies from the Embassy (the last class, I brought my in-laws....the women will share stories of their artistic and cultural heritage (stole that line too)). We are already talking about when our next class will be.
Details:
Enamel Jewelry Workshop
Location:
Tserovani IDP Settlement, Row 11, Cottage 1624 (remember they will provide transportation)
Time:
Saturdays 11am- 5pm (reserve your place at least 5 days in advance)
Cost:
80-100 GEL depending on the piece you make (already made items are priced 35+ GEL), cash only
Contact info:
uketesimomavlisatvis@gmail.com or 599 410 250
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