April 1

Today we celebrated our 9th anniversary, continents apart, but it has actually been a great day. Ethan arranged for me to have flowers delivered. These were very Kazakh style. Big, bright wrapping and 7 roses inside. I asked the translator why only 7, she said because 2 more would cost the equivelant to $25 dollars. I am glad she stopped at 7, I know how many years we have been married, I don't need to see it counted out in roses. Caleb and I went to the store this morning and Julia and I had a great visit. I brought her fruit juice and she drank like there was no end! Then, after our visit, my translator said Ethan had arranged for me to get my hair cut and some other special things at the "salon". See, here spa services are incredibly inexpensive, pedicures are $5, a haircut is $6. And these are the prices at the "best" salon in Petro. So, I spent all afternoon there getting prettied up, for no one, but it was a great day! Caleb spent the afternoon with our travel partners (Ethan had arranged that) and he seemed to have fun. So, all in all, life is pretty good here in Petro.