Week in Review

Sunday was a very nice day.  The weather was beautiful (except for about a 3 minute downpour during the middle of church), so the travel to/from church was not bad.  I didn’t have much by way of English translation at church, so I spent most of the 3-hour block reading the lessons/scriptures on my iPad and helping David and/or Kaylie.  After we got home from church, the kids had a snack, we watch a conference talk, and then David went down for a nap and the girls had a rest time (Jacque and I too).  It was a peaceful afternoon, followed by dinner and video chat with Grandma and Grandpa Westover, then the kids went to bed and Jacque and I enjoyed the evening together.   

Jacque did not sleep well Sunday night, so I was up with the kids and we had a nice morning of a mix of playing and work.  At lunch time we went to the playground for a little picnic and the kids had a great time playing.  The weather got a bit worse in the afternoon, so after rest time we mostly stuck around the apartment and also did some grocery shopping.  We had a nice FHE after dinner and had yummy no-bake cookies for treat!  Once the kids were in bed, Jacque and I had a nice quiet evening. 

Tuesday was a good day.  I had my visit to the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Office, where I spoke to around 30 educators from Minsk Regional Retraining Institute (like Jacque did last month).  It was a lot of fun!  I was home by lunch and then we got kids down for rest time.  It was a little more overcast, so we didn’t dare being too ambitious with our afternoon outing.  We ended up at the dinosaur play land on the top floor of the main train station.  The kids had fun and it was nice to get out.  Below are a couple pics and you can see more here. 

Wednesday was also a rainy day so we stuck around the apartment most of the day.  I was able to get some work done and we also played a lot.  Early afternoon the kids were all up from naps and the rain stopped and clouds cleared for a little bit, so we decided to try going out.  By the time we got everyone ready and packed up and outside, it started raining again, so we changed plans and walked over to the grocery store for a little shopping and to look around the mini-mall on the second floor.  It was raining, so we all got wet, but not too wet so it was kind of fun!  We looked around the shops for a little bit before heading back home.  We had our normal evening routine and Jacque and I enjoyed a quiet evening once the kids were in bed.  

Thursday was another overcast day, and also my long work day on campus (with evening classes).  So we just hung around the apartment in the morning and I was able to get a bit of work done before heading off for campus.  Jacque and the kids just stuck around the apartment and did their thing.  I got home shortly before 10 pm and Jacque and I got ready for bed.  It was a boring, yet productive day.

Friday was a gorgeous day!  After a normal morning, by around 10 am we headed out for the Minsk Botanical Gardens/Park.  It took a while to get there, then even a bit longer to find exactly where we were trying to get to (a lot of construction blocked off certain paths).  We finally got to where we wanted to be and spent the next hour and a half enjoying the beautiful scenery!  We grabbed some lunch on the way home and finally got back to the apartment around 2 pm.  The kids had late rest time and then we played a bit before dinner, followed by Friday ice cream night at the park.  It was a great day!  Below are a few pics and you can see more here.

 

The weather was beautiful again on Saturday.  We had a rather lazy morning, but then we ventured out to the circus in the afternoon!  The kids were mesmerized by everything (lots of acrobatics and trained animals).  We got home a bit late, but we did all of the evening stuff and got the kids in bed and then Jacque and I had a nice evening.  Below are a few pics and you can see more here.

 

Today is another beautiful Sunday morning and we are just getting ready for the day and we will start the weekly trek to church in another hour and a half.  That's all for now.

Week in Review

Monday was a beautiful day.  We have had so much rain lately, that we almost cheer when we see the sun!  Amber was not feeling well (she has had a mild fever the last couple of days), so we just hung around the apartment in the morning (I worked, the kids played, Jacque did some grocery shopping).  After rest time, Amber was feeling well enough that we did go out.  Our destination was a shop that sells Belarusian straw dolls.  On the way, we enjoyed the open plaza and fountains near the metro station, looked at some art that was on display, and just enjoyed the sun.  After going to the store and getting a souvenir, we then went back to the open square and enjoyed an ice cream in the shade.  It was all very pleasant.  We returned home in time of dinner and FHE and then we got the kids to bed.  It was a very good day.

 

Tuesday was another sunny day!  Amber woke up with a rash all over her upper body (we think it was sixth disease).  Her fever was almost gone, so we just watched that closely.  By late morning we decided to take a little trek to see a cathedral nearby.  The walk was longer than we had originally thought, but it was a scenic stroll through a park and along a river front, so we enjoyed that.  But by the time we were on our way home, we were all very warm and tired, just in time for lunch!  Also, I had my last of three presentations at the Belarus High Tech Park and it went well.  I returned home in time to take the kids to the park before dinner and we all had a great time soaking in the sun.  It was another good day.

Wednesday was another nice day.  Amber's rash was almost gone and she was feeling much better.  We had our normal morning routine and then we went to visit a different mall downtown.  Jacque and Sara found some crochet stuff and we got the kids so sidewalk chalk and coloring stuff.  It was fun to look around and souvenirs too, though we didn’t buy any this time.  After shopping/looking around for a while, we got some lunch and then headed home in time for rest time.  I got some work done while everyone rested and then I took the kids to the park to play afterword’s.  After dinner we were able to Skype with a friend back home (the kids loved seeing/talking to their friends too!) and had a very enjoyable evening.   

The weather was not quite as nice on Thursday.  I was able to get some work done while also attempting to watch the kids.  After lunch, I went in to campus for the afternoon and I got a lot of work done, while Jacque was home with the kids and they did some crafts and she made some yummy chocolate chunk cookies.  She then had a branch Relief Society activity to go to (I think they tied quilts) so I got the kids dinner and did the bedtime stuff with them.  If was not an exciting day, but a productive one nonetheless.     

The weather was good again Friday morning so we ventured out to another church and cemetery.  The cemeteries here are much more woodsy and rustic; a very natural setting.  It was a nice walk and visit and then we came back for lunch and rest time.  It was raining in the afternoon, so no park, but we all played and enjoyed the afternoon together.  After dinner and the kids were in bed, Jacque and I splurged and rented a streaming on YouTube.

Saturday was another bad-weather day, at least in the morning (the sun came out for a little bit late afternoon).  My scheduled got changed, so I didn’t teach my MBA class until Saturday afternoon.  So I hung with the kids in the morning and we played a variety of games (including, but not limited to: Simon Says, Hide and Seek, Fashion Show, etc.).  After my class in the afternoon, I got home in time to join Jacque and the kids in the park, then dinner and our normal bedtime routine with the kids.  Then Jacque and I had a nice evening together.  

Today is a normal Sunday morning and we are looking forward to church in a little bit and then a quiet evening together as a family tonight.

Third Presentation at the Belarus High Tech Park

On Tuesday I had my third presentation at the Belarus High Tech Park as part of my Strategic Human Capital Leadership training series, entitles: "Productive Work Environments: Creating a High Performance Work Culture."  You can see a write-up on the visit here (in Russian, so use Google Translate to see in English if you are so inclined).  In addition to the 60+ in attendance in person, the presentation was also live streamed to participants in Brest. 

  

All told, leaders and executives from more than 40 Belarus High Tech/IT companies attended these three sessions.  I am still in discussion with the Belarus High Tech Park about doing sponsored visits to other cities around the country to do similar seminars with management at other companies in the Belarus high tech/IT industry.  We shall see how that all gets worked out.

Weekly Update

Monday was a good day. Jacque was still not feeling well, so we let her rest while the kids and I played and I got some work done.  Also, the weather was nice we were able to spend some time outside at the playground.  Jacque also did the big shopping trip for the week.  In the evening, we had a yummy dinner and then had family night, before the kids went to bed.

Tuesday morning we had our typical routine and we let Jacque sleep in a bit.  I also got some work done in the morning before getting picked up for my second presentation at the Belarus High tech Park (which I posted on earlier in the week).  It was very well attended and I think it came off quite well, so I was pleased.  I got home in time to take the girls to the park before dinner.  Then Jacque went to her English class.  It was a good day.

Wednesday was a very rainy day.  It was basically a downpour all morning.  I had a series of meetings, presentations, and workshops at BSUIR in the afternoon (which I posted on earlier in the week) and everything went well.  Jacque had her English class again in the evening and by all reports it went well.  It was her last day and she is sad to been done.  She has really enjoyed her time with the students.

Thursday morning we had the typical morning routine and then I took off for my long day at the university.  I was able to get quite a bit of work done and then I had a good class with my MBA students in the evening.  It was rather rainy all day, so Jacque was stuck in the apartment with the kids all day and I think they all went a little stir crazy.  I got home from work a little after 9:30 pm and Jacque and I relaxed for a bit before it was time for bed.  

Friday was another really rainy day, but Jacque and the kids were dying to get out, so we just went out anyway.  Of course we ended up getting soaked by all of the rain, but it was fun!  We went to see the Afghan war memorial, commemorating fallen soldiers from Belarus, who died in the USSR/Afghanistan war between 1979 and 1988.  We then made our way over to McDonald's for our weekly fix!  When we got back, we got all of the kids dry and they had rest time.  When the kids were up and about later in the afternoon, I took them to the playground.  It was very wet, with puddles everywhere, but they had a great time and even made a new Belarusian friend.  We had ice-cream sundaes for ice-cream Friday and then Jacque and I had a nice evening after the kids were in bed. 

 

Saturday morning I was off early for my 3-hour MBA class.  Everything went well and by the time I got home the kids were down for naps.  The sun was shining, so around 3 pm when everyone was up, we took off to do some souvenir shopping (they also wanted to get me a present for Father’s Day).  We found some fun traditional Belarusian souvenirs and then had my Father’s Day dinner at TGI Friday’s (right in downtown Minks).  They were quite accommodating to the large family and even had English menus!  Unfortunately, several of the things we wanted to order from the menu they did not have after all.  But by the end of the meal we all were stuffed silly and we had a great time!  We got home in time to get the kids to bed at the normal time and Jacque and I had a nice evening together.

Today is a super sun, hot, and humid day!  We will take that over the rain, but it did make for a less pleasant trip to and from church.  Now we are back and enjoying a quiet afternoon.  Jacque made me a nice Father’s Day breakfast and I am sure we will have something delicious for dinner (we always do)!

Presentations this Week

This week I have been busy with more presentations.  On Tuesday, I made another trip the Belarus High Tech Park for my second presentation in the Strategic Human Capital Leadership training series, entitled, "Employee Motivation: Leveraging Employee Capacity to Optimize Workplace Potential."  The training was attended by more than 60 heads of HR departments and recruiters in High Tech and IT businesses in Belarus.

You can find blurbs of this visit, as well as a brief follow-up Q&A narrative at the following links (the first two are in Russian, so my U.S friends and family will need to use Google Translate to read):

• Belarus High Tech Park Website Post 
• Belarus IT Marketing Website
• Brief Q&A Narrative 

Also, of possible interest may be a video clip summarizing the vast research on motivation, which I showed and we discussed as part of the training:

Additionally, yesterday I visited Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics for a series of meetings with school administrators, a tour of the facilities, and a presentation to students and faculty, entitled, "Effective Personal Branding and Skills & Competencies Required to be Successful in One's Professional Career."  I really enjoyed the visit and presentation and I appreciated the opportunity to see another Belarus university campus and talk about educational/teaching issues with faculty and administrators.  You can see a blurb about this visit on the university website here and at the Belarus IT Marketing website here.

 Now I am back in the BSU MBA office today preparing for my MBA class tonight. 

Week in Review

Monday was a very casual day.  We had our normal morning routine and I worked most of the morning and afternoon from home.  Around 4 pm we got picked up by Sergei and went to his family’s home for dinner and family home evening.  They are such a friendly, happy family.  Dinner was delicious and we really enjoyed our time with them (and the kids loved playing with all of the toys!).  We arrived back home around 9:30 and got the kids to bed and Jacque and I enjoyed the rest of the evening together before crashing.

On Tuesday morning, I was with the kids until about 11 am.  We all just did the normal morning stuff and I worked some.  At noon I got picked up by a HTP car and arrived early for my 1 pm presentation.  There was a pretty good turnout, and despite some technical difficulties with their equipment, I think it all went very well.  I then came home and we enjoyed the rest of the afternoon together before dinner and Jacque’s English.

The weather was bad again on Wednesday but we were all getting a little stir crazy so we decided to just go out anyway.  We ended up at the mall (the underground one beneath Independence Square).  We had a lot of fun walking around and looking at the kiosks mostly.  They have some fun souvenirs (we didn’t buy any at the mall because everything is expensive there, but we got some ideas).  We grabbed some lunch and then ate an ice-cream outside before trekking home for rest time.  While everyone else napped, I got some work done, we had a nice evening, and then I held down the fort while Jacque went to English class in the evening.  It was a good day.

We had a typical morning on Thursday (me helping the kids/working, the girls playing/reading/etc.).  I went in to work after lunch and had a busy afternoon of whatever it is I do!  Later in the afternoon I did a presentation/workshop with the BSU business school faculty on preparing students for their future careers.  It was a lot about teaching methods, but also what we teach and a discussion of the skills/competencies the students need to be prepared with.  It was a rather interesting discussion/exchange.  After that, I came home, we did dinner and got the kids to bed, and then I went off to English class in the evening.  At English class we discussed everything from politics, to the economy, to the business environment, the education system, families, etc.  It was an extremely interesting discussion (almost like a focus group for me!). 

We had a casual morning around apartment on Friday, followed by a picnic at the park (the weather was gorgeous and sunny for the first time in a long while!).  After rest time, I took the kids back to the park to play, to get them nice and warn out, and then we had the male young volunteers (the elders) over for dinner.  That was a lot of fun.  The girls just love them and I think the volunteers enjoyed having an evening of English interaction!

Saturday was a full day of work for me.  I taught my MBA class in the morning and then sat in on a bunch of MBA thesis defenses in the afternoon.  The program is looking to change the way it works the thesis defense process and they asked me to sit in, provide feedback to the students, and provide my thoughts to the program.  Following the defenses, we had a rather long discussion regarding everything and I hope they found my input useful.  While I was gone, Jacque took care of the kids back home.  They played at the apartment, went to the park, and also walked over to a nearby Holocaust Memorial, where 5000 Belarusian Jews were killed and thrown into a giant pit.  Those remains have long since been moved and the spot is now a memorial to them.  I have just seen pictures and heard Jacque’s description, so I will have to go and visit myself one of these days.  After I got home around 5 pm, we took a walk and ended up eating dinner at McDonald's (our weekly American fix while we are here!).  We got back and the kids to bed a bit late and then Jacque and I had a nice evening.

Today is a beautiful, sunny Sunday and we are looking forward to church in a little while.