Short Trip to Kyrgyzstan...

Last week I was fortunate to spend a few days in Kyrgyzstan during another work-related trip. It's a very beautiful country with very high mountains - which I only got to see from a distance - and very warm and friendly people. I met up with Zeinab and Seid, who both used to serve at the Bahá'í World Centre, and made some wonderful new friends as well!

Here are some impressions of the country and the friends I met...

This picture was taken after the first day of the training I facilitated. It is in the backyard of the National Bahá'í Centre. From right to left are Akaki from Georgia, Seper from Uzbekistan, Counsellor Nassimova from Kyrgyzstan, Mahnoz from Tajikistan and myself.
This picture is of the Popovs family, in whose guesthouse I stayed. They are a very nice family, and their daughter, Luda (on the right side), has actually been living in Holland for the last four years or so. She speaks fluent Dutch, and we were able to have a nice conversation about the Faith.
Who would have thought this guy would still be around?? Yes, Mr. Lenin himself, still standing in front of the polytechnic university of Bishkek where one of the meetings was held.
Victoria, who took the time to show me around Bishkek for a few hours and Zeinab who happened to be visiting Bishkek from Kazakhstan.During lunch in a restaurant with a few friends, including Seid who is sitting to my right and Roy sitting accross from me, Counsellor Rouhani, Mahnoz, Akaki and Seper.

The Three Little Ones...

Rocco, Shiori and Enna-Marie were together playing last Thursday. We just want to post these pictures of the three little ones whom we love so dearly. Look how they have grown, Rocco turned 10 months old today, Shiori is 9 months old, while Enna-Marie turned 6 months yesterday.

Half a year!

Today is Enna-Marie's half a year birthday! It is hard to believe that she has been with us already for six months, yet on the other hand the days that there were just two of us also seem quite a long time ago now... We went to Bahji this afternoon, but probably because of the heat Enna-Marie didn't last very long. Here are two pictures we took afterwards in the Visitors' Centre where there is wonderful airconditioning!

















Today is also the first time that she is standing up without our help (but not without the help of the couch!). What an achievement!!

Holland - Ivory Coast 2-1

The Netherlands beat the Ivory Coast this evening, 2-1. The victory was hardly deserved, Ivory Coast was better at times, but leaves the World Cup empty-handed... We watched the game at our newly-wed friends Quddus and Samarih's house. Quddus' Dutch uncle Behrouz - who by the way looks exactly like Guus Hiddink - brought two Holland jerseys as a wedding gift for Quddus and Samarih. Although Samarih is Brazilian, she was quite the support this evening wearing an orange shirt and cheering for the Dutch! Nicholas (who was supporting the Ivory Coast, as the English are obviously less fond of the Dutch than the Brazilians) was also there, and Martijn came over for the second half.

Enna-Marie was dressed in orange for the occassion. She already had orange pants, and this afternoon we bought her an orange shirt as well! At least we've made it to the second round... Lets hope the team's game play will improve in their next match against Argentina! That's going to be a tough one!

Visit of our Friends Marpha and Mario

Marpha and Mario were recently here on Pilgrimage, they come from Cambodia their pioneering post, but Marpha is originally from the Philippines, while Mario is from Malaysia. They have a five year old son named Danesh whom they have left back home with Lola Nena, Marpha's mom.

Trip to the Philippine Embassy

On Thursday we went to the Philippines Embassy in Tel Aviv to get a Filipino passport for Enna-Marie. It took a little over an hour before we were outside again with her passport in hand! To compare: about five weeks ago we went to the Dutch Consulate in Haifa to apply for a Dutch passport, and we're still waiting to pick it up! Menchie also got a new passport in the process and she is now also officially Mrs. Schoot! Afterwards, we went to IKEA and bought some stuff for home.

Here are couple of pictures of the Embassy at its new location by the Yarkon river in Tel Aviv and some shots of the Schoot family shopping.

Recent Visitors...

Nanay Alice Train from the Philippines is here visiting her daughter Vanesa. Back home in Manila, she was Mommy Ping's buddy in teaching activities, they went and visited the communities together...and now that she is in town, it is just nice to see and be with her at our place. Here is a picture of us together...
















Also the Kersten's from the Netherlands visited, they were all here on pilgrimage, and one evening we had them over for dinner in our home. The night before they left, we were able to see them again and bid goodbye..."tot ziens!"

Peekaboo...

Enna-Marie has discovered the wonderful world of peekaboo... The game every parent likes to play with their child after a few months! She gets very excited after daddy hides under the chair and then suddenly re-emerges... Enjoy the video!

First Solid Food...

Baby Enna-Marie started her first solid food last week. We saw some signs that she's ready for it and so we gave it a try. As a start, we gave her rice cereal and she likes it a lot as you can see from the photos.

Hmmm, yummy!














I want some more...!














Resting...














Thirsty...














Oopps, what a mess!

Mother Goose on the Loose...

"Mother Goose on the Loose" is a nursery rhymes class held once a week here at the World Centre, our friend Katharine is doing this class. This monday we had a pretty good attendance and I'm glad Enna-Marie and myself went, not only we were able to learn some songs but also met the lovely moms with their babies.

Talkative baby...

Enna-Marie is greatly enjoying practising her talking, and with mommy and daddy as a captivated audience, she has the stage all to herself here...



This video is of Enna-Marie practising sitting on the couch! She also takes great delight in trying to stretch her legs and stand, but for now managing to sit and stay seated is a challenge that must be overcome first :)

Sudoku and Word Mojo

Ever since Shingo and Shradha introduced me to a game of Sudoku just a couple of days ago, I have become hooked on this entertaining game. Menchie, on the other hand, is an avid Word Mojo fan! If you want to give either game a try for yourself, just click on one of the images below.

Happy Birthday Aliyah!

Yesterday Aliyah turned TWO years old, and we celebrated in style with a birthday party at Negeen and Victor's. It's an EXTRA happy birthday this year because Aliyah's aunt and uncle and two cousins are also here to celebrate! Negeen and Victor organized a wonderful party with delicious food and a GREAT birthdaycake!! Bravo Negeen!! Here are some impressions of the event :)

Aliyah's 'Year in Review', hanging on the living-room wall! Negeen, we really admire your creativity!
Need we say more?? How would you like your own handbag for a cake as a two-year old!? Family picture of Nadia, Iman, Omeed, Jamilah, Negeen, Aliyah and Victor.
Another 'Dad's with baby's' in this picture :)
At the end of the evening with May, Martijn, Nadia, Omeed, Negeen, Victor, Aliyah and Enna-Marie!

Camel Beach Outing

Last weekend we went for lunch at the beach with Evelin, Santana and Rocco! Since the weather is now really warming up - but not too warm yet - it was perfect for a stroll along the new promenade stretching all the way from the Camel restaurant to Le Meridien, the grand hotel on the beach.

Restaurant was great, simple, Israeli food: Humous with tehina, pita, salads, burgers, and some fries. Delicioso!! Afterwards ice-cream and a nice walk along the promenade. We took some shots with Enna-Marie and the Medditeranean in the background...

Enjoy!

Special Photo...

One sunny afternoon at the Visitor's Centre in Bahji last month, we were blessed to have a picture taken with Hand of the Cause of God Dr. Varqa...yes that is why this is a special photo! Also with us here are baby Rocco and mommy Evelin.

Happy Independence Day!

On the occassion of 58 years of the State of Israel, we watched the fireworks from our balcony...Enjoy!

Fourth Month Vaccination

Yesterday we took Enna-Marie for her fourth-month vaccination at the Tipat Halav (which is Hebrew for the Bureau of Immunization). She was very brave, and when nurse Adima injected the needle in her leg, she only let out a short cry, and afterwards continued playing with her rattle as if nothing had happened! What a good girl!! :)

Her length was measured at 66 cm this time, and her weight is now 7.45 kg! Both are above average, but the ratio between the two is just good! Here are some pictures of her:

Before...

After...