Figure skating competition

In mid May Nika participated in a figure skating competition. Actually all four girls could have done it but only Nika really wanted to, the rest of them chickened out. I was actually happy about it because the participation fee was quite high but what cost the most was figure skating costumes. Here they run around $150-200. And if all four girls wanted to participate, I would have a hard time justifying such a purchase of something that would be worn only once or twice. I still wasn’t going to pay $200 for a costume, so I found a company in China that sews figure skating costumes for half as much and ships them all over the world. It took three weeks for them to make it and ship it to us but it came just in time. It was beautiful.

 

There were somewhere around 60-70 kids participating, and they all had to do the same program. Nika’s age group was the biggest and had the widest range, from 10 to 16 years old. She had a good time at the competition even though she was very nervous (they all were) and didn’t take any of the first three places. It was a good experience. Here are some pictures from that event.

Warming up.

Warming up

Still warming up

Going on the ice for her performance

In the position

Here she is coming off the ice after her performance. The expression on her face is priceless.

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It was a few hours before they would announce the results, so we came back to NU, met Spencer and went out to KFC for dinner. 

Kids love KFC here, it is probably their favorite fast food restaurant in town.

Nika with her very good friend, Dilnaz.

Track Meet - November 2016

Back in November Nika and Lina both had a track meet. It was city-wide for children in Astana. Our kids ran in the youngest 2004-2005 category for 150 meters, so Lina wasn't even supposed to run (she was born in 2006) but her coach thought she should give it a try. She did really well. Their coach asked me how come Lina didn't come training last year when Nika started, because she has a lot of potential. Well, Lina objects to a lot of things when she thinks she wouldn't like them.

This year Sophie wanted to do track with Nika, and Lexa wanted to do whatever Sophie was doing. So, since the other three kids were doing it, I asked Lina if she wanted to give it a try. She refused saying that she doesn't like running. I then said that she should try it for 2 weeks, and then if she didn't like it, I wouldn't make her. Well, after the first lesson it turned out that she didn't like it, she LOVED it! And that is how it is with Lina a lot of time. She also made good friends there. Here are a few pictures from the meet. I didn't end up taking any pictures of Nika running because she ran so fast, I wasn't ready with my camera.

Nika watching her sister run after she finished her own run

Lina's very first track meet

Getting her results

Sisters and partners

Waiting for the reward ceremony to start.  Nika's in the back row with Lina.