Basketball, Friends, Rest... :)

Exercise is an important part of life, right? After Kathy and I and our daughters moved to California in 1986 I began playing basketball with friends every week or so. I love playing basketball. I love the competition. It's a great outlet for a person to do their best and face challenges. I love the exercise. It's a great help in staying healthy. I love the mental aspect.... making plays, using each player's strengths and skills to the advantage of the team, and getting the mind off all the problems and issues going on in life. I love the fact that a team with less skill, strength, and coolness can beat a team loaded with talent and fame by using smartness, experience and the element of pure desire. As in many aspects of life, victory can so often go to those who have the bigger hearts.

Mongolians love basketball. But there are not many places to play. I have played at outdoor courts, but the style is quite different. I have had some great times with the Horton family and another friend named Oyuma. I have found an indoor court, which you can see in a few photos. Some of you may be able to guess where it is :)

Kathy and I have found time to take walks and do some Tae Bo in our apartment (of course you would laugh if you watched us!), and recently we have used the workout facilities at a nearby hotel for a few dollars. Jogging for exercise is difficult because the roads are bad, the open manholes remain a challenge (!!), and the crowds and their manners are so different.

Anwyay, it's been good to rest a bit. This past week I began working in the office at the university. Lots to do in preparation for the coming semester. I look forward to it! Take a look at the photos of friends we have spent time with. Always great to be with people.. :)

Can you guess where these photos were taken?

Our friend Nasim! He is from Afghanistan, and is studying at MIU.

Our friend Zaya, who graduated from LEI and will be attending MIU.

Here is a random photo of Ulaanbaatar (at the left)  that Kathy took after takeoff from the airport on our way to China.

Baaksa, our friend we met at the grocery story at our apartment building.

Student orientation day at MIU this week. Our friend Noel is speaking

A recent view from our apartment. Despite so much to the contrary, there are times when the city looks beautiful.

Our friend Chimgee :)

A couple more photos Kathy took after takeoff from UB on route to China.