Happy Birthday Askarbek

Today is Askarbek's birthday. He has been fascinated like the rest of us with the new baby. She spends most of her time sleeping quietly. But, she does eat a lot.

A new addition to the family

Early this morning Oksana gave birth to our new daughter, Mary Lynn. She weighed in at 3.3 kg (about seven and a quarter pounds). 

Things are more stable now

It looks like I have taken care of my most immediate concerns now. For a while things looked very bad. Now things look considerably better. Thank you to those people here in Bishkek that helped me negotiate this very difficult time.

I am still alive

For those wondering, yes I am still alive. But, recently my life has been very hectic. I will post more when things settle down somewhat.

Second half of Interview up at Moon Brothers

The second half of the interview with me is now up at the Moon Brothers' blog.

Update on Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek is still safe. But, there have been reports of ethnic clashes in Talas and Tokmok as well as Osh and Jalabad. The official toll of dead in Osh given by the government is over 2000. The UN estimates that some 400,000 people have been displaced from their homes by the recent events. This is definitely the worst violence Kyrgyzstan has seen in many decades.

Heat Wave

It has been really hot in Bishkek the last week. It has also been very humid. I do not mind the heat itself, but the humidity is very uncomfortable.