One thing I do not like is apartment shopping. The prices are usually depressing, the choices, at least here, can be terrifyingly tacky, and there is always the worry that once the landlord sees a foreigner’s face that the price will magically increase. This time around though it was a fairly quick and painless process thanks to Brian’s new employer who helped us. Zula and I first searched online and in the paper for perspective apartments and then passed on the information to a wonderful woman at Brian’s office. She not only made all the appointments for us but drove us around to see the apartments. I could get used to this life

Anyway to get to the point we found a place that is not too far from Brian’s work, near a grocery store, and has no tiger themed wallpaper, orange kitchen cabinets, or wall to wall indoor-outdoor carpeting (something which was featured in our first UB apartment). We still need to move a bunch of things up from the Gobi including the fur babies but after a good cleaning it is starting to feel like home. Come and visit-we have lots of room!

The front entrance way. We plan to get a rug, a bench, and a table at some point so it won't look so barren.

The hallway which is also screaming for a carpet or two.

Our bedroom.

The ceiling leaves me speechless.

Tsendee's room.

Just too much princess for Brian and me.

I don't care if the washing machine takes up half the bathroom-it is the first we have ever had in a home.

Our fancy shower pod.

Our tiny toilet room.

I love the kitchen. Refrigerator! Stove! Running water! What more could I ask for?

Our dining area. The table and chairs are the only furniture we have had to buy so far.

The world's largest couch! (I fear for its safety once the cats show up).

I wish the TV wasn't so small though. I can barely see it from across the street.

The view to the north east. We are right next to an old Soviet era spa which is nice.

On the distant hill is a Chinggis outline made out of rocks. Looking south east.

We are close enough to walk to the Zaisan monument and the Tuul river to our south.