Veterans Day

            Just a day before the Veterans Day one of the last heroes of WWII left this perishable world. Talgat Bigeldinov was a military aviator of the Soviet Army during the Second World War, twice Hero of the Soviet Union. He was awarded in his 23 years old the second title Hero of the Soviet Union during the liberation of Krakow (Poland), crossing the Oder.

      

He was born in 1922, in May-Balik (Akmola region, Kazakhstan), in a peasant family. Talgat Begeldinov volunteered for the Soviet Army in 1940 and graduated from the Chkalov Military Aviation School in 1942. In the WWII he rose from ordinary pilot to commander of the 144th Guard Attack Aviation Regiment. In just two years Begeldinov made 305 sorties, flied almost 500 hours, destroyed a lot of Nazi Army equipment and manpower; shot down 7 planes, destroyed 21 tanks, 29 artillery shells, 64 vehicles with military supplies and equipment, 3 warehouses with ammunition, 2 locomotives, 7 railway carriages. 

In February 17, 1943, was his very first combat sortie remembers hero in one of his interviews to newspaper. Group of stormtroopers was led by the squadron commander Poshevalnikov, on his IL-2 a number "13" was listed - the number of downed enemy aircrafts. Not having time to settle down from the excitement of the first fight, they went up into the sky in the second and third time. All sorties were successful. Somedays they had to make four or five sorties a day. 

"In one battle against us rose to 60 enemy fighters!" recalls the ace and continued, "six out of nine of our machines returned to the airport. Forcibly separated from my companions, I went to the attack "Messer" and point-blank shot him. As it turned out, the helm was a German virtuoso air combat, Captain von Dietrich, behind whom were more than 200 combat missions, he was awarded the Cross for his deeds in Spain, France, and the Balkans.

Let us honor the memory of those who served during World War II. 

   RIP HERO!!!

The Heart of Eurasia - Astana

        Before introducing a city where I came from, I would like to highlight that I am not originally from that city, but due to the fact that I have been staying in it for a long period of time I wanted to say more about it. 

Here it is: ASTANA

The name of the city means "The Capital" in Kazakh language. But there were some different names, such Akmola, Tselinograd in the past. 

The last name was given to the city during its being proclaimed the capital of the Republic of the Kazakhstan in 1997.

       Now, let me switch to Astana's history and its germination as a cultural and trade center of SaryArka (North-Central Kazakhstan) region. 

The earliest period: 

From the earliest times Akmola plains were a place, where different cultures and civilizations met. In the middle of 1st millenium B.C., a chronographer named Herodotus mentioned the route across the Big Steppe (later Great Silk Way), which went right there. Caravan tracks contributed to the prosperity of trade and handicraft industry in the cities traditionally engaged in cattle breeding and agriculture.  

It is confirmed  by the recent discovery of Bozok ancient settlement (near Astana), which during centuries had been a political and religious center of Saryarka.

From the middle of XVIII to 1961 - 1992 

In the 30s of 19th century in Kazakhstan plains on the place of Aqmola settlement a new town sprang up – Akmolinsk – an important commercial and economic center. Thereat its population was a little more than 2000 people. However, for the next 30 years the population of this town increased 3-fold.

                                 Akmolinsk

Tselinograd

A new stage in the life of the city started in the 60s of the 20th century: in December 1960 city with a population of 100 thousand became the center of the Virgin Lands Campaign of the North Kazakhstan. In 1961 Akmolinsk was renamed  into Tselinograd, in 1992 – into Aqmola and on May 6 1998 it received the name of Astana.

www.astana.gov.kz

Why Master's in Public Administration and what I am going to study...

          For about 4 years I am working at the Ministry Education and Science of Kazakhstan, with really well educated and talented people. When you surrounded by your colleagues with Doctor in science or Candidates in science (degrees which were given by the special High Classify Committee in former Soviet Union (a highly centralized government-run system), one of the hardest graduate educations in the past) I started to think about my self development by studying Master's. Maybe, I inclined to the idea of that my professional arena has played a major role. I though that Public Administration should my field of study where I have to focus with my experience of being public servant and just a person, who wants to gain something beneficial in order to serve better in the future. 
So.........

          I found very great Master's Program in one of the leading schools in the United States in public affairs. This is a unique interdisciplinary program dedicated to the training of mid-career professionals who plan to dedicate their careers to policy-making and public service in and for developing and transition countries.

The mission of this Master's Program is to provide top-quality, personalized education in international development policy and to make contributions to international social, political and economic development. 

        Do you want to change our world to the better World? 

I DO!!!

Seka ©

http://www.bnews.kz/en/news/post/102618/  

My story from my life

          While I was 10 years old, I like all the boys of my age, passionately interested in the Martial arts. All day and night long I was revising films starring Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Jackie Chan. I was particularly encouraged by viewing fights among boxers, so my idol in Boxing became Muhammad Ali. Agility, unpredictability, lack of fear of His, gave me impetus to engage in this sport. 
          In the 8th grade, I ''accidentally'' got 100 points out of 100 in biology exam and was given the opportunity to participate in the regional competition of Biology between schools of my district. I was good, despite that to this school subject I treated with complete indifference. Twice I took first place and was admitted by Medical university to study General Therapy. It didn't inspire me much, because I have not seen myself in a white gown, with all these medical gadgets. 
Just imagine: You go to the hospital and see me with your blood test, etc. Funny? I think YES!
Over the years, I had to get off the Boxing. Because I didn't have much time for this sport and I had to make a choice between boxing and preparation for the next Biology olimpiade. 
Paradox!
I didn't become a doctor, but all the same I love Boxing!!!

I want to watch you a video of a great Boxer "GGG" (Gennady Golovkin), my countryman.
He is from Karaganda, a city which is famous for its boxers.

SeKa ©

Kazakh Horse&Music

Here is some music and picture of Kazakh horse which I like

Hi guys,

Here some information about Travis County Parks: https://parks.traviscountytx.gov.
If you are interesting in hiking, swimming, fishing or some sport activities outside of the City of Austin, you may find very gorgeous places to visit and stay.

Enjoy your time staying at Austin!