I have long wanted to start writing about Kazakh customs and traditions. Someone will say that this is nonsense, a waste of time and nerves and a hobby of grandparents. I admit, I thought so for some time. My understanding of traditions and customs started when my parents needed to me to take them to various kinds of events, where they were invited to visit. And since it was not convenient for me to leave and then to comeback for them again, I stayed and sat at the table with the "adults." Today I want to tell you about the "Ace", which is a reception given a year after a person leaves this world and for the next three years and for round dates. It seems to be a sad excuse, but as it turns out nothing sad, but more light and emotional, when relatives and friends remember their close one. Guests tell funny stories about him and everyone laughs. Rarely, one lets a light tear. Ace is a semi-religious semi-traditional event. Since this is the worship of ancestors, it is forbidden in Islam, where only Allah is worshiped. Conducting the Ace proceeds from paganism, before the Arabs in the 7th century AD conquered the territory of modern Kazakhstan and imposed their religion on people lived there back then. But the Kazakhs, like many Turk people, have not forgotten their customs and continue to worship the spirits of their ancestors, while inviting Mullah from the mosque, that is, the representative of Islam. Kazakhs in general are very good "opportunists". The "program" of the Ace looks like this: If the Ace is held in a restaurant, the guests will gather at the appointed time and place. To be late for the Ace is not very good. This is the only event where Kazakhs are not late. A Mullah is always invited to the Ace, which begins with a prayer. Guests open their palms and read a prayer together with him. I want to say that representatives of other nationalities and religions are often invited to the Kazakh Aces. But all without exception are honorable guests and pray in their own way. Immediately after the prayer they proceed to the very "Ace", that is, to the meal. Ace is translated from Kazakh as "cook", "dish". An important part of the Ace is sacrifice (not in front of guests, of course). It's a ram or a cattle. Their meat is boiled and treated to guests. This leads to the exact translation: "to give Ace" - to cook and hand out meat. During the Ace guests speak not by invitation, but at will. This is not a toast. The speaker usually talks about what the person was, about his merits, where he was born and worked, who his children are. Friends, comrades talk about his achievements at work, funny stories, about how they spent their youth together. Mostly adults speak, young people keep quiet and listen. Interesting part of the Ace for me is the instruction of the mullah. He talks about surahs, the Koran, about the right and wrong. Mullah never calls for radical religiosity. More to the right way of life and thanksgiving to the Almighty. He explains things that are not obvious for not as much religious person as me. It is very interesting to listen to Mullah if the Ace is held at home in a narrow circle in a simple way. Usually it is called "tamak beru", which translates literally "to give a meal." So in this situation Mullah is more talkative and talks a lot about interesting things. Once the Mullah began his instructions and guests who listened attentively began to ask questions and a dispute arose between the guests and the Mullah. The guests are adults and naturally experienced and also know a lot about religious matters. Mullah was young and seeing that one cannot argue with "much knowing" guests decided to leave politely such a friendly company, referring to business. On some features of the Ace: women cover their heads (never faces) with a scarf, for men it is not obligatory. Guests are handed out small gifts: this is usually a shirt for men, young women are given handkerchiefs, and those who are older - cuts of material and a beautiful scarf. Particularly honorable guests leave the Ace with a jackets or chapan (Kazakh traditional outwear). Food on the tables must be distributed. It is believed that good wishes are distributed through handed out food, so the more is given the better. Well, this is my not very experienced vision of the Ace and I hope that it has brought to you a little piece of Kazakh culture.

My lovely Universe, it is crazy to be writing in this space today. It feels like the start of something new. But I am here to write how my life has changed since I felt your presence. How often you let me know about yourself when a warm and pleasant wind touches my hair reminding me about the moments of enjoyment or when a light sunbeam makes me wake up to start a new day. I always recognize you. You talk to me, and our conversation remains interesting, eternal and emotional. It is time when I am ready to say thanks for all things and situiations I have passed through to become who I am right now. Thank you for a tough adventure of “home” girl. You should remember when I was trying all possible ways to enter one of the prestigious university of Russia. And I had depression, because I saw how my parents were looking forward to my test results, but it was so hopeless. I thought it had been the biggest failure in my life. In fact, the end of my story was move to Almaty, a city that taight love and hate go hand and hand sometimes. I was starving because I did not have enough money to buy some food; I was looking for a job, but every time I found one, the employers would find many reasons not to hire me. I had no idea what I was going to do; I started to give up... But suddenly my sister announced me about my father who was in hospital with emergency. I was shouting and crying as I could not help my family anyhow. Hating everything around, I did not realize how my life would be filled by people, who supported and helped me not to lose faith in the best future. Thank you for American adventure, a time of stepping outside of my comfort zone. America it is another and more fascinating story of my life. If someone had told me, that I would be in America, meet new friends and see Empire State Building, I would have never believed it. Thoughts are material, are not they? I wanted and I did it. It was a tough time when I was searching all ways to find some money for my trip. That is why, I borrowed 1400$ from my parents, friends and other people. But that time I was pretty sure, that everything would be alright. As a result, I heard important words: “ Your visa is approved” and I was ready to begin my new chapter of life. If someone invented a time machine, I would definitely go back to the time when I worked at Hersheypark. I met friends, who could make hookah and sang songs of Kendrick Lamar. As a young girl from small town, I wanted to learn how to enjoy every moment. Standing on the escalator at Penn Station in New York, I was thinking about people who hanker to be in my shoes. I won a great chance to look at huge sizes of skyscrapers and hear many languages of the world. After all challenges I have passed through, I am sure, it is worth it. Thank you, lovely Universe, for feeling of love. Moreover, I experienced of love. How many times did I ask you about my true love, which would help to find all answers to my questions? I told you I would be waiting for my “loved one” as long as it takes. I was silly by thinking about man, who did not appreciate my concern, support and me as a woman. It is sad and happy story about one couple who were looking for each other and thinking that they made a right choices. In many cases, people confuse the feeling of love with the fact that they want to take shelter from loneliness. They think how is great to be with person who loves you just the way you are. However, do we love the same way? I have found the answer: no. I was ready to give everything I had, be with him no matter what happened and love him to the moon and back. When someone asks me, what is love? My answer will be a strong heartbeat, glitter in my eyes and smile on my face. Love is ability to share your privacy, not to be afraid to show own shortcomings, let someone know about your funny and embarrassing stories from life. Since I made the right choice, I have been asking you to make him dissapear from my thoughts. I want to forget everything like a terrible nightmare, but I am way too good at goodbyes. What do you know about another love like a mother who loves her child? I would like to tell about one kid and family, which have played a sagnificant role in my life. Universe, you showed me how much I could love baby as mine. His parents give him everything what he wants. Lucky kid, actually. I taught him how wishes could come true, how belief could become a powerful force to go ahead. After playing Mortal Combat and watching Snapchat filters with him, I wanted for that moment to last forever. If someone asks me about love again, I will advise giving all warmth and care to kids because they have not known about dissapointment and failures yet. I lost one feeling and got another, a better one. And I have no idea what you have already prepared for me, but I am sure you are kind to me. Take care,Universe Your Dreamer.