February 2010 – Page 2

Winter Running

February 3, 2010February 3, 2010billkralovec

Ocean, originally uploaded by bill kralovec.

Ocean is shown above in the jogging stroller. I took the photo on Sunday during a light snow.

I’ve done more running this winter than last winter. It is actually not too bad to run, even in the coldest Belgrade weather. Ocean doesn’t like it as much as she does in the summer of course. I also don’t have the time because of school to run much during the week. Another detriment to my running is that it gets dark early. Belgrade is 44 degrees north, which is close to the latitude of my hometown in Michigan. World maps are a bit deceiving and I didn’t realize that Europe is more north than the USA. Michigan has colder temps and more snow that most of Europe due to the large continental land mass of North America. But, Michigan would be southern Europe if judged by latitude.

I feel refreshed from running in cold weather. I put on my ear muffs, a running sweatshirt, sweat pants, and off I go. On the coldest days I may wear gloves. The sidewalks and paths in the city are usually clear. It is a bit tough along the river because of the colder winds.

Growing Up – January 31, 2010

February 2, 2010February 2, 2010billkralovec

Owen, Ocean, Ollie, originally uploaded by bill kralovec.

The kids like the blow dryer and so Nadia styled their hair on Sunday. They looked so cute! They are 7, 4 & 1/2, and 2 and 4 months when this photo was taken.

Despite the cold temperatures (around -2 C) we still take advantage of the yard. Even last night we played football and soccer. There is a thin layer of snow on the ground and the cold temperatures are keeping it around. The snow is lasting longer this winter than last.

Holocaust Memorial Day

February 1, 2010February 1, 2010billkralovec

Last week we invited the Israeli Ambassador to Serbia, Arthur Koll to come speak to our students for Holocaust Remembrance Day. Mr. Koll gave a great speech that had all of our students silent for over 3o minutes. Quite an accomplishment!

Both of Mr. Koll’s parents are Holocaust survivors and he talked of his childhood after he immigrated to Israel from Romania. I took alot out of the speech, but especially when he asked the question, why have a special day for the Holocaust, when there were other genocides throughout history. His answer made me think. He pointed out the science of the Nazis that determined the “inferior” race of the Jews, among others, and the systematic obsession to eliminate them, all of them. Mr. Koll told of towards the war’s end, when the Nazis knew they were losing, they still continued to divert precious resources, like trains, to deliver Jews to the death camps instead of using them to transport troops along the Russian front. He also mentioned a concentration camp in Poland, that is mostly forgotten to history, because it wasn’t a work and death camp, but only an elimination camp. No one ever sent to the camp, lived to tell about it.

6 million Jews were murdered by the Nazi Empire. The Ustase Quisling regime here in Serbia had some concentration camps that I would like to know more about. I am shown above thanking Mr. Koll for coming to speak.

Oliver’s Music Recital

February 1, 2010February 1, 2010billkralovec

This is a video of Ollie’s performance Saturday in the ISB Music recital. Our school does not have a formal music program but many of the students have private music lessons. Oliver showed an interest in the violin after seeing his friend Matija (in the video) perform. He has been taking lessons once a week this year. (Click on the arrow in the lower left hand corner to watch the video)

Oliver was the youngest student on the program. He performed “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” as part of a trio with his friends Matija and Eve. The performance took place at the Canadian Ambassador’s residence. It was an elegant setting for a recital. They did a superb rendition of the song. Congratulations Ollie!!!!