About us
Zhanar. Patrick and I met on the Internet in 2013. He texted me on Facebook and we started texting. I then worked a lot, was loaded and did not believe in this correspondence. So even once wrote to him: "Instead of me write, better call." He called from France. I really liked his baritone. And in 2014 he came and said he wanted to meet me. He postponed our meeting twice because he was with his colleagues all the time and could not get free. And when the third time he invited me, it was just February 14, I did not go. And he flew away frustrated. Then he came back in June and insisted that we meet. We haven't parted since then.
Patrick. I am grateful to my work for the opportunity to come to Kazakhstan and meet with Zhanar. We've been together for four years.
Patrick is a good-natured and generous man, in him I saw a piece of myself, he bribed me with this
Patrick is a good-natured and generous man, in him I saw a piece of myself, he bribed me with this. He is a catastrophically sincere person, does not lie and speaks directly.
He says I taught him a lot, I think he taught me a lot, too. Most importantly, he has taught me to be simple, to be austere and humble.
About Astana
Patrick. All those six years that I have been here, Astana is blooming like a flower. During this time, buildings have grown out of nowhere, held a Grand exhibition EXPO. In the region of France, where I come from, I've never seen anything like it. I would like my country to develop as fast as Kazakhstan. I admire that 30 years ago this place was an ordinary provincial town, and now it is a beautiful capital. It deserves respect.
Zhanar. I moved to the capital in 2006, then moved to England and returned in 2010 to work at Nazarbayev University. Astana is a city that has tested my strength. Astana is an ambitious, young city. I like that there is no gloss of the capital in Astana. Because people from all regions and all categories came here. But here you can fully realize yourself. Astana is not merciless, because if you get to New York or another major city in the world, it can erase a person into powder. And Astana is not such a city, due to the fact that it is young. Astana is a kind city, receptive as a friend, which can help to stand up.
Patrick loves park opposite the residential complex Highvill. We spent a lot of time with him in this park. This summer we had a picnic, had a snack and fell asleep.
Astana is a kind city, receptive as a friend, which can help to stand up
Patrick. I also like Bayanaul. It's beautiful and nature reminds me of Japan.
And I want to live in retirement in Almaty. I love this city for the mountains and for the fact that there are no six months of winter. We stayed near Tabagan where I would like to buy a house.
About family
Zhanar. We love to travel together and dance rock'n'roll, we are good at it. I also like to swim, and Patrick likes to ride a bike.
In the evening at dinner, when we come from work, we share with each other what happened during the day.
We have a tradition - before going to bed we hug for two minutes.
I always thought I was a good cook, but when we started living together with Patrick, he was unhappy with what I was cooking. Because he wasn't ready to eat what I offered him every time. I could cook something European, but it's not mine, I love Soviet cuisine and borscht, but he doesn't. The French, it turns out, eat soups only in winter, not in the summer. Now I have adapted and try to cook according to the recipes of French cuisine.
Patrick. I love a good beshbarmak and kumys from Bayanaul. I also like beef steaks.
Zhanar. I love the house of Patrick's mother, which is located on a mountain ten meters from the huge stunning forest in France. Patrick's mother is an amazing woman with the eyes of a young girl. For me, France is Patrick.
Patrick. The big difference between the Kazakh and French families is that parents in the Kazakh family help their children a lot and for a long time. In France, if you start working, you are already independent. Of course, we help to a certain extent, we pay the costs of school and university, but then the child must cope on his own. In Kazakhstan, many people make great sacrifices for the sake of children. In France, expensive real estate, so we get married when we already have money. While in Kazakhstan people early get married, despite the fact that they still have nothing, because they know that there are parents who help with money.
Zhanar. French culture is more conservative, stricter and disciplined than Kazakh culture. Looking at Patrick, I realized what "nomadism" is. We are simpler, in the sense that we are not attached to the material. But the French are very respectful of what they have earned, watching the items that are purchased, and appreciate them. But the French have a negative attitude to the bourgeoisie and its manifestation.
Despite the fact that France is a country of high fashion, the birthplace of molecular cuisine, where the content dominates the form in all manifestations of life. And in Kazakhstan now, unfortunately, in many areas the form prevails over the content. I resent that a woman who wants to conquer a man, trying to do it by makeup and clothing. And in France, everything is different, there is a woman compliments its content by clothing. Even older women look interesting and stylish, not because they are fixated on clothes, but because they know how to express themselves through it.
The state of mind for now
Zhanar. Magnificent. I am positive, and it takes me three days to do nothing, not to think about anything, and I again have a desire to do something.
Patrick. I'm happy. I have everything for happiness: a beautiful wife, a job that I love, and the opportunity to learn something new every day. The only thing, I miss my mom.
