Memoirs of a Ukrainian Adoption

Hmmmm. While I have been in Kiev, I have read several books. All very good. Two I will mention. 1) Maximum City – Bombay Lost and Found. This is a very good book – but rather long. It goes way into underground India – more specifically Bombay. If you have an interest in the Indian culture as I do – it is a very good insight. Also, another good book on India – A Fine Balance – is probably one of the best books I have ever read on the Indian culture and history. If anyone is interested in my collection – let me know. 2) Memoirs of a Geisha. Very good book. Now, I can’t wait to get home and see the movie – I will probably have to wait for it to come on Comcast In-Demand though. By time I get home – it might even be on DVD.

I brought several of my Bollywood movies with us on this trip – to try and get mummy into it --- but she doesn’t like them. Anyway, I have watched them and love them. We have more families coming daily – which means we have more people to swap movies with.

We did some more sightseeing on Friday. I bet we walked over 6 miles looking at churches – all of them are on top of a freaking hill though. I never appreciated the flatness of Texas as much as I do right now. I did however manage to successfully negotiate a cab back. He started at 50 grivna – but I got him to 30. That was too easy. The ride was probably worth 50 grv – since it was rush hour. I was proud of myself. My self-imposed Russian lessons are paying off!

We are meeting so many more American families. We hang out with Hadas and Jonathon from Florida – they are so much fun. Last night we had Indian food – and while there this little boy – he was so cute – that kept prancing by us. We decided we have had enough of this waiting stuff and we might just take him home. But his momma rescued him. : ) There is still no news from the NAC. We do not know when they will be open. We also met another couple, Sean and Karin, who we will be meeting tomorrow night for dinner. Pretty soon – we should all be able to obtain citizenship!

I do have to say – Linda might be a little on the edgy side. She has started using the “f” word. I tell her it is not becoming. And, I appreciate her not using that language around me, lest she accidentally use it in front of my precious princess. We have slight differences in how we live. I am clean and tidy --- she is not. So, with all the added stress – you can imagine how heated it gets around here. So much for righteousness. (she says I drove her to it)

Thanks to each of you who email me and call me! It means the world to me that people are thinking about me. I never expected this to be so hard – but so many people have been so supportive – I am blessed to have such friends in my life.

Today – we have been here 39 days. Tomorrow will be day 40. Didn’t God “rescue” Noah after 40 days and 40 nights? If so – maybe tomorrow he will rescue me! Until my next update – have a lovely week!

Nohl - Nada - Nil - Zilch - Nothing

As usual, nothing is going on. I have though; put together a list of things I miss:

My precious dog
My friends - family
My bed
My car (I want to drive somewhere so bad)
My house
Highspeed internet
A responsive government
Tex-Mex

I am very perplexed at how my eating habits have changed. At home – when I get depressed/stressed/anxious – I eat. Here it is just the opposite. Today – I had to force myself to eat at least one meal. I am just not hungry. If it wasn’t for Linda – I probably wouldn’t eat until I was starving. I bet I have lost 10 to 15 lbs. Tonight – I put on a pair of pants, they fell down my rear. I saw some jeans in the store here the other day - $110 equivalent – NO WAY. Mom told me to get a belt and make do. Think I might. I am excited about this since I put on too much weight during my 20 month wait for this adoption. I just gotta keep this up when I get back home. I met a girl on Wednesday and wound up walking over 8 miles RT. Up and down hills – so I know I am getting good exercise.

We met another American couple Tuesday and Wednesday nights. They are awesome people and have found the most beautiful 10-year old girl. (Kim and Mark from Kentucky) They had court on Monday and are now awaiting the 10 day court wait. They introduced us to an American style food store – so we picked up a few things. It was very nice. So glad we found it.

I have been sleeping a lot. I don’t mind. But, it is driving Linda crazy. What else are we going to do? See downtown Kiev and the sights – one more time?

I went to Children’s Hope orphanage today to take the kids some Christmas boxes and watch them open. It was so cool. The kids are so cute. Again – I just wanted to take them all home. I have to say – the people of Ukraine are so awesome. Everyone has made us feel at home and checks on us often. People have offered to give up their homes so we would not have to pay for rent. Incredible and giving people. I am happy to know my daughter has a wonderful culture of people in her heritage.

Today it is the coldest it has been here. Probably zero or below – and over 3 feet of snow on the ground. It is so cold – it hurts when the air hits your skin.

Really, nothing new to report. Just waiting for the NAC to open. Keep prayers for a good first referral.

Week 3.5 and Counting in Kiev

We are majorly bored. I have mastered solitaire and become a pinball wizard! Although, we went to St. Sophia’s on Tuesday with one of the graduate students from Orphanage 12. He was a hoot. His name was Maksim – and he was the cutest thing. Had red hair and blue eyes – I wanted to take him home. Then, that night, we went to some friends we met through Bogdan. Sergey and Natasha. They cooked a Ukrainian feast for us. It was so awesome. They had a lovely home and we had a good time visiting with them.

Monday and Tuesday I was really depressed. No appointment in sight for another week or so. It is getting tiring over here – and we really aren’t doing much. We shop, sightsee, and fight a little – then hugs and kisses and go to bed. We have watched all the movies we brought – I didn’t bring that many. Little did I know… The only news we get is from the US embassy. One day it is encouraging, the next day not so encouraging. Basically, we are going to be here in Kiev another week to 15 days at least.

We have one English speaking channel – BBC World. They replay the same news at the top of each hour. I told mother if I hear Turkey is going to be kicked out of the EU for the spread of bird flu – one more time – I will scream.

Every map I have picked up has advertisement sections for American men looking for Ukrainian wives (i.e. slaves of the domestic and “relations” sort). I had a lengthy debate about this with my friend Bogdan. He agrees with me as to how sick and disgusting this is. Especially when a large percentage of these girls are the ones that have just been released from the orphanage and have no where to go. They get promises of a better life from these “agencies”, which take advantage of them and abuse them, basically selling them in the human sex trade. It all looks so innocent, but really it is a sick business. If someone makes an educated decision to go into this “trade” on their own – more power to them and good luck in America. But, for those that truly have no way – which is where most of these girls come from – I really feel sorry for them. Ok – I will get off my soapbox.

Thursday we went shopping for books. I got my baby some Russian and Ukrainian books. I am going to try to find some more but I was only successful at finding 2 bookstores. I really want to find a bookstore with some recipes that might be in English for all these salads that are made here. They are so good. We have taken to walking different routes these days. After 21 days – it all looks the same.

Today – Friday – we got out again – and I found a children’s bookstore – and got some more cool books.

This weekend – I am hanging out with the graduate students from Orphanage 12 here in Kiev. Should be fun. Each month they have a meeting and are required to attend. They help do work around the orphanage and report back to Bogdan on their progress. In return, they get to apply for sponsors from the US through our L2O organization for trade school. (mechanic, sewing, chef, etc) It is a really good program and these kids are so cool. Since the government does not really help them, it gives them a start into the world.

Also, some more Americans are coming for their court – so we are meeting up with them this weekend. Gonna be a busy weekend.

Other than that – not much going on. No appointment in sight. But, the news is getting better. Will keep you all posted.

PLEA: If anyone has any scoop at all - send it our way. The only news we get is from daddy and he tells us about people we don't know (i.e. from his job). So, we know not to ask him about current events back home.

Hill from Hell

Friday
Curse that never-ending hill. I have decided I can live off cokes and m&ms and be just fine. If we want restaurants – have to go wayyyyyyy down the hill - then all the way back up. If we go to market – it is opposite way up the hill. So, I have decided food is not that important. Lest you think this is some little molehill – it is not. I guess what makes it harder is a -8 wind chill all the way up the hill whipping in my face.

Besides the hill, my other major gripe is bath-time. It is so cold here. And, with the cut in gas, we are losing heat and hot water each day. So, taking a bath is a chore in and of itself. Shaving is out. Although I do shave lest you think I am growing hairy over here. But, it is so painful. And, in an apartment that is cold, with lukewarm water at best – I might start doing smell-checks to decide if a bath is really necessary. : ) When in Rome……

Today we went to Independence Square and saw the national Christmas tree and 500 santas. It was very nice. Mother was excited because last year she watched the elections and revolution on TV and was excited to see it live! They had pony and horse rides for the kids and little sleighs everywhere – it was cute. We then went to an Italian place for dinner where I got some uncooked chicken. Then, got a little stomach ache. Hey – at least it didn’t have the bird flu (to best of my knowledge).

Saturday
Today I went to the countryside with Bogdan. We went back to the O12 camp. We got up early and decided to take mass transportation (last time we hired a car at $50 to take us – but that was mainly because mummy didn’t want to try the metro). Anyway, today I was wishing for that car. At 6:45 this morning it was -10 with windchill – and walking 4 miles in that is almost illegal. Anyhoo – it was good to see the kids. They are so awesome! I know I have said it before – but I just want to take them all home. I got back to the apartment (not without having to climb 20 flights of stairs) around 4pm. Since I did not sleep the night before, I was very tired. Went to bed at 6:30pm – and woke when Mariana called at 2am this morning.

I bet you all think I am lazy – but I am not. But two forms of exercise I loathe are hills and stairs. Hate em! Yet here I am - facing them daily. Mom wanted food tonight – I told her in all I did over 10 miles today – I was not walking down that hill. Ate my m&ms and went to bed! Of course now, at 4am – my stomach is growling.

Sunday
We went to eat at Friday’s. (see Friday for my whining about the hill – curse that hill) I managed to go back to bed at 5am – then got up at noonish today. Sleeping my time in Ukraine away. That’s one way to make it go faster. I did pig out tonight though. So, I am fully set for at least a day now. Except, being full and walking that hill is worse. There is just nothing good about that hill.

Tonight I was entering my receipts in my spreadsheet for tracking costs here in UA. It came to about $30 per person for the 16 days we have been here. Not including apartment rent which would make it about $55 per person. Mummy is so excited about that – as she says Rachel Ray says $40 is what you should spend on food alone a day when you travel. We have that beat. Ours includes cell phones, internet, TP, lotions, my cokes and m&ms!!!!! She proposes we start our on TV show – and for kicks – I am going to add “cooking with dill”!

Just another cold, dreary day in my daughter’s homeland. Prayerfully, I will have an appointment this coming week and get to go pick her up! Thanks to each of you who send me encouraging emails and phone calls. That means so much to me. I thought I was going to be over here whining because no one cared about me and my wait or cancelled appointment. I am truly touched by the kindness of each of you! I will update this week after I know what the new AC is going to do. Dusveedunya!

Who Needs a Title? Nothing is Going On.

I really don’t have any interesting news – but just thought I’d let everyone know we are still hanging out in Kiev. Trying to stay (or even act like we are) busy. What, between all the naps, puzzles, movies, and computer games – we barely have time to eat. : )

Something we really aren’t use to - having to go the market at least every other day. They don’t do bulk here and packing is designed for everyone to shop daily. For example, when we buy bread – it lasts a day or two – then you start seeing mold on it or it goes very hard. There is a market about a quarter mile up the hill – and they cook foods for take away. BUT, everything is seasoned with dill. Now, at first – I was like – you are kidding me – dill on the chicken, dill on the potatoes, dill on the salad, dill on the bread, beans, everything. Wouldn’t you know I have acquired a taste for it. Now, I am trying to analyze everything from there and break down the ingredients so I can make when I get home. I am loving the potatoes with dill. I could live off them alone.

I woke today with a migraine – so we stayed in all day. I got up at noon – then napped from 2 to 6 – now here I am wide awake as usual. Bogdan came over tonight and we worked on some L2O stuff. Nice having him right here to work on it together rather than 50 emails back and forth.

I wrote about this via email to some of you. But, Linda and I have a phone stalker. The first time it happened – after the 3rd or 4th call – I got angry. We’d take the phone off the hook, but local people tried calling and we had to put it back. She just kept calling so mummy thought we could “make her go away with kindness” – FATCHANCE. Now she starts calling around 8am each day. She speaks English and Russian. She likes to sing (sometimes she tells us she is Britney Spears, sometimes her mother is Britney) so I have started singing along with her. It cracks mother up. For a day, I only spoke to her in French, but that kind of made her mad. She kept slamming the phone down on me – by the way – we guess she is between 9 and 12 years old – out of school with nothing to do. Mariana is her name – calling Americans and asking them where they live and what they do is her game. Tomorrow – I am pulling out the 50 Cent on her!

I am getting tidbits of news about the NAC – but nothing to post until I know it is not a rumor. Don’t want to get hopes up or down, and don’t want to spread news that is not confirmed.

I am going to be hanging out this weekend at Orphanage 12 – see the kids on their Christmas day. Then, meet up with the Vocational Students (older kids released from O12) to have a pizza party with them. These kids are so amazing – they overcome such adversity to try and live a normal life in a country not designed to support them. I wish I could do more – but for right now – my focus is on the adoption.

So, most of you probably have read about Russia cutting off the natural gas to Ukraine – as sort of some power struggle. Well, about 3 nights ago, we noticed it was getting colder – but the weather really hadn’t changed. Bogdan told us that everyone in the city was required to cut their gas usage by certain percentages or be fined. Linda and I are freezing. Some nights I am so cold I can’t sleep. Burrrrrrrr.

God love this country. Other than the extra money we are incurring and lack of much to do (a lot is closed for holidays) – it really isn’t that bad here. I would rather be in my own bed with my baby sleeping in hers – but that is not God’s plan right now. But, without saying too much……[this part of the blog will require you to read between the lines]. Certain products (we’ll just use an example of software) that might cost $800 in the US – can be bought still in the wrapper for $3 – and be perfectly usable. I am telling you – this is not stuff bought on the side of the street – it is bought in a computer store – all legit with a receipt. I found this out today when a friend purchased me a much needed item. They have everything…… So, in a couple of days, we are going shopping.

OK – when I have more news – or I get my conscience back – I will write more.

Down the Hill, Up the Hill ----

In case you wonder what we do all day. Mummy is scared of her shadow, so she drags me out each day. (Did I ever tell anyone how much I despise hills?) Well, we live at the top of the hill - food is at the bottom about a mile away. I am still existing on one meal and 2 cokes a day. Linda is now up to her normal 3 meals and snacks a day. I did drag her out to eat Indian food today - and surprisingly enough - she really liked it. This place was probably as good as Kiev gets - but it was expensive. But, a treat.

Someone told me to bring pants a size or two smaller - I did that and they already fit!

Next, I forgot to bring my lotion and my skin is really dry from the weather - so we went out searching for lotions. Only, all that we could find was high end (Chanel, Clinique, etc - at about $30 a bottle) or I didn’t know the Russian word for lotion and everyone gave me hand soap. Then, Linda showed her psoriasis and they all yelled "creme" - so lotion is creme. I managed to get that and some moisturizer for the face. Soon enough, I’ll be soft again.

New Years Eve in the city was exciting. Fireworks went off all over the city (and I mean all over - in front/behind our building, all along the river, downtown, everywhere) starting at midnight. At 4am - they were still going off in some places. I was suppose to hang out with my friend Bogdan, but he got a call from a student in need and had to go help him - so I was stuck here with Linda. Both her and Bogdan fretted that I might go somewhere alone. (Don’t these people know I travel the world by MYself.) Anyway, by time it was to do anything - we ordered pizza and stayed in.

The days are passing fastly enough. I am up all hours of the night. Then sleep till noon. Then go out till about 5pm. Then, in for the day. Sounds exciting, huh? Not much else to do - I would call and be on the phone for hours if the calling cards were not so expensive. So, if you are getting calls - you must be someone important!

Yesterday - we met a couple from Missouri who have adopted the most adorable 16 month-old girl. She is precious. We went sightseeing with them and had fun - and if they decide to stay in Kiev - will probably do some more sightseeing with them. They got caught in the shut-down too - basically they could not complete their adoption - so they had to leave their little girl in her region. They may go home and wait it there.

Kim and Heather - I miss you girls so much!!!!!! You may have to get a ticket and come visit. (Please - someone come visit as Linda is wearing out her welcome!) : )

You know - if one was desparate (as I am) they could say - the new NAC will be open in 7 days. May the time pass ever so fastly.

More updates to follow.............