 | Jeff says:
Things I forgot to mention...
On the first day we were out here in country, Dina took a picture of me at the mall in Almaty near the Ramstor(e). Behind me was a Baskin-Robbins. Really. A legitimate Tridtsat-odin Flavors. I would have posted the picture on the first day's pics, but I asked her to have me "move my finger until you can tell I'm pointing at the sign." ...and the picture made me look more like a circa 1974 Jesus freak saying, "There's only ONE way to heaven, baby! And by the way, there's a Baskin-Robbins behind me."
Glory.
Not much happened today. It was hot. I learned a new word in the car. Zharkiy. Hot. Ochin zharkiy. Chyort zharkiy! Sorry, I really shouldn't say chyort in a public forum. The literal translation is "the devil," but it's pretty much a curse word over here.
I dunno. I'm actually feeling a little uninspired today. I think it's that today was pretty much overshadowed (or, should I say, undershadowed) by the website fiasco in the wee hours of this morning. I spent about five hours in a semi-panic over what to do if we couldn't get the site back up and running, and even though the panic was for naught, now I feel guilty for being over here and spending five hours panicking about something other than my son. The loss of sleep coupled with the heat made me a little cranky, I guess. (I get that from my son's side of the family.)
Plus, I have two new bug bites today with a new symptom: a great big hive for each. You ever had hives? Lotsa fun. At least they only last for 15 or 20 minutes. The last one was just on the way back from dinner, swelled up to about the size of a dime, then went away pretty quickly, fortunately. (I get hives from my mom's side of the family.)
Still, here I am.
We couldn't get into the music room at the baby house because it was in use during both visits. So we were stuck in the sports room again. (We don't take him outside much because there just isn't that much to do out there.) The sports room should be renamed the "sauna room." It's hot.
Did I mention that it was hot today?
There's a warming trend expected for the weekend. And when I say warming trend, let me tell you, that means something here. Really.
But in any case, we brought him into the chyort sauna sport room. There were four kids and six parents. It was a little too much, I think. We were all getting pretty warm in there, and between the great big mirror, the other kids, the sports equipment, and the heat, Alex kinda went catatonic a lot of the time. Total sensory overload. Still, he reminded us that his favorite toys are his ladybug book, the seaweed in his ocean book, my camera, my wristwatch, and my eyeglasses.
I also do really like the first picture from today, which shows the opening stance from Assia's and Alex' 2006 Winter Olympics ice skating routine. It was Alex' idea. He says he was inspired by previous work done by his hero, John Travolta. We'll show you the rest of the choreography as they develop it.
The second picture actually explains a bit. If yesterday's photos showed Alex with a halo behind him, today we see Dina looking exactly as Jesus did at the Transfiguration. I can't compete with my uber-spiritual family. Sheesh.
I also added a pic to the photos from the 17th, at the end. It shows the boys from our travel partners' family. What a great-looking bunch of guys! Their mommy says they're modeling the latest in avante-garde Euro-prison fashions.
I did something smart at the bakery cafe today. Recall that I go there at least twice a day for the 45¢ pieroshkies. And recall that I've had a Russian bear of a time trying to communicate with the unilingual cashiers. Well today, after I finally figured out what myasa, kartoffel, gruibiy, kuritsa, and kapusta mean (meat, potato, mushroom, chicken, and cabbage, respectively), I decided I'd teach the workers there the English equivalents. They were more than happy to learn! Now I'll have an easier time, and so will the next fifty Americans to walk in there. Any people reading this who are waiting to travel to Uralsk, say hello to Aliya when you order! She's the cute Kazakh girl in the pink uniform and funny hat. Oh, wait...they're all wearing pink uniforms and funny hats. Well, her nametag says "Aliya." That's four letters: A-L-I-YA.
Our afternoon visit with Alex was...hot. Poor kid. He was giggly for part of it, and we did capture some nice laughter here. But once it got too hot, all we got was a heavy sigh.
We did have fun arranging four colored balls in front of him to see if he showed a preference for one color or another. I can't say that I really noticed. He seemed to like all four equally. This kid has a grip, too! He grabs these balls from the tops and lifts them up. He has huge hands! He'll crawl after them when they roll away, too. But he'd still rather have my wristwatch.
In the evening, I managed to touch base with a Kentuckian who's serving in the Peace Corps over here as a business developer. I found his website semirandomly the other night. We had dinner with him, our travel partners, and the couple from Portland, OR, whom we met two days ago. It was a fun group, and we hope to get together again. Terry said he'll take us to a few places that we'll enjoy but are a little farther than we're currently apt to go. He can navigate the cab drivers, and his 12-week crash-course in Russian puts him quite a bit ahead of my stale year's worth.
Lance and Nicole are feeling more confident, I think. They read the journals that our predecessors left, and I think it instilled a little more of a sense of adventure and openness to new things. The culture shock is wearing off. Also, we learned that yesterday was Lance's 32nd birthday. The Chagala folks--anglocentric as they are--actually brought out a piece of cake with a candle on it. Very cool.
I have 427 pages left to read for my Master's degree. (I wonder how many thousands of pages I've read for it in the past ten years.) I was hoping to be under 400 before I went to bed, but I'll get there in the morning. I told Alex that I was getting close to finishing my reading. He just kept chewing on his seaweed. I think he was just using indifferent body language to express his "Great, Dad, but what took you so long?" attitude.
Our time in Uralsk, as of tonight, is now half over. It's hard to believe. We've learned that we want to focus more on talking to Alex, about whatever. Just constant chatter. I'm good at that. Anyone want to recommend some good subjects to discuss with him? Particle physics? Global wealth redistribution? Rocket science? Classic sitcoms? Goodnight, Moon? |
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 | Dina says:
There’s nothing really new today. Our visits are too quick, we wish we had more time to spend with Alex each day. He was adorable, as usual. It was even warmer than usual in the baby house today. We weren’t able to go into the music room for either of our visits. It was in use, so we went into the sports room. That’s the room that has all the colorful climbing equipment and the ball pit. We don’t really like going in there because it seems to be too distracting to Alex, and it gets really warm. We were all sweating, so I tried to cool Alex down a bit by gently blowing air on him. He seemed to enjoy that.
Each morning when Philippich picks us up, he asks “Komar?” (mosquitoes). He is always happy when I say “Nyet” (no). He wants to make sure that we’re comfortable and happy. He’s a very nice man, and despite the language barrier, we’re getting along famously.
We had a really nice evening tonight. Jeff contacted an American guy who is here with the Peace Corps. We met at the Chagala Hotel for a change (we were feeling adventurous!) Lance and Nicole from Portland met us there, as well. It was a fun evening having pizza and beers (Coke light for me) and just chatting away. It’s amazing that we can be thousands of miles away from home, and still have it feel familiar. I’m not sure if that made sense… We are so grateful for our travel partners and for the friends we are making over here. Terry (the Peace Corps guy) said he’d like to show us around town a bit and take us to some of his favorite restaurants in Uralsk. I think he enjoyed our company just as much as we enjoyed his. We even found out there is a bowling alley right around the corner from us! Sue and I are thinking that would be a really fun thing to do one evening.
I can’t believe the time here is going so fast. As much as we can’t wait to get home and share Alex with all of you, we are truly enjoying every precious moment we have here. We are trying to soak in as much as we can so that when Alex is older, we can tell him what a wonderful time we had and how beautiful his birth city is. This has been such a fantastic journey.
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Comments for August 19
Comment from
Susan | HI!!!
I am typing fast, don't know why I want to be first so badly just ONE day, but I do!!
Seriously though, I want to tell you both that working with you two has been a pleasure and Alex is one blessed kiddo to have you guys for parents. Thanks for making my job easy and reminding me why I love what I do!
| Comment from
Angie Morrow | I love the baby's pictures especially the ones where he interacts with Mommy and Daddy. He is very alert and very intelligent. He will probably know his letters and numbers by Christmas time... just an old veteran teacher's observation. You can tell that he loves books. | Comment from
Joanna | Wow, those are a couple of great pictures of Alex mauling your faces! He looks quite calm, but Jeff, how DID you get your face in that position? | Comment from
Yiayia Connie | well each day I can't imagine thaat the pictures could get any better, but they do. I was just cracking up out loud when I see him in the jeans, he is incredibly adorable, he looks like a little man. Great pictures with Jeff today, I love the one with him cradeled in Jeff's arms looking p at him, so sweet. He is such a contented baby.Have you noticed tht he looks so good in all the colors you have put him in? Red, green,gold...he is going to be one handsome boy. Have fun and give him big kisses and hugs from Yiayia. (and to you guys too of course) | Comment from
Uncle Dan | Well, somehow I missed the crisis with the website. Generally, I hate to miss anything, but it's just as well this time. I've no idea how to place a call to Karakhstan, but I'd have been working on it. You know how junkies get when they don't get a fix. Baby, we are addicted here. I agree with Susan who said that you'll have to maintain this site forever. That's a bit extreme. We'll only ask for a commitment until Alex is 21.
Sammie and Daniel were both beneficiaries/victims (choose one) of the 'Snugli'. It worked well with them both. When awake, they prefered the forward facing position. When nap time came, they'd fuss until they were turned around so they could hug whomever they were sleeping, sweating, and drooling on. How I miss the abuse that I suffered as a Dad!
I can't overstate how much we are enjoying sharing this adventure with you dudes. We know and love this little lump called Alex so intensely. We have no need to become acquainted, per se, we just need to get out hands on him. This look but don't/can't touch stuff is tough.
Love you,
| Comment from
Auntie Julie | Jeff, you really should try the hot spoon trick on the mosquito bites... it really does help take the sting away.
Good idea talking to him as much as possible. They can't get enough oral language at this point. He will be such a loquacious little fellow with you guys for parents! He'll be so prepared to start kindergarten! (It's really not that far away!) As for conversation topics, I would recommend debating the following: Which is better? Pre- or post- Sgt. Pepper's Beatles music? Discuss...
Dina, GREAT job on dressing him everyday. I LOVE the big boy clothes. Uncle Gavin looked just like that when he went off to work today. If only Gavin had dark hair and dark eyes and shaved off his goatee... he and Alex could go as Dr. Evil and Mini-Me for Halloween. Alex looks so much like a little man. Hurry up and bring him home. I WANT TO KISS THOSE CHEEKS!
lots of love,
Julie | Comment from
Nana Nina | Julie ~ definitely "pre" Sgt. Pepper, hands down.
The pictures are just too wonderful, too wonderful for words ~ see, that's a pre-Sgt. Pepper lyric!
And the travelogue is fine. Does this stay on the Web permanently forever? I mean, in 50 years, will it still be here?
Alex: A- you're adorable, B-you're so beautiful, etc. (more pre-S.P.!) I emptied out a color toner cartridge at work, so I guess I'd better be prepared to fork over the money for a new one soon. See you soon, little Alexander ~ oh, and you, too, you grown-ups acting as props for the little one. Kisses and hugs. | Comment from
Darcy McGowan | Love this site!
BY the way - the stop lights here in Sweden - and most of Europe, for that matter have the red/yellow combo thing going on as well.
A Swedish friend was very very concerned when she visited the US to find that we just go from red to green. She wanted to know how on earth we knew when it was going to turn green without the yellow to show us the way. :) | Comment from
darcy | by the way.... perhaps it is because I've seen so many pictures of Alex, but I really think he looks a bit like the two of you. God even gave you a son that looks like you...very cool.
Love Alex's eyes and lips...very lovely boy. | Comment from
Crystal | Hi Jeff & Dina, Keep up the good job on your journal and photos. I enjoy looking at it everyday. I know the guy, Terry, you are talking about. I was googling one day and read his web. I can't believe you are half way with your visits!!! Still no word here. Hope you enjoy the rest of your journey. It sounds like "off" needs to be packed for our trip.
Crystal & Daaron | Comment from
Katherine | I've detected a change in your tone. On August 9, you two were on strange territory as you anticipated and then experienced your very first visit with Alex. Go back and read it. You'll see a world of difference between that day and this day (Aug 18). You have taken ownership of your little star. Complete ownership. Your lament about not having enough time with him tells me your hearts are aching to start parenting fully. I printed one photo of Alex and have it on my refer to remind me of the giggling, joyful exploration, and new-found happiness in that little building on the other side of the world. How I wish all children could have the new life God has given Alex through you. I'm infinitely proud of you both. | Comment from
Thea Diane | I finally read all of your journal. Wow! I just can't believe the whole thing. Sharing this with us is so wonderful. I have experienced every emotion while reading your prose but most of the time I can't help but to be a little teary eyed. This is absolutely the best. I love the sights and sounds of our little Alex and just can't wait to meet him and see the three of you together loving, laughing and building a beautiful family. He is absolutely beautiful. How lucky you all are to have found each other. God certainly works in mysterious ways. God bless and keep all of you healthy and safe. Looking forward to more information and staying in touch in this very clever way. Much love and kisses. | Comment from
Tracy (Julie's friend) | Dina and Jeff,
Wow! You are so blessed. Alex is truly adorable and cuddly. I am so excited for you to bring him home and share the joy with your family. We are hoping our son Jonathan can be friends with Alex. Julie will need to let us know when you are visiting her so we can come over. :)
| Comment from
Lou Evans | Mary and I could never figure out those Snugli things, either! Every set of photos show more and more how you three were made for each other. It's wonderful to see!!
Jeff, can you fit the gramophone in one of your nine suitcases? If it's really an antique, the brass horn alone is very valuable. | Comment from
Uncle Dan | OK, guys, I've had to backtrack to the 19th to get this in here.
WHERE ARE YOU? I hope that you've not having a crash just for me because I missed the last one. I don't need it! Really! I just want your journal and more pictures of the Alex dude. If I'm over-reacting, I hope that I am and that you guys had so much fun last night that you simply did not have what it takes to do the journal. Well, if you're reading this, Shame! You're obviously able to be tap tap taping in your journals! Stop whining! You created this monster. Feed it!!
Kid joke for you:
Teacher and first grader discussing whales. The story of Jonah arises. The teacher tell the lst grader that it's impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though they have large mouths, they have very small throats.
The 1st grader insists that Jonah was swallowed by the whale, and the teacher insists on her facts.
The 1st grader says, "Well, when I get to heaven, I'll just ask Jonah about that!"
Teacher: "Well, what if Jonah didn't go to heaven?:
1st grader: "Well, then you ask him!"
Love
Unka D | Comment from
Cathryn Anderson | Hey ya'll, Alex is so precious and I enjoy your journal so much. I'm sorry it is so hot and Jeff has hives. I had hives off and on for a year and the one thing that helped more than antihistimines, was deoderant. Seriously. It has to be either stick or roll-on, spray won't work. Something in it helps your body reabsorb the fluid that is in the swollen hive. Once the fluid is gone, the hive goes down, the itching stops. Works for misquitoes, too. Good luck! Cathryn |
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