 | Jeff says:
On the language
Here's a useful phrase for those of
you trying to follow along and learn: Ya ne znaio. Ya tolka rabota
zdes.
Literal translation: "I don't know. I just work
here."
On politics and orphans...
On the
way to our afternoon session, we learned that President Nursultan
Nazarbaev was in town. I pointed to a picture of El Presidente and
said to Philipich, "Tsar?" He laughed, and then taught me the Kazak
equivalent: "Bai." My first word of Kazak! From the tone of voice
and the paragraphs that then ensued, I got the impression that he's
nominally critical of politicians. Gee, you never see sentiments like
that in the United States, do you? I mean, we're all completely
supportive of our Executive Branch, right? Once we picked up Assia, I
actually felt sort of bad for getting them into a political
discussion. She looked a little uncomfortable, especially because we
were talking about friendship and integration. (He's Russian and
she's Kazak, of course.)
Unfortunately, the trip by Bai
Nazarbaev also meant that we couldn't go to our prearranged visit at
the older childrens' orphanage. Apparently, certain members of the
First Family are none too keen on foreign adoptions, so it was best
that we just stay away rather than rock the boat. We completely
agreed with this, of course.
We will visit the orphanage
tomorrow and distribute gifts and such.
On
culture?...
In the United States, we have AMEX as a
credit card. We have FedEx to help us ship stuff. I've got WebEx at
work as a method for sharing presentations live over the internet. I
use Windex to wipe out smudges (and on mosquito bites, of course,
opa).
The other day I saw a truck that said "Wimpex" on the
side.
What's up with that? "We get your package to you
right away. Unless some big guy gets in our way. In which case,
maybe we'll get it to you tomorrow. Or something. Maybe. Dunno."
On keeping in touch with folks back home...
I know that there are many of you who are specifically
waiting for postcards. I have some strange news: there are none.
Kazakhstan was only opened to tourism in the past few months,
apparently. You no longer need a Visa AND Letter of Invitation to
stay here less than 30 days. However, the pharmacies and such have
apparently not been informed of this new adjustment.
If and
when I find postcards, I'll send some out.
On
parenthood...
Apparently, we have graduated preschool
and gone on to kindergarten! No, I don't mean Alex. I mean US! We
are now privileged to have Alex for 90 minutes each session instead of
only an hour.
This morning we were in the steam
room sport zal again. Once more, it was us with Alex,
Lance and Nicole (from Portland, OR) with Nicholas, and Sue and John
with Damir and A.J. All except Damir are in the same group, the
little ones. Damir's a few weeks past a year now (and he's a little
monkey, too!). The three little ones all fell asleep about an hour
into the visit. It got very quiet in there. Even Damir played
quietly after his brother fell asleep. It was so tranquil, we didn't
even really mind the heat.
We tried some new things with
Alex today:
- Oragel
- Sippy cup
- Teething ring with demonstration
- Photo session
with "colleague"
The latter resulted in Alex' first
total conniptious meltdown since our first meeting with him. We
placed Nicholas (with whom he has played peacefully before) next to
him. Alex didn't even look over to see who it was. He simply
snapped. It was like we'd put him in boiling oil. He let out a wail
like a banshee and turned three shades of Chairman Mao, Joseph Stalin,
Fidel Castro, and Karl Marx all rolled into one.
The
teething ring went much better. In the afternoon, we showed him how
this was done properly. He definitely enjoyed the cold against his
gums, but much preferred it when we were holding it for him. His
hand-eye coordination seems pretty good otherwise, but he didn't seem
to have an easy time getting the ring into his mouth on his own.
The sippy cup was a challenge. Once again, the way he
explores his world is to take a new object and pound it repeatedly
into the ground to see what it does. (Most things make a sort of
hollow, thumpy sound.) I think he liked the water inside it moving
around. We removed the flow controller and served it to him so that
he got the idea that water comes out of it, but we mostly got to
listen to the squeak-squeak-squeak of his gums against the spout. I
think he's using the sippy cup as a teething ring and the teething
ring as a hammer. I'd hate to see what he does with a hammer (except
that I do still expect him to install the baby gates).
On the Beatles...
Also, per Auntie Julie's
suggestion, Alex and I had a brief conversation on Beatles music.
Specifically, the subject was whether the lyrics were better pre-Sgt.
Pepper's or post-Sgt. Pepper's. Not surprisingly, my genius son
completely agreed with me. He said that the question was probably
formed improperly, and that perhaps she simply meant, "Were the
Beatles themselves better before or after working on that
album?" He said that the early lyrics were "simplistic, but elegant,"
and that it was really "Help!" that began to attest to the change in
their personalities. Their use of uppers and downers could be traced
back as far as their Berlin years in the late fifties, and probably
led directly to the untimely demise of then-drummer Pete Best. But it
was the harder drugs, he said, that "stimulated their later musical creativity--or at least experimentation" (emphasis his), but that it rendered their lyrics "utterly incomprehensible, koo koo kachoo. What's with this Jai guru deva, om crap?? Deva doesn't even exist! (Although Devo is kinda cool.)"
Also sprach der Eggman. He is the walrus. Can't argue with that.
On other subjects of conversation...
We counted to three a lot. We said what colors the four balls were. He banged them on the floor.
Did you know that a yellow ball makes the same sound as a blue ball? Yup, really.
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 | Dina says:
For those of you who have been waiting (not-so) patiently, I apologize for being later with my entry today. Jeff and I watched “Men in Black” on my laptop tonight and I ended up falling asleep during the movie. I just woke up and realized I needed to post!
During our first visit this morning, we were in the sports room with the Scheblers and the couple from Portland (Lance and Nicole, but I don't know their last name!). That’s quite a few people for one room, but we all had our own little spaces and played very nicely with our babies. At one point, I thought it would be nice to get a photo with Alex with the other babies in his group. Alex was sitting on the floor with me, and Nicole put little Nicholas down next to Alex. I started saying hello to Nicholas, and Alex had a FIT! He turned red and started crying so hard! I picked him up right away to soothe him, and I felt so horrible. I wonder if he got jealous that my attention was on another baby. Anyway, he calmed down pretty quickly, and was soon back to his sweet little self. During the first visit, we noticed that an hour passed by and Assia hadn’t come in to tell us time is up. We sure didn’t complain! As it turns out, we’ve graduated, if you will, to longer visits. Yay for more time with Alex! By the end of the first visit, all three babies (Alex, A.J., and Nicholas) all fell asleep within 5 minutes of eachother. It’s amazing how they are all on the same schedule. They are all so adorable. Damir is adorable, of course, and he just played quietly while the little guys napped in their mamas’ arms.
Our afternoon visit was in the music room, we were happy to be there! Alex was a little out of sorts, he seems to be teething real bad. He had the cutest little overalls today and his drool kept falling right into his front pocket! We tried the sippy cup with some water in it and he did pretty well with it. He loved to bang it around, too. I hope his teeth pop through soon because I hate seeing him so uncomfortable.
Our evening at the older childrens’ orphanage was cancelled, unfortunately. We were looking forward to the performance there. We learned that the President of Kazakhstan might be there, and I don’t think they wanted us Americans there. They prefer us to “lay low” and not draw too much attention on ourselves while we’re here. It’s understandable, I suppose. We will go tomorrow though, between visits, to distribute the gifts and letters that we brought over for them. We’re hoping to meet a child there who we can sponsor. We’ll tell you all more about this tomorrow. I think it’s going to be a great day.
Jeff and I ended up going to Kamelot for dinner. We went by ourselves, as John and Sue were a bit tired. We were both feeling adventurous (not) and ordered the Royal Schnitzel, our favorite. We each only ate half, they serve HUGE portions there, and the total bill was less than $20 for the two of us for dinner and drinks. We brought our leftovers home and will have them for lunch or dinner tomorrow.
I feel like I may be coming down with something, so some extra prayers would be appreciated. I know there is a respiratory infection going through the babyhouse, and I was hoping to avoid catching it. When I woke up from my nap after the movie tonight, I noticed my throat felt a bit scratchy. That’s always the first sign of getting sick. I REALLY don’t want to get sick here, so I’m praying that it doesn’t develop into anything big. I wouldn’t want anything to affect my visits with Alex. I’m going to get some rest so I’ll feel better.
Thanks again for your comments and support, and a special “hello” to Ammo Ramzi, who made his first appearance here yesterday! We miss you and love you and hope to see you at Christmas this year! |
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Comments for August 20
Comment from
Joanna | I'm first!! Ha ha ha...Wimpex...hee hee. | Comment from
Joanna | PS. I would have to disagree on the Beatles note...I really think things began to turn around with Revolver and Rubber Soul. Think Eleanor Rigby and Taxman... They discovered the dark side... | Comment from
Jeff | Joanna, you missed the obvious. After keeping this journal...I want to be a paperback writer. | Comment from
Joanna | Ha ha ha. It always goes back to the Beatles, doesn't it. Here's a good debate for today...Beatles or Elvis? (I think I know which way this group is slanted):) | Comment from
Jeff | That's too funny! We just finished watching Men in Black a few minutes ago.
You *DO* realize that Elvis is dead, right?
No, he is not dead. He just went home. | Comment from
Ammo ramzi | I love these pictures !
You look into those eyes and you feel your
heart melt away yearning to hold him so close.
And the little guy is relentless, he knows.. and says:
Just wait..
If you think I am cute now, just wait until
I get there..! | Comment from
Steve Huntington | Beatles. Definitely. Props to Elvis, but -- Beatles.
And Jeff? Two words, just two simple words.
Octopus's Garden. (and I know what you were thinking) | Comment from
Nouna Maria | I love catching up each day. He is so beautiful, and I can't wait to give him hugs and kisses when he comes HOME!
Dina, take care of yourself...get rest and drink LOTS of fluids. It would be so difficult for you if you were to get sick; I'm sure you don't want to miss a thing!
We all miss you, and can't wait for your safe return with Alex.
Love to all!
Maria | Comment from
zeina | Its a little too early for beatles let's start with old school madonna and move our way back through the decades. beatles should wait a few years cause i think madonna and michael jackson are far more important to the little booger.
dina, take some tylenol and call me in the morning, ok maybe dont call me but i hope you feel better.
tell alex his coolest second cousin gives him a big kiss and hug, and i hope to see you all at christmas
love z | Comment from
KATHering | A paperback writer?????
Nah, you're a natural stand-up comedian.
Everyday I look forward to your entertainment.
And you never disappoint me.
Now I'm going to "Photographs" to see what Alex is up to today.
Much love | Comment from
Uncle Dan | What's this about folks wanting Post Cards? Let them give you a break! What we're getting is better than post cards, birthday cards, Christmas cards all rolled into one. These journals and photos are slurpy Valentines from beyond the great beyond!
Dina, take care of that throat. Don't let them label you Typhoid Annie and ban you for any period. Drink lots of water, and something hot. The best is hot lemonade. Send Jeff on an outing to find lemons. Now what would the lemonade taste like with that brown water? Hope you can get bottled water there.
Can't waste time here ... have to get to those pictures.
Unka D | Comment from
Nana Nina | Oh Jeff, Jeff, Jeff ~ weren't you listening the day your Beatlemaniac mother taught you that the Beatles developed their filthy habits and mind when they lived and performed in HAMBURG???
And I definitely would say that it was their interest in that strange foreign religion of the Maharishi and the strange foreign music of Ravi Shankar and the strange foreign(??) drugs of who knows who which influenced them. By Revolver they were off the deep end. Interestingly enough, it was Francis Shaeffer who explained to me personally why I disliked not only the Beatles after Help, but also any modern music that came along after that, as well most of the later periods of Picasso and much of Chagall, not to mention atonal music. Loved that Shaeffer ~ why he had to go, I don't know.
It's funny, but did I mention that I expected a postcard, or was I just thinking about it and you picked up my thoughts? I do want a postcard. Can't you make one out of a photo of something from K-Land?
Alex, come here and give Nana a big kissy kiss.
Oh, Wimpex must be an ingredient for Wimpy burgers (never mind that the chain doesn't exist anymore). It's probably what made them so small.
Dina, I'm going to put you on the Prayer Chain, as well as Jeff for his allergies.
Good night. | Comment from
Julianna | I love the pics of Alex sleeping. A sleeping baby is just so adorable! :) | Comment from
Thea Diane | Well, I'm hooked. I promised myself that I would not look at this until tonight so here I am, enjoying all of it. It's my treat to myself at the end of a long day at the office. Can't wait to see all of you with that very precious baby.
P.S. Say hello to the Theo Costa double. I wonder what his personality is like? Do you think he could pass as a double? Boy what fun I could have. | Comment from
Pat Shikany | Dina,
Try hot salt water for your throat. It won't cure it but it will make it easier to swallow.
Pat | Comment from
Donna Facha | Hi Dina and Jeff,
I am enjoying your journal and the pictures. It's fun to learn about Uralsk.
Alex is a cute and handsome little guy!! I can see by the pictures, Dina's motherly love and Jeff's sparkle that you were all meant to be together. Little Alex, as you can see by the pictures, agrees!!
Wishing the best for the three of you on the rest of your visit. Bet you can't wait to show him off in person back here!!!
Take care, Donna :)
| Comment from
Jeff | Hey, mom, what's that about Wimpy Burger no longer existing?
I just saw one in Sun City in South Africa a few months ago. I didn't take a picture, but it was quite open for business. | Comment from
mairesue | Dina, I really hope you don't get sick and that you are feeling better already.
Jeff, I want a post card I don't care if you have to make them yourself... (I am just kidding!!)
Just to reiterate what everyone else is saying I am so glad you guys are keeping up with the pics and journaling.
You are in our prayers.
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