 | Jeff says:
This morning we had no hot water. Neither did our travel partners
next door. Neither did Lance and Nicole, the couple from Portland who
are staying a kilometer or so from here. I begin to understand that
there is ONE single, great, big hot water heater somewhere here in
town for anyone and everyone. Interesting.
We were told to
expect the hot water to go out for a few days while we were here. In
keeping with my no-complaining rule I established the second or third
day, I am polyanna-ing this situation and reminding myself that it is
a fine and wonderful thing that we have running water! Amen!
I also heard the doorbell ring at about 9:15 this morning. (As you
know, we've been told not to open the door for anyone, even the
police, but just to keep saying, "I don't speak Russian.") I called
through the door, "Who is it?"
"Electricity," came the
reply, in a Russian accent.
Thanks, but we've already got
some--well, for the moment, at least. I responded, "The electricity
is fine!"
"Huh?"
"The electricity is fine!" I
tried again, slightly louder.
I heard him mumble something
and walk away. In retrospect, I wonder if he was the apartment's bill
collector!
Shortly afterwards, I took a very quick walk
(ten minutes) to snap a few photographs of interesting sights right
around the apartment. It's mostly photographically-interesting as
opposed to an interesting object in-and-of itself (garage doors and
playground gates and such), so I may not post them here until we get
home.
In particular, I'm always somewhat pleased when I can
recognize around here something in Russian that is simply English
transliterated. For example, we're right across the street from a
clothing and/or convenience store called "El Dorado." We're also near
a nightclub called "Notorious." There's an apartment building down
the road called the "Professional." Across town is a market called
"Kardinal" which is near another cafe called "Sport" (which looks
REALLY weird in Russian cursive, which I also happen to be able to
read...it kinda looks like "Cnopm"). And there are signs all over the
place that say ABTOCEPBUC, which is, of course, "Auto Service."
I'm thoroughly enjoying taking pictures of a great variety of things
(of cabbages and kings...quite seriously, really). And, as
some of you know, I have an odd proclivity for taking close-up
photographs of walls (as evidenced here
and here)
which I have not abandoned. I also need to remind myself to take a
picture of the "Heinz Ostriey Ketchoop" label next time I'm at the
Chagala. People around here must think I'm so weird! (Course, people
at home think I'm so weird, too.)
I took pictures of Alex
today, too. Have I mentioned that he's cute? This morning, he again
reminded us that the Shebler's toys are much more interesting than
ours. However, to be fair, the Shebs tried to put Damir in the kid
backpack thingy (a hideous contraption which makes the
SnugliTM look like a glorified napkin, and which they have
affectionately nicknamed "the beast"), and he didn't like that very
much. We eventually convinced Alex that joining us and banging his
blue dog on the floor was at least as satisfying as banging their Lego
cart thing on the floor.
This afternoon, Alex' favorite
thing to do was "fly." When I lift him up over my head and hold him
parallel to the ground, he spreads his "wings" out and becomes very
pleased with himself. Actually, he *really* loves to come in for a
landing and visit mommy. I get the impression that he likes us or
something.
My son will be a pilot. Or a constructionist.
Or a deconstructionist. Or whatever the heck he wants to be, I
suppose. He's a genius.
Oh, that reminds me, mom... I
tried to tell him that it was Hamburg, not Berlin. But he was so
adamant about it, I just figured that he knew better than I did.
Yeah, that's my story...and I'm sticking to it.
My
allergies seem to have subsided, fortunately. The day before
yesterday, over the course of the day, Dina doped me up with three
Sudafed, a dose of baby Benadryl, two Tylenol sinus PM, and, then in
the morning, two Tylenol sinus non-drowsy. Sometime yesterday
afternoon, while watching women's doubles tennis finals (hats off to
the Spanish duo for their valiant but vain effort against the
Chinese), the sinuses opened up like the Spring thaw in Alaska. Ah,
what a relief!
The children who live in our apartment
building are just adorable. There are six to ten of them, mostly
Russian girls between the ages of seven and ten. They've caught on to
the fact that we're American. Every time any of us leave the
building, they practice their "Hello"s. Only, they come out sounding
more like "hollow." I came back from the bakery the other night. The
oldest girl (the ringleader?) looked up at me, smiled like she thought
she was a clever little brat, and said, "Hallow."
I looked
back at her, tried my best to ditch the American accent, and said (in
Russian), "Good day to you. How are you (all)?"
Oh the
looks of shock! I loved it!
Of course, I then got to the
door and found it closed, locked from the inside. I turned back to
the group sitting on the bench there and said, Yest kluj? (have
a key?). They all said no, and one of the Kazak girls proceeded to
make some sort of suggestion which I couldn't follow. I sheepishly
admitted that I'd only studied Russian for a year and couldn't
understand her. She then motioned with her hands as she repeated the
suggestion, letting me know that she thought I should climb up the
wall.
Nyet, a spasiba, said I, amused with her at
her silly suggestion.
So I then stepped as close as I could
to my own kitchen window, and called out in a sing-songy voice, "Oh, Dina!"
As Dina came to the window to find and rescue me in my distress, I heard a very small and quiet chorus of voices behind me, mimicking, "Oh, Dina..."
Last night I saw the same ringleader girl. I said (again, in formal and perfect Russian...intentionally, because formal Russian sounds very silly when spoken to a child, and with a Moscow accent), "How are you?"
Nye panimayo, said the little imp. "I don't understand."
Twirp. Cute, but a twirp nonetheless. She'll go far in life, perhaps as a politician.
Tonight, as the four of us returned from dinner, an older boy called out, "Hello, America!" Maybe he's studying to be Kazakhstan's version of Paul Harvey.
By the time I go to bed tonight, I should have less than 200 pages left to read for my Master's degree. I'm still quite behind at this point, and although I have several wonderful paragraphs bouncing around my noggin, I suddenly realize that I have total writer's block when it comes to trying to determine what the point of my paper will be. That's just dandy.
But I have running water!
|
|
 | Dina says:
Thanks for all of the comments you left for yesterday’s entry! Keep it up, even if you feel like you’re repeating yourselves. It’s nice to know who’s reading.
I woke up to find that we had no hot water in the apartment. We later found out that there was no hot water in all of Uralsk. I took a cold shower, and instead of thinking how horrible it was, I pretended that it was in the middle of the day when I’m so hot. That made the shower more tolerable. It was a shock to my body, though, and it sure makes me more grateful for the things that I have at home and perhaps take for granted.
I had somewhat of a breakthrough today. When we went to pick up Alex, as soon as he saw me, he smiled a BIG smile. Usually, I have to get real close to him and almost pick him up before he gives me a smile. It was really neat to see him recognize me right away like that. He was all giggles and drool in the morning. Again, he was more interested in the Scheblers’ toys than with ours. I wish we had packed more toys because he seems to get bored with the ones we brought. Good thing we have so many toys waiting for him at home! Alex got tired toward the end of the visit, and fell asleep in my arms. I am really getting to know his “cues” of when he’s tired, when he’s hurting, when he’s frustrated, etc. It’s amazing how quickly we’ve “tuned in” to one another.
For lunch, we had Philippich drop us off again at the Chagala. I think my body is acclimating to the hot weather here, because I was almost COLD in there! We watched women’s soccer and the first 15 minutes of men’s gymnastics before we had to go. I was bummed that we had to miss the gymnastics, that is much more fun to watch than soccer. Lance and Nicole were already in the bar when we got there, and later, John and Sue showed up. We’re regulars there!
Alex was cute in the afternoon, but seemed a little more restless. It was pretty warm again in the baby house, so we had him in just a cotton onesie. I wish we had packed more clothes for warm weather. We’ve been alternating his denim and khaki short overalls, but today was the first day we kept him in just a onesie. He seemed quite happy in just that.
We learned something interesting today. Masha, the Schebler’s interpreter, was commenting that Alex doesn’t look Russian because he’s got such dark eyes, hair, and skin. She said he looks like he’s of mixed ethnicity (Kazak and Russian). We looked at her kind of questioning since he doesn’t look very Asian to us. She then told us that SHE is mixed. Her mother is Russian, but her father is Kazak. Some of you may have seen a photo of her that we posted on August 15th. She’s the one on the left. And, actually, a few days ago, we were all joking about how Alex looks kind of like her. It makes more sense now that we know her heritage. So perhaps Alex is 1/2 Kazak. But we’ll never really know. No matter what, he’s one of the most beautiful babies I’ve ever laid eyes on. Every time I look at him, I can’t believe how amazingly gorgeous he is.
We went to Kamelot for dinner and had the same old same old. Theo Costa’s twin wasn’t there, unfortunately. We WILL get a picture of him before we leave! John, Sue, Jeff, and I all got our usual, but Lance and Nicole tried the Royal Forest Apple Schnitzel. It looked really good and Nicole gave me a bite and it was really tasty. It was basically a pork cutlet rolled around apple slices, breaded and cooked. I’ll probably order that the next time we go there.
Today marks the halfway point of our trip. It’s amazing how the time seems to go by so fast. I can definitely say that I will miss this place. I will especially miss the people here. We are in the best of hands and feel so well taken care of. I was talking to Assia yesterday telling her this same thing and she said, “that means that we’re doing a good job!” They are definitely doing an outstanding job. They go above and beyond to make sure we are comfortable and happy.
We find out tomorrow when our court date will be. We have to get some photos developed for the judge showing us as a happy family. I brought a disposable camera so that we can take pictures and get them developed at the one-hour photo. We could get our digital photos printed, but that takes a day. We don’t want to have to wait that long for them, we’re all about instant gratification! We are going to share a disposable camera with the Scheblers so we don’t feel like we’re wasting any exposures.
My throat is really sore today. I don’t want to sound like I’m complaining, so I won’t go into too much detail. It’s more of a prayer request for my health. Thankfully, I don’t have any other symptoms other than the sore throat. I’m drinking lots of water and a glass of OJ a day. I’m trying to get lots of sleep and hopefully, I’ll nip it in the bud and it will go away. Sue said she had a sore throat for a day and it went away. Lance also had it, too, for just a day. Hopefully this won’t last long. Lance gave me some throat lozenges that he bought here that seem to help. I have decided if I don’t start feeling better soon, I’m going to break down and buy a chicken and the fixings to make some avgolemono soup. Even in 90-plus degree weather, I’m thinking it will really help. But first, I have to figure out how to light our stove!
Thanks again for all of your comments, just as it’s the highlight of your day to read our journal, it’s the highlight of our day to read your comments. We love you all. |
|
Comments for August 24
Comment from
Nana Nina | Dina, I've been praying that you don't come down with something. It sounds as though it might be something making the rounds, since you say others have experienced the same thing, but do you think it could be an allergy symptom? Or maybe it's something to do with the heat? I wonder if you can find Vitamin C tablets. Maybe Jeff can figure out how to say "Echinacea" in Kazak.
How wonderful that the bonding with Alex is going so beautifully. There's nothing like your child smiling at you. I remember the first time Jeff smiled at me was on my birthday! What a gift. | Comment from
Julianna | Hi Dina! Don't worry, Alex isn't bored with his toys. You could have brought every toy ever made, and he'd still want the other babies' toys. That's the way of the baby. Alexandra could have the EXACT same toy as someone else, but she needs the one she doesn't have. It's all part of their development! I'm sure the child psychologists out there could elaborate... :)
-Julianna | Comment from
Jeff | Part of me would guess that the Kazak word for "Echinacea" is "echinacea."
I say this only because it sure doesn't look like much of an English word. | Comment from
Laura & Paul | Congratulations on making it to the half-way point. How exciting. It won't be long until you return home as a family of 3.
Thanks again for sharing all of your experiences with all of us. My favorite thing to do every morning is to read your journal and look at the latest pictures of Alex. | Comment from
maggie clermont | whew, that was a close call...but now I have my Alex fix until tomorrow! He's blossomed so from the 9th! | Comment from
Yiayia Connie | Hello there,
The best part of my day is when these pictures go up. I just love to see the many expressions on Alex's face. He seems so totally comfortable and trusting of you both now. It is amazing how quickly he bonded with you. It is going to be so nice when you get him to your home and he gets into a routine and know he is home.
Thank you both so much for taking the time each day to share your thoughts with us, and Jeff the photos are making so many of us happy. Thanks again,
Love, Yiayia | Comment from
Sally Lantz | Jeff and Dina,
Jeff, your mom gave me your website and I have been thoroughly enjoying it every day! Hopefully we will be seeing that adorable little guy at WVPC sometime in the near future! Your mom is getting really antsy to see that little guy. I have been telling her for years how much fun it is to be in the "grandma Club". While you are making your dreams come true accross the world, Amber and her husband Greg are making theirs come true over here. Amber is due to have a baby in January. Naturally, we are all thrilled.
Mikkel and I are praying that all will go well for you and you will soon be home with your own little bundle of joy!!
| Comment from
Joanna | I LOVE the story about the girls in your apartment building!! Oh Dina..... Too funny! And I love the little impish grin on Alex's face in a couple of the pictures! Too cute! | Comment from
joanna | I belive echinacea is Latin, not kazak. | Comment from
zeina | do you think alex hates the camera yet????? | Comment from
Nana Nina | So, does this mean I have to play all my Beatle records for Alex when he visits, just so he'll receive the proper education? Or better yet, maybe I could get out all those magazines and he could bang them on the floor. Then again, maybe I should just let him bang the records on the floor, considering they're probably not worth anything and the record player barely works. But it was Hamburg ~ a corrupt town full of fleeties, and the Beatles were too young to be working there.
When Dad and I lived in the Philippines a century or two ago, the apartment we had to live in for three months before we got base housing was a cold-water flat. It had two sinks in what passed for a kitchen ~ one of them a kitchen sink, one a bathroom sink, both of them with only cold water faucets ~ and a shower in a big room called the bathroom, with only a cold water faucet. At least you've got hope. Jeff, you're right ~ nothing to complain about.
I am so very glad to hear the allergy relief squad is taking care of you!! Now, if only Dina could feel up to par again.
I love that toothless little grin. Let's have more of it. | Comment from
Pat Shikany | Dina and Jeff,
It just shows you that kids will be kids - American or Russian. How cute, I bet they just love teasing you and know you are trying to be nice to them. Love that story.
Can you take your lap top to the judge or download the pictures you have, they are all wonderful and show you as a marvelous family. They even show how much Alex looks like the two of you. Keep up the pictures and journal, love it all. | Comment from
Liz Levy | Hi Jeff & Dina,
In last Sunday's church bulletin, the 22nd, your email address was mentioned. WOW! I've been sitting here for over an hour reading about how a husband and wife are slowly becoming a Daddy and Mommy. Glory to God!! Alex is going to have such wonderful and loving parents. He just isn't aware of it yet. And I know that our Lord has everything under control; so all you need to do is sit back and let it happen.
-Liz
| Comment from
eric | I had to chuckle about the hot water. Reminded me when I visited my (at the time, future-) inlaws in Jakarta. I went to wash my hands and realized that only the cold-water knob on the faucet worked. I then went to another sink. Same thing (no water coming out of the hot one). I went to tell them that their hot water was not working, and then realized. No water heater. Since the temperature basically never goes below about 70 degrees (Jakarta is just south of the equator), many houses do not have hot water heaters. Incidentally, my in-laws are not at all poor; its just not their common practice to use hot water. | Comment from
Ammo ramzi | | Comment from
Ammo Ramzi | No we won't be repeating ourselves
When we say how that litlle guy walked
into our Hearts with that litlle Happy
Face and Big Smile..We Love Him! | Comment from
Lana | <3 as always, cute as ever! <3
| Comment from
Cynthia G. | Hi there--
Will take this moment to tell you how much I loved your family photo from the 23rd; the 3 of you look like you have always been together. You should make that one up in every conceivable size!
Stay safe and happy,
Best from George, too | Comment from
Jonathan | Well you guys, I can't believe how cute your little son is! It's been incredible to see the pictures all throughout your visit over there. I feel like I've been back over there myself! They brought back alot of good memories! Alex is incredible! I'm sure that's what everyone's first thoughts are as they look at the new round of photos for each day. He looks so happy! And I'm absoultely sure you guys are slathering on as much love as is humanly....and divinely....possible! I'm really excited for you guys and can't wait to see you back home in the States!
Dina the phrase for I have a sorethroat is "Ou menya boleet gorlo" if that helps any, but I'm sure you guys have someone that can help you...it seems like there have been really helpful staffpeople to assist you as you stay there.
I'm full of excitement for both of you and also for Alex as he begins a new life full of love and great possibilities!
I keep you guys in my prayers always.
Christ is in our midst,
Jonathan | Comment from
Lou Evans | Still enjoying your great prose, Dina and Jeff. Still can't wait to see him in person. Jeff, don't you mean the pizza you mentioned yesterday was the second best you've ever eaten?
Tomorrow the kids start school. 6th grade and 5th grade. You'll wonder where the years went Alex is in the same boat! | Comment from
Uncle Dan | Today was great because I didn't get online yesterday. Today it was a fun fest catching up for two days.
Glad you've been able to see some of the Olympics over there. Kazakhstan has prepresented itself rather well. We've noted gymnasts and one super-dude was in the running for the decathlon for awhile.
When do you go back to Almaty? How long do you stay there? Will Alex go with you when you go?
Your idea about business class is right on with the baby. Are you going to be able to do that all the way home or just on that first leg? In either case, ask for a bulkhead seat ... another foot of legroom. Also there are bassinetts (sp?) that attacht to fittings on the bulkhead. We flew from Singapore to San Francisco that way with Samantha. It was like having a playpen at chest level. Of course it was a good bit more costly, but those were the good old days when my employer paid for it!
Looke forward to tomorrow's post.
Unka D | Comment from
Erika Bates | Dear Jeff and Dina,
Jeff you probably don't remember me...but I am a very good high school friend of Joanna's. I remember meeting you many times in high school and you were always very kind to me. I wanted to tell you how excited I was when Joanna told me your great news...Congratulations on a beautiful son! I always thought Jeff was a great person and so I am quite sure Dina is wonderful too!! :) Enjoy this wonderful blessing...
With best wishes...Erika B | Comment from
Auntie Julie | Dina,
You always make me smile when you enter a room, so I know how Alex feels!! :-) I miss you SOOOOOOOOO much. I am so happy we have crossed the halfway point!
love,
Julie | Comment from
Auntie Julie | I love picture number 8 from today! What a little monkey face! He reminds me of Lana in that picture. Kiss him again for me, please!! | Comment from
Geoff | Jeff - you do realize, don't you, that "El Dorado" is not English transliterated into Russian, but SPANISH translated into Russian...don't you? | Comment from
Katherine | Jeff, you're description of Alex "flying" took me back to a hilarious memory I must share with you. When Steven was a baby, Todd lifted him high in the air in a face-down prone position and somehow was able to hold one of Steven's arms straight out in front of him. Then he swooped him through the air, circling him up and down in figure eights and belting out Superman's theme song. Bet Alex would enjoy that! Superman's flight may be passe in contrast to Spiderman, but it's preferable to teaching Alex (genius as he is) to scale those vertical walls you're so fond of . . .
And about your "Oh, Dina" call for rescue . . . I hope you understand you've now given us great teasing material whenever you exhibit confusion and hesitation in our midst (yes, Jeff, you will, at some point). It's a powerful mantra. That poor little girl (whom you so defensively named "ringleader," "twit," and other unpublishable utterings, I'm sure) was just trying to be helpful. I'll wager that most of us will remember this outstanding episode in your journal. Thank you for sharing it . . . . . . . {Hee-Hee}
I've been envisioning your homecoming and have not one doubt your family members' eagerness will literally hit all 3 of you with hurricane force as you disembark. Alex is no longer a little star. Your journal and his photos have made him a full-blown galaxy. I can just see his grandparents' violent frenzy to get their hands on him, can't you? Hope someone takes pictures . . . and remembers to bring a large box of tissues to wipe away the happy tears! That little man-child does not yet know the life of loving he's in for. But he will very soon.
Your stories have affected me deeply. I was actually rooting for that Kazakhstan Olympic runner. Everyday I prepare to hear Jeff's impressions of the outer world and Dina's impressions of the inner world. Amazing how the tone of your writings differ so dramatically! I'm enjoying every word.
I look forward to hearing about your court experience and about your preparations to bring your son to his new homeland, his first birthday party, and Christmas.
Take good care of yourselves. Really. You're going to need lots of excessive energy in the coming weeks. I'm always sending love and prayers.
| Comment from
Colene | Dina,Jeff and Alex,
I hope you know we check in everyday, as well as a whole bunch of other WPA families!!!! We love your site, narration and most of all - ALEX!!
I cant believe you are half way through!! This is wonderful! I bet you cant wait for court! Im sure it will be just fine - how could anyone not see the perfect family that has been formed.
Our thoughts continue to be with you!! Colene | Comment from
Becky | Hi Dina and Jeff,
I am glad that you are enjoying Uralsk. I read your notes and remember how wonderful our time there was.
Sorry you are a little sick. Now I laugh about the fact that I had a raging bronchitis/laryngitis for court. I squeaked my answers to the judge and probably smelled horribly of menthol from the "strepsils" which is what they call throat losenges. However, the strepsils worked and the judge gave us custody, even though I sounded like I was in advance tuberculosis!
As for water - yes, running water is good! A pipe broke outside our apartment on the Wednesday before court and we had NO WATER. Olga gave us water in jugs but it is hard to get clean that way ;). Fortunately, they got the pipe fixed on Thursday so we didn't have to go to our travel partners' apartment to shower before court.
I am looking forward to hearing that Alex's name is officially changed to Holton. That is a big occasion.
Say hi to Assia from Becky, Niall, and Declan Azamat who was in Groupa 7 at Baby House 1.
Take care and keep posting. Your "Uralsk family" loves to hear about how things are going.
Becky | Comment from
jeney | No water! You need water! :)
I had never thought about Alex's ethnicity. I suppose I take for granted *knowing* what makes up my family's heritage. Is there a way to find out for sure?
I can't believe this is all going on still. I'm a Need To See It Girl, and that's what makes this whole site so great for me. I feel a part of it all.
Alex Holton. I need to hug that boy!
Chris and Carey had their baby. They let her push forever and the doctors were really crappy about it saying she wasn't doing it right. Turns out she actually needed a c-section because the baby just wouldn't fit. Rrrr!
Do you feel like you live there now? Settled into a routine? I just can't wait til you get home. Is there anything you'll need before you get home? Can I drop off some groceries or...anything? | Comment from
jeney | My favorite pictures are the ones of Alex sleeping. I just love it. He must feel so safe with you. He looks so peaceful.
I swear he's getting bigger before my eyes. Already he looks like he's grown! |
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