"What do I do in my free time? I wander around Irkutsk, a city almost three and a half centuries old, which resonates with the romance of old trade routes and aristocrat-revolutionary exiles…Unique Irkutsk, my home away from home!" These are the opening and closing sentences written by "an American" on the folder of some postcards we bought today at the Angara Hotel – but I thought they were very appropriate to our situation!
Last night we made it through ANOTHER movie without it shutting off – that makes three now! This was "Don't Say a Word" with Michael Douglas and Brittany Murphy. The previews I remember seeing were scarier than the movie but I did let out one startled scream during it!
Genya woke up about 6:30 to use the potty but that was too early to start the day so I had him go back to bed – we all were sleeping when the phone rang at 8:15am so it was a nice sleeping in morning! Brian and Genya played with the play dough this morning and had fun with that. Brian also enjoyed his phone call from a friend at home (and the comments from his friend in Holland!) Lunch was hot dogs again for Genya while I made the "hole in the bread" sandwich for Brian and I. We then headed out for a walk.
It was nice again today – maybe not as warm as yesterday but still much warmer than when we came to this city! We meandered along the river and fed some pigeons and wound our way to the big park by the Angara Hotel. Park meaning fountains and benches – they really don't have playground equipment in public areas (at least that we've found) like we have at home. It would be nice to have that!
Sidenote: I don't think I've mentioned Genya's two favorite exclamations – Oofda and Oy! We hear those many times a day!
We walked quite a ways so decided to take a break for a drink. We stopped at the "sunshine café" for tea, soda and juice and a small bag of chips. Then Brian and Genya headed towards home while I stopped at the supermarket again – today they had milk! We met up on 5th Army just before the little market where I was going to get juice (same price as market and don't have to carry so far!) Got three different juices and some drinking water…Genya carried both waters (2L each) for me! He's a good helper. Then we wanted some piereskees again so Genya and I went to the deli by the stadium – he and I got cabbage ones this time and Brian a meat one again… Inexpensive afternoon snack – good thing we got addicted at the end of our stay!
Mom, I have no idea where the cucumbers come from – out of country somewhere I'm sure! Just like the peppers and bananas, etc! And yes, cell phones are VERY common here – everyone, including children, carry them!
Genya's been asking for hot chocolate to drink so I decided to make it for him and Brian today – I split a packet between the two of them. Well you've read about Genya's liking for "hot" things??? It was so funny because when he got the cup of drink he touches it and says "it's hot!" (and this was after I let it cool for a long time for both of them!). We told him it had to be hot otherwise it's just chocolate water! Finally after a long time, including putting it in the refrigerator for a few minutes, he drank it all. He does like his chocolate!!
Another funny thing – I'll often say to Genya "tee moy seen" (you're my son) – today Brian and Genya were wrestling and Genya was laughingly calling for me – Mama, pama gee (help me)…but he was in no danger so I ignored but a few seconds later he said something along the line of "mama, ya seen!" (which I take as 'but I'm your son!!') Oh boy we laughed at that!!
A few cartoons, some "listening lessons" for Genya and then supper. I used up the last of my meat from the big purchase almost three weeks ago so will be doing it two days at a time until we leave and probably some lunches at the cafes with reasonable prices! Have I mentioned that I'm really getting quite tired of cooking "from scratch" so many times a week? I miss my Market Day!!
Dinner tonight was mini meatballs in gravy with mashed potatoes and peas (and to plug Market Day again, the peas here are NOTHING like MD's!). Then Genya got his nightly bath (a great motivator to eat dinner for Genya!) and then a short Elmo DVD. He asked to go to bed at 8:30pm!
But this was the best part – Brian took him into the bedroom but Genya asked for me as I do the singing and rocking and before I could even start singing he started singing "Jesus Loves Me…"! He then sang along about half the words… then at the end of "I am Jesus' Little Lamb" he sang along the last few words and repeated the line "Nathan Genya Ninmann"… Two weeks today he's been with us! This made me smile!
5 comments:
Wow, only two weeks? It seems like longer to me! What progress y'all have made in just two weeks! Does seem like the English is kicking in! Just think, soon you'll wonder why you were in such a rush for him to speak! Been there, done that, got multiple tee-shirts to prove it!
Oh wow Debbie, that last paragraph had me crying! I am so impressed with how well Nathan Genya is doing!
And I loved the "but, I'm your son" too funny!
I wish we could be in Chicago (did I read that is where you will fly into?) to welcome you home as well!! =)
A reunion sounds glorious!!!
Nick says Nathan can over anytime for a Play-Doh day. Nick will play for 2 hours!
I'm not sure if this makes you feel any better, but we are FAR from spring around here as well. Just because the calendar reads MARCH doesn't mean a difference in the weather. BLAHHHH.
Also, not sure if you have been give an update on CarolAnn, but she is doing quite well. We offered to go to Watertown this weekend with some meals or do help with her chores and she said it was not necessary...she was doing fine on her own. I actually think she was getting sick of all the fuss at the hospital and is enjoying some "almost normal" time to herself. We said we were willing to help with whatever she needed, but that we were not going to hover. She should let us know what/when she need help but that we would stop asking. She strongly agreed it was good plan and seemed appreciative of the space.
Keep sending photos, Justin is trying to decide which ones of Hopper to print for the board at school!
N,K,J,N,T
That is an answer to our prayers, isn't it? I pleaded with God to please let Nathan come into our family so we could teach him about Jesus - and how quickly he has learned! God's word is so powerful...Next you will have to teach him "Surely it is God who saves me..." and "Keep me, keep me as the apple of your eye..." because JJ and I sing that every night - JJ even starts the singing now! Your sons are certainly two wonderful blessings from the Lord! And now it's time to grab tissues again...LOL
Love,mom
That postcard sums it up, huh?
It sounds like Nathan is just doing great! BTW..what does Oofda and Oy mean? Evan often said, Kaka when we picked him up. When we were in Moscow, Phillip would laugh every time he said it. We didn't realize that he was cursing! LOL
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