Right after we went off line last night we got two real phone calls. First Alex called and Brian talked to him– he had been working on document translation all day and would be submitting them to the court today. Also asked if we needed a new light switch and Brian said "yes" – and when he comes we'll tell him we want assurance this won't happen again! :) He said he would be by Tuesday afternoon but we weren't "to wait for him" – so I guess that means our morning is free anyway. I am guessing we'll head to Cheremkhovo tomorrow for another visit before court on Thursday. We don't have a Nathan Genya update but for sure today he should be back to the baby home.

Yesterday we were watching TV for a bit – their "ESPN" equivalent I think. Anyway we were watching a game that seemed to be a cross between basketball and soccer. It was played in a gym and there were goal on either end with a goalie. There was a round basketball type ball but smaller – they could dribble it and pass it and the object was to throw it into the goal. It was high scoring – it was 13 to 11 while we were watching. These were women playing the game also. Anyone know what it is ??

An observation from here – we never hear any sirens. For a city this size (over 500K) in America you'd hear something at least once a day – we heard a siren once and it was a long ways away. Interesting!

Temperature on the TV this morning says it's -14c so it is warming up slightly – we'll give the real report after we return for a morning walk!

 

(Wo)Man on the Street

So after waiting in the apartment most of the day, we decided at 3pm that we wouldn't be going to Cheremkhovo that day so we had to get out! The walls tend to close in a little after many hours of the grey walls. I had cleaned the apartment some earlier, we had had lunch, played games, listened to music and read but we needed to go outside! The TV said it was -16c today so we thought it would be warmer – WRONG! There was a wind and it was still as cold! But my feet were warm in my new wool socks!

So we headed to try and exchange some money. While Brian was in the bank I looked at the auto teller (ATM) and there were English directions so I thought we could do it on our own. When he came back out and the answer to changing our USA$ was the same as the other day – shaking head "no" – we decided to try the machine. It was so easy!! So now we have a way to get our rubles!! But it spit out 1000r bills, and I think you've heard us tell how hard it is to even spend the 500r's so we then went back into the bank and asked them to break them down into smaller bills – no problem doing that! So now we're flush for awhile – LOL

We were in a little different area than we usually walk but there wasn't much to see but we wound up on Karl Marx St again anyway – all roads lead there apparently. We were getting cold so we thought we'd go to a café to warm up a little. But we couldn't decide where to go so just headed back toward the river. We got close to the "Souvenirs from Irkutsk" store (yep, says that in English!) when two young ladies came up behind us. They said "excuse me, you're speaking English" – so we stopped! They studied English and wanted to practice talking it! So we went into the store, out of the cold, and visited with them a few minutes. Maria was the one who talked the most – she graduated the university last year after studying economics and English and was now looking for a job. She said she had never been outside Irkutsk but when we asked where she'd like to travel to she said "Sweden" – I said I had been there so she asked if there were "tall, blond boys there" – I said there sure were! Her friend, who had a really pretty name that I can't remember, studied English and Spanish and wanted to visit Spain one day! They asked what we were doing in the city and then asked if there was lots of paperwork to adopt! I said we were finding a few places in the city where English was spoken and she was a little surprised – she said it was more like "go away, we don't want you here" attitude (then laughed). We actually have felt very welcome this trip – maybe we're just getting out and about more. Anyway we told them to stop us anytime they see us out and that we walk that street everyday! I said to Maria that maybe she should get a job as a translator – her eyes lit up and said she'd love that but those jobs are hard to get. After we said goodbye I said we should have gotten her name and number – we could use her to order us a taxi or be our personal translator when in town! Maybe we'll run into her again and we'll get the info. I think she really just would love to be able to practice her English speaking! (She said she stopped us because she has a "radar" to hearing languages and besides, we didn't look Russian!)

So we still were on the hunt for a café and stopped at one on the same block as the souvenir store – just a non-descript door that had a picture of food and coke outside it. (next to the really expensive looking one).. The counter was way in the back and I was just about to ask for English Menu or if she spoke English when Brian said "it's on there" – the whole menu was in Russian AND ENGLISH!! The first time we've seen that! I was so excited. They have a little of everything – salads, main dishes, baked goods, etc. We just were in for our afternoon snack so I had an apple puff and Brian had a cheese puff – and we both had tea (Brian's going to try and start to like it – it's cheap and easy to order too!). We paid our 85r (under $3) and she brought our food to our table. My apple puff was delicious – I said I might need one every day! The cheese puff was good too but I didn't think as good as mine – LOL… So we did our little walking break and stimulated (such as it is) the economy and headed back outside. We love those little stops – even if there isn't the English menu we can point and order tea now! We did a quick stop at the store across from the apt and got more water – I can order it in Russian now (vada biz guzza means water, no bubbles) – and two ice cream bars for a little dessert later. After not eating sweets for almost a year I'm making up for it now. But we're doing a lot of walking in the cold and eating pretty good so as long as my clothes continue to fit – even with the long johns underneath – I'm continuing what I've been doing!

Brian is trying to master Spider Solitaire and did win a few times now at beginner and intermediate levels. I've been reading – trying to read slowly to make the books last! I made a dish of chicken and rice pilaf for dinner and soon we'll start our nightly movie – I think it will be Moonlighting, Season 1, tonight!

We're trying to guess when we'll hear from someone to find out our plans for tomorrow. I said I don't care what they are or aren't but they could just let us know! I'm hoping that the papers from the USA either came today or are coming tomorrow (they left Wed I think) so he's busy translating and giving to the court… Maybe he's making nice to the prosecutor also. But a call would be nice, and to let us know how Genya's doing AND to tell us if we'll ever gets lights in the bedroom again! Oh well, we're surviving but not quite the American way! Ha,ha

The phone just rang – but it was an automated voice on the other end talking in Russian! We get that about every other day… well we at least know the phone rings!

what I really dislike

is waiting around for phone calls that never come -- we have no idea on Genya's status and haven't seen or heard from Alex since Thursday (other than reporting our fire problem)... so now we're heading out (3pm our time) - figure no way to go anywhere today anymore! some things are beyond frustrating to me! :)

This and That

I always think of things to post later so here are just a few comments that I've thought of (this is my journal of the trip also – you all get to come along on it!) You know my life's an open book! Literally!

We have a found a few of the "infectious diseases" we were tested for the other day – we DON'T have gonorrhea, typhoid, dysentery or salmonella. We also know we DON'T have TB. In addition, of course, we don't have HIV which is something they did accept from the USA. Thankfully they did, with Alex's talking I am sure, accept the results of our USA medicals even tho we didn't have any back-up documentation.

One thing I wish we would have brought would be more converters/adapters. We only have the one so it's in use a lot. Our laptop runs about 4-hours on battery but we're on it a lot – mostly now with the games or my typing our journal (blog) and also our internet connections. We're going to buy another card today – we have no way of knowing when we run out of time other than it won't dial up so better safe than sorry. We get 5-hours of connection time for 300r (about $10). Today also we have to figure out how to get some more rubles – either exchanging money or trying a bank machine. We're down to about $60 equivalent in rubles right now! But we're not spending a lot of money either – groceries, little shopping and cafes mainly (and the cafes are cheap!)

Yesterday we did find a second hand store in a different part of town when we were walking – it was like ours at home, somewhat musty, but did have a decent selection of clothing. We just looked as there isn't anything we "have" to get. I might get a longer coat at some point if I'd find one but also have half a mind to purchase a NICE one to take home – who knows customs regulations about importing fur? The coats here are absolutely beautiful! And the hats mostly equally as beautiful! No PETA protesting here – LOL.

JJ, the kids here wear hats that have a heavier wool lining and the ear flaps can fold down… would you wear one of those if we got it for you? Dad thinks you would but I wanted to check with you – none of the clothing here is "cheap" but there sure is a lot of it! We have gone into many stores where all they have is children's clothing and toys – who is buying this stuff? It's all very nice but it's like having "Children's Place" "Gymboree" "Baby Gap" and "Kids r Us" lined up one after another in the same mall! And then having another one about 3-blocks away!

Brian has never wanted to go on a cruise or to a resort like in Mexico – he was worried what we'd do all day. Well, we have now spent more time together than I think we have EVER done and we're surviving and thriving! Our "vacations" have always been active ones – going to car shows, driving places, fixing things, etc… I think we've both learned how to just kick back and go with the flow – we hang out, take long walks, read, help each other with solitaire (I'm so mad I forgot my travel yatzee game!) and just observe life here in Russia. Brian does have a more relaxed personality than me (you think??) so he does sleep more than I do but he also probably has years more to catch up on – LOL! My "record" such as it is for quickest losing solitaire game is 33-seconds… man, that can be so frustrating!

Another thing for JJ – they have a TV show here, I have no idea what it is, but the lady in it could be Heather from TDI's sister – she looks just like her! I think of you every time I see the commercial for that show! We hope you can call soon and talk to us – we miss you! But since you have been too busy to call that is a good thing also. Grandpa keeps us informed on your busy social life! I'm happy Mikey and Emily have been over to play and also that you and Carissa are doing things together. Samantha, no cat update lately? How's Candy doing??

Anyone who runs Windows Vista – do you have it where Word just randomly shuts down at time? That happens to me every few days – but at least it always recovers my work. It's just an annoyance! Otherwise I'm starting to figure out where to find the different things in it!

Taylor Swift is on the video channel right now – first time I've seen her! Last night I think it was 80's hour or something – early Madonna, Michael Jackson, and other artists from our high school days were playing. Otherwise it's a nice mix of international music – the European videos are more risqué than the American ones!

 

Second Sunday in Siberia

A little about the food we've been buying and eating here. While it's easy to go to a restaurant when you have your translator, when we get by ourselves either to try and eat out or to the grocery store it's always an adventure! Brian is very good at ordering "coca-cola", even tho sometimes they say "pepsi?" – either is fine! We ask "English menu?" and they usually say "nyt" so then we do a lot of pointing and guessing. We understand more the routine now – they ask us if we want "salad" or "soup/borsch", then the main meat and a "garnish" (side). Then I ask them to write down how much we need to pay as I don't understand the numbers when said but I think I have the $$ figured out! I walk around the grocery store trying to decipher items with my translation book. The hardest thing for us to buy is milk – they have so many different kinds. Milk in cartons, milk in bags – different % numbers on them and then there is the liquid yogurt-like drink also. It's overwhelming. Yesterday I had my book open while we were trying to figure out what milk to get and a young lady says "Milk" to me – I said "spasiba" but really wanted to ask her "what do you drink??" But maybe I was afraid of the answer! The first day we got a box of milk and it's ok (not like home, but not terrible). The next time at the store we bought a bag of milk with a little higher % (I think it means milkfat?) Anyway yesterday I opened it to pour on our cereal and it is the equivalent of American buttermilk! Not the worst but certainly not what we want for everyday use. So yesterday we bought a different bagged milk – it tastes more like the first kind we got, not our favorite but drinkable. The meat is a bit of a challenge also. I either bought ham or beef to go with our eggs today (turns out to be ham/pork)! Otherwise you can really find most anything you want in the supermarket. By our standards the store is small but it is well stocked. Yesterday we found jalapeno peppers and tortilla chips in the store! We had found salsa previously so one night might have to make nachos – will just have to figure the best cheese to get for it! They also had a bottle of chili starter – "just add beef". All the stores have security guards – at the entrances and walking around. I don't have to check my bag at the grocery store like you usually have to do when entering stores but I make it a point to not try and be suspicious – carrying my "Russian-English" book should be a notable identifying mark if needed – lol! Every grocery store has a huge "deli counter" – premade foods, salads, sausages, lots of fish, etc. It really is fun to just look at what they sell here! The grocery carts are an adventure also – they're smaller but all four wheels spin! So you use all your muscle trying to keep it going straight down the aisles! I give Brian that job now! They also have little metal baskets that we use for smaller shopping trips – easier to handle!

We're getting quite good at solitaire on the computer – Brian wins more than me but it's still only about 1 out of 20 games! We tried Spider Solitaire this morning and might try that again – little more strategy so takes longer. We drag out our days here when we have nowhere to go or be – today we dialed up the computer at 7am, I started breakfast at 8:30am and we'll get dressed around 11am. Then we'll go for another long walk and maybe some more window shopping. Probably then we'll nap and watch some DVDs – when we're in the apartment I keep the music/video TV station on. About 1/3 of the songs are in English and even the ones we don't understand usually have a catchy beat. There are a few songs we hear over and over – my favorite is "Our Potential Breakup Song" – some of you who know how to download might want to try and find it…. Otherwise we just keep replaying our statements for court in our minds and writing them down to help us become more fluent in our presentation.

Brian got an email from a friend saying that we need to get him to post to this blog sometime. We might have to do that – but it would definitely be less wordy than I!

We headed out walking a little after noon. We went by the Stadium nearby and found a nice little market there! It's only a few blocks from the apt and had a good selection of almost any food we'd need. And I think they take credit cards there! We'll be back. So then we walked the streets for a long time. There were street vendors set up everywhere! I bought a pair of wool socks as my feet keep getting cold when we walk. Otherwise we just looked in stores, stopped in the general market (the one with the meat all in the open) and there is anything you could need to buy there. And the sanitary conditions? Well, there was a dog walking around also! We wanted to stop for a little bite and drink so we went to the place next to Subway (restaurant). We had seen it the other day when we were in the area for a doctor and it says "Welcome" on the front so we thought someone there might know English. A very nice lady behind the counter spoke it a little so it was easy ordering! We got blini (pancakes) – mine with jam and Brian's with a sour cream. I had tea and he Coke. It came to 100r (about $3.00) – and then she invited us to come back tonight at 6pm to hear traditional Russian folk music! We stopped at the grocery store again for some breadcrumbs (for my chicken tonight which now we'll eat later) and then we headed back to the apt. It was a nice few hours out of the apt. The TV says it's -18c today but there is sunshine and no wind so it was very comfortable walking. Our faces still get cold but that's about all now.

So now we're back from our Russian Folk Music event – it was so neat! We got a light bite to eat (just by pointing, but the gal there did speak some English – this might become a new favorite place!) Anyway I thought we were getting two sweet things but turns out one was like a handheld pizza and the other was a pastry with jam – Brian likened that to Kringle. I had tea and Brian a coke-light – in a CAN! (usually get bottles). Soon then the music began. Three young guys – one on an accordion/concertina, one on a guitar like instrument but it was triangle, one guy on tambourine but the mixed it around a little too. Then two of the guys played "spoons" – that was really interesting. And the tambourine guy also did a horn type object. We took lots of video of this and I think they played it up for the camera some. One day we'll post that for you but we need help from our IT department (basically our friends in high school and younger!) LOL The lady who invited us to the music came in socially (not working) and came to talk to us. Now she invited us to come to their Rotary Meeting this Wednesday at 7pm at the same place. She said she was happy to see people from America and that the Rotary Club almost all spoke English and she'd really like us to come – so we probably will! Judy H said to "stay busy" this week before court – well that's one thing to keep us busy! So far this weekend has been the most action our social life has had in like forever! Out every night! So now I have our supper cooking – I got Panko Breadcrumbs today at the market and am making my favorite "Fake Fried Chicken", buttered noodles and corn. We're eating late but it's not like we have anywhere to go anymore! And the lights are still out in our bedroom and entry way (still have the breaker off, no word from Alex yet!!) so we have to hang out in the living area anyway. What's on tonight's DVD line-up? Probably either some Happy Days or Laverne & Shirley… we think we'll sleep well tonight after all the fresh air and walking we got in!

Tomorrow the baby home should be calling to let Alex know if Nathan Genya got released from the hospital or not. I'm not sure what the plans are for the day but stay tuned to find out what we did!

A slice of Russian life

Last night we had, beyond doubt, the scariest moment ever while in Russia. We were up a little later after our evening at the Jackson's (Kathy, did you give them my blog address?) Anyway we had caught up on emails and were going to lie in bed and watch some Happy Days, Season 1 DVDs. I had the washer going but everything else was quiet in the place. While we're lying there I said to Brian, "what's that smell?" and I don't know if he really thought I smelled something or not but didn't really answer (I do have a sensitive nose!) but then all of a sudden the overhead lights in our bedroom came blazing on! We went "what???" and all of a sudden smoke was pouring out of the light switch in the room!! Oh man, it stunk so bad and there was so much of it! Brian pulled off the switch cover and there weren't really flames but it was definitely sparking and glowing! I thought for sure the whole place was going to go up in flames and I had no idea how to call for a fire department – or what you do! We looked and couldn't find a fire extinguisher or the breaker box. I was frantically calling Alex's cell phone and home phone and no answers and no voice mail! Brian kept his cool – as he does so much better than I – and eventually (probably 3-minutes but seemed forever) found the breaker box and turned off the circuit to the bedroom. He said that we were fine now, no chance of fire. Well the adrenalin was still flowing and the stink was hanging in the air – we opened the bedroom window but it didn't do much to dissipate the smell or smoke. Shortly after then Alex called back and Brian answered – I'm sure his heart stopped when Brian said "we had a small fire…" – Brian said he just kept saying "I'm so glad you're okay!" - Yeah, no doubt! LOL So I'm sure he'll be over here today to check out the situation and hopefully restore our lighting. I didn't sleep well, partly due to fear but also the stink just made it hard to sleep. I should have moved into a different room but that was too much effort at the time – so instead early morning I fell asleep and slept until almost 9am.

Hey, Pastor P, I was going to email this but forgot when I was online before but could you forward us some of the bulletins and service programs and sermons too? I'm missing church and could use them to make our own services here for us two. I'd appreciate it!

Note to everyone: We are using my hotmail address to have our emails forwarded to as it loads way much sooner than charter does – so if you want to email us you can either use our charter addresses or just use dln0623@hotmail.com – and when we reply it will be the hotmail address you'll see.

So finally about noon today we started moving – we got ourselves ready and went for a walk. It's still bitter cold here! We walked by guys playing soccer in the snow and hockey on it also. We did a long walk and wound up at the Fiesta for some tea and Coke. Then a stop at the grocery store and back to the apartment. Once we were in the door we had a phone call from Irena as the Holmes weren't reaching us due to us being out. So then Judy called back and invited us to dinner tonight in Angarsk to celebrate Harry's adoption. We accepted pending transportation. So I called Alex but no answer, little later tried Irena – no answer. I somehow don't know how to dial here I think! So about 4:30 Mike called to see if we were coming and I said I couldn't reach anyone about a ride but we'd love to come so he said he'd call Irena and she'll call us back. We got ourselves ready as I figured we'd have a "10-minute taxi" call. Well instead we had a pounding on the door and young boy saying "taxi!" – I said "Angarsk"? He said "Da" – so we said we'd be right out and got in his car. He was a very good driver and it really was an uneventful trip – other than the scenery along the way! We were just looking out the window when we see a car parked on the side of the road and a guy taking a "leak" right there! Oh man, we laughed so hard! That was one for the books! Mind you it's like -26c yet and daylight! And this is like our interstate!

So we arrive at Angarsk Hills – a resort area outside Angarsk that has cabins and activities and a nice restaurant. Irena placed the order and then we went outside to "zip line" – (tubing). Brian and I went down together and we went way too fast – I screamed half the way! Then Brian went down with Skip also. The trip down was fun but the walk back up was tiring! So we then went in to have dinner and drinks. It was a wonderful meal and lots of vodka toasts and great conversation. Harry just sat nice and smiled all night! We were honored to be a part of this celebration meal. We are thankful we were able to meet this family in person – they'll be a part of our lives forever!

I will describe dinner as I know you all love my meal commentaries – We started with some different salads. I'm not sure what they all were but every one was delicious. We also had a platter of fresh veggies. Then I had a chicken dish with boiled potatoes – again, I'm not sure what it was but it was delicious. Brian had pork and boiled potatoes (had tried to get beef but "no beef" was again the answer). We also had ice cream for dessert. And, as mentioned, some vodka toasts! The Vodka was Ukrainian and was very smooth! I had some French wine also so it was a fun night! Then Irene called us a taxi to get us back to Irkutsk. It was less $ going back than coming – but the rate for the amount of distance is very reasonable! So we again have a young driver – he too was a good driver (maybe a little faster than the other guy) but once we got in IRK I got a little nervous. Twice he stopped and asked for directions! We were in parts of the town we hadn't seen yet – not unsafe, just not known to us! So finally after the second stop we were on Karl Marx St and then we knew where we were. He turned to us at the stop light at Marx & Lenin and said something – of course we didn't know what but I said "5^th Army" and he said "bla,bla, bla Army! And I said said "da!" and we were all happy. He turned on our street and got us home. We gave him a little tip also and it was still 400r less than the trip the other direction.

So we're again just hanging out – no lights in our bedroom or entry way yet as we didn't see or hear from Alex all day – but at least we have lights and power in the other rooms! Maybe tomorrow we'll find out more about our lights situation…

The visit that almost wasn’t

We were to be ready to leave at 7am so we were – but Andrew overslept so we didn't leave town until almost 8am. Arrived at the baby home and they were happy to see us there but told us Genya was in the hospital! Not to worry, has a problem with his eye but got taken there this morning (I believe). So at first we thought we drove all that way for nothing. But things turned out ok – after telling us many times "don't worry" and "we think it happened on the playground" and other reassuring statements we asked if we could visit him at the hospital – even if just for a few minutes. At first she didn't think so as they have their own routine over there – so I gave a box of crayons and one coloring book for her to give Genya and we started out of the building. Also I don't think we were to visit as the hospital was on quarantine for flu. But shortly after ran after us to tell us they were going to try and see if we could get in at the hospital. After many phone calls between Andrew, Alex, the Guardianship committee, the hospital doctor, and probably some others we were given permission to visit Genya for a short while.

We drove across Cheremkhovo, which is a bigger town than you would think, and found the hospital. Nothing to look at from the outside or really the inside either. We got into the reception area and they brought Nathan Genya to see us. He had a piece of gauze taped over his right eye and you could tell it was all swollen and hurting him. I believe they were telling us he has a scratched cornea. If he doesn't scratch it or aggravate it it should be healed in a day, otherwise it might take a few days. Everyone is thinking he'll be in the hospital until Monday sometime. Later, while we were playing, he told Andrew how the injury happened – he was hit by a bedpan by another kid! Yikes! Apparently he and this other boy get into things once in awhile and this was the result this time. He said he didn't sleep well because of it and was tired. So after we had read a book & played cars I held him on my lap for a bit and started rocking him. I then gave him to Brian and Genya snuggled right in on him and dozed off for awhile! It was precious and we have great pictures (which I'll post after the adoption happens!) So we just sat there with him for awhile – then he woke up and said he was ready to go again so we raced the car some more! I had only grabbed a few toys out of the bag as I didn't think we'd be there long but it was probably a 45-60 minute visit! Again, no shyness and nice playing. He was repeating words nicely and we were able to communicate fairly well. He also must have a bit of a cold so I had to keep wiping his nose and having him blow! We left him with another coloring book and the car we had played with. On the way out of the hospital I was concentrating so much on not falling through the broken wooden step that I slipped on the metal section of the step – I didn't go down or really hurt myself other than I wretched my neck a little…I'll live but it's giving me something to complain about right now!

So after the visit we said goodbye and he went off to eat and then nap. I hope they have him lay quietly and sleep as that should help his eye heal faster! Other than itching it didn't seem to be bothering him too bad, we just had to stop him from rubbing it a few times.

We then ate lunch at the same place we had the other day – but this time in the dining room rather than the bar. Same menu tho but much fancier surroundings. Three glasses on the table – one small one for vodka, a middle size for brandy/whiskey and a bit larger one for wine. But we had tea and tomato juice! Our meals were wonderful. Brian had a stuffed meatball with veggie side and a veggie salad to start – I had the veggie salad and this time ordered "meat" and I got meat! Two generous sized pork chops and a sweet bbq-like sauce with a side of French fries. I gave one chop to Brian immediately and was plenty full after the one. Our driver, Andrey, doesn't say much English but we know he understands some but when he saw his plate – as he had ordered the same thing I had – he said in English "Oh my god!" – it was so funny! We also learned this fun little thing at lunch – our driver and translator/companion are both Andrey – so Andrew(Andrey) said "come between us and say a wish" – apparently if there are two people with the same name it's a fun game to then use them to make a wish… not a "tradition" but just a game. We thought that was interesting!

Our drive home was uneventful until we got a flat tire! Took about 10-minutes to change it on the side of the road (I stayed in the car, Brian watched outside) and we were back on our way. Once in IRK we were trying to exchange some dollars for rubles – Brian was able to xchg $100 but we wanted to do a bit more for the weekend. So he and Andrew went to a second bank but heard there also "no rubles"! What do the Russian's do?? They told him to "try tomorrow" so we'll probably walk up that way as we want to check out the ice sculptures anyway. For those of you who've been to IRK we'll be heading by the Kanzandova St (sp?) apt to do all this tomorrow. Not the pink bank but the one across from it.

Kirstin, we did do some shopping at the market yesterday but I only bought bleeni to try first – I saw the dumplings but held off for now until I can figure out the stuffings – I don't want to get something I just can't eat! (like carp or something!) I did get some meatballs and chicken so will cook a few meals this weekend. Also, I gave Alex your items for Tanya, I don't think I mentioned that earlier.

This evening we were invited to an American Family's home for pizza dinner – the Jacksons are missionaries and have lived here since 2000. They have three children who are delightful! We enjoyed our evening with them and hope to spend time with them again during our trip. Thanks, Steve and Tami for a nice evening!

Justin, we can answer a few of your questions now from what we learned this evening – the family we visited have their own home and their own well… but they and only a few others in their village (of about 1000 people) have their own running water in their home. Otherwise they have to gather it in what we'd call milk pails and cart it to their house. We did see this in several of the villages we drive through. Tami said she read that 60-70% of households in Russia do NOT have running water! The children here go to school 6 days a week and most everyone works 6 days a week also. If they get off for a holiday, they make it up on a following Sunday… As for what they eat, I think in many ways it's similar to us – meat, potatoes, fish, salads – they use mayonnaise in most of their salads, if not mayo then oil. One traditional dish is peel'myenee (phonetically) which is like a stuffed dumpling. Otherwise meatballs are huge and Brian found pig tails in a market today! (I guess those are used for like a jelly type dish, not eaten as is). As we learn more we'll try and type. We do have your frog in pictures by the Subway Restaurant here in IRK and by another café (Giraffe) also. Someday we'll learn how to download those!

So far now we'll be heading to bed soon. We go to sleep knowing that the "other American family" had success in court today and their adoption was granted. We continue to pray for the same success next week Friday. Please continue to keep us in your prayers!!!

(The downside of being able to blog, then go online and then upload is I do get wordy! Oh well, it's my blog! )