Things Break, Fun, Serious and Factual

A post from Lee - with 4 points.

We are going through a period where lots of things are breaking (or broken).   

1.)  Things that are broken -

a) Blackberry - I had a call from Verizon tonight.   The official word (after 10 days of not working) - is that the Vodaphone engineers here have no idea why it isn't working.

b) during the storm today - two exterior windows broke in our apartment (unsure why -if it was wind or something else).

c) tonight - our hot water heater quit - it is adjacent to the stove and the stove works fine - but no gas is getting to it - so can't light the pilot (no hot water either - tankless)

d.) Since arriving - I have replaced 6 light bulbs, fixed the bathroom door and fixed the tub faucet handle - which fell off.

We are hoping for better days ahead. 

2.) Fun - Nastya went swimming today when we were at the orphanage.   They have a small pool - maybe 1' of water and 12 feet in diameter.   Swimming is done in birthday suits - so the photos had to be discrete.   Nastya had so much fun splashing.   Anne and these two are going to be a hoot in the bathtub.

The workers helped them with their swimming too.  

It was a hot day - maybe 90 degrees, so the water felt good.   In the afternoon - we had our first thunderstorm while in Kharkov.    All of us rode the Metro to Fox-Mart.   I thought it was going to be a department store; and I was sadly mistaken (snicker, snicker) - it was much more like a Best Buy - however; the only purchases made were a pack of CD Rs and single French Press coffee maker for Karen.

 

Vika was not able to swim - we think it may have been due to several in her group having colds.   She enjoyed Karen and swinging today.    Both girls will show us affection.   One of the harder things each day is saying good-bye.   Neither wants us to leave.   Nastya will generally put her face in her hands and cry and Vika will also fuss when it is time for us to go.   We always remind them zaftra - tomorrow - we'll be back.  

3.) Serious  We have hit somewhat of a snag in our adoption.  I think over half of the elements are done - but one milestone is having the court hearing.   Karens post yesterday indicated that there was a criminal trial - which was consuming much of the judges time.   Also, there is a new chairman (head judge) and things seem to be reverting back to a 'by the book' approach - where before there was a much more relaxed and cooperative approach.  They average just a few international adoptions / year from this particular orphanage; so this does not appear to be high on the courts' priority list.   Specifically, pray that calendars will clear, our case will rise to the top of a list and that we can get the court date set and the case heard with minimal delays.   We have a judge assigned (as of last Thurs) and they are supposed to provide a date for court in 5 days.  Our facilitator continues to  work on many other avenues and options - but right now - we are waiting.

     We were hoping to have court early this week and begin the 10 day waiting period.   Best case scenario is maybe be in court late this week.    We are hoping for a miracle here.  Worst case would be next week ~ Here is where it is hard to not get frustrated and discouraged - but we just continue to trust - as we have from the beginning of the journey that everything happens when God plans it to happen.

4) Facts (maybe observations is a better word)

Observations about Ukraine that make it a unique and endearing place.

- the streets and sidewalks are swept every morning.

- the women (generally) are dressed to the nines; often guys can pretty much get by with  jeans or shorts, T shirts and sandals.

- I am guessing that 90% of the population smokes.

- EVERYONE carries a bag; could be a grocery bag or store bag; but no matter where you go, carry a bag.

- Stores charge for shopping bags (good idea America) and most people reuse.

- Europe is now wearing shorts - this was not the case when we were here 15 years ago.

- For a country that has been a democracy for less than 20 years (and the first 15 hardly count) - they have come a LONG ways. 

- Cell phones are everywhere; who are all these people talking to?

- I have been asked for directions, a light and the time on multiple occasions - making me wonder - do I look Ukrainian?

- The toilet paper has real wood chunks in it!  It is a slightly thinner version of the brown paper fold towels we all had in school.

- We don't understand Ukrainian cartoons.

- They get kind of grumpy if you don't have exact change - even if you have to paw through your pockets while the line backs up behind you.  I have learned this the hard way a few times; and also when the smallest denomination is 1/5th of a cent - you can get a lot of change in a hurry.

- Rubber stamps are used on lots of things, receipts, money exchanges. . .

- Coca Cola says on it 100% CMAKY - we are trying to figure out what CMAKY is - stay tuned.

- Buying something can be a multi-step process.  You select an item, get a ticket, pay the ticket, go to another station, get the merchandise, inspect the merchandise,  package the merchandise, remove from store.   And in the case of Karen's French Press - nearly trip over the threshold and drop and break the merchandise.

Daniels Contributions:

- Cars park on the sidewalks.

- There are a lot of busses.

- Billboards that change (rotate through 2 or 3 messages)

- Many, many pigeons.

- To cross some streets - you go underground where there is a mini-shopping area.

Overall, we are having a very enjoyable time, taking in as much as we can and just waiting for the final rubber stamp to fall!!

Lee