(This post was delayed due to our Internet outage yesterday!)
Well, once again we are lacking an Internet connection. I guess we’ll have it again on April 1st. We paid 120 grivnyas on Friday and it lasted through Monday morning.
Straders invited us to lunch and we had homemade chicken noodle soup. It was delicious! On the way James and I stopped at a different market and finally found GOOD bread. Buy the bread not in the wrapper-it’s made fresh each day and select the one the lady before you selects. That’s how we figured it out!
Then James and I got brave and walked to the school! Each time we’ve been driven it seems we’ve gone a different way but after nine day’s we felt we could figure it out. It was a great walk. About 35 minutes with a great hill climb. I finally feel like I got my heart rate up. It was invigorating! With school not out until 2:00, why not walk? Plus it will cut down on transportation cost which we added up today and it is our biggest expense. We took a bus home with Straders and it felt wonderful to be in charge of our own transportation and not dependant on others or infringing on their schedule. (Not to mention the HUGE savings! It cost us 2.5 grinvya’s for the bus for both of us, roughly 30 cents?) Public transportation is the most economical way to go, you just need to figure out where you’re going and of course you don’t want to be walking at night. (It’s a little creepy –the broken up sidewalks or lack of them-the protruding roots and stumps-the sawed off polls sticking out of the ground, the huge man holes missing their covers, lack of streetlights and shady characters drinking and smoking only add to the adventure of walking at night! James suggested we carry beer bottles to blend in with the locals. I mentioned as a plan B we could use them as weapons!)
We also discovered that the train is incredibly cheap and a 1st class trip is less than $20 to get from here back to Kiev. And it’s an express route without a need to swerve to avoid potholes. James is going to take the train to Kiev on Wednesday and go to the embassy to sign all his documents and ride the train back and be here for court on Friday so he can jump on the train again Friday night and head back to Kiev to catch a plane Saturday morning. He should arrive Saturday night at 7:56. I’ve never ridden a train and hope to ride it back to Kiev with Alex after our ten day wait. I’m thinking if it’s an express train it can’t possibly take longer than the car and it’s got to be more comfortable and economical.
Alex was a joy today! He went back to the school last night in his Sunday clothes and although I told him to save them for court. He showed up in them today. He told me through the translator that he didn’t have any other clothes. James made the point that he should look like an orphan at court! He’ll probably wear these clothes every day until then.
We were put in the faculty room as the broken table in the exercise room was blamed on the kids. It was broken to begin but there was no arguing the point. James could fix it if they had any tools around here. I hope they’re not super mad about it. It really was broken to begin with-I don’t think the room is used often and our kids are being blamed for something that was probably broken and overlooked a long time ago.
I kept asking about Masha and Nastia as I understand they should be back today. Alex said they were still gone.
I taught Alex hot dice and we played that while the others played Skipbo. He really got into it and figured it out quickly. James was worn out so I was the “fun” parent today and Alex and I wrestled and played all day. It was so muggy and hot in our room. We went out to get some fresh air-Alex and I-and he saw all the children on the grounds and stopped me on the sidewalk, made a fan motion like he was fanning me off and then turned me around and took me back inside. Nope, he didn’t not want to share his Mama today.
Lezlie was drawing pictures and writing English words next to them and Julia and Alex were reading them. He’d turn to me and write letters asking me what sound they made.
Well, once again we are lacking an Internet connection. I guess we’ll have it again on April 1st. We paid 120 grivnyas on Friday and it lasted through Monday morning.
Straders invited us to lunch and we had homemade chicken noodle soup. It was delicious! On the way James and I stopped at a different market and finally found GOOD bread. Buy the bread not in the wrapper-it’s made fresh each day and select the one the lady before you selects. That’s how we figured it out!
Then James and I got brave and walked to the school! Each time we’ve been driven it seems we’ve gone a different way but after nine day’s we felt we could figure it out. It was a great walk. About 35 minutes with a great hill climb. I finally feel like I got my heart rate up. It was invigorating! With school not out until 2:00, why not walk? Plus it will cut down on transportation cost which we added up today and it is our biggest expense. We took a bus home with Straders and it felt wonderful to be in charge of our own transportation and not dependant on others or infringing on their schedule. (Not to mention the HUGE savings! It cost us 2.5 grinvya’s for the bus for both of us, roughly 30 cents?) Public transportation is the most economical way to go, you just need to figure out where you’re going and of course you don’t want to be walking at night. (It’s a little creepy –the broken up sidewalks or lack of them-the protruding roots and stumps-the sawed off polls sticking out of the ground, the huge man holes missing their covers, lack of streetlights and shady characters drinking and smoking only add to the adventure of walking at night! James suggested we carry beer bottles to blend in with the locals. I mentioned as a plan B we could use them as weapons!)
We also discovered that the train is incredibly cheap and a 1st class trip is less than $20 to get from here back to Kiev. And it’s an express route without a need to swerve to avoid potholes. James is going to take the train to Kiev on Wednesday and go to the embassy to sign all his documents and ride the train back and be here for court on Friday so he can jump on the train again Friday night and head back to Kiev to catch a plane Saturday morning. He should arrive Saturday night at 7:56. I’ve never ridden a train and hope to ride it back to Kiev with Alex after our ten day wait. I’m thinking if it’s an express train it can’t possibly take longer than the car and it’s got to be more comfortable and economical.
Alex was a joy today! He went back to the school last night in his Sunday clothes and although I told him to save them for court. He showed up in them today. He told me through the translator that he didn’t have any other clothes. James made the point that he should look like an orphan at court! He’ll probably wear these clothes every day until then.
We were put in the faculty room as the broken table in the exercise room was blamed on the kids. It was broken to begin but there was no arguing the point. James could fix it if they had any tools around here. I hope they’re not super mad about it. It really was broken to begin with-I don’t think the room is used often and our kids are being blamed for something that was probably broken and overlooked a long time ago.
I kept asking about Masha and Nastia as I understand they should be back today. Alex said they were still gone.
I taught Alex hot dice and we played that while the others played Skipbo. He really got into it and figured it out quickly. James was worn out so I was the “fun” parent today and Alex and I wrestled and played all day. It was so muggy and hot in our room. We went out to get some fresh air-Alex and I-and he saw all the children on the grounds and stopped me on the sidewalk, made a fan motion like he was fanning me off and then turned me around and took me back inside. Nope, he didn’t not want to share his Mama today.
Lezlie was drawing pictures and writing English words next to them and Julia and Alex were reading them. He’d turn to me and write letters asking me what sound they made.
Later I wrote the whole alphabet on the chalk board and we went over sounds and Alex wrote words. Most were spelled phonetically and I’m reminded just how hard English is-but he did awesome. He was listing on his fingers the ten things he knows how to say (let me see if I can remember)
I want to:
Drink
Eat
Sleep
TV
Computer
Music
Play
Bike
Hug
(I can only remember nine) And hug, he does. Today he was just cuddly. He’ll just sit on my lap and lay his head back and grin up at me and let me kiss his forehead or cheeks. He doesn’t even care if Julia sees or anyone else.
We also tossed the ball back counting to 100, I’d have to start him each time we started a new set of tens (like twenty, thirty, forty) but he did it all the way to 100. (I’m just proud of myself for catching the ball that many times!)
Naydia stopped in to say goodbye and I asked her about Masha and Nastia and she said tomorrow. So Jen-tomorrow!! (Although by the time I can post this it will be the day after that!)
Dinner is served to the children at seven so our time ends at seven. We raced with kids to a little store on the corner (and when I say little it’s about a 6 foot by 4 foot building with bars over the windows. And that’s bigger than some. The phone card stores are about 3 foot by 2 foot. Someone sits in these stores all day and they’re everywhere! There is no way these stores have bathrooms or even running water. What a terrible job!) right before seven and for what would be fifty cents Alex bought three bags of chips to take back with him. I hope he’s sharing. I bet he is. He gave me a “Thanks Mama” for the chips. And then pleaded with us to be there tomorrow at 2:10 (as lunch is served at 2 and he only needs ten minutes to eat!) and then we got I love you’s, both of us! Great Day!
He waved from across the street and said “bye-bye” I’ve noticed that whenever he say’s this he sounds like he’s laughing or making fun. Our translator explained that “bye-bye” is the word used here for what would best be described as a boogie man. Mothers tell their children if they don’t behave (or whatever) that the “Byebye” will get them. How funny-no wonder he looks so mischievous when he says this.
On that note…I’ll say to all of you…bye-bye!
Drink
Eat
Sleep
TV
Computer
Music
Play
Bike
Hug
(I can only remember nine) And hug, he does. Today he was just cuddly. He’ll just sit on my lap and lay his head back and grin up at me and let me kiss his forehead or cheeks. He doesn’t even care if Julia sees or anyone else.
We also tossed the ball back counting to 100, I’d have to start him each time we started a new set of tens (like twenty, thirty, forty) but he did it all the way to 100. (I’m just proud of myself for catching the ball that many times!)
Naydia stopped in to say goodbye and I asked her about Masha and Nastia and she said tomorrow. So Jen-tomorrow!! (Although by the time I can post this it will be the day after that!)
Dinner is served to the children at seven so our time ends at seven. We raced with kids to a little store on the corner (and when I say little it’s about a 6 foot by 4 foot building with bars over the windows. And that’s bigger than some. The phone card stores are about 3 foot by 2 foot. Someone sits in these stores all day and they’re everywhere! There is no way these stores have bathrooms or even running water. What a terrible job!) right before seven and for what would be fifty cents Alex bought three bags of chips to take back with him. I hope he’s sharing. I bet he is. He gave me a “Thanks Mama” for the chips. And then pleaded with us to be there tomorrow at 2:10 (as lunch is served at 2 and he only needs ten minutes to eat!) and then we got I love you’s, both of us! Great Day!
He waved from across the street and said “bye-bye” I’ve noticed that whenever he say’s this he sounds like he’s laughing or making fun. Our translator explained that “bye-bye” is the word used here for what would best be described as a boogie man. Mothers tell their children if they don’t behave (or whatever) that the “Byebye” will get them. How funny-no wonder he looks so mischievous when he says this.
On that note…I’ll say to all of you…bye-bye!
3 of my blog friends said something...:
WOW! The time has gone fast for me, I don't know about you, but Court will be here before you know it. I am so excited for you and your family. It sounds like you are having fun with James and Alex.
I have not been able to secure a room yet for the retreat as we are still moe then 30 days away, but I will take care of that. I will let Linda know about the sign ups and other stuff you asked about. Just enjoy your last month of pregnancy ;) and we will see you soon.
If I ever come to Ukraine again, I'm going to have you teach me the bus system. How great not to be dependent on others. Sounds like you had a great day.
Great story ! I wonder of the bus system is like in Switzerland? although there is no comparison as Switzerland is one of the richest country in the word, beside that, the Trams which are called on the streets and trains that goes long distances...I bet you could buy a pass to save you some $.... Trains are comfortable, but don't know about that country.... as they are behind as you mentioned all the things that is broken .
Also, if you want to know, I learned English with Mr. Rodgers, Capt. Kangaroo and sesame Street, as you know , it did not take me long... and I have to say.. your uncle Brent was helping out as each time my words was wrong, he corrected me right away..Even today, Robert will correct me still as many words cannot be pronounced.... what is hard is that English has little rules and then our palate is transform to the maternal language and when you try to speak another language such as English, you get caught in the translation and pronunciation, as English is spoken with the thong out in many words, other languages such as Italian, French and German, the thong stays in...So, this is what makes the learning experience difficult for some..I volunteer my languages at High schools. Once Alex gets home, he will pick it up so fast that you will be amazed... Kids are fast on languages as they want to feel part of the crowd...Give him 3 months and he will be doing good....he will converse and you will pick up his English...Most important, is to correct him... many of my friends that are here for over 100 years ,their English is atrocious ! I cannot even understand them...so, My luck was that I was been corrected all the time, my kids too....and also watching TV commercial is a great teacher...the repeats clicks in the brain...so good luck and wish you the best ... I am glad that your Internet is back on.....take care Wendy!
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