Friday, July 27, 2007

Foreign Frivolity

Well, the girls haven't had an internet connection at the hotel for the past few days, so I figured I'd write a short blurb to fill everyone in on there news from our short phone calls each day (11pm in Houston / 7am in Kiev)...Rachel's mom arrived without incident on Thursday evening after two long flights and one harrowing van ride from Kyiv to Khelmetsky. Little Russie has thankfully not had any more quirky, ugly toddler days since Wednesday, which is good for Rachel et al since they have enough to deal with without a moody three year-old! Other than that, Rach reports more of the same--good times playing with and loving on Ruslan Clark, Ali being the hit of the orphanage, still not understanding exactly what they're eating all the time, and enjoying every minute of it all. As I just got off the phone with her (Saturday AM there), Rachel, Ali, and Alice (Rach's mom) are getting ready to head off for the day to visit castles in the southwestern part of the country...I'm totally jealous!

With most of my jet lag behind me now, I've had some time to post some videos from our trip...both of them comedies, of course. The first is Ali's YouTube debut (she's so totally impressed that she's on YouTube, grin) and is the direct result of long days in the heat, too much sugar, some strange French can-can influence, a bit of gangsta rap (huh?), and...of course...some Elvis thrown in for effect. [BTW, I had to rotate this video 90 degrees because I took it in 'portrait' mode, which YouTube didn't know how to handle...hence Ali looks a bit short and stout, sorry kiddo!] Enjoy...



This second video is all three of 'our' orphans (Russie [in blue] as well as Don and Jackie's two, Artoomie [in red] and Katia) being introduced to bubbles! It's really funny to watch them but at the same time points out a lot of the observations we've been writing about for days, like:
  1. Ruslan's little giggle (he's the quiet laugh here and Artoomie is the loud one)
  2. Boys acting like boys...trying to stomp, pop, and otherwise squash bubbles
  3. All three of them pretty amazed by the novelty of everything
  4. Boys getting clocked in the head and not missing a beat
  5. The 'orphan toy swap'...actually an attempt by Artoom that fails and ends up in a great display of toddlerhood, kids are the same around the world
Anyway, enjoy this one too...



This last clip doesn't feature any of our clan or have anything to do with us except that it is Ukraine's entry in the 2007 Eurovision music competition. The singer Вєрка Сердючка (Verka Serduchka) is actually, ahem, a guy who started this 'Boy George meets Richard Simmons' act in college...frat boys are the same around the world too...just like toddlers. Anyway, this guy is on TV all the time and this song is wildly popular, in a sort of Russo-Germanic, pop-polka sort of way. I think the act is hilarious...and come to think of it, we did see a crew of cross-dressing types in Khelmetsky on a Monday afternoon, so maybe this does have something to do with our trip...anyway, Хорошо (it's ok!).

5 comments:

Kay said...

holy cow ali, you could not get me on youtube DEAD!!! you got some, uh... moves?? i am going to share that around with some friends, dear, so watch out!!

it was so cool to see clark playing around and being a boy. at least he didn't clock the kid for tossing his ball like other boys i have met... ahem, you know, those OTHER boys i have met. yea... anyway i still enjoy my giggles over your toddler stories and him being such a boy!! like his hat and ball. so dog gone cute!!!

The Malone Family said...

Way to go Ali.... too cool! American Bandstand look out... oh yes, that is in my time... LOL :o) Loved all the videos .... except maybe the Boy George, too much this early in the morning. Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend.

Lori Rabb said...

Hi T.C.,Ali,Rachel & Aunt Alice! I'm so glad you got to the Ukraine without too much of a hitch except for the speedy van ride, Aunt Alice...they should issue helmets and extra seat belts for americans there..lol.

Ali, you were way more intertaining than the "boy george" guy...who says white girls can't dance & make their own music while doing it ;). You put on a great show.

I loved watching the video of the kids in action with the bubbles. It was just too cute. Just think.. 3 short days and Russie will be all yours forever :). How wonderful.

Hang in there T.C...your family will be home before too much longer.

Stay safe everyone & much love to all.
Lori, Bryan, John & Christopher

Sarah said...

TC -- So THAT'S what you were doing all this time in Ukraine. Here I thought you were adopting...but I recognized you in your silver glittery outfit and hot sunglasses! Can't pull one over on your sister!! And you said the last video didn't involve any of you...uh huh. So you home now or on tour or what?????
My only question is -- did you get your moves from Ali?? Or did Ali get her moves from you??
Anyway, glad to see Ali is a happy dancer like her mother (and her aunt). All this time she was always embarrassed by our dancing, but it seems she has it in her afterall. Hehehe!
BTW -- Russie is as cute as ever! Maybe Ali can teach him some moves!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for posting the videos, TC. Loved, loved, loved the first two and the third one was er...um...well, interesting -- yeah, that's it, interesting. :)

I've seen Ali perform, but she's added some moves. Very good, Ali!

Ruslan Clark is a little doll and as you said, toddler boys are the same everywhere, aren't they? Sweet footage of them chasing bubbles.

When you speak with the girls again, please tell Alice I'm so glad she made it there safe and sound. Can't wait to hear her tell about the cab ride.

Hugs & kisses to all,
Millie (Biddie)