Random observations.....

I am starting out on a lighter note tonight (at least it is night here in Ukraine). I wanted to make some random observations about life here in Ukraine...at least from what we have seen. :)

1. the women REALLY like SHORT skirts, sexy tops, and HIGH heeled shoes!!!!
2. everyone smokes...and I really miss non smoking sections....
3. no drinking age, so even young teens walk around with a beer in their hands
4. dogs are everywhere...there are no pounds here, so stray dogs are plentiful
5. drivers are terrible...the taxi rides are never boring!
6. not really any speed limits...the ride from Kiev was quite a speedy ride!
7. PDA abounded in Kiev....smooch, smooch!
8. I miss knowing what I am eating! heehee
9. it is quite hot and not many places have AC....spoiled Americans...that is what we are calling ourselves!
10. I miss driving where I need to go!
11. people walk just about everywhere....the sidewalks are ALWAYS busy with walkers...even late into the evening
12. and Ali wants to add...how in the world am I to know what I am ordering off a Russian menu? ;)

Well, just a little glimpse into our life as of late! There isn't much to write about. Our days tend to be just about the same day in and day out. I know you guys get tired of reading my boring posts. Today we visited Russie per our norm...he was once again "Captain Underpants!" The little guy won't know what to do when we make him wear clothes every single day. He just might decide when he is outside playing that the clothes need to come off...we will see. He was a rascal this morning. I had the joy of chasing him around just about every square inch of the orphanage grounds. Ummm....he was wired for sound. He thinks it is QUITE funny to run from me while I am saying "NO, NO"...he looks back with a big grin still running. As you might imagine...I find it not quite as charming. :) Though I do thank God for blessing us with this precious boy...I do believe we have some challenging days ahead of us. I know after several months he will pick up on English and things will be better. I know VERY little Russian, which doesn't help. My slim vocabulary of "yes, no, cost of the taxi, please, thank you, I don't understand, good boy, one hour on the internet, etc" just doesn't get me very far with a toddler. heehee....but we will manage. Hey, no accidents today...he was so proud when he would go potty for me...just a big ole' grin on his face...because I act like a nut and go "woohoo...way to go"...etc. Oh the simple joys in life.

I talked with T.C. for a total of 1 and a 1/2 minutes today on the phone. He was calling from the Kiev airport before going through customs. He put all the change he had into a pay phone and that is how much it got him. He was able to tell me that he was able to visit a beautiful church there and that he got all of his portion of our paperwork signed at the Embassy....then the phone beeped. So I guess I will hear from him when he gets back to the states. I miss him already.

I heard from one of our translators today about the passport situation. It looks like our best case scenario might be an extra 3-4 days here after the 10 day wait (which is over on July 31st), then after the passports are issued we head back to Kiev to finish up our paperwork which consists of applying for the visa, finish up with customs and immigration, and have a medical exam for Russie. I believe that will take 2-3 days or so. So I guess we won't be returning until at least Aug. 7th or so. It is all about flexibility...which I am not that good at...but am learning...the hard way. :)

Well, I have tried and tried to upload some pictures...but haven't been able to do so. If anyone can walk me through it....feel free to email me. T.C. left instructions...going through picasweb...but I can't seem to find the pictures on the computer. Oh well, maybe I will get it figured out.