Monday, September 03, 2007
The beautiful girls of Irkutsk
There is a myth that Russian women are not attractive. For most Americans, when we think of Russian women, we think of the typical babushka. Let me tell you, this is NOT so.
It is remarkable how really beautiful the women are in Irkutsk. I noticed this before on other trips to Siberia, but never as much as this trip. Think of the most beautiful super models, the leggy blondes with perfect skin, hair and form. Those women are typical here!
It’s almost a joke between Marty and I. Absolutely drop dead gorgeous women all around…and I seem to be the one to make sure he take note...Too funny! We are going to try to take some photos – discretely - to post here. If you are a single guy, you might want to consider learning Russian, and vacationing in Irkutsk!
It is remarkable how really beautiful the women are in Irkutsk. I noticed this before on other trips to Siberia, but never as much as this trip. Think of the most beautiful super models, the leggy blondes with perfect skin, hair and form. Those women are typical here!
It’s almost a joke between Marty and I. Absolutely drop dead gorgeous women all around…and I seem to be the one to make sure he take note...Too funny! We are going to try to take some photos – discretely - to post here. If you are a single guy, you might want to consider learning Russian, and vacationing in Irkutsk!
post from Marty...
Today we connected and bonded to Anya in a way that, up to this point, we have not. The other times we were here Anya was a bit stand-offish. When it was time to say goodbye, she was more than happy to go back to her room with her peers (the only "family" she has ever known). This morning, we took her out to the playground where she usually drags us around with much enthusiasm. This time was different. We pushed her on the swing for a few minutes but she lost interest quickly. At a time when she normally wears us out with the energy typical of a 5 year-old, she wanted to be held. She latched on to Kathy's neck with a death grip. She was completely silent as she hung on. It was as if she was a dead battery being charged for the first time. After a long period of time, I asked her if I could hold her. She nodded "yes" and continued the same silent death grip that she had on Kathy. Somehow she plugged into something that transcended the normal child-like desire to play. She sensed, maybe for the first time in her life, a pure source for something she needs more than air. She needs us. She is bonding to us in the way God designed every parent and child to bond.
The director of the baby home told us that Anya is a leader in her group of children. She is a deep thinker, and a compliant child. She is all of these things against all odds. Anya has never known family. She has never been held more than a few minutes by care-givers who cannot possibly satisfy the emotional needs of so many children. Technically, she does not know (nor could she put into words) what she is missing. But the need is still very much there. It's just under the surface waiting for the connection we are so eager and able to give.
We are in the middle of the greatest struggle of her life. The outcome will totally determine her future. We are so thankful that we have the network of committed prayer warriors standing in the gap for us! We can feel the momentum and influence of your partnership with us. We need you all to pull out the "big guns" with us right now as we meet with the people in positions of authority which have the power to govern her future. Please join with us as we petition God to influence them through whatever vehicle he chooses. Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar were influenced by dreams. Balaam was influenced by a donkey. God knows EXACTLY what will get their attention.
We all know that the last 5% of any worthwhile endeavor is the hardest. We are definitely at that point and we need you now, more than ever, to help hold our arms up. Thank you all so much! We love you all!
The director of the baby home told us that Anya is a leader in her group of children. She is a deep thinker, and a compliant child. She is all of these things against all odds. Anya has never known family. She has never been held more than a few minutes by care-givers who cannot possibly satisfy the emotional needs of so many children. Technically, she does not know (nor could she put into words) what she is missing. But the need is still very much there. It's just under the surface waiting for the connection we are so eager and able to give.
We are in the middle of the greatest struggle of her life. The outcome will totally determine her future. We are so thankful that we have the network of committed prayer warriors standing in the gap for us! We can feel the momentum and influence of your partnership with us. We need you all to pull out the "big guns" with us right now as we meet with the people in positions of authority which have the power to govern her future. Please join with us as we petition God to influence them through whatever vehicle he chooses. Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar were influenced by dreams. Balaam was influenced by a donkey. God knows EXACTLY what will get their attention.
We all know that the last 5% of any worthwhile endeavor is the hardest. We are definitely at that point and we need you now, more than ever, to help hold our arms up. Thank you all so much! We love you all!
Monday September 3, 2007
Monday September 3, 2007
One phrase can sum up today, ugly cry. For those who don’t know what that is, let me offer an explanation. The ugly cry is when you’ve been shoving emotion for a long time, and it finally comes out. It’s when you start crying, and can’t stop. When the tears take your breath away and boo-hooing replaces breath. I know I am an ugly crier, without going into the ugly cry. Maybe that is one reason I don’t like to cry. My nose gets all red, I get these splotches all over my neck and chest, my eyes get really red. That that, and multiply it by 100….that was me in the taxi on the ride from the Detski Dom this morning.
We went to the Children’s Home (Detski Dom) this morning for a visit with Anya. When we got to the home, we had a brief meeting with the director, Helen. She is a wonderful woman who loves the kids. She has been our ally in this process. After the compulsory update on Anya’s development, education and health, we were able to see her in a play. The play was more a program. The adults dressed up as characters, and were teaching the kids different lessons. We have no idea what was being said. Anya noticed us right when we walked in, and a big grin came across her face.
After the play, she came running up to us and jumped in my arms. Anya then took us to her room, so we could be with the caregivers and her group for a while. As the children were having a snack, we enjoyed some tea and chocolate with the caregivers. Of course, Anya was sitting with us, not the other children. Anya introduced us to her group, and made sure to point our which children were wearing her clothes!
We went outside. It is a beautiful day here in Irkutsk. Cool breeze, warm sun. We played on the swing for a while, and then went over to the slide. I picked up Anya off of the slide, and that was the end of the story…for all of us.
She grabbed a hold of me so tight, even if I let go – she would have still been molded to my body. We walked around for a while, and then Papa took over. Anya didn’t want to play, she didn’t want to walk, and she just wanted to be held. It’s funny how a child instinctively knows mama and papa. That innate need a child has to receive affection from parents, the deep need children have for closeness and love. All of that poured out of our little Anya this morning. And, that is ok with us!
One of the caregivers came up to us and said something to the effect that it was time to go inside for lunch. I think our translator told her that we would be going, and come back after lunch. Anya started crying – big, huge elephant tears. She couldn’t put into words why she was crying.
We went back inside, and Marty set her down. The caregivers said something to her – and Anya looked at me. I picked her up again to get her changed into her inside clothes. She was still crying. I can’t tell you how heartbreaking it is to me to have my little girl crying, and know that she doesn’t know why she is crying. It hurts my heart to know how much she needs us. The Detski Dom is a good place, and meets her basic needs very well. But they can not fill the void in her heart that only a mama and papa can. I think Anya knows this, and feels it.
The director told us that she asks all the time when we are coming back. Anya sees other children who have been adopted by a mama and papa. She understands what all that means. She sees other children who get a new mama and papa – and within weeks, they are having a party for the child, and the child goes home with mama and papa. Anya has asked when we will come back for her.
I’ve never felt more like Anya’s mama than I did today. We are more committed than ever to move heaven and earth to bring her home.
We are waiting for a call from a taxi that will take us to a meeting with our lawyer. We’ve received several calls this morning with various questions about our documents and so on. We know that our ‘team’ has been working on preparing our case all day. I’m not a control freak (ok, not much of one)…but I have some ideas on approach of my own. It will be interesting to see what our lawyer says.
AFTERNOON UPDATE
After our meeting with the lawyer and the lawyer at the adoption center - we trucked back to the Detski Dom. Traffic was horrible! We stayed with Anya through dinner. She was in much better spirits this afternoon.
We have 2 very important appointments with officials this week. One is tomorrow morning (at 10:30) and the other is at 10 on Wednesday morning. Please keep us in your prayers – these appointments are critical. We know that God has gone before us to pave the way – or we wouldn’t have been granted these appointments.
One phrase can sum up today, ugly cry. For those who don’t know what that is, let me offer an explanation. The ugly cry is when you’ve been shoving emotion for a long time, and it finally comes out. It’s when you start crying, and can’t stop. When the tears take your breath away and boo-hooing replaces breath. I know I am an ugly crier, without going into the ugly cry. Maybe that is one reason I don’t like to cry. My nose gets all red, I get these splotches all over my neck and chest, my eyes get really red. That that, and multiply it by 100….that was me in the taxi on the ride from the Detski Dom this morning.
We went to the Children’s Home (Detski Dom) this morning for a visit with Anya. When we got to the home, we had a brief meeting with the director, Helen. She is a wonderful woman who loves the kids. She has been our ally in this process. After the compulsory update on Anya’s development, education and health, we were able to see her in a play. The play was more a program. The adults dressed up as characters, and were teaching the kids different lessons. We have no idea what was being said. Anya noticed us right when we walked in, and a big grin came across her face.
After the play, she came running up to us and jumped in my arms. Anya then took us to her room, so we could be with the caregivers and her group for a while. As the children were having a snack, we enjoyed some tea and chocolate with the caregivers. Of course, Anya was sitting with us, not the other children. Anya introduced us to her group, and made sure to point our which children were wearing her clothes!
We went outside. It is a beautiful day here in Irkutsk. Cool breeze, warm sun. We played on the swing for a while, and then went over to the slide. I picked up Anya off of the slide, and that was the end of the story…for all of us.
She grabbed a hold of me so tight, even if I let go – she would have still been molded to my body. We walked around for a while, and then Papa took over. Anya didn’t want to play, she didn’t want to walk, and she just wanted to be held. It’s funny how a child instinctively knows mama and papa. That innate need a child has to receive affection from parents, the deep need children have for closeness and love. All of that poured out of our little Anya this morning. And, that is ok with us!
One of the caregivers came up to us and said something to the effect that it was time to go inside for lunch. I think our translator told her that we would be going, and come back after lunch. Anya started crying – big, huge elephant tears. She couldn’t put into words why she was crying.
We went back inside, and Marty set her down. The caregivers said something to her – and Anya looked at me. I picked her up again to get her changed into her inside clothes. She was still crying. I can’t tell you how heartbreaking it is to me to have my little girl crying, and know that she doesn’t know why she is crying. It hurts my heart to know how much she needs us. The Detski Dom is a good place, and meets her basic needs very well. But they can not fill the void in her heart that only a mama and papa can. I think Anya knows this, and feels it.
The director told us that she asks all the time when we are coming back. Anya sees other children who have been adopted by a mama and papa. She understands what all that means. She sees other children who get a new mama and papa – and within weeks, they are having a party for the child, and the child goes home with mama and papa. Anya has asked when we will come back for her.
I’ve never felt more like Anya’s mama than I did today. We are more committed than ever to move heaven and earth to bring her home.
We are waiting for a call from a taxi that will take us to a meeting with our lawyer. We’ve received several calls this morning with various questions about our documents and so on. We know that our ‘team’ has been working on preparing our case all day. I’m not a control freak (ok, not much of one)…but I have some ideas on approach of my own. It will be interesting to see what our lawyer says.
AFTERNOON UPDATE
After our meeting with the lawyer and the lawyer at the adoption center - we trucked back to the Detski Dom. Traffic was horrible! We stayed with Anya through dinner. She was in much better spirits this afternoon.
We have 2 very important appointments with officials this week. One is tomorrow morning (at 10:30) and the other is at 10 on Wednesday morning. Please keep us in your prayers – these appointments are critical. We know that God has gone before us to pave the way – or we wouldn’t have been granted these appointments.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
TRAVELING
Our travels started off on an odd foot. “What is an odd foot” you ask? Great Question! That is the annoying foot you didn’t know you had, that you found out you had at a very inopportune time.
Anyway – we got to the SB airport early to meet with an acquaintance that is from Russia. We got there at 9am to talk about our plan to meet with the officials in Irkutsk. Somehow, we got our wires crossed, and our friend never made it to the airport. Our flight didn’t take off until 12:45 – so essentially, we were there 3 ½ hours early.
Our flight into Atlanta was slightly late. There is only 1 flight a day to Moscow, so we couldn’t miss it. Because of the delay, we only had 25 minutes to make it from one gate to the next. I don’t think we’ve ever walked so fast!
After a 9 ½ hour flight – we made it to Moscow. And, so did our luggage!
If you know me very well, you know that I have a few hot buttons. Things that always make me mad (or tick me off as my husband would say…I tend to get a little more than just mad). One of these things is having all my “stuff” with me (i.e. the stuff you can’t live without, your slippers – soap, stuff you pack that you would be really upset if it was lost); and the other thing is the baggage weight system with airlines.
It seems there is no consistency with this process. And that makes me mad. I don’t mind paying extra if my baggage is over weight – just tell me what the weight restriction is, or tell me what the fee is – BEFORE I GET TO THE AIRPORT!
I weight balance our luggage every time we fly. I know to the ounce how much everything weighs. I’ve even been known to write down what is in each bag, so when I repack to come home – I will know how much the bags weigh.
I figured out the system flying in the U.S. We only fly Delta, so it helps to know the system for one airline.
Well, then we started flying to Russia.
3 years ago, our bags were heavy. Probably nearly 60 lbs. We were charged $100 for overweight baggage. On the return flight, we were not charged.
2 years ago, I was charged $100 because apparently you are only allowed to check 1 bag between Moscow and Irkutsk.
Last year, we weren’t charged anything on the outbound, however when we were leaving, the lady in Irkutsk at the airport wouldn’t let us get our boarding pass until we paid $125. We didn’t have any cash left from the trip, and they wouldn’t take a credit card. That was a mess! We found an ATM, and figured it out…but I was ON THE EDGE!
This year – I very carefully read all of the rules about baggage on Aeroflot (the Russian airline). I talked with our travel agent to verify what I found on the website. The website clearly says (and yes, this is a quote from the website) “You can check-in 2 places on 23 kg each. Photo camera, portable PC, umbrella are items of carry-on and do not pass through check weigh.” When we checked in, they said we were only allowed 20kg.
We had 2 bags total, One weighed 43lbs (19.5kg), and the other 52lbs (23kg). The woman at the Aeroflot counter in Moscow would not allow us to boarding passes unless we paid a fee for our baggage. The fee was equal to $250! Yes, this is extortion at its finest! I was so mad; I had to walk away from the counter. I really thought I was going to lose it!
So, we got to Irkutsk, and were met at the airport by a friendly face. Our friend who picked us up from the airport was also picking up a lady from Paris who is adopting a child from Angrask (and I know I spelled that wrong). Her flight was also late, and she didn’t have time to claim her baggage in Moscow. Her luggage didn’t make it to Irkutsk – and she is going to court on Monday! Of course, I offered to loan her any clothing that she might need (even though I packed lightly – I have enough to pull together a court-appropriate outfit if necessary).
So – the moral of the story is this. Stop getting all worked up – things could be worse!
Anyway – we got to the SB airport early to meet with an acquaintance that is from Russia. We got there at 9am to talk about our plan to meet with the officials in Irkutsk. Somehow, we got our wires crossed, and our friend never made it to the airport. Our flight didn’t take off until 12:45 – so essentially, we were there 3 ½ hours early.
Our flight into Atlanta was slightly late. There is only 1 flight a day to Moscow, so we couldn’t miss it. Because of the delay, we only had 25 minutes to make it from one gate to the next. I don’t think we’ve ever walked so fast!
After a 9 ½ hour flight – we made it to Moscow. And, so did our luggage!
If you know me very well, you know that I have a few hot buttons. Things that always make me mad (or tick me off as my husband would say…I tend to get a little more than just mad). One of these things is having all my “stuff” with me (i.e. the stuff you can’t live without, your slippers – soap, stuff you pack that you would be really upset if it was lost); and the other thing is the baggage weight system with airlines.
It seems there is no consistency with this process. And that makes me mad. I don’t mind paying extra if my baggage is over weight – just tell me what the weight restriction is, or tell me what the fee is – BEFORE I GET TO THE AIRPORT!
I weight balance our luggage every time we fly. I know to the ounce how much everything weighs. I’ve even been known to write down what is in each bag, so when I repack to come home – I will know how much the bags weigh.
I figured out the system flying in the U.S. We only fly Delta, so it helps to know the system for one airline.
Well, then we started flying to Russia.
3 years ago, our bags were heavy. Probably nearly 60 lbs. We were charged $100 for overweight baggage. On the return flight, we were not charged.
2 years ago, I was charged $100 because apparently you are only allowed to check 1 bag between Moscow and Irkutsk.
Last year, we weren’t charged anything on the outbound, however when we were leaving, the lady in Irkutsk at the airport wouldn’t let us get our boarding pass until we paid $125. We didn’t have any cash left from the trip, and they wouldn’t take a credit card. That was a mess! We found an ATM, and figured it out…but I was ON THE EDGE!
This year – I very carefully read all of the rules about baggage on Aeroflot (the Russian airline). I talked with our travel agent to verify what I found on the website. The website clearly says (and yes, this is a quote from the website) “You can check-in 2 places on 23 kg each. Photo camera, portable PC, umbrella are items of carry-on and do not pass through check weigh.” When we checked in, they said we were only allowed 20kg.
We had 2 bags total, One weighed 43lbs (19.5kg), and the other 52lbs (23kg). The woman at the Aeroflot counter in Moscow would not allow us to boarding passes unless we paid a fee for our baggage. The fee was equal to $250! Yes, this is extortion at its finest! I was so mad; I had to walk away from the counter. I really thought I was going to lose it!
So, we got to Irkutsk, and were met at the airport by a friendly face. Our friend who picked us up from the airport was also picking up a lady from Paris who is adopting a child from Angrask (and I know I spelled that wrong). Her flight was also late, and she didn’t have time to claim her baggage in Moscow. Her luggage didn’t make it to Irkutsk – and she is going to court on Monday! Of course, I offered to loan her any clothing that she might need (even though I packed lightly – I have enough to pull together a court-appropriate outfit if necessary).
So – the moral of the story is this. Stop getting all worked up – things could be worse!
TIP TO SEE ALL PHOTOS
I just uploaded a bunch of photos from today. To see every post about this trip - which would include all of the photos on one screen - click the "Irkutsk Trip 2007" to the right...this will bring up all of the posts about this trip.
We're looking forward to hearing from you!
We're looking forward to hearing from you!
One big change in Anya on this trip is how snuggly she is. The last time we were here, she wasn't so into the hugging, snuggling, tickling etc. That isn't so this time! If she isn't on your lap, she's asking to sit on your lap. I picked her up, and then sat her down (because she was breaking my back because she is SO big!)...and the looked at me, put her hands in the air and gave me a big grin...ya, I picked her up again!
This is a picture that is on the walls by the main entrance of the dom. Anya is the artist! Can you believe that a 5 year old drew this?! I can't even draw this good! Not even if I had a stencil! So - not only is Anya the most beautiful girl in the world, and the smartest, but the most talented artist!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)