shake your booty

Here is the first English song Anya has learned - yes, I am so proud...

so funny

Anya was having a lot of fun trying to make me laugh. In this video, she is saying tiger - grrrrr (Russian style).

learning Russian

Anya was trying to teach me some more Russian, pretty funny...

still cracking up

One of the parts of this holiday play Anya was in, included these boys doing this circus like thing with hoola hoops - it was HILARIOUS! But, I don't think it was supposed to be funny.

I am not supposed to video or photograph other kids - so I took this short video on the down-lo - you can see how serious these boys are! Check out the little guy front right (with the yellow top on).

poetry

In the holiday play, Anya had this speaking part. Not sure what it was all about, but in Russia, children reciting poetry is a big deal. She's got those arm movements DOWN!


THe movie starts with one of the little boys - sorry about the quality - hope you don't get sea sick!

That's what's it all about - left leg!

OK, no jokes about my dancing ability here - it is hard to dance when you are holding a big girl! Isn't her hair LONG?

Here is me trying to teach Anya the Hokey Pokey...might have been funnier in person than it is on YouTube...

My Little Penguin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_S0EkDOUdc




This is a video of Anya in her holiday program. She is in the 2nd group that comes out - the tall one in the back (right back side).

BUT THE FUN DIDN’T END THERE – CAN YOU SAY EMERGENCY LANDING?

My flight to Atlanta was about 45 minutes late, not a big deal. After I got through passport and immigration – I lost about 10 lbs sweating again. I am so tired of being hot! Ya know, when you think of Russia in January – you assume freezing cold. My experience has been the outdoor temp is comfortable because it is so stinking hot inside

Anyway – got on the flight – and we took off for our 9 ish hour flight.

As we were nearing the second ½ of the flight, a flight attendant came on and asked if there were any medical personnel on board. Hummmm, interesting.

Then, the pilot came on and said that we were going to be making an emergency landing in Canada.

Another announcement asked for more medical personnel and if anyone had one of those machines you use to test your blood if you are diabetic.

Then one of the flight attendants came back and asked a few men to follow her to the front of the plane.

Not knowing what was going on was killing me – so I decided to take a nap.

About an hour later, we landed in Grander, Canada. The pilot told us that several officials would be coming on board to remove the passenger, and we were give strict instructions not to get out of our seats.

I started hearing bits and pieces of what was going on. One of the ‘medical’ people was a medical student (not sure about that, he just looked young) who was sitting behind me. He was talking about the toxic effects of booze and drugs. Several were commenting on Ambien…heard someone saying something about this guy drinking what he purchased through the Duty Free stores (which is a big no-no).

Come to find out that this passenger was a Russian man. According to one of the guys who was helping ‘he wasn’t very nice, his wife did not de-plane with him’. The bad guy had taken some ecstasy and drank a bottle of vodka. He accosted one of the female flight attendants.- she told him to stop or he would be arrested, the guy became belligerent, punched the male flight attendant, was going crazy. They hog-tied him with those plastic on-board handcuff things, and he broke out of them like they were made of cotton candy.

It took 5 men to keep this one man contained. I guess he started to convulse – which is why they were looking for a way to check his blood levels. Then, he passed out.

He came to as he was being hauled off the plane and became very mad – apparently he kicked out the window of the ambulance.

Yikes! Glad I was sitting in the back of the plane!

This whole episode caused us to be 4 hours late to Atlanta. Of course, I missed my connecting flight into SB. And of course, it took 2-3 hours to get my luggage (this is AFTER I went through customs, immigration and security!).

Anyway – it’s 2am, and I am with pizza at a Days Inn. Going to catch the 10am flight home tomorrow morning.

I still don't get it...from TGI Fridays in Moscow

I still don’t get the bloating thing and flying. We no sooner got in the air this morning – and I felt it coning on…the bloat!

I don’t get it.

So now I am sitting here at the TGI Friday’s at Sherm.2 (airport) in Moscow. The WiFi teased me – it looked like I could log on – but it was some kind of service for cell phone subscribers.

It looks like my flight is going to be delayed – the flight that comes in from Atlanta is about an hour late, so I am sure we will be delayed.

Wondering what I can have that will take this major bloat away – it’s just uncomfortable and pretty unattractive. Don’t want to eat or drink too much, then I run the risk of needing to use the bathroom. Have you ever used a public restroom in Russia? One word – EWWWW!

And for some reason, my laptop won’t charge. I can plug it in, and it is all ok – but it won’t charge. Odd – maybe it has something to do with the power (the 220v thing?). Who knows. All I know is that it is 11:07 A.M., and my flight is supposed to leave at 1:10 – and it isn’t even on the kiosk yet.

prayers were for easy and safe travel

I know I asked you all to pray for my travel today - maybe I needed to be clearer...here is how my day started...

Well, my day got off to a rocky start. As expected, Alex called promptly at 5:30am to tell me that my taxi was waiting outside – and the car number was 129. So, I gather my things, put my coat on and head downstairs. The apartment I was staying at had a unique key lock system, so I could shut the door of the apartment –and lock it with out a key…so I left the key inside for Alex.

I head down to the security area of the apartment, luggage in tow – push my way through the maze of doors to actually get outside…and no car. My first thought was that the car was on the way, no big deal, I’ll just stand in the freezing cold and wait…and wait, and wait, and wait. Since I had left the keys in the apartment, I had no way to get back into the apartment building. My only choice was to wait – did I mention it was freezing cold? I would guess it was about -10 or -15.

I start to pray – God knows where that taxi is – so I was praying that He would somehow bring that taxi to me (it was pretty clear that where that taxi was waiting for me, wasn’t where I was).

10 minutes go by, 15 minutes go by…I thought maybe the taxi was at the side of the building. The apartment is kind of on a corner, so I hauled my junk through the snow and ice, around the corner – there was one taxi there, but it wasn’t my car – the number wasn’t 129.

This side of the building is a little creepy at night – so I decide to go back to the part of the building that is well lit. Of course, on my way there, I am asked by 2 taxi drivers if I need a ride – they were not the taxi I was waiting for – so I said no. I’ve learned that taxi drivers in Irkutsk can be a little unsafe and not so honest…it is best to stick to those drivers Alex knows.

Well, not we’re looking at 25 minutes from the time I THOUGHT the taxi was waiting for me. My prayers of “God protect me” turn to “Oh God, HELP!”.

My prayers turned to panic, and the panic turned to tears. Do you blame me? I have a history of bad experiences trying to get out of Russia – by the time I am packed, I am ready to go home – don’t want to stay, don’t want delays – I want to go home.

A man walking a dog passed me, looked at me strangely – so I said ‘please, help – telephone?” He pretended he didn’t hear me.

I summons all the courage I have, and walk back around the corner to the dark side of the building. There were several cars and that one taxi sitting there – certainly someone would have a phone I could use.

Then the thought occurred to me – who am I going to call? I need Alex’s phone number, and I wasn’t sure where I had put that. Generally – that is on a piece of paper that never leaves me when I am in Russia. I have all kinds of important information on that paper - Alex’s number, his assistant’s number, my apartment address, the phone numbers for the Jackson’s. But where is that paper?

I opened my bag, and as if God himself reached into my luggage – that darn piece of paper was sitting right there on top.

Number in hand, I head to the dark corner. Of course, by this time, no one is there – the only car is that one taxi whose driver was sleeping. I have no choice – I knock on the window. He jumps about 10 feet in the air, and blurts out something in Russian to me. He could probably tell I was a little distressed – I asked him for help, and if I could use his phone. He pulls out his phone, and hands it to me.

WHEW!

Now – let’s hope that Alex answers his phone…it is in the middle of the night. First ring, I hear ‘hello’ – PRAISE GOD!

Alex happened to be in a taxi, around the corner from where I was. He was putting my bag in the car within 2 minutes.

I still don’t know where the original taxi was. Neither does Alex. Generally if a car is called, and goes to pick up the people – and the people don’t show up – Alex gets a call. He never got a call.

I got to the airport, through passport control and security with no problems. On to Moscow!

NOTE TO SELF

Russians do not have the same sense of humor as I do.

Documents again

I have some changes to make on our documents – only a few things, nothing major. Should only take me about a week to gather everything – funny thing, most of the changes are mistakes other people made…not stuff I did. People. Please – FOLLOW DIRECTIONS! One of the errors is from our HS agency, they put someone else’s passport number on a document (what the…..??????).

IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING

I am in Russia, therefore I do as the Russians do – I went to the market, and didn’t unbutton my coat and remove my hat. I did my shopping, came home – and yes, was sweating to death – as if I had been in a sauna wearing long underwear and a fur coat – oh wait, I was!

today's fashion

I finally got Anya out of those brown and blue polka dot pants today...and into a cute pink velour track suit thing. Of course, it was way too short on her, but who cares when you're wearing ruffle socks?

Yes, this is Anya's new winter coat - sassy, huh?

MY HEART IS BROKEN

The last 15 minutes of my visits is always the hardest for me. That is when I have “the conversation” with Anya, and tell her that I am not coming back the next day. Each visit, she take this news differently. This time, she got very quiet, and said she didn’t understand. So – between me and the interpreter – we tried several ways to tell her I was going home on an airplane – and I would come back again…and when I came back, I would bring Papa with me.

I know this is harder on me than it is on her. Although she is older now, and does understand more and more about what is going on…she still really doesn’t understand. Her life remains the same – her world isn’t changed, when I leave, everything goes back to a norm that she is comfortable with – happy with. And, that is OK for now.

When I leave, it means that I fret everyday wondering how she is, if a Russian family is interested in her, what the status is of our documents and why everything is taking so long. I spend emotional, physical and financial energy into doing everything I can to have my ducks in a row, our documents perfect and our life ready. …and at the end of the day, I am exhausted, and I question if I can do it – all of it, any of it. And just when I think I’ve done everything I can, given all that we have…something else is required – and it starts all over again.

My heart breaks for Anya – I know what she has missed (and is missing). I know the plans we have for her. I know how scared she is going to be when everything falls into place. I know how much we love her, and how hard we have fought for her. …and it hurts.

The big party - it was a hit!

Well, we pulled it off. The Jackson’s met me this afternoon to help me get the remaining things I needed for the party. THANK YOU TAMI AND STEVE! I could not have done it without you.

The children were so excited. The party started with a cookie on a stick (kind of looked like a popsicle, but it was a cookie dipped in icing) and a juice box. After the snack, we had an activity – we painted t-shirts. The caregivers were very confused about this paint and the tees. How did it work, can the paint be used for other things, how long does it take to dry, can it be washed. The kids had great fun. The painted everything from boats to houses to flowers and even a bunny.



Then Anya got to play Santa Clause…or Father Christmas. Each child got a coloring book, set of markers (crayons are not easily found in Irkutsk), a journal (they are all learning to write), a page of stickers and candy. The boys got a ball and a car (or a boat) that is like a llego thing, and the girls got Barbie dolls, and a little purse filled with hair bows. Anya then made a snap together rubber bracelet for each of the children. She chose a character (lion, tiger, monkey, butterfly) for each child to decorate the rubber bracelet.




The children all yelled “Spaseeba!” over and over again (that is Thank You).

Unfortunately, I was unable to get photos of all of the children at the party – something about taking pictures of other kids being illegal – so as to not upset Russian Law, the party photos are all of Anya.







Anya then presented each of the caregivers with a gift. They received a small perfume, cosmetic bag (small and large), and a shoe bag.

The head caregiver gave me a gift for the girls who sent the Barbie dolls (thanks Wegner girls). She is sending little Russian dolls and Russian candy.

She was very touched by this – and by the fact my friends and family would care for all of the children, and give them a party and gifts. She was visibly moved, and asked over and over again ‘who are these gifts from?’ and I would say “from my friends, their children and my family”.


I always gift gifts to the orphanage’s doctor, director and social worker. This time, I decided to also include the 2 security guards (kind of a last minute thing). I couldn’t find either one of them as I was leaving…but ran into my favorite security man on my way to the car. He reminds me of Nick Ambrose (probably why I like him so much). We told him there was a gift for him in the doctor’s office, and you should have seen the look on his face. He said “a gift for me? But why?” I said, “no reason, I just wanted to give you a gift”. He got tears in his eyes, grabbed my hand and kissed my cheek. So sweet!

I also got our driver a gift. Nice kid…23 years old! Very good driver. At the last minute, I decided to add a $20 to his gift. As I was getting out of the car tonight, I gave him the gift, and said “this is a thank you gift”, he said “oh, thank you so much, my baby will be born in 3 weeks – this is very nice, thank you”. Who knew?

Sometimes God moves you to do things, and you don’t know why. I have felt prompted several times on this trip to do something or give something that is outside of what I would normally do. It seems that God knows the whole picture and what that small token from me would mean to someone else.

Pics of Anya

planning on visiting Irkutsk?

TO FRIENDS TRAVELING HERE
Helpful tips

• Wear fur – as long as you can stand it. It is really cold outside, I have a fake full length one you are welcome to borrow, I can ship it out next week if you need it.
  Don’t forget washcloths, for some reason they don’t use them here (and I’ve lft at least a dozen over the years, have no idea where they went)
• Lotion – the most moisturizing you can find. It is VERY dry here, my hair feels like straw, and I am using the mega night cream all day, 2x a day PLUS at night.
• Those little travel size things of deodorant, contact solution etc., they last about a week (this is more to remind me)
• Anything you can’t replace here (i.e. glasses etc.) carry on. There are several things that are missing from my luggage (kids toys/games, and one thing of Peanut Butter – ODD)
• Laptop – if you’re not bringing one, I HIGHLY suggest getting one, not only can you get online from wherever you are, but you will be able to off load the photos from your camera, watch DVDs etc. I took my laptop to see Anya one day – and it was a GREAT source of entertainment (looking at the movies and photos of herself).

The Big Party

Well, we've spoken to all the caregivers, gotten permission from the head caregiver, and the pans are in motion for the big party tomorrow. It kind-of (ok, it A LOT) stinks that everything is closed. I couldn't do any party supply shopping Wednesday, Thursday, Friday - which is when I had planned to get it done. I thought I would scope out a few places, get some ideas etc. Now, I am only going to have time to grab and go.

So far, I have the food and activities done. Got cakes (the are individual on a popsicle stick), juice boxes for everyone (huge hit from Anya), candy (hard candy and chocolate), and t-shirts.

I will need to get 12 coloring books, crayons, balls for the boys - any anything else I see that the kids would like.

My intreperter doesn't seem too excited to help me get this stuff, so I might need to call in back up. I will only have about 2 hours to get it done tomorrow...and if things are closed, I am going to have a problem.

There is a huge market here - I wonder if they have toys there. The markets seems to be open.

Also need to get a few gifts for men...3 men, and I am at a loss - any ideas? One is the security guard at the orphanage - he is so nice, always says "hello Katherine!". The other 2 are for younger men.

The afternoon visit was much different. I am starting to think she doesn’t like our interpreter – Anya acts much different when Julia is around. Much quieter. With me, I feel like she is being the ‘real’ Anya. Maybe it is a language thing – who knows.

Notice the pretty red bows in her hair. Thank you Mrs. Amy! Anya loves them. I got her a blue and white polka dot bow, and a pink one. Anya decided she wanted to wear ALL the bows in her hair...so that is why she is wearing quite the assortment. A little Punky Brewster - but cute none the less.

We colored the entire time this afternoon. I also brought an apple for her as a snack. We spent a little time talking about the big party tomorrow. I am asking Anya to help me plan it so she feels a part of the event. She said the boys would like balls…so I will try to find 9 balls tomorrow.



Everything is still closed here. Amazingly enough – at about 3pm, things started to open. No one can tell me when anything will be open again – seriously, does NO ONE know when the mall will be open again? If anyone is reading this, and if you know – can you please tell me? I think it would be best if I went to the yellow mall rather than going downtown…just for time’s sake and the ease of finding things. Although, I would REALLY like to go downtown and visit my 2 favorite shoe places. There is this one shoe mall I went to years ago. I’ve been looking for it now for 2 years…we drove by it the other day! It is on the same street as the big mall/market downtown, close to Mapata street (as if you know where that is!).

I am including a photo of me and Anya – both standing with no shoes on. Seriously, she is as tall as a 9 year old!