Due to the girls (yes, I'm blaming them) playing on Barbie's site, and then waiting (patiently, no qualms or complaints!) while my beautiful bride took her turn with Facebook and emails, I'm getting to the blog later than hoped. But that's okay, as it gives me the challenge to see how quickly I can recap the day.
To start, we had a morning on the playground. Well, the girls did. I took Shan on a little walking tour of the "back 40" of the DCU grounds, showing her the greenhouse, volleyball court and soccer field. (Sorry, football field.) We were taking advantage of the cleaning lady's visit to spend time outside. Olga happened by, and introduced us to another Sergey, this one a student and tutor who has aspirations, perhaps, of going into counseling after he graduages next year. He had his charming 14-month old daughter Anna with him, and we took turns giving Sergey some English conversation practice and Anna smiles and waves.
After we were finished on the playground, we headed up to Lawrence and Colleen's where the girls had some hot chocolate. Did I mention the chocolate is good around here? We're bringing some home if customs lets us. And we don't eat it on the plane. I also got to see the wonderful tree trimming and bow-making job the girls did the other night while I was taking Galya back to the orphanage. It was nice to see signs of Christmas as that's really been at the back of our minds with the whirlwind adventure. Shannon said we can take advantage of the Christmas Eve sales when we get back and recovered; last-minute Christmas shopping sans the guilt of procrastination.
Lunch was short 'n sweet, and we adjourned to the laptop to await our ride to the orphanage. Angelina came by, mid-afternoon, and after a stop at Amstor (for cake and pop) we went to the orphanage for the "party." I put party in quotes because it wasn't really so much a party as we were expecting. Galya took us to the three different classrooms, where we left a cake for each group (note: as we'd bought three cakes, it worked out perfectly albeit completely accidentally!) The two older groups set the goodies aside until they finished their lessons and/or dinner depending on the dictates of their particular teacher(s). Galya's class did get to take a study break to eat cake, and they were very polite. They all waited in their desks until the treats were given, then ate only when told to start. I MUST learn their secret. They were enjoying a couple of magic tricks I was doing with a coin and some small pieces of candy, but the laughing got a bit loud and it was made clear we should maybe move to a different area. So we walked the orphanage, Galya giving out candy to everyone she met (after first taking it from me.) She enjoyed this until I told her that the leftovers weren't for her. She kept asking for "odin papa" ("one, daddy") over and over. I'm not sure how the grandpas are going to be able to resist, so it's likely Shannon and the grandmas are going to have to keep 'em in line with this little one.
We also got Ukrainian copies of the paperwork I need to submit for my FMLA, and hopefully we can get them to a translation service. Funny how American benefits management groups aren't often staffed with Ukrainian translators:) Then we came back home and had a light dinner, some of the leftover candy (don't tell Galya) and and bedtime for the girls.
Shannon and I also filled out some of the immigration/visa forms. We're still hoping that goes well and we can all leave next Thursday together, but some of what we see on the embassy site, as well as some of the logistical challenges we have in front of us next Tuesday getting EVERYTHING squared away in Makeevka, leave us uncertain we'll be successful. Shan's calling the embassy tomorrow, and we bought refundable tickets for next Saturday in case there's a brief delay. So Shannon and Galyna both have fully refundable tickets for next Thursday and next Saturday. We should be ready whichever way the good Lord works things out, although if He permits delays past next Saturday we'll have to go to plan C.
I'm still hoping to post some pictures on Facebook, but the dissertation, er post, on Donetsk and Makeevka may be delayed to tomorrow morning. We'll see how I feel after catching up on many things.
As always, thanks for the love/prayers/support/encouragement/etc.
Love ya all!
Ron
10 years ago
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2 comments:
It seems to me that we're always keeping them in line in one way or another, so what's new? I guess we can all learn to say "Nyet" with the best of 'em. But you must realize that when you become grandparents, your job is to spoil the grandchildren - we just all do a very, very good job of it. By the way, has Galya learned "grandma" and "grandpa" in English yet?
Nyet:)
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