Monday
We decided to tap into electronic media to find out what’s going on in the world around us…. obvious we can't read anything here..... The isolation is starting to get to us. It appears the flu is closing schools left and right in Sevastopol – the school where the orphans go will be closed all week. Due to this, the orphanage doctor requested that we not visit if we even had a sniffle. You can imagine 100 kids, under one roof, with the flu. So we didn’t visit yesterday. Len had a sore throat and we felt we needed to respect her wish.
Tuesday
It rained all day and we stayed indoors until our 3:45 taxi arrived. (a 5-mile one-way ride to the orphanage is $3.50 US dollars….. Hardly enough for them to put gas in their car. Len of course, always tips nicely. Angela was very happy to see us and the visit went quickly…. Time spent painting and knitting in the library, a dance rehearsal with a lot of the kids for an upcoming performance and then of course, I Spy!
We left at 6:00 and made a scrumptious meal of frozen veggies and rice. Yum! We are sticking to the rule faithfully “peel it, boil it, cook it or forget it”. Needless to say, a green leaf salad, (or anything fresh and cold for that matter) with blue cheese crumbles, dried blueberries, walnuts and homemade vinaigrette dressing makes my mouth water! We make our ice cubes with bottled water as not even the locals drink the water here…. Needless to say, brushing teeth with a glass of bottled water and closed mouth showering is the norm. So far, we’ve steered clear of any upset stomach issues…… Our apartment is very comfortable and aside from the frequent power outages and issues with our DVD not reading our movies, we couldn’t be happier. (we’re hoping to seek and purchase a DVD player tomorrow and will donate it to the orphanage when we leave) Yatzee, journaling, and getting my ____ kicked in gin rummy are getting very old. :) Zoning out to an English speaking comedy is exactly what we need!
All in all, our time here together has been great. We’re still enjoying each other’s company :-) and taking time to reflect on the quality of life we enjoy at home in the good ole USA. We often think and talk about the friends and family that bring us great comfort….. We really appreciate your emails and comments on our blog!
The poverty here is overwhelmingly sad at times. It certainly helps you understand why so many of these children are where they are…… The mismatched outfits, the clothing that either barely fits or is two sizes too big, the worn out conditions and the longing in their eyes…… can really get to you…… We’re trying to “take it all in” but honestly, it’s almost like you have to approach it with some distance….. Otherwise, I know I would crack within the orphanage walls and that certainly wouldn’t do anyone any good.
For many of them it’s hopeless. At age 16 they are no longer eligible for adoption. And life after 17, 18 if they are lucky, is well, just that, hopeless. The younger ones still do have hope, but you can tell that they are yearning for parents and a family, someone to simply read to them or spend time with them doing just about anything….. Basic things that a lot of kids, kids with families, as they should, take for granted. They are used to seeing “potential parents” roaming around….. The little ones are conditioned to act cute or smile brightly….. It’s heart breaking…… You just have to believe that their day will come and their “forever family” will find them….. After all, each child brought into this world deserves this.
It’s not that we aren’t “enjoying” our time here….. “Enjoy”, however, isn’t how I would describe it. It’s more a patience for the process and a need to understand the culture and then honestly, our desire to simply get on the first plane heading to NYNY and take Angela home. I’ve uploaded a couple photos from the past few days. The entrance to the orphanage, and, per Len, a large Cedar of Lebanon (a rare evergreen that from it’s massive timbers Solomon’s temple was constructed – for those interested in a little biblical anecdote)…. Also a couple photos of our “little peanut”, as she is fondly referred to, striking a pose for Papa! She is a real ham for the camera!
After all, she is why we’re here and she makes it all worthwhile. Till tomorrow……..
We decided to tap into electronic media to find out what’s going on in the world around us…. obvious we can't read anything here..... The isolation is starting to get to us. It appears the flu is closing schools left and right in Sevastopol – the school where the orphans go will be closed all week. Due to this, the orphanage doctor requested that we not visit if we even had a sniffle. You can imagine 100 kids, under one roof, with the flu. So we didn’t visit yesterday. Len had a sore throat and we felt we needed to respect her wish.
Tuesday
It rained all day and we stayed indoors until our 3:45 taxi arrived. (a 5-mile one-way ride to the orphanage is $3.50 US dollars….. Hardly enough for them to put gas in their car. Len of course, always tips nicely. Angela was very happy to see us and the visit went quickly…. Time spent painting and knitting in the library, a dance rehearsal with a lot of the kids for an upcoming performance and then of course, I Spy!
We left at 6:00 and made a scrumptious meal of frozen veggies and rice. Yum! We are sticking to the rule faithfully “peel it, boil it, cook it or forget it”. Needless to say, a green leaf salad, (or anything fresh and cold for that matter) with blue cheese crumbles, dried blueberries, walnuts and homemade vinaigrette dressing makes my mouth water! We make our ice cubes with bottled water as not even the locals drink the water here…. Needless to say, brushing teeth with a glass of bottled water and closed mouth showering is the norm. So far, we’ve steered clear of any upset stomach issues…… Our apartment is very comfortable and aside from the frequent power outages and issues with our DVD not reading our movies, we couldn’t be happier. (we’re hoping to seek and purchase a DVD player tomorrow and will donate it to the orphanage when we leave) Yatzee, journaling, and getting my ____ kicked in gin rummy are getting very old. :) Zoning out to an English speaking comedy is exactly what we need!
All in all, our time here together has been great. We’re still enjoying each other’s company :-) and taking time to reflect on the quality of life we enjoy at home in the good ole USA. We often think and talk about the friends and family that bring us great comfort….. We really appreciate your emails and comments on our blog!
The poverty here is overwhelmingly sad at times. It certainly helps you understand why so many of these children are where they are…… The mismatched outfits, the clothing that either barely fits or is two sizes too big, the worn out conditions and the longing in their eyes…… can really get to you…… We’re trying to “take it all in” but honestly, it’s almost like you have to approach it with some distance….. Otherwise, I know I would crack within the orphanage walls and that certainly wouldn’t do anyone any good.
For many of them it’s hopeless. At age 16 they are no longer eligible for adoption. And life after 17, 18 if they are lucky, is well, just that, hopeless. The younger ones still do have hope, but you can tell that they are yearning for parents and a family, someone to simply read to them or spend time with them doing just about anything….. Basic things that a lot of kids, kids with families, as they should, take for granted. They are used to seeing “potential parents” roaming around….. The little ones are conditioned to act cute or smile brightly….. It’s heart breaking…… You just have to believe that their day will come and their “forever family” will find them….. After all, each child brought into this world deserves this.
It’s not that we aren’t “enjoying” our time here….. “Enjoy”, however, isn’t how I would describe it. It’s more a patience for the process and a need to understand the culture and then honestly, our desire to simply get on the first plane heading to NYNY and take Angela home. I’ve uploaded a couple photos from the past few days. The entrance to the orphanage, and, per Len, a large Cedar of Lebanon (a rare evergreen that from it’s massive timbers Solomon’s temple was constructed – for those interested in a little biblical anecdote)…. Also a couple photos of our “little peanut”, as she is fondly referred to, striking a pose for Papa! She is a real ham for the camera!
After all, she is why we’re here and she makes it all worthwhile. Till tomorrow……..
10 comments:
Pam & Len, check and see if there is a DVD player in the Boys dormitory area. Sally & I donated one last summer, but I have this strange feeling that it did not remain there.
John
You guys are so awesome. Just love your post about life in Ukraine. I hear that is is really cold. Keep warm and bundle up. Now I know why the girls wore so many layers. Makes lots of sence there. They have become Americans as they do not do that much now. I keep telling them too dress warmer. It is cold here. :)
Can't wait till you are all home.
Blessings,
Gail
Thank you for sharing with us your thoughts and observations about life for the children. It gives us pause as we consider what is really important and what is superfluous in life. I know this electronic journal experience will always be a reference source for me. Jo Ann K
hi pam and len---wow, you guys amaze us more every day!i'm sure it is very trying and homesickness creeps in but what a gift you have to even be able to endure this! angela is precious and worth every heartache spent over there! lots of politics going on in the states now---lots of nasty winter weather! we are missing the uc health insurance---fell on the ice and broke my left arm---thus the lovely typing job!no work for 10 weeks---i wish i could fly over and provide some furthur encoragement for you both! you're on an unbelievable journey right now---remember, it's all about the journey. take care of each other and i know we'll be hearing of your return VERY soon!!maybe you could even return to the us via washington, dc---we'd be there for you!!hugs all around--- from the wilson's of maryland!
Hello P & L:
Hello guys-just retruned from my trip to CA with Kenz to look at schools-ha ha
love to read your updates-she is so adorable-I hope we can meet her at Easter. love ya, bec
Me and Kemen celebrated Ian's birthday with a trip up to Portland, Maine. Portland is such a beautiful city. Lots of great food and interesting art galleries. I can't wait to get home and enjoy everyone's company and warmth.
Hi Len & Pam!
You guys are SO incredible! The way you describe the other kids in the orphanage is heartbreaking. I don't know how you do it, but i hope you don't have to much longer. I'll be happy to know you're back home! Angela is as cute as a button! Her "haminess" shines through the photos.
Thanks for sharing your amazing journey.
Sandy H.
Hi Len & Pam!
You guys are SO incredible! The way you describe the other kids in the orphanage is heartbreaking. I don't know how you do it, but i hope you don't have to much longer. I'll be happy to know you're back home! Angela is as cute as a button! Her "haminess" shines through the photos.
Thanks for sharing your amazing journey.
Sandy H.
Hang in there Pam and Len- you are in the homestretch now. We are all thinking about you and can't wait to meet Miss Angela!You are a beautiful family and I am so glad that you found each other.
We have a snow day today in Cincy- all schools called off :-)
maggie
ANGELA!! this is your loving cousin, chelsea! im so excited to meet you for the first time!! and did you know im going to be the day care leader at your new school? we are going to have so much fun together! i cant wait!
<3 chelsea
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