Hey ya'll:
You may get double postings...we're a little bored becuase we get zapped by the all the walking and then get stuck in the hotel. So here's Andy's bit. His will go up a Ruble each time :)
Stacye
• Court went very well. It was long and boring but the result was GREAT. Our interpreter prepared us very well. The previous court session went long which I was ok with. I was very concerned, however, when they started shouting at each other. I did NOT want to have an angry judge. But all went well.
• Everybody wants updates on Alina but we are thinking with our heads and not our hearts. Visiting her in the 10 day waiting period is expensive. $200.00 for a driver and interpreter. Extra visits would cost Alina’s 1st year’s college tuition. Also, and more importantly, visits during this time are not good for Alina. 1st they mess up the routine of the staff. They have a big job to do with a lot of babies and little staff. They need a routine and we don’t need to mess it up. It also has the potential to confuse Alina. We don’t want her thinking that we come and leave her. ALWAYS leave her. That is the wrong message. So we’re doing the hard thing and not visiting until later next week. When we can get reacquainted and learn her habits. So we can keep the ones that make sense. So for now we’re tourists.
• The bad news is that it’s very cold. Very, Very, Very cold if you’re from Alabama. The good news is that the lines are short. Why? Because it’s very, very, cold. Yesterday we went inside the Kremlin walls. Among the cool things we saw were: The changing of the guard at Russia’s tomb of the unknown soldier, The Czar’s armory (which featured carriages, silver, jewelry, tableware, textiles and more Faberge eggs than I can imagine), and many churches. It seems as if they made a new church every 300 years. (Moscow is old so that’s a lot of churches.)
• Socially, one thing that I found interesting and very telling about Russian racial attitudes. Just ahead of us in the line to enter the Kremlin was an Asian man with his two grandchildren. He set off the metal detector. He took out a pocket knife and went back through. He set off the metal detector again. He took the change out of his pocket and went back through. He set off the metal detector again. He then took more change out of his pocket and went back through. He set off the metal detector again. He then took out a flask to go with his other stuff and went back through. He set off the metal detector again. He then took off his belt buckle and shoes (on a cold day) and went back through. He set off the metal detector again. By this time the line had backed up and they opened another line. I went through and set off the metal detector. I went back through after emptying my pockets. Then, even though I set off the metal detector, I was passed through. They were still giving the Asian guy a hard time. I set it off twice and was passed through. He set it off many times and they nearly stripped him. I doubt terrorists would bomb the Kremlin with their grandchildren in tow. I think that he simply relieved the boredom of two Russian policemen.
• It seems that there are a lot of very expensive cars here in Moscow. They’re all caked in mud. If I lived here I would buy a large affordable car like a Ford or Skoda. When they’re caked in mud they look like a Mercedes or Audi, at 1/3 the price. A true entrepreneur would convince these people that clean cars are faster and run better. He would then open a cheaper, quicker car wash. People would need a new car wash everyday. The money would rack up.
• The subways here are very deep. The escalators are very steep. While it is possible that this is because the soil is sandy, I doubt it. I think they were meant to be fallout shelters. The older ones are very pretty fallout shelters. They have decorative carvings and great tile work. They also have beautiful plaster on the ceilings. The subways are large and clunky. Like the subway version of a 1965 Chevy truck. The newer subway lines are not as deep and the stations aren’t as elaborate. The subways are sleeker. I’ll take old, elaborate and clunky. More character.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Visiting the Kremlin
We got to visit the Kremlin for the first time today. We intended to go see Lenin's tomb, but that's going to have to wait until another day. I couldn't do both with my knee and probably did more than I should, but they had a beautiful collection in the Armoury Chamber where they used to house the Kremlin Treasury since the time of Ivan the Terrible. Now it's where they house treasures that were gifts to the Kremlin, Tsars, or produced by Kremlin craftsmen over the years. We couldn't take any pictures of the inside of the place, but we did take some great shots of the outside.
One of the first areas we saw the where they have the eternal flame lit for an unknown soldier. Same as we do in Arlington Cemetary, they recognize their lost ones from World War II. The Soviets lost something like 24 million people in the WWII.
They do the changing of the guard 5 minutes to the top of the hour each hour.
From there we went to Kutifaya Tower and bought our tickets for the Armory Chamber and the Kremlin Cathedrals/Grounds. This was a combo ticket for about $1050 rubles. The Armory Chamber does their entries into the museum on timed entries...so we had to hustle (as fast as I can going slow) from the Tower, around the government offices, 5 churches, down the hill, and into the Armory building. To start the tour we had to climb the grand staircase in the Armory building up to the 2nd floor. This was so much fun with my knee hurting. Fortunately they take this into account and had benches on each level and in each viewing room for those of us with issues. We got an audioguide and saw 11-15th century silver and gold object. The most impressive to me was the gilded bible covers with the 3X3 inch emeralds on the cover.
After this tour we went back up the hill to the Cathedrals: Assumption, Archangel's; and the Church of the Laying our Lady's Holy Robe; and Ivan the Great's Bell tower. In the bell tower they had an exhibition of Persian and Indian treasures with maginificent jewels and carvings. Wish I could have read enough Russian to learn more about them.
After that, we came back to the hotel and rested and then went to dinner with another couple we had met at the baby house. They are adopting a little boy and are from Washington, DC. We ate at a Russian themed, Russian cuisine restaurant recommended by our hotel. It was really good and they had ladies dressed in traditional outfits singing Russian songs.
Well...tommorrow we're going to stay in and do some housekeeping things. i.e. Do our laundry and relax some. Love you all.
One of the first areas we saw the where they have the eternal flame lit for an unknown soldier. Same as we do in Arlington Cemetary, they recognize their lost ones from World War II. The Soviets lost something like 24 million people in the WWII.
They do the changing of the guard 5 minutes to the top of the hour each hour.
From there we went to Kutifaya Tower and bought our tickets for the Armory Chamber and the Kremlin Cathedrals/Grounds. This was a combo ticket for about $1050 rubles. The Armory Chamber does their entries into the museum on timed entries...so we had to hustle (as fast as I can going slow) from the Tower, around the government offices, 5 churches, down the hill, and into the Armory building. To start the tour we had to climb the grand staircase in the Armory building up to the 2nd floor. This was so much fun with my knee hurting. Fortunately they take this into account and had benches on each level and in each viewing room for those of us with issues. We got an audioguide and saw 11-15th century silver and gold object. The most impressive to me was the gilded bible covers with the 3X3 inch emeralds on the cover.
After this tour we went back up the hill to the Cathedrals: Assumption, Archangel's; and the Church of the Laying our Lady's Holy Robe; and Ivan the Great's Bell tower. In the bell tower they had an exhibition of Persian and Indian treasures with maginificent jewels and carvings. Wish I could have read enough Russian to learn more about them.
After that, we came back to the hotel and rested and then went to dinner with another couple we had met at the baby house. They are adopting a little boy and are from Washington, DC. We ate at a Russian themed, Russian cuisine restaurant recommended by our hotel. It was really good and they had ladies dressed in traditional outfits singing Russian songs.
Well...tommorrow we're going to stay in and do some housekeeping things. i.e. Do our laundry and relax some. Love you all.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
We're Parents!!
So sorry for the delay in blogging today but we had to call the grandparents, godparents, mailman, etc. Just kidding. I saw the comment that some of you are stalking the site today for news.
We are successful! We have cleared court and we have been declared parents of our beautiful little girl.
We met our driver/guide at 9am this morning and went to pick up our agency coordinator. We left early because Moscow traffic is definately hard to guess. There's not a lot of predictability. We actually got their early and waited about 30 minutes so she could finish getting ready. After that we drove to the courthouse...again traffic obliged and we got there in about 20 minutes.
We went into the courthouse and saw the Social Worker for the region was there. Greeted her, and then sat to wait. Of course...we're nervy to begin with and then we found out there was a case before ours at 10am. That case the guy was yelling at the judge (or just speaking loud...hard to tell sometimes). So that case didn't wrap up until noon. So we go into the court room. It's a very small room compared to what you see on LA law. There is official judicial bench...then a long table with four chairs on each side. On the left is where the social worker, transcriptionist, and prosecutor sit.
On the right...me, Andy, and our translator. The proceeding was announced and court in session. We stood for the judge. We were asked our names, education, occupation, place of birth. General questions about items in the dossier. Then the judge left to deliberate and she came back and announced that they agreed to our petition.
I know that's a little anticlimatic, but pretty much that's what was involved. It was a very professional and straight forward proceeding.
I was asked to make a little wrap up if I had anything to add. I basically started sniveling at that point becuase I got emotional. I tried to suck it up, but couldn't manage. So I made a very short two liners.
Andy managed not to make jokes (except in the hallway for an hour--- I think he got it out of his system), but we forgot to say 'Your Honor' after saying everything. Except at the very end. Andy...southern boy that he is...kept saying "yes ma'am" so hopefully that worked.
Andy was expected to do most of the talking as the man of the household which is funny as he was the only man in the room. :)
We are so ecstatic about this finally being over. Hopefully it will all be down hill from here.
We're not going to see Alina again until next week so we could stack up visits closer to the time of pickup. We hope to do our 'gotcha' on the 23rd because it's 10 days for court decisions to be finalized in Russia.
I got to try Andy's tuna pizza. Completely nasty (yuck). But I ate Pillau which is a spicy rice and pork dish. It was delicious.
Tommorrow we get to be tourists for once. Last trip we didn't get to do anything. So first thing we're going back to the Kremlin to try an see something. I think I want to go see Lenin's tomb and Stalin's grave in the Kremlin wall. That should be interesting :) Later this week we're going to Victory Park and the World War II museum. Andy wants to see a T-34 tank (whatever that is)
Bless all of you for your love and support. We will type at you soon.
We are successful! We have cleared court and we have been declared parents of our beautiful little girl.
We met our driver/guide at 9am this morning and went to pick up our agency coordinator. We left early because Moscow traffic is definately hard to guess. There's not a lot of predictability. We actually got their early and waited about 30 minutes so she could finish getting ready. After that we drove to the courthouse...again traffic obliged and we got there in about 20 minutes.
We went into the courthouse and saw the Social Worker for the region was there. Greeted her, and then sat to wait. Of course...we're nervy to begin with and then we found out there was a case before ours at 10am. That case the guy was yelling at the judge (or just speaking loud...hard to tell sometimes). So that case didn't wrap up until noon. So we go into the court room. It's a very small room compared to what you see on LA law. There is official judicial bench...then a long table with four chairs on each side. On the left is where the social worker, transcriptionist, and prosecutor sit.
On the right...me, Andy, and our translator. The proceeding was announced and court in session. We stood for the judge. We were asked our names, education, occupation, place of birth. General questions about items in the dossier. Then the judge left to deliberate and she came back and announced that they agreed to our petition.
I know that's a little anticlimatic, but pretty much that's what was involved. It was a very professional and straight forward proceeding.
I was asked to make a little wrap up if I had anything to add. I basically started sniveling at that point becuase I got emotional. I tried to suck it up, but couldn't manage. So I made a very short two liners.
Andy managed not to make jokes (except in the hallway for an hour--- I think he got it out of his system), but we forgot to say 'Your Honor' after saying everything. Except at the very end. Andy...southern boy that he is...kept saying "yes ma'am" so hopefully that worked.
Andy was expected to do most of the talking as the man of the household which is funny as he was the only man in the room. :)
We are so ecstatic about this finally being over. Hopefully it will all be down hill from here.
We're not going to see Alina again until next week so we could stack up visits closer to the time of pickup. We hope to do our 'gotcha' on the 23rd because it's 10 days for court decisions to be finalized in Russia.
I got to try Andy's tuna pizza. Completely nasty (yuck). But I ate Pillau which is a spicy rice and pork dish. It was delicious.
Tommorrow we get to be tourists for once. Last trip we didn't get to do anything. So first thing we're going back to the Kremlin to try an see something. I think I want to go see Lenin's tomb and Stalin's grave in the Kremlin wall. That should be interesting :) Later this week we're going to Victory Park and the World War II museum. Andy wants to see a T-34 tank (whatever that is)
Bless all of you for your love and support. We will type at you soon.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Court tommorrow! Andy's 5 Rubles Worth
• Today we went to see Alina first. She has a cold. There was a lot running from that little nose. She seemed to recognize us but she was cranky. All she wanted to do was to be held. She cried more today than in all our previous visits. Seems like runny noses make Alina cranky.
After all the money that people spent on toys for Alina, she did not seem to be interested in them today. All she wanted was to be held and chew my watch. Seems like shiny watches trumped noisy toys. Probably just for today. Luckily my Swiss Army, Sam’s Club Special watch is good for 100 meters of water. There was probably that much slobber on it when I put it back on.
• We went to Globus, a Russian Wal-Mart, after visiting Alina. It has a restaurant which is relatively cheap so we ate lunch. Stacye ate beef and rice. I ate pizza with tuna. I didn’t know it had tuna because I don’t read Russian. Tuna on pizza is WAY overrated. One might say that it’s downright nasty. I don’t think that tuna and pizza belong in the same restaurant let alone the same pizza. Spent the rest time at Globus buying groceries for a week.
• Supper was a sandwich in the room. It’s too cold to walk around at night. Too cold to walk around in the day for that matter.
• Tomorrow we go to court. I’ve been told 5 things that I must remember when I’m in court.
1. No Jokes
2. Call the judge your honor
3. No jokes
4. No Jokes
5. No Jokes
• Apparently they don’t want me telling jokes.
After all the money that people spent on toys for Alina, she did not seem to be interested in them today. All she wanted was to be held and chew my watch. Seems like shiny watches trumped noisy toys. Probably just for today. Luckily my Swiss Army, Sam’s Club Special watch is good for 100 meters of water. There was probably that much slobber on it when I put it back on.
• We went to Globus, a Russian Wal-Mart, after visiting Alina. It has a restaurant which is relatively cheap so we ate lunch. Stacye ate beef and rice. I ate pizza with tuna. I didn’t know it had tuna because I don’t read Russian. Tuna on pizza is WAY overrated. One might say that it’s downright nasty. I don’t think that tuna and pizza belong in the same restaurant let alone the same pizza. Spent the rest time at Globus buying groceries for a week.
• Supper was a sandwich in the room. It’s too cold to walk around at night. Too cold to walk around in the day for that matter.
• Tomorrow we go to court. I’ve been told 5 things that I must remember when I’m in court.
1. No Jokes
2. Call the judge your honor
3. No jokes
4. No Jokes
5. No Jokes
• Apparently they don’t want me telling jokes.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Bit of Russian Culture and today
Yesterday (Sunday) March 8th was Women's Day. It's a combination of Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, and a celebration of womanhood all wrapped up together. During Women's Day, men bring the women in their lives flowers and chocolate. Maybe make breakfast for the wife. Our driver, S., included me in this tradition and I got beautiful tulips this year. It was really neat surprise.
When we got to the hotel yesterday and got settled. I apparently laid my head down for 'just a minute' and passed out sleeping. Andy went and got our dinner. Well any of you who know my husband, know he's a sucker for sausage. We went to Poland in 2005 and he ate it everyday. Last time we were here he was dying to try a sausage stand that is all over town but never had the time for anything. We figured out that the cyrillic translates as 'stardogs'...but looking at the cyrillic it looks like 'crapdogs'. He just thought that was the funniest and he finally got his chance. So for dinner he got two of them.
For a guy who can't learn 2 Russian words after months of trying, he can get what he wants. He got the sausage, milk, and two enormous chocolate pastries. So he brought me that as my Women's Day present and dinner. It was pretty good actually. I think I am going to have to forcefully keep him away from the 'stardog' stand.
It's 7am and our day is about to begin. I couldn't sleep anymore so I thought I would get up and get my shower and write. We're meeting T at 11am and headed to the baby house to see Alina again. We will actually have a few hours with her today.
For those of you who gave us clothes for the orphanage, I'm taking those over there today. Two suitcases worth of stuff. I'm sure they can use it. Thanks again for your help.
We're here!
Well...okay, I'm sorry I haven't blogged this week but we have been soon busy getting ready to go and wrapping up work that its been nutso.
First things first. We're in Moscow now. We went directly to the orphanage this afternoon and saw Alina. She's doing great and has 5 more teeth. She only had two when we left. She's already a little bigger, but for the most part we didn't miss a whole lot more of her life....except for the new teeth. She's also pulling up where before it was just an attempt...so she's going to be walking very soon. Grandparents...pay attention...you're going to have to start the childproofing on the cabinets soon.
Well...that's the best news but I'm going to go back and catch you up with our week.
After last Sunday, I went back to my orthopedic doctor on Tuesday. He said that I had a tear in my cartiledge and I could stay off the crutches. He recommended that I take them with me in case I did some more damage. Which considering how slushy and icy it is right now...no telling. He also offered a wheelchair which would have been almost impossible and almost laughable. Not the most handicap friendly town you have ever seen. They have had regular snow since we've been gone and there is at least 2 feet on the ground... lots of it slushy. I need hazard pay.
I bought the coolest retractable hiking cane from a hiking store and it's a great help when my leg is getting tired...like today. After flying/traveling for 12 hours we went straight to the orphanage....tired is not the work. Exhausted is. I had a nap and that's why I've got the energy to blog. Then I'm going to bed bed for real.
We're staying at the Holiday Inn just outside the Garden ring and it's very comfortable with an English speaking staff.
Anyhow, after the drama with my leg for the most part we've spent the week getting ready as much as we could and getting work stuff ready for our absence.
Back to Alina. She was so scared when they first brought her out to us, but after about 30 minutes she started to relax. We got to bottle feed her and then we switched from a lobby area to the play room. Then she started to relax for real and we got a few laughs and giggles out of her. I think she remembered playing there with us in January, but Andy doesn't think so. I don't think she would have relaxed as much if she didn't. But we will never know.
We go to see her again tommorrow (yeah!) and then we have court on Tuesday.
We will probably see her one more time this week and then a few times next week before we pick her up for good on the 23rd.
Well...I'll update more tommorrow.
Love to all.
First things first. We're in Moscow now. We went directly to the orphanage this afternoon and saw Alina. She's doing great and has 5 more teeth. She only had two when we left. She's already a little bigger, but for the most part we didn't miss a whole lot more of her life....except for the new teeth. She's also pulling up where before it was just an attempt...so she's going to be walking very soon. Grandparents...pay attention...you're going to have to start the childproofing on the cabinets soon.
Well...that's the best news but I'm going to go back and catch you up with our week.
After last Sunday, I went back to my orthopedic doctor on Tuesday. He said that I had a tear in my cartiledge and I could stay off the crutches. He recommended that I take them with me in case I did some more damage. Which considering how slushy and icy it is right now...no telling. He also offered a wheelchair which would have been almost impossible and almost laughable. Not the most handicap friendly town you have ever seen. They have had regular snow since we've been gone and there is at least 2 feet on the ground... lots of it slushy. I need hazard pay.
I bought the coolest retractable hiking cane from a hiking store and it's a great help when my leg is getting tired...like today. After flying/traveling for 12 hours we went straight to the orphanage....tired is not the work. Exhausted is. I had a nap and that's why I've got the energy to blog. Then I'm going to bed bed for real.
We're staying at the Holiday Inn just outside the Garden ring and it's very comfortable with an English speaking staff.
Anyhow, after the drama with my leg for the most part we've spent the week getting ready as much as we could and getting work stuff ready for our absence.
Back to Alina. She was so scared when they first brought her out to us, but after about 30 minutes she started to relax. We got to bottle feed her and then we switched from a lobby area to the play room. Then she started to relax for real and we got a few laughs and giggles out of her. I think she remembered playing there with us in January, but Andy doesn't think so. I don't think she would have relaxed as much if she didn't. But we will never know.
We go to see her again tommorrow (yeah!) and then we have court on Tuesday.
We will probably see her one more time this week and then a few times next week before we pick her up for good on the 23rd.
Well...I'll update more tommorrow.
Love to all.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Interesting week...
Well, since I posted the pictures of the room it has been a very interesting week. I had fallen when I was in Russia on ice and had twisted my knee. Tuesday I went to the orthopedic doctor and got a cortizone shot in my knee and a brace for the knee. I felt great on Wednesday, went shopping, and was feeling really good. Thursday, again feeling good. Then I went down a step...yikes...ow...something popped in my knee. I couldn't put any weight onto it. So we went to the ER Thursday and so now I have a brace and crutches and am babying my knee. I had a MRI on Friday but I won't hear the results from my doctor until I see him on Tuesday. So please pray for us...this is going to make a really interesting travel experience if I have to go with all this extra stuff and can't carry anything.
Fortunately, I had mostly put the room together and had packed some of the clothes I had gotten for the orphanage. I had a shower yesterday with my best friends and it was wonderful to hang out with them and they gave me a stroller and other great things that we needed for the nursery and the trip. My daughter is going to be a fashion plate with all these cute outfits, that's for sure.
This morning we woke up and had 2-3 inches of snow coming down. We never get snow here except once every few years, but it burned off by 3pm. I have four more days of work and then we pack up and head out next Saturday. Can't wait to see Alina. Nothing is going to stop me at this point...not even a bum knee. Keep us in your prayers.
Love to all.
Fortunately, I had mostly put the room together and had packed some of the clothes I had gotten for the orphanage. I had a shower yesterday with my best friends and it was wonderful to hang out with them and they gave me a stroller and other great things that we needed for the nursery and the trip. My daughter is going to be a fashion plate with all these cute outfits, that's for sure.
This morning we woke up and had 2-3 inches of snow coming down. We never get snow here except once every few years, but it burned off by 3pm. I have four more days of work and then we pack up and head out next Saturday. Can't wait to see Alina. Nothing is going to stop me at this point...not even a bum knee. Keep us in your prayers.
Love to all.
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