February 11, 2005
Adventures in eating
It was dark and we were cold and hungry. Many buildings on the side streets of downtown are brick and non-descript. We spotted a place called Potato House and saw people eating inside so we stumbled in. There were only two of us; Natasha had left for the day. I tried to remember the right words in Russian. Peeling off our hats and gloves, I asked the waitress at the counter in Russian if she spoke English. “Mmmm, a little.” So I asked for a “potato.” (There is a big oven near her with dozens of baked potatoes stuffed with cheese, mushrooms, you name it). She didn’t know what I was saying. “A Po-Ta-To" I said slower, like that would make a difference. She shook her head. John looked concerned and hungrier. Too bad I left my little Russian/English handbook at the apartment.
A young man in line behind us scolded the cashier in Russian. “You are called POTATO House!” he said. He was probably getting hungrier too. Then it came to toppings. I just nodded my head. How can you mess up a potato? So we found a table and began to eat. After two bites, I realized my potato had sausage in it. Blech!!!! (I don’t eat red meat)
This is the second time we got something accidentally with sausage in it. Last week at a coffee house, I sent John to the counter to buy two cherry croissants. How hard can it be, they were in the window. I told him to point. A few minutes later, the waitress brought us two croissants warmed up on a plate. I sliced mine open; sausage!!
We walked around a lot this afternoon. There are many (!) underground malls downtown. On the steps to the malls, there is often a singer with a guitar and two friends collecting money in a hat. Other times, there are some older women with cups. There is one woman who sits there day after day with a baby. Many people place coins in her cup. We don’t know how she can stand the cold. There are not a lot of beggars, but always the same ones. Sometimes a child will tell you they are from an orphanage and need money for food. But their mother or grandmother is always nearby. We see her standing there. Natasha calls them gypsies and doesn’t give money to them anymore. It is hard to turn a child away, though.
Speaking of a child, we visited the sweet little girl this morning. At first, she was very shy with us again. Then John stood in front of her and then ran around her real silly and she started to smile. He then stood in front of her and imitated everything she did. Raise the arms, put the arms behind her back, tilt her head to the left, then right. She loved this! She was smiling like we had never seen before with us. She was silly, shuffling her feet forward then back, and he would do the same. She would turn around and then watch John turn. Very playful. This went on for a long time, as 2-year-olds love to do things over and OVER. John was worn out. Then it was my turn, and I stood behind her and lifted her up to kiss her forehead upside down over and over (can you picture that?) She was grinning with a full smile that lit up her face. She has a lot of teeth!
The blood tests came back today and she has no diseases or illnesses and her blood count is normal. Yay! The doctors that examined her (psychologist, neurologist, MD, etc) say she is healthy. We know we still have many challenges with any institutionalized child, we are not naïve. Though it sure helps to get these results. We still have official documents to gather and appointments to make next week...
Austin, we miss you more each day!
Posted by Laura at February 11, 2005 10:46 AM
Posted to Tara's Story
Ohmigosh, she is seriously adorably guys. I am falling in love with her just from the pictures! And, of course, your fabulous descriptions Laura:-). See, all those years slogging away in a newsroom had a purpose. Ha! I'm so happy the medical tests turned out so well and you don't have to face tough decisions -- I'm sure it's emotional enough as it is, in a good way. Really good way. Hang in there!
xox, mm
p.s. I guess you should have learned to say "beer" "vodka" AND "No Sausage!" in Russian before leaving home:-).
hi laura & john,
terrific smile pictures. ahhhh... silliness.
your potato & sausage stories are a scream.
hh
ps--she is definitely small enough for some of hannah's things. :)
Posted by: heidi at February 11, 2005 12:13 PMthanks Karen. I feel better now. I will raise my hands and STEP AWAY from the Milanos... You can put the Gun down now, Officer.
What a cute pic of her laughing, OMG! I'm laughing too, thinking of John doing his schtick. I'm sorry, but he is so much like my Dad, (your Uncle Ray.) It just warms my heart because he brings Dad's goofiness back for us all to enjoy. Thanks John...your Little Girl (and your Big Boy) are going to have tons of happy memories of their goofy dad, like we do. Not to say you don't have your serious, intellectual side!!!! We know you do(-;
Laur, I'm so happy the tests came back and are good. As my mom said, we are all in love with Little Girl (Justine? C'MON!) so we are very much hoping this works out. I bet you never thought your blog would cause so much emotion. Every birth should be like this too. We could welcome every baby into every family with a blog--wounldn't that be neat?
All those cool hospital pictures...wait. Let me rethink this.
Well, I'm on vac. today and I only had to do 26 minutes worth of virus updates on my laptop to see this. It was worth it for that Little Giggle on her face. Besides, I didn't think you would write anything so early, so it's a total bonus. loveya guys, sentimental sal
OMYGOSH is right. Her laugh lights up the whole room! Beautiful isn't a strong enough word anymore. John -- my son-in-law Greg is such a good silly daddy that I wrote a jingle for his little girl Hannah called "Silly Daddies are So Much Fun!". Glad you're one! Works every time!
Aunt Ellen
LL - Everyone in the News Service is checking the page, oh, 10 times a day for updates. (Barb is your greatest fan.) The best of the pictures are printed out and tacked up outside Joy's cube. Thank you for sharing the experience; we are flat-out enthralled. KLB
Posted by: Karl at February 11, 2005 04:27 PMLAURA AND JOHN
WHAT BEAUTIFUL PICTURES OF OUR LITTLE GIRL. SHE IS SMILING WITH JOY. AND JOHN YOU ARE A NICE AND FUNNY DAD., LITTLE KIDS LOVE IT. ALL THIS IS SO TOUCHING. SHE LOOKS LIKE SHE REALLY WARMED UP TO YOU BOTH.VERY HUGGABLE LITTLE GIRL.
LAURA, NEXT YOU GO TO EAT, LEARN TO SAY __----
--NO MEAT IN RUSSIAN----- LOVE MOM
Hey J & L and sweet little person,
Ukraine life sounds wonderful. Potato's and sausage, croissants and sausage, beggars and sausage, gypsies and sausage, Jimmy Dean and sausage (ahh...just a franchise idea for John).
By the way could you bring me some souvenir sausage?
Everything looks good so far. Healthy kid, clowning husband, potato head mom.
OK all kidding aside. Here are the five questions we have all been dying to ask but have been afraid to:
1. Is there any polka music allowed in Kiev or is it outlawed?
2. What is John's hat size?
3. Why do you need a translator? (I thought you communicated well in that potato club)
4. Can you get pierogies in Kiev with sausage?
5. And last, What is "sweet little girl's" name?
What a cutie! It is so great to hear that she is healthy in all ways. It sounds like you are coming into the home stretch, so hang in there, it won't be long now. Thanks for making us laugh and cry at the same time with your great accounts of the adventure. I think the Potato House waitress who doesn't know what she sells is the best yet, though being locked in your apartment ranks right up there. Have a good weekend. Can't wait to read the next entry.
Posted by: Laurel at February 11, 2005 06:49 PMLaura, Wow, you keep getting sausage in your food and you don't eat red meat. Speaking from a household of two organic eaters (one with a sensitive stomach), we feel your pain!
I agree it didn't take long for her to fall in love w/ her new Rents. Clearly! But yes, it is exhausting having long play sessions. When you get back home, you can re-surround yourself with those personal, nurturing things of comfort that keep us all going. Like for Sally it is her chocolate, maybe for you two it is your Jacuzzi, and working out? For me & my husband it is climbing the red rocks in Arizona at least once a year! And, coffee! :o) It is good to know it's waiting for you back at home, whatever IT is.
Posted by: Pamela at February 14, 2005 12:56 PM