Observations

We are sorry it has been a couple of days since our last update. We have been rushing around getting everything in order. The most important news is that all three children said they would like to be adopted by us without any hesitation. This meant getting all the paperwork from the orphanage Director, which had to be redone because she had signed them in the wrong place, and take them to the inspector so she can write the letter of approval for the adoption which must go to Kiev to the SDA for approval. At this point we should get the letter from SDA Friday which will allow us to have court on Monday. Apart from that news we don’t have too much to add about the kids at this point. We can visit from 5:00pm to 6:15pm each day during school days because it is the only time that all kids are together.

Since there is really nothing new, I thought I would write about other things or oddities:

When we were in Kiev, everyone carried plastic bags, like a WalMart bag or a Gap bag, or a Banana Republic bag. Men and women carried these. I asked Sasha what everyone carried in them. He said, “Just stuff. You know, if you go in and buy something you put it in your bag.” I wonder if these bags are a status symbol. Does a yellow bag mean that you are more important than a white one? Or does one with letters on it mean that you have more money?? If I carry a bag, it is usually a purse or a canvas bag, etc. that is longer lasting than a plastic bag. I wonder why they don’t get one of those? Do they make them? By the way, you do have to pay for plastic bags here. If you go to the grocery store with no bag, you will be charged for one to put your “stuff” in. So, we came prepared and brought 2 very large tote bags just for the occasion.

If you find that you need to move bigger “stuff”, like furniture, for example, you must invent something, because there are no pick-up trucks here that we have seen. It is also extremely rare to see an SUV. Most everyone that owns a car has a small, European type car. So, how can you move your things? If you can get your hands on a small trailer, you can attach it to your small European car. You are really fortunate if you have a tractor, because you can attach an even larger trailer to it. We have found that the tractor is the best way to pick up trash. If you don’t have either of these, you will probably have to tie your furniture to the top of your car. I wonder how you could move your refrigerator or a piano. I am sure that it is done, for Ukrainians are very inventive!!!

P.S.: For those who are interested in seeing where we are you can go to goggle earth and type in “Bila Tserkva, Ukraine”

Our apartment is at:

49º47’02.40” N
30º 07’38.47” E

The orphanage where we walk to every day is at:

49º 46’48.18” N
30º 08’59.69” E