children's Sunday School class from Open Door Church
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Monday, May 23, 2005
New Words
Today we went out with Lena to exchange money. We were at the bank and when Spencer the shut the door it slammed shut! I got out my dictionary and looked up the word for door and then the word for loud. After that each time someone went out the door we all said "gromka" and laughed! Gromka is the word for loud.
We left the bank and went to a very large renoc where I found fresh vegetables and fruit but the meat shops were closed. Lena says that some people do not work on Monday.
Afterwards we rode home on the trolleybus. There was a petite woman driving it. As we got toward the end of the line she had to stop the bus and climb on top to repair it. It was fascinating to watch her shimmy up there. One day I will try to get a photo of that process. I did get a few photos today and after dinner I will get them posted!
Yesterday was Spencer's birthday and we had fun eating pizza and ice cream. He is enjoying his new digital camera. Hopefully, I will get a chance to post some of his photos one day. I kept trying to get him to take some pictures but he was "saving" them for something special!
We left the bank and went to a very large renoc where I found fresh vegetables and fruit but the meat shops were closed. Lena says that some people do not work on Monday.
Afterwards we rode home on the trolleybus. There was a petite woman driving it. As we got toward the end of the line she had to stop the bus and climb on top to repair it. It was fascinating to watch her shimmy up there. One day I will try to get a photo of that process. I did get a few photos today and after dinner I will get them posted!
Yesterday was Spencer's birthday and we had fun eating pizza and ice cream. He is enjoying his new digital camera. Hopefully, I will get a chance to post some of his photos one day. I kept trying to get him to take some pictures but he was "saving" them for something special!
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Five AM wake up Call
I know my brother loves me! I called my brother in Kansas City today. Somehow knowing that there is a 9 hour time difference and calculating it correctly did not quite work out in my brain. I thought I was calling him at around 5 in the afternoon. But my sister in law Shari told me that it was 5 AM! She went to get Kevin to come to the phone. I felt so bad. He told me they were going to wake up early anyway due to Kyle's soccer game. His game is at 9 am CST today. "Poor Uncle Kevin" was Spencer's greeting for him... Tom said "Dobreh ootra" which means good morning. So Alida cannot add! I knew the time-- just got the AM or PM. messed up. Oh well.
Today I was not the sharpest knife in the drawer... hopefully I'm still his favorite sister!
Since I'm his only sister!
Today I was not the sharpest knife in the drawer... hopefully I'm still his favorite sister!
Since I'm his only sister!
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Angels in Russia?
I can only describe the event on the trolleybus this way. A gentleman sitting behind me spoke to me in Russian and I spoke to him in English and we understood one another perfectly. Spencer and I were on the bus headed the wrong way. This man saw us reading the map. He asked me to show him where I wanted to go. He was using words I was not familiar with... but somehow I understood that I had to walk two blocks back and get on bus number six. And people yelled at him to tell him that I needed to cross the street. I was amazed at how protected I felt. Once again we got home safely--the number six took us directly to the transportation center right near our house! God is good all the time.
Friday, May 20, 2005
Lake Vanishes
Lake Vanishes
A Russian village was left baffled on Thursday after its lake disappeared overnight.
NTV television showed pictures of a giant muddy hole bathed in summer sun, while fishermen from the village of Bolotnikovo looked on disconsolately.
Officials in Nizhegorodskaya region, on the Volga river east of Moscow, said water in the lake might have been sucked down into an underground water-course or cave system, but some villagers had more sinister explanations.
"I am thinking, well, America has finally got to us," said one old woman, as she sat on the ground outside her house. (Reuters)
I am grateful that people think I am from England.... especially since that's where I was born!
A Russian village was left baffled on Thursday after its lake disappeared overnight.
NTV television showed pictures of a giant muddy hole bathed in summer sun, while fishermen from the village of Bolotnikovo looked on disconsolately.
Officials in Nizhegorodskaya region, on the Volga river east of Moscow, said water in the lake might have been sucked down into an underground water-course or cave system, but some villagers had more sinister explanations.
"I am thinking, well, America has finally got to us," said one old woman, as she sat on the ground outside her house. (Reuters)
I am grateful that people think I am from England.... especially since that's where I was born!
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Quest for Peanut Butter
My quest for the day was peanut butter. I went out to a European Market called Tabris. I found tortillas, picante sauce, Paella, tomato sauce, frozen pizza, jelly, possibly ground beef… I used the word for beef and it looks like ground beef so hopefully it truly is ground beef. I even stocked up on yogurt. They had Dannon so it is the safe kind—with the good bacteria in it. Alas, no peanut butter. Someone gave us a jar when we moved in. It is imported from Canada. Tom is using it very sparingly. I did find Nutella. It is hazelnut and cocoa, I think. Last year it featured Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers on the front. This year no Kobe… Tabris has two more locations. I will try them to see if they have the elusive item I seek! Whoever thought hunting for peanut butter could be so exciting!!
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Today's Outings
I got to start my morning with a phone call from Erin. She was on her way to bed! The 11 hour time difference is wonderful?! It was great to hear her voice. I had to get Nathan off the internet to get her call. He was not happy with me. Oh well. He can get on again in the morning.
I interviewed a house helper today. She says that she will be ok with the dogs. People are familiar with the breed Rotwieller. Spencer's dog. However, when I mention Border Collie no one seems to know what that is. We have been told he may be the first one in the city. We seem to be bringing several 'firsts' here with us! House help earns between 60-70 rubles an hour. That is roughly 2-2.50$ an hour. People work hard for not much money. Our budget included house help to support someone here. She has a husband and small child. I hope she works out. I will start her out at 2 days a week. I have also hired an art teacher for Nathan. She will also work two days a week. Now I have to find something for Spencer to do.
Spencer and I went out to Krasnaya Ploshad (Red Square) to shop today. I made out a list in Russian. I found everything I needed there except for eggs. We found insect repellent. It was the brand OFF. I was glad to recognize something! We finally purchased an ironing board. I kept dreading putting one in the taxi. But Spencer talked me into it. It will help to soften up our lined dried clothes! We don't own a washer or a dryer. Spencer does the wash in the bathtub and hangs it up to dry. He is doing a great job. We got everything into the taxi... I was able to summon the taxi with just a head nod because my hands were full. We took off down the street and not to far into our drive we saw a man on horseback galloping down the street!!! We all looked at each other and busted out laughing! When we came home and told Tom about it he wanted to know if the British were coming.... or perhaps the Cosacks?
I took photos of the way the street signs look to show the difference between Russian and English spelling. The trolleybus signs are where we catch the bus. Scrooge's is where we shop for small items. It has some grocery items but is not a complete grocery store. And Spencer says that Kosmostars ROCK!
I interviewed a house helper today. She says that she will be ok with the dogs. People are familiar with the breed Rotwieller. Spencer's dog. However, when I mention Border Collie no one seems to know what that is. We have been told he may be the first one in the city. We seem to be bringing several 'firsts' here with us! House help earns between 60-70 rubles an hour. That is roughly 2-2.50$ an hour. People work hard for not much money. Our budget included house help to support someone here. She has a husband and small child. I hope she works out. I will start her out at 2 days a week. I have also hired an art teacher for Nathan. She will also work two days a week. Now I have to find something for Spencer to do.
Spencer and I went out to Krasnaya Ploshad (Red Square) to shop today. I made out a list in Russian. I found everything I needed there except for eggs. We found insect repellent. It was the brand OFF. I was glad to recognize something! We finally purchased an ironing board. I kept dreading putting one in the taxi. But Spencer talked me into it. It will help to soften up our lined dried clothes! We don't own a washer or a dryer. Spencer does the wash in the bathtub and hangs it up to dry. He is doing a great job. We got everything into the taxi... I was able to summon the taxi with just a head nod because my hands were full. We took off down the street and not to far into our drive we saw a man on horseback galloping down the street!!! We all looked at each other and busted out laughing! When we came home and told Tom about it he wanted to know if the British were coming.... or perhaps the Cosacks?
I took photos of the way the street signs look to show the difference between Russian and English spelling. The trolleybus signs are where we catch the bus. Scrooge's is where we shop for small items. It has some grocery items but is not a complete grocery store. And Spencer says that Kosmostars ROCK!
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Shopping at the Renoc
Today Nathan and I went to the outdoor market. I needed to get kartoshka (potatoes). I walked around several times before I came upon the guy whose potatoes looked the best and were the best price. I asked him for "dva kilos kartoshoka" (about four pounds of potatoes). He nodded at me and said "harashow" (OK) He never took his cigarette out of his mouth. Cedric the Entertainer does a whole routine about old black mechanics who do this. But this guy was a weathered old Russian man. He stood up to weigh out the potatoes and he used the oldest scale I had ever seen. The kind you have to put a weight on for counterbalance. When he was done he closed the bag and handed it to me and said "skolka kartoshka?" and nodded to the sign... I guess he did not want to lean over to see how much the potatoes cost. I flipped the sign up for him and he told me it would cost 30 rubles. I knew that--they were 15 rubles per kilo! I handed him a 50 and he gave me my change. I thanked him and he said 'your welcome' in Russian & all the while the cigarette never left his mouth. I should email Cedric so he can add this to his act!
Nathan and I walked around a little more and found some broccoli and cauliflower. Then we went down to the supermarket and bought the rest of our groceries.
I took pictures of a marzshutka, the transportation center and the outside of the renoc. Nathan told me I would look like a spy if I took a picture inside there. I think I would just look like a tourist.
Tomorrow I am going to interview a house helper. I hope she is ready to clean up after the four of us plus the two dogs. OY!
Nathan and I walked around a little more and found some broccoli and cauliflower. Then we went down to the supermarket and bought the rest of our groceries.
I took pictures of a marzshutka, the transportation center and the outside of the renoc. Nathan told me I would look like a spy if I took a picture inside there. I think I would just look like a tourist.
Tomorrow I am going to interview a house helper. I hope she is ready to clean up after the four of us plus the two dogs. OY!
Monday, May 16, 2005
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