Sunday, June 20, 2010

From Rachel and Caleb

The other day, Rachel and Caleb sat down and wrote a little something.

FROM RACHEL
So you asked… “Do I like being back in Ukraine?” Well… since I have been here, I have enjoyed myself a lot. I remember many things too… like some of the foods. I remember eating little dried, salty fish and my Dad found some kind of the same and we shared a piece. I don’t like it anymore. I also remember the milk, and boursh that I love. Also, some of the words that people are saying I remember. They are coming back to me and I can understand certain things. Today, we met Anastasia and Paul! They are so adorable and I had lots of fun playing with them. Tonight, my Mom and I packed little bags of goodies for them. I can’t wait to give it to them! Also I can't wait to go shopping for candy and stuff like that.

FROM CALEB
Well this is Caleb and I heard that my mom’s blog visitors wanted me to do a blog post…so here I am. What I think of Ukraine..hmm. I have mixed feelings of it right now, some stuff I really like and others I don’t. I really like how busy Kiev is, and I like the little shops everywhere in it, and yesterday we went to dinner with two other American couples that were here. I liked visiting with the American couples, but the food I “tried” to eat didn’t float my boat. I wouldn’t really say it’s bad, its just VERY different from what I’m used to. I think I got some boneless chicken, some mixed veggies, and some potatoes. Believe it or not, my favorite part was the mixed veggies. It was pretty cool to see that porcupine or hedge hog…whatever it was. I was amazed to see it so close to the road. My Mom kept telling me that the restrooms were the worst part of Ukraine, in the restaurants, in the apartments, and ESPECIALLY on the train, I’ve been to all three of them and I have to say, she exaggerated way too much. They were about as bad as an American McDonald's restroom. I am actually typing this at midnight on the train to Kramatorsk so I’m going to end this blog post now and maybe type another on in the next couple of days. If you have more questions about how I feel about things in Ukraine, please just email my mom or post a comment on the blog with your question and I will answer it in my next post. In the end, out of a scale of one to 10, I give Ukraine an 8.

FROM MOM
I must add that I exaggerated about the bathrooms so that he would be pleasantly surprised when he actually used them. And.... I guess it worked. Calev is beginning to eat more things-- like pizza, ice-cream, cheese, and homemade veesh-nee perogies which are tart cherries. He has also used the outhouse-- Rachel too! Rachel has been enjoying her time at the Internat but when I ask her-- she misses absolutely nothing about orphanage life-- which is good.

We had the most amazing visit today-- they just seem to be getting better and better. Why you might be asking? Today we visited with all the children and got to see where the kids sleep and eat. We were like magnets and with 75 beautiful faces looking at you longingly--- it is hard to not feel touched emotionally and spiritually. Oh I wish they could all have loving families--- they would make wonderful sons and daughters---- such beautiful girls and handsome young men.

Pictures to come..... I hope. And let's not forget all of the wonderful stories. We have so many of them---- the walnut story, the boyfriend story, the gum story, etc. etc.

11 comments:

Molly said...

I love seeing their take on things!! and Caleb is lucky to be a boy! they can handle scary bathrooms much easier than we ladies can.

MtnGirl said...

I am wondering about the first meeting between Rachel and Caleb with A and P. Did they "feel" like siblings or like they were meeting new friends or ? How are Alex and Dennis doing back at home? What is the timeline for bringing the children home? I love following your story and hearing about your adventures!

Unknown said...

Love the adventures... I forgot how old was Rachel when she left the orphanage, just wondering what age she relates to being there now.

I love watching your journey because it brings back the excitement of mine many years ago..2002.

Kathy Cassel said...

If you can find a child small enough to fit in your carry on bag you know where I live....

Nance said...

Your right!!! To see all those little faces looking back at you and have them all run to you and then wondering what will happen to them if no one comes for them. I too wish all these orphans had someone coming for them!!! So sad! And Caleb......the train bathrooms are just plain nasty!!!! What McDonalds back home have you been going to????lol!!!!
Nance

Annie said...

Thanks to the two guest writers - please keep it up!

Rachel, how I hope your Russian comes back! It is brilliant to have two languages.

I saw the funniest version of "Candid Camera" on TV when I was in Russia last. Both about restrooms. In one, the restroom in a restaurant led right out into the back yard...and at the end of a path - there was a toilet - in full view of everything - streets, other buildings, etc. It was funny how many people looked dismayed, but then shrugged and began to use it anyway! In the other one (which seemed very Russian to me) people coming out of a public restroom were greeted with an entire brass band, little girls presenting bouquets and a person dressed up as the mayor with a presenting a Proclamation that they were the 10,000th person to use that public restroom! Then they were handed the microphone to say a few words! It was uproarious.

So your restroom adventures are tame compared to those.

16 blessings'mom said...

Thank you Rachel and Caleb! You two are the luckiest kids! I am glad you are enjoying yourselves so much. Christine, I am so happy for you, I am trying not to be jealous. I wish you could bring back a few of those children for me, too. It must be hard for the soul, to see them there. Thank you guys SO much for sharing, and I am praying that the rest of your trip is full of many blessings, too.

Sheryl said...

I really enjoy reading all your stories. It is great to read about what the kids are experiencing. When I went to ukraine on mission trip, one girl got a urinary tract infection and told us, "I sat on something cold." In the region I went to they didn't like drafts either, no windows down while driving during the summer! Glad everything is going so well!

Rachel said...

How great to hear from you, Rachel and Caleb! I am looking forward to hearing more from you! I'm so glad that Rachel has had this opportunity to visit her birth country, and I think it's neat how you're remembering some of the language after not speaking or hearing it for so long. What a great experience for you too Caleb, to get to see what the birth country of some of your siblings is like, and to try some of the different foods.

Anonymous said...

Hi Rachel, I'm glad you are enjoying your time in Ukraine, I was concerned you could be sad. Have a nice stay! It is wonderful your mum and dad gave you the opportunity to join them in this wonderful adventure! About the food: for some time I lived in England without my parents as a teenager, when I went back home I didn't like Italian food anymore! How crazy!

Siyang E Phoyadx said...

Caleb. I don't know you, and you don't know me, but I've been spying in on your blog anyway. I think the chance you've got to go to Ukraine is wonderful and awesome. Parents often talk about "Orphanage behaviors." I was wondering if you thought the kids in or from the orphanage act differently? Our son was nine when we brought him over; he is 10 now. He is...noisy, and his noisy noise annoys his brother (who is almost 13) and sister (who is 18) and they don't always treat him very nice. Do you suppose that is just usual brother-sister-brother behavior? I am asking because I think you'll have a different perspective. Anyway, love reading about your family's adventures. Have a great time. Wish I were there.