Saturday, April 28, 2007

Sunday 4/29/07 - The bonding continues

Ira & I are getting along very very well, aside from the language barrier. Fortunately Ira has had some rudimentary English in her schooling so we are not starting from scratch. She still tends to only say yes, no and OK as she seems self conscious of making mistakes. When I ask her to repeat words she is fine and tries very hard but then can't remember them, so we try to keep things to a minimum. I am trying to get her to memorize her new address and phone number. She was able to say "John Shropshire" the first attempt! That's better than most at home! The main thing is that she seems very relaxed and at ease. The fact that there is so much around us in her own language that she doesn't hear enough English to be concerned about thinking in English. She really livens up when we around others who speak Russian/Ukrainian.

Ira & I went shopping together to a big open market. We found a number of things and when she saw that I was struggling trying to get people to understand what I wanted, Ira took over, sensing my desires and then took the right amount of money from me and made the purchase.

Later, Misha and his interpreter friend, picked us up. We got all the passport pictures taken that will be needed in Kharkiv, tried driving to get some other things but spent most of our time in heavy traffic... We went on to a soccer game at one of the very large stadiums (another first for Ira). It was a good game. The local team won 2 to 1 against a Russian team. The 4 of us then went to dinner at a restaurant called Myctahr (Mustang). Ira was non-stop talking and laughing. It was good to see. We went back to our place where she couldn't wait to put on her PJ's and lay in bed and watch another Harry Potter movie. The country is on a 5 day holiday (May Day) which started yesterday and goes until Wed. (5/2). We are hoping to leave on 5/3 to Kharkiv. If we can get the court papers on 5/3 or 5/4 we will try for the new birth certificate, then on 5/7 go for Ira's passport. Then on Kyiv and another holiday (5/9). I don't want to anticipate too much beyond that because we have truly learned to expect the unexpected!

6 comments:

Passanita Family said...

Way to go Dale,
Sounds like you are doing well with Ira. I'm sure she will always remember the time she had with Papa. I got a chance to talk with Debbie and are happy she is home safely and we can't wait for you to get home with Ira too. Have fun!
Laura and Rob

Anonymous said...

Dale, I am so happy that you and Ira are enjoying each other and impressed with your English lessons! Especially with our street name! Lisa and I miss you and are praying all goes smoothly so you can return May 11. Give Ira a hug and kiss for us. It is weird to now enter blogs on our blogsite :)
Love,
Debbie

Anonymous said...

Dale, What an awesome time this has been. Thank you for sharing it with us. So much has changed in the last 4 years...hopefully we'll get to meet Ira and y'all will get to meet Roger when everyone is home and settled in...it sounds like you are doing a fantastic job...you will continue to be in my prayers. Mary Ann

Anonymous said...

I am so excited that you went to the soccer game. It is just nothing like what we have here. Their international level of play is fun to watch. Good for you!

Sharon

Anonymous said...

Dale, Debbie, and Ira,
We are very happy for you all. I was very pleased to hear that Debbie made it back safely. That's what I'll be doing after our court date. I'm sure Lisa is glad to have her mom home also. Looking forward to see you once you are all back.

Rob and Laura

Anonymous said...

Dale,
We are very happy that you and Ira are bonding so well. Keep up the good work. All we can think about is what a wonderful experience you are going through and what an education on what needs to be done. You can write a best seller!! Hang in there and take good care.
Love
John and Geri