Speaking of men and women....We were given explicit instructions to follow the "M" sign to get to the Metro. We didn't notice the white sign above the purple "M"'s. I wish you could have seen John's face when we realized we were not at the metro station, but IN the women's bathroom! Ha ha ha.
Something tells me this ad wouldn't go over well in the States....
If there is one thing that defines the women in this country, it is their long legs and their spike heels! Can you imagine how out of place I feel wearing a prairie skirt and Berkenstocks with my feet covered in bandaids from the 11 blisters that are currently on my feet, hobbling around the city, while every other women struts confidently in her short miniskirt and stilletos? Reminds me a little bit of this movie scene.
Our new friends the Embergs have been letting us come use their high speed internet at their apartment. They said it was a great apartment, except for the roaches, and offered to let us move in after they went to their region. We said no way, no thanks, because of the roaches of course....
It's amazing how a few days without internet can change your point of view about things like roaches. Today we traded our roach-free apartment....for high speed internet!! Woo-hoo! RAID anyone?
And how about that view?
Here is a sweet story....
On the first day we met Joseph, this father and daughter were standing outside the orphanage taking photos. When we heard them speaking in perfect english, we had to talk to them. Come to find out, the girl was adopted from this very orphanage 20 years ago. Her father brought her back to see where she was from. We asked about her birth family and she said she was still thinking about whether she wanted to contact them or not. She was open to it. She is now in college studying social work, so she can help kids like her.
How beautiful.
On our last day in Italy I sent John to the market for souvenirs for the kids I asked him to pick up some italian body lotion so I could smell exotic and fresh (like the italian ladies) for my first meeting with Joseph. I hoped if for no other reason he would like me because of how I smelled!
He came back with this:
Not exactly Italian, and not exactly exotic smelling. More like peachy, really. But it was an effort, and it keeps my dry skin hydrated, yes?
Does anyone read italian? By any chance does this say self tanning lotion? Because that would then explain the orange streaks on my legs, knees and ankles. And hands.
So I am not exotic-smelling but I'm tan.
Sort of.
19 comments:
Its Vladimir I of Kiev and he is a boy!!! (my Ukrainian son informed me and said they talk about him on July 15 (St. Vladimir's Day):)
Yes, it is self-tanning :-)
Ummm, the character on the yellow bill has a BEARD. Full BEARD. I wanna know who was confused, exactly! LOL
Also LOL about the self-tanning lotion from Italy. How exotic.
ha ha ha. I know! Apparently John has seen a few ladies with beards around here. :)
Brian said the same thing about the money - it's like Monopoly money!
Funny. Looks like a man. Glad to know your first commenter even knew his name.
Self tanner-- HA! Very exotic!!
I hate roaches-- they gross me out. yuck.
Looks like you guys are having fun while you're not visiting Joseph or doing paper work/court.
Love all your pictures!
You crack me up Charissa! I love your apartment and I'm pretty sure the person on the yellow bill is a dude! LOL!
Have fun!
Amy
That is the apartment we were in when we stayed in Kiev the first time! The bed is comfy, and isn't the view awesome? I love that you have flowers on the window.
Pick up a candle at the grocery in the building just next to yours on same side of the street (it is a high-end market...they have some awesome candles in the center section right by the liquor and pre-made foods). Also try the salmon/cream cheese/dill rolls there...so incredibly good!) Tip about the apartment: close the lid on the toilet to decrease unusual smell coming out of said toilet ;). Also, take a walk out the side of the building by the playground, and down the steps to the street next to yours...Pizzeria Napule is over there (google it if you can't find my blog post with the link), as is a cute little place with great coffee (order "Kah-fay Americano" for strong black coffee) and these yummy stuffed croissants (apricot with chocolate on top) and baguettes--with cheese and toppings like olives or red peppers--for breakfast.
Cracking up about the tanning lotion. Go John :)!
Chris corrected me...it is "Ko-fee-aye" Americano for black coffee :).
And on second glance, I think those may be the fake flowers that were in the apartment in the vase on the window ledge ;). There are real flowers for sale, everywhere. When we were delayed due to the volcano, we bought some for our second place in Kiev.
Ok, I am hysterical about the self tanner :). Thanks for sharing that, I needed to chuckle tonight :).
I laughed through this entire post! Your apartment is so nice!
hehe, the add with the kid pouring his dad a big glass is for Kvas (A non-alcoholic summer drink made from fermented bread, you'll see mobile carts for it all over) not beer :) Though I have definitely seen some kids pouring their parents alcohol :)
Oh you are hillarious!! Love the selftanner, now you really are exotic, peachey AND tan (well minus the band aids :) not sure if i would have traded internet for roaches...hmm, how BIG are these roaches..maybe i would lol!
Bill: fairly few women have beards, so yes, it's a man.
And what's wrong with the kvas advertisement? It's a non-alcoholic drink fermented from brown bread. I have seen soft drinks advertised with kids in the picture in the States, too. And that particular brand... yum. I lived on that stuff in Kiev. :)
That brand of lotion is what my SIL uses. It does contain some self tanning ingredients, but I've never seen that actually make any difference. But that might be because we are exposed to the sun year round?
Thanks everyone for the clarification about the non-beer. I feel much better now!
LOL, I concur, that yellow bearded person is DEF. a man. This was one of the funniest posts I've ever read! Adoption journeys are always such an adventure and you guys have a great attitude.
That is too funny about the self-tanning lotion! Haha!!
What a sweet story about the dad & his daughter who was adopted from that same orphanage.
I love your "I sent John to the store..." stories! I still chuckle about the time you sent him to the store for some blush! :)
Post a Comment