My coordinator was back today, just one day out of the hospital. She is feeling better but very weak. She doesn't have time to be sick as she has so much to do. I'm in court next week and there is another lady arriving next week. Nastya needs a holiday, too bad she was sick in hospital for this past 4 day holiday.
I got a little longer at the baby house this morning as my driver and coordinator were off being Sherlock and Watson. They were off to find MLM's birth mother as she must appear in court to confirm her intention of releasing MLM. Here in Kaz the actual letter she writes states that she is refusing him. Her original letter was written just over a month ago, so she must appear in court. After my visit they said that they'd found the right address but that the girl wasn't there, they'll have to go back this evening.
I mentioned to Yulia that it was very quiet in my son's area lately, and that I haven't seen some of the bigger children. She asked and learned that 3 of the children have left to join their parents so there are only 5 children left. The remaining girl's parent are suppose to be coming for her soon too. When one of my friends was collecting their child last week they were told that there are only 80 children in the entire baby house at the moment. Yulia was also telling me that her husband's cousin just adopted his second child from the baby house. I had heard that domestic adoptions are very much increased.
MLM was very happy to see me and we had a lot of fun looking out the window, drinking juice and water and just playing. He seemed a bit tired though. He kept asking to be put into one of the cribs that are kept in the isolation room. As soon as I would put him down in the cot he would lie down and pretend to sleep. I'm sure if I left him he would have fallen asleep. I wouldn't let him though as it would totally screw up his afternoon nap, and then I'd get in trouble and so far I've never been told off. I'm trying to keep that record. So I'd make MLM get up and then he'd move around the crib as if he were a baby. He is a delight to watch.
MLM loves to play being a baby. He likes me to cradle and sing to him. I am very happy to oblige him in playing that game. He is such a cute little guy. Oh, did I mention he's had another hair cut. I wasn't certain as it hadn't grown all that much since the last time, but sure enough I saw one of the other boys and confirmed it for me.
Yulia was sitting in by the cubbies waiting for me when the doctor came into the group area. The doctor was very upset to see Yulia because supposedly all visits had been canceled because of the count. I'm not sure what count that would be. I was wondering if it was an end of year thing or something new with the new director. The doctor said we were suppose to check in with the secretary. Well, I haven't done that since the 3rd of December. On the 3rd we were told that I wasn't to use the front door anymore, I was to use the door that lead to MLM's group. So my poor coordinator has to call the doctor and find out what is going on and if I can visit tomorrow. We were hoping that I'd be allowed to have longer visits this week not thinking that my visit would be canceled completely.
I've sent the change of travel request to my agency's travel agent. On Mondays and Wednesdays there is a flight leaving at 9:50 am arriving in Almaty at 1:45 pm, then on Thursday, Friday and Saturday the flight is from 10:30 pm arriving the next morning at 2:25. I barely saw anything of Almaty the last time, so I've asked my agent to book me on the Monday. Then I've asked her to book me on the flights home to Canada on the Friday. I don't really plan to spend a week in Almaty. Once I've reached Almaty, I can then go to Luftansa and find out about changing my tickets. It is just way too easy to have flights from Uralsk delayed, canceled or rerouted, I want to be prepared.
Today Kendra and I just went for a walk. I think the really expensive pizza and mineral water of yesterday was just too much for us. Actually, we walked in the blowing snow to the Univegmag or Tropicana mall yesterday, and after doing a bit of shopping stopped at the Tropicana restaurant for a snack. We had a Margarita pizza and 2 500ml bottles of mineral water and the total came to less than $7 for the two of us. For the most part it is difficult to spend a lot at most restaurants for a meal. Today was a lovely day with bright sunshine and much warmer than yesterday so we just walked a very long block. Kendra's daughter enjoyed it to the very end. Then I walked home stopping at the Locomka store to buy a bread knife, a sieve and some more of those lovely baked goods. The ladies at the store are beginning to know me and I can actually get them to crack their expressionless faces into smiles. I think they find my antics trying to show them what I want very funny.
Well, who knows what tomorrow will bring, until then Paka pak
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
A Light Dusting of Snow
We had a very light dusting of snow this morning, but it is colder. Right now it is -9C and the wind is between 20 to 30 km/hr. On my way to and from the baby house this morning we saw about 3 fender benders and one 3 car accident. Yup, people around the world drive the same in bad weather, poorly and too close to the car in front.
MLM was playing with one of his groupmates this morning when I arrived. They were sitting in a wooden bus and sticking their heads in and out of the windows saying 'coo-coo'. It was cute to see. I called his name and he was so happy to see me he came tumbling out of the bus. His nanny made him put the toy he'd been playing with away before he came to me.
We were in the isolation room today for our visit as the classroom was being used for the other students lessons. I showed MLM the falling snow, like any child he was fascinated. I look forward to having him home and taking him outside to play in the snow.
After the look out the window it was time for his snack and juice. He won't use the sippy cup any more, he insists on using the cup. I guess you can't really battle with what he does everyday. What is funny is I bring a facecloth to help keep him clean. When he insists on drinking right from the cup, I tuck the facecloth under his chin. Today he tucked the facecloth under his chin and then tried to take the lid off the sippy cup.
During our visit his favourite nanny came in to the room to give MLM a cookie. I can tell she really loves and cares for MLM. She saw the picture book that MLM just loves to look at. She really liked the book. She then bent down to MLM and tried to get him to say some of the words in Russian. He would only say the word for baby which is lala. Then she would say a word and he would point to the picture. I motioned to her that he knows words but won't say them, she nodded yes. And then she rubbed his head and gave him kiss, and then asked him for a kiss. I've liked her from the first day. I know from one of the other nannies that MLM is one of their favourites because he is such a good little boy.
All to soon it was time to leave. As soon as he sees me starting to pack up he begins to cry and hold on to me as hard as he can. I carry him back to the playroom and say paka. All the other children say paka to me, and then I duck out as fast as possible. I can usually hear him crying as I walk around the outside of the building to the car. It just breaks my heart.
This afternoon I'll walk over to Kendra's apartment and we will walk to the malls near her place. It is always nice to have something to do.
Yesterday my translator and I were exchanging posts on Facebook. It was fun. I know she enjoyed using her English skills.
Paka paka
MLM was playing with one of his groupmates this morning when I arrived. They were sitting in a wooden bus and sticking their heads in and out of the windows saying 'coo-coo'. It was cute to see. I called his name and he was so happy to see me he came tumbling out of the bus. His nanny made him put the toy he'd been playing with away before he came to me.
We were in the isolation room today for our visit as the classroom was being used for the other students lessons. I showed MLM the falling snow, like any child he was fascinated. I look forward to having him home and taking him outside to play in the snow.
After the look out the window it was time for his snack and juice. He won't use the sippy cup any more, he insists on using the cup. I guess you can't really battle with what he does everyday. What is funny is I bring a facecloth to help keep him clean. When he insists on drinking right from the cup, I tuck the facecloth under his chin. Today he tucked the facecloth under his chin and then tried to take the lid off the sippy cup.
During our visit his favourite nanny came in to the room to give MLM a cookie. I can tell she really loves and cares for MLM. She saw the picture book that MLM just loves to look at. She really liked the book. She then bent down to MLM and tried to get him to say some of the words in Russian. He would only say the word for baby which is lala. Then she would say a word and he would point to the picture. I motioned to her that he knows words but won't say them, she nodded yes. And then she rubbed his head and gave him kiss, and then asked him for a kiss. I've liked her from the first day. I know from one of the other nannies that MLM is one of their favourites because he is such a good little boy.
All to soon it was time to leave. As soon as he sees me starting to pack up he begins to cry and hold on to me as hard as he can. I carry him back to the playroom and say paka. All the other children say paka to me, and then I duck out as fast as possible. I can usually hear him crying as I walk around the outside of the building to the car. It just breaks my heart.
This afternoon I'll walk over to Kendra's apartment and we will walk to the malls near her place. It is always nice to have something to do.
Yesterday my translator and I were exchanging posts on Facebook. It was fun. I know she enjoyed using her English skills.
Paka paka
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Missing Delayed Flights
You know life is strange. I got up this morning and was watching CNN news where they were discussing the snow in Europe and the closed airports and/or delayed flights. I was suppose to be flying home today, that was the original plan (I said I was going with Plan B, but I think I might already be on Plan D there have been so many changes to my plans already).
I checked the flight that I was originally booked on. It is still delayed leaving Almaty. It is about 11 hours delayed now and they are saying it might leave at 6 tonight. But then the transfer point would be Frankfurt which is virtually shut down with snow, and totally packed with stranded passengers. Who knew I'd be delighted to have had to change my travel plans.
My visit with MLM this morning was a delight. He was very happy to see me. He actually had a tear on his cheek when he came out of his play room, but I don't know why. We continued with our new toy, the water bottle. He was very thirsty and guzzled down the juice I brought for him (or just to be truthful, it is really about 25% juice and rest water - I follow Jamie Oliver very closely). Then I pulled out the water bottle. I'd removed about 1/2 the water from the bottle, then I pour a bit into his sippy cup. That became the game for the morning: open the bottle (he can open the screw top, but struggles with closing it), pour a little bit into the sippy cup (with the lid off, because he just hates the slow flow of the water, he's thirsty you know) and then drink the water, repeat. And when I say repeat, I mean about 15 times.
We also checked out the world outside the window. That was the first thing he wanted to do when we went into the classroom. There wasn't anything really happening out there. Though he did see some birds and he thought it would be fun to pretend that he was afraid of the birds and I had to save him (SuperMom). Towards the end of our 30 minutes he wanted to look out the window again. This time my driver had returned and was parked outside. MLM waved at the car and my driver waved back, MLM was so delighted, he's whole body shook with his delight.
Unfortunately it was then time to say goodbye. I thought we'd passed the stage of hanging on and crying, but then his buddy left to join his forever family and I was missing for 2 days, so we are back to his hands wrapped around my neck and very tearful goodbyes. I really look forward to the day that I never have to say goodbye again.
I'm learning my speech for court. I'm getting nervous about it and it is giving me the weirdest dreams. The mind is a strange thing.
I'm feeling absolutely exhausted this afternoon, so I told Kendra that I wouldn't be coming over. I instead walked over to the Atrium to see the upstairs. I've been to the Atrium about 6 times but this is the first time I've gone upstairs. I wanted to look at the strollers that they have on sale just in case I need to get one for MLM in 2 weeks. They had one I liked, I'll have to see what the price is like. MLM and I could easily walk over there to purchase it if I have his company.
I stopped at my favourite little store to buy milk, bananas and water. I wanted some mantee (steamed beef dumplings), but they didn't have any, so instead I bought some pastries and buns. The one I had when I returned to my apartment was a lovely flaky apple pastry, it was delicious, I'll be going for that one again. It is such a surprise when you cut open things as I can't read the sign. I call it adventures in shopping and eating LOL
Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday
Paka paka
Oh, I found my camera cord this morning, so I should be able to post some pictures again in the near future. Just not today. I'm too tired :-)
I checked the flight that I was originally booked on. It is still delayed leaving Almaty. It is about 11 hours delayed now and they are saying it might leave at 6 tonight. But then the transfer point would be Frankfurt which is virtually shut down with snow, and totally packed with stranded passengers. Who knew I'd be delighted to have had to change my travel plans.
My visit with MLM this morning was a delight. He was very happy to see me. He actually had a tear on his cheek when he came out of his play room, but I don't know why. We continued with our new toy, the water bottle. He was very thirsty and guzzled down the juice I brought for him (or just to be truthful, it is really about 25% juice and rest water - I follow Jamie Oliver very closely). Then I pulled out the water bottle. I'd removed about 1/2 the water from the bottle, then I pour a bit into his sippy cup. That became the game for the morning: open the bottle (he can open the screw top, but struggles with closing it), pour a little bit into the sippy cup (with the lid off, because he just hates the slow flow of the water, he's thirsty you know) and then drink the water, repeat. And when I say repeat, I mean about 15 times.
We also checked out the world outside the window. That was the first thing he wanted to do when we went into the classroom. There wasn't anything really happening out there. Though he did see some birds and he thought it would be fun to pretend that he was afraid of the birds and I had to save him (SuperMom). Towards the end of our 30 minutes he wanted to look out the window again. This time my driver had returned and was parked outside. MLM waved at the car and my driver waved back, MLM was so delighted, he's whole body shook with his delight.
Unfortunately it was then time to say goodbye. I thought we'd passed the stage of hanging on and crying, but then his buddy left to join his forever family and I was missing for 2 days, so we are back to his hands wrapped around my neck and very tearful goodbyes. I really look forward to the day that I never have to say goodbye again.
I'm learning my speech for court. I'm getting nervous about it and it is giving me the weirdest dreams. The mind is a strange thing.
I'm feeling absolutely exhausted this afternoon, so I told Kendra that I wouldn't be coming over. I instead walked over to the Atrium to see the upstairs. I've been to the Atrium about 6 times but this is the first time I've gone upstairs. I wanted to look at the strollers that they have on sale just in case I need to get one for MLM in 2 weeks. They had one I liked, I'll have to see what the price is like. MLM and I could easily walk over there to purchase it if I have his company.
I stopped at my favourite little store to buy milk, bananas and water. I wanted some mantee (steamed beef dumplings), but they didn't have any, so instead I bought some pastries and buns. The one I had when I returned to my apartment was a lovely flaky apple pastry, it was delicious, I'll be going for that one again. It is such a surprise when you cut open things as I can't read the sign. I call it adventures in shopping and eating LOL
Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday
Paka paka
Oh, I found my camera cord this morning, so I should be able to post some pictures again in the near future. Just not today. I'm too tired :-)
Saturday, December 18, 2010
An A-typical Day
It was back to the baby house this morning. I was so glad to see MLM, two days seemed like such a long time. He was very happy to see me. Yulia and I think there is a new little one in the room who wasn't there before. Maybe he has come to fill the space left by L and A's son. We'll have to look in the cubby tomorrow.
When I arrived MLM didn't have a diaper on. I left 15 diapers on Wednesday, but I guess they'd gone through them all already. He was very helpful while I put the diaper on. Then he wanted to look out the window. We were in the little classroom today. The window looks out to a small street. We could see my driver's van. MLM started playing peek-a-boo which is called coo-coo here. He would put his hands on the window so he couldn't see the van, and then move his hands and say coo-coo. Another new word for MLM. Too bad my driver couldn't see him. We told Andre when we got back into the van.
MLM was VERY thirsty again today. He nearly drowned himself trying to drink all his juice. He couldn't get it fast enough with the lid on, so we took off the lid. They don't drink from sippy cups here, they go from bottles to regular cups. I had also brought a bottle of drinking water for him. Well, who needs to bring a toy when you have a bottle of water. I had to teach him how to open the bottle (I was wondering if this was a good thing to be teaching him, but oh well) Then I struggled to teach him how to drink from the bottle. He kept trying to put the entire opening of the bottle into his mouth. We fought a little battle over the bottle. Finally I showed him how to sip. 1 model and he was in the know. He of course struggled with the amount of water he got into his mouth, but by the end of the 30 minutes he could sip a bit without soaking himself or choking.
After the baby house we went to the hospital to visit my coordinator. My poor coordinator has been in hospital since last Tuesday night. I think she might have flu or something, her head is spinning and she has a fever. She wanted to know what I was doing with regard to my airline tickets, I think she is very relieved that I plan to stay a while. And that I understand that MLM's passport will take time to be prepared. She also was arranging with me to pay for my apartment for another month and to pay the internet and satellite t.v.. She is working even though she is in hospital, poor woman. She did want me to know that everything is going well for court and that I should have no problems. I also learned today that my translator will probably be translating for me in court.
Oh, visiting in a hospital means standing in a tiny foyer with all these people and then the sick person comes out to the foyer to meet with you. We stood not far from the doors and spoke with my translator, driver and coordinator. There were about 8 women who were sick in the foyer and their friends and family.
Tomorrow the owner of the apartment will be coming to collect some clothes. It should be interesting, she'll come around 6. She will speak to my coordinator, who will call my translator, who will call me to confirm the time. Luckily I have seen her a couple of times, so I know what she looks like. But it does mean I'll have to give everything an extra little cleaning tonight.
I just checked my iGoogle page and it tells me the weather in both Toronto and here in Uralsk. It is -3 C in both places. That happened so many times while I was waiting to travel. Lately though it has been much colder at home. We've been lucky with most days above freezing and very little snow.
Tomorrow I get to go to the baby house again. Only for 30 minutes but it is much better than no minutes. Today when I was saying goodbye MLM held on so tight to my neck and cried and cried. He didn't want me to go. Little did he know that I didn't want to leave either. It will be difficult leaving him every day for the next month, and even harder to leave for the 2 or 3 weeks that it takes to make his passport.
Paka paka
When I arrived MLM didn't have a diaper on. I left 15 diapers on Wednesday, but I guess they'd gone through them all already. He was very helpful while I put the diaper on. Then he wanted to look out the window. We were in the little classroom today. The window looks out to a small street. We could see my driver's van. MLM started playing peek-a-boo which is called coo-coo here. He would put his hands on the window so he couldn't see the van, and then move his hands and say coo-coo. Another new word for MLM. Too bad my driver couldn't see him. We told Andre when we got back into the van.
MLM was VERY thirsty again today. He nearly drowned himself trying to drink all his juice. He couldn't get it fast enough with the lid on, so we took off the lid. They don't drink from sippy cups here, they go from bottles to regular cups. I had also brought a bottle of drinking water for him. Well, who needs to bring a toy when you have a bottle of water. I had to teach him how to open the bottle (I was wondering if this was a good thing to be teaching him, but oh well) Then I struggled to teach him how to drink from the bottle. He kept trying to put the entire opening of the bottle into his mouth. We fought a little battle over the bottle. Finally I showed him how to sip. 1 model and he was in the know. He of course struggled with the amount of water he got into his mouth, but by the end of the 30 minutes he could sip a bit without soaking himself or choking.
After the baby house we went to the hospital to visit my coordinator. My poor coordinator has been in hospital since last Tuesday night. I think she might have flu or something, her head is spinning and she has a fever. She wanted to know what I was doing with regard to my airline tickets, I think she is very relieved that I plan to stay a while. And that I understand that MLM's passport will take time to be prepared. She also was arranging with me to pay for my apartment for another month and to pay the internet and satellite t.v.. She is working even though she is in hospital, poor woman. She did want me to know that everything is going well for court and that I should have no problems. I also learned today that my translator will probably be translating for me in court.
Oh, visiting in a hospital means standing in a tiny foyer with all these people and then the sick person comes out to the foyer to meet with you. We stood not far from the doors and spoke with my translator, driver and coordinator. There were about 8 women who were sick in the foyer and their friends and family.
Tomorrow the owner of the apartment will be coming to collect some clothes. It should be interesting, she'll come around 6. She will speak to my coordinator, who will call my translator, who will call me to confirm the time. Luckily I have seen her a couple of times, so I know what she looks like. But it does mean I'll have to give everything an extra little cleaning tonight.
I just checked my iGoogle page and it tells me the weather in both Toronto and here in Uralsk. It is -3 C in both places. That happened so many times while I was waiting to travel. Lately though it has been much colder at home. We've been lucky with most days above freezing and very little snow.
Tomorrow I get to go to the baby house again. Only for 30 minutes but it is much better than no minutes. Today when I was saying goodbye MLM held on so tight to my neck and cried and cried. He didn't want me to go. Little did he know that I didn't want to leave either. It will be difficult leaving him every day for the next month, and even harder to leave for the 2 or 3 weeks that it takes to make his passport.
Paka paka
Friday, December 17, 2010
Busy Social Life
Another day without a visit to MLM, but boy have I been busy. First this morning L and A and their boys dropped by my apartment to drop off a bag of items for me to bring to the baby house, they are off to Almaty tonight where they will stay until their little guy's passport and visa are done. I walked back with them and said goodbye for now on a street corner. It was lovely having them here, and we'll talk using Skype while they are in Almaty.
Then I walked over to Kendra's apartment. I go to her apartment to help bring down the stroller, as it would be impossible to carry a 17 month old and a stroller down the 4 flights of stairs. Now we understand why we don't see so many strollers. Mother's carry their children in their arms. So scary when you see how slippy the sidewalks tend to be.
We then walked back to PizzaHot where we enjoyed a large pizza and a litre of warm coke. The first was yummy the second not so much, but we still drank the whole thing. Kendra's daughter ate and ate and ate, she is such a cuty.
After lunch we walked back to the Univart Mall, or the Tropicana mall (as that is the name of the restaurant/cafe). We went so that Kendra could buy lights for her little Christmas tree. She is more adventurous than me, as I haven't bothered to decorate my apartment. As we were walking into the mall I saw one of the ladies who works at the baby house. Uralsk has a population of 300 000 yet I've know seen both this lady and the director when I've been out and about. Talk small world eh!
Afterwards we walked back to her apartment and then I walked back to my apartment. I'm getting so comfortable with the layout of the city that I can take different roads going and coming from my apartment.
I was in luck yesterday and got to enjoy a beautiful firework display at the end of the concert at the city hall to celebrate Independence Day. I watched out my kitchen window. I do have an apartment in a great location.
Tomorrow I go back to the baby house. Unfortunately it is only for the 30 minutes. I look at it as 30 more minutes to get to know and build a relationship with this special little person. I'm so lucky to be with him for however many minutes a day. I'm hoping on Monday I get a longer visit.
To all my teaching friends I wish you a wonderful final day before the holidays. Enjoy the next 2 weeks and forget about the planning, marking, tests, students and all the other joys of teaching.
Paka paka
Then I walked over to Kendra's apartment. I go to her apartment to help bring down the stroller, as it would be impossible to carry a 17 month old and a stroller down the 4 flights of stairs. Now we understand why we don't see so many strollers. Mother's carry their children in their arms. So scary when you see how slippy the sidewalks tend to be.
We then walked back to PizzaHot where we enjoyed a large pizza and a litre of warm coke. The first was yummy the second not so much, but we still drank the whole thing. Kendra's daughter ate and ate and ate, she is such a cuty.
After lunch we walked back to the Univart Mall, or the Tropicana mall (as that is the name of the restaurant/cafe). We went so that Kendra could buy lights for her little Christmas tree. She is more adventurous than me, as I haven't bothered to decorate my apartment. As we were walking into the mall I saw one of the ladies who works at the baby house. Uralsk has a population of 300 000 yet I've know seen both this lady and the director when I've been out and about. Talk small world eh!
Afterwards we walked back to her apartment and then I walked back to my apartment. I'm getting so comfortable with the layout of the city that I can take different roads going and coming from my apartment.
I was in luck yesterday and got to enjoy a beautiful firework display at the end of the concert at the city hall to celebrate Independence Day. I watched out my kitchen window. I do have an apartment in a great location.
Tomorrow I go back to the baby house. Unfortunately it is only for the 30 minutes. I look at it as 30 more minutes to get to know and build a relationship with this special little person. I'm so lucky to be with him for however many minutes a day. I'm hoping on Monday I get a longer visit.
To all my teaching friends I wish you a wonderful final day before the holidays. Enjoy the next 2 weeks and forget about the planning, marking, tests, students and all the other joys of teaching.
Paka paka
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