Court Day

Today, I was scheduled for a court hearing at 12:30. Now, did you ever read a book or watched a horror movie or two about an unsuspecting tourist who goes into a foreign court and ends up in a dirty, miserable jail cell, infested with rats, for the next 20 years for a crime they didn't commit. Ok, it may have been a fleeting thought in my mind and I may have an active imagination….. but I digress! Anyway, back to the story….. I had court today. It was fairly quick and painless. I had my interpreter with me who translated the proceedings to me. I was asked a few questions by the judge and prosecutor, I had to make a speech and then everyone got up and started walking out. I asked where everyone was going…. To Lunch. Are you kidding me?? In the middle of my case? The judge was hungry….So, after everyone went to lunch (my stomach was in knots waiting for the decision), we met again. Well, the end result is that in a quiet courtroom, without any pomp and circumstance: Juliana and I became a family! YEAH! Her name is officially Juliana Aruzhan Lambertson. There was a lot of happiness and well wishes from my team here. I now start my final countdown to going home. I have to wait out a 15 day appeal period. Then, we can prepare Juliana’s documents to leave the country. I am hoping to be home by Easter.

I have to say a word of thanks to my team. They are the best and I couldn’t have survived to this point without them. My coordinator is Alma. She has amazing connections and can get things done. She figured out the name dilemma and made Aida disappear and Aruzhan reappear (still don’t want to know how she did that). She is so kind and warm. She worries about me all the time. I must be a mess! My interpreter is Zukra. She is my English connection to the rest of the country. She is fun to talk to. Her job in court was to distract the judge (I will do whatever it took) We had her wear red lipstick and a short skirt to show some leg. I guess it worked! The judge was a young, single guy-very handsome (we were trying to fix them up). My driver is Cyan. I give him props for driving in this crazy city. I used to close my eyes and hope that the crash wouldn’t be so bad; however, now I cheer him on! He speaks as much English as I speak Russian, but somehow we can communicate. It is amazing how two people who do not speak each others language can have a conversation (mind you, not a deep meaningful one).

Speaking of conversations…. My neighbor heard me coming out of my door and she came out to talk to me~ of course in Russian. She was going on and on about something. I was on my way to meet Cyan, so I just said my usual….Ya ne ponimayu (I don’t understand you) ~ sorry and left. Well, she kept at it every time I saw her. Finally, I called Zukra and asked her to talk to her and find out what she wanted. Turns out she wanted some of my chairs…. So, I let her in my apartment and told her to take her pick of my HoJo chairs and she made off with two of them. Don’t know why she wanted them or if I will ever get them back because no one asks questions. What a strange country this is! However, I am making friends with my neighbors. I want her to teach me how to make borsch ~ chairs for a cooking lesson! It works for me...

Ok, enough of that~ nothing else to report here. Juliana continues to develop new tricks each day. She can now go from crawling to sitting and vise versa. I know everyone thinks that their kid is amazing, but come on... 2 weeks out of her brace?!

I hope everyone is well at home. Thank you for all the comments~ I love every one of them. We will see everyone soon!

Dobryi Vecher
Good Evening

Trade Dealings

Hello everyone!

It is Saturday evening here and since the same episode of Heroes is on once again, I thought I would post another entry. Well, I am less than 2 days away from my court date. I realize that it seems like everything gets broken down into a countdown…. I feel like a prisoner who is waiting for parole and scratching off the days on the cell wall! Time moves very slowly in this part of the world, I swear there are more hours in the day here. There are some really fun times, so don’t let me lead you to believe it is all bad. Last night, I went out to dinner with the couple from NYC, adopting a baby boy, a couple from Spain (He is from Scotland and she is from Spain) adopting a baby girl that is in Juliana’s room, and a couple from France (adopting a baby girl). We had a great dinner, conversation, a lot of laughs and of course, beer. The bonds that are made here become very special. Besides the fact we are all in this together, we understand what it is like to come halfway around the world and live in a completely different lifestyle, all while doing the most important thing that you will ever do in your life~ become a parent. You do rely on those you meet for not only emotional support, but for trading commodities! Today, the playroom after visiting became like an exchange on the black-market. I have books for an English newspaper and someone had a colander and some spices for some DVD’s. Yes, it has come down to this…. Anything in exchange for something to read, watch or do in English. It is impossible to find it here. Once you run out and read your last book or magazine or watch your last DVD, you need to find more. An underground system develops, those that are leaving pass on stuff…..the circle of life!!
The visit today with Juliana was very good. She has become the darling of the playroom. She is so tiny, but has such an amazing spirit. She crawls around the room, flashing a million dollar smile to anyone she sees. She is so intent on watching everything and everyone; she doesn’t want to miss a thing. Zukra (my interpreter) and I can’t even be in the room when she is eating, because she would rather watch what we are doing than eat. No wonder she is so tiny! I think all these children have such spirits considering their circumstances. Yesterday, while we were walking outside with Juliana, there were a group of 2-3 year olds playing in the snow. They were so adorable and all smiles at the attention we were giving them. I wanted to take them home too. However many of the children are not eligible for adoption because their family did not relinquish them. Because they cannot afford to keep them in their homes, they live in the orphanage, sometimes for many years. It is very sad for both the children and their families.

On a happier note, I am posting a picture of Juliana with her boyfriend Henry. I have to have a talk to her about not being quite so available. I am sorry to Massarod, he will have compete for her affections! Henry's mom and Dad are from California. I am also happy that Kim has made it home safely. It is not the same without her.
I hope everyone is doing well. Please send me all the positive thoughts you can for Monday's court procedings and for the rest of my trip. Thank you for joining me on this adventure.

Good night!

A Holiday!

Happy Woman’s Day!

Today is a national holiday in Kazakhstan. It is Woman’s Day. From what I can understand, Woman’s Day dates back to the first years of the Soviet Union when Bolsheviks admitted that “a woman is a human being too” (nice guy). On this day men give gifts and flowers to all women and girls. It would be equivalent to our Mother’s Day, but for all women. It is a pretty big deal here: the men buy cakes and flowers for the special women in their lives for them to be celebrated. It is also big enough holiday that the babyhouse is closed for the day for us to visit.
So I celebrated the holiday by shopping and walking around the city. The men tell you happy holiday on the street; you can feel that it is a holiday, it is really nice. I walked to the Isham River today. It is frozen solid so that you can walk across it. The river separates the city into the north which is the old city and the south, the new city. It is still pretty cold here, so walking for any distance gets difficult. However, the apartment can get really claustrophobic. It is certainly better than the (-)26 F we had recently. What I so want to do is to get into a car and drive somewhere! Today, I have been here 3 weeks; and I still have 31/2 to go.
You do hear pieces of American culture wherever you go. On the radio they play Justin Timberlake, Celine Dion and some rap. If I hear “smack that” one more time… It is on a lot of ringtones. I do have two English TV stations now~ well, three counting Fox News. I find it hard to believe that the only news worthy story coming out of the US is Anna Nicole Smith. How embarrassing!! I do get Star channel with the first season of Heroes. I still can’t get into that one~ Danny says it is better than Lost. No way! But then there is Fashion House. Now that is quality acting!


I will get to see Juliana tomorrow. We are sharing the playroom with a new couple adopting a big baby boy from NYC. They are great people and it will be nice to have someone to hang around with. Also, Trish is arriving in less than 2 weeks! YEAH! I miss seeing Juliana on the days we can’t visit. It is strange to think of yourself as her mom and you can’t even see her. It is like you are caught in limbo. I sometimes get to put her in crib at the end of the visit. That is like a special privilege. I know the day will come that I will never have to see her for 2 hours and leave her for the next 24. My heart goes out to the children who will not even have the 2 hours of undivided attention. My wish is that every child in that home will find a family of their own. They are such amazing and beautiful kids with great spirits.


I hope everyone is well at home. I heard there is snow today, it will hopefully be gone soon. Thank you for following along~ I love the comments!


To all the amazing and wonderful women I know in my life…. I wish you a Happy Woman’s Day!

The Good and The Bad

I have good news to share….I have an official court date. My court session is scheduled for Monday March 12th at 12: 30. This is my final climb to the top and after court it is all a downward slide. After court, there is a mandatory 15 day waiting period and then I will be home about a week after that. It is hard to believe that I have been here for 3 weeks. I am looking forward to getting court over with…. I just hope it goes smoothly.

Now for the bad news, or just a realization. You know how there are the Ritz Carlton of accommodations and there are the Howard Johnson’s of accommodations? Well, I realized yesterday that I am staying at a HoJos. I visited an apartment of a couple who is adopting a baby boy from Juliana’s room at the babyhouse. They are staying in a really nice apartment….really nice. I thought that I didn’t have it so bad until yesterday. I do realize that I have a roof over my head, a place to sleep and make meals and my walls keep out the cold, but that is about all I can say about my apartment. Think of a bad Brady Bunch home interior and make it worse than that. They are living in penthouse style compared to me. I have bad checked linoleum floors, they have hardwood. I have wallpaper that is peeling off with some unknown design, they have custom painted walls. I have a couch that could pose as a table it is so hard, they have comfy sofas. I have a small TV and they have a flat screen TV. Their bathroom is the size of my bedroom, and they have a Jacuzzi tub. Now, I realize that I sound like I am complaining, but I am not. I have just come to the realization that someone must stay at HoJo’s and that someone is me. I am just venting…… thanks for listening!

Juliana and I are both sick. Nothing serious, just colds. She is doing so well. She is crawling and able to sit on her own. She is starting to stand, although I think the brace has set her back some. She is very sweet and everyone makes a fuss over her. Her hair is starting to lay down and doesn’t stick straight up as much. I miss that! It is hard to only visit for 2 hours a day. It doesn’t leave enough time to make a connection. I have to play by the rules.

Well, it is getting late and I must go. I hope everyone is well at home. I love reading the comments you have written… they make me laugh. I really miss going to work and seeing everyone at the hospital. If the NeuroSurg group wants to send me work ~ I would be happy to have something to do! Send away… oh, and there are some holidays coming up that I could use Omar’s help with. I will explain next time.

Good night!

Sunday

Today is Sunday….. Sunday’s are the day we all hate the most. First of all, you can’t visit the babies at all. I guess the workers need a day off from us, although no one can give an explanation of why we can’t visit. I wonder what the children think~ do they think we all left them? So that makes Sunday a very long day. This day is really sad for me because Kim, the friend that I made here, left today to start her journey home. Having a buddy here made time go fast and it was someone who understood what it was like to go through this process. Besides, we became good friends. I wish her well on her trip home and I know we will keep in touch. Anyway, there is plenty to do today. I must do the wash, clean the apartment, and go to the grocery store. I bet you are regretting reading this now!!
Ok, here comes the boring part….but I must share. The washing machine (although I am thankful that I have one) takes over two hours to do a load of wash. What is it doing in there and why does it take so long? Of course, I have no idea what setting I am using because it is in Russian….. but really. Then you have to hang the wet clothes around the apartment. Of course, thank god my social calendar is empty right now, because what would guests think? Then, while I am waiting for the clothes to dry, I walk to the grocery store and try to guess at the mystery meat at the deli. I am not really sure what to make of it…. It looks like chicken, but not really like chicken. I think I will pass on that. I decide on vegetables for dinner. And forget about the beef... I am afraid it will be horsemeat...No way!
There is a new thing on the ground today…. Water! Yes, we are having a heat wave (well, not really a HEAT wave) and some (SOME) of the ice has melted. Amazing! And by the way, my theory about the roads not having traffic lines is true…. There isn’t any. I am still amazed at how people drive here. As I have spent some time in this country, I am still trying to figure them all out. However, I have made some observations. This is a country of dichotomies. It is often described as a third world country; however, most people you pass have on fur coats and designer clothes. The people tend to be a little pushy and not very friendly~are they angry at something? Perhaps, the years of repression has collectively affected them. They do value family and children and are very proud people. I do want to find out more about this country and its rich history. For all the differences, I am glad to experience and live in this part of the world for such an extended period of time. I don’t think as a tourist, I could ever get this opportunity to integrate myself for 7 weeks. I have to say that I am enjoying being here. I am even beginning to understand and speak some Russian.

Well, I must sign off for tonight. I hope everyone is well. I am so glad to share my journey with you all.
Bye for now..

First part down

Privyet!
Hello all..... I have really good news! First of all, there is no longer frost on the inside of the car I was in today~ a car that had the heat on by the way~ which means it is actually fit for human life outside here! And the biggest news is that I have completed my first hurdle. We are finished with the mandatory 15 day bonding period. Since the time here is so painfully long.... all of us break the time down into manageable sessions. The first 15 days, then countdown to court ( which may be in 10 days), then the 15 day waiting period after court and then 4-5 days for paperwork, then fly to Almaty for 3 days, then HOME. So, one down and we won't look ahead yet because it is to depressing.
Juliana is doing so well without the brace. She is learning to crawl without it and doing quite well. She mimics what the other kids are doing and what I do. I can see the little changes in her development over the past few weeks. It is often a free for all in the playroom with all the kids, and it is just great to watch them.
She turned 8 months the other day, but is still very petite. She is still wearing 3-6 month clothes, but I am sure she will get bigger in the next few months.
I hope all is well at home. I thank everyone for reading and following along in this journey. I am looking forward to being home to introduce her to you all. In the meantime, I am getting very good at Russian and walking on ice! (I still don't wear a hat though!)

Paka Paka

More Names

How can one little girl have so many names? It was found out recently that my baby girl has yet another name! I would have thought that all the names that may have been associated with her would have been made known before she was available to be adopted. However, within the past few days, a new name has surfaced. Apparently, her birth mother named her Aruzhan....... some crazy person at the hospital (not my words) decided she should be named Aida and put that on the birth certificate. I come along and name her Juliana. How is all this to be made right again? With the amazing team I have here, I have no doubt they will set the record straight. I honestly don't want to know how they will do it. However, I have decided on the name we are going home with......Ready? Drum roll.......
Juliana Aruzhan........I really liked Aruzhan ~ it means beautiful soul in Kazakh. I think it sounds beautiful. Anyway, that was a big drama here for a bit and we have until tomorrow to make it all fit.

I will be starting day 15 of bonding soon and that will mark the end of the first milestone. I can't believe I have been here for 2 weeks. I am learning alot about the culture here and some of the old wives tales. They are very big on keeping the babies warm... I mean very warm. They layer so many clothes on them, that they are usually sweating. Juliana was sick the other day and they gave her a ? Tylenol ?supp. and I was told to keep her flat for 50 minutes.... Ok.....
They also feel that if a woman's legs are exposed to the cold, it will cause infertility. I know they are obsessed about wearing a hat and I get yelled at by the older women when they see my without one. Considering that last night it -26F, they may have a point! I have never felt cold like that. It hurt to breathe. It didn't stop Kim and I from walking to dinner at Samovar~ it actually gave us an excuse to drink to forget about the inhumane temperature outside. Probably not one of our best ideas!

I hope everyone is well at home. I really miss everyone!

Paka Paka