From the US to Kazakhstan and Back
Tuesday, November 04, 2003
 
I remembered the pictures today! Yeah!

But first, an update. Sasha is just improving by leaps and bounds. It's hard to believe that the little girl that cried herself to sleep only 4 days ago now comes to her visits crying until she sees me! Yesterday's afternoon visit, she didn't even cry at all. Her caregiver brought her in and she just about ran to me. Sure makes me feel good :)

We had to lay off the snacks and juice yesterday because of her tummy but she's okay again today. I think it must have been the apple juice.

They've asked me to bring clothes for her to wear but all I had was one outfit that was supposed to be part of my donations. She's worn that same outfit ever since. Today I bought another. We have to wash sometime :)

Speaking of washing. We figured out the German made washer in the apartment. Unfortunately, the clothes hang out in a sort of porch and the weather here isn't very conducive to drying clothes. I'm glad I washed before I was out of clothes! Everyone here seems to do the same thing, everywhere you see clothes hanging in porches or off decks.

I have never seen so many apartments. There are huge apartment buildings everywhere. Very few single family dwellings. It's interesting because it's so different from the US. Everyone I've asked said they live in an apartment. Also, there are no grassy areas, pools or playgrounds around these buildings. Just utilitarian buildings several stories tall, one right after the other.

Dad noticed that there are no women driving cars. While that may be good for all you who tell "women driver" jokes, we just thought it was interesting. Our driver's wife has a license, he said, but she doesn't drive. Just a tradition, apparently.

We had Sasha giggling yesterday!! We were playing with the Elmo See 'N Say and when Elmo would giggle, Mommy tickled Sasha's tummy. She sure liked that.

Here's a picture with Mommy from yesterday



Here she is explaining the workings of a battery operated watch to Mommy. Still working on saying "M.I.T."



And here, she decided to take a picture of Grandpa! She's gonna be a geek, just like her Mommy.



Yesterday she also decided to play a game of putting her fingers in my mouth. It started with one and pretty soon she was putting her whole fist in there! We all laughed at that, including Sasha.

The big news today is....

Guess who's an okay guy now....



Yes, she sat on Grandpa's lap this morning! Like I said, major progress on this side of the world. I think Grandpa was pretty happy, I know Mommy was :)

And, she also decided to share her treats with Mommy



She'd take a bite of a Cheerio, then give Mommy the other half. While that doesn't sound all that exciting to some people, figure this little girl has probably never had enough to eat and she's sharing it. That's a big step!

Today, after our afternoon visit, we have our meeting with the MOE (Minister of Education.) Grandpa has been invited to join us so I guess it's not going to be too bad :)

That should be enough for the day. Until tomorrow....

Paka paka
(that's bye-bye)


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