11/23/06 Flying Solo!

Sorry, we have not updated the blog for a while. Michael left this morning at 2:30am to return to the U.S. and a couple of eerie things are happening. I just got up and it is just after 7am (pitch dark outside). I looked around for the breakfast coupons that go with our room. It seems Mike took them with him and they are now in Germany. I’m sure we can work it out but communication is sometimes difficult with the front desk. I do have a lot of food in the room but I was looking forward to meeting some ladies (adopting from another agency) at 9:30. Besides, I am getting used to curds and broccoli for breakfast!

A few minutes ago I decided to power the computer and went down the hall to get hot water for tea. It’s at the other end of the building on the same hallway. As I began to walk back the lights went out. Eerie! I found my door because I had a rough idea where it was and the "do not disturb" tag was on. I’m now sitting here in the dark typing in a word doc for the blog because there are no wireless links coming up. Maybe this has something to do with the power being out. So, I am totally out of communication but safe here right now. It’s snowing out so maybe there is a downed power line or I am experiencing a Russian black out? By the time I post this it will all be fixed and there will be an update, so no worries. I do have a flashlight Mike left and I imagine I could walk down to the other ladies’ room and find them so it is nice that I have community here. They are bunking together and their husbands are gone as well.

As you know, we were approved by court to adopt Helena but did not get the 10 days waived. I know so many of you prayed very hard for us to come home and be re-united with our sons and I am sorry if you feel let down. The law is very strict here in regards to the 10 day waiver, which is often more frequently waived in other regions. We really needed a note from the baby home stating that she was in medical crisis and needed immediate medical attention in the U.S. and although she is alarmingly small for age, she is not in any type of crisis. We also do not know the stature of her birth parents and how that factors in. Mike was requested to do nearly all the talking and he did mention that at the baby home many children are left with one caretaker. We had actually prepared to say that that eleven children (babies) are left with one caretaker (the truth: they are often left in the room without any caretaker) however, we do not know if that would have made any difference. It’s a fine line between mentioning what you’ve observed vs. offending a representative that may have some pride about the “perceived” quality of care of their orphanages. We’ve heard that our baby home will be visited by a government official next week. They (the caretakers) have been painting stairwells and furniture. Furniture has appeared in a hallway where there was none before. As everywhere, perception is not the same as reality. I’m not happy to be here alone but the main advantage is that I do get a lot more bonding time with Helena before we leave the county.

The lights are back on and it appears I have wireless!

It’s been very cold here, roughly near 0 degrees and very icy so we haven’t been outdoors much. Our basic errand besides driving to the baby home and dinner out involves going to the 24 hour market to buy water and sundries. There are very few familiar brands, but I did luck out in finding some instant soup that is quite good, so that will be my new lunch staple.

It’s supposed to warm up (closer to 20 degrees) over the next few days, so the ladies and I intend to get out a little and explore the shops. There is an art museum across the street I’d like to see as well. I am in the process of changing rooms because I don’t need this much space alone and I’d prefer something cozier and less expensive on the same floor as the other ladies. There are some green rooms down there that are quite beautiful, although they are considered “unrenovated.” I rather prefer the character of them over the beige/neutral one I am in now.

Sleep is still a job, I can relax but not pass into sleep without help. As a student of the behavioral scientist, I am curious at to what happens to the neural pathways (responsible for triggering sleep) when they do not fire for a period of time. Do they shrink up and new paths need to be established? Now that Mike is gone, I will try harder to establish a pattern and have no concerns about waking due to snoring or motion in the room. I’m also going to indulge in a little “American Coffee” on the breakfast buffet so that I am actually alert in the morning, that is, if I can get to the breakfast buffet! The warmer weather will also enable me to get out and walk a little.

All for now, will check email!