Saturday, April 21, 2007

We've found our favorite haunts...part 2

So, we've had some fantastic Pizza and Calzone carbonara - which I managed to order (really not a big feat as it sounds pretty much the same in Russian). The Georgian wine is lovely. So back to our day. We found Jonathan his favorite treat. I can see us also spending a lot of time visiting that eating Shawarma. The vendor is quite close to the train station - so if we end up taking the train out to where Bortina (Jason's pet name for our potential daughter) lives, we may just stop there on our way home. We may never cook again while we are here. Oh. Wait. We haven't cooked yet - other than tea. So life is pretty much like at home! Although I expect we will actually make good use of the wonderful cookbook Michelle Ashdown put together for us. We stopped briefly at the store - (our store we now call it) to pick up a few necessities such as TP, tea towels, shampoo and conditioner, water, etc... It's a large supermarket with everything we pretty much need. Anyway, we then went home for a bit and we all journalled. I had a brief rest/read in bed then the boys went out to see if they could find tickets for some kind of entertainment (ballet, opera or whatever). Well, Jonathan came back (I had read, did some weights, listened to music while they were gone) practically vibrating he was so excited - he'd found tickets to the CIRCUS. For those of you who don't know - the circus was Jonathan's favorite thing to go see in Moscow. The circus (I'm told) is a far more interesting thing than what we know as the circus (think of the roots of Cirque de Soleil). We'll see it tomorrow night. We don't yet know our plans for tomorrow during the day...we'll have to figure that out. The boys have ordered us some dessert and coffee. I must say, this is a really good day. Our spirits are up and we are feeling much more comfortable with being here. I am slowly learning the letters and actually read my first word on my own today. Yay! It's amazing what an accomplishment that feels like to be able to read 'post' and know that that's the post office. Jonathan has been a tremendous help and support to us. We are so grateful he is here. Thank you Tanis, Misha and Sam for sharing him with us for so long. Anyway, I'm going to sign off for now. Know that we miss you all, but we are doing well - especially today. 'Bortina' is a wonderful image in our heads now. We are so grateful for being able to meet her yesterday. We'll have our official meeting with the director of the orphanage Monday and Lesya is arranging for us to take her to the doctor Tuesday. We are in a wonderful, amazing whirlwind - sometimes very disorienting and confusing, but what a incredible ride.

Ok, dessert just came, so it is my turn again (jonathan). We did good while Shona was typing: tiramisu and a chocolate-brandy mousse cake. both are good, but the mousse cake is killer. yum!!
Now to the 'feel' of the day: This has been a very good day. everyone of us is so much more relaxed and happy than we were even when we woke up this morning. What a lovely day, and way to end the day. I'd say that Darren and Shona are feeling more...resolved to the fact that this is all happening. The way that things are moving ahead is marvelously smooth (far more than I believed was possible - knock on wood, salt over shoulder, spit on the ground - and all other superstitious russian traditions as well). I can honestly say that i did not think that most things would be going as well as they are. From the trip to the orphanage yesterday to our exploration today to this restaurant with free (and fast) wireless internet to getting tickets to the circus tomorrow; it amazes me. Incidently, since many of you must be praying a lot, and phenomenally successfully - Swan Lake is playing on Tuesday evening and we are struggling to find 3 tickets together, pray that we can find them. It would be great. I must admit that after today, I feel like we have a giant horseshoe shoved up somewhere special.
with that lovely image in mind, i'll sign off. suffice it to say that this day is ending with us each feeling remarkably blessed and in hands of serendipity and providence. Even my language has been coming back quite well. The only little thing that has gone wrong relates to Darren and Shona's camera (you can pray about that too).
you have blessed us by reading this and with your comments. thank you for that, and keep it up. - j

7 comments:

Karmen and Kristen said...

Hearing about what you've been eating and drinking today brings back lots of good memories from days in Moscow with Jonathan & Tanis. It's great that you're getting to experience some of our favorite things! Enjoy the circus...and we'll hope that you can get tickets to Swan Lake on Tuesday. We're so, so happy that you're settling in well!

Sam and Evelyn said...

Delighted to hear that you are settling in, and seem to be much more relaxed. Hope you enjoy the circus tonight and get the required tickets to Swan Lake for Tuesday. We are also wishing that your official visit goes well on Monday, and the visit to the Doctor the same on Tuesday.

Love to all of you,

Neil and Lib said...

What a great day you've had! Great experiences alreaady, and certainly more to come. Wish we were there with you, as I could visualize Moscow Circus and Patio Pizza, and this sounds even better. Love and prayers, Mom and Dad

Alan, Michelle and Cole said...

Sounds like you are having a wonderful day. We wish we could be there with you (our hearts are!)Enjoy the circus. We look forward to hearing all about it. What stories you will have to share with your little one about this journey. We love you and are so thankful that you are settling in. Love and prayers.

Val said...

It's so good to hear that you had such a good day and are in a good space. Thanks for posting the pictures. It's nice to be able to visualize what things are like. Have a good day tomorrow. We'll definitely be thinking about you at Sunday dinner and bedtime as you're getting up to go for your appointment. Much love to you always.

mike and fran said...

What a great way for US to start our Sunday! Kathryn is here with Mark for their FIRST anniv. They took us out last night--for GREEK food, and THEN, to the opera to see Macbeth. I really couldn't believe it! Anyway, we shall imagine you all at the ballet with great pleasure, and of course, the circus will be amazing. Have a great rest of Sunday! (By Fran & Mike)

mike and fran said...
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