just some words from Karen and Pat

Just a side note today. By the way, as you may have noticed, the entries post from top to bottom so on days we post more than once, you may have to start at the last entry you read and read up so things are in order of thought process......just a tip!

As we pondered what people actually think of Americans here, we got quite tickled because with Pat and I as representatives it is rather a scary thought. We see it more as a soap opera....you know.....As the Dorks Fall, so are the LONG Days of our Lives. We have fallen so many times that it has to be a record for both of us. No bruises to note but certainly a lot of humility is being birthed in us while here. We had a particularly fun one the other day leaving the store. We try to blend in and not be so FOREIGN and strange however as we started to descend some stairs, or individual slopes as we call them...Karen no sooner exclaimed that they were very slippery that I decided to be civic minded and help clean the steps by kicking both feet out at the same time and cleaning the steps with my bottom. It could have registered on the richter scale. As a reward one of the scouts for the Kaz curling team noticed the extensive distance and accuracy in which I was able to propel one of our 5 liter jugs of water down the icy sidewalk. Had a Kaz bystander not stopped it, I would most likely have qualified for the next Olympics.

The funny thing is that they just randomly happen. No warning.....just walking, and then you are gazing at the beautiful blue sky is above you. My sister Kelly would just about be beside herself with giggles because she is one of those people as am I that has to chuckle when somebody falls.....it is not that you want them to be hurt...it is just funny sometimes.

We also entertain ourselves with self commentary to the Russian dubbed movies.....as friends of Pat's know, he can be very creative and he keeps me in stitches most of the time. We watched Sound of Music last night....the last of the DVD's that we brought with us so it looks like we will be repeating a few.

One side note on Dzezkazgan....we are very envious of the atmosphere of safety around here. We see kids as young as 5-6 walking to school, playing outside, etc. with no parents with them. Masha says it is very normal for the kids to walk to school in the early mornings and no one has worries. The kids are adorable and we love seeing them in all of their winter clothes. Walking snowboys and snowgirls. Their other big winter to spring holiday is coming up the day after we get Nurik so we are excited to see some of their more traditional Kazakh stuff. Yurts (tents), and camels, horses, and such. Hopefully, it will be warm so we can be out with Nurik. We are also glad that we get him the day before it starts, because this would have delayed us another few days because again it is a 3 days holiday. It may slow our paperwork some but at least we will have our son!

Today is a long day so we plan to shop for puzzles, pick up laundry, and of course, probably stop by the grocery store. As we said at the beginning...these are the long days of our lives but very special days. Luckily, our rather goofy sense of humor has made this a memorable journey and we will have one special little boy to come home with us. Well, we are off to conquer the ice once again. Love to all! K-Pat