9/19/04

Hey Everybody!
Another day gone by! I can’t believe that the time is moving along so quickly. I have barely had a chance to pick up one of the three books I brought between keeping things in order here for the next feeding and play time. Jeff is getting a little stir crazy without English speaking TV and nothing here to fix. He has replaced a couple light bulbs but that’s about it. I’m sure the landlord could dig something up for him to do, but I would really rather he put the efforts toward diapers, etc, as the numbers are increasing daily.

We have been watching V television, the Kazak version of MTV. So far we have seen a wide variety of music, but it repeats itself each day. This month they are running a special on the Beastie Boys, there is a video that’s very popular with a huge Big Foot running around, this is one of our favorites too. We have also seen a lot of Paula Abdul and J-lo. The other night we saw a special on Rufus somebody, who sang a tune called; I put my phone on vibrate for you. A lovely ballad, poor Rufus sang heart out. But frankly, the guy does not have a chance. Perhaps the Red Plastic Cups will do a remake and do the song justice.

Today we had the children’s passport pictures taken and also purchased their lap seats for our trip home. We are flying Lufthansa and have arranged for bulkhead seating with a sky bassinet (small crib that attaches to the wall in front of our seats which can be used while the plane reaches cruising altitude). We were advised by many parents who have flown before to purchase the kids one way tickets here vs. when we made our own round trip reservations. We are so glad we did, there was a significant discount.

Between errands we stopped at a video store and Emil helped us find a DVD that had English translations. Luckily we found Troy with Brad Pitt, oh please God let this be a good movie that can keep him entertained a few times through. Jeff is getting a little cranky and I know for a fact he is NOT teething. The DVD ran 2500 Tenge (17.00), not really a steal, but hey, it was an emergency. We also picked up the Russian version of Beauty and the Beast for 900 Tenge. Beauty is an all time favorite of mine and I know Susan wants me to make sure I bring up these kids with good taste in late night viewing. Finally, while Jeff was letting the moths out of the wallet, we picked up a CD by Bepka CepAoyka, a pop singer that is known for the song with the main verse “oy oy oy” – perhaps you had to be here… this CD was a mere 600 Tenge.

Tonight we are laying low, the kids are in bed until their next bottle and Jeff just ate this beef concoction that I put together. The supper included Beef cubed and mixed with a bag of frozen stir fry vegetables w/ ham and cubed potatoes. My stomach has been a little tender lately so I think I will just make cup a soup. I’m very glad we have that. Speaking of glad we haves…here are a few items we are happy to have brought….microwave popcorn, enough oatmeal to get Jeff through a couple days, POWERBARS, Few bottles of water, Palmolive dish wipes, Johnsons head to toe baby wipes/wash, tea bags, creamora, packets of salt and sugar, take along toilet paper (this is a whole nuther story), plastic shaker for mixing formula. All of this can be picked up here but it was so nice to just have it on hand. Some things we wish we brought, DVD’s, more English reading material for Jeff (mags, etc), more state specific gifts for care givers, NJ state quarters, USA items. I’m very glad that my mother is coming over in a week or two (for many reasons) and we get a chance to have other items brought that are specific to what Emil would like, etc. Have we mentioned how good he is to us?? I really put him on the spot today and asked what he would like if he had a choice, he is so shy and cute…..he didn’t want to answer me and told me that people don’t have to bring him things…I would not give up…he said he likes fleece jackets or pullovers….HINT to Ecik and Taldy families coming next…

Tomorrow Emil is taking us to a restaurant at the base of the mountains that has an outdoor area and shish-kabobs. During a few of our conversations we asked about horse meat, just wondering how we could avoid it….he insisted we try it. He said its very good and not from horses like we know in the states…to myself I think what other horses are there? Apparently horse is very expensive, more than beef and considered to be the best meat. I have a feeling tomorrow he is really going to push it. I told him maybe after some vodka, he said, “vodka after horse”. In the words of my newest favorite song..oy oy oy. Will keep you posted on this.

Guess that’s it for tonight. Hope everyone is doing well. We miss you!! XO Colene

Butch, please tell your mom the Kids love the CD she gave them.
Mom Belli, the kids wore the sweat suits today and they fit them perfectly!!
Monks, are they surfing in the living room yet? Has the rain stopped?
Uncle Maxie….are you there?????