The Long Good-Bye

Chernigov – 14 Feb 07- Wednesday – Valentines Day

Dateline – hotel restaurant – Predeyanask Hotel – 1007 local. It’s recently dawned on me that I should really buckle down on my Russian language study. I’m in the perfect place to hear proper pronunciation and try out what I learn. Instead of focusing on two well pronounced phrases that give the illusion of understanding, perhaps it would be better to actually try and broaden my vocabulary. In the pursuit of my new goal, I have noted several interesting Russian language phenomena (much to the chagrin of Vassa our driver who patiently corrects my pronunciation). One peculiarity makes all others pale in comparison; it demands immediate action. Heretofore I have started the international crusade to change the Russian name of Orange juice. Instead of Orange (the fruit) pronounced something like Apple-sin-eh-vweeh it will be called orange (the color) pronounced ah-rahn-zheh-vwee. Phase one of my plan was completed when I asked for ah-rahn-zheh-vwee sohk this morning and the waitress produced orange juice!

On a more serious note, our 10-day bonding period goes well. Sophie has opened up and relaxed. We have learned more about the music she likes, about her taste in clothes, and a tiny bit more about Vova (the boyfriend I haven’t met yet). We took her and her best friend Katya to the café yesterday. They ordered pizza that we all shared. Lunch for four cost about $10. It was heartwarming to hear Sophie tell her friend all about the things she had done, her new clothes, and what she’s learned about her new family. We called the boys in Virginia yesterday and Sophie got to say “Hi” to three of her sleepy brothers. From what we could tell, the house is in one piece, the laundry is getting done, supper is being cooked, and the dog land-mines are being picked up. Thanks John! Way to work together boys, and thanks for the oversight Dr. Mark, Beverly, & Gary!

Sophie showed off the new card trick that Charlene taught her, and she demonstrated her father’s well-honed tripping gag. The physical gag is a Quiram tradition, handed down from W. Arthur, who perfected the fake chair-pulled-out fall. Sophie has the rudiments of the simulated trip perfected.

I’ve entitled this blog, “The Long Good-Bye”. I can’t say for sure what’s going through Sophie’s mind, but she appears excited about the future while a bit sad at those she’ll leave behind. One of the pictures is from today’s international Uno semi-final tournament. In the picture is (left to right) Lena, Katya, Sophie, Yanna, Charlene, and Vita (in front). Yanna is 16 and has been like a big sister to Sophie. We went to the post office yesterday and bought 20 envelopes w/ postage and stationary so her friends can write to her. I told her she could even give a few to Vova ;-).

We have a guest blogger now that is going to tell you some more about Sophie – now, miya-lu-be-miya, Charlene:

Sophie is in many ways a normal 12 years old. She enjoys listening to pop music, shopping, watching TV (The Simpsons seem to be her favorite) and movies. She is the normal mixture of young child and young woman. Sophie’s favorites include animals=horses; fruit=bananas; ice cream flavor=vanilla, color=blue, dogs instead of cats (because cats pee under the bed and make the room stink—this is verifiable by the odiferous nature of her room). She enjoys drawing and is very good. She shared with us that she would like to learn to play the piano. She likes Math best in school but had several teachers that she didn’t like so perhaps the subjects suffered because of the teachers. She is a very persistent and conscientious English student as we’ve been having classes almost every day and her vocabulary has picked up quite a bit. She is in the 6th grade here but I strongly suspect that I will need a lot of prayer and support to get her into an American 6th grade in the fall. She is usually tentative at first, but when she feels comfortable, she is very funny and outgoing. She is introspective and it is apparent that the imminent separation from her friends is weighing heavy on her despite the growing bond we share. We gave her a journal to record her thoughts and feelings at this very important juncture in her life and last she showed me, she had written over a dozen pages.

If all goes as we hope (and Oles gets back to Chernigov soon), we hope to finish up here next Monday, leave for Kiev, and perhaps be on a jet for America as early as Wednesday or Thursday. Please keep the prayers coming, specifically for peace for Sophie and Katya regarding the upcoming separation, health for all of us including Oles, and a safe and uneventful exit and trip home. We miss you all!

Thank you for your prayers, Tim and Charlene