As Of Late

I went out to camp on Wednesday, and Shane went late Thursday... and we came back to Lugansk yesterday around lunch. We didn't have internet while we were out at camp, so we are trying to catch up on emails, etc.

The other day, we were on the swing with Sasha and Marina... and apparently Marina said something akin to "kiss my butt" to Sasha. Maybe Shane and I need to get some lessons on curse words and offensive remarks in Russian so we know when something like that is being said???

The first camp session ended Saturday morning, so all the kiddos went home to their respective villages, towns, and the Bela kids went back to the orphanage. This week will be an off week, and then the second session of Camp will start he following week.

Yesterday morning we got up early to pack, eat breakfast, see kids off, etc. All of the clothes I had taken to camp were dirty, so I decided to throw on a Servant Life t-shirt I had brought. This shirt just happened to be the same shirt that one of the older girls at camp had borrowed the night before for a skit and dance number. I was in a hurry, and threw it on - not thinking anything of it. Part way through the morning, I had the following line of thought: "What is that smell?" "Is that me?!?!?!? Do I stink so bad that I can smell myself???" "No, I can't stink that bad. I just took a shower last night." Then it hit me. It was the shirt. I just hadn't thought about how it had been worn, practiced in, and danced in all the previous day. I didn't really have time to change until after I had gotten back to Lugansk... so I just had to wear it. Oh, the poor children who were given hugs by the stinky American lady.

Last night we went to see the band of our friend Yeagor who works as an interpreter at camp. He plays bass in an Indie band. Most of the Americans and Ukrainian interpreters from camp went as well. There were four Indie bands playing in what is normally a biker bar (it was closed to the "normal" crowd and was rented out for the show)... it was fun. I am used to venues kind if similar to that from Shane's days in bands, but I think some of the other Americans were a little leery - and sort of glad when it was over. (It DID have a suspicious looking platform w/ a pole, a stage supported by oil barrels, and what appeared to be torn up picnic tables piled in the corners). Yeagor did great - he is a fantastic bass player. After we left the show, we went by McDonalds. I ate a salad for the the first time in days and days... it was nice.

Oh, a funny note: When we got to where the show was last night, our driver didn't want to leave us. I think he thought we were crazy and in the wrong place. He wouldn't leave until the other people we were meeting had gotten there and he could talk to someone who spoke Russian to make sure we weren't going to get ourselves killed in a Ukrainian biker bar - Which, by the way, was mysteriously named "Refrigerator".

I think Shane posted on facebook, but our interpol clearance did come through, so we still have court on Tuesday.

We did decide last night, that Shane is going to need to come home after court. For some reason, he is just not able to connect very well with his company's servers, etc., and is not being able to work consistently, They have already been extremely generous with his time, so we feel we need to respect that, and go ahead and get him back. (Only one of us has to stay once court is completed) Plus, we were originally hoping to be coming home around the 8th or so, but it now looks like it is going to be closer to the 16th. He ABSOLUTELY has to be back at work by the 12th, and since he would have to leave early anyway - he might as well just go ahead and go back. Hopefully that will allow him to be a little more flexible for a few days after we get home as well. We are, right now, looking at him flying back next Friday - and will be deciding for sure by tomorrow. We will keep you posted.

Since I really do not want to stay in the city by myself, this means I will probably let go of our apartment in the city, and just go out to camp for the remainder of the time. We have to talk to our facilitator and get all the details worked out. I am a little bummed about it... but it could be worse. I would be more sad if we were in a random city where I didn't know anyone, and didn't have anywhere to go and stay once he left. The hardest part I think will be from the airport in Lugansk to the airport in Kyiv (I will definitely fly, now, from Lugansk to Kyiv)... but that shouldn't be too bad. I don't know if I will have to stay overnight w/ the girls in Kyiv or not yet.

We were in the grocery store today, and I still get a little weirded-out when I see bags of chips with flavors like crab and squid.   

I had a banana and chocolate blini (like a wrap made w/ a crepe) yesterday that was heaven. Shane had one with chicken that was really good as well.

I had mentioned a while back that I was super excited, because we were getting a "subscription" to the new Top Chef through Itunes. That turned out to be a bust... downloading part of one episode totally drained our modem - so I will just have to wait. No one tell me who wins.

Things I would like to have right now: A smoothie, Catfish and Collard Greens from Full Moon

Shane is good, and doesn't want anything right now because he  has discovered Lion Bars (Which I feel we will need to make an investment in before coming home... They are like high quality star crunches, in candy bar form, also available with peanuts).



We have a ton of work to finish up today. I will try to upload some pictures later on when we are finished with that.