What I Miss About Russia...

Can it be Thursday, already? The week has flown by - which is good as I prepare for my countdown to get a court date.

I have found it amazingly hard to get used to whole normal sleeping. A 15 hour time difference really stinks on the way home! I think I adjusted more quickly over there because I was so excited about everything that was happening and my 2nd day there was an emotional overload. That will help you sleep for sure!

There were so many big events last week, it's hard to pin-point all the highlights, but here is a quick list of things I miss about Russia:

1) Meals with the "family": Most of the times we would eat breakfast and dinner in the Vlad Inn with the other adoptive families on their journey. Because everyone is going through the same experiences, the compassion is endless. We'd sit for hours - and not just because we had nothing else to do - and laugh at each other's stories. On one particular enchanting evening, one of the pre-adoptive fathers, Ed, ordered the "Sea Bass" from the menu. I can't help but sharing what arrived. Now I am NOT a vegetarian, but it's rather hard to eat something when it's staring at you...

2) Fireworks: Rhonda and I had heard rumors of nightly "gunshot" sounds from around the hotel. We hadn't heard it, so it really didn't concern us; until one night at dinner. The sounds of two rounds of gun shots were heard for sure. After returning to our room and starting to fall asleep, both Rhonda and I woke up to the sounds of ... more gunshots. Being the stealth creeper that she is, Rhonda crawled to the window to see what was going on. These shots sounded close! And she didn't to get shot through the window. Imagine our surprise to find out that it was only fireworks! And nice ones at that! We aren't sure what the celebration was, perhaps just our being in their city was celebration enough!

3) Beautiful scenery: Being a stone's throw from the Sea of Japan has it's highlights! Other than almost loosing Rhonda's camera under a train, we had a great jaunt down to the beach. My other favorite piece of Russian scenery - the gorgeous Cathedrals. They are timeless and classic and make you think of Russia instantly when you see them. Here is one for your viewing pleasure...

4) And finally, of course.... Little Tatiana. I wish I could post one of the 258 pictures Rhonda took of her while we were there... but alas, you'll have to wait until January. With the holidays, it looks like we'll be targeting a January return for court. It could happen before Christmas, but looks like January. Keep your fingers crossed!