Thursday, June 28, 2012

All is well

I am in Ukraine and all is well, but I left the cord from my camera in Russia with my husband and I can't charge my Ipad here because they don't have the right outlets, so I can't blogg really. There sure will be plenty of blogging and catching up with all my favourite blogg reading when I get home next week.
My husband is getting better and I hope and pray that we both get home safe and painless next week.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Last day...

It is hard to believe that we've been in Russia for 3 weeks now. It was fun visiting my husband's family and we made many memories together! Now it is time for me to visit my family in Ukraine. Tomorrow is the last day in Russia. My mother-in-law and I are taking a train to nearby big city so that I can fly from there to the Ukraine. We leave tomorrow morning and I leave the country the day after that, early in the morning.
I am excited as I get to see my dad, his wife, and their almost one year old daughter (my half sister), I also get to see my grandmas and grandpas and my friend, I get to go to our summer house and possibly visit an art exhibition, I get to see how my city changed... So it should be great!
However I am sad that I am leaving this family - they took me in and love me as their own. I will miss our talks with my mom-in-law, I will miss my dad-in-law, I will often remember their pretty house, the village that we visited.
I will miss this funny dude that likes to eat flowers and gets his face all covered in pollen.

I will miss this mean but quite majestic old lady, who makes a puddle next to your shoes as a warning that they should be put away, and if you don't next puddle goes directly on misplaced items.

I will miss this adventurous turtle, who gets out of her bucket to crawl around the house, warm herself on the sun, and steal some food from the cats' bowl. By the way her name is Tasya, I asked.


I will worry about my husband who is getting a hernia surgery tomorrow and on top of that got fever. The only reason I am leaving him is because he is left in good hands - who can take better care of him than his own mother.
It is weir to think that I will not see them all for at least a year. Who knows, maybe next time I see them, I will be an accredited dental hygienist?!
There is a lot to pray about, a lot to be excited about, a lot ahead.
For now, getting myself to go to sleep is the best thing I can do for myself as a two day journey is ahead.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Happy father's day!

Dear Donnichka, thank you for being the best father in the world. You are our gift from God. Our family needed you, prayed for you and God gave us you and we are so so thankful! You filled our lives to the fullest with your kindness, craziness, music, traveling. You taught us how to love this country, showed us the beauty of freedom. I love how you love me, Kirill, mom, ET, and now your silly goat Molly. And I love you so much! Thank you for showing me what it's like to have a real father! Happy fathers day!

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Wild flowers

I think somewhere deep inside I had a dream to walk around a field of knee-high grass and collect wild flowers. It came true today. My mother in law and I got a beautiful bunch of them and now they emit honey-like smell all over the house.
Today my husband along with my in-laws took me to the church, where they got baptized years ago. What an uplifting place! The forest around it, the people inside - it was a truly unforgettable experience. Since this church is about two hours away from where my parents-in-law live, on the way back we passed by the fields of wild flowers and stopped on the side of the road to take some home.

The weather is kind of heavy now with grey clouds that make you all sleepy. My husband and his dad are peacefully sleeping on the couches in the living room. I think I am going to watch some old movie, maybe one of my favorite ones...

Friday, June 15, 2012

Listen to this while looking at this

I discovered this amazing band for myself they are the most tender, dreamy, whimsical music!
I also discovered this dreamy artist. They match so perfectly!
So turn this on...
and scroll down to look at the artwork that matches the mood. So peasefull!


Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Summer project progress

I am slowly making my way through this project I talked about before. I put a little piece together, just to see what it would look like. I am happy with a turnout. It will take me a while, but I think it's worth it. The colors I picked could work for a girl as well as a boy, and I like the combination. I wasn't set on a specific color or even type of yarn, I figured when I see it, I would know. So I had a couple of choices, brought some yarn home, tried it out, and liked this one the most.
I am merely a crafts fan, I do a lot of deferent things, but I am not even close to being perfect at any of them. I feel that that is what handmade is all about though - my hands made it, my memories attached to it while making it, and hopefully it will keep a little somebody nice and warm some day.

Summer rain - unedited

Warm, energizing, life-giving summer rain, loud glorious and at times even scary thunders, and sunshine - all at the same time. That's how I like it! It is nice to stay inside, drink hot tea with chocolates - mmmm. Even the cat seems to enjoy this time, sitting on top of the arm chair.***The photos are unedited***

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Real moments

There are times in life, moments when everything feels so real, so vivid, so important. I just sit there and marvel at the moment, at the realization that this moment will imprint in my mind maybe even for ever.
At moments like that it's important to live in that moment. I try to grab it, grasp at it and not let go. I want to keep it for as long as I can.
This is what I felt like, sitting on the back seat of the car, as my husband drove us to the nearby city, as trees and meadows were passing by, as my favorite song was playing in my ears, and cool fresh air was blowing in my face through the car window. It smelled like wet grass, and sometimes like mint too. I felt completely happy. Hoped this moment will never end.


In the city we went into a little caffe, that I really liked. It was quite and had a unique style to it. We ate yummy food and my husband was acting silly, making me laugh.

It ended though and now I am struggling with reality, with having to deal with certain people and their ignorance and immaturity and inconsideration. It hurts and makes things hard to enjoy. I hate myself for inability to control my feelings, to not show my mood on my face. My stupid face always betrays me! It is so difficult to live with a face like that.  But hopefully it will end soon enough, when this person will leave my life at least for a little while, and hopefully I will be able to regain my peace again, and enjoy the rest of our vacation.

Monday, June 11, 2012

My King Is Alive!

Looking at photos of the sky that I took through a car window, on our way back from the trip I will tell about later, I couldn't help but sing in my head the amazing song by Natalie Grant - Alive.


ALIVE
Who but You
Could breathe and leave a trail of galaxies
And dream of me?

What kind of love
Is writing my story till the end
With Mercy's Pen?
Only You.

What kind of King
Would choose to wear a crown
that bleeds and scars
To win my heart.

What kind of Love
Tells me I'm the reson He can't stay
Inside the grave

You.
Is it You?
Standing here before my eyes
Every part of my heart cries.

Alive, Alive
Look what Mercy's overcome
Death has lost and Love has won!

Alive, Alive
Halleujah, Risen Lord
the only one i fall before

I am His
because He is
Alive.

Who could speak
and send the demons back from where they came
with just one name?

what other heart
would let itself be broken every time
until he healed mine?

you. only you
could turn my darkness into dawn
running right into your arms

alive, alive
Look what Mercy's overcome
Death has lost and Love has won!

alive, alive!
Halleujah, Risen Lord
the only one i fall before

i am His
because He is

emmanuel, the promised king
the baby who made angels sing
son of man who walked with us
healing, breathing in our dust

the author of all history
the answer to all mysteries
the lamb of God who rolled away
the stone in front of every grave.


alive, alive
Look what Mercy's overcome
Death has lost and Love has won!

Hallelujah



Saturday, June 9, 2012

Three cats and a turtle

I feel like animals are all around me here in Russia. It is amazing to think that some of them, like the white cat Musya or the turtle (don't even know what its name is, it just walks around the house) are from my husbands childhood! It's crazy I think, because I have seen the photos of him 14 years old and playing with a little white kitten, or have heard the stories about the purchase of this little turtle that could fit on a palm of a hand, and here they are now...
The black cat, Basik, is the nicest cat ever, he would sit on your lap for hours and doesn't mind being picked up. He came into this family after my husband left the country.
As for the pretty mama with one little kitten, she lives in the village and is a happy little cat. I had fun petting her and playing with her little one when we visited.

Apples and carrots and a flood of memories

I had some carrots left from yesterday's dinner making, so I added apples, sour cream, and raisins to have for breakfast. The second I smelled it, the memories from childhood flooded my head.
I remembered waking up in a sun lit room at my grandmas house. Laying blissfuly in a crispy fresh pillows and blankets, soaking in the morning sun. And then getting up, excited for the day to come, to be greeted by a tasty breakfast - many times partially consisted of this dish.
Oh how tasty it was, and is even better now. So simple, who would have thought, yet so memorable and yummy!

Friday, June 8, 2012

Thoughts and amazing blog!

It has been over a week since we arrived here, hugged and received hugs from my husband's wonderful family, and unpacked our suit cases.
I enjoy visiting family, because I get to relax my mind and body and more or less enjoy some me time. We fly so far away from our home leaving not only our friends, family, and plants, but also all the clutter that fills our lives not letting us rest properly.
Our lives here are not filled with too many activities. I don't feel as a tourist here. It is small european town with little streets and a few buildings that are hundreds of years old and still stand, reminding of the times I really wish I could visit. We don't take tours, as my husband, who was born here and lived here for 20 years, showed me the places I really wanted to see - the hospital where he came into this world, the school he attended, the university he never finished because he moved to the US where we met - all the places that I imagined when he told me stories of his childhood. We walk past these historical for our family places every day, and that satisfies my curiosity for this town. Another thing that I mentioned before is the nature - cool and humid, green and juicy - it is such a change from Vegas and reminds me of my childhood as well.
So I sleep till afternoon, eat lots of chocolate, crochet what is long ways from being a baby blanket, drink tea, read favorite blogs and books, and think about the future while looking at the business of this little town through the windows. it might sound boring, but it is much needed after all the stress of school on my part and work on my husband's.
So today, I found an amazing blog, called Dear Baby, where a mother of two describes her life with family in such a beautiful way that makes me want kids even more so. She has beautiful way with words and her birth stories are so touching I cried! I need this kind of inspiration in my life, this kind of reading helps me get through this time of intense studying and waiting for the opportunity of having our little babies. When I read about other people's fun and struggle with their little ones, I feel closer to my own dream... I don't know if it makes sence at all.

I just need a bit more patience and determination. Never thought I would get myself into a situation where if I get what I really want and get pregnant, I would loose what I have been working for this whole time - my opportunity to finish school and get my dental hygiene degree. I mean, there is no way I can have a newborn and be at school over 12 hours a day... There would be no question about it, I would sacrifice school. Anyways, there is time for every activity, God has a plan for it all, I just need to be patient. After all it's only a year left. And just the thought of possibility of having a child from the person I love the most, is heart melting and gives me curage to live day by day.
So for now - we rest.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Kinder Surprise

Kinder Surprise is a chocolate egg with a little toy inside. It is only available in Europe.The joy of my childhood, only for Christmas were we able to afford it. The chocolate is amazing! The toys are fun! You never know what you are going to get.
Maybe because this little treat reminds me of those sweet days of childhood, maybe because now I can afford it, whatever the reason is, I absolutely love these things!
For this Christmas, my lovely husband brought me about 15 of those and they lasted me almost a month. I save all the little toys, maybe my kids will play with them some day. I sure loved playing with those when I was a kid!

Beautiful...

When I'm not studying, I read beautiful books about beautiful classic Russia, and crochet with beautiful yarn. Things like this stay as beautiful memories forever!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Golden time

I have been dreaming about catching the moment of the day that is called golden. When the sun is almost set and everything has that golden tint to it. We get beautiful sunsets in Vegas, but I'm usually in school during that time. So one of my wishes for this vacation was to catch that time in the village. And so I did. I am ashamed to say that I snapped a couple of shots and ran away because mosquitoes were sucking me dry. But I am quite happy with the result!
One of these might make it into my instagram art. By the way, no editing in the photos, I think the colors are pretty amazing as they are...

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Fluffies

It's June, which means that fluff from the blooming trees is everywhere here. It is laying on the streets or falling from the sky like snow. People who have allergies hate this time, I think it is fun!


My favorite dandelions are blooming as well! People say you can blow on it and make a wish. I prefer taking pictures of it. This picture might make it into my instagram art!

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Let the second year of hell begin.

Yes, although I am on vacation far far away from school, I still have to practice my instrumentation and do a class online. I like the name of the class too - Pain and Anxiety control. Yum! Just what I need to relax during the summer! So starting from today my trustworthy friend - Sammy and I are back together. In dental hygiene practice is everything as it's important not to loose your motor skills. So here we are...

A hot day...

Today I found yarn that I am going to use for my floral blanket project. Out of all of my choices described previously, I decided to do little flowers. I got bamboo yarn because it's soft and not too hot. So I am now trying it out.
It is super hot here, so we are just resting and trying to stay inside. I am feeling sleepy and lazy. Hope it cools down soon.

Friday, June 1, 2012

Happy summer!

So here we are, resting and getting adjusted. Although I don't feel the 11 hour difference this time for some reason.
It sure feels like summer here - humid and hot. We went and got me glasses, a gift from my mother in law. It turns out I have trouble seeing from fare away. I like them, but I'm also thankful that I only will need to ware them when I drive or when at school.
So happy first day of summer! It is also children's day here in Russia. The weekend is going to be spent in the village and I am excited to spend some time among fields and cows. I will be sure to take pictures.
For now we are all about rest here.