Friends and Family,

Not much to report this afternoon. Still no final word on whether we have court tomorrow or not. By the next time we post, we possibly might have already been there! We'll have to wait and see. We did see our first few snowflakes today, so we have to quit bragging about the nice weather.

The director came into the playroom when all the kids were very active and it was very loud. She said something in Russian, which we didn't understand, but I'm sure it meant something like, "I can't believe these kids are running all over the place!"

Francessca, we can't believe you had your Mom make borscht! Now that's some good research! Glad you liked it. We'll have to get the recipe from you, because we want to make it at home. Also, Brianna thank you very much for the kind words. You both made us smile today.

Kelly and I couldn't take the cabin fever any longer last night and ventured out of our apartment down to the corner, where we found a small grocery store. There wasn't much that looked too appealing, but we found what we thought were miniature pizzas. After warming them up back home, we were surprised when we tasted them. We don't have any idea what you call them, but they were sort of like donut-bread, topped with mayonnaise, ketchup, chopped ham, and cheese (Francessca, we dare you to try that one!). Ketchup, it seems, is treated as some sort of exotic topping here, even though you can find the regular ole Heinz bottle at a reasonable price in the grocery store.

Bill had fun buying some electronics today (camera and flash drive). At first he had to check out at a traditional cashier. Then he had to take all paperwork to another desk where they did something concerning his credit card, and he had to sign some form. Then he had to go another desk where he signed more stuff (who knows what), being attended to by two gentlemen. There he was handed the goods. On the way out, he was stopped by two security men, who thoroughly went through the contents one more time. Sheesh!

Today's top 10 list (could easily have been top 100!):

TOP TEN TIMES WE SEEMED LIKE WEIRD FOREIGNERS

10. When a street vendor said something and Bill responded with, "Porcupine! Taco Bell!" (don't ask...)
9. When Bill bought a "case" of beer (they only sell them singly here; what I had was a shipping box!)
8. Having to ask a police officer how to dial a public phone (and tipping him $10!)
7. When Bill asked the driver "Tee-gah-lohd-na?" for several days at lunch time which means "are you hungry?"--to a girl
6. When we were at McDonald's and Bill ordered a quarter pounder, which they don't have
5. When we showed confusion that you have to make a deposit to use a shopping cart
4. When we asked for butter for our bread (mayonnaise aplenty, but no butter to be found)
3. When we laughed when a soup at a restaurant was described as "containing marine parts"
2. When we thought that a pedestrian crossing meant that we had the right of way (how silly of us...)
1. Sitting in the internet cafe, wearing casual clothes, drinking Coke Light (Diet Coke), speaking English



Peace and Love,

Bill and Kelly