Singing and Dancing Friday Feb. 20

The day started pretty normal, some laundry, cheese omelets for lunch and a quick run to the market. At 1:15 we Skype with Ben before he heads for school. Then it is reading until it is time to head for the orphanage.

Today Galya and Kostya pick us up; Galya will be visiting with us today. She tells us that we have not received our court date yet, they told her to call back again on Monday, typical. When we get to the orphanage, Galya spots the Doctor and asks about the medical report that we need. It will be ready on Monday, typical. We see the councilor and ask if we will be able to take Elona home to our apartment for the day on the weekend. No, not until after the court hearing. We are disappointed, it is getting hard to fill the time shut in a small room with people that don’t speak the same language. A lot of UNO.

Elona is very happy to see Galya. We go to the library/computer room and sit on the floor. There are three pretty new computers. We ask Elona who uses the computers, she has never seen anyone use them. Elona is talking a mile a minute, telling Galya all the news of the orphanage. We ask about simple things, foods she likes, how many girls are in her dorm, has she ever slept in a room alone. There are eight girls in her dorm, she is the oldest, and the youngest is 4. Two of the girls are going home to their mother in 10 days, we are happy for them.

We tell Elona her new name. Elona Marie Holliday. She thinks that it is good. We have her practice writing her full name and then Galya works with her for a few minutes on the English alphabet. Elona asks if we can go outside. She runs around obviously showing off for us. We don’t stay outside for long because it is cold. Back inside we go to the music room where the music teacher is working with an older student. They finish and we get a special treat. Elona sings for us with the teacher. She has a very nice voice and you can tell she enjoys singing. She has already told us that she will pick chorus in school. Galya tells me how surprised she is that music is such a large part of our school curriculum, not true in Ukrainian schools. Now the choreographer comes in, it is time for dance rehearsal and we get to watch. Elona is attentive and follow directions without disruption, which there is plenty of.

Soon it is dinner time and we say our good-byes and head for the bus. At our stop Galya stays on the bus to go the rest of the way home and we head straight for the Potato House. It is Friday night and very crowded, all the tables are taken, a young couple offer for us to share their table. Sergy and Katrina are young university student and speak pretty good English. We repay their generosity with shots of tequila (it is a western style restaurant after all). Katrina likes a tequila shooter, made with sprite – so when in the Ukraine, do like the Ukrainians. It is fun. Soon they need to leave, they are heading for the cinema, so we exchange emails and say good-bye to new friends. Then it’s back to the apartment for more Sopranos.

Kelley and Roger.