Monday, August 4, 2014
детский сад (Ukrainian Pre-School)
Solomiya started going to Ukrainian pre-school the last week of July! It is actually called детский сад, which translates as kindergarten, but it is not the American version of kindergarten. детский сад is more like pre-school, as it prepares children to enter first form (or first grade). Children usually start around 2-2 1/2 years old and go until they are 6 years old.
We started with just 1 hour on the first day and have worked our way up to 9-11:30am. It's definitely a huge transition for her, but a good and much needed one. We know that this experience will give her the courage to start speaking Ukrainian more and help her learn how to interact with other kids. I think we will stick to the 9-11 or 12pm for a while. The kids actually eat breakfast, lunch, have a nap and eat supper there- that is a super long day for a little kid.
We started with just 1 hour on the first day and have worked our way up to 9-11:30am. It's definitely a huge transition for her, but a good and much needed one. We know that this experience will give her the courage to start speaking Ukrainian more and help her learn how to interact with other kids. I think we will stick to the 9-11 or 12pm for a while. The kids actually eat breakfast, lunch, have a nap and eat supper there- that is a super long day for a little kid.
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| You can see the playground behind Solomiya. |
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| Her classroom is at the top of the stairs. |
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| The name of her group: Snowdrop |
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| The just built a pool for the kids. |
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| Each classroom consists of 3 rooms: a locker room, class/play area and room with beds for nap time. When the kids first arrive, they put their things in the locker and change their shoes. |
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| Solomiya's locker. Each kid has their own animal to help identify it. |
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| Leaving for the day... |
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Monday, June 9, 2014
Maternity Hospital in Uzhhorod, Ukraine
I am certain that you all have been waiting at the edge of your seats to hear about the experience we had at the Maternity Hospital here in Uzhhorod, Ukraine. Yes, I thought so.
No worries: this is not a 'Birth Story' post. If you want more info, and you're a girl, and you're my friend- send me an email and I'll fill you in.
We had a great experience! Thanks be to God! An interesting experience at times, but overall great!
We arrived at the hospital at about 3am, so of course all the regular day staff were not working. The hospital lobby was completely dark and an older woman came out to meet us. Turned out, she was the 'door woman' and we were supposed to pay her for opening the door for us. But, we had no idea and we were both slightly distracted. (Later, about 5:30am, after Fedya was born, one of the nurses told Mike that he had to go down to the lobby and pay this woman because her shift was up and she was heading home. I think she charged 20r- about $2.)
So, the door lady called a nurse or maybe a CNA to come downstairs and help us get situated. We came to the birthing area and met the midwife (who, by the way, not only spoke English, but was just really awesome all around). The midwife, the nurse, the assistant: they were all great! The lady doctor: eh. I wasn't impressed. This wasn't a problem because the midwife was pretty much in charge of everything.
Fedya* was born super fast (about 5am) and then we just got to relax for a couple hours before we were moved to the recovery room/floor.
*[Fedya is like a nickname for Fedir. Fedir is pronounced with the stress on the 1st syllable: FEH-deer (and roll your 'r' a tad at the end)].
It's standard to stay in the hospital for about 3 days (2 nights) before going home. The recovery room was great: simple, no frills. I did have to bring everything that I would need with me, though. This includes everything from sheets, toiletries, water (for drinking), cup, utensils, baby stuff and electric tea kettle for heating water.
While I was there, I felt a tad like a sideshow act in a Circus. The first day, random staff came in my room all throughout the day asking, "So, you're the American?", "Yup". I'm glad I could entertain them for a few days. But, I must say, ALL of the staff were SO nice and were constantly asking if they could help me. One doctor, in particular, spoke English very well and came to check on me all throughout the first 2 days to see if I needed anything. He was amazing and helpful and very kind. And he was excited to practice his English.
I cannot truly compare it to a hospital birth in the US, because for Solomiya we had a home birth. But... I have worked at a few hospitals in the US and that is why I decided to have the home birth ; ) ! I will say though, I would totally do it again.
And- on another note- I had an AMAZING doctor for all of my pre-natal care. He was friendly, kind, knowledgable and spoke English. If any ladies need a recommendation, let me know!
Here are some pictures of the Maternity Hospital, or Birth House, as it translates from Russian or Ukrainian:
No worries: this is not a 'Birth Story' post. If you want more info, and you're a girl, and you're my friend- send me an email and I'll fill you in.
We had a great experience! Thanks be to God! An interesting experience at times, but overall great!
We arrived at the hospital at about 3am, so of course all the regular day staff were not working. The hospital lobby was completely dark and an older woman came out to meet us. Turned out, she was the 'door woman' and we were supposed to pay her for opening the door for us. But, we had no idea and we were both slightly distracted. (Later, about 5:30am, after Fedya was born, one of the nurses told Mike that he had to go down to the lobby and pay this woman because her shift was up and she was heading home. I think she charged 20r- about $2.)
So, the door lady called a nurse or maybe a CNA to come downstairs and help us get situated. We came to the birthing area and met the midwife (who, by the way, not only spoke English, but was just really awesome all around). The midwife, the nurse, the assistant: they were all great! The lady doctor: eh. I wasn't impressed. This wasn't a problem because the midwife was pretty much in charge of everything.
Fedya* was born super fast (about 5am) and then we just got to relax for a couple hours before we were moved to the recovery room/floor.
*[Fedya is like a nickname for Fedir. Fedir is pronounced with the stress on the 1st syllable: FEH-deer (and roll your 'r' a tad at the end)].
It's standard to stay in the hospital for about 3 days (2 nights) before going home. The recovery room was great: simple, no frills. I did have to bring everything that I would need with me, though. This includes everything from sheets, toiletries, water (for drinking), cup, utensils, baby stuff and electric tea kettle for heating water.
While I was there, I felt a tad like a sideshow act in a Circus. The first day, random staff came in my room all throughout the day asking, "So, you're the American?", "Yup". I'm glad I could entertain them for a few days. But, I must say, ALL of the staff were SO nice and were constantly asking if they could help me. One doctor, in particular, spoke English very well and came to check on me all throughout the first 2 days to see if I needed anything. He was amazing and helpful and very kind. And he was excited to practice his English.
I cannot truly compare it to a hospital birth in the US, because for Solomiya we had a home birth. But... I have worked at a few hospitals in the US and that is why I decided to have the home birth ; ) ! I will say though, I would totally do it again.
And- on another note- I had an AMAZING doctor for all of my pre-natal care. He was friendly, kind, knowledgable and spoke English. If any ladies need a recommendation, let me know!
Here are some pictures of the Maternity Hospital, or Birth House, as it translates from Russian or Ukrainian:
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Fedir / Федір Михайлович
A certain small creature became part of our family at 5.00 on Thursday, 15 May. His name is Fedir and at birth he weighed 3.8kg and was 54cm long. (That's 8 pounds, 6 ounces and 21-1/4 inches).
His big sister Solomiya loves her baby brother and appears to be adjusting to the new atmosphere in our home.
His mom is doing well and also adapting.
His big sister Solomiya loves her baby brother and appears to be adjusting to the new atmosphere in our home.
His mom is doing well and also adapting.
Monday, May 12, 2014
War, babies and other lame excuses
Hello, friends!
Perhaps you've been wondering what could have possibly happened, to cause us to cease our regular blogging. Well, here I go...
It seems that this baby we are eagerly awaiting has somehow distracted the talented Annie from her regular blogging duties. (Which is why you are presently reading the words of Mike). This pregnancy has been much different from the first and has taken a lot more energy from Annie. That's not to say that she isn't healthy and in good spirits; it's just that this one is different...and a bigger baby....and a boy.
As a result, Annie has cut back her work schedule a bit, but still continues with her Russian lessons and keeps on being an amazingly patient, wise and loving mom to an ever-more-demanding little princess named Solomiya. Annie has an amazing doctor whose care she has been in for the duration of her pregnancy and yes - we are planning on having the birth right here in our local hospital in Uzhhorod. This fact seems to be far more of a wonder to our Ukrainian friends than any of our friends or family in the US. From some of the stories our well-intentioned friends told Annie, you'd think she'd be giving birth in a dark, flooded basement and attended to by saw-wielding trolls. In fact, the maternity hospital here is quite nice and Annie's doctor - the amazingly kind Dr. Ivan Ivanovych Treshchak - very graciously gave her a full tour of all the appropriate areas of the hospital, introducing her to staff along the way. He also walked her step-by-step through the process, showing her the delivery and recovery rooms. We are blessed to have our baby boy born here! We just wish he would come a little sooner than the due date of 15 May! :-)
You no doubt know about the tense situation here in Ukraine, which began last fall with the revolution and deposal of the corrupt former president and his regime and continues today with Russian-sponsored terrorist/separatist activities in the east of our country. Thank God, Zakarpattya and the rest of western Ukraine are far away from the current conflict and life here carries on peacefully and much as before. One major exception is a new and vigorous sense of patriotism which was VERY absent just six months ago. It will be a long painful process for all of the corruption to be rooted out, but people here are taking ownership of their country and actively holding the new authorities accountable to the population. "People's councils", which are elected watchdog committees of citizens from all walks of life are monitoring and giving direct feedback to the formally-elected members of the city and regional administrations. Despite the heart-breaking and frustrating events far off in Donetsk, Luhansk and Odesa, Ukraine as a nation is stronger than ever. We are privileged to be living and serving here today and that our children will have the opportunity to grow up in the wonderful country, in an environment which promises a level of freedom and dignity unseen in the twenty-three years of Ukraine's independence.
So...end of excuses! Be on the lookout for a blog introducing our latest family member. Let's pray that he comes sooner, rather than later :-) Meanwhile, Solomiya eagerly awaits "my boy" (as she calls him).
Perhaps you've been wondering what could have possibly happened, to cause us to cease our regular blogging. Well, here I go...
It seems that this baby we are eagerly awaiting has somehow distracted the talented Annie from her regular blogging duties. (Which is why you are presently reading the words of Mike). This pregnancy has been much different from the first and has taken a lot more energy from Annie. That's not to say that she isn't healthy and in good spirits; it's just that this one is different...and a bigger baby....and a boy.
As a result, Annie has cut back her work schedule a bit, but still continues with her Russian lessons and keeps on being an amazingly patient, wise and loving mom to an ever-more-demanding little princess named Solomiya. Annie has an amazing doctor whose care she has been in for the duration of her pregnancy and yes - we are planning on having the birth right here in our local hospital in Uzhhorod. This fact seems to be far more of a wonder to our Ukrainian friends than any of our friends or family in the US. From some of the stories our well-intentioned friends told Annie, you'd think she'd be giving birth in a dark, flooded basement and attended to by saw-wielding trolls. In fact, the maternity hospital here is quite nice and Annie's doctor - the amazingly kind Dr. Ivan Ivanovych Treshchak - very graciously gave her a full tour of all the appropriate areas of the hospital, introducing her to staff along the way. He also walked her step-by-step through the process, showing her the delivery and recovery rooms. We are blessed to have our baby boy born here! We just wish he would come a little sooner than the due date of 15 May! :-)
You no doubt know about the tense situation here in Ukraine, which began last fall with the revolution and deposal of the corrupt former president and his regime and continues today with Russian-sponsored terrorist/separatist activities in the east of our country. Thank God, Zakarpattya and the rest of western Ukraine are far away from the current conflict and life here carries on peacefully and much as before. One major exception is a new and vigorous sense of patriotism which was VERY absent just six months ago. It will be a long painful process for all of the corruption to be rooted out, but people here are taking ownership of their country and actively holding the new authorities accountable to the population. "People's councils", which are elected watchdog committees of citizens from all walks of life are monitoring and giving direct feedback to the formally-elected members of the city and regional administrations. Despite the heart-breaking and frustrating events far off in Donetsk, Luhansk and Odesa, Ukraine as a nation is stronger than ever. We are privileged to be living and serving here today and that our children will have the opportunity to grow up in the wonderful country, in an environment which promises a level of freedom and dignity unseen in the twenty-three years of Ukraine's independence.
So...end of excuses! Be on the lookout for a blog introducing our latest family member. Let's pray that he comes sooner, rather than later :-) Meanwhile, Solomiya eagerly awaits "my boy" (as she calls him).
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Update on Situation in Ukraine
Hey there, Changepoint friends!
Some of you might be wondering what's been going on here in Ukraine or have, perhaps, been seeking a little more information about the mood and the situation "on the ground" than you've seen on the news or have read in the posts I've shared from other sources. Well, I'll give it a go.
First off, I want to apologize for not blogging or giving more personal updates on Facebook of late. My (many) daily scans of Facebook are so filled with news, thoughts, speculation and propaganda about the situation in Ukraine that I forget that most of my friends in America are not as plugged in to the many sources which I am. I even get so fatigued from all of the news that I simply have no motivation to post a single thought. Lately, I've even been trying to reduce my time on Facebook, especially time spent reading yet another apocalyptic "prophesy" about the impending invasion and destruction of Ukraine...or the expert analysis of Vladimir Putin's ingeniously evil plans of conquest. I've tried to unplug myself a bit and replace the glut of discouraging news with times of prayer and contemplation of God's truth. What I mean is, the irrefutable truth of God's sovereignty, power and mercy in the face of what even many of my Christian friends seem to feel is an imminent and unpreventable war.
I guess that last statement leads very nicely into my thoughts on the general mood here. It's hard from your perspective in America to realize the depth and breadth of the war being waged by Russia against Ukraine... The aforementioned war includes the largely-bloodless military occupation and annexation of Crimea, which you've probably already heard about. But, more insidiously, there is a psychological and propaganda war being waged on level that would be hard for most Americans to understand. In my observations this psychological war exists on two fronts.
One is the endless stream of misinformation coming from all Russian media sources (internet, print, TV and radio) about the situation in Ukraine. This is directed primarily at the population in Russia and Russian-speakers in eastern Ukraine, but also to anyone in the West who doesn't take the time to double-check their news sources. It involves outright lies about the social and political situation here in Ukraine. According to Russian news, there is complete chaos throughout Ukraine, being the direct result of an illegitimate government ruled by neo-Nazis, fascists and homosexual propagandists whose main goal is to persecute ethnic Russians and Russian speakers...and the existence of said government is the sole result of years of planning and training by the American government. No wonder Mr. Putin wants to do everything possible to "stabilize" the situation! Unfortunately, the fact that the revolution in Ukraine was a grassroots "Revolution of Dignity", to throw off a corrupt and abusive government doesn't serve his plans. My own observations of the new national and local authorities shows a varied group of people: Christians, Jews and Muslims; Ukrainian-speakers and Russian-speakers; ethnic Ukrainians and ethnic Russians; eastern Ukrainians and western Ukrainians; street-level activists and politicians. What they all have in common is a desire to live in a country where the government serves the people; where people respect each other, rather than use each other; and where there is no room for corruption. They have decided to put aside the divisions which previous generations of politicians (and current Russian politicians) have emphasized and manipulated in order to make Ukraine a divided and unstable state. Ironically, the brutal actions of ex-president Yanukovych and the current agitation / intimidation of Vladimir Putin have driven all of the different groups in Ukraine together! There is actually a greater feeling of unity among different groups of formerly-antagonistic Ukrainians than there has ever been in the country's existence. I recently read a joke, said to have originated in the largely-Russian-speaking southern Ukrainian city of Odesa: An Odessa native tells his friend from Russia that he has decided to stop speaking Russian and only speak Ukrainian. "Why? Are you afraid of being beaten by Ukrainians?" asks his friend. "No", replies the Odessan, " I'm afraid of being protected by the Russians!"
Back to the second front in the propaganda war; this is the psychological pressure on Ukrainians, designed to break their will and their spirits. It's been brought to bear by the amassing of nearly 100,000 Russian troops, backed by arms, aircraft and equipment of every kind, along the southern and eastern borders of Ukraine. It's been underlined by the way that Russia occupied and annexed Crimea with impunity. The diplomatic and financial sanctions of the EU and US seem to have had no effect on the confidence and momentum of Putin's plans to bring "peace" and "stability" to Ukraine by protecting the so-called interests of ethnics Russians and Russian-speakers in eastern and southern Ukraine. And when the countries (US, UK and Russian) who guaranteed Ukraine's territorial integrity upon the surrender of its nuclear arsenal in 1994 seem unwilling to follow through on their obligations, what hope is there in the face of a better-armed enemy who calls himself a "brother" while openly declaring that the very notion of a separate Ukrainian nation and culture a myth? Where is there hope?!
Now you can perhaps understand why many people - even those whose hope is in "the God of all hope" - are feeling a bit frazzled, downcast and even despondent. "So, it looks like Putin will invade any day now...", "There doesn't seem to be any way to avoid war", "Do you think there's any hope of peace?" are just a sample of the questions I am hearing from friends - and which echo in mind even when I'm alone.
Yet the good news is that there is no turning back. I honestly believe that nobody would trade the uneasiness that grips the country now for the corruption, brutality, apathy and hopelessness that characterized the "peaceful" days before the revolution. If there's an upside to an upside to a dark-looking future, it's that our country's hope now is really and truly in God's hands. But of course, it always was, wasn't it? Who else could have pulled off so many of the miracles that led to a group of unarmed protestors overthrowing a powerful and corrupt government? Who else could have brought every confession and denomination of the church in Ukraine to its collective knees - day and night - to intercede for our protection. As a Christian, I refuse to let the devil or Vladimir Putin, or any of his talking heads steal the joy of the Lord, the strength, the hope, the very foundation I have in Christ Jesus! My trust is not in "horses or chariots or men". While I hope that I'm not sounding naïve, I DO believe in a bright future for Ukraine. Will it come without further blood and sacrifice? I don't know. But I do know that I am incredibly proud, privileged and blessed to live in this wonderful country at this time and to call Ukraine my home. I am joyful that my kids will grow up here and live to reap the benefits of all of those who have sacrificed and are sacrificing to make this great nation a great country.
Sorry to have been so long-winded. That's just the way I'm feeling as of 10.30PM, Saturday, 29 March. Blame those asked me to write more.
~ Mike
Some of you might be wondering what's been going on here in Ukraine or have, perhaps, been seeking a little more information about the mood and the situation "on the ground" than you've seen on the news or have read in the posts I've shared from other sources. Well, I'll give it a go.
First off, I want to apologize for not blogging or giving more personal updates on Facebook of late. My (many) daily scans of Facebook are so filled with news, thoughts, speculation and propaganda about the situation in Ukraine that I forget that most of my friends in America are not as plugged in to the many sources which I am. I even get so fatigued from all of the news that I simply have no motivation to post a single thought. Lately, I've even been trying to reduce my time on Facebook, especially time spent reading yet another apocalyptic "prophesy" about the impending invasion and destruction of Ukraine...or the expert analysis of Vladimir Putin's ingeniously evil plans of conquest. I've tried to unplug myself a bit and replace the glut of discouraging news with times of prayer and contemplation of God's truth. What I mean is, the irrefutable truth of God's sovereignty, power and mercy in the face of what even many of my Christian friends seem to feel is an imminent and unpreventable war.
I guess that last statement leads very nicely into my thoughts on the general mood here. It's hard from your perspective in America to realize the depth and breadth of the war being waged by Russia against Ukraine... The aforementioned war includes the largely-bloodless military occupation and annexation of Crimea, which you've probably already heard about. But, more insidiously, there is a psychological and propaganda war being waged on level that would be hard for most Americans to understand. In my observations this psychological war exists on two fronts.
One is the endless stream of misinformation coming from all Russian media sources (internet, print, TV and radio) about the situation in Ukraine. This is directed primarily at the population in Russia and Russian-speakers in eastern Ukraine, but also to anyone in the West who doesn't take the time to double-check their news sources. It involves outright lies about the social and political situation here in Ukraine. According to Russian news, there is complete chaos throughout Ukraine, being the direct result of an illegitimate government ruled by neo-Nazis, fascists and homosexual propagandists whose main goal is to persecute ethnic Russians and Russian speakers...and the existence of said government is the sole result of years of planning and training by the American government. No wonder Mr. Putin wants to do everything possible to "stabilize" the situation! Unfortunately, the fact that the revolution in Ukraine was a grassroots "Revolution of Dignity", to throw off a corrupt and abusive government doesn't serve his plans. My own observations of the new national and local authorities shows a varied group of people: Christians, Jews and Muslims; Ukrainian-speakers and Russian-speakers; ethnic Ukrainians and ethnic Russians; eastern Ukrainians and western Ukrainians; street-level activists and politicians. What they all have in common is a desire to live in a country where the government serves the people; where people respect each other, rather than use each other; and where there is no room for corruption. They have decided to put aside the divisions which previous generations of politicians (and current Russian politicians) have emphasized and manipulated in order to make Ukraine a divided and unstable state. Ironically, the brutal actions of ex-president Yanukovych and the current agitation / intimidation of Vladimir Putin have driven all of the different groups in Ukraine together! There is actually a greater feeling of unity among different groups of formerly-antagonistic Ukrainians than there has ever been in the country's existence. I recently read a joke, said to have originated in the largely-Russian-speaking southern Ukrainian city of Odesa: An Odessa native tells his friend from Russia that he has decided to stop speaking Russian and only speak Ukrainian. "Why? Are you afraid of being beaten by Ukrainians?" asks his friend. "No", replies the Odessan, " I'm afraid of being protected by the Russians!"
Back to the second front in the propaganda war; this is the psychological pressure on Ukrainians, designed to break their will and their spirits. It's been brought to bear by the amassing of nearly 100,000 Russian troops, backed by arms, aircraft and equipment of every kind, along the southern and eastern borders of Ukraine. It's been underlined by the way that Russia occupied and annexed Crimea with impunity. The diplomatic and financial sanctions of the EU and US seem to have had no effect on the confidence and momentum of Putin's plans to bring "peace" and "stability" to Ukraine by protecting the so-called interests of ethnics Russians and Russian-speakers in eastern and southern Ukraine. And when the countries (US, UK and Russian) who guaranteed Ukraine's territorial integrity upon the surrender of its nuclear arsenal in 1994 seem unwilling to follow through on their obligations, what hope is there in the face of a better-armed enemy who calls himself a "brother" while openly declaring that the very notion of a separate Ukrainian nation and culture a myth? Where is there hope?!
Now you can perhaps understand why many people - even those whose hope is in "the God of all hope" - are feeling a bit frazzled, downcast and even despondent. "So, it looks like Putin will invade any day now...", "There doesn't seem to be any way to avoid war", "Do you think there's any hope of peace?" are just a sample of the questions I am hearing from friends - and which echo in mind even when I'm alone.
Yet the good news is that there is no turning back. I honestly believe that nobody would trade the uneasiness that grips the country now for the corruption, brutality, apathy and hopelessness that characterized the "peaceful" days before the revolution. If there's an upside to an upside to a dark-looking future, it's that our country's hope now is really and truly in God's hands. But of course, it always was, wasn't it? Who else could have pulled off so many of the miracles that led to a group of unarmed protestors overthrowing a powerful and corrupt government? Who else could have brought every confession and denomination of the church in Ukraine to its collective knees - day and night - to intercede for our protection. As a Christian, I refuse to let the devil or Vladimir Putin, or any of his talking heads steal the joy of the Lord, the strength, the hope, the very foundation I have in Christ Jesus! My trust is not in "horses or chariots or men". While I hope that I'm not sounding naïve, I DO believe in a bright future for Ukraine. Will it come without further blood and sacrifice? I don't know. But I do know that I am incredibly proud, privileged and blessed to live in this wonderful country at this time and to call Ukraine my home. I am joyful that my kids will grow up here and live to reap the benefits of all of those who have sacrificed and are sacrificing to make this great nation a great country.
Sorry to have been so long-winded. That's just the way I'm feeling as of 10.30PM, Saturday, 29 March. Blame those asked me to write more.
~ Mike
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