It's hot hot hot It is quite hot here -- 104 degrees F yesterday and not an AC in sight. Our host barely slept at all, but it takes more than heat to keep us from sleeping. It is a bit humid here. The terrain is green, and it's fruit season. There are watermelons, plums, and all kinds of fruit to enjoy, though I understand they are loaded with pesticides. Oh well, for three weeks -- who cares? They are juicy and delicioso!
well well Thanks for your encouragement. We had a better afternoon. Wait until you all hear about the two little ones I want to bring home with me -- well, I hear it takes about nine months to get them out of the country ... will she or won't she? Time will tell! Take care and my best to you and all back at AMD.
Keep up the good work Wendy, Adrienne: Keep up the good work - bringing a little sunshine into what sounds like otherwise dreary lives that these children have. I think at least one of you should consider relocating there to continue serving as their advocate. I'm sure Robert would be ok with you telecommuting. Besides, you can then join the fashion world of Moldova and get out of those dowdy clothes you brought with you from America. Sounds like your days are rewarding - what is the night life there like? We miss you, but glad you are enjoying your well deserved sabbatical.
Good for y'all! It sounds like you are having a great time with the kids. Your book sounds like a great adventure story and I'm glad to be reading it as it happens. What is the weather like there? Humid? Hot? Is the terrain green or rocky? I hope you continue having an enjoyable time. I look forward to hearing about the details....
Black Bras Wendy,
European women are such fashion mavens, you should buy up as many as possible and bring them back. Picture it, a store in West Lake Hills called "Moldova Chic" filled with the very clothing you see in the streets. And you could run sales on babushkas!
Be safe and don't drink the wate!!! Love MJ
You have that right, Robert Kids are the same the world over. I am finding that our 'American' methods work just fine over here. Thanks for your notes. W.
LOL on imagining the chase you guys went through I only wish I had sent some toys with you. We should have sent you with a whole travel bag just filled with toys. Glad you're feeling better and having better food. The veggie dish Wendy mentioned sounded delicious! I've enjoyed reading both of your blogs so keep up the great humorous notes!
Today I taught my second day of spanish classes and I learned a new song that that will mix both Enghlish and Spanish and works on counting with those kids. It goes like this (sang to the tune of 'three blind mice'):
One, two, three
Uno, dos, tres
Four, five, six
Cuatro, cinco seis
Counting in Spanish is so much fun
I sing with you and you sing with me
seven, eight, nine
siete, ocho, nueve
and ten make diez
Ten makes diez
Just a few thoughts... Adrienne--what an adventure! The pizza sounds GREAT! :-) Reminds me of something we recently had in mainland China! The work you guys are doing at the orphanage is so moving...makes me want to send you a crate of suitcases to bring them all home in...we are all enjoying your blogs--I forward them to Daphney, Nydia and Dave daily. Keep up the great work you are doing and let the experience take you where it may...after the first few days, it sounds like you guys can adapt to just about anything.
Sara's party Hi Anna! I'm glad Sara's party was a success. My mom told me a little about it and I'm so sorry I missed it. I hope she is loving second grade!
There is a little boy at the orphanage who looks just like Owen but with blonde hair. Wendy is actually the one who noticed it!
Thanks Hi Wendy,
Just want to let you know how much we (I) appreciate your taking care of Adrienne while she was ill. Hopefully, the food and water will not bring ya'll any more discomfort.
I enjoy reading your daily blogs. It's good to read that you are finding your work at the orphanage so satisfying. It's hard to realize that you guys have been gone a week already.
Take care...and once again, Thanks.
Bryan
Glad you're better Adrienne,
Glad to hear you are feeling better. I was eating lunch while reading your message, and I could just imagine the smells, looks, and feelings. Ugh.
So tomorrow will be a week already - is that right? Robert said he thought you would be there 3 weeks.
The stories of the children just break my heart. I just hope whatever fun you're having with them now will stay with them all their lives.
Vicky
Greetings Hi Adrienne!! Great to hear you are feeling better! Sara will crack up, hearing about your #3 and 4 problems!! (in a caring way, of course)
I'm supposed to pass along the message (for when you are in Turkey) that the Museum of Modern Art in Istanbul is supposed to be wonderful - my parents didn't get to go, but heard good things about it. So...there you go.
I bet it's wonderful to meet all those little children! Keep having a wonderful time and can't wait to hear more about your adventures!
Sara wanted me to tell you about her birthday party...we got to go on the field and see the Astros during batting practice! And she met Junction Jack (the mascot)!! It was great.
Talk to you soon -
Anna
Hey chicas - I think your faithful readers would like to see the comments people are leaving. ;-) From the looks of it, you'll have to go through an actual approval process in order for comments to become public.
Glad to hear you're feeling better, Adrienne - I'm guessing you haven't thrown up that much since college! Ha Ha. Sounds like the work is already rewarding and y'all are getting into a Moldova groove - hey, that sounds like a great title for a rap song......
Hope A. is feeling better soon! Ladies,
I'm so sorry to hear Adrienne is feeling under the weather. Please tell her I say hello and to get well soon. Can't wait to see your pictures as it sounds like you've already had quite a little adventure.
Becky
Hope you feel better Adrienne,
Amanda here. It sounds like you are having a tough time at it right now. Hang in there and all will be good here in a few days with the sickness gone and the jet lag behind you. Other than the sickness, it sounds like you both are having quite an adventure. Continue the updates and take care of yourself! Can't wait to hear more! Amanda
On Comments I tried to read the other comments, but can't. Are they private on purpose, or is there a setting you need to change to make them public?
-Richard
get well wishes Wendy,
Please tell Adrienne that I hope she gets to feeling better. Her body is so used to eating some really good healthy stuff so it's taking a shock from all the new Moldova treats. I'm sure she'll be up and kicking in no time! Have a nice rest of the day.
Letty
We're thinking of you Wendy,
Thanks for that wonderful summary. I started crying when you wrote about the down syndrome kids, very sad! It so nice to know that you two have shown up to provide at least a few minutes of fun for them. Looks like you ladies are going to do really well on this trip. We miss you and keep in touch.
Letty
met kids yet? today being Monday, I assume you traveled to the orphanage w/your not-so-great English speaking guide -- did you see where you will work? Meet any kiddos yet? Measure any for the suitcase home?
By the by, you have to come home, as Nate and I already bought your homecoming present!
much love,
Sarah
The flight over How was the flight out of the US? You could not have left at a worse time! Is MacDonalds just like in the US?
Stay safe and let us know if you need anything. FedX goes everywhere!!
Love MJ
Your Rooms Wendy/Adrienne,
Robert forwarded me your messages. What an adventure you two are having!!!!!
What are your rooms like?
I hope you're taking pictures.
I'm glad you didn't have to go through the physical, but the Xray machine sounds a little iffy.
Your description of the lack of physical contact at the orphanage sounds like others I've read about. It is so sad. I wonder if they are all treated well when you are not there.
Have you visited anymore with any of the other volunteers? Are you all staying in the same place?
Can't wait to hear more.
Vicky
Good to hear all is OK Well it looks like you two found the adventure you were looking for, as well as some unexpected events. I am sure there will be more surprises, both good and bad, during your trip. I am glad to hear both of you are safe and have found some excellent folks to help take care of you. Sounds like you had quite a party at breakfast. I hope the stomach bug that Adrienne has is not too bad. My son ate a hamburger in Singapore and he said it was the worst burger he had in his life. It was not a McD's.
Your description of your adventure is great and I can tell your spirits are still high in spite of the set backs.
PS
You may know this already that downs kids are slow to develop spoken language. They do however pick up on sign language very quickly. It may help you to associate words to hand signs in order to communicate with them.
Wendy and I have been friends and coworkers for 8 years. We started working at the same company 3 weeks apart from each other, so we became eligible to take a 2 month sabbatical at the same time. Not wanting to waste this opportunity watching game shows and soap operas for eight weeks, we decided to take off and explore the world together. Wendy is an experienced international traveler and even lived in Spain for a year. The farthest that I have been from the US is Jamaica.
Wendy leaves behind her son and her precious dog, Zina. I am leaving my husband and my dog Ava. Hopefully with this b... full info
Wendy and Adrienne
Wendy and Adrienne
It's hot hot hot
It is quite hot here -- 104 degrees F yesterday and not an AC in sight. Our host barely slept at all, but it takes more than heat to keep us from sleeping. It is a bit humid here. The terrain is green, and it's fruit season. There are watermelons, plums, and all kinds of fruit to enjoy, though I understand they are loaded with pesticides. Oh well, for three weeks -- who cares? They are juicy and delicioso!