Their beforehand acting was influence the B106/B107 radio bearing settlement sacramental. Buddhi was asked over against blare photos being him. Better self infer Buddhi did a shabby sell. Shamefast guys. :D

Andy and Fei Hing are their entice singers.

Jason and Alen whereby the F-hole guitar and choral.

William doing the cylinder and Kong horseback the console. Monad back and fill erupt a dextrous summon up with regard to Kong. Infra indignitatem once again. :D

Prove their business favorable regard Youtube, Sizzling Tonight!

It is a constant battle to walk the streets of Kyiv and not be bombarded with all kinds of views that just shouldn't be seen. And I'm not talking about billboards and magazines. These are live and in-person encounters. I do realize that many of these women are actually advertising. But not all of them. Not even the majority of them.

But as Pyromaniacs points out, often times we see these same inappropriate outfits on Christian women who SHOULD know better! And worn to church! And what is this attire doing to the eyes and minds of the viewers? As the writer states, he'd just like to have a break from all these sights when he walks into church...

Please read this article. And think about your clothes.

So, Jeremiah, here are the rest of his adventures!

Though he was a little shy at first,

he did manage to warm up and have his picture taken with part of the committee that is planning a women's retreat in Kyiv, Ukraine in late October. Much work goes into these conferences (every other year), but we are happy to work hard to make it a great event for over 100 women!

Right after that meeting, we had to hurry back to my flat for my Ukrainian language lesson. My private tutor's name is Tatjana and she is SOOO patient with me. I usually brew a fresh pot of coffee and try to have some sort of a snack. Flat Stanley wondered why I hadn't poured him his own mug of steaming coffee! He seems to have a natural talent for foreign languages.

The next day, I FINALLY was able to get my haircut. We are very fortunate that we have a very sweet gal who actually comes to our homes to cut our hair. I ventured over to a friend's house, had my haircut, and then snapped a picture of HER with Flat Stanley. He wasn't too wild about hair all over the place! But for YOU, he agreed.

On Saturday, Dr. Peipon and I walked down to our favorite vendor at the local fresh market. I tried to explain to Ira in Ukrainian just exactly why Flat Stanley was with us...and she offered to pose for this shot!

Then, she decided that he needed to try some of the fresh cherries and placed him among her fruit.

On Sunday, Dr. Peipon and I treated Jamie and Dasha to a special Mexican dinner in celebration of their college graduations. Flat Stanley really enjoyed Mexican food...and happily posed with our two newest graduates.

This past weekend, Dr. Peipon and I went to a wonderful medical clinic in southwestern Ukraine. While there, Dr. Peipon attended a board meeting for the clinic, and I was asked to translate for a young visiting American student who is thinking that she might want to be a pediatrician one day. Fortunately I didn't have to be a super translator because Dr. Nellya knows a little bit of English. Between her English and my Ukrainian, Flat Stanley learned a lot about medical care in Ukraine.

We had to take an overnight train home. Four people share a coupe, and Sergiy just didn't want to wake up! Flat Stanley climbed into his upper bunk, making Sergiy's sister giggle with delight, and we snapped this picture.

Before too long, Sergiy actually did wake up and joined Flat Stanley for a cup of hot tea.

We're back home, and I think it is finally time to send Flat Stanley to Nepal. Anna, would you email me your new mailing address?

Thanks, Jeremiah, for sending Flat Stanley to us!

This video was taken after Jamie's graduation performance at the Conservatory here in Kyiv, Ukraine.

These crazy musicians sure have fun together...

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So we did go out into the city and I did take lots and lots of pictures. I am also slowly beginning to discover that Ukraine is the country of paradoxes.

We spent Tuesday morning taking care of logistics: cell phone, internet connection (where this post is coming from!), train tickets, converting money from dollars to hryvnia, etc… In the afternoon, after meeting with the head of a foundation that might bring good news to the project (more details on that coming up later), I finally got a “tour of Kyiv”… by land and by boat. I found the city to be extremely diverse. I discovered that there are basically three sorts of neighborhoods: old town, soviet era and post-soviet era. I must say the old part of the city was my favorite.

We took a stroll along the neighborhood of Kyiv-Andriyivsky-Uzviz where we passed by the beautiful old church of St Andrew (hence the name of the place). On both sides of the sidewalk people were selling all sorts of touristy/traditional items like Pysanky (famous Ukrainians Easter eggs), Russian dolls, etc…

I also discovered very interesting street signs in Kyiv. Although I’m not a big connoisseur of street signs (after all I’m Lebanese), I am positive that those are a specialty of the region.

We then met a friend of Olia who took us for a tour on the Dnipro river. We passed by the Vydubytskyi Monastery that was established in the 11th Century and whose name rightfully means “to emerge from water”. The legend has it that the Grand Prince Vladimir the Great of Kiev ordered the wooden figures of Perun (the Thunder God) and other pagan gods dumped into the Dnipro River during the mass Baptism of Kyiv. The disheartened Kyivans, though accepting the baptism, ran along the Dnipro River calling for the old gods to emerge from water. Accordingly, the area down the river stream where Perun emerged was named Vydubytskyi.

We also passed by the Motherland Statue, a 62 meters tall titanium statue that was built by the Soviets during the Communist era as a WWII memorial.

Gotta love the music stands that one finds in the percussion room at the Conservatory.

And the homemade chimes on the chair (which will always remind me of Dee).

And the miscellaneous foot pedal. And cymbal.

And whose feet are those?

Our teeny little church choir sang also, and I was very proud of the LARGE sound these few singers can create. What a talented group!

And the praise band led us all into worship in a most glorious manner. All of the songs that they chose were ones that were actually English songs first. So we made xerox copies of the words in English, so the American choir could sing along. It was a taste of what heaven will be like -- singing the same song in different languages.

Following church, Jamie and Dasha joined us for a combination Father's Day/graduates' celebration dinner at a local Mexican restaurant. We sat out on a deck and enjoyed the beautiful blue sky...a huge change of pace from yesterday's downpours.

We walked from dinner to a concert being performed by the visiting choir. Though they will be performing different songs at the different cities throughout Ukraine this week, we thoroughly enjoyed the choices for Kyiv. It is our distinct pleasure to be able to hear them again next week when a church in southern Ukraine is being dedicated. We will be in town there to attend a board meeting of a Christian clinic that has invited Jim to be part of the board. How could we NOT stay a few extra days to be at the dedication? This is the first church/clinic that we ever visited in Ukraine -- the site of several short-term visits before we actually moved here.

Jamie and Dasha came back home with us and we brewed a fresh pot of coffee and simply relaxed all together. What a gift to have them live so close by!

What a fabulous Sunday! Thank you, Lord.

And I'm not there.

At least I'm watching it live on TV.

Looks like he's really having fun. Playing with speaking Ukrainian AND Russian.

It appears the rain has finally stopped...

Jim and I gave up and have returned home. (Jamie is meeting Dasha and has a standing-room spot in one of the "Fan Zones.") I'm thankful we're here, because once again the thunder is clapping and the lightning is flashing...and the rain is gushing down.

Here is what it looked like out our window a little earlier today:

Flat Stanley visits our local rinok.

This particular stand is our favorite for purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables.

"...I liked the book. In the book a bulletin board fell on Stanley. It made him flat. This made him good to do things others couldn't.

"I am doing a school project with my own Flat Stanley. I am sending you a Flat Stanley. Please keep him for a week. Take him places and take a picture with him. Please send me the picture so I can learn about where you live. You can send the picture or pictures to me through the regular mail or by e-mail. Please send me stories about the pictures.

"If you would like you can send me a postcard or something from your area of the world as well.

"When you are done with Flat Stanley please send him and my letter to someone else. I want to learn about a lot of places all around the world.

"Thank you,

Jeremiah"

Jeremiah, first of all, thanks for thinking of us! Flat Stanley arrived just in time to join the praise band as they practiced at our flat for the church service on Sunday. That's your friend Jamie at the piano.

Flat Stanley also went with me to the hospital yesterday. I needed to meet a mom and her daughter who had arrived in Kyiv from out of town -- they had no idea how to get around in the maze of our metro system. Flat Stanley was too shy to come out of my purse, though. I think he was nervous because he doesn't speak Ukrainian! So unfortunately I didn't get a picture.

I have planned a couple more adventures for him. And others want him to come visit their ministries as well. We'll see!

Anyway, thanks for sending Flat Stanley our way!

Prior to the final recital, percussionists and friends gathered in the small practice room to prepare three tables worth of food. Sandwiches. Salads. Vegetables. All made fresh right there.
And when the tables were set for guests, and yet there was still some preparation to be done...well, only in the percussion room would you ever see THIS as a table!

The professors and visiting judge were honored at the head table. And then they themselves honored the students offering toast after toast. And then, rather abruptly it seemed to me, the professors left and the real party began! We were able to get a quick couple of pictures with Jamie and Blinov (his professor and mentor). Blinov expressed his delight that Jamie's parents were actually at the party, and took the time to tell us personally what a great musician Jamie is. Jim was able to thank him for his care and support of Jamie throughout his five years there -- all in Russian! Pretty good, eh?

Needless to say we were quite proud of Jamie. And loved being included in the festivities.

As was his beautiful wife Dasha.

These guys all work hard together, truly enjoying performing with one another, and they play just as hard. It was fun for us to see them all in such a relaxed atmosphere.

As Jim and I left, we looked back to the conservatory and took one more picture. All was dark, except for the one little room upstairs where the percussionists were celebrating the conclusion of another year.

May they use their talents to the glory of God.

(Click on the pictures to enlarge them...)

(I've seen him play many of the other percussion toys in concert, but never the timpani.)

Well, anyway, his free concert will take place on Maidan Nezalezhnesty (Independence Square), home of the Orange Revolution.

Here's a clip from a concert earlier this month:

(This song always reminds me of my brother who rewrote the words..."I'd rather dance with her mother, yeah....when I saw her standing there." Or "I couldn't dance with another, yeah...with her mother standing there." Doug, I miss you.)

I know that I've already posted Jamie performing his own arrangement of Some Day My Prince Will Come, but this version has a few changes. And I held the camera horizontally so you don't have to turn your computers on edge...

(I'll post his other two songs, if possible, at a later date.)

Kyiv Days - vehicles from Zaparozhia

Originally uploaded by Little Miss Moi

Kyiv Days take place on the last weekend of May every year. During the two days, numerous activities are organised around town - parades, demonstrations (for everything - I saw a vehicle demo, and some bicycling demos, and some soccer stuff), concerts, races, etc etc etc. I'm pretty sure the purpose of the weekend is to celebrate Kyiv in the Spring - however, this year's Kyiv Days were marred by rain (and by the mayoral election campaigners).

I happened to be walking down the main street, Kreshchatyk, when I saw this fire engine and tank rolling down the street. I couldn't really understand what the announcer was saying, but I'm pretty sure these guys came from Zaparozhia, which is south of Kyiv.

Pretty interesting stuff! Or maybe just a bit random.