Sunday, November 25, 2007
Richard's BIG Jubilee Celebration Ukrainian/American Style
This was originally posted on http://www.smilealliance.blogspot.com/on Monday, October 22, 2007 but I feel it is more appropriate here. I have added a short report of our trip at the end.
We are off this morning on an adventure. Richard turns 60 on Wednesday so we are taking a few days to visit friends in Rivne and go into Poland for the first time.
We are off this morning on an adventure. Richard turns 60 on Wednesday so we are taking a few days to visit friends in Rivne and go into Poland for the first time.
In Ukraine every five years of life is called a Jubilee and the birthday person is given a party. We had a party for Richard this weekend. American food was served--it was fun to let our Ukrainian guests sample American fare. I cooked for many, many hours since everything was made from scratch--except the lasagna noodles. The Menu: Three salads (including a green salad with ranch dressing), two lasagnas (red and white), Swedish meatballs, chips and salsa, vegies and dip, tea, coffee, juice, soda,cookies and two different carrot cakes. I thank the internet for the wonderful recipes I found there and our pastor's wife from many years ago for the carrot cake recipe she emailed me through Connie. (Praise God for the internet! Honestly, it is our connection to the world. I hope to get back to my blogs after this trip.)
28 of our favorite people were at the party including many Ukrainian friends--Serg
iy and his sister Yelena, Mr. S and his whole family, and Yura and Tanya's family and Tanya and Sasha. Our American friends, Forrest and Darcy and family, Paul and Christine and kids, Jeff, Greg, and Ahn and Natasha made the day even more special. Please say a Birthday prayer for Richard on this special day and I know he would love to hear from you.Our sons and families sent his present back with me from the states--A Nintendo DS Lite. As you can see in the picture, he is as crazy and fun as ever. Being 60 doesn't mean we have to grow up. It will be fun to see if the old guy can figure out how to use it. I know he will enjoy it once he does so. 
iy and his sister Yelena, Mr. S and his whole family, and Yura and Tanya's family and Tanya and Sasha. Our American friends, Forrest and Darcy and family, Paul and Christine and kids, Jeff, Greg, and Ahn and Natasha made the day even more special. Please say a Birthday prayer for Richard on this special day and I know he would love to hear from you.Our sons and families sent his present back with me from the states--A Nintendo DS Lite. As you can see in the picture, he is as crazy and fun as ever. Being 60 doesn't mean we have to grow up. It will be fun to see if the old guy can figure out how to use it. I know he will enjoy it once he does so. 
We did go west and spent two fun days with friends in Rivne. The 24th found us up early heading to the Polish border southwest of L'viv. Unfortunately we spent 8 hours in line and were unable to cross into Poland because of a strike by Polish government workers.
Finally at 9:30 that evening we found a new hotel and had a nice dinner to celebrate Richard's big day. The next two nights we spent in Ternopil and explored this area. The leaves were lovely and all in all we had a very good time. We are indeed learning to be flexible. 
