Signs of life...

So it's late Friday afternoon and I think I might live.  I thought that prematurely yesterday.  I was more cautious today.  I got up late, had breakfast, felt better than I had so I went back to  bed to read.  Around 3, I got up to shower, dress and go out.  I knew I'd see how I was doing by my uphill climb to the cross street I had to reach to go down to McDonald's at Lva Tolstoho metro station.  I had to take it slow but I did all right.  I hadn't eaten meat in many days so I had a Chiken becon meniu.  Meniu is meal.  The fries are really different here.  Actually they taste more like home made than ones you'd get at McDonald's at home.  Must be the oil.  They use a lot of sunflower seed oil in Ukraine.  I don't know what McDonald's uses.  It's a big square sandwich, a chicken patty, a piece of bacon, shredded lettuce.  The bun is toasted and the top has both sesame seeds and small embedded pieces of pork product.   It's kind of ok.  Not as good as I'm used to here.  The meal combo coast just under $7.  It was more than I'm used to eating at one time here.

The walk home was a bit more challenging.  I had to use the street underpass and the many steps to the surface were tiring.  I had to stop a few times.  Likewise, the hill was a challenge and I had to stop a few more times. When I got to the corner of my street, it was all downhill.   Add the heat which returned today after a few days of cold, chill off and on rain, and I was a sodden mess by the time I collapsed in my chair feeling quite triumphant, even though it sound anything but.  I really feel like I'm on the mend.  Daily walks and hills and stairs will do this body good.  It was a hard winter on Lupron and my recovery time is slower this time.

Jenia called this morning, yelling at me for not calling him to tell him I was sick. (You know I'm not good at that.)  Jenia's comment was "I am your family in Ukraine.  Why you didn't call me?  You can always call me if you need something." (I really do need to get better at that.)  Vladimir called also worried about me.  We were supposed to go someplace together this morning and I had to cancel.  He and the same friends as last week are coming over this evening.  It will be good to see him.  He felt sad because he met some former students who used to listen to him but when they found out he is gay, they reviled and rejected him.  It will do him good to sit among friends tonight.

I promised to send some pics of my apartment, so here they are.  I decided not to pick up the place but show you as it is.  I'll pick up before my friends come tonight.

Entryway:

















Kitchen:

Bedroom:

Bath:

Living Room: