Off To Odessa

 We drove to Odessa during the last week of August, since there were two! holidays during that week here (National Language Day and Independence Day).  We stayed three days and had a wonderful time.  Odessa doesn't look like an eastern European town; it was founded as a free port just before 1800 and was planned by French and Austrian architects.  This is the opera house.  Our apartment was about a block and a half away from it, so it was one of the first things we saw.  The opera house was built in the 1830's and is still in use today.  The architecture is gorgeous. 

So Slow

I think I am getting kind of slumpy about this project.  I've been working on it nearly every day for over eight months now, and it's just getting boring!  It looks good, yes, but still.... I need a break.  But there's a time limit to get each part done, and I'm already behind.  I'll end the whining now.

Half A Character

I've got half my "courage" character done now.  If that's really what it says.  Progress is slow but steady.

Tempura Craving Unfulfilled

 I had a craving for tempura, so we went to Planeta Sushi in MallDova.  Unfortunately, they didn't have any tempura, so I still have the craving.  I guess I will have to make it myself.  Anyway, we -did- have spring rolls and chicken bites and a ramen noodle bowl.  They all tasted good, but really?  No tempura?  I can dream!

Leaning Castle

I'm going to have to block this carefully once I'm done stitching.  It's crooked!  On the other hand, I'm getting so close  to finishing I even have stitches done on the last row.

Just Fencing

I'm not showing any real garden yet, but the fence is coming along.  The top is approximately half the width of the finished design.

Random Audi

 This car was sitting in MallDova last month on display.  It's an Audi A1, and yes, there are some on the road.  For as poor a country as this place is, it's got more than its share of BMW's, Porsches, Mercedes, and  Ferraris.