My parents bought an interesting cake at one of the markets. It almost resembled a giant Mallomars cookie. The bottom was a layer of cake with a thin layer of lemon topped with a layer of marshmallow, and the whole cake was encased with a thin chocolate shell. It was interesting, not at all really that good, but interesting. It was too rich in flavor to eat too much of really, although it wasn’t much loss of money, it cost about $1.60 in American (paid with Ukraine money, can’t remember the amount of that). It's the thought that counts.

This is my 23rd birthday in Ukraine, the first time I got to be away from home on my birthday.

From June 16 - July 6, I was in Ukraine with my family for an adoption of a little girl, Julia. The trip was a great experience for all of us. My mom, sister Brooke, and I came back home together on July 6 leaving my dad over there for two more weeks to finalize everything before bringing Julia home.