Tag: Family

Happy Birthday Alena!

If I wasn’t away from home, I could post a picture of you from when you were born.  Three hours from the first labor pain to your arrival.  You slept through the night immediately.  In fact you went to bed at 7 PM and didn’t wake up until 9AM.  You were my most mellow child.  And so cute.  And a girl!!  I was the only sister out of 4, who got to have girls.

Alena
Alena

Birthday greetings, also from Kristine.  She says to tell you, you are looking pretty good for 30!!!!  I say that you will probably be carded until you are in your 50’s if you play your cards right.  You know how good your grandmother looks.  So have fun today, don’t over do it…….and…..MANY MORE!

My Dad said, according to my husband….

According to my husband, in the highly competitive contest to guess the departure date and time of Kristine and Sharon from Akutan, my Dad said that there is always the Tustemena.  It will arrive in Akutan on April 18!!!  Thanks, Dad.  Kristine and I were happy to hear that, because that would mean that we would be back in time to record Mom’s story before you guys head out for vacation!  Ha!

Zoya Johnson, talking with my Dad, Sam Svarny, at the StoryCorps opening reception.
Zoya Johnson, talking with my Dad, Sam Svarny, at the StoryCorps opening reception.

When Kristine and I started working for StoryCorps, after training, Kristine came home with the equipment and I stayed in Anchorage to record at AFN.  Kristine’s mother was in Unalaska so Kristine and her mother, Carol, were the first Unalaska StoryCorps conversation.

Grandmother and Mom, Carol King with the real Batman.
Grandmother and Mom, Carol King with the real Batman.

Kristine and I feel that it is appropriate that my mother be the last Unalaska StoryCorps conversation.  So Mom, get your stories ready.  We’ve  got our listening ears on!

Gert Svarny at the StoryCorps Unalaska opening reception.
Gert Svarny at the StoryCorps Unalaska opening reception.

SP doing fine!

Just a quick update for those who ask.  SP is out of the hospital, not being nauseated by his pain medication any more.  According to Alena:  “Hello from the Anch airport! Your grandson is doing better this morning, Ron can actually convince him to eat and drink better then I can (Ron’s apple juice tastes better then mine…how does that work?). I’m on my way to SFO this morning. PS, love the post about your wedding…why are my legs so fat?”