Spending Some Time With my Sister Sonia in Saint Petersburg, Russia

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Here on my channel I share my journey, topics for adoptees, my vlogs, and support for others adopted, including their stories and journeys with my An Adoption Story series.
As a Russian-New Zealand adoptee, adopted at the age of two from an orphanage in Arkhangelsk, Russia, I share what I've been learning on my journey with my upbringing here in New Zealand, my current life, and how I connected with my birth family. I also share what my bloodline means for me with those connections from Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.
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[@Valkyrya13]

Misha is just amazing. Big thanks to your New Zealand parents that they took care of you, and grow up such a good man.I think is amazing that you and Misha have such a good relationship)))

[@alexgilbert]

Thank you! My entire family is important to me. My New Zealand parents who raised me are always supportive of me being here. Russia is my blood and my identity while New Zealand for me is home. Me having this entire family with my parents having the ultimate respect for my birth father Misha and his family, to me that is love for our entire family and I can't think of anything better than that.

[@williamwerner3284]

@@alexgilbert Beautiful video! Always a pleasure to catch up on your videos!

[@richs6205]

Sonia has the sweetest smile and personality.

[@lepiaf6452]

*Misha is such a loving and caring father. He loves Alex so much!*

[@alexgilbert]

Thank you. My birth father Misha is a great person. I am always thankful for him letting me into his life. My Dad back home in New Zealand has so much respect for Misha, likewise with my Mum too of course!

[@AntoinetteEmily]

Oh my goodness, you’re little sister is an absolute sweetheart and you’re the coolest big brother. Such precious times for you both.

[@ianhamilton396]

She's adorable ! And probably the best teacher of Russian you might ever have. It's obvious she has fallen love with the idea and reality of a big brother. Hello to Sonia from Scotland !!

[@Katya_Lastochka]

I had two big brothers and two big sisters, and personally, the two sisters passed down a few homely skills, but my brothers played with me, taught me about life, protected me, and showed me how to build and fix all kinds of things. All in all, brothers are more useful and less mean.

[@emelienivala2328]

@@Katya_Lastochka I think every experience is different. Me and my sister have always been best friends and been able to rely on each other for everything. While my friends that had older brothers never even saw them because the brother usually lived alone in the garage or basement and played video games and hardly ever saw his family. Happy to hear you have a good relationship with your brothers, but I definitely don't think that brothers are more useful as a general rule, because every sibling relationship is unique, some people have better relationships with their brothers and some with their sisters ❤

[@katheryns1219]

Kids are great for learning a language. They usually speak clearly so that you can hear the whole word. It sounded as if she was trying to correct your stress sometimes. So if you can't figure out why she's not satisfied with what you're pronunciation, think about the stress also. She is a lovely girl - you are so lucky to have a sister. And she is lucky to have a patient big brother like you.

[@dereknewbury163]

Your biological family seem really good people. I can imagine that your sister's friends are a bit jealous that she is an unexpected KZbin star!

[@samb1123]

Beautiful little girl. So alive and full of energy. She would not look the least bit out of place here in Canada.

[@sharonstone3284]

Sonia is such a cutie pie, she is the perfect teacher helping you with your pronunciation. You will be fluent in 6 months, I promise you. She is as bright as a button, she will ace english in school. She is such a delight to watch, so polite. Mihail is special as a person, I can see why you two get on so well. The food looks fantastic that they were preparing in the kitchen. Keep on embracing your Russian culture, it is a great place and very old traditions

[@neil6765]

hello Sonia hope you are ok and enjoying time with your brother x

[@miola2083]

You look just like your sister. So cute!

[@joannpalmieri4741]

Your sister is precious. Love seeing you smile around your family.

[@devilious123]

I'm Polish Russia is beautiful Country. Love my Slavic brothers

[@bakhtiyoga108]

Adam, I really love Poland and slavic brothers. Hope politics will never spoil the friendship and feeling of love and friendship among us.

[@user-bg9jx8bj8n]

From Russia with Love!❤️❤️❤️

[@jacquesmertens3369]

Wish I had a teacher like your sister. She repeats until you pronounce the words correctly, and she keeps smiling. Adorable video. God bless your families in New Zealand and Russia.

[@melindamccartney7563]

Misha loves you he is so proud of you you make him so happy and your sister is adorable

[@sartinikitchen9497]

Love watchg your family video Sonia is so cute smart girl! Well done sonia english learning

[@holywow7792]

We know what Alex looked like when he was a kid, just like Sonia. I look forward to your videos very much. Misha doesn't even know it but he is already a you tube celebrity. Always smiling and humble. Alex you are just like your dad. Both sets of parents are just amazing!

[@cherylsutherland9464]

Sonia is sooo beautiful. .. I love watching you & her together .. BEAUTIFUL ❤❤ From Perth Australia 🇦🇺

[@marianabower7180]

I LOVE Sonia!! What a sweet little girl!! 💗

[@ssam3826]

This is so sweet you bonding with little Sonia. And a great dad in Misha. Good Russian from you. The little baby has grown up. She resembles you so much esp when she smiles. That dish which Sonia is having is something we commonly make in India too.

[@diannewi]

You're right, the best way to learn a language is with children. My nieces lived in Paris when they were young. When I visited them they were just learning to talk. I picked up more French (admittedly it was "baby French") in a week than ever since in many trips. Keep playing and talking with Sonia, you'll be fluent in no time. This is a great video, so fun. And yes, Mischa did a great intro.

[@randhirsookdeo4578]

Misha's introduction was very professional, and Sonia's smile is beautiful and charming, she is a Pure Soul.

[@itznick6853]

How is this guy only on 21.6K Subs? Should be on a mil

[@suribuxton9079]

Cause KZbin likes to reward sociopaths, narcissists and extremely fake people. They got no time for wholesome, actual caring people like Alex and his family 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@ehjo4904]

@@suribuxton9079 . No generalisation please .

[@moccha8]

@@suribuxton9079 Yeah no generalisation thank you very much. There are billions of people on the planet therefore MANY KZbinrs. I don't know what kind if experience you've had but there are MANY genuine KZbinrs so please take your negativity elsewhere.

[@nutheed2931]

@@ehjo4904 no freedom of speech?

[@ehjo4904]

@@nutheed2931 . Did i say no freedom of speech ?! . Never said a friend that he may be wrong!?

[@jessicasantana1921]

I love your dad in the intro! I didn’t grow up with a father figure but your dad just makes me feel so warm inside!

[@bybcreamer1975]

I have been watching you since you first went to Russia. I can believe how much Sonia has grown. Her English is lovely!!! Keep learning, from each other. May you make wonderful memories, that will last a lifetime. Your life journey is a beautiful one. Especially, during such a hard time in this world. Misha, is such a wonderful person! So glad you were able to find him. Keep safe... Much love, from Elma, Washington USA

[@wendycarter2304]

Sonia is just precious! Such a beautiful family, every one if you! Thank you for sharing! Much love from Halifax Canada ❤️🇨🇦

[@zoilagonzalez5367]

Too much love in your family . Love Sonia

[@jhovelvet6746]

Such a lovely both Alex and sonia are having a great time together as siblings ❤️❤️🌸

[@samb1123]

Your Step mother is a lovely person and so accepting of a surprise son. You fell into a tremendous situation with your birth family. You are one of the favoured people in this world to have a birth family that is so accepting of you and your adoptive parents so on side with your journey.

[@archies5841]

I think the introduction given by your dad was pretty cool. Sonia is very happy when she is spending time with you. I hope you guys enjoyed the delicious bread. See you guys soon.

[@louisasmiles]

She's gorgeous. Sweet little thing.

[@IzaakCha7]

This KZbin's most wholesome channel. Please god let it grow as much as it blooms

[@MotorBorg]

Блин, кыстыбыя захотелось! Hello from Tatarstan!

[@janeshea1798]

Ahh such a lovely relationship you are building with your beautiful sister while in Russia. Also you have the same happy smile as your Dad. Keep enjoying your time spending with them all.

[@lorrettacrowley5922]

Sonia is so willing to learn and teach and has an adorable laugh

[@colibri492]

Your birth dad did a great intro. You and he are obviously great friends. Sonia is totally sweet. You're very lucky!

[@michelelynn6914]

Sonia's English is coming along very good! What a sweet little sister

[@werthersoriginal]

It's always softer when a child corrects you. The child is only saying what the adults are thinking. 😆

[@estellesmith6418]

Oh my word you have a great little teacher there in Russia...and she is beautiful too.

[@marciahenriquez4605]

Hi beautiful Sonia! enjoy your time with your brother.

[@kingofkings890]

You are all so lucky to have each other. Family is so important. Sonia is such a beautiful soul.

[@maximsevastianov]

Alex, so cool to see you enjoying yourself in St. Petersburg and always being so positive despite of things not being tip-top over there. And all the time that you spend with your little sister, it's priceless. Your videos are such a fresh breath of simple real life among all other videos out there. Your language has improved dramatically and I love your dad Misha... such a genuine soul. He always looks like he won a lottery by finding you!))

[@juliesprik9479]

Yes,your dad sure loves you! And little Sonia is doing well learning English.

[@gabrielasuna224]

I agree, I like Alex's videos, because it shows a simple real life, not a perfect one, just a beautiful one with its lights and shades.

[@karengrant1354]

I'm an adoptive mom of a son from Russia (16) and enjoying your videos in Russia so much. Misha did fantastic and Sonja is a star. My heart warms that you are having this opportunity with your birth father and family. I hope for this for my son someday!

[@elainetungatoa3884]

Thanks Alex loved this video with Sonia she really is a lovely wee girl such a special time with the two of you ,and your dads smile is always beaming with happiness having you around and his wife is to lovely & cooking lovely meals for you with cutie Sonia,s help just awesome family ,

[@francistanseco285]

That is very special to be bonding with your little sister. She is so sweet. More power to you.

[@Sylwia1145]

You have a beautiful family and I love your videos.

[@Lovepeacejoy..]

So wonderful to see your loving relationship with your sister💜

[@littlemisshappy2002]

Sonia is delightful- she has a gorgeous smile

[@jonaskessler326]

I’ve got a half little sister too with around the same age difference. You’re doing an amazing job of being a big brother and I can’t wait to see them all visit you in NZ someday soon!

[@esmeesme7666]

You are the luckiest guy! Fantastic sister and your bio father is great !! Greetings!!

[@mcz1037]

да Mиша, нам нравится! Alex, thank you for sharing your experience, definitely supportive to all adopted kids and adults. Your birth father and his family are amazing, such loving people. Your sister is the best teacher! In Russian accents is quite an important matter, it can change the word's meaning. BTW I envy your visits to Peter, I hope I will be there someday. Is Ermitage opened nowadays? Love from Poland!

[@ladybearbaiter]

God bless you and your beautiful family, the love between you is outstanding.

[@mpuppybreath]

Sonia's smile lights up the planet!

[@studio95951]

The love your little sister has for you is all in her eyes and smile. 💗😊🙏

[@janicelaurin7263]

Awesome video! Sonia is so cute! I was laughing so hard when she said she didn't understand you. It was so cute when she was correcting your pronunciation of the Russian words. She is a good teacher! Misha did a great job on the video introduction. Glad to see that the snow is finally melting. Spring is in the air!

[@Woodroffski]

That's a better language teacher than money can pay for!

[@brendasigle722]

She is so Sweet. You are sweet to be the big brother.

[@glenhardy4770]

Alex 😀 your sister is SUCH an exciting person to be around. Your whole Russian family is wonderful. You have another fun-tastic video! I caught that you actually said “I reckon”. I have not heard anyone around me say that since I was a boy! 😀

[@carly1478]

Handsome Misha did a fantastic job! Your sister is precious ❣️ Are you staying with them or nearby? It's wonderful you are getting to spend this time with them. We need more Misha screen time tell him. 💙💙

[@alexgilbert]

I will tell him of course! :) Thank you!

[@slimthegod9329]

So much positive energy , thank you Alex !

[@Mary-by1nx]

An excellent intro! Truthfully, a professional couldn't have done better. Misha, 👏 take a bow. Sonia, take good care of Alex. Aw, Misha, you got it right the 1st time. They just needed to hold the paper still. Alex, how fun for your family to welcome all thousand++ of us. Now, on to Russia in the spring.

[@maudemathildeh335]

Such a lovely family. St Petersburg is so beautiful.

[@danniieem2840]

10/10 for intro

[@Martina-Kosicanka]

Agree :)

[@jeniferenglish8832]

i agree👍

[@designerv5713]

I agree, a legit Батя he have 😁

[@theggbros]

Misha! Slendid!!! Sonia...what a joy that you have a sister. I can feel the connection you two share. Big Brother! Love it. Glad spring is coming to you!!! Enjoy yourselves! Can't wait for next installment!! GOD BLESS!

[@wallybeep]

Geeze, Alex. From Seattle, here. You bring out the best in everyone. You're an impressive young man. Always wishing you the best.

[@katya.fromengland]

Aww Sonia is so sweet 🥰 I’m sure she’s going to love looking back on this video in a few years time to remember the lovely time you had together!!

[@marthacannizzo4791]

Your dad did great. And I love the relationship with your little sister. Children are the best to teach us a foreign language, they will repeat words over and over until we get it right😄 I loved the cathedral, absolutely beautiful! Thank you. 🇺🇸🤠 Houston, Texas

[@Lyosha9869]

You’re getting fluent with Russian! Well done Sasha!

[@ginadonza3549]

I really enjoyed this video and want to thank you for sharing your journey with us. You have a beautiful family, especially little Sonia. It’s interesting how each country around the world makes similar dishes. Poland makes pierogi, India and Pakistan make Roti and Paranthas, Mexico makes tortillas, Italians make calzone, etc...

[@rv4854]

Misha did great 👍 Thanks for sharing your family. The dish looks like a quesadilla. A Mexican food. Very popular in the US. Your dish looked delicious!

[@jaxturner6896]

This is one of my most favorite videos! Sonja has grown so much! She is beautiful. I can surely see the resemblance in all of you. And your father and sister are naturals in front of the camera like you! You are blessed with one big family!

[@sanne2835]

It's so sweet to see you and your sister together. Much love from Denmark 🇩🇰😘

[@mysunnyapril1]

Alex, I recently found your channel and I really enjoy following your journey! It's so inspirational and you are such a kind person! Best wishes to you and your entire family in New Zealand and Russia!

[@DivineMissEsse]

What a great little teacher you have there! I feel like I’m learning Russian right along with you! 😂. Your videos get better and better.

[@suribuxton9079]

So bloody wholesome, Misha is just the best and Sonia and you are hilarious together どうか、決して変わりません。偉大な人々

[@LotsofJourneys]

Sonya is so sweet! Такая милая девочка!

[@cherylsutherland9464]

Sonia is beautiful , I love watching her with her beautiful brother Alex I really enjoy Sonia & her cousins with Alex 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@scarletred8888]

Wow Sonya is doing great in English! Lovely video!

[@beth5730]

So sweet I love to see. You have a very happy family.

[@alanjmcc]

Tuned in to your early videos of discovery of your birth parents and was touched by your earnestness. Now today I see you're back in Russia and being a big brother. Can't tell you how much I love seeing what you're up to, how your relationship with your birth father and his family is developing. All best wishes to you. You're a great guy!

[@ezekiel8492]

Hi Alex, I just wanted to let you know I just discovered your video's and they bring me lots of joy. I recently received the news that my biological father died in a car crash. I've never had the chance to meet him and speak to him. The first time I saw him in real life was when I went to greet his body out of respect. Seeing you being able to meet your dad makes me extremely happy for u. Please treasure the gift you've been given as it is beautiful and God sent. I wish the best to you and your family, God bless and stay healthy - Ezekiel (Belgium)

[@nutri-gains6535]

She is sooo cute oh my lord

[@crystalwright1504]

Well done, Sonia, Emir and Misha!! What a fun video!

[@davidhello4777]

Sonia is really cute. Glad you two had nice day together!

[@suedoyle4526]

Well done Misha 👏👏👏 You’re not meant to burst out laughing tho 😂😂😂 Sonia, you are such a gorgeous girl 💕💕💕 and a very good Russian teacher 😊❤️

[@robertpattinson2065]

Your dad is such a loving man you are very lucky and you have amazing adoptive parents that cherish you to the end of time ,congrats

[@maureenackerley8024]

Sonia, is so sweet. Your dad and you, Alex are so much alike. Enjoy your journey. We are! ❤

[@bobodianne]

your birth-dad is cool! i feel like he needs more encouragement!

[@juliannaerwin3438]

What a wonderful video!

[@KoriEmerson]

Your sister is just all the love!!! I love that she adores you so much. She probably tells her classmates that tease her about things ( because.. kids) Oh yeah.. well my big brother lives in New Zeland ( I hope I spelled that right.) and he was on TV and is famous so .. you better leave me alone!” You are a fantastic big brother. She is VERY lucky.

[@pamelafitzpatrick2717]

Always interesting! Sonia is a lovely little girl and helping her mother and so proud of it! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@nobillclinton]

Beautiful content. Beautiful family. Beautiful Russia.

[@NoirHammer]

At 1:54 we see some beautiful pigeons foraging. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.

[@mimieyeliner]

You are so like Misha in looks and beautiful smile. He’s a lovely man. Sonya is adorable and gorgeous looking. She has a great mum & dad lucky girl❤️

[@bullmoon1718]

Great video, thanks! The church was beautiful n now i know not to wish you a Happy Passover! 😁 My Grandparents were from Russia but spoke Yiddish.

[@lewisstubbs6569]

It’a so amazing to see your story. You’re truly inspirational for others who want to reconnect with their birth parents. You have such an incredible family. Both your Russian and New Zealand families. It’s amazing to see how well you got on with your Russian family and how well you have connected with them. Also it’s amazing to see how supportive your adoptive parents have been. You’re a very lucky fella but your families are also very lucky to have you in their lives. Keep up the good work and long may you and your families happiness continue. Greetings from London👊

[@annabondaruk4583]

Михаил, нам все понравилось! У Вас хорошая семья, жена- хозяюшка! Молодцы!

[@TatianaSlatteryIreland]

Such a heart warming video! Сердце радуется за вас всех!

[@babak7743]

What a heartwarming and beautiful story

[@yenihrmn]

She is so cute. and a bit of shadow in your brilliant smile. and now I understand that since I watched your old videos. thanks a lot for your incredible gentle heart.