We got our Visas today. This is a relief as a person actually has to send off their passports for a few days when applying for their Visas. It's a little nerve-wracking to part with your passport the week before you leave for Russia.
But nothing happens around here without a good story. It goes something like this:
The scene: Ryan sitting in his office. He is at his desk when he suddenly picks up his phone. He dials the number to the Russian National Group and plans to find out if they have yet received his Visa application.
(Fade in)
Receptionist (with a thick Russian accent) : Hello? Russian National Group.
Ryan: Hi. I'm traveling to Russia and I sent an application for a Visa last week and I just wanted to call to confirm that you had received the application.
Receptionist: No.
Ryan: (bilwildered) Uh..... (awkward pause) Aren't you going to ask me what my name is?
Receptionist: What is your name?
Ryan: Ryan Horner
Receptionist: We do not have it.
Ryan: OK. (another awkward pause) That's a problem, because I have a Fed Ex confirmation saying that a Lena signed for it on April 3rd.
Receptionist: I will call you tomorrow.
Ryan: No. We have a problem here. You have my passports and I'm leaving next week for Russia. Do you or don't you have my passports and visa application?
Receptionist: One moment please.
(1 minute pause. Ryan looks back at his computer screen and proceeds to read a few emails while waiting for the receptionist. Finally, the receptionist picks the phone back up.)
Receptionist: Yes. We have it here.
Ryan: (very much relieved) OK. Good.
Receptionist: We will process it tomorrow.
Ryan: (quickly resuming his previous emotion of frustration) But, I paid EXTRA money to have the visa processed the NEXT business day. We've already established that you received our application on April 3rd. You need to process this today.
Receptionist: (With little emotion) Fine. We will do it today. I will call you at 4:00.
Ryan: (Wondering what 4:00 has to do with anything) Fine. Thank you very much.
Receptionist: You're welcome. Good bye.
Ryan: Good-Bye.
(Both parties politely hang up the phone. Ryan continues to work for appoximately 30 minutes when a co-worker unexpectantly enters the scene with a Fed Ex package. Ryan opens it and is completely surprised as well as confused to find his passports and Visas inside. Apparently, the visas were indeed processed as they were supposed to have been.)
Ryan: What the.....? (long pause) Unbelievable.
(Fade out)
Monday, April 7, 2008
Friday, April 4, 2008
Thinking More about Zac and less about ourselves
Imagine for a moment…
You have met the person you've dreamed about all your life. He has every quality that you desire in a spouse. You plan for the wedding, enjoying every free moment with your fiancée. You love his touch, his smell, the way he looks into your eyes. For the first time in your life, you understand what is meant by "soul mate," for this person understands you in a way that no one else does. Your heart beats in rhythm with his. Your emotions are intimately tied to his every joy, his every sorrow.
The wedding comes. It is a happy celebration, but the best part is that you are finally the wife of this wonderful man. You fall asleep that night, exhausted from the day's events, but relaxed and joyful in the knowledge that you are next to the person who loves you more than anyone in the world…the person who will be with you for the rest of your life.
The next morning you wake up, nestled in your partner's arms. You open your eyes and immediately look for his face.
But IT'S NOT HIM! You are in the arms of another man. You recoil in horror. Who is this man? Where is your beloved?
You ask questions of the new man, but it quickly becomes apparent that he doesn't understand you. You search every room in the house, calling and calling for your husband. The new guy follows you around, trying to hug you, pat you on the back,...even trying to stroke your arm, acting like everything is okay.
But you know that nothing is okay. Your beloved is gone. Where is he? Will he return? When? What has happened to him?
Weeks pass. You cry and cry over the loss of your beloved. Sometimes you ache silently, in shock over what has happened. The new guy tries to comfort you. You appreciate his attempts, but he doesn't speak your language-either verbally or emotionally. He doesn't seem to realize the terrible thing that has happened...that your sweetheart is gone.
You find it difficult to sleep. The new guy tries to comfort you at bedtime with soft words and gentle touches, but you avoid him, preferring to sleep alone, away from him and any intimate words or contact.
Months later, you still ache for your beloved, but gradually you are learning to trust this new guy. He's finally learned that you like your coffee black, not doctored up with cream and sugar. Although you still don't understand his bedtime songs, you like the lilt of his voice and take some comfort in it.
More time passes. One morning, you wake up to find a full suitcase sitting next to the front door. You try to ask him about it, but he just takes you by the hand and leads you to the car. You drive and drive and drive. Nothing is familiar. Where are you? Where is he taking you?
You pull up to a large building. He leads you to an elevator and up to a room filled with people. Many are crying. Some are ecstatic with joy. You are confused. And worried.
The man leads you over to the corner. Another man opens his arms and sweeps you up in an embrace. He rubs your back and kisses your cheeks, obviously thrilled to see you.
You are anything but thrilled to see him. Who in the world is he? Where is your beloved? You reach for the man who brought you, but he just smiles (although he seems to be tearing up, which concerns you), pats you on the back, and puts your hand in the hands of the new guy. The new guy picks up your suitcase and leads you to the door. The familiar face starts openly crying, waving and waving as the elevator doors close on you and the new guy.
The new guy drives you to an airport and you follow him, not knowing what else to do. Sometimes you cry, but then the new guy tries to make you smile, so you grin back, wanting to "get along." You board a plane. The flight is long. You sleep a lot, wanting to mentally escape from the situation.
Hours later, the plane touches down. The new guy is very excited and leads you into the airport where dozens of people are there to greet you. Light bulbs flash as your photo is taken again and again. The new guy takes you to another guy who hugs you. Who is this one? You smile at him. Then you are taken to another man who pats your back and kisses your cheek. Then yet another fellow gives you a big hug and messes your hair.
Finally, someone (which guy is this?) pulls you into his arms with the biggest hug you've ever had. He kisses you all over your cheeks and croons to you in some language you've never heard before.
He leads you to a car and drives you to another location. Everything here looks different. The climate is not what you're used to. The smells are strange. Nothing tastes familiar, except for the black coffee. You wonder if someone told him that you like your coffee black.
You find it nearly impossible to sleep. Sometimes you lie in bed for hours, staring into the blackness, furious with your husband for leaving you, yet aching from the loss. The new guy checks on you. He seems concerned and tries to comfort you with soft words and a mug of warm milk. You turn away, pretending to go to asleep.
People come to the house. You can feel the anxiety start to bubble over as you look into the faces of all the new people. You tightly grasp the new guy's hand. He pulls you closer. People smile and nudge one other, marveling at how quickly you've fallen in love. Strangers reach for you, wanting to be a part of the happiness.
Each time a man hugs you, you wonder if he will be the one to take you away. Just in case, you keep your suitcase packed and ready. Although the man at this house is nice and you're hanging on for dear life, you've learned from experience that men come and go, so you just wait in expectation for the next one to come along.
Each morning, the new guy hands you a cup of coffee and looks at you expectantly. A couple of times the pain and anger for your husband is so great that you lash out, sending hot coffee across the room, causing the new guy to yelp in pain. He just looks at you, bewildered. But most of the time you calmly take the cup. You give him a smile. And wait. And wait. And wait.
--Written by Cynthia Hockman-Chupp, analogy courtesy of Dr. Kali Miller
You have met the person you've dreamed about all your life. He has every quality that you desire in a spouse. You plan for the wedding, enjoying every free moment with your fiancée. You love his touch, his smell, the way he looks into your eyes. For the first time in your life, you understand what is meant by "soul mate," for this person understands you in a way that no one else does. Your heart beats in rhythm with his. Your emotions are intimately tied to his every joy, his every sorrow.
The wedding comes. It is a happy celebration, but the best part is that you are finally the wife of this wonderful man. You fall asleep that night, exhausted from the day's events, but relaxed and joyful in the knowledge that you are next to the person who loves you more than anyone in the world…the person who will be with you for the rest of your life.
The next morning you wake up, nestled in your partner's arms. You open your eyes and immediately look for his face.
But IT'S NOT HIM! You are in the arms of another man. You recoil in horror. Who is this man? Where is your beloved?
You ask questions of the new man, but it quickly becomes apparent that he doesn't understand you. You search every room in the house, calling and calling for your husband. The new guy follows you around, trying to hug you, pat you on the back,...even trying to stroke your arm, acting like everything is okay.
But you know that nothing is okay. Your beloved is gone. Where is he? Will he return? When? What has happened to him?
Weeks pass. You cry and cry over the loss of your beloved. Sometimes you ache silently, in shock over what has happened. The new guy tries to comfort you. You appreciate his attempts, but he doesn't speak your language-either verbally or emotionally. He doesn't seem to realize the terrible thing that has happened...that your sweetheart is gone.
You find it difficult to sleep. The new guy tries to comfort you at bedtime with soft words and gentle touches, but you avoid him, preferring to sleep alone, away from him and any intimate words or contact.
Months later, you still ache for your beloved, but gradually you are learning to trust this new guy. He's finally learned that you like your coffee black, not doctored up with cream and sugar. Although you still don't understand his bedtime songs, you like the lilt of his voice and take some comfort in it.
More time passes. One morning, you wake up to find a full suitcase sitting next to the front door. You try to ask him about it, but he just takes you by the hand and leads you to the car. You drive and drive and drive. Nothing is familiar. Where are you? Where is he taking you?
You pull up to a large building. He leads you to an elevator and up to a room filled with people. Many are crying. Some are ecstatic with joy. You are confused. And worried.
The man leads you over to the corner. Another man opens his arms and sweeps you up in an embrace. He rubs your back and kisses your cheeks, obviously thrilled to see you.
You are anything but thrilled to see him. Who in the world is he? Where is your beloved? You reach for the man who brought you, but he just smiles (although he seems to be tearing up, which concerns you), pats you on the back, and puts your hand in the hands of the new guy. The new guy picks up your suitcase and leads you to the door. The familiar face starts openly crying, waving and waving as the elevator doors close on you and the new guy.
The new guy drives you to an airport and you follow him, not knowing what else to do. Sometimes you cry, but then the new guy tries to make you smile, so you grin back, wanting to "get along." You board a plane. The flight is long. You sleep a lot, wanting to mentally escape from the situation.
Hours later, the plane touches down. The new guy is very excited and leads you into the airport where dozens of people are there to greet you. Light bulbs flash as your photo is taken again and again. The new guy takes you to another guy who hugs you. Who is this one? You smile at him. Then you are taken to another man who pats your back and kisses your cheek. Then yet another fellow gives you a big hug and messes your hair.
Finally, someone (which guy is this?) pulls you into his arms with the biggest hug you've ever had. He kisses you all over your cheeks and croons to you in some language you've never heard before.
He leads you to a car and drives you to another location. Everything here looks different. The climate is not what you're used to. The smells are strange. Nothing tastes familiar, except for the black coffee. You wonder if someone told him that you like your coffee black.
You find it nearly impossible to sleep. Sometimes you lie in bed for hours, staring into the blackness, furious with your husband for leaving you, yet aching from the loss. The new guy checks on you. He seems concerned and tries to comfort you with soft words and a mug of warm milk. You turn away, pretending to go to asleep.
People come to the house. You can feel the anxiety start to bubble over as you look into the faces of all the new people. You tightly grasp the new guy's hand. He pulls you closer. People smile and nudge one other, marveling at how quickly you've fallen in love. Strangers reach for you, wanting to be a part of the happiness.
Each time a man hugs you, you wonder if he will be the one to take you away. Just in case, you keep your suitcase packed and ready. Although the man at this house is nice and you're hanging on for dear life, you've learned from experience that men come and go, so you just wait in expectation for the next one to come along.
Each morning, the new guy hands you a cup of coffee and looks at you expectantly. A couple of times the pain and anger for your husband is so great that you lash out, sending hot coffee across the room, causing the new guy to yelp in pain. He just looks at you, bewildered. But most of the time you calmly take the cup. You give him a smile. And wait. And wait. And wait.
--Written by Cynthia Hockman-Chupp, analogy courtesy of Dr. Kali Miller
T-minus 2 weeks...
We're leaving 2 weeks from today. So much to do, so little time. And yet I would leave tomorrow if we were able to.
The "Zac dreams" are happening about every other night now-a-days. It's fun to be able to "see" him so often.
I'll update more later.
The "Zac dreams" are happening about every other night now-a-days. It's fun to be able to "see" him so often.
I'll update more later.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Making Plans
OK - Let's get back to subject of adoption. (Oh yea! That is the purpose of this blog isn't it?)
Today was fun. We booked our flights. We're choosing to fly Delta this time. Delta has, by far, the most direct way to fly from Omaha to Moscow. We'll go Omaha to Atlanta to Moscow. Last time, we went Omaha to Chicago to Toronto to Moscow. We're hoping that the fewer connections will decrease our odds of loosing our luggage this time around. We'll see. At the very least, I'll be packing a smarter carry-on this time. (Like that'll be hard to do...)
Another change this time around is that we're going to stay in an apartment while in Moscow rather than a Hotel. As some of you may know, Moscow is the most expensive city in the world. Additionally, the end of April is a big travel time for them because of their Easter (using the Orthodox calendar) as well as May day (which is big for them). The result is that a suite at the Holiday Inn costs $545/night! Yes, that would be dollars, not rubles.
Therefore, we're opting for a "cheap" apartment at a mere $270/night. Practically a steal!
Today was fun. We booked our flights. We're choosing to fly Delta this time. Delta has, by far, the most direct way to fly from Omaha to Moscow. We'll go Omaha to Atlanta to Moscow. Last time, we went Omaha to Chicago to Toronto to Moscow. We're hoping that the fewer connections will decrease our odds of loosing our luggage this time around. We'll see. At the very least, I'll be packing a smarter carry-on this time. (Like that'll be hard to do...)
Another change this time around is that we're going to stay in an apartment while in Moscow rather than a Hotel. As some of you may know, Moscow is the most expensive city in the world. Additionally, the end of April is a big travel time for them because of their Easter (using the Orthodox calendar) as well as May day (which is big for them). The result is that a suite at the Holiday Inn costs $545/night! Yes, that would be dollars, not rubles.
Therefore, we're opting for a "cheap" apartment at a mere $270/night. Practically a steal!
Food Court Musical
I received the following YouTube link from my friend Andrew in response to my post about spontaneously breaking into song. I just about exploded from laughing so hard.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Now it's OFFICIAL
Truth be known, I've been carrying a secret with me. I'm not sure why I didn't share this on the blog last week:
Although we did get our courtdate last Tuesday, we still did not have official confirmation that our region had received the official letter from the Databank saying that Zac had been released.
Therefore, we were very tenative about our April 22nd courtdate.
Well, today it's official. It was confirmed that the letter was received from the Databank. We're officially traveling to Russia! We even started booking flights and hotels (apartments) today. I can't tell you what a huge weight has been lifted.
Tonight will be the first night in over 9 months that I won't have to go to sleep wondering "Will tomorrow finally be the day that Zac is released?" It's almost like that thought has become me. It defined me.
Well, not anymore. That chapter has officially come to a close. It's been a good chapter. Not exactly an easy chapter. Certainly a very confusing chapter. But in the end, I have come to experience a deeper understanding of patience and surrender. These are good attributes to carry around, I have learned.
Although we did get our courtdate last Tuesday, we still did not have official confirmation that our region had received the official letter from the Databank saying that Zac had been released.
Therefore, we were very tenative about our April 22nd courtdate.
Well, today it's official. It was confirmed that the letter was received from the Databank. We're officially traveling to Russia! We even started booking flights and hotels (apartments) today. I can't tell you what a huge weight has been lifted.
Tonight will be the first night in over 9 months that I won't have to go to sleep wondering "Will tomorrow finally be the day that Zac is released?" It's almost like that thought has become me. It defined me.
Well, not anymore. That chapter has officially come to a close. It's been a good chapter. Not exactly an easy chapter. Certainly a very confusing chapter. But in the end, I have come to experience a deeper understanding of patience and surrender. These are good attributes to carry around, I have learned.
WANTED
These are our visa photos. Aren't they awesome? We are thinking about making copies for Christmas cards next year.
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