April 11, 2005
Stuck in Ukraine part II
The day started out quickly as we ran a few more errands for Tara's Ukraine passport. Then the call came in from the U.S. Embassy: Our FBI/immigration fingerprints expired last week (though I assured them we have the same fingers now). These are necessary to get the visa for Tara to go to the U.S.
So I threw on my long black raincoat that looks like a cape when I run (yes it does) and scurried down the block to find a taxi at 4 p.m. to rush me to the U.S. consulate's office. I found a driver who didn't speak a lick of English, but I guess my gestures were enough because he took me there and waited for me as the official rolled my fingers in black ink. John has to go to the immigration office in Detroit pronto to get his fingerprints done again, and then it can take anywhere from "a few days" to "a week" to process and get the go-ahead from the immigration office to the U.S. embassy here. In other words, we won't be on the plane for home Wednesday...
We're trying to be optimistic and aim for the weekend. Sally has gracefully volunteered to stay until Saturday with us. Thanks Sal!
Tara has continued to shine in her life of freedom. She struts around in stores and looks at price tags after I do. She does this silly singing when she's playing. And seems to look for excuses to laugh. We needed that today after the call from the embassy.
So it was cool and drizzly earlier this afternoon but we decided to go to the lavra anyway so Sally can see the monks in coffins. But when we arrived, it was closed. Apparently someone got hit in the head with a piece of concrete or something that fell from a dilapitated building last weekend! So we're going to see if it reopens in the next day or two and we told Sally she can just take an umbrella and watch out for falling cement.
Tara Vika made her first trip to a toy store today. She touched all the books and puzzles, one at a time, and tried to put them right back where she found them.
At night, she takes all of the pictures of our family out of her little album, spreads them around and lays on top of them. She is getting to know everyone through dreams, I think.
Posted by Laura at April 11, 2005 04:20 PMPosted to
I'm tellin' ya, I felt like a boulder fell on my head when we got that news from the Embassy! And that was on the US side of things!!! I don't know what they're thinking, I don't even want to speculate since this blog is probably bugged and Laura running around in that flying black coat and sunglasses chasing down foreign taxi drivers isn't helping our case any. Dave, thanks for saying you appreciate my p.o.v. I'm just a civilian here, but I'm tellin' ya (after 2 big shots of vodka & a little tonic with that) that Laura and John are like Batman & Wonder Woman with this whole caper.
Of course, our little heroine makes every moment worthwhile. We tried to corrupt her with our American materialism by taking her to Toys P Us (Russian R is a P) but she wasn't having any of it. The girl would rather play with the insert from a Star magazine (whoops, sorry Laura!--Really, it's not Laura's first choice) than a 50 dollar Fisher Price import from the US. She loves her family pics the best and as I babysat this afternoon while Laura went flying off on her broomstick (or was it with that little pointy black & white nun hat of hers)Tara held the shot of mom & dad boozin' it up on a pontoon boat close to her precious little heart, and would take no comfort from moi. Well, it's back to the vodka for me, catch you guys tomorrow. Please write, we need all the encouragement we can get!
When Laura called me today with this news, my heart sunk. Another major hurdle to 'the homecoming'. Just can't seem to catch a break though it all! Glad everyone is patient. What stories to tell. Take one day at a time. You can always jump a train to Debica to visit the cousins there. Or you could got to Makow or Chotum or Pawlowka in Mazovia and start my genealogy research. WHen you get there ask for the Klimkowskis or the Wojciechowskis!
Posted by: Karen Wiz at April 11, 2005 05:02 PMLAURA AND SALLY; SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THIS MESS OF FINGERPRINTS. I AM GLAD THAT TARA IS KEEPING HERSELF BUSY. TIME TO COME HOME WILL BE HERE SOON SO HANG IN THERE. hAPPY TO KNOW SALLY WITH STAY WITH YOU. TAKE IT ALL IN STRIDE AND YOU WILL HAVE A LOT TO TALK ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE. GET PLENTY RE
ST AND THINGS WILL SEEM CALMER.
* LOVE MOM * --THINKING OF YOU LAURA AND SALLY AND MISS YOU BOTH.(THIS IS SURE A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE)
Good advice, Jeanne. I'll elaborate on the "take it all in stride" advice, and add: Sally, think of the good copy this will make for your novel! Gotta make that Hopwood Award pay off! (Haha! shameless name dropper!)
But after all, Laura is a famous U/M Journalist and former Free Press Star Reporter herself!
Moms just wanna have fun!
Posted by: Ellen at April 11, 2005 06:36 PMITS l0'30 pm ANDI JUST FINISHED LOOKING AT ALL THE PICTURES OF TARA AND YOU LAURA. BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK AT. BATH TIME , SLEEPING TIME AND ALL. I REALLY ENJOY THOSE PICTURES. LOVE TO ALL OF YOU *MOM*
PS HI SALLY,
Just had a brainstorm. How about a couple pictures of Sally with Tara? Maybe somebody could take one or two of the three of you!
ellen
Hey guys... How frustrating and challenging. Bureaucracy! But like those five weeks on your first trip, looking back, a few more days will be just a blip. I know, easy for me to say from thousands of miles away while you're stuck in the middle of it. Armchair counseling. Ha! I'm glad at least that you have Tara with you. What sticks with me are the sweet details -- Tara sleeping on your photos, saying "mama," that photo of her napping with her bottom in the air -- boy isn't that a sweet stage. What great memories you guys are already making. And they're in print, so you can embarrass her with them when she's a teenager. How perfect! Looks like you're doing a great job giving her an American education already -- toys R Us, perfectly rolled up blue jeans... have you hit a McDonalds yet for a sausage burger? Just kidding! Anyway, fingers crossed for a speedy resolution and return home.
xoxox, mm