It was an exciting day at the mailbox
It was an exciting day at the mailbox today. Our visas for Russia arrived today. Talk about a tremendous sense of relief. Everyone take a great big breath right now.... Exhale.... Whew.... Feel better?
I was a nervous wreck worrying about the visas today. They were supposed to arrive Wednesday & apparently the Russian folks had trouble getting them back into FedEx on Tuesday so they didn’t get sent until Wednesday.
The really really huge relief was getting our passports back! To get the visas we had to mail our passports to them in New York City. The longer it was taking to get them back, the more nervous I got. If those passports didn’t come back – I don’t even want to think about the paperwork & logistics involved; not to mention don’t even think about getting on the plane this weekend. And if the visas didn’t make it, then we would not be getting off the plane at the other end, so without the papers that would be a huge ix-nay on the trip.... No pressure....
So now we’ll see if I’m able to pull off packing for two adults for 8 days in 30 degree temperatures and find the space to get the documents & gifts for the camp kids that Gladney asked us to take. (And while I’m trying to pack light – I’m trying to be prepared. As has been pointed out by several people, once we get out to the region, we might as well be in a third world country.) We’re also supposed to take a certain amount of humanitarian aid for the orphanage: shoes, clothes, school supplies & the like. Well, with the Pedi boards monopolizing my time lately, it wasn’t until Wednesday that I even started to think about trying to round up things to take. I was at a loss for what they really needed so I called Gladney and Kate was super helpful with a list of ideas. She then asked if I wanted them to put together a bag and I said “Sure!” Imagine my surprise when I went by Gladney this afternoon to pick up everything they needed us to take over and the “bag” turned out to be this gigantic duffel bag, about 50 pounds worth, and completely loaded up for the kids. I was expecting something like a backpack.... Stunned – just stunned.... If I’d been thinking, then about 1-2 months ago I would have started campaigning amongst family & friends to just donate one item to us to take over to help cut costs for Michael & I. At some point in the next few days I need to start a list entitled “Running Costs” just for entertainment’s sake.
On a happy note, we visited with our close friends MJ & Tarl and their new daughter, Catherine Camille "Catie" Hamish. She is an 8 week old cutie and apparently she knew not to misbehave with an “expert” around, because she was a good girl though dinner at the sushi place. MJ is on her way to Chicago for her oral board exams – I hope only the best for her given my experiences with the Pedi boards earlier this week.
I was a nervous wreck worrying about the visas today. They were supposed to arrive Wednesday & apparently the Russian folks had trouble getting them back into FedEx on Tuesday so they didn’t get sent until Wednesday.
The really really huge relief was getting our passports back! To get the visas we had to mail our passports to them in New York City. The longer it was taking to get them back, the more nervous I got. If those passports didn’t come back – I don’t even want to think about the paperwork & logistics involved; not to mention don’t even think about getting on the plane this weekend. And if the visas didn’t make it, then we would not be getting off the plane at the other end, so without the papers that would be a huge ix-nay on the trip.... No pressure....
So now we’ll see if I’m able to pull off packing for two adults for 8 days in 30 degree temperatures and find the space to get the documents & gifts for the camp kids that Gladney asked us to take. (And while I’m trying to pack light – I’m trying to be prepared. As has been pointed out by several people, once we get out to the region, we might as well be in a third world country.) We’re also supposed to take a certain amount of humanitarian aid for the orphanage: shoes, clothes, school supplies & the like. Well, with the Pedi boards monopolizing my time lately, it wasn’t until Wednesday that I even started to think about trying to round up things to take. I was at a loss for what they really needed so I called Gladney and Kate was super helpful with a list of ideas. She then asked if I wanted them to put together a bag and I said “Sure!” Imagine my surprise when I went by Gladney this afternoon to pick up everything they needed us to take over and the “bag” turned out to be this gigantic duffel bag, about 50 pounds worth, and completely loaded up for the kids. I was expecting something like a backpack.... Stunned – just stunned.... If I’d been thinking, then about 1-2 months ago I would have started campaigning amongst family & friends to just donate one item to us to take over to help cut costs for Michael & I. At some point in the next few days I need to start a list entitled “Running Costs” just for entertainment’s sake.
On a happy note, we visited with our close friends MJ & Tarl and their new daughter, Catherine Camille "Catie" Hamish. She is an 8 week old cutie and apparently she knew not to misbehave with an “expert” around, because she was a good girl though dinner at the sushi place. MJ is on her way to Chicago for her oral board exams – I hope only the best for her given my experiences with the Pedi boards earlier this week.
posted by T. at 11/03/2005 09:56:00 PM
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