Accreditation! (do-over)

Edited to subtract:

Hiya, folks. Sorry for the do-overs, but it was a case of tmi. (Sorry, too, if I messed up your bloglines playing with the template.)

My agency (well, the facilitators) has confirmed that the third batch of agencies, of which they are one, has received the needed signature from the Mininstry of the Interior. Their applications are now all signed and being sent to the Ministry of Education. Once it's confirmed the agencies are up-to-date with their post-placement reports (Have you done your ppr's?) then accreditation can be granted!

They anticipate this being accomplished in the next two weeks! Perfect timing with my hs visit coming up, eh?

It was especially nice that this news started leaking out right after FRUA's worldwide 24 hour prayer vigil.

Rejoice and be glad!

just the doctor

Any Dr. Who fans out there? Having grown up as a Star Wars kid (the real Star Wars...when the movies had names and weren't just episodes...) I do have a soft spot for science fiction. Now, it's not all science fiction I like. I has to have a good story, be consistent and clever, and have a strong woman character. A trekkie I am decidely not.

I just finished season three of the new Dr. Who. When I was teaching in England my class loved Dr. Who. The whole school would be buzzing the Monday after each new episode. The creepiest one was The Lost Child. SCARY!

Here are a few of my thoughts on the first three seasons of the new Doctor:

I really like Christopher Eccleston and surprised my self by liking David Tennant as well. Loyalties and all...I'm still a Tom Baker fan! But, the brillance Dr. Who is the whole regeneration angle. We can like as many actors as they cast. Smart. Good plan. The loyalty becomes more to the character than to the actor. (Not great for the actor, but...)

I liked season three the best. Why? The absence of Billie Piper! There were some great stories in the first two seasons, but she drives me crazy! She's just dim and trashy. I was so sick of hearing about Rose. I don't think I'm the only one. I think the character of Martha Jones (so much more likable, imho, played by Freema Agyeman) reflected the sentiments of many viewers. She was sick of hearing about Rose. The best bit of Miss Piper's stint on the series was when Rose's body was taken over by another alien who exclaimed in disgust and dispair, "I'm a chav!" Yep. Complete chav.

If there's one thing I ask of the Dr. Who writers it's this: Leave Rose stranded in her alternate universe forever. Do not find a way to bring her back.

Unfortunately, that this new series reflects the, shall we just call it "liberal" agenda, of it's creative team fairly blatantly. Ick. There is a lot to look past. (Don't even try watching the spin-off series T*rchwood. I won't even write it's name here. ICK!) But, it's worth a look. (The other is not.) I don't think it's great for kiddos, although that's its target audience--and it airs at 7 p.m. in the UK, because of the scariness, the violence and the aforementioned thinly veiled agenda.

Okay...since I suspect this will not be the most universal of topics, I'll stop here. But, I'm happy to carry on if you comment. ;>

gone purple

As challenged by Elle, we've gone purple (because she likes purple) to commemorate National Adoption Awareness Month. (Well, it's a start...maybe we'll get purpler as the month progresses. I really need to learn more about html code and techy-bloggy thingies...)

ticker

So what do we think about tickers? Love 'em? Hate 'em? Should I keep it or not?

time

That title reminds me of a sketch from The Shakespeare Revue. It made me giggle.

This is a quickie to say that our clocks have already changed here in Russia. Just thought you should know.

ready...

SW2.5 is coming on 9 November for my homevisit! I *just* found out minutes ago, but feel like the latest preparations I made both last week and earlier today came at the perfect time.

I'm all about being ready. How long ago did I show you pictures of bedding and clothing, toothbrushes and medicines? How long ago did I tell you about all the multi-sized tights and socks, underwear and camisoles that are ready and waiting? Ages ago. So long ago you probably forgot. (I forgive you.) And, the preparations have continued. I've spent the last 20 months adding bits to my home and getting everything ready for d2b.


Last week I bought a bookshelf (IKEA. Ick.) for d2b and filled it with her books, train, crayons, coloring books, etc. I need to get her some blocks. And, I need two more green and pink sliding bins. I'm taking my Russian teacher shopping on Wednesday, so I'll pick them up then.




This morning, before I'd heard anything, I re-arranged all d2b's dresses (sizes 70-120...'cause who knows?) so they're hanging by length instead of by size. I can't think of anything else to do... Seriously, if you told me d2b was coming home tomorrow, I'd be ready. I just need some shoes (stocking up on multi-sized shoes seems silly), her baby doll (which I won't order until I know d2b's hair and eye color so that they match), and some more pajamas (they don't wear them in the children's home, so buying lots of expensive pajamas--'cause you know I'm a natural-fibers-no-characters-only sort--that I cannot donate if they're too small seems impractical). I could do all that in a day.

(Yes, those are bitty baby clothes next to the hats. And, yes, d2b has plenty of leggings, jeans, t-shirts & clothes other than dresses.)


Hooray for progress!! I think we're all ready for this visit. Thanks for waiting with me.

how tired are you?

Okay, so we've been teaching non-stop since mid-August with NO breaks--no three day weekends, no holidays, nothing. Do you want to know how tired that makes a teacher? Last week we had a lice scare at school. A nurse from Euromed came to check everyone's head. I admitted to a teacher friend that I was hoping I had lice just so I could be sent home. She said she was hoping the same thing!

Hoping one has LICE to be sent home to start vacation a day early...that's how tired teachers are who have taught for 45 days with no break. (That does not include professional development days and pre-school in-service...)

losing battles

Insomnia. I battle if often. Yuck. But, it's vacation! That means I have a week to sort out my sleep (I like to sleep 2 am-10 am which was perfect when I was acting but not-so-perfect when I'm teaching) and get myself back to myself.

I'm flattered by how quickly some of you read my ramblings. Some of you read that I had an e-mail from sw2. I was pretty taken aback by some of her wording. And, while I wanted to leap in and defend myself, I didn't. I decided that a gloating sw was a better visitor than an angry one and that I'd have to lose this battle. I sought some wise council and the counselor concurred. So, I said nothing about my priorities (which were called into question) or my uncertainties about sw2.5. I did not vindicate myself or insist that I get my way.

SW2 offered a compromise and I leapt to accept. Too much public disclosure is not a good thing, but, suffice it to say that 2.5 will be coming to visit.

I felt like I'd lost. I hadn't gotten exactly what I wanted out of this. I didn't get to say what I wanted to say. I didn't have the sw I wanted coming. But. But, when I thought about d2b it became no contest. Of course I'd rather "lose" the battle of the homevisit and win the war of bringing her home. How could I ever explain to her that I didn't bring her home because I was too prideful and too stubborn? I couldn't. I won't. I will smile and chat and be nice. I will catch my flies with honey. I may even bake muffins.

So, 2.5 is coming...as soon as I can get a response to an e-mail. My hs will be finished, I will get my I-171H renewed (at no cost, thank you very much), and d2b will come home. I just keep praying it's soon.

i really like...

...the sound of appliances. Isn't it FAB to hear the sound of something else doing the work you'd be doing otherwise? And, isn't it nice when people call and ask what you're doing and you can honestly say, "Doing laundry." instead of "Sitting in my pajamas watching Top Gear simply becasue it's on and reading blogs."? All that's peachy...and the white-noise is so soothing in and of itself.

...ground turkey breast. I just ground up some and am making spaghetti and saving some for future inspiration. Yum!!

...clean sheets. (winking at sybille) I've got some gorgeous, high thread count, Egyptian cotton, silver-grey ones on my bed today. They just came out of the laundry (see above) and smell like lavender and chamomile.

...reading in bed or in the bath (bubbles are obligatory to hide the off-color water).

...my LUSH products--angels on bare skin, imperialis, marilyn, various bubble bars...

...napping in d2b's room.

...getting enough sleep. I slept 13 hours on Friday night and could've slept more. Beazy woke me at 10 am needing to be fed. Yes, I was in bed by 8:30 and asleep by 9:00 that night. See, all of you who tell me to enjoy it while I can--I am.

...lots of things! I'll tell you more later. For now I'm going to eat some spaghetti, take a LUSHous bath and then curl up in my clean sheets with a book. I can't promise it will be a good book, but it will be a new one. ;>

Hope you do something you like today, too!

ETA: My break doesn't start until NEXT week. I just whiled away the evening with simple pleasures. And, even better--the book was good! I ought to add a few "likes" I thought of last night.

...when my cat curls up in the small of my back or the crook or my knees and purrs

...sleeping with the window open, especially when the nights are cool and the courtyard is quiet

...the fact that it's finally cool enough when sleeping with the window open to have an extra blanket on the bed (but it never gets cold enough for a down duvet here...)

you're not missing anything

Hello, my lovelies.

Just a quick pop-in to let you know that while I still have limited internet time, you're not missing anything. I've yet to hear from either social worker...or to have real news from my agency.

We've got a week left until Fall Break. I'm so tired that I was shaking last week. Seriously. We've been teaching since mid-August without a break. I know your non-teacher hearts are just breaking...but we really do NEED a break. I'm so glad we've got one coming.

Someone from school is on the case about new internet, so hope to have it soon. However, my definition of "soon" has radically altered since moving to Russia.

Thanks for all your lovely wishes of support and for all your prayers on my behalf. I miss bloggerland and will be happy to be back asap!

Katoosh

for the adoption junkies...

Couldn't leave you hanging indefinitely without some sort of update...

I decided that I'd prefer my SW2 (J) to do my homevisit. Some of this was just an unsettled feeling about SW2.5 (N) and some was because I was wary of having three social workers on my very fat, very atypical homestudy. I sent this e-mail to both of them last Tuesday:

Dear N and J,

First, let me apologize. I am sorry that I did not think through things faster. This is very unlike me. However, I'm sure you can appreciate the attrition that occurs in Russian adoption. You've done more Russian adoptions than I have! So, when the opportunity to have a month shaved
off my time in-process, I leapt.

Perhaps N's delay was really a good thing. It caused me to consider the impact of having three social workers involved in my homestudies. I trust you both when you say that CIS wouldn't take issue. And, it's likely that Russia wouldn't either. But, there is the possibility that they would.I am my agency's first ex-pat adoption. And, as far as we've been able to gather, I'm the first ex-pat adoption by a resident of St. Petersburg from St. Petersburg. This has made my agency very cautious. They've had me appear before the committee of the ministry of education twice
already--and my papers, as you know, are still not filed. This has given me both the advantage and the disadvantage of being known by the committee. As I'm sure you'll appreciate, being atypical in Russia is not usually a good thing. And, my case is far from "normal" in the eyes of the committee.

All this to say, I think it would be best to wait for J to do my homevisit. I've spoken with my
agency and they concur. I am sorry for any inconvenience this has caused. I appreciate the time and energy N contributed. J, after you've recovered from your holiday, I look forward to seeing you as soon as your schedule permits.

Many thanks to you both,
K

I thought this was a kind, respectful e-mail. I've not had a reply. I also e-mailed SW2 (J) about getting her visa--I'm thinking a year visa may be better since we'll hopefully have some ppr's to do in the next year as well as this homevisit. She is still on holiday. N says that they talk on the phone, so I'd think that this change in plans has been discussed between them. I've also gathered that they're very close friends. I am hoping that this doesn't impact my homestudy. J seems too sensible to let that happen, but...

I'm hoping to hear something when she returns from holiday at the end of the month. I've decided not to e-mail either of them again until then. (Unless they e-mail me, nach. I just won't instigate further contact.)

Comments? BTDT? Do you think I'm handling this correctly or should I send an e-mail to make sure they received that one? (Yahoo says it's been sent...) Was the letter too harsh? Really, I still think N is disappointed to be losing a paid trip to St. P and a paying gig. I just don't want that disappointment to come back and bite me...anywhere.

blog interrupted

Well, my lovelies, (that's how I address this year's class so far...especially when they're being either VERY lovely or very UN-lovely.) I have sad news. No, it's not THAT sad. It's only sad...not devastating. Let's keep things in perspective.

I have no internet access at home AGAIN.

Apparently, this is because I've been watching GH on my slingbox. I've asked the other IT person at school (and not the one who said he'd take care of it last month...) if he'll look into why my unlimited internet access is now limited.

Until it's back, I'm only internet-ing at school--and then only after a day of teaching, dance/drama classes and Russian lessons. Somehow I just can't manage to get online after all that unless I'm in my pajamas. I guess I could bring my pajamas to school...

force of consumerism

Who knew?

Since I've been away from the US they've stopped making my foundation, mascara, eyebrow gel, lipstick color, saline solution, bras, underwear, stockings and loads of other things I'm forgetting right now. My apologies to all of you who are suffering lack of supply because I wasn't there to do my part as a demading consumer.

At least creamy Jiff is still available. Thanks for picking up the slack. ;>

you can uncross

SW couldn't make arrangement to come in October (I said it would take a month...). She can come in November. Since SW2 was also available in November, I'm asking that she do the homevisit instead of SW2.5. I just think having three different sw names on my hs is not going to make the MOE very happy...

And, btw, has anyone looked at my timeline lately and realized we've been updating this hs since the beginning of JUNE?

Edited to add: SW 2.5 is really, really cross with me. I hate it when people are cross with me. I, rather cynically, suspect it is because she is a. losing out on a fee and b. not getting the paid trip to St. Petersburg. (Told you it was cynical...but I know she was planning to stay an extra day to sightsee, go to museums, etc.)

SW2 won't be back from holiday until the end of the month. SW2.5 is threatening says that it's likely SW2's schedule has filled up and she won't be able to come until December. The way things are going, I'm tempted to wait for SW2. WAIT?!?? Willingly? Am I crazy??

At least the I-171H now has a free update--and free fingerprinting. I'll be getting my money's worth out of that visa!

Agency agrees that fewer SW names is better.

pickles and prejudices

note: This is just a report of some of my Russian friends' take on food and culture. I thought you might like an uncensored show of current attitudes here. Don't flame the reporter, please.

Friday was a professional development day at school. The biggest perk--we get an actual lunch break...and are allowed out of the school to eat! This, for a teacher, is a rare treat. We have no cafeteria at our school, so usually I wolf down my lunch standing up (no room in my classroom for a desk for me...) after I've microwaved everyone's lunch, opened stubborn juice containers and had some second grade chat. Believe me, lunch out on a schoolday is a treat!

Since we had 45 minutes instead of our usual 30, some friends and I decided to go to a nearby chain that serves baked potatoes (jacket potatoes to my UK friends) with a choice of toppings. We were walking and realized it was noon. Then, my friend P commented, "Oh, no. It's Friday."

That's not the usual preface to a comment about Friday. However, we were headed straight past the mosque. This is a place to AVOID on Fridays. On Fridays it's filled with gypsies begging--rather aggressively. P explained that Islamic law says that one must give something to all beggars. (See disclaimer above.)

We were quickly marked and chased down. One little girl, probably about nine years old, tried to grab the Coke right out of my hand. (Professional development gave me a headache. It was medicinal.) I admit, it was a little scary. Even thought she was only nine, she was really aggressive. And, we were surrounded. I was glad to have my big, strong friends in attendance.

Then, I was treated to a debate between my Russian friends about whether or not these were actual gypsies. P says emphatically yes. N says no. P says at least these are Tajik gypsies who only steal and not Moldovan gypsies who are violent. He said they were easily distinguished by their clothes. (I could have my Tajik and Moldovan characteristics mixed up, but I think that's what he said.) Even so, we walked back by a different route.

Over lunch, I was regaled with matter-of-fact stories from P and N of how gypsies refused all schooling and opportunities for a better life, preferring, instead, to live on the streets and pick pockets. I was also told a rather scary tale about another encounter P had some years back. He warned some Americans that they were being followed by gypsies and to watch their wallets. The band of pickpockets quit following the Americans and targeted P and his friend in retaliation. P and friend had to hide in a shop! He said they could see the pickpockets lying in wait--plying their "trade"--outside the shop window. This was at a time when it was not easy to exchange money and he had a substantial sum on him--the grant funding for a project. Eventually, they called a cab and had it park RIGHT in front of the shop. They dashed to the cab and got away with the grant money safely in P's pocket.

There is a strong prejudice against gypsies here. And, I have seen many pickpockets/thieves/beggars to support this. Do I think this is a broad generalization? Probably. But, as I disclaimed, this post is just to let you know how people here feel.

On a lighter note--I was holding the table while my friends got food. I asked for chicken on my potato. (I *love* bbq chicken on a baked potato, but knew that was not going to happen. I was thinking just grilled chicken...) P arrived at the table with my potato--covered in cheese with an ice cream scoop of chicken salad on top--chicken salad with lots of pickles. My thoughtful friend chose the salad with pickles especially for me because the plain one would be "too bland". I smiled and ate most of it. And, I regretted it later! My American stomach isn't keen on the hot potato-pickle combination. I tried to just think of it as potato salad...but...no.

Next time, I'll get the grilled chicken sandwich--hold the pickles.

fingers crossed...

SW 2.5 thinks she can be here 20 October for my homevisit. No visa yet (and she thinks she can do that faster and cheaper than the consulate so I'm graciously letting her...) but I'm hoping it all works out!

paige's names

Here's a bit of silly fun courtesey of Paige:

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car),
Betsey Blazer

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie),
Peppermint Gingersnap

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name),

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal),
Grey Lion

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born),

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first),

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink),
The Periwinkle Snapple

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers),
Noel Frank

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy),
Allure Lemondrop

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ),

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter),
Riley-Stewart Reykjavik

12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower).
Autumn Hydrangea

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)
Berry Peejaysie

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree),
Toasty Christmas

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”),
The Theatrics-Equestrian Thunderstorm Tour

Come on, do it. You know you want to….

(Seriously,though, this would be a minefield of information for those who are identity thieves...having had a friend fall victim, I've left out and changed a few answers! The questions are fun, though, so I've left them up. Discuss amongst yourselves.)

as promised

St. Petersburg is a beautiful city...but you do have to actively look for the beauty and edit out the bits that distract and detract. Here's my captured golden afternoon--edited for you so that all you see is beauty.

a month saved

While sw2 is not able to come to visit me until November, she has arranged for a colleague of hers to do my homevisit over the weekend of 20 October! That saves me a month. Hooray!!

I really do like sw2. She not only keeps the crazy facilitators happy, but also offers me some encouragement. And, I really appreciate her problem-solving on my behalf.

Knew you'd all like to share in this little victory!

saying good-bye

In case you’re in doubt, there really is an artistic personality. I need art, I need theatre and music in order to be me. It’s as necessary as breathing. Without a creative outlet, I can feel myself shrinking a little bit every day. I become a little less me.

Fortunately, the year I was hired a couple of other artistic types were hired, too. The art teacher, the music teacher and I quickly formed a little artistic enclave…which met in the second grade classroom. We could just TALK theatre, TALK art, and life was better. It wasn’t the same as performing, but it did slow the rate at which I lost little bits of myself. The p.e. teacher’s office was right next to my classroom. He told me he was amazed at how much we could talk about theatre—and that heated arguments and spontaneous song often accompanied that talk. The three of us put on the first musical the school had ever had—and, for what we had to work with, we did a bang-up job.

Art is so important! That year, kids were painting and singing and dancing and creating. They learned so much—how to work together, how to take responsibility, how to express themselves, how to practice, how to persist, how to make mistakes…

Our art teacher is great at creating a safe place so that children will try. Because mistakes are treated as opportunities or inspirations to try something new, my students are eager to dive in and start creating. While I do have an artistic bent, my forte is the performing arts, not the visual arts. I am continually frustrated by the fact that the picture in my head doesn’t come out of my pencil. I readily sympathize with my students who suffer from the same malady. But, with our art teacher, students achieved and felt successful.

At the end of my first year, our music teacher left to return to theatre in Belarus. The art teacher and I carried on—teaching, chatting, supporting. We put on another musical. One of our best field trips ever was when the two of us walked my class to the Hermitage and back. The kids loved sitting outside and sketching. And, they came up with some great pictures!




Now, our art teacher is leaving as well. He’s returning to Belgium along with his family. The artistic enclave has ended. I’m so sorry to be losing another person who started out as the best of colleagues and quickly became a friend. While I’m happy for the opportunities he and his family will have, I can’t help being a little sad for myself. This family has been a great champion of my adoption. They’ve driven me around town searching for a car battery. They’ve helped create Oz and Neverland. And now, they’re leaving.

So, to them…go forth and conquer. Be happy. I’ll miss you.