Thursday, January 17, 2008

1/17/08 The Continuing Misadventures of Donna and Helen

It was another productive day in Ukraine!!!!!!!!! I swear to %@#*$^@$ ^*$ that this region has decided it is going to do everything in its power to keep Juliyana, Helen, and I hostage forever. First thing, Konstantin went back to get the stamp that we needed yesterday. It was a success and we were off at 11am to drive 160 km to Dniproderzynsk. This is the town where Juliyana was born so it is where we need to get her new birth certificate. Got to Dnproderzynsk applied for the birth certificate and were told that the safe is locked with the blank certificates and the only person that can open it will not be in until tomorrow. Any other day we would have been ok but on Thursdays in this region you cannot get offical documents. So now we have to be there at 10 am tomorrow morning then go to Dnipropetrovsk to get a stamp on the birth certificate then back to Kryvyy Rig to apply for the Passport and break Juliyana out of the orpahage. All fine well and good, but we also need to then get her social security number changed to her new last name and go back to Dnipropetrovsk with Juliyana to get her image digitally scanned for her passport. This all must happen before 4pm at the end of the business day or else we will not be submitted for the passport until Monday. God I love beauracracy!!!!!!!

So all you wonderful family and friends please send us all your happy thoughts, prayers, and funny jokes because we could use as much help as you can give.

5 comments:

Kathy and Matt said...

Donna
I'm reading your post, shaking my head...not in disbelief but knowing that we need to prepare for dealing with this in the upcoming weeks. Hopefully I can find the humor in it the way it seems like you are.

Hang in there!
Sending lots of prayers your way!

Anonymous said...

Keep the faith!! The "crats" are not winning!! We love you and know that we both are with you in spirit. We will be in California for a few days, but the first stop on the 21st will be to read the news. Looking forward to hearing how you say the names of the towns. Don't laugh when I try to say them.
Love Ray and Anne
PS Give Juliyana a hug and kiss from the grandparents.

Anonymous said...

If I remeber correctly. Donna it is your birthday. Have a productive day enjoy your daughter and hope to speak to you when you get home. Know that we are all following your trip and you are all in our prayers
Love Aunt Bonnie
Uncle Bobby

Amy said...

Donna!
Hang in there! All these things do happen for a reason - they may not be the reason that we would like -but they do happen that way! Enjoy this time in Ukraine - take loads of pictures of EVERYTHING for your little girl! No matter how frustrated, tired or pissed off you are - put on a smile and think of warm happy thoughts - haha - like going into a public bathroom that does NOT have a hole in the floor... or being able to order at a restaurant and KNOW what you are getting! You'll make it - I have loads of faith in you!

Amy

Amy said...

I'll call you!
Keep up your spirits!