Getting Closer to Court Date and a Top 10 List for You
Victor and Igor informed us the SDA has our final resolution and it should be signed by Friday. But Victor and Igor have made no guarantees, which I understand. They are shooting for a court date next week. I appreciate their efforts. I just called stateside last night to chat with my bank, and find out the balance on my credit card. Oyyy Vey. They were very helpful (Wings Credit Union). Thanks for your prayers and your notes. It feels great to hear from other people who are pursuing adoption. We'll return the blessing and be praying for you (but please send us your blog links - it will help).
I prepared a top list of items you need to prepare for Ukraine. I promptly deleted it. Ugh. But, from memory, I write this in hopes of helping families following us:
1) Bring more money - living in Kiev is more expensive than the estimates you are given. We have been drawing cash advances from our credit card, so we've been pulling Grievnna. It adds up, though. You need groceries and you eat out (at Mac's).
2) Bring your wireless router/network with you - they don't have them here, from what I've seen. We have three laptops and an Ipod flying on ours over here. Send me a question if you are unsure how to do this...I can walk you through it. I'm on FB also.
3) Bring a 100 W power converter. Anything less and you will fry it. Laptops should run fine of 220V (check your manufacturer to be sure). Bring the two plug adapters...they have them at radio shack. Make sure the converter can handle 220 V (it says it right on the converter)
4) Buy a double high, queen size air mattress, the one made by Coleman. It has an inflator built in (sweet). The mattresses here are not good. Your back will hurt. To inflate it, plug into the 100 W power converter.
5) Bring peanut butter. They don't have it here...you'll want it.
6) Bring Mac and Cheese - no such thing here
7) Consider buying new walking shoes...you do more walking here than anywhere.
8) Learn how to say "How much does this cost" in Russian. I wish I'd learned.
9) Learn the Russian words for Thank You and Goodbye. I've found people here smile if you say goodbye to them in Russian.
10) Buy your fruit in Novoselki, but shop at the big stores in Kiev...we'll save these for a later post (beware of canned pineapple - avoid).
11) Bonus*** - if you bring a gaming system, I advise you order the European power supply from Amazon before coming. They are less than $20.00, and you'll free up the power converter for other stuff. I haven't seen a single Wii or Xbox or PS3 here anywhere (one PS3 advertisement). You won't find power cords here.
12) Extra Bonus*** - Guys, this is for you. The roses here are a good price, but you have to know where to buy them. Downtown, at the floral booth near the underground mall, they try to get G15.00 off you per rose. Don't do it. Dave Ritzman taught me to bargain with them. If you can, hold off until you go to Novoselki. You can buy roses on some days at the last metro stop for G3.00. Some days they want G7.00. They don't haggle well at the metro, so wait until the prices say G3.00.
I prepared a top list of items you need to prepare for Ukraine. I promptly deleted it. Ugh. But, from memory, I write this in hopes of helping families following us:
1) Bring more money - living in Kiev is more expensive than the estimates you are given. We have been drawing cash advances from our credit card, so we've been pulling Grievnna. It adds up, though. You need groceries and you eat out (at Mac's).
2) Bring your wireless router/network with you - they don't have them here, from what I've seen. We have three laptops and an Ipod flying on ours over here. Send me a question if you are unsure how to do this...I can walk you through it. I'm on FB also.
3) Bring a 100 W power converter. Anything less and you will fry it. Laptops should run fine of 220V (check your manufacturer to be sure). Bring the two plug adapters...they have them at radio shack. Make sure the converter can handle 220 V (it says it right on the converter)
4) Buy a double high, queen size air mattress, the one made by Coleman. It has an inflator built in (sweet). The mattresses here are not good. Your back will hurt. To inflate it, plug into the 100 W power converter.
5) Bring peanut butter. They don't have it here...you'll want it.
6) Bring Mac and Cheese - no such thing here
7) Consider buying new walking shoes...you do more walking here than anywhere.
8) Learn how to say "How much does this cost" in Russian. I wish I'd learned.
9) Learn the Russian words for Thank You and Goodbye. I've found people here smile if you say goodbye to them in Russian.
10) Buy your fruit in Novoselki, but shop at the big stores in Kiev...we'll save these for a later post (beware of canned pineapple - avoid).
11) Bonus*** - if you bring a gaming system, I advise you order the European power supply from Amazon before coming. They are less than $20.00, and you'll free up the power converter for other stuff. I haven't seen a single Wii or Xbox or PS3 here anywhere (one PS3 advertisement). You won't find power cords here.
12) Extra Bonus*** - Guys, this is for you. The roses here are a good price, but you have to know where to buy them. Downtown, at the floral booth near the underground mall, they try to get G15.00 off you per rose. Don't do it. Dave Ritzman taught me to bargain with them. If you can, hold off until you go to Novoselki. You can buy roses on some days at the last metro stop for G3.00. Some days they want G7.00. They don't haggle well at the metro, so wait until the prices say G3.00.
We're praying the court date through! Useful list and so very true. The supplies are comin'...peanut butter and mac 'n cheese.
ReplyDeleteJeanne arrives May 2nd afternoon.
Sweet!!! Thanks Dave and Jeanne.
ReplyDelete