Somewhere Over The Ocean

I don't think Judy Garland ever sang that song....isn't this a beautiful photo? The only thing I remember about this picture is that it was -57 degrees outside.

Russia or Bust!

It was raining outside when the alarm went off at 3:30am. The Mr. Was positive I would choose to not get out of bed at when I was suppose too. I chose to prove him wrong because I am like that. Don't tell me I can't do something. It is my stubbornness that will prove you wrong! His way of reverse psychology? Possibly. Either way not only was I up, but also ready to go at the specified time. Check in went well. TSA always gets the Mr.'s panties in a whad. I told him if anything happened, let me handle it. I don't like TSA and he doesn't like them more than I. Our airport no longer uses the metal detectors. They do have one for children. The use the X-ray machines. It amazes me how many people do not opt out of this. It truly is like herding cattle into these machines. While I know the Holocaust is completely different on EVERY level, one simple fact is similar...herding unsuspecting people into machines they know nothing about. For the traveler who hardly flies at all, if ever, I could see going through. For the traveler who is part of the frequent flier program or has health concerns, not smart. I wonder if the average person realizes they are exposing themselves to radiation every time they go through one? Sometimes I think our country has it all backwards. If Janet Napalitano, who is Secretary of Homeland Security, won't go in one, why would I? We opted for the pat down. It was perfectly acceptable!*** The employer bought coach seats for our travel. The Mr. Got upgraded to first class due to his status. I was on a list to be upgraded...and I did! The sky greeted us with turbulent air the whole way to our connection. We now sit in a lounge for the next 6 hours waiting for our flight to Mother Russia. The lounge is not a regular thing for us by any means,but I'll tell you what...a girl can get used to this! Free food/beverage, wifi, clean toilets...life is good! We are certainly being looked out for by the big guy. We arrive in Moscow at 10am local time on Monday.

***the above statements are my personal thoughts. certainly not meant to be offensive....

Our flights have been booked for our Look/See.  Flights to Moscow are not what they once were.  Airlines have cut back and the choices are slim.  I secretly wonder if flights have been reduced for the mere reason that Russia isn't working well with America on International Adoptions.  Who flies to Russia unless you are from there? Adopting families do and sadly, those numbers have been reduced.

I will be getting up at o'dark which is before o'dark thirty (and kinda like o'shit!)...So, you know this is early! The flight arrives at LaGuardia in the morning, we have to change airports to JFK where our flight leaves late afternoon.  Sound like fun? Do we dare swing into the city for a bite of lunch? I am thinking we should also swing by the furrier where I have located my new fur coat. Somehow, I don't think the Mr. will go for this.  

Prior to our Look/See I have been busy researching away.  It can be quite daunting and at times overwhelming.  As I go through this, I would recommend to take it slow.  I have made some very friendly contacts in Moscow through blogs I found.  The Expat Women site was a great place to look for these.  The thought of moving to Moscow was once a scary thought. The more I communicate with the women I have met online, the more excited I get.   I even have a tentative "date" set up with one of the ladies! Well, perhaps I am jumping the gun with the word "date" but we have both agreed we will meet while I am there. I will also be speaking with another lady next week, who will be in Florida, for their  holiday.  Her daughter is adopted from Russia and we will be speaking of what it is like to return to Moscow to live post-Adoption.

I have narrowed down the areas of where I think we want to live. I have emailed my first choice school for the munchkins and am awaiting a reply.  Mr.'s company will schedule for us housing and school tours.  One must be invited to Russia to enter the country. The company is handling our invitation which we should receive on Monday. At that time, we will send the invite with our passports to the Russian Embassy to receive our visa's. 

Things are shaping up well!  All we have to do is pack...I was told it is still snowing in Moscow.  Sigh...The weather averages for this time of year say the temperature highs are about 50 degrees F.  So, I am guessing this most likely will not be the case!  In which case, we may be swinging by the furrier ;-)