The V.I.P Room

Hello family and friends,
I'm killing time today in the back room of an internet cafe. It's called the V.I. P. room.
The Russian mafia may have started here
They've set me up in a comfortable chair with my laptop. And the cost of all this indulgence? Just a few extra grinas. It keeps me out of the ranks of the wild teenagers playing video games. I'm glad I can't understand what they are saying. I have wondered when these kids go to school???
Okay, I admit it. I'm a little nervous about my court date tomorrow to finalize the adoption of Christina.
The officials here are kind, but unnerving. Nothing is done until it's done. Anything and everything can change in a Ukrainian millisecond. I spent most of yesterday trying to track down a document that would prove that children adopted from other countries have the full rights of natural born US citizens. I finally called our friendly state department in Kiev. It took half a day to get a real person. I was fuming, " I'm an honest tax paying American citizen and I need help today, not next year. " Truth be known, they were very helpful and friendly.... when I finally got through. They are familiar with this request from Ukrainian judges. They draft a letter saying, this is the US, you know. We give immigrants BETTER treatment than natural born US citizens. :)
Not really. They write a nice letter to the judge guaranteeing that the child will have the same rights as any child born in the US. It seems like a superfluous request, but the judges are just looking out for their children. They care very much what happens to adopted children once they leave Ukraine.
My judge seems like a nice lady. I've heard she is strict, but fair. She has a nice smile. I hope I see a lot of that smile tomorrow.
Thank you for your notes of encouragement. They keep me running toward the finish line.

debbie