Latest Article from the Kathmandu Post

A long wait for adoptive parents
Bureaucratic delays a hurdle in adoption of orphans
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, July 3 - They're getting together in support groups. They're blogging. They're waiting.

Scan the various blogs by prospective adoptive parents in the West who want to adopt kids from Nepal, and one can sense how badly they want the adoption process to pick up pace.

But it has already been six months since the government asked prospective parents to submit their inter-country adoption papers, and not a single Nepali orphan has been handed over, because the "final decision" regarding the process has not yet been made.

"Tonight we turn our worries over to God and pray," says a blog entry by an American adoptive couple who call themselves ‘Jobon’. "We pray for our daughter, her caregiver, and the government of Nepal and all those who are in our shoes all over the world. We will trust that God has a plan and things will happen when they are meant to happen."

But that might mean quite a wait. The initial necessary paperwork for the adoption of more than 30 orphans is complete, but the process is still stuck.

So what's the holdup? "Some of the files submitted by the prospective parents have been pending, largely due to a delay in arranging a meeting of the recommendation committee," says Hari Kumar Paudyal, spokesman for the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare (WCSW).

The recommendation committee, comprising representatives from Ministries of Home, Law and WCSW, will make the final decision. But sources in the WSCW say that they don't know when the committee will meet.

For the adoptive parents, who've already done the needful to get through all the preliminary processes — seeking permission from their governments to start the adoption process, getting in touch with adoption agencies back home, filing the required papers, going through the matching process (in which adoptive parents are paired with orphans in Nepal) — the final decision is out of their hands: it's the Nepali authorities' call now.

"The problem is with the ministry and orphanages," says an official at WCSW. The high-level ministry officials, he says, should take the initiative, after consulting with the Deputy Prime Minister since the ministry lacks a minister now, and because the ministry and orphanages have not been given high priority.

The process has also been delayed because most registered orphanages have not submitted their list of children available for adoption, he says. Out of the 38 registered orphanages in Kathmandu, only a few have submitted lists for a total of 250 children. The matching committee needs the list to select children in accordance with the adoptive parents' preferences.

Some officials also claim that orphanages have not cooperated with the ministry because a few are not happy with the new terms the government has set out.

The government last year created new rules for adoption after the media exposed the rampant corruption in the adoption process. The ministry had decided to put the process on hold for one-and-a-half years, until effective laws could plug the loopholes. Before the government took this step, there had been cases where agents had flouted adoption regulations to illegally procure babies for potential parents for large amounts.

But with the international community breathing down the government's neck, the government eased the ban and it came up with new rules to systematise the process. Under the new regulations, prospective parents have to deal with registered adoption agencies from their home country or Nepal-based embassies. Earlier, they directly dealt with orphanage homes. As there was no fixed adoption fee, parents often ended up paying huge amounts for the baby of their choice.

With the government enforcing the new rules, the adoption process has taken on a more formalised character now. For example, the adoption fee for each child has been fixed at $8,000 — which means that adoptive parents won't get overcharged. Furthermore, from the adoption fee, $5,000 will go to orphanages and $3,000 to the state coffers. The ministry has already collected over Rs. 15 million from the fee, some of which will be used to monitor the overall adoption process.

But unless the committee starts giving the final permission, the adoptive parents will have to continue waiting.
Posted on: 2009-07-02 21:39:53 (Server Time)

Dossier in the Legal Department!!!!

The dossier has been submitted to the legal dept! I have a registration number!!!
It really doesn't mean anything. My dossier is on the way to the legal department where up until a few weeks ago the dossiers were given a registration number. The registration numbers go in the order of dossier submission. The rumor is that so many adoptive parents were calling for their registration numbers that the Nepali government is now not releasing the number. My darling coordinator will try to get it, but I'm skeptical. At any rate, in the legal department the first review of the dossier occurs. It is just a review to see if you have all of the required documents and they are signed/notarized appropriately. I can't wait to hear that I've passed that one. After that I think the the dossiers to go to a second review committee where the content of the dossier is evaluated. And after that on to the Matching committee....

Great News

78 days 12 hours and 13 minutes and they have it!!

They have it! They have the I600a!!!! and what's more...they have already issued the guarantee letter!!!! My agency is picking it up soon and my dossier will be submitted asap. I am in complete shock. After so many weeks and weeks and months of waiting I finally get (soon) to be officially waiting. I realize that may sound silly to some but I am so happy to be done waiting to wait!! Now I can start really waiting -- which is far better than waiting to wait. I can't wait!

Ineffective coping stratagies

My I600a is still not in Kathmandu. My guarantee letter has not, therefore, been generated. My dossier has not, therefore, been submitted to the Ministry. I therefore, cannot breathe.

Instead I watch endless You Tube videos of referral calls and gotcha days and then check my email for word of my I600a. I cry for a while. I watch more videos. I check my empty email again. I read adoption blogs. I watch other people send in their dossiers. I watch more videos. I cry some more.


WHERE IS MY I600A ALREADY?!?!?!?!?!

I can't take much more of this.

Here's the News. There is NO news.

No, they don't have it.

No, they don't know when they might expect it.

No, they don't have a guess as to when it might arrive.

No.

NO.

Frust$^#%@@ration!

Nachama,

I emailed the Embassy in Nepal yesterday. No news for now. I did explain that the I-600a should be there any day now as it was sent via diplomatic pouch.

I also know that there are several agencies having the same problem we are. Apparently, there have been a lot of families that have switched from Vietnam to Nepal and we are all waiting for the original I-600a petitions to arrive in order for the Guarantee Letter to be issued.

As soon as I hear anything I will let you know.

Sincerely,

Darling Adoption Coordinator

Give me your answer, fill in a form. Mine for evermore. Will you still need me, will you still feed me, When I'm sixty-four.

No word yet.

I'm a bit bummed, but have set my mind on Thursday as a deadline for arrival, so I'm keeping my chin up until then. I wish I had more to report, but it all seems so irrelevant if I can't get the paper to arrive from Hanoi. I know its on its way, but its been 64 days since I sent the dossier to Kathmandu. 64 Days. and I still haven't been submitted to the Ministry for review.

64 days.

Geez.

Still no letter, but more hope

I'm expecting the I600a to arrive anytime between this Thursday and next. My agency says that they can have the guarantee letter the following business day. So I'm starting to have some real hope that I'll have a receipt number in June. Much to my delight my mom took my suggestion that Elephants be a symbol for Nepal adoption to heart...She sent the cutest book for the nursery called Ellison the Elephant!!! I got a Mother's Day Elephant & Hamsa necklace which I am wearing night and day at the moment. I'm a staunch atheist who relies heavily on superstition.

Got this just before midnight on Mother's Day

Ms. Ribas,

This is to inform you that our office transferred your approved I-600A to Kathmandu, Nepal on 4/23/2009 through diplomatic pouch. It takes about three to four weeks to be arrived in Kathmandu.

Thank you for your patience.

Regards,

Adoption Unit

NGDGL

I'm in Maryland this weekend. The Alpha Sig needed a visit. We've taken him and his "little" (a fraternity term meaning the young man he sponsored to get into the frat) out for dinner, bought sneakers and soap, shampoo, and a dress shirt, deoderant, shorts, a basketball jersey, some t-shirts, a new tie and a hearty breakfast. We've been to Annapolis for crabs (the boy can eat him some crabs!!!) and then for iced cream. Tomorrow is an awards brunch with bagels and we're off home again. Its gorgeous here, and hot and full of students. I am trying to stay focused on all the joy and love in my life and not on the fact that I can't for the life of me get Hanoi to send the paperwork to Kathmandu. but in between each purchase, I think "guarantee letter" and in between each bite of crab I think "yum...guarantee letter" and the iced cream....lick, lick "this is so good...guarantee letter".

and still...

No G-d Damn Guarantee Letter!!!!

The referrals have begun!

The first babies have begun to be referred!! This is wonderful news. I have heard for a fact a one year old girl has been referred today. It is fantastic and I wish the family all the best of joy. I am a bit more frantic about my guarantee letter and a bit weepy. Its not that I'm jealous...I'm just frustrated. I'd feel better if my dossier had been submitted to the Ministry. Or if I had heard back from Hanoi. I'm just very ready for it to be my turn already. ~sigh~

Mama always said, "You catch more flies with honey...."

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am sorry for disturbing what I am sure is a very busy day, but I must write to you again regarding the transfer of my original I-600a petition from Vietnam to Nepal. I am in the process of pursuing an adoption from Nepal. At this time I am not able to submit my dossier to the Ministry in Nepal without a Guarantee Letter from the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu. The Embassy in Kathmandu is not able to issue the Letter until they have received the original I-600a petition from Hanoi, Vietnam.

I understand that the National Visa Center requested on April 21, 2009 that your office transfer my original I-600a petition from Vietnam to Nepal. Your office wrote to me on April 27th to confirm that USCIS-HCM office did receive the request from the NVC for transfer of my approved I-600A from Vietnam to Nepal. I contacted Kathmandu to check on the receipt of my file early this week. Alas, Kathmandu has yet to receive my original file. Please help me. I am so very eager to have the paperwork complete.

You will find my personal information below:
Nachama Ribas, born 1/1x/19xx. HAN number HAN2007xxxxxxxx.

I thank you in advance for your kind attention.

Very respectfully,
Nachama Ribas

I swear I can't breathe

Dear Dr. Ribas' Adoption Coordinator,

We cannot issue Dr. Nachama Ribas a guarantee letter at this time.

We have not received her I-600A petition.

Thank you,

Adoption Unit

Embassy of the United States of America

Kathmandu, Nepal

22 Months

One of the other waiting moms just wrote to me and pointed out that elephants have the longest gestation (22 months) which surely reflects our state of waiting and waiting and waiting.



and waiting.....

Ladybugs, dragonflies and Elephants.

Chinese adoptions are symbolized by ladybugs. Vietnam adoptions by dragonflies. and I of my own free will and hubris have decided that Nepali adoptions are symbolized by elephants. Between Ganesha and how maternal elephants are and that they will adopt orphaned calves...well, they're the symbol for me!!! Lots of times PAPs waiting for China will see ladybugs and intuit all kinds of portents and signs. I don't guess that I have much chance of seeing an elephant out of my living room window. But, elephants it is....so come on elephants!!!! As you can see, right now I could use all the silly distractions I can get. I need signs, wonders, portents and elephants.

I've also started a secret pal gift exchange with a bunch of other waiting moms. I did it for a time before Vietnam closed and I really loved it.

21 parties for consensual govt

21 parties for consensual govt

Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, May 5 - In the wake of a new political standstill triggered by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal's resignation, 21 political parties represented in the Constituent Assembly (CA) have decided to form a new national government based on consensus.
An all-party meeting called by the CPN-UML — skipped by Unified CPN (Maoist) and Madheshi Janadhikar Forum (MJF) — on Tuesday took such decision.

Nepali Congress Vice President Ram Chandra Poudel informed, "The meeting concluded that all the parties will try to form consensual government within the time as asked by the President."

The NC is ready to support other parties' government whether that is UML's leadership, he said.

UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal said, "The Maoist party in its capacity as the largest party in the CA has already led the government. Now a path has been paved for a chance for another party to do so. But this does not mean that the Maoists will not be allowed to lead from now."

"We will try to persuade all the parties to participate in this process till the end," he added.

Today itself, President Dr Ram Baran Yadav requested all the political parties represented in the CA to form a new government by Saturday.
Posted on: 2009-05-05 05:05:00 (Server Time)

News from Nepal via the Associated Press

Nepal parties meet to address political crisis

By BINAJ GURUBACHARYA - 7 hours ago

KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) - Nepal's political parties held crisis talks Tuesday on forming a new coalition government after the prime minister resigned in a power struggle with the president over enlisting former Maoist rebels into the military.

Hundreds of police were deployed around President Ram Baran Yadav's office and detained about 40 protesters who rallied there in violation of a ban, police official Govind Pathak said.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal - the former leader of Nepal's Maoist rebels - resigned Monday in a dispute with Yadav over firing the country's military chief. Dahal wanted him sacked because of his refusal to enlist former Maoist rebels into the military, but Yadav overruled the decision.

Nepal's Maoists fought a bloody 10-year war against the government before joining the political mainstream in 2006, and then winning the most votes during parliamentary elections last year that helped bring an end to the Himalayan country's centuries-old monarchy.

However, many of the movements fighters remained confined to U.N.-monitored barracks under a peace accord.

Dahal's Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) is the largest party in parliament but it does not have a clear majority, and his resignation pulled his party out of the ruling coalition and collapsed the government.

Political parties held crisis talks Tuesday in Katmandu to try set up a new coalition.

Nepali Congress, the second largest party after the Maoists, pledged their support to Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist Leninist), the third biggest party, said Ram Sharan Mahat of the Nepali Congress.

These parties would still need the support of other parties to form the new government.

Yadav, who is from the Nepali Congress party, was set to formally ask party leaders to come forward and stake their claim to a new government later Tuesday, his adviser Lalit Bahadur Basnet said.

In his resignation speech, Dahal accused Yadav of "a fatal attack on the infant democracy."

"The unconstitutional and undemocratic move by the president has pushed the country toward a serious political crisis," Dahal said. "The president has no power to act alone without prior approval of the Cabinet on such matters."

He said he stepped down "to create a conducive environment and save the peace process."

The Maoists have vowed to launch demonstrations and shut down the parliament in protest of the president's actions.

Dahal had wanted former Maoist guerrillas freed from U.N.-monitored barracks and integrated into the military, as prescribed under a U.N.-brokered peace agreement. But army chief Rookmangud Katawal resisted those efforts and sparred repeatedly with the government.

Dahal, who took office in August, fired Katawal on Sunday, prompting a key political party to withdraw from the Maoist-led ruling coalition. Hours later, Yadav reversed the decision - provoking Dahal's resignation.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Rainy days and Mondays

An old friend wrote today to check if I was ok...I haven't blogged in a week and as she pointed out "that's so not like you!" Well, here's the update. I'm sick as a dog (NOT as a SWINE) just a sinus infection, but I'm exhausted and can't seem to shake it. The people on the Nepal Adopt support group I belong to have been infiltrated by a woman who has been insistently plugging her book and then insulting people and hurting their feelings (just what I was looking for in a support group -sigh-). She says things like "if you don't buy my book you'll miss important medical information that could kill your child" "if you don't buy my book your child could die and that would break your heart....if you have a heart that is". AUGH!!!! The government in Nepal is a bit upside down at the moment and that has me totally freaked out and although Hanoi swears my documents have been sent to Kathmandu, there is not sign of hide nor hair. I'm distressed. and sniffeley. and that makes for rather self-indulgent blogging (which I try to avoid - though not always successfully.) The book pusher (born again, mom of grown kids, just plugging the book) was removed from my list and is now cropping up on other lists I belong to. I was trying to blog every single day without fail (no plo blo shmo, or whatever it is) but I realized I was just making myself crazy so I thought I'd try blogging only when I had something to say. This medicated rant seems to make the cut. I'll feel so much better when the guarentee letter is issued and that hasn't happened and I suspect the new Minister for Women and children has resigned. So there it is. I am anxious and helpless and far away and sniffling. Not a pretty picture at all.
But thanks for asking..it means a lot -- shout out and hug to Vicky!!!!

Pho for Five Giveaway!!!!!!

Go to Pho for Five to read one of my favorite blogs and get in on the great giveaway for mother's day!!!! I wanna win so I can get WAITING FOR EMMA PARVATI 2009 stamped on the necklace. So don't enter...or enter, but pretend you're me, or you may wish to remain you but choose to GIVE ME YOUR PRIZE if you win. Or of course, you may wish to enter, continue to be yourself, win and keep the very cool prize. In which case, Happy Mother's Day to You!!!! If you win, let me know!!!

Houston, We are go for launch

Dear Ms Ribas,

This is to confirm that USCIS-HCM office received from the NVC the request for transfer of your approved I-600A from Vietnam to Nepal. You may want to contact Kathmandu to check on the information.

Regards,

Adoption Unit

Dear US Embassy in Hanoi

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am in the process of pursuing an adoption from Nepal. At this time I am not able to submit my dossier to the Ministry in Nepal without a Guarantee Letter from the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu. The Embassy in Kathmandu is not able to issue the Letter until they have received the original I-600a petition from Hanoi, Vietnam.

I understand that the National Visa Center requested on April 21, 2009 that your office transfer my original I-600a petition from Vietnam to Nepal.

You will find my personal information below:
Nachama Ribas, born 1/1x/19xx. HAN number HAN200xxxxxxxxx8.

I would just like to confirm that you have received the request for transfer and that there is no anticipated difficulty with this request.

I thank you in advance for your kind attention.

Very respectfully,

There must be a pony in here somewhere

Dear Sir or Madam,

Your inquiry has been received at the National Visa Center (NVC).

Please be advised that the Visa 37 cable was emailed to the US Embassy/Consulate General in HANOI, Vietnam regarding the transfer to KATHMANDU, Nepal on April 21, 2009. Please contact the US Embassy/Consulate General for any further assistance.

Regards,
M2B
National Visa Center
Written Inquiry Unit
Serco Inc., Support Contractor

Frack and double frack

Just heard from another PAP that she has been waiting for her I600a to be transferred to Kathmandu from Ho Chi Minh City SINCE AUGUST.


AUGUST.


so much for easy livin'

OH FRACK

I got an email this morning from my amazing agency coordinator that read:

"I have a feeling this is not going to be as easy I we would like. Things with the government never are, right?! I haven't heard anything from Hanoi, but I have received a response from Ho Chi Minh City which is where another families I-600a is being held. HCMC says they have to have an official transfer request from NVC before they can send anything. It looks like we're going to have to contact NVC to make an official transfer request. Do you want to call them or would you like me to email them?"

So I said, "LET'S DO BOTH!!!"

And she very kindly immediately fired off the following:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am contacting the NVC to make a file transfer request as instructed by the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal. You will read our email correspondence below.

The U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal will not issue a Guarantee Letter required for Nepalese adoptions without having the original I-600a petition from Hanoi, Vietnam. In corresponding with Vietnam, they explained the official request will have to come from the NVC. Would you be able to request the original I-600a petition be forwarded from Hanoi to Kathmandu?

Thank you in advance for your assistance. I look forward to receiving your response.

Sincerely,


To which they replied:

Please be advised that, as of April 4th, 2008, our office revised our
guidelines for communication between the National Visa Center and the
public. We are now required to verify case specific information each
time we receive an inquiry.

According to U.S. law, the National Visa Center is only permitted to
discuss details of a visa case with authorized representatives and when
provided with all of the following information:

* NVC case number or CIS receipt number
* Petitioner's name and date of birth
* Beneficiary's name and date of birth
* Your full name

If you are the legal representative, and your G-28, Notice of Entry of
Appearance as Attorney or Representative, is not on file at the NVC,
please include a copy of your signed G-28 showing that you are the legal
representative as well as the following information:

* NVC case number or CIS receipt number
* Petitioner's name and date of birth or Beneficiary's name and
date of birth
* Attorney's law firm name
* Attorney's law firm address
* Your full name

If you are corresponding regarding an I-140 petition you must provide
the following information:

* NVC case number or CIS receipt number
* Name of the petitioning company
* Beneficiary's name and date of birth
* Your full name

If you are the petitioner, principal applicant or legal representative,
please notify the National Visa Center with any changes to your mailing
address, email address or phone numbers.

Please include this required information on all future inquiries
directed to the NVC. If this information has not been submitted with
your inquiry it will be requested.

Please do not respond to this inquiry.

This means you are going to have to request that your file be
transferred from Vietnam to Nepal.

In your email to the NVC NVCInquiry@state.gov, you will need to
reference your CIS case/receipt number: and your full name and date of
birth. You may also try to call NVC 603 334-0700.


So, I sent them this:

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am in the process of pursuing an adoption from Nepal. At this time I
am not able to submit my dossier to the Ministry in Nepal without a
Guarantee Letter from the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu. The Embassy in
Kathmandu is not able to issue the Letter until they have received the
original I-600a petition from Hanoi, Vietnam.

At this time I request that your transfer my original I-600a petition
from Vietnam to Nepal. You will find our personal information below:
Nachama Ribas, born 1/19/19XX
My current I-600a approval form I-171H is attached to this email.

Thank you in advance for your assistance. Please confirm that you have
received my transfer request.

Sincerely,

And then, despairing (it has been 36 days and 7 hours since my dossier went to Nepal and it is STILL NOT submitted to the Ministry so I'm a bit sensitive) I called.

I got the automated response.

I waited.

I pressed 5.

Then I pressed 1.

Then I waited.

Then I ACTUALLY GOT A LIVE HUMAN ON THE PHONE!!!! She said, Hello, may I have your case number" and I said, "I don't have a case number, may I give you my last name and date of birth?" and she said, "I'm sorry ma'am I don't need your last name and date of birth I require the case number. I can't help you without a case number and a last name and date of birth are not sufficient." and I said, "well I don't have a case number because I'm not getting the visa for myself, I'm doing an adoption" and she said, "OH, adoption, ok, May I have your last name and date of birth?" and I didn't say anything smart assy (three cheers for me) but rather gave her my last name and date of birth...

and she was able to look up my file and...wait for it...after all this...the NVC had already requested my file transfer!!!! It was officially requested yesterday!!!! I can't believe it, no fuss, no muss, officially requested and therefore, very likely on its way!!!!!

Sometimes the livin' is easy!

Let's just add a wrinkle...

The Embassy has received my I-171H, but they would like my original file from Vietnam before issuing the Guarantee Letter.


I repeat, they now want the original file mailed from Hanoi transfered to Nepal before I can have my letter.

I am not going to scream, I am not going to scream, I am not going to SCREAM......

I think this is too much pressure

I got totally caught up in the rewiring of the stereo (plus I did 11 psychotherapy sessions today due to lots of schedule changes and some poor planning) and I just got caught up....so midnight came and went and I didn't blog and now I feel awful, so I think maybe trying to blog every single day is a fine goal, but is maybe not a great idea if it is just going to make me miserable if I can't keep up.

To me, its still Monday

I can't keep up with this noploblo thing...

Report

I like the show Brothers and Sisters.
Boys make a mess when tie dying t-shirts.
Bertolli makes good frozen lasagna.
Brother makes a fine sewing machine.

Notice that NONE of this has to do with my guarantee letter.

Hopefully more substantive news tomorrow.

Trying to enjoy this glorious weekend

rather than feeling like I am just wishing it away so that it will be Monday and I could get news about the letter. The weather is stunning, I went to a few garage sales...my first of the season and picked up some great bargains. I rearranged the living room (again) and am now baking a cake while knitting a baby surprise jacket (coolest knitting project in the world!!!) The image is not mine...I swiped it from the internet..but I'll post mine when I get closer...You knit the most peculiar looking thing and then fold fold sew sew and it's the cutest baby jacket ever.

Tomorrow promises to be lovely and I just can't help wanting it to be over so I can find out if they finally FINALLY have my guarantee letter.

Guess what?

NOTHING, that's what.

NO word


I shall bury myself in Battlestar Galactica (go ahead, laugh) and a pint of iced cream.

IT WAS SUBMITTED ON MARCH 23RD!!!

I finally figured out how to check with the National Visa center and they assured me that they sent my approval to Kathmandu on March 23rd. MARCH TWENTY-THIRD!!!!! AUGH!!!! Why don't they have it???? Well, I am taking a deep breath and trying to relax rather than getting into a knot about it. The NVC assured me that they will send an email to Kathmandu with the approval TODAY. POST HASTE. RIGHT BLOODY NOW!!!! and I called my agency and they are contacting the embassy in Kathmandu as well. So it should all be sorted. I should have the guarantee letter by next week. And then be submitted to the Ministry as well. Next week. RIGHT? Doesn't that sound right to you??? It will all be sorted and submitted by next week the latest.


And I am Marie of Romania.

When the going gets tough some folks get going...I prefer to quote Dorothy Parker.

No word

No word at all on my guarantee letter. That seems to be the crux of my blog post everyday. You log on, you read about how I don't have a guarantee letter and then we all go to bed. Day after day. Same deal. NO WORD.

I'm getting quite cranky.

Switching climates can give a girl a cold!!!

I'm sniffling and coughing and suffering La Grip (with the wheezes and the sneezes and the sinus that's really a pip -- for all you Guys and Dolls fans). The phone doesn't stop ringing, my schedule is jammed, and I can't stop sneezing!!! The embassy still doesn't have my letter and I am supposed to wait until Friday to hear from my agency before contacting Homeland Security -- which I suppose is good news because I don't yet know HOW to contact Homeland Security!!!! I just want this headache to go away and the letter to arrive...NOT in that order.

Still trying to adjust

No word on the guarantee letter. I will try to call tomorrow...I hit the ground running today, returned to work and had to do the shopping because the house had nothing edible because we were out of town. Of course we returned on Easter Sunday...so the shops were shut up. I managed to sneak to the grocery in between patients (thank heavens for last minute cancellations). I am hoping to feel back to my self by tomorrow but its not quite midnight and I'm uncharacteristically off to bed!!!

Home Sweet HOME

Burnt with exhaustion but sooooo happy to be home again!!!!

heading to the airoporto

see you in North America!

Homeward Bound

Home tomorrow!!!

and I am ready to go home!!!!!!!!

Business Meetings and Portuguese

Lots of business and lots of food and lots of LOUD conversation and finally to bed. We leave for home on Saturday, though we don't arrive until Sunday. I'm ready for home... I miss my bed and my dogs and my routine and I am eager to call the visa center to find out what is keeping my guarantee letter!!! So all in all it is time to go home. Actually, I always like a vacation to end with a general sense of longing for home.