Marginally relaxing

What’s new this month?
It’s possible I’ll get the Letter of Invitation as early as next week, although they say it still looks like the earliest we would travel would be sometime during the week of December 8th. How’s that for good news?

This means I’ll continue to update some documents (doctor, employer, immigration fingerprints, FBI fingerprints … all are close to expiring. That also means another round of notarizations and apostillings (okay, it's not a word, but if I have my way Websters will acknowledge it by 2010). Plus, travel visa applications and passport style photos to be taken. Still, a far cry from the preparation needed for the full dossier.

What about when I get there? As is normal in Kazakhstan adoptions, you go in blind. No referral, no photo, no medical information. When you meet your child, you have a day or so to make a decision and possibly fax medical reports to an adoption doctor here in the States.

I’m in a quandary over whether to take the international fees with me in cash or to try to take travelers checks and get them cashed. Most agencies recommend the cash option, but that’s a scary proposition. Hmmm. Checking into the options, there.

My agency’s contact from Kaz. has hooked me up with a family that just returned from their first trip. What a nice family. The mom emailed back to me with her impressions and suggestions – wow, was that helpful! I admit to being a bit stressed and worried over all the little details. I may call her tonight for a chat. Did I say nice family?

My boss also gave me a great contact person … his father-in-law, who travels all over Asia for his job and very nicely offered to talk with me also and says he has friends and contacts in Kaz. if I need them. That sound you hear is me, marginally relaxing.

Almaty, maybe

Talked with my agency consultant today. She says my documents came out of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, presumably on to Ministry of Education next. Our “connection” in country thinks the most likely region is Almaty.

I was a little uncertain about going to the big city … I had a picture of myself slowly whiling away the peaceful and boring hours in a smaller town. My parents, who will be traveling with me, are thrilled, though. Somewhere to shop, to eat, to tour while we’re waiting. (Okay, I’ll live with the smog and the big city … )

... as one wise blogger put it, “Keep your eye on the prize.” And that’s what she’ll be – a prize and a treasure. Someone I’ve waited for for a very long time.

The only drawback? They’re talking about maybe three trips. THREE!!! I freaked out for a bit over that, but apparently it can be made in two. Our only issue is whether my mom, who’s going with me on the second trip, also, will be able to get a visa that extends more than 30 days.

Closer, closer ...

After arranging a courier service to pick up and mail it forward to Kaz., my dossier has been sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Astana, Kazakhstan. Closer, closer, closer …

So I was home today with my mom, who was visiting to keep me company after I had a little minor surgery. I got a phone call from a man with an accent. A little hard to understand until it sunk in … HE WAS FROM THE KAZAKHSTAN EMBASSY and he informed me that my dossier had cleared the consulate. (WAY earlier than expected!)

More dancing to a joyful tune! (Literally, this time, with my mom as dancing partner). It actually cleared yesterday, but they emailed it to my work email and I wasn’t there. This was so much better, though, to share it with my mom.

I’m approved. It’s all so real now.

Oh, happy day

Oh, happy day! The dossier is on its way to the Embassy. This is probably the first feeling of undiluted joy I’ve felt since I began the process, nearly two years ago. Dancing to a happy tune in my head: )

Something happening ...

The dossier is back from translation. Now I feel like something is FINALLY happening. I still need to work on a cover letter and then arrange to Fed Ex it to the consulate in DC.

This is progress

I haven’t written in a while, which I should have, if only to document the painstaking and painfully detailed steps involved in producing a Kazakhstan dossier. But the good news is that I sent it off today to be translated into Russian. Pray for its safe arrival and good reception!

I’m so totally excited by this “milestone.” I guess that’s what you’d call it. There hasn’t been much to celebrate lately, and this is PROGRESS.