There has been no official word on when the SDA would start processing adoption appointments again. In my Rumors and Transdniester post I mentioned the rumors that SDA would open on May 1 or May 3 or May 9.

I heard a new date recently, May 17. And one family is claiming to have a May 8 appointment.

A FRUA poster pointed out the holiday schedule. So I went to United States Embassy in Ukraine site... more

The photo was created by the Soviet Union. It shows the Sarcophogus being build around what remained of Chernobyl's reactor 4. The primary goal of the Sarcophogus is to keep all the radioactive materials (fuel, equipment, dust, etc..) contained.

In Part 1 I asked:

Why are Ukrainian adoption experiences are all unique? And why does a translator's job seem to be more then translation?

Then I discussed "institutional... more

Why are Ukrainian adoption experiences are all unique? And why does a translator's job seem to be more then translation?

I read a very heavy and scholarly book called "State and Institution Building in Ukraine". This is edited by Taras Kuzio, Robert S. Kravchuk, Paul D'Anieri and published in 1999. It was food for thought.

I believe that institutional uncertainty plays a major role in why everyone has a different experience.

Ukraine is not the only country with this issue. For an US example see the BCIS.... more

Starting with the current rumors....

The SDA is going to open May 1 or May 3 or May 8. All the dossiers (without problems) have been transferred and they will quickly issue appointments. The SDA wants to get rid of the backlog as quickly as possible.

A few families who registered in Feb to June 2005 are waiting for an appointment. Some of these families traveled to Ukraine and failed to find their child, so they are returned a second time.

It seems like the bulk of waiting families registered between July and Sept 2005.

I keep saying... more

In part one I shared part of an old email. Natasha had been home for 13 months.

The picture above is from that timeframe. Natasha had a buzz haircut when I adopted her. Her hair had finally grown in. And then a few days before this picture, she found scissors and cut her bangs off.

This was the first tme she did it. She did it at least once a year. Somehow she managed to find scissors no matter how "out of reach" they were. But with her ADHD diagnoses and the medication,... more

I was reading old emails and found one about my darling and food. In this email, Natasha had been home for 13 months after being adopted from a specialized (think handicapped) Ukrainian orphanage. I had forgotten how she used to beg food off strangers.

The above picture is of Natasha in front of her "food cabinet".

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Natasha has food issues. She has been home for 13 months and still has some problems walking away from food. If we are at a restaurant she feels a strong urge to see what other people are eating.... more

The U.S. Congress removed the cold war Jackson-Vanik Amendment for Ukraine back in March, 2006.

This removal allowed Ukraine to work on membership in the WTO, NATO and the European Union.

It looks like the process for joining the WTO is moving forward. Ukraine aiming to join WTO in the fall of 2006.

Here is an interesting tidbit.

The conclusion of Ukraine's talks with the... more

Last night I watched the stars and was feeling sorry for myself....

Ukrainian adoption is mostly shutdown, except for the families who registered before Sept 2005 or want to adopt a child 10 years or older.

I want to adopt a second child and Ukraine doesn't seem to be an option. Natasha needs to be the oldest child.

Watching the stars always make me feel more peaceful. I am just a tiny speck in vast universe.

But I realized that in way, I am glad that my second... more

I adopted my daughter, Natasha, from Ukraine about 5 years ago. She is in a good place emotionally, physically and mentally. She is so ready to be an older sister. And I want to parent 2 children.

So I started exploring my option adoptions again last year. I wanted to adopt from Ukraine again. But then adoption was closed down in September 2005 to Americans unless they want to adopt a child 10 year or older, handicapped or a sibling of a previously adopted child.

Natasha needs to be the oldest child and will be 9 years of age in May. I want to... more

My darling daughter's Ukrainian orphanage had a piano. Even though I never saw the piano being used, it quickly became obvious that it was frequently used. Natasha sang all the time.

I asked my translator about one song. It was a children's song (in Ukrainian) that sounded similiar to the "Jack and Jill went up the hill".

Natasha has been home for 5 years now and she sings all the time. She made up her own lyrics and sings them to me. When she was 5 years old she made up the following song.

Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti I love... more