WE ARE HERE...WHERE DO WE START!

Well we left as planned on the 24th of Dec 2007...got to the airport in style thanks to Kent and Mandy, they sent us a big bad limo, people at the airport were expecting to see movie stars and then they see us, with our jeans, our big kanuks and our backpacks. I told people at the airport that we are going hiking in Kazakhstan!!!! Our plane was on time and we were off to our next destination...

Amsterdam;
We took a canal tour because we had at least 7 hours to kill, we took a taxi ride from the airport which was an adventure in itself! At first we were trying to take the train but to buy the tickets got way to confusing...and just finding our way around the airport (sleep deprived and all) drove us nuts. When I say us I mean Me, Daniel, Isabelle and her mom Micheline.

Next stop...

Almaty;

What a trip, we slept maybe 2 hours on a 6 hour flight, which turned into a 8 and 1/2 hour if not 9 hour flight. We were getting close to Almaty airport when we had to detour and go to Astana airport because a small private plane crashed...So we flew to Astana and parked it there. Finally after 1 hour re-fueled and took off to our destination. Once landed things got a bit scary and foreign, nobody speaks english anymore, even the people on the plane that were speaking english, all of a sudden couldn't understand a word we were saying!!!! Oh well when in Rome... So I started to speak my version of RusEnglish, Dan followed the style and we accomplished getting into the country. We picked up our 4 giant suitcases, which we will never do again (I think I want to leave Dan's green one here). Tryed to get a trolly, that needed aggression (Dan followed what everyone was doing) and then I watched as Dan, watched our luggage turn on the belt a couple of times. I asked Dan why he wasn't picking up the luggage and he said " where are they?" Now, everybody knows who did the packing!!!! Let me just mention he was sleep deprived.

By the way, there is something very very strange around here, you are not allowed to take any pictures of anything that is in or around a gouvernment establishment, including ourselves up against a wall!!! I did manage to sneak a picture of us on our next flight to Uralsk.

Now back to the Almaty arrival, we (the 4 of us) were spotted by our lovely coordinator Sveta, she was waving to us like a mad woman from across the window. We didn't know her, so we didn't wave back...we just kept saying (with hand gestures) are you waving to us? She would nod yes and we would look behind us just in case she was talking about someone else...this went on for about 3 times until she mouthed SVETA!!!! We are such dorks! I asked her how she knew it was us and she said we aren't pushy enough, she doesn't know me yet, ha! ha! ha!

Then our darling Sveta brought all of us to Vladmirs small car and could only fit our luggage and 2 people, so me, Dan and Sveta walked to our hotel (5 min) which turned out to be not our hotel, just a place to put our luggage until our next flight 8 hours later. So once we did that we proceeded to our real hotel, which took us 1 hour to get there (lots and lots of traffic). I thought we would have time to rest up but, we ate breakfast went to our rooms washed up and then off to the bank which took another 1 hour to get there and another 2 hours in there and then another 1 and 15 minutes to get back to the hotel (now by the way it is a mad rush) we are going to be late for our flight. Sveta has a panicked look on here face the entire car ride, we passed out in the back seat and got jolted up by a crazed Sveta saying" we have to run, run, run" but where? We jump out of the car half asleep running in circles. We needed to pick up our luggage first and throw it into the car (again never bring too much luggage) and run to the airport, check-in and wait for the car with our prized luggage. Sveta had called from the car to advise the airport to wait for us, yet she and one of the flight attends were talking angrily at each other. Just to let you know it went really well because we bought first class tickets (apparently you have a lot of pull) and the plane was late anyways, the joke was on us!

Uralsk

First class was a nice final touch, I would definetly recommend it to anyone. Once in Uralsk (3 hours) we disembarked on the run way outside (it reminded me of old movies). We followed the crowd to...well to the parking lot and then I started to say "niet,niet"everyone was a taxi driver, it kind of felt like we were in Jamaica except for the unbelievable cold and what they were offering (if you get my drift). So, we found an entrace to what looked like an airport arrival, looked for anybody that could look like our next coordinator and we spotted these 2 young beautiful girls holding signs with our names on it. I screamed Elvira is that you??? Yes, Yes who are you? We are the people that will be depending on you for a long long time!!!! HELLO URALSK!!!

To be continued....

HICCUPS

WELL THE FIRST HICCUP WAS OUR VISAS/PASSPORTS...WE GOT IT YESTERDAY WITH; ALOT OF PANICKING, CALLING AROUND, CHASING THE POSTMAN UP AND DOWN THE STREET.

2ND HICCUP; WE FOUND OUT THAT WE ARE GOING THERE TOO EARLY(2.5 WEEKS EARLY), SOME KIND OF CONFUSION AND THEIR IS NO CHILD AVAILABLE FOR US. SO WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS AS A 2 WEEK VACATION (KIND OF LIKE SURVIVOR/THE AMAZING RACE) BUT YOU NEVER KNOW THINGS COULD CHANGE ONCE WE ARE THERE...BUT WE ARE AWARE THAT WE WILL BE THERE FOR NOTHING!!!

WITH A LITTLE LUCK AND LOTS OF PRAYERS, THINGS COULD SWAY IN OUR FAVOR!!!!

KEEP PRAYING EVERYBODY FOR US TO MEET AN AVAILABLE HEALTHY CHILD

DETAILS, DETAILS AND MORE DETAILS

WE AREN'T PAYING ATTENTION TO DETAILS. I'VE JUST NOTICED AFTER TRYING SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE WEEK-END TO GET ONTO THE CONSULATES WEBSITE, THAT, THEY RECOMMEND YOU USE FED-X OR UPS AND NOT CANADA POST(TO SEND FOR THE VISAS), WELL GUESS WHAT WE USED? CANADA POST EXPRESS! NOW WE WAIT PATIENTLY FOR OUR AGENCY TO CALL US BACK...BUT I THINK I WILL CALL HER AGAIN!!! WE'VE BECOME VERY CONFUSED WITH ALL THE ACTION AND EXCITEMENT, THAT WE DON'T ASK QUESTIONS ANYMORE, WE DO AS WE ARE TOLD!!!! I BELIEVE THE EXPRESSION IS IGNORANCE IS BLISS, BUT I DON'T FEEL BLISSFUL TODAY!!!!

FOR THE FUTURE PAPs;
WE'VE DECIDED THAT WE WILL BRING 4 BIG ROLL LUGGAGE'S AND 2 BACKPACKS
WE ARE ALSO ADDING A BLOW UP MATTRESS, BECAUSE OUR NEW BUDDIES THAT ARE THERE TOLD US THE MATTRESS IS 3"THICK...WE NEED A THICK COMFY MATTRESS!

THE FEELINGS THAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH;
IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING? I BELIEVE SO!
WILL THEIR BE A CHILD FOR US? PLEASE PRAY FOR A HEALTHY BABY!
DO WE HAVE EVERYTHING? OH WELL, IF WE DON'T WE WILL BUY IT THERE!
DO WE REALIZE WE WILL BE PARENTS (HOPEFULLY) BY THE END OF NEXT WEEK OR BEFORE THE NEW YEAR? THAT IS THE QUESTION OF ALL QUESTIONS, AND WE WILL HAVE TIME ON OUR LONG FLIGHTS TO LET IT SINK IN!

WE ARE SO EXCITED AND YET WE ARE TRYING VERY HARD NOT TO LET IT AFFECT US...ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN. HOPE FOR THE BEST, PLAN FOR THE WORST!!!!

TAAAADDDDAAAA!!!!! I'M THE PACKING HOODINI.

We are packed, and I do mean fully packed!!! I am the incredible, super packer. Now I have to unpack and write everything down. This helps when you lose luggage and need to know what you lost! Also a hint for those that will go on extended trips:

1. Bring only dark colors (because the water might change the color of your whites)
2. nobody cares what you are wearing unless it looks really nice and they want it off your back!
3. pack lightly and make sure that each luggage contains the same items (just in case you lose one)
4. always bring a paper and several pens (because they do run out of ink when you need it the most)
5. things you could live without, please leave it at home! We tend to think something will come in handy (but it still doesn't)
6. Bring ear plugs and eye mask for the plane and go to sleep right away (apparently it helps with the jet lag, as per our friend JM the master of travel) we will try this tip!!!
7.One thing that is really important, try out your winter gear. We are lucky because tonight is - 13Celsius but real feel is -20 no wind but humid. And I was pretty comfortable in my coat but I need to wear a sweater for the sleeves and need to roll my socks up until my long johns.
8. appreciate the joys of home because you will definitely be missing these comforts!!! Hell Ya!
9. See your friends, I know it is not part of packing but I'm bringing pictures of everyone because we are going to miss you guys!

I'M GOING TO BE ILL!!!!

We are officially invited for the 20th of Dec 2007!!!!! However, we reserved flights for the 24th and will get there after Christmas and maybe meet our child on the Friday or Monday. I'm having dreams about him and every night I wake up at 3:45 am, I'm starting to think it is stress.

I finished my Christmas cards and gift wrapping, so that comes off the list but I still have so much more to do. Yet I'm sitting here typing!@#!#!*.... I will up date more later.

Oh ya I forgot, my darling husband decided he will help with the blog ->pour tous nos ami(e)s qui ne lisent pas en Anglais, Daniel va ecrire.

CRUNCH TIME!!!

We are so stressed right now, I spoke to Ana (our agency) and she said to reserve tickets for the 18th of December to arrive in Almaty on the 20th and then we are off to URALSK. I'm feeling really sick to my stomach!!! She said that she is still waiting for the LOI(letter of invitation) but she will tell me more tomorrow, she doesn't want us to go there and end up stuck in the holiday season with everybody taking vacations. Anyways I will let everybody know tomorrow and hopefully be less stressed!!!

Things that are left to do;

1. Holiday cards
2. Inquire about presents to bring
3. Re assess my luggage and packing
4. Give our holiday gifts to our friends kiddos
5. Blue cross coverage
6.Visa when we get the LOI
7.Blackberry set up

the baby's room is already set up so we don't have to do that!!!!! Yahoo!!! we are on our way!

TIME IS FLYING OVER HERE!!!!

WELL IT DOESN'T HELP THAT IT GETS DARK SO SOON...I'M ALWAYS TIRED!!!

OK UPDATE TIME;

WE SPOKE TO OUR AGENCY YESTERDAY AND SHE REASSURES US THAT WE WILL BE LEAVING BEFORE CHRISTMAS, SO THAT TRANSLATES INTO-> WE WILL BE PARENTS IN 5 OR 6 WEEKS FROM NOW. THE EMOTIONS THAT ARE RUNNING THROUGH US IS MAKING US SO TIRED, BUT YESTERDAY I DECIDED I'M NOT GOING TO WORRY ABOUT WHAT I FORGOT TO PACK. AS LONG AS I HAVE MY MEDS FOR ILLNESSES I COULD ENCOUNTER DOWN THERE I'M GOOD TO GO...I NEVER WANT TO EXPERIENCE ANOTHER HOSPITAL ABROAD, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU DON'T SPEAK THE LANGUAGE.

SPEAKING OF LANGUAGE, THE RUSSIAN CD'S WILL BE PUT TO GOOD USE AND WE WILL BE USING AN ECTACO TRANSLATOR...WE ARE SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS TRIP.

NOW FOR THE OTHER FUTUR PAP'S, THAT WANT TO KNOW TIMELINE SO FAR;

AUG 19TH 2007: SUBMITTED OUR DOSSIER
SEPT 14TH 2007: DOSSIER WAS SENT TO THE CONSULATE OF KAZ IN TORONTO
OCT 7TH 2007 ; DOSSIER REACH MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN KAZAKHSTAN
NOV 20TH ;BEING PICKED UP FROM THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION
DEC 7 RECEIVED THE LETTER OF INVITATION


AS FOR ME, I'M OFF TO DO SOME PACKING