BACKGROUND



This Blog is meant to journal the combined experiences of the persons involved in the Sasha Project. Its objective is to strengthen the ties between families, students (several of us teach), friends, and the growing number of persons who want to be part of the JOY which this Sasha Journey is spreading.

In 2004, I (Tina) traveled to Russia to assist with the adoption of my two nephews. Alexander (Sasha) was our interpreter, driver, and so much more. I have kept in touch with him and it has been my dream to let him experience first-hand the typical U.S. life (versus merely his impressions from American TV, movies and music). My initially modest idea blossomed to include eleven other adoptive families who also want to host Sasha and thank him for helping to make their dreams come true.

It will be fun as well as educational for all of us to share Sasha's observations and impressions of his daily travels as this Journey unfolds. There is an intricately choreographed daily itinerary which will take us to visit the Space Shuttle, Golden Gate bridge, Route 66, a Home Depot and other American icons through Sasha's eyes. The flight to L.A. is scheduled to leave Moscow on Saturday, June 15th to begin his six week visit.
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It seems incredible, but the interviewing U.S. Immigrations officer denied Sasha a Tourist visa. He did not see the value in Sasha's trip or understand the desire for the adopting families and children to reunite with Sasha. The officer decided that Sasha was too poor to be allowed even a brief visit to the U.S.

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Saturday, May 25, 2013

Notebook #1 Arrived


The first email I read this morning was only one sentence in length plus a picture worth a thousand words

“Dear Tina, here I am with the play book at last. ;-)”

In a second email Sasha wrote:

“Have just caught myself on the thought that I am having fun with all this, though sometimes it looks a bit frustrating, but sure Spirits help us.”

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Yesterday a US International Postal service rep contacted me in response to the inquiry I had previously made.  She shared what we already knew - the Moscow Postal Sorting Station had experienced a fire recently and thus did not move any mail for a week.  Lanie said she would place a urgent request for a tracking investigation on our package.  She said sometimes a little prompting helps push things through.  I should call back in 4-5 days to find the results of the investigation.  I replied, “Forget the investigation, just have them deliver the package!”  Today it was delivered!  Yipee!

I was slightly disheartened that I spent so much time and money Thursday to get a second Playbook shipped.  My dear husband lovingly stated, “You could not afford NOT sending the second book.  The risk of Book #1 not arriving on time was too great.”  Gotta love that man!

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Also, after 42 days, Sasha has finally received the postcards I sent him.

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Sasha’s Mother is out of the hospital.

Tina, Thank you for the concern... Mother will never be good already. Almost every day she takes pain killers. She suffers joint pains and many other illnesses in addition to heart. … To say more, she tries even to help me; when Sereja is at my place, she prepares some food and "crawls out" to the kitchen garden to water the carrot, parsley and other agro-cultures and tries, successfully, to direct Sasha: what he should do and what he should not to....

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Sereja (Sasha’s son) is now out of school for the summer and will be staying with Sasha for the next few weeks



“Sereja has a party at school today (Friday) on the occasion of the end of primary school.  Now, we are going out with Sereja to the town to have his hair cut.
I visited Sereja’s Advancement to Secondary School Celebration.  There was dinner, dancing and each of the children released a balloon with their secret wish attached to it. 
Ex wife Lena was there too.


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Just 3 weeks until Sasha’s scheduled arrival …

1 comment:

  1. Ahem...

    I TOLD YOU SO -- that Book #1 would arrive right after you sent Book #2.

    Well, did that happen to frustrate you, or was it due to karma -- the fact that you made the effort perhaps got Book #1 pushed through.

    James 2:26 -- Faith without works is dead.

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    Looks like you've spread your unique style of blogging to Russia. The photo of Sasha holding the specimen looks so much like the photos you took of people working on the Penny Palace.

    I think you're getting your wish of wanting to spread joy...half way across the globe.

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    It warms my heart to read the love between mother and son in Sasha's writing. She'll be proud to receive a postcard from him in America.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for being part of this Adventure.