Self Taught

Two weeks have passed since Sasha’s first interview in Moscow and the refusal of his U.S. Visa.  That morning sure changed our plans and our lives!  We have now been connected with dozens of wonderful people we would not have met if not for this “hiccup”.

That first week was a whirlwind of urgent actions.  This week is a little quieter.

Monday (when his back was so painful) Sasha wrote:

Hello Tina!  I just have one plan and that is: to be able to have six lessons (from 12 till 7 p.m.) that's all for today. There will be four more Holiday days off ahead and looks like no lessons ... so I have to do it today regardless my back...

Tuesday Sasha wrote:

I feel better and was able to have lessons.

Today Ahad came for the lesson. We discussed with him the book - "The Headless Horseman”, which he is reading.

Also:

….I really have a kind of phobia. The reason I didn't do it (comment on the Blog)...I am just ashamed to expose my English all over the world. ... I have a strong feeling that my English is imperfect....That was always the reason I wanted to visit the US. Not to stay there for good, searching easier life or something in this way... I just wanted to be immersed into the language and to see its beauties in its real environment...

I told Sasha that he speaks and writes English much better than any of us can speak or write Russian.  I, for one, am truly impressed with how much he has taught himself!

Owl Drive

Flash Drive for Sasha Project

Last week’s lesson was: Keep asking “What more can go Right?”  That question is good enough to keep using it THIS week as well!  It’s fun when it works even for little things.  For instance:  This evening I decided it was time to get a flash drive dedicated to the Sasha project and get the electronic files in order.  I did not want a boring, average flash drive.  This one needed to be unique.  I planned to look for one tomorrow at the store.  A few minutes ago I found an owl-shaped flash drive buried in my office. Owl = wisdom. That works.  Also, when I was in Russia for adoption of my two nephews, there was one night in particular which was uhhh…challenging. I was in the lobby of the hotel asking Spirit for wisdom and help.  There was a little owl lapel pin with an amber stone for sale.  I bought it as a reminder to ask for wisdom.  That owl now lives next to my kitchen sink where I see it every day.  So storage of the Sasha Files is the Perfect Use for this Owl Flash Drive.  COINcidence?

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A few hours ago David (Host Family #12) wrote:   The Universe has spoken!

Good Morning,

My name is Kristen and I am an aide for Congressman Sam Farr. I am writing to let you know that I have received your inquiry regarding a visa for Mr. Sasha Romanov. I have opened a case on your behalf and will be sending a letter in support of Mr. Romanov’s visa to the Embassy in Moscow… 

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Report on Sasha:

A few days ago he really hurt his back.  Spent the weekend mostly in bed and in a great deal of pain.  Has had an injection for the pain.  His email earlier today:

Today I had three lessons (one of them I did in my bed teaching from there).

I shared more information with my students about the blog.  Some of them showed their interest to visit Sasha's site....  ;-)

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Blog Site:

Sasha’s Journey Blogsite has now been operational for 5 days.  In that time there have been 169 unique visitors to the site: U.S. (115), Russia (41), Germany (5), S. Korea (4), Australia (3) and Ireland (1).

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The Ripples of Goodwill are Spreading out further and further …

The Sasha Files

Today Sasha provided me with additional data. One more page completed for our Interview “playbook”.

Last November when I began action on bringing Sasha to the U.S., I used one manila file folder to keep my notes.  Then in January I started making calls to other families and the pile of notes began to grow.  Now there are two 3-ring binders, 8 hanging files, and numerous sub folders, plus more emails than I can keep sorted.  LOL

Tina Organizing The Sasha Files

Last year Doc (husband) and I completed the construction phase of our new home (the Penny Palace).  The dining room is still buried under files and piles and rolls of plans and sample products and …  Today I was converting the Construction File folders (framing, concrete, electrical, septic, etc.) to The Sasha Files.  It was good to corral some of the papers which were starting to spread all over the house.  Now there are files on the visa application and interview, political assistance, legal counsel, insurance, blog development, tickets and travel, contacts with the hosting families, media interface, itinerary and daily activities, etc.

Nothing Magnificent is Easy!

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Penny Finders:

As I walked into the grocery store tonight there was a bright shiny penny just inside the door.  As I reached past a child to retrieve the coin, I spotted a larger coin on the floor of check out lane #2.  Too many people there to bulldoze down.  Of course after getting all our groceries, Doc and returned to lane #2 to check out.  You would think one out of the 20-30 persons who walked through that line, would have retrieved the quarter.  Guess it was meant for me!  There were two additional pennies before leaving the store.

Coins Found:   (3) P, (0) N, (0) D, (1) Q = 4 coins     Value:  $0.28