Wednesday, December 2, Day 9

We had a terrible night's sleep, especially Michael. It's hard worrying about your children halfway around the world. We spoke with Marissa last night, who was in tears. I'm blogging about it because I'm asking for help from anyone who might have some inside pull with IHC (Intermountain Health Care). Marissa was accepted into the respiratory therapy program through Weber State in conjunction with IHC. It was very competitive to get accepted into the program, and she was chosen over many others and has worked like a DOG to fulfill all the requirements. The program begins in January. One of the requirements before beginning the program is to be employed with IHC. Marissa has been trying to get employed with IHC for four months. She has applied for many, many jobs and has only received two interviews. In both interviews, it was obvious to her that the interviewer had already chosen someone else to fill the position before Marissa ever stepped foot into the interview. She has spoken to Weber State about the problem, and they said, "Good luck to you. If IHC doesn't hire you before the end of December, your position in the program will be filled by someone else."

How unfair is that? Does anyone out there work for IHC or know someone at IHC that could put a very good word in for my daughter or give her some advice?

Well, on to Ukraine happenings. We had our second SDA appointment Wednesday, but the referral won't come until Thursday at 4:00 p.m. By that time, it will be too late to catch the train, too late to catch the bus etc. So we could take the bus at 7:00 a.m. Friday and arrive at 1:30 p.m., too late for our facilitator to accomplish much on a Friday afternoon. Unless we can find another mode of transportation (we refuse to go with a reckless driver), we will probably be in Kiev until Sunday. What a disappointment and a big waste of time. It's frustrating waiting for things to happen.

It looks like some of our Phoenix friends who hosted this summer will be arriving in Kiev soon, about the time we're leaving Kiev. Too bad. It would have been great to share an apartment and expenses like we did with the Bensons.

Yesterday morning we called the management company of our apartment to negotiate two more nights at $50. They refused and said, "Pay the $90 or get out." They also said we would have to pay $90 for the second night, even though I had negotiated for $50. When they came to collect, we only gave them the $50 and said, "We had an agreement." The man called the company, and finally the person who I negotiated with admitted that he had agreed to the $50. So we stuck to our guns, and everything worked out.

We found another apartment on the internet, negotiated for two more nights at $50, packed up, hailed a cab, and we're in a very modern, but small, apartment near the SDA. We're becoming so independent. If your bull-headed like me, you can find cheaper places to live.

I don't know what we'll do today. Maybe take a taxi to see the Kiev Temple. We really appreciate your comments on the blog. It's nice to know people are thinking of us. Some have told us they are blocked from making comments. If that's the case, just drop us an e-mail at lawrence6320@comcast.net. We'd love to hear from you.