ML and Ukrainian Women.

[Faux Pas]

The only benefit of marriage, except family or religious ones, is to let her coming legally. ML don't have such problem.

Different strokes for different folks. If he can pull it off and he obviously did, more power to them

[ML]

The only benefit of marriage, except family or religious ones, is to let her coming legally. ML don't have such problem.

You got it baby!!!

But, who knows what lies in the future.

[ML]

ML, why you two ain't married?   

I have been waiting to see if you might become available.

[mendeleyev]

You plan to marry this woman? Or it relationship for its training?"

Mendeleyev alternate translation: "I'm going to kid you a little to keep it light but what I'm really wondering is whether will be a chance for us in the future?"

[Gator]

You got it baby!!!

But, who knows what lies in the future.

Someday in the not too distant, she will complete her studies and will not be able to continue her stay on a student visa. 

[ML]

Someday in the not too distant, she will complete her studies and will not be able to continue her stay on a student visa.

Masters will be complete in May, but . . . as I posted earlier, she has already passed qualifying exams at beginning PhD level (which some provisional PhD students have not yet done), so she is a lock for full admission to PhD program.  University will then issue her a new I-20 with a 5-7 year duration.

But two factors:  She is not sure if she wants to do PhD; and 5-7 year new I-20 allows her to stay in USA for that time period, but she will need a new student visa if she wants to leave USA and return (which she will want to do).  Should be a high probability to get a new student F-1 visa . . . but not a certainty.

She may also ask for the dreaded pre-nup!!!!!!!!

Interesting times lie ahead!!  For now, we just enjoy each other to the max.

[ML]

We returned from 4 day mini-trip to Washington DC.

Visited several of the Smithsonian Museums.

After viewing all the history and fabulous artifacts, etc.; asked Ochka what was the best part.

Viewing the Formal Gowns of the First Ladies.

Women !!!!

[Anotherkiwi]

We returned from 4 day mini-trip to Washington DC.

Visited several of the Smithsonian Museums.

After viewing all the history and fabulous artifacts, etc.; asked Ochka what was the best part.

Viewing the Formal Gowns of the First Ladies.

Women !!!!

 
 
What did you expect?  Just because she has won Nobel Prizes in two different disciplines, speaks 23 languages fluently, and designed the Burj al-Arab, as well as being voted "Rear of the Year" on RWD, she's hardly going to let the sisterhood down by picking the Space Shuttle, is she? 

[2tallbill]

 
 
What did you expect?  Just because she has won Nobel Prizes in two different disciplines, speaks 23 languages fluently, and designed the Burj al-Arab, as well as being voted "Rear of the Year" on RWD, she's hardly going to let the sisterhood down by picking the Space Shuttle, is she? 

hahaha made me laugh

[ML]

For anyone who might be making a trip to Washington DC.

We had been there two years ago and stayed at a Hilton Hotel which is virtually on top of the Ballston Metro stop on Fairfax Drive in Arlington, VA.

For this second visit with Ochka, I checked around extensively but could not find a deal that was better than the Hilton Hotel deal.

They have a package called 'Easy Riders.'

This package includes, hotel room, underground parking (which can be $15-45 per day at some hotels), full breakfast for two, and two unlimited metro passes for each day of stay.

The package price is considerably less than the total of the separate items.  The price per day will vary substantially depending on your dates.  Weekends are cheaper, and they are very attuned to the demand factors related to local events occurring, so pricing changes daily and can double or more.

The breakfast is not the 'Continental type' served up by some hotels, but rather a full buffet of hot meats and other items, large selection of cut and full fresh fruits, selection of tasty (and fattening) rolls, pastries, etc., AND custom made omelets, waffles, etc.

The hearty breakfast without leaving hotel, plus the metro not even being a short walk away are great features for those wanting to maximize the time available for being a tourist.

Hilton Arlington
950 North Stafford Street
Arlington, VA  22203

[ML]

Another point and recommendation about our trip to Washington DC

There are many great restaurants there, as you would expect in an international city.

Two of my favorites are:

Taverna Cretekou . . . Greek cuisine located in Old Town Alexandria, VA.

I have been to this place perhaps 15 or so times going back 30 years or so.  I usually have the combination plate, and recommended it to Ochka.  But she opted for the leg of lamb, which was OK, but not as interesting as the varied food available in the combination.  The waiters are very attentive; and hope you get one of the guys in their 60s-70s as they really know the menu.

818 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314  Phone  703-548-8688

Just a block and a half north of George Washington Blvd (Which is George Washington Parkway outside the town).

Tutto Bene  . . . Italian cuisine located in Arlington, VA not too far from I-66 and the Potomac river.

I have also been here more than 10 times over several years.  It looks small and insignificant from the outside (Ochka was even a little worried about it), but inside it stretches a long way back and is actually quite large.

They have the full range of Italian food, of which my favorite is generally of the northern variety;  i.e. Veal ala Marsala with asparagus, etc.  Great service here also.

501 North Randolph Street
Arlington, VA  22203    Phone 703-522-1005

[SANDRO43]

my favorite is generally of the northern variety;  i.e. Veal ala Marsala with asparagus, etc.

You probably mean a scaloppina al Marsala , where Marsala stands for the fortified wine (similar to Madera, Sherry) sprinkled on the escalope (pork or veal) while cooking it - originally a Sicilian recipe, witness the area where it originated thanks to a visiting Brtitish soda merchant (John Woodhouse) who sampled the local perpetuum wine, had it added with eau de vie to better preserve it in transit and had 50 pipes (casks with a capacity of half a tun) shipped to Liverpool to try on the market, which was a success:

Some restaurants make a production of this entrée by serving it flambée .
¡Olé, olé!

[ML]

You probably mean a scaloppina al Marsala , where Marsala stands for the fortified wine (similar to Madera, Sherry) sprinkled on the escalope (pork or veal) while cooking it - originally a Sicilian recipe, witness the area where it originated thanks to a visiting Brtitish soda merchant (John Woodhouse) who sampled the local perpetuum wine, had it added with eau de vie to better preserve it in transit and had 50 pipes (casks with a capacity of half a tun) shipped to Liverpool to try on the market, which was a success:

Some restaurants make a production of this entrée by serving it flambée .
¡Olé, olé!

Yes, I have seen it described with different words in various restaurants.

And, I am very familiar with the Marsala wine and it's ingredients.  I buy several bottles of it (the cooking wine variety) at a time when I see it, because not all supermarkets carry it.  Ochka became a fan, and uses it it pork, chicken and veal dishes.  The chicken Marsala  with mushrooms is particularly tasty.

Interestingly, it cannot be found in Ukraine at all.
This despite fact that the Massandra Winery in Crimea made a large quantity of it in 2005 to send to UK to help celebrate anniversary of Battle of Trafalgar as it was a favorite of Admiral Nelson.

I finally had a friend call the Winery and ask "what's up with this non-supply" since they actually knew how to make it.  The answer was that it was a one shot deal and there was no demand for it in Ukraine.

A relative of another friend brought some up from Italy to Ukraine, but it did not have anything like the taste that was needed.  I guess there is some difference between the cooking type and drinking type.

[ML]

I cried today; something I have only done a few times in my adult life.

Ochka was due to fly home tomorrow for a two week visit.

But around noon today, she told me that she would not leave me alone at this particular time (I have encountered a very stressful situation) and had decided not to go.

I thought her family would really be ticked; but she told me she had already talked with them and, in fact, they had very strongly told her to not leave me

Orbitz ticket non-refundable, so she just ate around $1,200.

We checked on Orbitz and she can get another ticket within one year, but . . . there will be a $360 fee . . . and worst of all . . . can't rebook any international flights.  What kind of a crock is this; since she will want international flight.  So probably we will go somewhere in USA at a later date.  Might look into a short trip immediately,  but not sure at this point.

Anyway, I couldn't talk her out of her decision not to go; and this subsequently led to very tender words between us . . . and the tears flowed for both of us.  We both filled up a couple of handkerchiefs with eye and nose fluids.  Which then lead to the same great outcome as 'make-up sex.'  I  know most of you will be thrilled to read this; but probably some Scrooges around.

She is really one hell of a gal (in the best meaning); but I still don't really get what she sees in me.  In addition to words of love, she says she feels more comfortable with me than with anyone else she has ever known.

Course she doesn't know I had planned for 5 other women to fly in to see me while she was gone . . . just kidding . . . but typed for the benefit of the haters.

[pitbull]

I cried today; something I have only done a few times in my adult life.

Ochka was due to fly home tomorrow for a two week visit.

But around noon today, she told me that she would not leave me alone at this particular time (I have encountered a very stressful situation) and had decided not to go.

I thought her family would really be ticked; but she told me she had already talked with them and, in fact, they had very strongly told her to not leave me

Orbitz ticket non-refundable, so she just ate around $1,200.

We checked on Orbitz and she can get another ticket within one year, but . . . there will be a $360 fee . . . and worst of all . . . can't rebook any international flights.  What kind of a crock is this; since she will want international flight.  So probably we will go somewhere in USA at a later date.  Might look into a short trip immediately,  but not sure at this point.

Anyway, I couldn't talk her out of her decision not to go; and this subsequently led to very tender words between us . . . and the tears flowed for both of us.  We both filled up a couple of handkerchiefs with eye and nose fluids.  Which then lead to the same great outcome as 'make-up sex.'  I  know most of you will be thrilled to read this; but probably some Scrooges around.

She is really one hell of a gal (in the best meaning); but I still don't really get what she sees in me.  In addition to words of love, she says she feels more comfortable with me than with anyone else she has ever known.

Course she doesn't know I had planned for 5 other women to fly in to see me while she was gone . . . just kidding . . . but typed for the benefit of the haters.

Awe how sweet... Very nice post, ML 

[Gator]

True love is our strongest emotion.  When you have it you wonder at it.  For sure it will break down your male defensive barriers. 

Thanks for sharing.  And please do not interject the humor about still looking, etc.  It was funny  , yet it only dilutes this moment.  Embrace it fully without reservations.
 

This is a beautiful  moment for you ML - the tears reveal a catharsis without a tragedy.  You do realize that ML is doomed.  It is now appropriate to change your name from ML to LM (Loving Man).

BTW, the fact that you do not get what she sees in you is a great sign.  That shows how much you place her above yourself.

Just my opinion from having experienced it myself.

[calmissile]

True love is our strongest emotion.  When you have it you wonder at it.  For sure it will break down your male defensive barriers. 

Thanks for sharing.  And please do not interject the humor about still looking, etc.  It was funny  , yet it only dilutes this moment.  Embrace it fully without reservations.
 

This is a beautiful  moment for you ML - the tears reveal a catharsis without a tragedy.  You do realize that ML is doomed.  It is now appropriate to change your name from ML to LM (Loving Man).

BTW, the fact that you do not get what she sees in you is a great sign.  That shows how much you place her above yourself.

Just my opinion from having experienced it myself.

+100

[ML]

The good news just keeps flowing in concerning Ochka's school accomplishments.

Grades were just posted for Fall 2013.  She had three graduate courses and got three A+.

She was quite surprised concerning one course.  It was a PhD level course (she is still in master's program) and for final exam, the professor had 2 out of 5 questions that were totally 'out of left field' that Ochka wrote very little for answer.  She told me later the material was never even covered in class, and she only knew anything about it because she had done some extra reading.

She was certain she would only get a B in that course because  of  screwing up the final.  But I  told her at the time, that since she had top scores (midterms, quizzes, homework, etc.) going into the final (compared to other students); that none of the other students would do well either on those questions.

So seems that was the case; and Ochka got her A+ because she was still superior to other students.

She wasn't surprised about A in other two courses, but a little surprised about the added + marks.

I have been working on her application to PhD program, and was holding off typing in names of professors she would ask to write recommendation letters.  Now, there is no worry about who not to choose !!!   

[calmissile]

Congrats to her again!     +100

[mendeleyev]

Grades were just posted for Fall 2013.  She had three graduate courses and got three A+.

Many congratulations!

[Patagonie]

 

[JayH]

  Congratulations for Ochka!!   and of course--to ML !!

[ML]

We recently went through full-body scan at airport.

Ochka went through first.

When I finished, I walked toward Ochka who was all red-faced but smiling.

I was somewhat concerned and asked, "What's up."

She said the TSA guy had said:  "You are good to go Miss Hollywood."

I looked at her in tight jeans, form fitting white sweater, with pinkish scarf; and said, "Well, he has good taste in women."

She kept beaming for so long that I had to tell her the story about Mother Superior telling the Nun to go suck on a lemon.

[Boethius]

The good news just keeps flowing in concerning Ochka's school accomplishments.

Grades were just posted for Fall 2013.  She had three graduate courses and got three A+.

She was quite surprised concerning one course.  It was a PhD level course (she is still in master's program) and for final exam, the professor had 2 out of 5 questions that were totally 'out of left field' that Ochka wrote very little for answer.  She told me later the material was never even covered in class, and she only knew anything about it because she had done some extra reading.

She was certain she would only get a B in that course because  of  screwing up the final.  But I  told her at the time, that since she had top scores (midterms, quizzes, homework, etc.) going into the final (compared to other students); that none of the other students would do well either on those questions.

So seems that was the case; and Ochka got her A+ because she was still superior to other students.

She wasn't surprised about A in other two courses, but a little surprised about the added + marks.

I have been working on her application to PhD program, and was holding off typing in names of professors she would ask to write recommendation letters.  Now, there is no worry about who not to choose !!!   

I somehow missed this.  Congratulations to Ochka.  That is quite an accomplishment.

[ML]

Thanks to  all who offered congratulations to Ochka.

Continuing question concerning RWD.

How can there be only a handful of comments on good things such as this (and similar events concerning other persons) . . .  and hundreds of pages devoted to the silly arguments going on in several threads???