ML and Ukrainian Women.

[Anotherkiwi]

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???

Simple...because people in general (and certainly many here) tend to dwell on the negative rather than the positive.  Why do you think people take such an interest in car, train or plane crashes?  Or, as some posters are so fond of telling us on this board, marital "train wrecks?"

There was a thread in July or August 2011 from one of the members asking for comments on positive things which had recently happened in their lives.  I replied that I'd been appointed to officiate in a world sports tournament, and every reply from the USA was something snarky about how cricket isn't a world sport - and this from people who didn't even know that they had a national cricket team, let alone that it was (at that stage) performing quite well in its division of the World Cricket League!  And how many of them know that the USA is ranked number one in women's football (soccer)?

There surely have to be positive things coming out of the RWD world other than Ochka's amazing results.

[The Natural]

Thanks to  all who offered congratulations to Ochka.

Let me offer my congratulations to Ochka too. It's nice to see that your life is good ML. Keep it up 
 

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???

I guess for many people here, good news is bad news and vice versa.
Interestingly, it seems the opposite situation occurs on Facebook.
 
But there is one advantage of this situation on RWD that you describe. If you decide not to partake in endless silly discussions or even read them, you save an awful lot of time that is put to much better use in living a real life.
 

[LiveFromUkraine]

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???

Not really strange.  What you call silly isn't necessarily silly to others.  For instance, I think it is silly that people complain about not getting more accolades. 


You may not and that is ok by me.   

[ML]

. . . I think it is silly that people complain about not getting more accolades. 

But you know I was not complaining regarding myself. 

I was complaining for a woman who is up on that pedestal along with all (most) other FSUW according to many here.

The FSUW are put on the pedestal when nothing is known about them individually.  But here we have a real life FSUW who deserves to be put on the pedestal and receive a multitude of congratulations.

Even some monetary gifts would be appropriate.

[ML]

And speaking of monetary gifts . . . I noted briefly in another thread how Ochka had spent a small fortune of her own money on a red dress for a New Year's Eve party.

So she really could use a replenishment.

[calmissile]

And speaking of monetary gifts . . . I noted briefly in another thread how Ochka had spent a small fortune of her own money on a red dress for a New Year's Eve party.

So she really could use a replenishment.

Looks like advertising pays off!  Same dress as the one on display in the background?     

[SANDRO43]

I guess for many people here, good news is bad news and vice versa.

Amplifying on that, since time immemorial people have always liked drama, as the Greek well knew and even came up with a name (catharsis) as a justification for it, i.e. a sort of emotional enema .

Have you ever wondered why songs about troubled love stories outnumber 10:1 - or more - those about happy love stories ?

BTW, tell Ochka Well done!

[Anotherkiwi]

And speaking of monetary gifts . . . I noted briefly in another thread how Ochka had spent a small fortune of her own money on a red dress for a New Year's Eve party.

So she really could use a replenishment.

I'm getting rather worried about that skin affliction, ML - it seems to have been there for quite some time.  I hope you have a high quality dermatologist on call. 

[missAmeno]

Thanks to  all who offered congratulations to Ochka.

Congratulations to Ochka.

I must admit I haven't been reading this thread from beginning but I am intrigued by the name 'Ochka'.

[Ranetka]

Congratulations to Ochka, such hard work and dedication.

[ML]

We are now the proud owners of a townhouse a five minute walk from the Irish Sea.

Just what I needed . . . more real estate.

But Ochka wanted it.

[SANDRO43]

We are now the proud owners of a townhouse a five minute walk from the Irish Sea.

?

[ML]

Yeah Sandro, that sort of dropped from nowhere, I now realize.

I thought I had posted here about it before, but just found I had put it in the Experienced Section.

I repost the original info here from my 17 Sept posting:

Anyone here from Ireland or own any real estate in Ireland?

Ukrainian friend of mine now living in Ireland telling me about a 2 bedroom, 2 bath unit available in his complex which is about 6 years old and in prime condition.

These units sold for over $225,000 pre-crisis, and now this one can be had for $100,000.  Death of elderly owner, and heirs want to sell out quickly.

Prices are still depressed in Ireland (as in many other countries) and perhaps more so than other countries because Irish banks are still not making home loans.

Ochka and I are thinking of buying it together and will pay cash.
Will use it as a vacation home, and maybe rent it out part of the year.
The friend will manage it for us and Ochka has a distant relative living not too far away also.

On East coast south of Dublin in County Wicklow only about half a mile from sea.

Wonder if they have any good beer nearby.

- - - - - -

Actually it has two and a half bathrooms.

Each bedroom on second floor has its own private bath; and the lower level has a room with stool and wash sink.

[SANDRO43]

Wonder if they have any good beer nearby.

They should. We'll call you O'Ml and O'Ochka henceforth .

[ML]

Speaking of which . . .

Two Irish nuns were sitting at a set of traffic lights in their car, when a bunch of rowdy drunks pulled up alongside of them.
 
"Hey, show us your tits, ye bloody penguins!" shouts one of the drunks.
 
The Mother Superior turns to Sister Immaculata, "I don't think they know who we are - show them your cross."
 
So, Sister Immaculata rolls down her window and shouts, "Screw off ye little fookin wankers, before I come over there and rip yer balls off!"
 
Sister Immaculata looks back at the Mother Superior and asks, "Was that cross enough?"

[LAman]

Hey ML...

When are you going to change your name here to MF???   

[Gator]

On East coast south of Dublin in County Wicklow only about half a mile from sea.

Congratulations!  You are only about 20 minutes from a fine golf course, Druids Glen.  Modern construction and similar to Augusta, so a good break from the links courses.  The 13th from the back tees is one of the most difficult par fours in the world.  I was the only one in my foursome to finish the hole, and took a bogey.  Others dropped out well before reaching the green.

Click on "Course Map" in this link

http://www.druidsglenresort.com/golf-courses/druids-glen/

Wonder if they have any good beer nearby.

Joking again.      Pubs will be everywhere.  "The Irish pub is the sanctuary where the soul is comforted and nourished."    The bartender will take 5-7 minutes to pour your first Guiness.  Meanwhile you will have met everyone in the pub, of who at least two will have a cousin living near your home in America.  The Irish pub is where grandfather, dad and son as well as mom can have a good time.  Yes, a sanctuary.

[Anotherkiwi]

Actually it has two and a half bathrooms.

Each bedroom on second floor has its own private bath; and the lower level has a room with stool and wash sink.

Is this a three-storey unit, ML?  Don't forget that, once you leave the USA, other English-speaking countries start from the "ground" floor!

And what do you mean by "stool?"  An actual stool, that you can pick up and put in another room (or sit on to milk the cow), or a properly plumbed toilet?

[ML]

Two stories or floors.  First floor has large living room with fireplace containing wood heating stove, large combined kitchen dining room, and the room with apparatus to pee and poop in and then another contraption to wash hands in.

Second floor has two good sized bedrooms with private bathrooms.

Good amount of closet and storage space on each floor.

Back yard is fenced with tiled patio, another area of boarded flooring with picnic type table, tiny amount of grassed area, area for small garden, storage building and oil storage tank.  Behind that a public forest which we pray will stay undeveloped.

[Anotherkiwi]

Two stories or floors.  First floor has large living room with fireplace containing wood heating stove, large combined kitchen dining room, and the room with apparatus to pee and poop in and then another contraption to wash hands in.

Second floor has two good sized bedrooms with private bathrooms.

Good amount of closet and storage space on each floor.

Back yard is fenced with tiled patio, another area of boarded flooring with picnic type table, tiny amount of grassed area, area for small garden, storage building and oil storage tank.  Behind that a public forest which we pray will stay undeveloped.

Sounds absolutely idyllic!
 
Are there any more going?  One of my brothers lives not too far from there - maybe I should get him to buy me one as well!

[ML]

Yes, I saw many for sale signs on several streets as I was driven around by my friend and Ochka's relative.

As I noted, these townhouses (and most other properties I presume) can be had for prices one half that which existed before the housing bubble burst.

But not much available in way of bank loans, so cash is king.

Prices in Dublin did increase 5-7% in 2013, but not much in the rest of the country.  Ireland, however, is recovering pretty well and some forecasts suggest it will continue to do better than many European countries.

So we expect to double our money in 4-5 years!!!

But actually, not really thinking of that.  Will be a vacation spot for us, and maybe later a source of income.  Most importantly, it will help Ochka diversify her investment portfolio.

[ML]

My Beloved Ochka is now gone from me.

For many complicated reasons, it is quite likely we shall never see each other again.

She has been in serious turmoil for several months over the situation in Ukraine, and it has gotten worse in the past several weeks, of course.

Ochka has close relatives who have been called up from reserves to active military, and she fears for their lives.

She, like most other Ukrainian women, took required nursing courses during her University education.  And she now feels that she should take refresher courses and volunteer for this type of duty.  She wants to stand arm to arm with other women who will try to prevent bloodshed when invaders attack the Ukrainian men.

Ochka was within two months of finishing her coursework for a masters degree.  Because she was a top student, the University and her professors have agreed to let her complete exams via Internet connections (take exams during Skype sessions, etc.).  But, there is some doubt that she will actually be able to keep up with the needed study, etc.

I have been totally sick and heartbroken since she left early this morning; and haven't been able to eat anything yet. 

She has called from two airports and has uncontrolled sobbing from being apart from me; and wonders what is actually the correct action to take.

Ochka had planned for a trip last Christmas, and had (since that time) already been planning for this trip as a replacement for the missed Christmas trip.  But the recent events caused this trip and the outlook for our future to take a terrible turn.

My hatred for the 'Russian Soul' grows stronger with each minute.

[jone]

ML,

I cannot imagine the heartbreak that the two of you are experiencing.  I pray for her well being and that you two will find each other again, soon.  While this is a time of great uncertainty (and great sorrow) it is my belief that the worst is behind us.

Godspeed Ochka!

[cc3]

My Beloved Ochka is now gone from me.

For many complicated reasons, it is quite likely we shall never see each other again.

She has been in serious turmoil for several months over the situation in Ukraine, and it has gotten worse in the past several weeks, of course.

Ochka has close relatives who have been called up from reserves to active military, and she fears for their lives.

She, like most other Ukrainian women, took required nursing courses during her University education.  And she now feels that she should take refresher courses and volunteer for this type of duty.  She wants to stand arm to arm with other women who will try to prevent bloodshed when invaders attack the Ukrainian men.

Ochka was within two months of finishing her coursework for a masters degree.  Because she was a top student, the University and her professors have agreed to let her complete exams via Internet connections (take exams during Skype sessions, etc.).  But, there is some doubt that she will actually be able to keep up with the needed study, etc.

I have been totally sick and heartbroken since she left early this morning; and haven't been able to eat anything yet. 

She has called from two airports and has uncontrolled sobbing from being apart from me; and wonders what is actually the correct action to take.

Ochka had planned for a trip last Christmas, and had (since that time) already been planning for this trip as a replacement for the missed Christmas trip.  But the recent events caused this trip and the outlook for our future to take a terrible turn.

My hatred for the 'Russian Soul' grows stronger with each minute.

 

ML, I totally empathize with you. My fiancee is a resident of Luhansk, and the situation there is going south fast. I implored her (a Ukrainian patriot, despite being a Russian-speaker) to pack a suitcase each for her and her teenage daughter and get on a train for Lviv, where I would meet her and support her and her daughter as they undertook to build their lives there. We have visited Lviv a few times; she's familiar with the city and really likes it. However, she now tells me that she is used to conforming to negative situations...as a teenager, in the Soviet Union, and later, in the increasingly corrupt and impoverished 'independent' Ukraine. I replied that if Luhansk gets absorbed into Russia, we may never see each other, for a long time or...forever. I am awaiting her response.

[JayH]

ML-- so sorry to read this.
FWIW-- the emotions of the current situation in Ukraine is overpowering in so many ways that for those without direct connection will have trouble understanding.
In the past I have been  "sympathetic" of Russia in a general sense-- but now feel only  intense anger at the complete and utter stupidity of Putin and cronies.