A long way for BBQ

[Slingerland]

Hot Springs in May is a wonderful place to be. Very touristy but, still a blast. Rent a pontoon and enjoy a day on the lake, another day take in the local attractions. You might even try whatever public bathhouse is open. Not as good as the Arlington or a couple of other places but, it is relatively cheap.

Don't eat at the Arlington as it won't impress. Probably the worse service in town. Let me know if you need some good eateries and I'll send you some. Renaldo's right across the street from the Arlington is the best Ecuadoran food ever. They do good things with food there and it's very reasonable

Yes, I've been to Renaldo's.  My mother has two sisters who live in Hot Springs, and I'm down there a lot.  Coy's burned down a few years ago.  I had a soft spot in my heart for Facci's but it's gone under too.

If you want to take her to a grocery store she probably like and to find and pick out some food, take her to Whole Foods Store. On Cantrell I believe?

Fresh Market on Cantrell, Whole Foods on Rodney Parham.  I like FM, WF is INCREDIBLY overpriced! 

[CanadaMan]

...And the Western market is catching up. In fact, my favorite kefir is produced by a local Canadian manufacturer Liberte and sold in many supermarkets with other organic food.

Cool!  I know exactly the one you are talking about.
Liberte Kefir Organic plain, 2%. Made in St. Hubert QC right?

I eat it for breakfast everyday with milk, cereal and fruit. Yummy!

There is actually one in the FSU that is as good, that comes in a bottle.
I don't know the name of it.

[Belvis]

Of course, I live in Arkansas... not exactly a cultural Mecca... her trip was during the three weeks of pleasant spring weather (excepting thunderstorms.)  I wonder how she'll react to the 100+ degree summers?  And pine tree pollen?  It's not really a destination site for Russian emigrees. 

Summer in Rostov-on-Don can be hot too, I guess there is not much difference with Arkansas. And winter in Arkansas is more mild so in total the climate there is more favorable. Well, it's not easy to find places with worse weather than in Russia 
Anyway climate and food do not play much in woman's decision to relocate. Emotional and family bonds do.

[Vaughn]

Thoroughly enjoyable story, and quite different than the usual TR. Thanks for sharing it with all of us, Slinger.
 
I haven't been to Arkansas in 30 years, but well remember a bearded guy who rented canoes in the middle of nowhere - I think on the Little Buffalo, a gentle stretch. What beauty we enjoyed all day! 

[Slingerland]

I haven't been to Arkansas in 30 years, but well remember a bearded guy who rented canoes in the middle of nowhere - I think on the Little Buffalo, a gentle stretch. What beauty we enjoyed all day!

Thanks, Vaughn, there are still a number of canoe rentals on the Little Buffalo.  Faux Pas has sone good ideas for a lake vacation at Hot Springs, with the lakes, history of the Arlington, eateries, shopping, duck rides, etc.  But I'm also thinking about a B&B vacation in the Ozarks: mountain drives, Eureka Springs, maybe a canoe ride and shopping over in NWA.  Both vacations have appeal to me.
 
This morning, work is getting back to normal.  The Rostov team is back in the offices, and so far, everybody is settled in.  Boris kept Stuart's hat and it is his favorite trophy!  Yulia is quietly working with me to order flowers... finding a local florist that can take my Internet order and do a good job. 
 
Marina and I have sent simple texts back and forth, but at lunch (my time) I'll be calling her at her home.  The time difference is a pain of course. 

[Hammer2722]

Thanks, Vaughn, there are still a number of canoe rentals on the Little Buffalo.  Faux Pas has sone good ideas for a lake vacation at Hot Springs, with the lakes, history of the Arlington, eateries, shopping, duck rides, etc.  But I'm also thinking about a B&B vacation in the Ozarks: mountain drives, Eureka Springs, maybe a canoe ride and shopping over in NWA.  Both vacations have appeal to me.
 
This morning, work is getting back to normal.  The Rostov team is back in the offices, and so far, everybody is settled in.  Boris kept Stuart's hat and it is his favorite trophy!  Yulia is quietly working with me to order flowers... finding a local florist that can take my Internet order and do a good job. 
 
Marina and I have sent simple texts back and forth, but at lunch (my time) I'll be calling her at her home.  The time difference is a pain of course.

Maybe you can have Yulia order the flowers for you locally and you can send her the money vis WU?

[Gator]

Slingerland,
 
How about a short trip to New Orleans?   Music, food, history, architecture, street people, .....a different world, albeit more of the third world. 
 
Also, see a couple of antebellum homes on the trip there.

[Slingerland]

Slingerland,
 
How about a short trip to New Orleans?   Music, food, history, architecture, street people, .....a different world, albeit more of the third world. 
 
Also, see a couple of antebellum homes on the trip there.

I have that in mind, but for later.  NO is about 9 hours' drive away from me.
 
The next visit will start out for the job, then 6 days or so for vacation.  I would rather stay close by (half day drive) and not put her into "road trip hell"  .  She's expressed a lot of interest in Arkansas, and either Hot Springs or Eureka Springs will be a good 3 day get away.  If she feels up to it, maybe do both or have a Memphis overnight. 
 
Little Rock has a couple of museums and places to go.  And of course, my mother will be back and will want to meet her.  Lori and Stuart like her, Michael will be home from school, etc.  So the first vacation will be a balancing act of time.

[Gator]

I have that in mind, but for later.  NO is about 9 hours' drive away from me.

Yep, too long for only 6 days.
 

If she feels up to it, maybe do both or have a Memphis overnight. 

Memphis is somewhat akin to New Orleans if you know the special places.
 

[Faux Pas]

Yep, too long for only 6 days.
Memphis is somewhat akin to New Orleans if you know the special places.

It's a no-brainer. The Peabody and Beale St. A bit pricey and there are cheaper hotels on Beale or close proximity but, the Memphis Peabody is a classic hotel. No telling whom you will see whilst sitting in the lobby sipping a overpriced mint julip or a bourbon, besides the ducks.

Slingerland, if you've never been to the Memphis Peabody, the Peabody in LR (former Excelsior) is woefully short. No comparison whatsoever

[Slingerland]

Thanks again, everybody!  The last couple of days we've been having long personal calls (Faux Pas... another "freebie" for me... flat rate international calling through Vonage, paid by the company!) and I'm leaning towards the Eureka Springs trip.  She is wanting to see "mountains and countryside", not so much the city.  I guess growing up in Rostov, she's interested in the opposite for a vacation.
 
So right now the plan is that she flies on Sunday the week before Memorial Day.  That week is work during the day, finding things to do together in the evenings.  Then vacation begins on Saturday leading into Memorial Day, and goes until the following Friday.  She'll fly back home that Friday, to give an extra day to recover from jet lag.
 
Flowers are on their way... Yulia assured me the florist is good, and she'll send me a pic.

[mendeleyev]

She is wanting to see "mountains and countryside", not so much the city.  I guess growing up in Rostov, she's interested in the opposite for a vacation

Nice.

Either of the Russian cities with that name are really very much country, and very beautiful. Likely it is Rostov-on-Don (as opposed to Rostov the Great), named for the location on the Don river. It is a lovely city of just over a million population but surrounded by rivers and forests, very close to nature. I think that in some ways Eureka Springs will seem comfortably similar to home yet enjoyable to her for the charm.

[Slingerland]

Nice.

Either of the Russian cities with that name are really very much country, and very beautiful. Likely it is Rostov-on-Don (as opposed to Rostov the Great), named for the location on the Don river. It is a lovely city of just over a million population but surrounded by rivers and forests, very close to nature. I think that in some ways Eureka Springs will seem comfortably similar to home yet enjoyable to her for the charm.

You're right mendeleyev, it's Roston-on-Don.  I've been careless in my typing.   
 
Little Rock holds the annual Riverfest on Memorial Day weekend.  My plans are to get tickets to Riverfest, and spend the weekend in Little Rock.  We'll drive to Eureka Springs on Monday afternoon, stay at a B&B Mon-Thursday, then come back to LR Thursday afternoon.  She'll fly home Friday afternoon.
 
That should give us a good mix of vacation away, and time to explore my home city.

[Faux Pas]

Thanks again, everybody!  The last couple of days we've been having long personal calls (Faux Pas... another "freebie" for me... flat rate international calling through Vonage, paid by the company!) and I'm leaning towards the Eureka Springs trip.  She is wanting to see "mountains and countryside", not so much the city.  I guess growing up in Rostov, she's interested in the opposite for a vacation.
 
So right now the plan is that she flies on Sunday the week before Memorial Day.  That week is work during the day, finding things to do together in the evenings.  Then vacation begins on Saturday leading into Memorial Day, and goes until the following Friday.  She'll fly back home that Friday, to give an extra day to recover from jet lag.
 
Flowers are on their way... Yulia assured me the florist is good, and she'll send me a pic.

WTF?  The Ouachitas are mountains. No comparison for me. I'd much rather spend time in Hot Springs as opposed to Eureka but, Eureka is good too. Been many times. For Eureka look up vacation rentals at Holiday Island. I've rented a lodge/house there numerous times. Very reasonable as opposed to the boutique hotels in Eureka

[Slingerland]

WTF?  The Ouachitas are mountains. No comparison for me. I'd much rather spend time in Hot Springs as opposed to Eureka but, Eureka is good too. Been many times. For Eureka look up vacation rentals at Holiday Island. I've rented a lodge/house there numerous times. Very reasonable as opposed to the boutique hotels in Eureka

Sorry, Faux Pas, I didn't say what I meant very well.   
 
Of course the Ouachitas are mountains, fully agree with you there.  I'm your opposite in a way; I would "slightly" rather go to Eureka for a 4 day getaway than to Hot Springs, although both are good attractions.  I have so much family in the Hot Springs/Arkadelphia area that it's not the mental getaway that the Ozarks are.  But they both have great attractions.  Just in talking to Marina, I'm getting a gut feeling to go to ES.
 
The way I'm looking at it now is:

• First five days are for work.  Evenings are ours, but it's "local".
• The weekend is Riverfest.  Vacation, but "local". 
• Eureka Springs would be a "get away."  With a three hour drive (and the scenery of driving through the Ozarks for much of it) it gives a mental break and a feeling of getting away from the home for a few days without a grinding road trip.

BTW, I know the owner of a good B&B in "downtown" Eureka Springs.  Advantage of being able to walk through a lot of the country shops (or bars, lunch bistro, etc.) before driving anywhere!

[bobcat]

Nice story Slingerland, great narrative!

I dated a Rostov lady perhaps 9 years ago, both established in our publishing industries, and same age at early 30's---didn't work after several trips to Germany, Russia, UK as she/nor I wanted to leave respective countries (Australia for me).

I'm now married for 7 years, a lady I met in Moscow on biz who is from Siberia.

Good luck, I can see she likes you.

All best,

Anthony

[Slingerland]

 Marina loved the flowers!  (Thanks to Yulia for the BIG assist!)  She received them at work on Thursday afternoon, and they were the talk of her office.  Lots of talk.  Which is what leads into Friday for me.
 
When I arrived this morning, LOTS of emails about the Boston bombing, and the overnight chase for the brothers.  The Rostov team all expressed their concern and sadness for the deaths at the marathon, and they hoped the surviving brother would be captured alive.  They believe the brothers had help, both here and in the RU, and hope the FBI can get information.
 
But as for work, there was a new meeting on my schedule for 8:30 AM, in the Human Resources conference room.  When I got there, three people were waiting on me: my boss, the head of HR and the head of Legal.  Their faces were dark and angry, like the scene in “The Firm” where Tom Cruise walks into the meeting room to be stared down by all the attorneys.
 
They needed me because of an “issue that had to be resolved”.  HR handed me a printout of a cell phone photo: Marina and her flowers.  “Robert,” HR said, “did you send these flowers to Marina Sxxxxxoya?”  Yes, I admitted in a neutral, non-committal voice.
 
“Robert,” he continued, “we also understand that last week you were seen kissing her in your office.  Is that correct?”  I said nothing and assumed my best poker face. 
 
HR asked another question: “And it’s our understanding that both of you have requested vacation days after Memorial Day while she’s here in the States?”  Again I said nothing.
 
HR began to lecture: “While we stay out of private lives as much as possible, the company has rules… VERY STRICT rules… about fraternizing with other employees.  I’ve emailed everybody on your team and spoken to Brad and Dana.  It’s obvious that you and Marina started an office romance last week.  Granted that she is not our employee, but you are her supervisor.  You can make or break her career for sexual favors.”
 
Legal interrupted at this point: “We could be on the hook for millions of dollars in a lawsuit.  Hell, son, you could destroy BOTH your careers.  What do you have to say?”
 
I said nothing.  I was bracing myself for the hatchet, thinking rapidly on my next career move.  I knew of at least two other companies that wanted to hire me… I have plenty of emergency money to hold me over.  Time to brush off my resume, I sighed resignedly.  And then a quiet voice inside me said, “What will Marina think?”  This quiet voice chilled me more than the others.
 
Legal continued to lecture me like an addled child: “Dammit son, just three months and you’d be off the project.  No conflict at all!  Couldn’t you keep your hands to yourself until then?”  He slid a letter in an envelope over to me.  “Open it and read for yourself,” he gruffly ordered me.
 
I opened the envelope.  It was a letter from the customer’s upper management, highly praising my team and our hard work.  They were thanking me for my service as architect.  They understood I would roll off the project soon, and they wanted to know IF MARINA COULD BE PROMOTED TO ARCHITECT IN MY PLACE!  The customer wanted her! 
 
I looked up from the letter and the others couldn’t hold their stern expressions anymore; they cracked up laughing.  D*mned bastards!  After a moment I was able to relax… but it still took a moment before I would weakly chuckle.
 
“Of course your recommendation is required too,” Legal laughed.  “But dammit son, you can’t recommend your own girlfriend!  Thank your own stupid luck the customer likes her and wrote the letter!”
 
HR stepped back in: “Now to be serious, you can’t be her supervisor anymore, not since you’re involved with her.  So effective now we’re sliding you sideways into a consultant role while she takes over your old job.”  HR picked up another envelope and smiled at me.  “But we had to have a little fun with you… and to ease any ruffled feathers, here’s this.” 
 
Inside the envelope was a check inside made out to me, with several nice digits.  And just as important to me: the words “Bonus for exceptional performance” in the memo field.
 
My boss finally chimed in: “Plus your choice of new assignment.  I have three in mind for you; we’ll talk about them after lunch and pick out the one you want.”
 
“If you don’t mind, let’s stay with this project for a moment,” HR added.  “She’s a foreign national.  Robert, do you think she can handle the same deal we originally offered you?  Two weeks each side of the Atlantic?  And what will she need while here?”  We talked some about jet lag and the need for travel flexibility, which the customer was agreeable to.  Maybe 3-3 instead of 2-2.
 
And a lightning bolt hit me: “She’ll need driving lessons to live here.  It’ll be cheaper than cab fare.”  They were a little surprised, but agreed it made sense: she could take most of the lessons in Rostov-on-Don, and then qualify for an international driver’s license.  Once over here, she could spend some time with a local driving school for extra experience and familiarity with Arkansas driving.
 
“What about her visa?” HR asked.  Legal answered: “She has a lot of time left on her B-1… unless Robert here drags her to Las Vegas for a quickie wedding.”  He looked at me with a dirty old man’s wink, “Please don’t do that, I’m not an immigration attorney.” 
 
My boss perked up: “Do you think she might want to immigrate?  We could sponsor converting her B-1 to a H1-B or whatever is needed and transfer her over from the other company.”
 
“Um, we’ve just been out together a few times,” I said, “I don’t know that she’s ready to move in and get married yet…”  My sheepish expression provoked more laughter of course.  Which is what they intended.
 
“Robert,” Legal said, wrapping up the meeting with a big smile, “you did a damn good job on the project.  We just had to give you a little grief for bending the rules.  I hope everything goes well for the two of you… she’s cute!”  He stood up, we all shook hands and went back to our offices.

[Larry1]

That was good.  You built up the suspense very well.

Congratulations on everything working out so well, both professionally and personally.  You've found the Holy Grail: a FSU girlfriend who makes the long trips to see you here - and at the company's expense!

[Slingerland]

I just got off the phone with Marina, she doesn't know about the promotion yet.  Well... she didn't know yet... she does now... she promised to be surprised when they contact her on Monday.  But she's seriously excited!!! 
 
    This is not my best Friday...
 
I told her what HR/Legal did and she couldn't believe it.  She thinks too much paranoia and "officialness" is being put into dating by American managers, and then the managers make a joke about it.  I guess in Russia they don't have a legal industry looking for sexual harrassment payoffs. 
 
The rest of the call was just end-of-week catching up.  She and some girlfriends are going to a park tomorrow with the various kids.  Looking forward to next month, of course.  We miss each other A LOT but we're also mature enough to be patient. 
 
Maybe  .
 
After the meeting this morning, I sent an email to Legal asking about my work permit blowup, and if it would prevent me from getting a visitor's visa to Russia.  They're supposed to do some checking.  I'm thinking ahead to fall.  It would be nice to return the trip and go home with her to Rostov-on-Don for a few days.  I've never really travelled before; just once to the Bahama Islands.  I've never been to Mexico or Canada.  And to have a wonderful woman to see it with... what could be better?

[Gator]

Slinger,
 
Good story.  Your company has a SOH.  Congratulations for the bonus.
 
It seems that everything is falling into place.   You have made your own good luck. 

[ML]

And a lightning bolt hit me: “She’ll need driving lessons to live here.  It’ll be cheaper than cab fare.”  They were a little surprised, but agreed it made sense: she could take most of the lessons in Rostov-on-Don, and then qualify for an international driver’s license.  Once over here, she could spend some time with a local driving school for extra experience and familiarity with Arkansas driving.

International Driver's License is greatly misunderstood.
There are no tests or qualifications for it.

The IDL is merely a piece of paper on which is written the info that is on the persons National or State DL.  This  piece of paper tells some general info (not about the person) in several different languages.

NEVER pay big money for it.

In USA, AA will make up this paper for members for less than $10.

An internet search will reveal some who ask $100 or more just to copy existing info onto this piece of paper.

[ML]

My boss perked up: “Do you think she might want to immigrate?  We could sponsor converting her B-1 to a H1-B or whatever is needed and transfer her over from the other company.”

Sorry to rain on this parade but . . . just today I attended an Immigration Seminar headed by attorney specializing in the topic which added to some that I already knew.

There is an annual quota cap for H1B work visas.  The cap is 65,000 for 2014 which has already been reached during the current filing period of April 2013.

AND virtually no one gets an H1B work visa outside the STEM areas of Science Technology Engineering and Math.  Although it might sound close, the lawyer said financial people (even with computer jock skills) do not qualify.

Also the H1B program is  not an Immigration Visa.  It is only a work authorization visa for a max of 6 years. 

But yes, those here under the H1B program often later are successful in attaining permanent immigration (green card) status.

Note:  Since the 6 years for H1B visa typically exceeds the length of a lot of marriages . . . it's not a bad way to go.   

- - - - -

Not for the specific case of the current OP . . . but just for general info for everyone:

Those who  come here on Student Visas AND get Masters degrees in the  STEM area, have  a nice path to Permanent Residence (green card).  This is an already existing path separate from the new program being considered in Congress.

This existing path is:

1) Get degree in STEM area.
2) Automatically get authorization for OPT (Optional Professional Training) for 12 months which can usually be extended for another 17 months (29 months total).  No employer has to do anything for person to get this OPT authorization.  With the authorization, person can look for and accept job same as USA citizen (except those jobs that require citizenship, of course).
3) After OPT, usually get preferred treatment for  H1B program.
4) After in H1B for 3-4 years, usually get preferred treatment when applying for Green Card status.

I was quite happy to learn of this info which I hadn't fully put together the pieces in my mind, despite having read about the various programs.

[Belvis]

AND virtually no one gets an H1B work visa outside the STEM areas of Science Technology Engineering and Math.  Although it might sound close, the lawyer said financial people (even with computer jock skills) do not qualify.

Almost any job  can be presented nowdays as within STEM area. Of course, better to know this clause in advance 
As for driver license there are two ways:
1. She get it in Russia. Then she'll be a legit driver in USA for 6 month before she's required to obtain a local  license.  Some states  do not recognize International Driving Permit  as a valid driver license but consider it only a translation of information contained on a person’s foreign driver license. No need to have IDP in US.
2. She get it in US, Russians tell it would be easier than in Russia because of russian bureaucratic procedures and common  craziness of russian life. However she can not use it back home though there is an option to exchange american DL for the local one.

[Slingerland]

Belvis and ML, thanks for the drivers' license info.  She's checking into driving schools next week.
 
ML, VERY BIG thanks for the info on visa!!!  In Marina's case, she has a bachelor's degree in computer science and post-grad economics education.  I'm not sure if the econ is a second bacherlor's level degree or a masters level.  Her work has been 75% technical, 25% business and leadership.  Moving into my job those numbers will reverse. 
 
Right now her B-1 has about 22 months left on it and that should be enough time for "us" to grow and decide about life together.  It would be like a Navy marriage, a few weeks home, a few weeks deployed.
 
If our relationship gets that far, we'll definitely hire an immigration attorney.  No impulsive trips to Las Vegas!  For right now, I want to let the relationship gel and grow at its pace.  I've been married and divorced, and this next time I want to be the last time. 

[Slingerland]

ML, thanks again for the immigration information!  My curiosity has gotten the better of me, so I'm spending the day on Google.