jb,
That was a great post. You always have an interesting way of writing.
I think i'd be very leary of the girl who scammed the old duffer for a GC as well. It shows she has a malicious deceitfull and scheming attitude and if she ever felt the need to use someone else, well, she's experienced and won't hesitate. Sounds like she has O character.
Last year our son, who is 10, even mentioned how big some of the american girls were in school and sure enough, when we received the class pic, the first thing that was noticed was the size of the girls.

. When we took the pics to Ukr. this summer, the first thing that was noticed, other than Ihor, was the girls size as well. Of course not all but maybe 50% were approaching obesity. Sad commentary. It's also sad to come back to the U.S. and the first thing noticed was the size of many of our american beauties

. You really don't think about it until you go away for an extended time, come back, and then" WHAM", it's OMG!!!!!!!
I've shown my sons some pics of Ukr. girls that are family friends and their eyes become fixated and the next thing they say is , gee Dad, when are you taking us there!!

.
I tell them that beauty isn't everything and try to make the point what's in their heart is just as important. At this point in their life they just look at me and say" yeah, right". Now that I say that, I guess I have to agree a little. I think as we get older we realize that it's just not the outside that counts but the whole package. For most of us, the AW attitude about family and life appears less appealing all the time. Actually, I'd like to see less western influence in the FSU. I'm afraid that over time they will be more like us. That does not appeal to me.
I believe that some of the men here, in their zeal to acclimate their women to america actually end up americanizing them. I want my wife to assimilate into our society but not become americanized. I don't know if that's possible and may be only a pipe dream, but it's my desire. I love my wife very much and want her to succeed here, and she will. I'm from the old school of how a family and home should be run. We are married and share everything, but it's not an equal proposition. There can only be one head. I've read here that the FSU women, when they get together have a pecking order. Well, in our home I'm the big pecker. As long as I make wise and conscious decisions and fullfill my obligations, the man is still head in the home. That's not to say we don't discuss all things concerning our family. We do. All the time. My wife respects my position and and I honor her in return. It works well for us. The only place I have learned to stay out of when it comes to an important decision is the relationship she has with her son. There is nothing that will change her position when it comes to him. She raised him, he is hers and she has final say. I have no problem with that. Wouldn't matter if I did. He's been around much longer than I have. Besides, she's done a fantastic job with Ihor. He's a good boy.
Didn't mean to get off into family life but what I was trying to point out was basically the appeal that FSU women have over Am women for me.
It was interesting to hear about what some K-3 FSU guys think about AW. Thanks lb.