Help me get motivated for my Ukraine trip in mid September.

[GreginGa]

Puppet-alike-people are pathetic!

Why staying home is not a option? What would be the resultant consequences if you stayed home? …if you did not go to the village, would you be sentenced  to death  because of  a dare to do what you  wish?…or maybe your wife would die because of  a 12 days solitude?…or maybe her love  to you would vanish because of she abhors people who can think for themselves?

If the above mentioned consequences are unlike to take place, then again, why staying home is not a option? 

WTF ..Did you read anything I said about traveling with the kid or the miles or anything? I'm sure my wifes love for me would remain intact had I opted not to go. I didnt go on her last trip in May. I'm going because it's too much to travel with a 2 year old and I'm being nominated for husband of the year so I must go. WTF is puppet -alike -people? Are you saying that I'm pathetic because I simply would rather have my sac in a bear trap rather than deal with travel to Ukraine at this time. I love it when someone has absolutely nothing to add to a thread but chimes in just for the sake of posting.

[BC]

Greg,

Half the visit is showing off the baby.. the other half showing off you.. LOL

Grin n bear it..

I just got back a month or so ago after a couple week stay.. what I enjoyed this time was getting out on my own alone to escape the roar in the kitchen.  Do what our women do here when they're frustrated.. go shopping!

[vwrw]

WTF ..Did you read anything I said about traveling with the kid or the miles or anything?

I saw women traveling with kids and without an escort. They seemed to feel okay.
But, anyway, let’s assume that traveling with a kid is an impossible difficult task, then a question arises.. Why your wife’s need  in your help is not a sufficient incentive?

[/quote]
 WTF is puppet -alike -people?
[/quote]


Puppet -alike -people are those whose action are under control of or manipulated by a puppeteer?


[/quote]
Are you saying that I'm pathetic ...
[/quote]


I did not say that...Is the definition of a puppet suited to you?

[GreginGa]

I saw women traveling with kids and without an escort. They seemed to feel okay.
But, anyway, let’s assume that traveling with a kid is an impossible difficult task, then a question arises.. Why your wife’s need  in your help is not a sufficient incentive?


 WTF is puppet -alike -people?



Puppet -alike -people are those whose action are under control of or manipulated by a puppeteer?



Are you saying that I'm pathetic ...



I did not say that...Is the definition of a puppet suited to you?

Well I certainly know better than to get in a pissing contest with a RW on a internet fore arm. If you think I'm a puppet then I'm a puppet. Whatever you say. One thing I have learned over the years is to just throw out most reason and logic when engaged in an argument. I take the pain and I soldier on. Do you have anything else to offer to this thread?

[KenC]

Greg,
Ever think to rent a flat for you and your family instead of staying with the In Laws?  The little bit of distance could be a pressure reliever.  (And a safe haven for you)  BTW, my MIL doesn't seem to be as bad as your's.  She backs off when I am around big time.  Language barrier or not, she knows I won't take any crap from her.  Mostly she is very nice to me too.  Where the control issues come into play is when Lena goes to visit her.
VWRW,
Two year olds are tough.  That is why they call em the "terrible twos!"  While I am sure that some women can pull off traveling long distance flights alone with their 2 yr olds, you are hardly in a position to give advice on the subject or to criticize others.
KenC

[Turboguy]

Does your wife get her character from her father or from her mother ? 

It had been 2 or 2 and a half against 1 for too long.

It sounds like his wife gets her character from her Mom.  I think he answered your question with that statement Shadow.   It sounds to me that down the road you will be very lucky and your wife will turn into a carbon copy of your MIL.  You have a great life ahead of you.  Didn't anyone ever tell you that if you look at the mom you will see what your wife will be like in the future?

You guys are making me feel lucky.  My MIL is a peach.  It was great having her here for a visit.   To me the "it is too tough for a woman to travel alone with a 2 year old" sounds like a cop out.  I am quite sure it happens all the time and the women get there just fine.   Personally I think you just don't want to face the music of what would happen if you did what YOU wanted.  

I can't say I have any real desire to return to the FSU for a long, long time.  If my wife wanted me to go I would without hesitation but I can't say I would get too excited about it.   My guess is I won't be back for quite a while.   My MIL already thinks I am a great husband and is happy her dear daughter married me so there is nothing to prove on that point.  

Sounds to me like you don't have any options anyway.  Make the best of it and smile as best you can.   I am glad it is your life and not mine.

[Doll]

Ever tried to cash in Delta miles? You basically go when they tell you to go. Not going is not an option.

I am not talking of free miles- if you don't want to go then don't.
You said you were married , so what? Me too but I go to Russia without my husband.

[vwrw]

KenC, you are right I am not in position to give advice on the subject of traveling with the "terrible twos!" or to criticize others. I did not do either of those.

GreginGa, I do not know you to decide what kind of person you are and to think whether you are a puppet or not. Please, do not attribute to me what I did not say.

[Doll]

My wife just returned from a month visit in Russia.  It will take her a some time to decompress from spending time with her Mom.  As much as my wife complains to me on the phone about her Mom's controlling and bitchy behavior while she is there, she comes home acting very similar.   Even after 10 years together, my MIL still tries to convince my wife to return to Russia!  My poor wife gets it with both barrels on every visit back to Russia.  I have never met such a negative person in my life as my MIL.  My wife always returns feeling like a total failure in life.  Good thing I am such an optimistic person.  It helps my wife snap back into the groove she was in before her visit home.
KenC

Sounds like your wife and I have same mother.
Every time I go there I come back depressed.So also need decompression

[KenC]

KenC, you are right I am not in position to give advice on the subject of traveling with the "terrible twos!" or to criticize others. I did not do either of those. GreginGa, I do not know you to decide what kind of person you are and to think whether you are a puppet or not. Please, do not attribute to me what I did not say.

VWRW,
When you said:

I saw women traveling with kids and without an escort. They seemed to feel okay.

There is a clear inference that Greg's wife should be able to do this as you have observed others doing so.  That, is a criticism even if you have not spelled it out completely.  In your observations I would ask:
How did you know they were OK?  Did you ask them?
Were they on 14 hour flights?
Was the child 2 years old?
Was it an emergency situation that created the need for travel?
Did the woman with child even have a husband to help her?

Greg is speaking about making the trip easier for his wife and is in a quandary about the price he has to pay for doing so.  As he is planning on going on this trip, his obvious primary concern is for the comfort for his wife and child.  All quite admirable IMO.
KenC

[vwrw]

A long time ago I understood  that all people are different; that what is an accomplishable thing for one person to do, may be too challenging, almost impossible for another. And that is why I did not infer that Greg‘s wife should be able to do the trip alone.     

The “clear inference” you have done from my words is just your speculation.

Where did you see him asking about the comfort of his wife or child? To me his obvious primary concern is for his comfort and happiness.

[vwrw]

I do NOT advocate that he should “send” his wife alone with child on the trip.  I just was wondering what would be the possible consciences if he chooses to stays home.

[Doll]

Where did you see him asking about the comfort of his wife or child? To me his obvious primary concern is for his comfort and happiness.

and football season 

[KenC]

A long time ago I understood  that all people are different; that what is an accomplishable thing for one person to do, may be too challenging, almost impossible for another. And that is why I did not infer that Greg‘s wife should be able to do the trip alone.     

The “clear inference” you have done from my words is just your speculation.

Where did you see him asking about the comfort of his wife or child? To me his obvious primary concern is for his comfort and happiness.

VWRW,
I commend you on your ever improving English skills. It is apparent that your level of English is growing by leaps and bounds.  However there apparently some nuances in the language that still escapes you.  When you tell us that you have observed other Mothers traveling with children without problems, it is CLEAR that you are insinuating that Greg's concerns are not valid.  Many times in the English language it is not the literal words written, but what is left unsaid that is the true message that is intended.

Or maybe you do understand what and how you wrote your statements and now you are just trying to be clever or coy with us.  Whatever the reason, your words posted were critical of Greg.  Greg told us that the motivation for going was to ease the burden on his wife and child on their long journey.  If that is not a concern for his wife and child's comfort, then I don't know what is.  Again. Greg did not directly say so, but his words led to the inference.  Not everything is black and white in the English language.

and football season 

Doll,
That was a joke.  It was said "tongue in cheek" and not a real concern at all.
KenC

[GreginGa]

and football season 

LOL....I love it. Football season, thats is the biggest deal for me. I will really miss out on a lot of relevant info regarding the season while in turn being in some cramped apartment with my inlaws and outlaws. I'm not the least bit concerned about my wife. She's a big girl and we're training the 2 year old well so she should also be able to fight her own fights on the plane. I would figure JFK is just the place to allow them to be on their own. I'm making huge sacrifices of my own comfort to go on this trip. I'm an incredibly selfish man,but I'm very smart. I know my wife would probably leave me if I do not take this trip and I also will lose my 50000 Delta miles. Those Delta miles are hard to come by. I can always remarry but those miles, well thats something else. I am not looking forward to this trip. LOL, I'm just happy that their are a few here on this board that can appreciate where I'm coming from.

[Ben Armen]

50,000 for frequent flyer trip, or is that the cancellation fee.  I'm at 60k and need a way to get over.  A man and his team is a beautiful thing.  I've been guilty of listening to a game now and then. 

Greg, you are living the dream, you are married to a beautiful woman, have a beautiful little girl, no way do you want to go back to the pit and go back to the search.  Your wife will be in her element, this is more her vacation, it's time to take one for the team.  I think there is enough suggestions for you to make it work for you.

Let's be honest, How many of us actually go to Ukraine because they love historic churches, or WWII momuments.  Is it Crimea over South Beach?  Is it Dniper River over Lake Erie?  Dynamo over the Irish?  No... IT'S THE WOMEN STUPID!!!  That is why people go to Ukraine, how many AW's do you see on flight 89?  When you have that beautiful woman and your family, going doesn't have the excitement that it did.  I think you can make the trip enjoyable, you just need to adjust a little.  In Laws are tough, I had doozies in my day.  Do the best you can to make the relationship peaceful.  Best wishes, if you need me shoot me a line.

Ben

[GreginGa]

I'm getting ready as we speak. I jammed a #2 pencil in my eye for a few hours earlier in the evening. I figure I'll work my way up to about 8 hours a day then I'll do the ole ice pick in the eardrum trick. I should be very tolerable by Sept 12th. You said something about old churches.LOL while I was courting I didnt realize there were  old buildings in Ukraine. I just picked up the book "Five Families" Lots of pages. I should be fine.

[Doll]

LOL....I love it. Football season, thats is the biggest deal for me. I will really miss out on a lot of relevant info regarding the season while in turn being in some cramped apartment with my inlaws and outlaws. I'm not the least bit concerned about my wife. She's a big girl and we're training the 2 year old well so she should also be able to fight her own fights on the plane. I would figure JFK is just the place to allow them to be on their own. I'm making huge sacrifices of my own comfort to go on this trip. I'm an incredibly selfish man,but I'm very smart. I know my wife would probably leave me if I do not take this trip and I also will lose my 50000 Delta miles. Those Delta miles are hard to come by. I can always remarry but those miles, well thats something else. I am not looking forward to this trip. LOL, I'm just happy that their are a few here on this board that can appreciate where I'm coming from.

KenC, read this or I understand nothing.
It was CLEAR from the very first GreginGa's post

[Turboguy]

VWRW,
I commend you on your ever improving English skills. It is apparent that your level of English is growing by leaps and bounds.  However there apparently some nuances in the language that still escapes you. 
KenC

Ken,  Sometimes when we think someone else has improved an ability it is really that ours has gotten worse.   I am sure it must be difficult to maintain your skills living in an area where English is seldom spoken. 

It seems to me that you were the one who missed the nuances of the language as Greg stated them.  The important things are as they should be, Football, not wasting frequent flier miles and enjoying his life.   After all we can always take an AFA tour or join A-Web and in a week have a far younger and more beautiful replacement for the women who share our lives but don't understand what is really important in life. 

I can relate to Greg's dilemma.  I have 85,000 Delta miles myself that will soon expire with no where I need to go to use them up unless I would want to torture myself with a trip to Russia.   

Ten days ago, I had to make a trip to a third world country myself.  I found myself in one of the larger cities of that hellish place, Houston to be exact and found that even though the center of the football universe is the Steelers the local stations were not aware of the importance and did not carry the preseason game.  Disturbing.   I recalled being in a more modern city where English is more widely spoken called Kiev a few years ago when the AFC playoff games were on and spending 4 hours in an internet cafe logged onto www.steelers.com and they had a sort of play by play synopsis of the game on their site.  It was just sort of a live feed that would list each play.  It wasn't good but better than wondering if we won. (of course we did).  This time in Houston, that seems to be no longer available but I did follow a link to TV and radio stations carrying the game and was able to listen to the game on internet radio. 

Perhaps Greg can do the same.  Vanish for a while, hit and internet cafe and follow the game on internet radio.  Perhaps he can even paint his face in team colors and take along a pizza and some suds be ready to scream and shout and forget his suffering. 

[Shadow]

I can not help but wonder what is so important about a bunch of guys running after a ball that is not even round, and trying to get rid of it as soon as they have it. 
Of course it would help that I personally prefer to watch guys sitting in cars with no practical daily use driving in circles and trying to be the first going nowhere. 

[kievstar]

Regarding football I watched all the college games last year in Kiev and when I was in Sevastopol.  Slingbox as mentioned earlier in this thread or you can have a bar pay for the game - most places have satellite television.  I only watch college football (Michigan State mainly).  But I remember watching Michigan beat Notredame very badly last year in Sevastopol.  For people ever visiting Sevastopol in the main harbor in the city center there is an expensive sushi restaurant.  About 2-3 buildings from there is a bar (I forget name now) which you can buy pay per view of any sporting event in the USA.  Will cost $25 per game on average but worth it.  In Kiev, you can go to most of the bigger bars to pay for this.  Only problem can be the timezone as the bars may close for the later west coast games.   

The Russian navy guys I met in Sevastopol like American football however if a big soccer match is on you better know how to use sling box. 

[Gator]

Speaking of RW traveling with wee ones:

My wife when 22-yo traveled to ZAMBIA by herself with her 9-mo baby.   The guide who was suppose to meet her at the airport NEVER SHOWED.  She knew only basic English.

After a couple of hours of sitting in the lobby, some "friendly black faces" helped her make it to the Russian Embassy.  She returned to Moscow a few days later. 

Please don't ask why.  Besides, it is too long of a story - as an example, among her luggage was a set of golf clubs.  The scene at the airport would have been a good example of "What's Wrong with this Picture?"

Yes, she's a "survivor" as are most RW.

[Gator]

I can not help but wonder what is so important about a bunch of guys running after a ball that is not even round, and trying to get rid of it as soon as they have it. 

Unlike your dainty game, in American football it is legal to knock the snot out of a man who is not carrying the ball.

Your comment "trying to get rid of it as soon as they have it" suggests that you may have confused American football with rugby.

[Fashionista]

Obviously you've never spent an extended or short amount of time with my mother-in-law or your sentiments would be different. Now my father-in-law is gold. My M-I-L has been to the states 6 times the past few years. I think I have more than amply paid the price of a good son-in-law although she still thinks I'm the antiChrist.  She is one of those kind that thinks everything is better in Ukraine. She's a great nanny though and thats all I can say positive about her. My F-I-L says she sits and cries and talks about missing it here in the states once she returns to the paradise of her village outside of Kharkov. He really enjoyed his trip here. It was his first. The man hasnt met a power tool he doesnt love and he's been a great hand around the house. He keeps the grass cut, walked the dog everyday,he's built me 2 decks, he's kept the cars washed and he's worked his little job that I got him hooked up with. He's a very kind and humble man and he hasnt drank a drop since he arrived. I just know when he gets back to Ukraine he'll be having shots of Nemeroff for breakfast to help him get through the day with this beast he has been married to for 27 years. I have really enjoyed him being here.

It's been equally great having an ally around the house. It had been 2 or 2 and a half against 1 for too long. They leave on Thursday. I really dont need to hear from anyone about making sacrifices until they have pulled the tour I've pulled with the M-I-L for the past few years. I certainly have a right to be a little selfish. I have the feathers,stripes,scars and medals that I've earned along the way. I personally think there should be a focking monument erected for me somewhere in Ukraine for the sacrifices I've paid and I'm being serious. Anybody can write a few books or be a good dictator. Living with a sour azz M-I-L is a different story entirely. I'll continue to soldier on.

LOL

Suggest a 12 day camping and fishing trip to your FIL while there.  Get drunk, erect the monument. Leave women at home.

If that doesn't work, by the power vested in me I COMMAND you to enjoy time spent with your MIL.

[GreginGa]

KenC, read this or I understand nothing.
It was CLEAR from the very first GreginGa's post

Doll maybe you should hang around a place a little longer than 2 months before you start casting judgment on people you dont know or have no earthly idea about. A little more reading and lot less posting would probably help in this endeavor. I certainly hope you're not going to be like some of the other women from some of the other boards. We are lucky to have some very good women posters here. You have a ways to go before you can be lumped into that crowd.