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

[groovlstk]

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

Doll, Greg is cleary being facetious.

[Doll]

Doll, Greg is cleary being facetious.

I hope he is just being rude a little bit.
There can't be " a lot  less posting", Greg- you accused me in a very short postings two pages ago  :evil:
Read your first post again
groovlstk , Greg IS facetious.

[Doll]

You have a ways to go before you can be lumped into that crowd.

Between you and me only  - I've been around these guys for almost 6 years.

[GreginGa]

Between you and me only  - I've been around these guys for almost 6 years.

Ok I'm sorry I didnt realize you had been around here posting that long. Maybe it's because I've never read anything relevant that you posted and you have just never stood out in that regard. My bad. I certainly know better than to enter into a debate with you because, well I just know theres probably not enough bandwidth here to win.

[Doll]

I certainly know better than to enter into a debate with you because, well I just know theres probably not enough bandwidth here to win

No! I am the vitamin of this forum :blowkiss:Guys know

[Doll]

didn't work right
 
 

[Blues Fairy]

GreginGa, why not take the 50,000 miles and spend them on a trip to the Maldives?  Maybe it sounds like a sacrilege to you and will certainly sound like a sacrilege to your wife, but what can't be cured by a couple of weeks in Paradise with the love of your life?    

Don't take this Ukraine trip so seriously man.  I am sure your FIL will understand, and your MIL doesn't sound like a person whose disapproval should bother you too much anyway.  

[GreginGa]

GreginGa, why not take the 50,000 miles and spend them on a trip to the Maldives?   Maybe it sounds like a sacrilege to you and will certainly sound like a sacrilege to your wife, but what can't be cured by a couple of weeks in Paradise with the love of your life?   

Don't take this Ukraine trip so seriously man.  I am sure your FIL will understand, and your MIL doesn't sound like a person whose disapproval should bother you too much anyway.   

It's 100000 between the 2 of us. We really didnt want to go back so soon but like I said it was really the only time we could go. We were originally going to fly on Sept 11th. That day was wide open but Delta changed its plans and so we are flying the next day instead. Anytime that my wife can spend with her family is good time as far as I'm concerned. Spending the time with her sister will be good. Her sister loves the baby and her sister was once her best friend. Now it's the baby. I guess it could be wide open once we arrive there. We could go see some students in Germany or maybe go to Turkey. I've got a good apartment in Kiev that is very very reasonable where we can stay part of the time. Katy is not crazy about going back to her village. I dont think she wants the neighbors to meet me. I know her mother doesnt want this as well. It's not that I'm not good looking because I certainly am, but rather that I'm not Ukrainian I think. They've lived in this building for years.

I'll make the best of the trip. Thats all I can do because it is important to my wife. Well not so much that. I think she could care less as well. After all we just spent 3 long months with her parents here in the states.

[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. 

  I have no idea what the hell you mean by this?!

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. 

Before you try to coach others in English, maybe you should work on your own skills.  We will start with vocabulary today.  Go look up the meaning of the word facetious.

This is the weirdest thread.  Only half the posters get it.  Unfortunately, Turbo, you are in the other half.
KenC

[I/O]

So I/O, I am not as rude as you think I am.

You be the judge of that. I still think you are way off base if you think bringing a woman to your country equals having everything of her with you. Particularly a Russian Woman.

Greg: Dragon-in-laws can be a problem, but it can be managed. It cost me a marriage to figure it out to be honest. My current MIL is an absolute gem and I would fight to kill for her, but as with any inlaw situation there can be moments. Very early when my clan arrived here (I invited my MIL for our wedding) we had a potential moment. I guess I was armed and ready, I let go with all barrels...............Mum, you have two choices, STFU and stay or STFU and hop in the car for a trip to the airport, either way you WILL STFU when on my patch and if you choose not to when I am on your patch, then the answer is simple, I won't be on your patch (With the obvious implications).  I thought we had a good relationship before then, but henceforth we have a great relationship. We both ended up laughing, she met me on middle ground and I doubt the limits will ever be pushed again.

It might be worth employing some jack boot tactics, I don't see you have much to lose. BTW, this "It is better there than here" thing has a simple answer. "If it is so good there, then **** off back there and stop complaining". You might see a dumbfounded look (As I did) but I'll bet dollars to dimes she won't leg it. I don't make a habit of it, but I have learned very quickly in this process, there is a time and a place (albeit seldom) for a slightly hairy chested approach.

I/O

[Turboguy]

I have no idea what the hell you mean by this?!
 
Before you try to coach others in English, maybe you should work on your own skills.  We will start with vocabulary today.  Go look up the meaning of the word facetious.

This is the weirdest thread.  Only half the posters get it.  Unfortunately, Turbo, you are in the other half.
KenC

Facetious would be an appropriate word to describe the intent of my post.  My reference to your living in an area where English is seldom spoken was just a joke and referring to the high percentage of Spanish speaking people since you are only a few miles from the border.  This should be taken about as seriously as my calling Texas a third world country and saying anyone could come up with a younger more beautiful wife with an AFA tour or A-Web.   The only part of my post that was intended to be serious was the suggestion to listen to the game at an internet cafe on internet radio.  The rest about painting his face the team colors and sitting in the internet cafe drinking beer, eating pizza and screaming as they make plays seems like it would not be the best of ideas and was also meant to be facetious.

[Faux Pas]

 This is the weirdest thread.  Only half the posters get it.  Unfortunately, Turbo, you are in the other half.
KenC

Well, I thought I got it. I know a little bit about Greg and I am sure he loves his wife, baby and even has an affection for his MIL even though it is tense at times. 3 months of a MIL at ones house is bound to get annoying and fray a last nerve. He doesn't strike me as a hen pecked "puppet person". He's going to Ukraine not because he has to, but because he wants to, as opposed to his options of going at a later time.

Why all the amateur psycho-analysis as to why he is not overly joyed with it? He's been countless times. I can understand not being motivated for 18-24 hours of travel each way. He asked for motivation and tips not accusations of his masculinity or sanity. 

[KenC]

Faux Pas,
I agree with you.  In my opinion, Greg is doing all the things expected of a good husband for all the right reasons.  He just needed to vent a little.
KenC

[Blues Fairy]

In my opinion, Greg is doing all the things expected of a good husband for all the right reasons.  He just needed to vent a little.

As a matter of fact, I'm quite amazed at times to read here on RWD what is considered to be "things expected of a good husband".  My own good husband is never expected to take long and expensive trips at my whim and against his own will.  He is also never expected to tolerate his MIL for longer than two weeks at a time, once a year at the most.  He is never expected to submit to my wishes for fear of me divorcing him; that would be very dirty blackmail on my part.  I respect him too much to even try such a trick; but if I ever did, I would certainly receive his best wishes of the door not hitting me on my way out. 

[Doll]

He's going to Ukraine not because he has to, but because he wants to 

For the first time ever, I'm really not looking forward to the trip. 

 I'm certainly not looking forward to hanging out with the family and listening to a room full of Ukrainians babble on and on. I'm going to be bored as hell for 12 days.

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.

Then what is this thread about? You guys are probably right- I am not capable to understand English any more. You win

[Turboguy]

I think your understanding of English is great Doll,   It is obvious how much he wants to go by the excitement level and anticipation in his posts.   It is not for fear of divorce.  It is because he has such a wonderful MIL that he can't wait to see her.   Football is boring anyway.  Just ask VWRW if you don't believe that.

[Doll]

what or who is VWRW? 
Anyway I agree with her and you that footbal is boring 
MIL and FIL talking Ukranian over vodka is way better 

[Faux Pas]

I think your understanding of English is great Doll,   It is obvious how much he wants to go by the excitement level and anticipation in his posts.   It is not for fear of divorce.  It is because he has such a wonderful MIL that he can't wait to see her.   Football is boring anyway.  Just ask VWRW if you don't believe that.

Doll,
For future reference, most of this post by Turbo is facetious except maybe the last sentence as I don't know VWRW sporting preferences.

As for your highlighted quotes from Greg, in one of those he was being facetious when speaking of making huge sacrifices. Perhaps there is still a nuance of the english language you haven't yet commanded?facetiousness

In the other, as KenC stated and I perceived it as well, he was venting. It is obvious he is going and it isn't his wish to go, but he is going nonetheless.  I am sure there are many other things he'd rather be doing on his vacation. Laying on the beach in Mexico drinking Mojitos, a week of golf in Florida or maybe a road trip to see the ND/MI game.

Why he is going wasn't the point to his thread. He asked for helpful tips and motivation not a bashing and claims that he has no backbone or that there is something wrong with him because he has seen enough of the MIL. It is way too often when someone opens a thread, the psychoanalyst come out of the woodwork questioning their sanity or what's wrong with them to make them think like they do.

Everyone doesn't wish to travel 24 hours with a 2 year old to see a MIL they just spent 3 months with. While it may appeal to you, it doesn't to others. But some do it to be with the one they love anyway. Doesn't mean they get the same thrill from it that you do. 

[Shadow]

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.

Gator I do have a basic understanding of the differences between American football and rugby, but if it is the violence I have more respect for the Aussie variant where the use of protective gear is much more limited.

As far as the sport also named 'soccer' it has already degraded to a bunch of overpaid crybabies simulating heavy injuries at even the hint of physical contact, and jumping up alive and well once they get their reward.

[Doll]

I gave him a very helpful tip (Blues agree with me) to not go.
My hubby never goes because he doesn't want to.
 I did understand Greg's thread as well as the nuances you are talking of.

[MaxxumUSA]

Greg,

I think I remember reading somwhere you stated you do not drink.  Is my memory correct?  If so I think you might be in for a long 12 days.  LOL.  When I'm in Russia I drink, eat, and be merry. 

But seriously...  I think this would be a great opportunity for you to do a bit of exploring, even if you don't drink.  There should be plenty of good restaurants and new places to explore.

My wife has a lot of friends in Russia so we usually have plans that involves those friends and some activity.  Yours?

- Maxxum

[Kuna]

OK Greg,

Here's some ideas... just for fun!

Pick a project:

1.   Photo tour of your wife’s town/city/area.
Take photos and plot them on Google Earth so we can take a tour of your wife’s town/city on your return. 
Try to make the location at which you take the next photograph visible from the previous photo so we can have a virtual walkthrough. 
Focus on bars, restaurants, shopping centres or dating agencies so future RWD visitors can benefit from your toil.

2.   Conduct your very own Vodka Study
Make a scientific analysis of taste, potency and differing adverse side effects (severity of hangovers) from a range of Vodkas you select.
You could either choose 12 vodkas and test them on different days, or partake in all 12 vodka’s every night - and compare the effects over your total holiday.

3.   Explore your wife’s city and research all of different things you can put inside of blini.  We all know you can fill them with smoked salmon and caviar...  but how many different variations can you find?  Of course you’ll have to sample and rate them all for the benefit of fellow RWD members.

[Kuna]

OK...how about this???

Play a game we could call “Militia Madness”

The basic idea would be initiating a conversation with every policeman you see whilst away. 

As you’re in Ukraine you could ask questions like:

“Please, sir, can you tell me where Mr Putin’s Palace is?”...  and wait for the reaction. 
(This would be especially fun if you could say it in Russian, NOT Ukrainian – and drape a Russian flag around your shoulders for good fun!)
;-)

... or how about:

“Excuse me,  do you know when NATO will assume power over Ukraine?” 
I’d suggest you ask this VERY loudly in a public place like shopping centre.  If he pretends to not understand English just keep repeating the question in ever increasing volume until he takes you to someone that does speak English.


How about this one for when you are not with your wife:
In a whispered voice with sneaky eyes you could say the following to a policeman; “Pssst, Pssst, is the posta the best place to find a Mail Order Bride?”
Again, if he pretends to not understand just keep repeating the same question whilst licking your lips.


How about one to prove how good your Russian is:
Walk up to any policeman and say, “Pazhulsta Karova Cemelyot Moloko Skizizhi Americanski, Yushchenko Lublyo”.  Transliteration errors in this case don’t matter because you’re meant to mispronounce most words. 
To add effect you could give yourself a round of applause after each time you recite your “poem”.


How about one to test the honesty of the fine policemen of your wife’s homeland?

Walk up to a policeman of your choice and without saying a word look left - look right - check behind him - and check behind you - and then VERY discretely slip a clean, crisp $100 bill from a Monopoly game into his hand. 
When he reacts just motion a Shhhh with you finger and wink at him before slipping him another Monopoly bill.

 

[Kuna]

Seriously though... I wouldn't be doing the policeman thing.   

Greg...  If I were you (and I'm sure I will be in a similar situation sometime in the future) I would try to remember how lucky I am...  I would try appreciate every moment I had with my wife and child, no matter what was happening around us.

Read a book... write a book...  dream about reading and writing books... it doesn't matter - just remember how lucky we are.

Today I met up with a friend for coffee and it was a slightly sad event. He was excited because he was dating a new bit of "hot stuff" he met at our old hangout (pub) and was telling me about all of the crazy shenanigans he is getting up to.

I should have been laughing along with him but instead I was feeling totally content in my decision almost 2 years ago to give up a similar lifestyle and finally seek real value in relationships.

I found what I was looking for... and like you I live a privileged life every day.

Have fun... enjoy...  brush off the bad bits, and look for (and appreciate) every golden moment!