Joy

Today, so far, is a day of joy. The visa interview was successful. We got there a bit early, through security, and submitted the papers. The embassy worker who took them was the same person from the other submission (she's from Knoxville). We then paid a big wad of cash and waited for 2 hours or so. Then, the big moment--the interview. We went to the little window and the guy said, "Hi. How are you? Let's make this easy. No questions. Sign here. Let me take your fingerprints. Wish all cases were this easy." We were gone in about 5 minutes, I think. All that angst and then this great blessing. We then went to an open-air market and bought some chereshnyna and vishnya. Yes, both are available now. I am going to make a cherry pie in celebration.

We, of course, have to wait for the visa with passport and other documents to be delivered. There is the possibility of administrative review for immigrant visas, but it's highly unlikely that will happen. So it seems we may actually leave by July 1, my mom's birthday. I guess it's been 9 years since I have seen my mom on her birthday. For Americans it's typically not so important but it will be nice if we can give her this little birthday present. Something she has been waiting for for about 15 years, or so, I think.

We also received some positive news from one of our grant applications.

Visas, grants, cherries--what else can you ask for??????