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A Ukranian Lady Adventures in Love!

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Posted by: Tatysik

My great adventures in love with AkMike began almost 2 years ago, when a friend of Mike's was writing another Ukranian lady. It sounded so fantastic that Mike dicided to have him ask if she had a friend for him.
When I learned of this, I thought, that it is not for me: I'm too old,know in english 5 and half words and America is so far away. But she sent letter to Mike, like it was from me, and when Mike answered that letter. I was called by her...She said that it is too late to refuse,because Mike and his friend are going to come to Ukraine in a two months!!!
Oh,well, I might as well write to him. After several e-mail letters I found that we have alot in common. I began to look forward to getting letters from this man from so far away... After all Alaska is located on the other side of the Earth and is all ice and snow.
As time went on the Alaska began to become be closer to me.
Finally the day arrived when they came to Ukraine. Of course I had cleaned my little flat, and cooked a nice dinner for everyone. But because the other women's daughter and the translator went with her to the airport. There was no room in the taxi for me .
As the time came closer I became more and more excited. When I opened the door for them I forgot all 5 and half english words I knew . The handsome man appeared tired but focused on me.
The language barrier was appearant at the dinner table and continued through out their stay. But with patientce and work we communicated with a phase book and a dictionary.
During their visit I tried to show them how beautiful and historic Ukraine is.
We went to Kiev during a snowstorm. Even though it was very cold they were impressed with the sights for several days. They were very impressed with the "Iron Maiden" statue and the WW 2 museum underneath it. Kiev-Pechersk Lavra and museum of gold icons was also impressive.
In my own town of Charkassy I tried to introduce Mike to all my friends.
"Не говори, кто ты, скажи, кто твой друг" . In Ukraine this phrase means,
"Don't tell me who you are, tell me who are your friends are".(You can judge a person by the friends they have). Even with the language barrier several friendships resulted.
I worked as a "tamada" for weddings and birthday party. It is similar to a party hostess and master of ceremonys. I also worked making elaborate hair styleing and make up for the brides. I took Mike to a couple of partys that I did. He was impressed with the St. Valentines party that we spent together. He still talks about the amount of vodka that was drank by some of the others :0 .
Their two week visit flew by very quickly ... We discovered that we enjoyed being together. When the time came for them to leave I was sad
At Borispol airport I had doubts that Mike would return to me. He told me about a letter that he left in my flat for me. The doubts left when I read the letter . In the letter he left some money to begin english lessons. He said in the letter that it is not a gift, but an investment in the future. I cried from being so happy! I began english lessons the next day.
After many more e-mails and phone calls he decided to return in 3 months. When he returned in May, it was spring. The cherry trees were in bloom and very pretty. "Spring was in the air" and in our hearts.
I had worked very hard at learning english. But I was so lucky and had two very patient teachers: one of them from Ukraine, the other from Alaska. All good things require hard work. Mike was very impressed with my effort!!
He laughed when he saw the large posters I made and hung on the walls and ceiling to help rememmber the new english words.
I will write more if there is interest. ( It gets better later on.)


Posted by: mistermopar

Hi Tanya,it is a very nice story and I am interested to hear more of it.

Did you find learning English very hard?


Randy


Posted by: GreenBarb

Please do write more, most of the posts her are from the men. It is good to get the woman's point of view.


Posted by: searcher

Its nice to read stories like that so please write some more


Posted by: Keith In Kodiak

What a wonderful story! You've truly mastered English. Please continue!

I would have to take exception to one detail... Mike has apparently told you that Anchorage is in Alaska. This isn't true, in fact Anchorage is a Northern suburb of Seattle and filled with the same plethora of Starbucks', shopping malls and registered democrats that plague its damp Southern sister city.
However, you can see Alaska from the fringes of Anchorage and no passport is required to pass into the real Alaska. Don't feed the bears...



Keith in Kodiak


Posted by: Tatysik

Thank's everyone for support and interest in my story.You ask me the difficulty about learning english... Learning a different language may not be hard if you are young and have alot of time ahead. But I have a grandson already . Besides I'd like understand and commmunicate with Mike much better. I used every extra moment for studying, even at night in bed. Sometimes I woke up during the night, because I could not remember some word in english in my dreams. I woke up, and looked at the dictionary or on the wallat the posters, where I have been written all information from english lessons or Mike's letters to remind me. So, in a two months, when Mike came back to see me, he was impressed, because we could talk about everything, and we used dictionary pretty rarely. It was then, that he appreciated my effort,and decided that I worth his attention
I enjoyed the time with him. During that visit he invited me to visit Alaska!!! I didn't have international passport, so I needed to get one.
It was already half a year that we have been writing to each other almost every day.And he called me once or twice a week. I had been taking my english lessons all the time twice in a week, and when Mike come again I was speaking english quite well.
...When Mike come back next winter, I've expected confirmation his invitation to visit Alaska. Passport was ready, althouh it took alot of time and money. But I was mistaken... First Mike suggest to me go to the Crimea...
First we went on a train ride to Yalta. A very pretty place even in the winter. . Of course it was a great trip, because it is difficult to discribe Voronzovsky and Levadiyskiy palace or "Swallows Nest". I still hadn't heard any more about the trip to Alaska. Why was he avoiding talkin to me about this wonderful trip to see where and how he lives in America?
Then I showed him Sevastopol and the wonderful ruins of the ancient Greek settlement of 'Hersoness'. They are about 2800 years old. We took a picture of a few columns there that we later learned are on the back of the 1 Hrivna note. It is almost the same view of them.
Mike woke up with a BAD tooth ache on a Sunday. I managed to find a dentist to give him a root canal. It cost 160 hrivna ( about $33 US) He was surprised at the cost! The Dentist was very capable. Mike said that the equipment looked like the style that was used back in the 60's in the US. But it worked then so it should work now.
Afterwrds we went to Balaklava for a day to see the Black Sea and the very pretty town nested beneaththe ancient forts. The Soviet submarine tunnels under the mountain was closed during our visit but he wanted to see it. It was a clear warm day and perfect for our walk around this town. I tried shark for the first time at a restraunt! Tasty.
When we returned to CherkassyI had to ask him about my visit to see his home and meet family and friends. He only said soon.. I was wondering about this man.
He suggested a trip to Egypt to see the sights there and that it would be much warmer than Alaska.
After some shopping for a trip tour we decided to go quickly and we would be there during Christmas but we would be back home for the New Years celebration. We chose a trip that would let us see many of places of interest. Including a wonderful few days on the Red Sea after floating on a ship up the Nile River.
I was so excited to think of this great trip. It was my first time on the airplane. I was afraid but I felt no fear coming from Mike so my fears went away after we took off from Kiev.
On Christmas Day we were shopping for gifts to bring back to family and friends while we were in Hurgada, Egypt.
He dragged me into a jewellery shop and had 2 rings waiting for me on the counter.. He proposed to me there. I was in shock! :0
The salesmen were very surprised also.

It was a great day and a wonderful present for Christmas.

I will continue later, if you wish.


Posted by: AkMike

Keith, Make sure to mention that Kodiak holds the Rain Festival every year from Jan 1 til Dec 31. May you rust in peace! :P


Posted by: Keith In Kodiak

Hey now, July and August are almost dry, in sort of a damp way. Still, come January when you guys are trying to determine which snowdrift represents your car, we'll be out here in the banana belt enjoying our fog and drizzle, drinking heavily, discussing mildew, wondering if we should dip into the savings for a trip to Mexico... You know, real Alaska stuff!

Keith in Kodiak


Posted by: Keith In Kodiak

Tanya,

Please continue! It sounds like you and Mike have something pretty special going there.


Posted by: leum

Tana...I'd just like to add another post to say...please continue the story! For those of us who are half way through this, success stories are always good to hear.


Posted by: mistermopar

Hi Tanya,
I hope someday I can post a story like yours.

I would like to hear more.

Randy


Posted by: AkMike

I hope that she won't mind if I toss a bit in here.
The trip to Egypt was something that I have always wanted to do. I like to see historic places like that. If you haven't seen and touched something that was built 4-6000 years ago you haven't lived IMHO. The US is so new by comparison that it astounded me. Ak is even newer in the history books. The price was fantastic too. $1500 US for both of us ... Airfare, meals and 5 star hotels included..I've never been inside a 5 star hotel yet alone stayed in one, so it was a blast for me.
After we returned to Ukraine the work began toget the paperwork set so we could get married. There was alot of trips to various depts. of every gov't. agency it seemed. There were "gifts" (bribes) paid of around $100 to pave the way. It's an accepted way of doing business there. Get used to it. Tanya whittled them down on the price several times too. Finally after it was over and were were set we had to give 1 last gift at the gov't 'wedding chapel' . The only available time with out waiting a couple of weeks was just 2 days before I was to fly out.
It went well and the wedding party was something else! Tanya set it all up and did a fantastic job of it.
But 2 days later I was on the big bird headed home.
This is where I had so much help from people on here trying to get all the paperwork together in triplicate. I didn't have some of the required papers so it took extra time to retrieve copies. I hope others have better luck!
When I had everything together I decided to file it at the US Embassy in Kiev (DCF) myself to maybe help speed it up and to suprise her with a visit.
I called Tanya and told her that I was ready and was going to send the paperwork to her via "Special Messenger" and the best way for her to meet this person was to be at the Borispol airport to meet a flight at a set time.
I told her to make a sign that had her new name on it written in Russian and English. That way the messenger would know it was her.
Alot of the other folks at the airport looked at her kind of strange thinking she was waiting for someone. When I walked out of the doors from customs and immigration she suddenly was in tears and laughing.
One taxi driver asked her who I was and why the sign...She told him that I was her husband. I imagine he's still wondering why she needed a sign to find her husband. LOL, the surprise was utterly complete!
We filed everything at Kiev and I had to return to home after only1 week to get ready for my work season. We had the interview in early June and left several days later after many teary good by's from family and friends. We landed in Sea-Tac and breezed thru the customs and immigration. Then had a 12 hour lay-over. I rented a car and we saw the sights of Seattle. She loved the view from the Space Needle and dinner at Ivar's on the waterfront was superb. Neither of us had gotten much sleep on the long flight from Kiev to Moscow then to Seattle so we were wiped out. I had to go to a memorial service for my grandfather in Michigan the next day. Tanya and I made it there on time but total zombies. We traveled just over 36 hrs straight before we slept. Keep in mind that this was the 2nd time she has ever flown. Any woman that can do that with out 'Biatching' at me is a "keeper". After the services she got to meet alot of my family that is in that area. Everyone soon saw why I decided she was the one for me. She was a hit with my family too!
After a short visit we left for our new life in Alaska.


Posted by: mistermopar

Ak,sounds like a fairy tale,everything sounds so......beautiful.

I have never been in the position to offer a "gift",I am not sure I would be good at it.

I liked the part where you told her to meet a messenger at the airport,you are sneaky.

Randy


Posted by: Tatysik

Oh, I appreciate everyone and especially Mike for helping and support. Yes,it was great surprise for me to meet Mike in airport in Borispol ) ! But he didn't know that I will pay him back... but it going to be late, now, I think the time has come to tell about my first impressions from coming to America...
I loved America from my first steps off the plane when we landed. All the people were smiling,I heard everywhere "Welcome to America", "How are you?"...
But although I spoke english quite well, I was so upset, when I figured out that I didn't understand any more words. I was almost crying( But Mike told me that it is just because I didn't hear American prononciation and accents enough. Besides British english is what we usually learn in Ukraine. . It is alot different than American english.But anyway, all ladies who are going to go to Amarica should learn the language, because it is very important be able to communicate with everyone!
The paperwork in Seattle's airport was done quickly, I got a temporary green card stamp in my passport and we were ready go to Seattle.
I was impressed how beautiful and big Seattle is! The view from "Space Needle" was great!!! Foods in the restruant that Mike took me were so tasty. I even forgot that I hadn't slept more then 24 hours. We spent several hours looking around and that night we were ready to fly to Chicago. One more airplane and we in Chicago. Huge city! I don't like big citys, but I was impressed by such big buildings, built so close to each other.
In Michigan, where to we went was hot weather...like in Ukraine in the summer time. That area even reminded me of parts of Ukraine. I was so glad to meet all Mike's relatives.They seemed to accept me with open arms. Here I met Mike's 3 brothers. They seemed so happy for us! I met his aunt and uncles and cousins. So that I could know alot about Mike and his Family.
During the dinner afterward his brothers started telling me about all of his ex-wives and how many children he had.Then they mentioned his prison time! I didn't hear any of this from Mike... I was shocked wondering what kind of HUGE mistake I made. until I realized that they were joking with me. What a relief! I think they wanted to see if I had a sense of humor.I told them that they were now my closest relatives in America and they would have to help me straighten him out. A good laugh was had by everyone. Mike came back to the table after this and found out just how much his brothers had been trying to "help him out".
I was happy to have found so many good people in the short time I had been here in America.

Next, The trip to my new home in Alaska.


Posted by: mistermopar

What a great story.

Quote:
Yes,it was great surprise for me to meet Mike in airport in Borispol ) ! But he didn't know that I will pay him back...

LOL,better be carefull Mike.

Randy


Posted by: GreenBarb

Thanks for Sharing your thoughts Tatysik.


Posted by: Tatysik

I've been in Alaska for 3 and half months! And I can tell you I love Alaska. I love my new home! After talking we desided that we need remodeling our house to make it more cosy. Mike lived here alone more then 10 years and it was rather spartan. New furniture and wallpaper so far. Now it is starting to feel like my home also. Mike calls it "my nesting instinct". LOL
Mike took a job in Fairbanks a city 370 miles away. So my work was interupted when we moved there. But I kept studing my english lessons and basicly translated to driver's manual to russian in order to get my driver's learning permit. And I got it! Mike gave me driver's lessons nearly every day.
It is uncommon to own a car in Ukraine. They're very expensive and bus travel is very cheap in comparison. I only tried to drive a car once before. And was only for about two kilometers total!!! On the way back to our home in Anchorage he had me drive for about in hour in rain and snow!
We made it.
"You can judge a person by the quality of their friends". I've met and became friends to many of Mike's. All of them supported me and showed me around. They came to congratulate me on my Birthday. It made me Happy!!! They're very happy for both of us!
Marrige is not 50/50 . It is 110%/110%. You must give even more that you can to give! Love it is not when you take. Love it is when you give! It is my opinion and fortunaly Mike also think so !


Posted by: yodaamnot

Wow - Tanya, thanks for sharing your GREAT adventure with us.


Posted by: Ade

Hi,

Please keep posting, both in this thread and others. I'm sure your experiences will be a help to others.

We sometimes need to read bad stories to learn what to avoid.....but reading a good, happy story like yours warms the soul.

Thanks for sharing it with us,

Ade


Posted by: Chrismc

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tatysik
I've been in Alaska for 3 and half months! And I can tell you I love Alaska. I love my new home! After talking we desided that we need remodeling our house to make it more cosy. Mike lived here alone more then 10 years and it was rather spartan. New furniture and wallpaper so far. Now it is starting to feel like my home also. Mike calls it "my nesting instinct". LOL
Mike took a job in Fairbanks a city 370 miles away. So my work was interupted when we moved there. But I kept studing my english lessons and basicly translated to driver's manual to russian in order to get my driver's learning permit. And I got it! Mike gave me driver's lessons nearly every day.
It is uncommon to own a car in Ukraine. They're very expensive and bus travel is very cheap in comparison. I only tried to drive a car once before. And was only for about two kilometers total!!! On the way back to our home in Anchorage he had me drive for about in hour in rain and snow!
We made it.
"You can judge a person by the quality of their friends". I've met and became friends to many of Mike's. All of them supported me and showed me around. They came to congratulate me on my Birthday. It made me Happy!!! They're very happy for both of us!
Marrige is not 50/50 . It is 110%/110%. You must give even more that you can to give! Love it is not when you take. Love it is when you give! It is my opinion and fortunaly Mike also think so !


Great to hear Tanya....please keep posting, very interesting story.

Chris


Posted by: Tatysik

Here's a couple of pics of my bride during out summer in Fairbanks. She got to meet Santa at North Pole! She sat on Santa's lap and I got to sit on Mrs's Clause lap. ( She's 'hot') No wonder Santa only leaves her aLONE ONCE A YEAR!
The pic of her with Anchorage in the backround was just after we got to her new home in June.
I also added one with her sitting on top of my water tanker just for fun.
Now that we're back in town for the winter she's tearing into the remodeling with a passion.
Guys... Will it ever end??? ( I hope not)

Sorry, I noticed that she is still signed in under her name... I posted this.. AkMike


Posted by: mistermopar

I like the pics mike,and ya Mrs.Clause is pretty hot.


Posted by: yodaamnot

Great pictures


Posted by: Skinman569

I am hoping to have my wife write about her experiences in our relationship and her first coming to the US. I loved to read about your experience Tanya, by the way, same name as my wife! Best wishes for you both!


Posted by: Tatysik

Thank's everyone for reading and writing me.
Good lucky skinman! We wish you happyness!


Posted by: mtbclay

Tanya and Mike,
Thank you both for sharing your experience. It is great to hear such a touching and inspiring story.
I will be in Kiev in one week, to begin my quest again.
Clay


Posted by: GreenBarb

It is great to read about a Success Mike and Tanya. I wish you all the best.
My own quest will come to an end in three weeks when I'll be taking the plunge.


Posted by: AkMike

Guys, we wish you the absolute best in your quest. Tanya and I have done some 'what if' talking and we wish that we had met many years earlier. I can truthfully say that my life has NEVER been better. I can only keep trying to give her the happiness thatshe has given me. I've been "around the block" several times and I've never had an AW treat me this good. Based on the UW women I've met, you can'tdo much better or maybe I just got lucky and found my motherlode.


Posted by: mtbclay

Sounds Like you hit the motherlode, you are a lucky man my friend.
My former Ukrainian GF told me there was an anecdote in Ukraine.
"The best women in the world are not in Ukraine, they are from Ukraine."
Clay


Posted by: AkMike

I like that phrase! For me it rings true. I hope that you guys are as lucky.


Posted by: Michel.S

I've just finished reading the whole thread from the beginning : what a treat you guys gave us.
I like it a lot when Tanya is writing english words on the wall to speed up the learning process, or when she wakes up in the middle of the night looking for a word

It's great you two have found each other, I wish you the best in this new life.


Posted by: inlove

Thanks for posting your wonderful story. I wish you both a lot of happiness for many years to come.


Posted by: JayTee

Hi guys!

I'm pretty new to the forum here, but I just read this entire thread and I wanted to wish you both all the best!


BTW Mike, that's a nice looking 379 you have there!


Posted by: AkMike

Thanks, JT It gets the job done!


Posted by: heptapneuma

Mike and Tanya, thank you!


Reading your story brought tears to my eyes, tears of joy for you and for what is possible.

Love never fails when it is true, honest, and self-sacrificing.

Well done!


Edward John (heptapneuma)


Posted by: bobjf

hi guys,congratulations, what a fantastic journy,tanya your experiance in learning english & comeing to grips with your new life is very much the same as natasha,s my beautiful wife.
i & a few others need to follow your efforts & post our story,s too.
greetings from downunder
bob & natasha


Posted by: paulLiverpool

Just noticed this thread

What a lovely story, wish you both all the best.

Paul


Posted by: Tatysik

Hello everyone!!!
Thank You for reading and answering to our story. Of course I wrote this story more for women then for men. I have in my life another story...
There is a friend of mine "G". I met her little more then 1 year ago when Mike came to Ukraine. She wanted to meet american man also. The first what I did, I recomended to her my english teacher. She start going to teacher, and I and Victor (my teacher's name) helped her to write to marrige agency and at last we found a man, who wanted to write her. I helped her to write letters to him, and some times, when "G" was on a job to write him by myself:-) Actually, it was a good practice for me. This guy is from Canada. And in a two monsh he is goint to come to Ukraine.
It is a difficult time to live in Ukranian now. "G" has a 8 years son . And , maybe, because she hasn't any inspiration, her apartment was very nesty. I told her about it and helped her to change wallpeper, and made her flat clean.
Next morning after "J" came, I was called by "G", and she told me that "J" told her, that he loves her. And next day he asked her to be his wife!!!!! I was surprised!
I helped them communicate with each other this visit,and I observed development this story. He left after two weeks visit.
In June I left in America. In July "J" came to "G" with a second visit and they were married!!!!!
Of course I am very happy for them. And I wish they could be as happy as we are with Mike! But I want to notice, that I haven't any letter from her since I am in America!!! No one! I'm thinking, maybe I was hurting her fillings somehow?
(I hope, that we will excuse me for my mistakes. Mike is busy now and can't corract them :-)


Posted by: yodaamnot

Hi Tanya,

You sound like a good person, helping your friend out. I wish your friend all the best in their relationship. Sometimes good friends will tell you what you need to hear rather than what you want to hear. Perhaps your friend did not want to hear what she needs to.

Cheer up as they say "You can't choose your relatives but you can choose your friends". All of us gravitate to people who have similar views to life and behaviour and in time connect with them and form a friendship.




Posted by: mtbclay

Tanya,
Your writing is understandable, I commend you on your English skills


Posted by: Tatysik

Thank You "yodaamnot" and "mtbclay" for replying. Yes, I still have hard time to express my thoughts in english because I'm still thinking in russian some. I appreciate Mike and my american friends for helping me with the language.
I agree with you 'yodaamnot", that we can couse our friends. I 'm just afraid lest "G" should continue to be a really irresponsible and inconsistent person. If I couldn't get to know her in whole year, how "J' could know her in two months and two weeks, espesially if you bear in mind that I wrote some of the letters to him.
But any way I wish they could be happy, because I wish all women in the world could be happy, besides if they can not get along I will feel, that it is my fault.
I wish she could change her mind and start to write me, because we can loose our friends very easily, but it is a really hard to find a good friend.


Posted by: yodaamnot

Hi Tanya,

Don't be hard on yourself. All you could do is be there for her. As they say "You can lead a horse to water but you can't force it to drink".




Posted by: Texas Proud

Hey Tanya,

First, congratulation on your marriage etc....

Second, your English is 'good enough' or us to understand... in time you will pick up a LOT more... you will know you have become 'Americanized' when you dream in English instead of Russian!!

My last thought is your friend is what some of us worry about... she is desperate (sp?) to get out of her situation and marries the first person to ask.. I do hope it works out for her, but I would be a dinner that it will not. They might stay together for awhile, but is there love ??????

Texas


Posted by: mtbclay

Hi Tanya,
Yodaamnot is correct, don't be hard on yourself. Your friend is an adult and so is J. They must travel their own path. You can be there for her if she decides. I see your concern for her makes you a very good person and friend.

Clay


Posted by: Tatysik

Thank's Guys for replying and support!
Any way, I'm merry with the best man in the World! (For me !) It is importent. But it is really interesting for me how going to be "G" & "J" fate...


Posted by: Tatysik

Hi Folks!!!
I'm going to put some new information about my latest adventure in love! Mike and I just celibrated our first anniversary!!!! We are still happy:-)
But I wish to start this part from the begining...
Desember 15th we left Alaska heading to Florida. Mike decided to go in our pik-up truck. He wanted to "See the USA in a Chevrolet". (it's a phrase from an old commercial)So. we drove through Alaska, 4 Canadian proviences and 14 states of America!!! Yes, I could see the differences of different states.
Sometimes I helped Mike to drive sometimes several hours a day. It was new feeling for me also, because I had just got a driver's license before we left. I was so tired after hours driving, my sholders were hurting but it was so cool!
It took 6 days to get Florida where we had a family reunion and I met the rest of Mikes relatives. All of them are great people and they were so warm and sweet to me. I could communicate with them pretty well, because my english is much better now.
I had my first Christmas in America with Mike's brother family. It was wierd to see Christmas decorations on the green grass of Floridia but it was so beautiful!
Mike surprised me once again...He prepared a wonderful present for Christmas, New Year and our anniversary. A cruise boat tour to Carribiean on the huge ship "Zuiderdam" from Holland America. We went to 5 different islands during the 8 day trip.( No problems with my passport, visa or greencard either.) A simply marvelous trip! Then a few days at Key West for the sights there.
Then it was off to "Busch Garden" and my first Roller Coaster ;-) Pretty fun!Then off to Sea World, Disney World and meeting MICKEY MOUSE!
On our way back we went to the "Yellow Stone Park" and had a snowmachine ride to see Old Faithful Geyser, I was so impressed, animals walked around and not afraid people.
During this trip we met several of Mike's friends who became to be my friends too.
When we get home we had almost 15 thousand miles on our odometer during almost 2 months of travel and great hapiness in our hearts.

It's great to be home again!


Posted by: Tatysik

Here is a couple of our pictures.

Our Anniversary portrait. And I finally get to meet Mickey Mouse!


Posted by: DocSpooky

Very, very good!!!

I wish you two all the very best!


Posted by: yodaamnot

Hi Tanya,

What a way to spend your first anniversary together and by the sounds of it both of you had a blast. Mickey Mouse hasn't age one bit... LOL...




Posted by: Mr.Humble

Awesome story! (I like happy stories )


Posted by: mistermopar

Tanya,it is good to hear you had a wonderfull time.Now you are a professional driver..and Mike can relax while you drive.

Congratulations on your anniversary and hope yous have many more.

Oh and your English is good.

Randy


Posted by: Pin Boy

tanya and mike,

hearty congratulations! now that's a road trip!!!

pin boy


Posted by: bobjf

congrats tanya & mike ,always good to hear another success story.
we are coming up on 3 years & still extremly happy
bob & natasha


Posted by: Tatysik

Thank's Everybody!!!!!
I wish You all Hapyness!


Posted by: mistermopar

Very nice photos Tanya.Do you keep Mike in locked up like that all the time?LOL

Randy


Posted by: Chrismc

Hasn't Mike aged Tanya......Oh sorry he is in the bottom picture, so that is how you treat him then!! Nice to see he knows his place


Posted by: AkMike

Gee, Thanks guys..
We did have a good time during this trip. I hope it's the first of many. We have several members of my family that wants to go back to Russia and Ukraine with us next winter too. LOL, we'll have our own translator!


Randy, I helped her some on the spelling for her post. She really is good though.


Posted by: mistermopar

ahh Mike,thats why she keeps you locked up,so you can help with some spelling.LOL

I am very happy for the two of yous and hope one day to to be in the same position as yous.

Randy


Posted by: Tatysik

Time ,patience and persistance!


Posted by: clever1

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tatysik
Thank's Everybody!!!!!
I wish You all Hapyness!


Is that what you call taking stock of the situation ?

Congratulations, what a fantastic Anniversary present, wish you both all the best for the future.

John


Posted by: mtbclay

Mike and Tanya,
Comgatualtions on you anniversary. I wish you many more. Glad to you hear you had a great trip. Thanks for the great pics.

Clay


Posted by: Tatysik

A few more pictures.


Posted by: mtbclay

Tanya
Thanks for sharing holiday and your pics. Hopefully Mike did not leave you in the gallow to long . Outstanding photo of Rushmore. I don't know about that girl on the right though. I think I have seen her somewhere before on a scam site

Clay


Posted by: sidney

We were on our honeymoon and headed toward Mt. Rushmore the morning of 911. They shut down major monuments and we weren't able to even get within viewing distance from the road. Hopefully one day.
Sid


Posted by: Tatysik

Hello everyone!
I'm so sorry that I didn't have a chance to keep on this thead. Because I know that there are some of you guys who were interested this. But, I hope you are going to forgive me,because I was busy with schooling and now I've got some information to share with you, especially with girls who are going to go to study somewhere.
Actually I have have a diploma and license of hairstylist from Ukraine, but Alaska law requires the different license and training. And at same time I'd like to learn more about US haircolors, perm and new styles of hair cuts. So I went to a nice school to study. The rules at school was pretty strict. We were studing in school for 8 hoursb per day, and the teacher gave us the home work that I was doing 4-5 houres every day during the 6 months! Yes, it really helped me to learn english! :-)
But the most hard time I had when I faced with unfriendly attitude toward me from one of instructer and the other students. Here is one example.
On one from the lessons the teacher dictated some material, I could not to write so quickly what she said. Then I asked several girls to give me their note book to rewrite(copy) that. They refused. I asked them several times for help, they told me, that if I can not learn that then I have to go to learn english at lanquage school. It is not their job to teach me.
Of course there were some of instructors and girls who liked me. But that instructor who didn't like me was the main instructor. I always felt her bad attitude. She hated me! This happened because she had asked me how I came to be in America. I told her that I was married with American man. Then she said: "You see girls, these Russian and Ukrainian women are taking our men. Here you sit with out men!" This was saaid several times during the 6 months. I talked to Mike about this and he said, "Explain to them that he wasn't satisfied with the quality of American women." After that she stopped saying that but her attitude became worse.
There is a requirement to have a set number of womens haircuts, perms, hair dyeing ect. to fulfill the requirements for the license. As well as a number of mens haircuts. She was giving the clients to the other girls without giving me any or just a few mens haircuts during the day. I needed alot more womens styles, colorings and perms ect.
Sure , I'm pretty good at men's haircuts now... :-)
On some days I had just few haircuts, but at same time everyone was busy. When it was closer to graduation it was more and more noticable.
Of course I had a few girls that were friendly to me, but there were 5-6 of them from 60! I guess, that the young girls just saw attitude of their teacher and copied her.
I know if somebody were studing in my country that everybody would help with any way they can!!! That it why I couldn't understand that, and was asking Mike,that maybe I did somthing wrong????
Anyway, I graduated. I had pretty good results of my board test-90%, and I've got the license. And now I'm going to try find a job.
Time will tell what happens now....

The pictures are of a Russian friend after I did her hair for her wedding. The other is of my doll, Erica.


Posted by: mistermopar

Congratulations on graduating Tanya.

It was very unfair of the teacher and students to treat you the way they did.
I think that they were jellous that you were able to get an American man and they could not.

Maybe if they would learn to treat people (men and women) better,they would have better lives and marriages.

Randy


Posted by: mistermopar

Tanya....is Erica single ..LOL

Randy


Posted by: Tatysik

Yes she is Randy! But she isn't too much for talking. I think she is a little bit shy.
If you stop by you can meet her!


Posted by: Cheburashka

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tatysik
Yes she is Randy! But she isn't too much for talking. I think she is a little bit shy.
If you stop by you can meet her!


Wow, she's very pretty. She has kind eyes. Hmmm..Dallas to Anchorage......


Posted by: AkMike

About 7 hours airtime Cheb..


Posted by: AkMike

Or we could mail her.....

If the post office opens the package you could say that she's part of a do it yourself project... The rest of the parts are still coming..


Posted by: mistermopar

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
Or we could mail her.....

If the post office opens the package you could say that she's part of a do it yourself project... The rest of the parts are still coming..




Or they could be thinking Cheb got himself a mail order bride....LOL

Randy


Posted by: AkMike

Spoilsport! I was leading up to the punch line slowly! Jeesh..


ROTFLMFAO!!!


Posted by: WhittierRWBound

Mike & Tanya -- Great story! I am very happy for both of you, and very encouraged.

Thanks

I remember when I was a kid, my grand mother telling me:
"dime con quien andas, y te dire quien eres"

" tell me who youn are with, and I will tell you who you are"

"Не говори, кто ты, скажи, кто твой друг" Loved it!


Posted by: Texas Proud

Tat...

Congrats... good for you..

But, here is a hint... don't listen to your husband on that comment... you DO NOT go tell women who are mad at taking 'their' men that American women are not 'quality'... that is an insult to THEM... so I can see why they would not like you any more...

And yes, there are many people who do not like 'others'... even though most people from Texas are friendly, there are some who think anybody from anyplace but Texas should not be here... and there is another small group that thinks anybody not from America should not be here... and I know that is the same in Russia... I was surprised how many people talk badly about Ukraine... 'they are stupid'... 'they are a large village'... etc. etc... and I bet there are people in the Ukraine that think badly about Americans... I could tell that when I was there..


Posted by: Chrismc

Great story Tanya...a shame about the narrow minded teacher and her pupils, but you get that everywhere don't you, the best news is that you passed your exams with high marks and that was the best way of showing them what type of lady you are, even though theye were trying to hold you back, you did niot let it happen, but did the oposite and very well too.

WELL DONE


Chris


Posted by: Tatysik

Thank you, Guys for support. I don't have any regrets that I said that, Texas Proud. Honestly, I don't care about them. I had to stop that somehow. If somebody during a month repeated that you stole a man from this poor girls... Actually I have a son same age like that girrls. It was embarassing for me to hear that every day. I was tired of hearing that statement. This wasn't the onl;y thing that was said or done, just 1 example.

I remember when I was a kid, my grand mother telling me:
"dime con quien andas, y te dire quien eres"

" tell me who youn are with, and I will tell you who you are"

"Не говори, кто ты, скажи, кто твой друг" Loved it!

Mike says' "You can judge a person by the friends they have."

I like this saying, Whittier RWBound, and I use it in my life. I made circle of my friends in Ukrane and I did same here. I hate people who are saing something bad about others. That is why there is no people like that in my circle of friends.
But that is their life and they can do everything what they want to do, but they are not a God to judge me.
I share this story for the girls who are going to go to study. They just should not expect same thing that they had in Russia or in Ukraine. It is really different.
I wish you all HAPPY LIFE and TRUE FRIENDS!


Posted by: PhilosoRob

That sentiment is for both of you!

Mike, I can tell you are a down-to-earth guy who treats women with respect...and probably got dumped on by a lot of American women for it. Tanya, your positive attitude, optimism, and determination are incredible, and I loved reading every line you wrote, because your wonderful personality shown through with each word.

As I consider marrying a woman from FSU, I will keep your story in mind. Assuming I find someone the way the two of you found each other, I will be sure to introduce her to this forum, and this thread for guidance, support, and inspiration.

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I look forward to future updates. Oh yea, and if I'm ever in AK, can I make a haircut appointment? I'll be sure to tell the other stylists how much I trust the hands of a Ukrainian-American...just to make them jealous!


Posted by: AkMike

Rob,
Finding and marrying this woman is the best thing that I've ever done. Bar None!
There is an amazing amount of difference between the way I've been treated by AW and the way I'm by UW. It seems that the women of the FSU have more traditional family values than alot of the AW I've been with. Maybe that is just my bad luck?
We were thru St.P/ Minn last winter and you didn't invite us in for coffee... What's up with that?


Posted by: Tatysik

I so apprectiate everybody for reading this thread I started. I know some of you are waiting for it to continue.. I will.
For now just one really nice adventure and experience of snowmachining... Last winter I've had my first snowmachining experience. I was doing pretty good first day and on the second day I felt confidence enought to show off in front of the camera. But I just want to send some cool pict's to my friends. Anyway, when I was trying to make a little jump up a small hill. Suddenly right in front of me "grew" the tree... Actually I had time to think what should I do to avoid running into this tree. I decided to stop the sled. I pushed the handle...Hm-m-m-m...Wrong choice of handles...It was gas... So, I did KISS the tree and scared Mike! I was really lucky, because the branch from this tree broke windsheld and went through hood inside where the engine is. I could have been a shishkebab... We had a hard time to get this sled from the snow and the tree but as soon as we did it I was be able to go home. It was still running!!! Believe me we really had FUN !!! :-)
Unfortunally we lost our cabin in the fire on the Carabou Hills (you might have heard about big wild fire over there,90,000 acres and over 100 dacha's gone) :-( but Mike and his nice friend Kenny ready to start new history of building new cabin together.
Here are som pict's of this adventure


Posted by: Tatysik

And here are some picts before and after...

We were crying. Mike was crying because he couldn't see his cabin that he used 30 years in a row... I was crying because I couldn't see Mike crying..
A few year ago I ased my son what is happyness? (He is 26). He said that it is when you come home, you can see that your house is burned but your wife, your son are alive, and you are able to hug and kiss them... I was surprised that he was telling me that... Now I understood what he ment. Do you?


Posted by: mistermopar

Tatysik,that is an adventure,I have had close calls with trees when I use to have a snowmachine.
It is to bad about the dacha burning.But everyone is ok,and that is the important part.

You have some very good photos,it looks beautiful there.

Randy


Posted by: Tatysik

Hey, Rande,
Does it seem to you that if you would come here some day to see this beautiful landscapes we could have fun? I can give you my snowmachine to ride. Mike fixed it. Or you could yous his...He has two.
Thank you much for you attention :-)
Tanya.


Posted by: Tatysik

Hey, Randy
Does it seem to you a good idea to come here to see this beautiful landscapes and might have fun some days? I can give you my snowmachine to ride. Mike fixed it. Think about ot please :-)
And thank you for you attention
Tanya


Posted by: mistermopar

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tatysik
Hey, Randy
Does it seem to you a good idea to come here to see this beautiful landscapes and might have fun some days? I can give you my snowmachine to ride. Mike fixed it. Think about ot please :-)
And thank you for you attention
Tanya


Hi Tatysik,it would be very nice to come to Alaska for a visit.It would be great riding a snowmachine again.I also had an Arctic Cat snowmachine.
It is good Mike is handy fixing things.

But I am moving to Russia at the end of August.I do not know how long I will live there.I have a 9 month contract to teach English.If I like it I will stay longer.
Someday when I come back I would love to visit with you and Mike.

Randy


Posted by: Tatysik

Ok, Randy. Life is not ending yet. We will wait untill you come back. Mike told me that you are going to go to Volgograd? I've been there. They have very impressive Second World War Monument. I wish you good luck :-)


Posted by: mistermopar

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tatysik
Ok, Randy. Life is not ending yet. We will wait untill you come back. Mike told me that you are going to go to Volgograd? I've been there. They have very impressive Second World War Monument. I wish you good luck :-)


Thank you for the good luck Tanya,some days I think I will need it

I hope everything will work out fine there.I have been to the Second World War Monument last year,it is impressive...

Randy


Posted by: Tatysik

And you can wish me good luck for me also because I'm going to keep on my advanture. Tomorrow morning I'm going to go to Ukraine to see my grandson. It is going to be my first trip without Mike since I came in US :-(. It is scare... But I hope I will be able to add some more information in my thred. It is just a little bit sad that russian girls do not interested of somebody's experience. Only you, Randy :-) Thank you for that.
Mike didn't chack my this letter so it can contane some mistakes, but I hope not a lot.
So, what about missis Lada? :-)
Tanya


Posted by: Texas Proud

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tatysik
And you can wish me good luck for me also because I'm going to keep on my advanture. Tomorrow morning I'm going to go to Ukraine to see my grandson. It is going to be my first trip without Mike since I came in US :-(. It is scare... But I hope I will be able to add some more information in my thred. It is just a little bit sad that russian girls do not interested of somebody's experience. Only you, Randy :-) Thank you for that.
Mike didn't chack my this letter so it can contane some mistakes, but I hope not a lot.
So, what about missis Lada? :-)
Tanya


Tanya,

First let me say congrats on your marriage etc... I have read AKs letters for awhile and the progress of your relationship... it is great...

AND, it is great to see you are venturing out on your own!!! It does not take long to get the feel of a new place...

Your English is just fine... who cares about a few mistakes (and let me tell you.. I am on a car forum with some young uns and they can't spell worth a flip and they have 20 years of schooling behind them!!!)...

Keep it up and good luck to you.


Posted by: mistermopar

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tatysik
And you can wish me good luck for me also because I'm going to keep on my advanture. Tomorrow morning I'm going to go to Ukraine to see my grandson. It is going to be my first trip without Mike since I came in US :-(. It is scare... But I hope I will be able to add some more information in my thred. It is just a little bit sad that russian girls do not interested of somebody's experience. Only you, Randy :-) Thank you for that.
Mike didn't chack my this letter so it can contane some mistakes, but I hope not a lot.
So, what about missis Lada? :-)
Tanya


Tanya,I wish you a safe and pleasant trip to the Ukraine to see your grandson.How old is he?I know you will do good with out Mike,you are a very smart lady.
I will be happy to read about your trip when you get back,it will be very interesting for me.

Yes it is sad that there are no Russian girls interested in your experience,they should be reading your thread and learning from you.I know I am learning from you.

You did very good in your letter,and I understood everything.I have knowen English all my life and I still use a dictionary,spelling is not my strong point.

Good luck on your trip,

Randy


Posted by: AkMike

Well, I put her on the plane this morning so I'm back to 'batching' it for the next 3 weeks... I wonder if I remember how to take care of my self.. She's spoiled me so much I know it'll be hard..
But she made a HUGE batch of borst and perogies to keep me fed for a while, then it time to call for pizza..


Posted by: mistermopar

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
Well, I put her on the plane this morning so I'm back to 'batching' it for the next 3 weeks... I wonder if I remember how to take care of my self.. She's spoiled me so much I know it'll be hard..
But she made a HUGE batch of borst and perogies to keep me fed for a while, then it time to call for pizza..


I'm sure it will come back to you as soon as you run out of the food she left...LOL
MMMMM...pizza and beer.

Randy


Posted by: Big wheel

Wow!! what a story. Thanks for shearing a bit of both your life's with everyone here. You two are a inspiration to us all. Thanks again.

enjoy your pizza


Posted by: AkMike

Pizza is good but I've been spoiled by all the home cooking. Already I can't wait til she's back home. She's a special lady!
I hope the rest of you guys get as lucky as I am!


Posted by: GoingToRussia

Well AkMike, you could always come back to Michigan and remenis, maybe look up a few friends and visit family

Yes FSUW tend to spoil us. My girl said she would cook me some chicken guts (liver, heart, ...?) next time. It's a good thing we won't be going to her place on my next trip ... 3 weeks from today!

I'm sure you'll manage but good luck and take care!


Posted by: mistermopar

Tanya's gone....PARTY at Mikes this weekend


Randy


Posted by: GoingToRussia

Quote:
Originally Posted by mistermopar
Tanya's gone....PARTY at Mikes this weekend


Randy


Sounds good to me Randy. Don't forget to bring all the FSUW you have smuggled into Canada! How maybe "sisters" do you have now?!


Posted by: AkMike

Sorry guys, no party here. It's summer and my work season so I'm too busy working to think about throwing a shin-dig.
LOL, I barely have time to wash dishes IF I manage to cook anything. Good thing they deliver pizza or I'd starve.
I'm not used to "batching" anymore.
16 more days til she returns,, I wonder if I can last that long on bread and water? ;-)


Posted by: GoingToRussia

Just head on down to the local "Hooters" AkMike. They will feed and take care of you!


Posted by: mistermopar

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
Sorry guys, no party here. It's summer and my work season so I'm too busy working to think about throwing a shin-dig.


Opps,thats right Mike is to busy for a party....shhhhhh
LOL

Randy


Posted by: AkMike

There is a Hooters here! Fairly new but I've never been in it..
I'm putting in 12 hrs a day so I'm a bit bushed after a fighting traffic all day.
My only day off is spend maintaining the equipment. But it allows me to take the whole winter off! I work about 6 months a year.I've been "semi-retired" like this for 30 years.


Posted by: Longfellow

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
There is a Hooters here! Fairly new but I've never been in it..
I'm putting in 12 hrs a day so I'm a bit bushed after a fighting traffic all day.
My only day off is spend maintaining the equipment. But it allows me to take the whole winter off! I work about 6 months a year.I've been "semi-retired" like this for 30 years.
Yeah, the Alaskan traffic is brutal!
Thank goodness we don't have the ice road gridlock in Southern California!

Does that excuse really work if you arrive home late?
"Sorry dear. I was stuck in traffic."

Go to Hooters, have a beer and some oysters and chicken wings. Women go window-shopping, we go to Hooters!


Posted by: AkMike

Traffic sin't bad if you're in a 4 wheeler. I'm dragging 20 tires at 45 tons. After the major accident I was in last summer I'm still not comfortable in thick traffic.( a woman ran a red light and T-boned me. It's terrible to see someone bleed to death under your truck)


Posted by: Longfellow

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
Traffic sin't bad if you're in a 4 wheeler. I'm dragging 20 tires at 45 tons. After the major accident I was in last summer I'm still not comfortable in thick traffic.( a woman ran a red light and T-boned me. It's terrible to see someone bleed to death under your truck)
Jesu Cristo! I'd opt out for McDonalds after that. Only have to see people scald their laps with coffee, at worst.


Posted by: AkMike

To make bad worse nobody stopped to be a witness. Only after it made the news and front page did they start trickleing in. I was being charged with 2nd degree murder for a long time.. Talk about stress levels! But Tanya was my rock. She had no doubts about it but I was a wreck. My life was just starting with her and here it seemed to be coming down around my ears..
Needless to say that's why I opt for call out food.It's bad enough to fight traffic for a living w/o going out to restraunts in traffic.


Posted by: Spakoyna

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
Traffic sin't bad if you're in a 4 wheeler. I'm dragging 20 tires at 45 tons. After the major accident I was in last summer I'm still not comfortable in thick traffic.( a woman ran a red light and T-boned me. It's terrible to see someone bleed to death under your truck)


Man,I feel for you. I never would have expected this in Alaska. I drove my own rig for somin like 10 years. I quit because the attitudes on the hiways were getting so bad in places down here. It almost seems like there is a silent war between some 4 wheelers and the trucks. The days of the majority of truckdrivers being good is gone. I have actually started ratting on a few of these rougue truckers with my cell. Now if there was just away ta stop the idiots in the 4 wheelers!


Posted by: Pin Boy

wow, mike that's terrible!! red light running is all too common and deadly. glad you were not railroaded.

pb


Posted by: Texas Proud

Quote:
Originally Posted by Spakoyna
Man,I feel for you. I never would have expected this in Alaska. I drove my own rig for somin like 10 years. I quit because the attitudes on the hiways were getting so bad in places down here. It almost seems like there is a silent war between some 4 wheelers and the trucks. The days of the majority of truckdrivers being good is gone. I have actually started ratting on a few of these rougue truckers with my cell. Now if there was just away ta stop the idiots in the 4 wheelers!



Like any profession, there are good and there are bad...

I hate the 18 wheeler that insists on being in the left lane in rush hour... man talk about slowing traffic down...

And then there are the 80 or 85 mphers in the 65 zone...

And the worse IMO is the ones who ride the left lane when it is normal traffic when the law (and many signs) say NO TRUCKS IN LEFT LANE... and.... they speed down the left lane tailgating....

So, us '4 wheelers' can complain all day long about truck drivers just like you can about the ones who cut in front of you and slam on their brakes to exit...


Posted by: Spakoyna

Quote:
Originally Posted by Texas Proud
Like any profession, there are good and there are bad...

I hate the 18 wheeler that insists on being in the left lane in rush hour... man talk about slowing traffic down...

And then there are the 80 or 85 mphers in the 65 zone...

And the worse IMO is the ones who ride the left lane when it is normal traffic when the law (and many signs) say NO TRUCKS IN LEFT LANE... and.... they speed down the left lane tailgating....

So, us '4 wheelers' can complain all day long about truck drivers just like you can about the ones who cut in front of you and slam on their brakes to exit...


LOL! I see alittle off what I am talking about in you!

In all honesty...I see more 4 wheelers obstructing the fast lane than trucks! Yeah,I see the trucks do it now and again too...but the majority of them are unintentional while the majority of 4 wheelers doin it are intentional!


Posted by: GoingToRussia

Quote:
Originally Posted by Longfellow
Women go window-shopping, we go to Hooters!


For Hooter shopping?


Posted by: mistermopar

Quote:
Originally Posted by GoingToRussia
For Hooter shopping?


LOL...

Randy


Posted by: Longfellow

Quote:
Originally Posted by GoingToRussia
For Hooter shopping?
That's right... you can look just don't bring anything home!


Posted by: Texas Proud

Quote:
Originally Posted by Spakoyna
LOL! I see alittle off what I am talking about in you!

In all honesty...I see more 4 wheelers obstructing the fast lane than trucks! Yeah,I see the trucks do it now and again too...but the majority of them are unintentional while the majority of 4 wheelers doin it are intentional!



I agree... but a truck by its very nature can not accelerate quickly and when they are strung across the road and holding up traffic.... AAARRRGGGHHH...

But, when it is another car... you can usually pass them easier if it is not rush hour...

And... you can see that it is the extremes that we complain about.. the ones that are to slow holding US up and the ones that want to run us over.... Of course WE are in the right (aren't we?)


Posted by: Spakoyna

Quote:
Originally Posted by Texas Proud
I agree... but a truck by its very nature can not accelerate quickly and when they are strung across the road and holding up traffic.... AAARRRGGGHHH...

But, when it is another car... you can usually pass them easier if it is not rush hour...

And... you can see that it is the extremes that we complain about.. the ones that are to slow holding US up and the ones that want to run us over.... Of course WE are in the right (aren't we?)


TP! LOL There are *******s on both sides! What I think was funny was when I used to drive a truck(I had a big dog). I would be cruisin along doin the speed limit uphill and downhill. An Ahole would come along and pass me...then slow down...finally I would pass him again! Continuing along at a solid speedlimit cruise the ass would pass me again...then slow down....ARRGH! So I swing out to pass again...the Ahole's usually won't backdown and let me pass again unless I pushed the 3 digit mark! I would like you to know I had a perfect record and got a big class ring type ring for safe drivig!(Yeah I know it don't sound like it after what I said!)

It's so funny the stereotypes you can learn and what people will do when ya drive 100K or more in a bigrig! The worst to do what I refered to before were Va. drivers...no matter what state! The biggest Aholes on the road drive Ford Tauras's!


Posted by: Big wheel

Did the truck driving thing also and all I have to say THANK GOODNESS for HOOTERS


Posted by: Tatysik

Thank's a lot to everybody for supporting Mike!!!!
I really appreciate it! Well, Now it is a Party, I came back!!! So, we wait for you Guys this weekend :-) Hura-a-a-a-a-a!

And couple of more words about the trip. It was good. I was very happy to see my son. He has become a man, and I was really surprised that we both had fun and could decide all problems that appeared. We have a big problem with his wife, my daughter in law's health. It seems that the God sent me there to help them. I love this girl and I'm happy that I could help .
Communication with my Grandson amazed me even more than I axpected. This 3 years and 4 month old boy was very well mannered and enjoyed all attentions I or anybody else was gave him. He can talk about everything, asked a lot of questions and always was listening. I still can't play with computer as much as he can play with it !!! He is in complete control of his fathers computer! Just Wow! I wish I could be with him more...
Friends... hm-m-m. Some of them made me feel sad. I understood that some of them think that I'm not their Ukrainean friend any more but rich American that they can use That appeared several times.
While I was there we went and paid attention to my grandparents graves.
My grandfather didn't have a good marker so we had ordered one made for him last November when Mike was there with me. I wonder what Grandfather would have thought about an American tending his grave??? He was a highly decorated WW2 hero of the USSR.
Oh, well I still have my 2 best friends Natasha and Tanya . And in this case I can tell that there is no distance for true friendship!
Sure I will miss all of my dear people I left there but I truly realized now that my HOME is HERE in ALASKA!!! This is my Home, My Mike and I cant live without it any more!!!


Posted by: EasyTarget

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tatysik
My grandfather didn't have a good marker so we had ordered one made for him last November when Mike was there with me. I wonder what Grandfather would have thought about an American tending his grave??? He was a highly decorated WW2 hero of the USSR.

I am sure he would say Spasibo for honoring his memory and contribution to his country.

The US and USSR were on the same side during WW2. :-) And hopefully Russia and the US will remain on good political terms even if we disagree on foreign policies.


Posted by: Chrismc

Its good to hear you got back safely Tanya and you enjoyed your time with your family, nice pictures too.

Chris


Posted by: royalpalace774

VERY NICE PHOTOS TANYA!


Posted by: GoingToRussia

Nice photos of Ukraine nature. The grave marker is very nice. I'm sure he would appriciate you thinking about him.

Glad to have you back in the USA, I'm sure Mike missed you very much.

Take care and wish good health for your daughter in law.


Posted by: Tatysik

Thank's everybody for support and warm wishes.
I think about my Grandmother and Grandfather a lot because I was raised by them from 9 month old...I'm sure they would love Mike not because he is from US but because he is such a wonderful man. My Grandparents were smart and wise people. My Grandmother spoke Russian,Ukranian,English and Polish lenquages and she tought me everything I can do now, and how I should to treat the husband as well :-)
This is my dougther in low. In Octovber she is going to have surgery on her lung. We are praing for her...


Posted by: disculmawsu

Thanks so much for your continuing narrative about yourself.


Posted by: Chillidog

Tanya,
I am new to this "RMP" and have just read through all of your posts. I appreciate your writing, it is difficult to find your true love and it is reading words like yours that help me continue and never give up in finding happiness.

I hope your daughter-in-law surgery went very good. I know it was months ago but I pray for her good health. I hope you that you will continue to write hear. I do not know if it was written anywhere else but I am sure all of us would love to know that how your daughter-in-law is doing.

Mike,
I can see you are a long time member and thanks for all of your insights and comments thru out this whole forum, and I hope someday that I will enjoy the same loving life you are now living

Thanks
Bob


Posted by: AkMike

Wow, I thought this thread was dead.. Thanks for asking about the DIL. She came thru it just fine. The Drs. do things differently there than the western Drs. But it worked fine. She even acted as a tour guide in Kiev for one of the members here last week.
Hopefully there'll me a thread about her abilities soon.


Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
Wow, I thought this thread was dead.. Thanks for asking about the DIL. She came thru it just fine. The Drs. do things differently there than the western Drs. But it worked fine. She even acted as a tour guide in Kiev for one of the members here last week.
Hopefully there'll me a thread about her abilities soon.

That is good to hear, I am very happy for Tanya and you!!!

as I said earlier I am knew to RMP but have been searching for a couple years (wrote my first letter back at the end of 2005) Trying to read anything and everything, to learn, observe, comment. In 2007 I was debating between 2 woman 1 from Mariupol and the other from a small town outside of Moscow. Visited the one from Moscow (didn't work from day one) reason I saw her was the 1 from Mariupol suggested that we meet in Kiev and she would bring her interprter with her (that idea just didn't sit well with me---was thinking GoodTimeGirl) when I told her I was notto sure about this she backed down and said then just stay in Mariupol I want to see you very much, but by then I pretty much ruled her out and went to Moscow.

Still searching, keep us posted about Tanya's Daughter-in-law and her aspirations about being an Interpreter may have use of such in future.

Also when Tanya has time would love to read more on her thoughts feelings, as you know there does not seem to be a lot of women posting and it is great for all us men to read and see it from a women's point of view!

Again it is wonderful news to know the DIL is doing good, thank you for the update


Posted by: GentleGiant

Somehow I missed this thread, and only found it to read last night.

A very good read, cheered me up a bit after what has been going on with Ria, and gives me hope that it CAN happen.

I am very jealous of the pair of you :-) and glad that the DIL has recovered, she looks like a nice woman, lovely open, genuine smile.


Posted by: AkMike

I'll twist Tanya's arm for som updates, soon.


I'm trying to get permission from the Admin here to place an ad posting telling of her tour guide/translator service. But so far no response.


Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
I'll twist Tanya's arm for som updates, soon.


I'm trying to get permission from the Admin here to place an ad posting telling of her tour guide/translator service. But so far no response.



Don't twist too hard, may cause her to stop cooking for you ----which would cause you to resort to the local mexican resturant that serves Chinese food.
I do look forward to any posts from her or other FSU women to give us guys a fresh perspective on things, and hopefully the Admin will give the go ahead on the posting of the services


Posted by: AkMike

Shhh... Don't tell anyone but I already posted it up...


Posted by: Tatysik

Hello everyone :-)
I didn't expect that anybody will be interested of this thread anymore.Actually I started it for ladies who just came into US...But no ladies responded. just Jill did. Thanks a lot, Jill.
This letter is mostly for you guys... Something happened today that make me to write this... I've got a bad news today. My friend that I know since my childhood (more then 45 years) died last night... He was a wonderfull man, and just 48...
... and I can't go to his funeral... I learned of it after he was buried. This is a price paid for being so far away from Ukraine.
Yes, I'm happy with Mike. No regrets. Any!
We just recently got back from Vegas where we were celebrating our Third Anniversary. We had a great time.
Finally I've found a nice place to work. People started trusting me. The owner of the salon loves me. Her daughter wants me to do her hair on her prom night. I've got some friends...All of these things are great. It easy to accept. But there is another part of our life here: I can't see how my grandson grows up, I can't go to my friends funeral....
I'm not whining I just want to tell you that if a girl does not jump in to your arms as soon as she sees you, if she acting pretty cautiously it means that she is smart enough to realize what is hard decision she is going to make. And as she is going to share her life with you so you have to share your life with her.
I'm thanking to the God that he gave me such a wonderfull man like my Mike. He helps me, he supports me, he shares my pain. Are you ready to do this?
If yes so go ahead! I wish you all good luck!
And a little bit more, this April some of Mikes relatives are going to go to Ukraine with us. I'm so happy about this. It is going to be a group of 6-8 people. I'm pretty excited about it and look forward to introduce my Ukrainian part of our family to them and to show to them around our country. I hope everything is going to work well. I am nervous already because I want everything to be perfect.
My Adventures are continuing... What about you?
:-)


Posted by: Chrismc

Sorry to hear about your friend Tanya, when I was in Ukraine over Christmas and New Year my Aunt died and I did not hear abut that until I got back, nearly 3 weeks later. Yes it is hard for you ladies being so far away from home, I was discussing this with my fiance last night actually, but she tells me the benefits will far outweigh the negatives. I hope this turns out to be true for her as I can see it is for you and Mike.

Great to hear from you again Tanya.

Chris


Posted by: mistermopar

Hello Tanya,
Sorry to hear about your friend.
The same thing has happened to me only I have moved to Russia and a friend in Canada died,I was not able to go to his funeral,so I know how you feel.

I think that someday I will move back to Canada,but I am not in any hurry to do it,I would like to stay here as long as I can.

That is good news about your job,you sound very happy about it.
Take care,
Randy


Posted by: GoingToRussia

Hello Tanya, I am sorry for your loss.

Yes you ladies make a big sacrifice coming here. You give up your work and culture and leave behind your friends, family, and so much more. My fiancee looks toward the future and says all this will be worth it because she will be with me and her son will have a better life.

It's good to hear your daughter in law is doing well and you are happy with your new job. I am sorry I didn't get to meet you in Las Vegas but I hope my fiancee and I will be as happy as you and Mike.

I wish you a safe journey and an enjoyable time to the Ukraine.

Take care and be well.


Posted by: Chillidog

Tanya, I am very sorry to hear about your friend. I agree with the sacrifices woman like you make to be with the man you love, during my search that has always been a concern of mine, the drastic changes this will bring for her and possibly child as well, knowing that understanding and compassion are always needed in a good marriage and with patience will be needed even more during this period. RMP is wonderful to know there are successes out there, and even more to hear from the womens view is an added bonus.

my sincere condolences on your loss of your friend, and I am very happy to know your daughter-in-law is doing well after her surgery


Posted by: goforit

Tanya, sorry to hear about your loss. That is an awfully young age to die. Thanks for the advice about the difficulty of leaving all you have ever known.


Posted by: Tatysik

Thanks a lot for the support.
This is exectly what I meant. If we have a better life here and a person that we can rely on then it be worth it to make the decision to move that far from our family and friends. But if we don't get anything instead...then the quality of love and life hasn't gotten better. Make sense?
I wish to everybody to find the true love and happiness!
Here is a picture of my friend Victor. He leaves behind a son,his wife and a LOT of friends. They recently celebrated their 25th Anniversary. He was a very respected lawyer for a large bank. He went thru the Afganistan war.
We are going to miss him...


Posted by: disculmawsu

I am sorry to hear about your friend.


Posted by: AkMike

Tanya has an old friend that is living in Germany and seems to be a wizard with photoshop.
Here's some that he's reworked of my bride. Even with out photoshop, she's a class act!


Posted by: mistermopar

Mike..Do you think he could help me and make me look better in my photos...LOL

He dose great work.

Randy


Posted by: AkMike

Oh yes! I'm sure he could make you look like a much younger Robert Redford... (at least on paper) But then in the light of day you'll still be the same...


Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:
Originally Posted by mistermopar
Mike..Do you think he could help me and make me look better in my photos...LOL

He dose great work.

Randy

I think we all would like some help !!!! but don't we really want to be loved for who we are, who we are on the inside and not our superfical beautiful faces


Posted by: AkMike

Quote:
Originally Posted by mistermopar
Mike..Do you think he could help me and make me look better in my photos...LOL

He dose great work.

Randy


Here's a pic of my buddy that went to Ukraine with me for the first trip. Note that this is the fountain in the middle of Indenendance Square in the middle of Kiev.

Randy, You want to look like a Seagull?


Posted by: AkMike

But this is my all time favorite photoshopped pic.. Before and after..

And FYI the second is my all time favorite one!


Posted by: AkMike

Here's a couple of fresh ones. Since it's spring and she loves to plant flowers around here I gave her a bunch of worn out brake drums to make into flower pots.. Yah I know BC.. iron rich flowers..LOL, So she's cleaned them all up and now its time to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear..


Posted by: AkMike

Here's a couple to show her interior decorating ideas and abilities.. She went pretty fancy with the curtains. This is what you guys might be in for IF you get lucky like I did!


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
Here's a couple of fresh ones. Since it's spring and she loves to plant flowers around here I gave her a bunch of worn out brake drums to make into flower pots.. Yah I know BC.. iron rich flowers..LOL, So she's cleaned them all up and now its time to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear..

WOW! Nice brake drums. She ought to paint up the ones on your trucks. DOT would really like them....LOL


Posted by: AkMike

What still amazes me is that even with all the foofarah femine stuff that has appeared around here she still can get tough and help pack the freezer. Here's one of her helping to cut up some bears.

She can be a tough cookie!


Posted by: GoingToRussia

WOW Mike too cool!!! Tell her I said she's very talented.

Is it okay if I download these brake drums and show Laris? She'd love to see these and do something like it. She has an art degree and taught art for a few years.

Where can I get some used brake drums, the junkyard?


Posted by: AkMike

And a side note for a heads up for the future..

If and when you do get hitched up..
Expect and plan for your return trips to her country to visit friends and family.. Fill your bags with gifts for the trip over there. Then plan of filling them even more of goodies for the trip back here.
The curtain material filled a suitcase up. The foods that she's used to there and can't find here.. We filled up a suitcase with the Ukrainian bread too.
I'm always amazed she crams that much stuff in a suitcase with out breaking anything. Last time it was a ceiling light fixture for the bedroom..
Yah I know it's 220V there BUT I re-wired and re-plumbed it for use here with 110V.


Posted by: AkMike

Have at it GTR. Any trucking company will give them away.. They're all used up for trucks and junk iron.. Heck drag her over and I'll fill up your suitcase myself.


Posted by: Chillidog

Mike,

Great pics!!!!

She has a very nice talent for design in the home and for painting as well!


Posted by: AkMike

Here's a pic of the light fixture that she just had to have. FYI, the regular light bulbs are the same thread and size but the smaller ones are totally different. The 220V seems to use alot smaller diameter wire so the bases and wire got swapped out.

Some things just have to be done to spoil them rotten. (Then they'll spoil you too!)


Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
Here's a pic of the light fixture that she just had to have. FYI, the regular light bulbs are the same thread and size but the smaller ones are totally different. The 220V seems to use alot smaller diameter wire so the bases and wire got swapped out.

Some things just have to be done to spoil them rotten. (Then they'll spoil you too!)



higher voltage, means less amparage running thru the wires, therefore wire size can be smaller, less current following thru the wire


Posted by: AkMike

But the amps will be the same.. Therefor the wires should be the same right? It's chinese so I figured they went minimal sized..


Posted by: AkMike

GTR, She said Spaseba bolshoi!


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
But the amps will be the same.. Therefor the wires should be the same right? It's chinese so I figured they went minimal sized..

No, wire size is determined by amps and resistance, which creates heat. When you have a higher voltage, resistance is less of a factor because of the greater force pushing the amps thru, thus there is less heat and you can use a smaller diameter wire. With low voltage, high amps you need a fatter wire to disapate the heat without melting the wire.


Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
But the amps will be the same.. Therefor the wires should be the same right? It's chinese so I figured they went minimal sized..

No, amps will be different. without getting too complicated

Amps = Wattage / (divided by) Voltage

so if a device Lamp, A/C unit etc output is 440 watts this would mean

440w / 220v = 2 amps

440w / 110v = 4 amps

the output (wattage) is the same but techincally you would need bigger wire for 4 amps than 2 amps.

a 60 watt lamp would draw .27 amps at 220V and .55 amps at 110V (per lamp/light bulb)


P.S always remember the old electricians addage----- "Tubes you Tie, Bulbs you Plant, LAMPS you LIGHT.


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chillidog
No, amps will be different. without getting too complicated

Amps = Wattage / (divided by) Voltage

so if a device Lamp, A/C unit etc output is 440 watts this would mean

440w / 220v = 2 amps

440w / 110v = 4 amps

the output (wattage) is the same but techincally you would need bigger wire for 4 amps than 2 amps.

a 60 watt lamp would draw .27 amps at 220V and .55 amps at 110V (per lamp/light bulb)


P.S always remember the old electricians addage----- "Tubes you Tie, Bulbs you Plant, LAMPS you LIGHT.

Good post chilli, I thought of using the formulas to explain the wire size, but being truck drivers that Mike and I are, I didn't think the rest of the forum would believe that we actually understood it So, I went with the heat and melting wire theme...LOL


Posted by: GoingToRussia

Another fan of electronics!!! Probably knows Ohm's Law too!!! I think we would have much to discuss C-Dog!!!


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by GoingToRussia
Another fan of electronics!!! Probably knows Ohm's Law too!!! I think we would have much to discuss C-Dog!!!

Ohm's law, thats part of the CSI series isn't it?.....LOL


Posted by: AkMike

LMFAO! I just went with wire I had laying around that looked right! 12 ga that I use for the trucks!


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by AkMike
LMFAO! I just went with wire I had laying around that looked right! 12 ga that I use for the trucks!

You might have a problem, if you used 12ga that is used for trucks, thats a spiral twisted wire, smaller diameter than romex 12ga which is a solid wire. Automotive type wire is not made for 110v AC, its made for 12-24v DC.


Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
Good post chilli, I thought of using the formulas to explain the wire size, but being truck drivers that Mike and I are, I didn't think the rest of the forum would believe that we actually understood it So, I went with the heat and melting wire theme...LOL

I can see why you used this method of explaining this because people like you and Mike are used to seeing the "HEAT and MELTING of wire" AKA ==Home improvements/house burning down


Posted by: Chillidog

Quote:
Originally Posted by blucatz
You might have a problem, if you used 12ga that is used for trucks, thats a spiral twisted wire, smaller diameter than romex 12ga which is a solid wire. Automotive type wire is not made for 110v AC, its made for 12-24v DC.

Mike, you should be fine, if it is "UL" listed 12 gauge wire,
also stranded (or what Blu calls spiral wire) conducts electricty better then solid wire, the electrons move on the outside of the wire and with more strands (spirals) allows more "area" for movement and the wire stays cooler

I bet you did not figure this thread would go in this direction when you first posted your picture of the chandelier. By the way it looks beuatiful and can't believe you packed that in a suitcase and brought it home from the Ukraine


Posted by: blucatz

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chillidog
By the way it looks beuatiful and can't believe you packed that in a suitcase and brought it home from the Ukraine

I can't believe it made it from Ukraine in one piece and not 1000 pieces...LOL, it is a very cool fan.


Posted by: sidney

Nice photos.
Sid


Posted by: AkMike

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chillidog
stranded (or what Blu calls spiral wire) conducts electricty better then solid wire,



Thanks CD I was aware of that! Regular lamp cord is 14 to 16 ga stranded wire so I know I'm safe.
Funny how these threads get off their origional track once in a while..
No problem.


Posted by: AkMike

It was 3 years ago today that I escorted my lady thru the customs and immigration at Seattle's SeaTac airport for the first time. We were talking about it last night and we're both amazed what a change has happened in our lives. Almost all for the better!
Thank You Duska!


Posted by: Tatysik

You are welcome Sweetheart
I told you: you're the Best!
And thank's to everyone for reading this thread.
I think you all would be interested to hear story about Mike's relative's trip with us to Ukrane.
I'll write about it a little bit later


Posted by: disculmawsu

Tatysik and AKMike,
I wish both of you many more years together. I pray that O and I will have an equally good future together.


Posted by: Buckeye5704

Quote: