We've been busy bees the last couple of weeks. We normally take our annual vacation during the month of January. Last year at this time we were heading back from taking a bus trip across Laos. We love, love, love southeast Asia. Since April and the India trip are right around the corner, we decided to stay home and work on the house. Chinese takeout was as close as we got to Asia this year!
Since we had so much time off, I decided it would be a great time to get our Visas in order for India. Ruben and I are both flight attendants and fly to South America and Europe. We can't be without our passports since we need them for work. According to the agency that does Visas for India, we would be able to get the visa the same day if we made an appointment at the Houston agency. Great! I made an appointment and had the entire plan all set up - take the first flight of the day from Miami to Houston, land at 9:00am, rent a car and drive to the agency for a 10:45 appointment, hang out in Houston until the passports were ready at 4:30 and take the 6pm flight back home to Miami. Sounded good to me... Everything went great until we got to the little window to hand in our passports - "Would you like to come back in 2 days or have them mailed to you?" the woman asked. "Excuse me?" Ruben says in his no nonsense New Yorker way. She went on to explain that Visas are only done on the same day for special circumstances... "How about you make a special circumstance for me" Ruben barks as I'm trying to diffuse the situation. Long story short... we left with no passport and received the passports with our 5 year visas a few days ago. I'm thinking to myself, just wait, just wait until we get to India... this is nothing compared to what we will encounter!
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| Ruben building the deck (I'm supervising!) |
On a more depressing note, things are not going good for me at work. My company filed bankruptcy and big changes are coming - many not for the better. Our pensions have been ripped away from us, about 15,000 people will loose their jobs etc. I could go on but I'll spare you my sadness. Luckily I do not think I will be one of those loosing their job. Right now, I'm a little nervous and scared. This couldn't have come at a worst time with us planning to start a family. Thoughts have been racing through my head - Am I crazy having a kid now? Maybe I should wait until things are more stable? Is there ever a "perfect" time in life to start a family? On the other hand, I think everything will work out, many people get pregnant everyday without even planning for it - they somehow survive. As luck would have it, my company is ceasing flights to Delhi on March 1st. We've been flying the route for 6 years and they stop one month before my trip!!!! That means no first class to Delhi for me... I'll probably be stuck flying standby on British Airways in a middle seat in coach. Yikes! I guess that's really the least of my worries now...
LOL!!! I have flown BA in a middle seat to Delhi :-)!!! Hopefully your job situation will calm down - it is so hard when there is so much uncertainty!!! Best wishes, K
ReplyDeleteYikes. Bad timing for the job and the India flights. But it'll all work out in the end and be worth whatever hurdles you're facing now.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, clearly you ARE ready for this surrogacy stuff! It is a wild and crazy ride and you come to expect the unexpected. So consider this excellent practice:) And no, there is never a good time-- you just have to go for it... knowing that you have a world of support behind you! Best, Bernadette
ReplyDeleteThat decking is looking awesome! I am so excited that you and Ruben look like you are starting this journey at the same time my hubby and I will be. I hope the work situation calms down......sending you best wishes from Australia .....mel and fred
ReplyDeleteThe right time is, of course, now. Sounds like you have a great sense of humour to get you by! Will enjoy following your posts - all the very best.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you boys, being a flight attendant myself and going through surrogacy just puts a whole new exciting, nerve wracking, tiredness we have ne'er felt before
ReplyDeleteBut so worth it I am here for you both x
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed in the job arena! Your renos look very ambitious, the time will fly and April will be here before you know it - best of luck & I look forward to following your journey... it's a wild one! :)
ReplyDeleteHi guys my name is Michael, I used to be a flight attendant god I miss the days but shortly after 911 I went back to school and in 2004 I quit my job and became a Police Officer. So I know what your going through with lay offs and the games the airlines play. Miwest Express did it to us too. I will be making the big trip to India in May to start my Surrogacy and I look forward to it everyday. I give you all the happy thoughts and prays that your jobs will remain intact and your baby becomes true.
ReplyDeleteThe cancellation of the Delhi route (and BUR) was the final straw. I did a status match and now we're flying *A to Delhi in June. Good luck -- I don't think there's ever a perfect time to have a child; I think it's going to be nervewracking no matter how stable your situation.
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