I keep meaning to update my blog, but things have been so busy that I end up putting it off. So, once again, a list -

Still no news from the embassy. If we haven't heard anything by the end of January, we're going to make our way to Ukraine. (Star and I can only stay in the Schengen region for 90 days out of 180, and we'd like to leave a little time just in case we get a call while we are in Kiev.)

I've stopped studying everything except Russian. Since over 50% of the population in Kiev speak only Russian at home, I figured this was probably a good time to study!

Star has finished her latest comic. Will work on scanning it soon.

Star has also been fascinated with cooking recently. We bought her a cookbook for Christmas, and she has cooked at least one meal a day since then.

Robin is working on a new play. His last play, Broken Holmes, is preparing for its upcoming run at the Leicester Comedy Festival.

I've discovered that my favorite snow is that just beneath a tree. It's the crunchiest.

The yarn here is the cheapest I've ever seen, it's cold and I have lots of spare time. So, I'm knitting a cowl neck scarf.

I have been eating paprikas like apples. Yum.

That's about all I can think of for now. Must sleep.

Пока!

Quick Visa Update

We were denied visas. It seems that poor folk like us don't love each other as much as those with fat bank accounts and cushy jobs. At this very moment, Robin is on a bus, heading for Warsaw. He is making the same trip Star and I made exactly two weeks ago. We are going to appeal the refusals and hope that they are overturned.

I'll post updates when I get them!

Warsaw IV

The British Embassy contacted me Friday to let me know that a decision has been made, and that we can now come pick up our passports. Tomorrow at 15:00, we will know what's going to happen. What we've done the last few days -

Warsaw Uprising Museum - There is a pillar down the center of the building with fake bullet holes you put your ear against to hear sounds from the uprising.

Nike Monument

Pawiak Prison

Star drawing in the sand on the beach in Praga.

From the beach in Praga.

Band statues in Praga. On the drum is a list of songs and a number to text. One to five minutes after texting, your song plays.

Star being Star.

Praga skyline.

I don't care for Amy Winehouse, but I thought this was a very good sculpture. It was in the Koneser Vodka Factory that has since been transformed into an art complex.

Star played chess with no opponent.

This symbol is everywhere in Warsaw. It was painted on walls during the uprising and stands for Polska Walczaca (Fighting Poland).

Warsaw III

Everything is filed with the embassy. Now, we wait. After our second appointment in two days, we went to the park nearby. We saw the Chopin monument and fed things.