Maybe Wendy Berger should get into some couple's therapy w/El Presidente. They are clearly very unhappy - they live to make others miserable as well. If they mess with in process adoptions I will assume that the State Dept. will open up a can of whoop a-double-s on them - if they ever want to become a player in the hemisphere they need the US backing them. And there is no politician in the US who would be willing to "take babies away" from Americans. Nope. Not going to happen.

I cannot believe this may happen again. I am panicking! My husband and I are waiting for our DNA results to come back and cannot even phatom what the Executive order will do! Would our process be halted?? Any info. is helpful.
Lee anne

Steph,
Wish I was as confident as you are about American polititions, but I'm not. I think they can be swayed far too easily by pervasive tales spun by big money. Just like the media/newsprint. JMHO
Lizzie

Liz, I hope you're wrong. I think if this really turns out to be something, parents (and everyone they know) will just need to do a full-scale assault on DOS like we did a few months ago. After State "spoke" to Berger, the exec. order was gone in less than one day.

I also am not as confident as Steph. In fact, history shows that there often isn't much the US can do if Guatemala halts adoptions. Take the 2003 Hague, for example. I sure hope this is a rumor and that it doesn't make it much further.....THANK YOU for keeping us up to date!

Isn't it the U.S. that's asking for compliance in the first place? I'd also like to believe they wouldn't stop those in process, but I also don't have the faith that you do, Steph.

Folks, as of right now this remains speculation & "what if". While it's normal and understandable to be concerned, until there's something *Official* from either the GUA or US side, let's not get into a lather yet.

Here is a rough translation of the story for those that would like to read. We adopted our son In January of this year and are immigration currently for number 2.

Through a governmental agreement, the Government will ratify the agreement of Is It promotes the safe adoption of minors.

The emission and publication in the agreement, according to president Oscar Berger, will impel to that the deputies fit the effective legislation on adoptions to the settled down thing in the agreement of Is It.

The previous thing, because each country that ratifies the convention accepts to create procedures that assure the fulfillment the norm.

Berger explained that, with the new changes, Guatemala could guarantee that the processes of adoptions are safer and would avoid the sale of minors.

Suspended changes

Guatemala has been having an effective Law of Adoptions, nevertheless, for a year is flooded in the Congress an initiative to modify it, because they have not obtained consensuses for his approval.

The main changes that set out are to improve the controls to guarantee the origin of the minor, the authorization of the parents and the legal pursuit of the case.

The creation of a governing being of the supervision to the lawyers considers authorized to make the respective proceedings.

“I am going to meet with the vice-president to speak of the subject, because it is the one that plus has worked it. I know clearly that we are going to go with an agreement very hard to guarantee the safe adoptions”, expressed Berger.

Even, Berger spoke of a detailed analysis “(the agreement to emit) so that she can be armored”.

The effects

The head of the Executive explained that, as of the next year, originating adoptive parents of the United States will not be able to have Guatemalan minors if the national legislation has not been fulfilling all the requirements that the convention establishes of Is It, ratified by that country for several weeks.

The last year, of 745 processes of adoption the 93 percent was asked for by American pairs.

Berger commented that still she evaluates herself if the PGN or the Secretariat of Social welfare of the Presidency must be in charge to regulate and to verify the control of the proceedings.

The deputy Jorge Luis Ortega, president of the Commission of the Minor and Familia, thought that the ratification of the agreement of Is It by part of the Executive will promote the streamlining in the Congress of the changes to the norm in vigor.

More controls

The agreement of Is establishes It:

The State must guarantee that the international adoption responds to the interest of the minor.

To increase the controls in order to guarantee that the decision to give to the minor did not obtain by means of payment or compensation of class some.

That the consent of the mother, when is demanded, occurs solely after the birth of the boy.

The authorities will have to state that the future adoptive parents are adapted and apt, to make the proceeding.

To assign a central authority that is in charge to verify that the processes are adapted and responsible.

To interchange information between the countries that have ratified the convention.

We are out of PGN, waiting for pink....
Are we okay??? I still am very nervous.....

Heather

Heather,

From what I have seen PGN is moving much faster now. I watch all the boards and have seen an increase. It's great that you are out but the PGN faster turn over rate indicates to me that they are going to try to get as many of these kids through the system as they can right now. I'm glad you are out of PGN. (we are in PGN right now)

We have been assured by our adoption agency that anything in the works will go through. But this was before all of this happened today. Our thoughts regarding this is not to worry. So much of this is out of our hands right now. Once we have more concrete information then we can form together and take action. Remember what happened before, and that it came to nothing. It sounds like they are trying different things to see what "sticks to the wall". Let's hope this doesn't stick. Worrying about it now without the full story won't help you though. So, rest and relax and have faith. :) Sometimes, it's just all you need.

Take Care,
Sally

We, too, are out of PGN waiting for pink. I already have her birth certificate (copy faxed). Are we in trouble? I can't imagine we would be as the adoption is final on the Guatemalan end. We are expecting to hear about our pink slip this week.
I got so anxious when I opened the website. We are so close.
Margaret

Please explain. What does,"The agreement of Is establishes It": "That the consent of the mother, when is demanded, occurs solely after the birth of the boy." Does this mean that birthmothers can only relinguish their child only after the child is born, meaning newborn? Or meaning anytime after a child is born, let's say age 2 or 3, for example. Does this imply that a birthmother cannot make an adoption plan for their child until the child is born? We just recently (only a month ago) adopted a beautiful 5 month old boy. We are currently in the process of adopting his 4 year old sister, who is suffering from malnutrition, we received her referral 10/02. We are awaitng DNA results. After going through the ups and downs of the Guatemalan system and PGN we can't believe we are going through this again. But let me tell you something, when I look into our son's crib in the morning and see that beautiful smiling face looking back at me, all this anxiety and worry was well worth it and yes, we are doing it all over again. So hold on and stay strong. We will all get through this together. Marie

Folks - I certainly don't think this is going to affect those of you who are out of PGN. Once the Protocolo is signed, Guatemala considers you legally the parent. Again, I do not think that DOS would support any actions by Guatemala that would affect current cases.

As Michael said, nothing has officially happened...so speculating on HOW it might affect parents is not going to do much good.

Hello all. My husband and I are taking a class through our local children's hospital and Capital University Law. At our last class a representative from the Department of State was there to discuss the Hague. Sorry I don't have her name in front of me. She did say quite clearly that on the U.S. side of the situation, any in process adoptions, meaning the I600A has been submitted and reviewed, will be allowed to continue. The form must be submitted by the time the U.S. ratifies the Hague, which will be around 14 months from now. This, of course, does not include what the Guatemalan government will do, but on the U.S. side any in process adoptions will be allowed to be completed. In the future unless significant changes are made no new I600As for Guatemalan adoptions will be accepted. I know we are dealing with 2 governments, which means these comments only get us to 50% but it was reassuring to hear.
Hope this is helpful.

With all due respect Sally...where in the heck did you get the idea that PGN was moving faster now? I am sick of always hearing this from the parents that are OUT already. What about those of us that are still waiting.....there are hundreds and hundreds. PGN IS NOT MOVING FASTER RIGHT NOW!!!! There seems to be more problems than ever....more ridiculous KO's than ever....and more and more waiting longer than 100 days in PGN. I DO NOT want parents to get excited about something that IS NOT TRUE. PGN is as big a mess as it has always been this year.

Marie,

In response to your confusion about the translation of the Prensa Libre article posted here - "The agreement of It Is" or something similar is how Babelfish translation site translates "la Haya" which is spanish for The Hague. You are correct that the article states that the birthmother cannot relinquish a child before it is born... Below is a more accurate translation of the article, although it really does not say anything substantial that has not already been said here.... Please forgive any errors I may have made in translation. HTH Ellen

From the Prensa Libre:
Through a governmental agreement, the Government will ratify the Hague Convention that promotes the safe adoption of children.

The release and publication of the agreement, according to president Óscar Berger, will compel Congress to fit the current adoption legislation to that established in the Hague convention.

That is, because each country that ratifies the convention agrees to create procedures that assure the fulfillment of the rules.

Berger explained that, with the new changes, Guatemala could guarantee that the processes of adoption would be safer and would avoid the sale of children.

Stagnant changes

Guatemala currently has in force a Law of Adoptions; nevertheless, an initiative to modify this law has been stalled for a year in Congress, because no consensus has been reached to approve it.

The main changes proposed are to improve the controls to guarantee the origin of the child, the authorization of the parents, and the legal tracking of the case.

It proposes creation of a governing body for the supervision of lawyers who are authorized to conduct the respective proceedings.

"I am going to meet with the vice-president to speak of the subject, because he is the one who has worked on it the most. I am quite clear that we are going to go with a very strong agreement to guarantee safe adoptions ", Berger expressed.

Also, Berger spoke of a detailed analysis "(of the agreement to be issued) so that it can be bullet-proof".

The effects

The Chief Executive explained that, beginning next year, adoptive parents from the United States will not be able to adopt Guatemalan minors if the national legislation does not fulfill all the requirements of the Hague convention, which was ratified by that country several weeks ago.

Last year, out of 745 adoption processes 93 percent were requested by American couples.

Berger commented that it is still being discussed whether the PGN or the Presidential Secretariat of Social Welfare will be in charge of regulating and verifying control of the proceedings.

The deputy Jorge Luis Ortega, president of the Commission of the Child and Family, feels that the ratification of the Hague agreement by the Executive will prompt the Congress to streamline approval of the changes to the rules.

More controls

The Hague Convention establishes:

The State must guarantee that international adoption is in the interest of the child.

To increase controls to guarantee that the decision to relinquish the child was not obtained by means of payment or compensation of any type.

That the consent of the mother, when necessary, occurs solely after the birth of the child.

For the adoption proceeding to take place, the authorities will have to ascertain that the future adoptive parents are suitable and capable.

To assign a central authority that is responsible to verify that the processes are suitable and responsible.

To exchange information between the countries that have ratified the convention.

I dont think we need to attack people that make comments about PGN it truly is a mess, i have been in for a very long time but overall we have been seeing improvements...there is no need to be mean.

We entered PGN on August 31st had only one kick out and exited on Friday November 10th,we are now waiting on the pink slip!!!

Could someone exlain to our family, just exactly how UNICEF is behind all the terrible trouble we are all having in adopting our precious babies who have no homes in foreign countires, like Guatemala. Our family is new to this and everyone looks at me like we are lying when we suggest that UNICEF is not the "good guy" in helping children find good homes. Is UNICEF racist?? What IS their problem?? Do they want racial purity over diversity and unconditional love and Families Without Borders?? (And where can I get a copy of the book, Families without Borders?)
I need good explanations, as being idealists from the 70's, we have so many friends my age who seem to refuse to believe that UNICEF was making this painfully and unnecessarily difficult for us to get our precious little grandson. Others are stuck on our old "liberal" ideas that UNICEF is the good guy. Please help us give coherent explantions. Thank you.

We did finally receive our miracle grandson, he is mellow and dear, he appears to have had excellent and loving foster mothering and we have a large extened family to adore him, besides his parents. He came to us at about 18 months, a pschologically far harder time for him, life long, than had he come originally at the 6 months that was planned. We are assuming that it was our money that kept him in good foster care and NOT any help from organizaions like UNICEF

How do we organize to educate the public when even the NYTimes can so take advantage of our loving homes and the chldren's great needs?

I think we need to be calling news papers and offering to give interviews. Eventually some reporter will want to do an "expose" on the inaccurate "reseach" of their fellow journalists. Our chldren need OUR voices to speak on their behalf.

WE SHALL OVERCOME!!

What about those of us who don't have a referral yet? Is it even worth proceeding?

Ruth -
Check out the 'Families Without Borders' website at http://www.geocities.com/familieswithoutborders/. From there you can download their 63page document that explains UNICEF's position and why it is bad for children.

Good luck!
Lynn

Our concern is that things are too sketchy in Guatemala, partly due to their not being bound by the Hague conventions. My understanding is that the money is too tempting, often, for the poor people there, and extended family isn't given the chance to take in the child, before he/she is placed in a foster home for adoption.
UNICEF certainly cares about children, and that's why it's involved.
We are actually considering adopting from another country, now.
Adoption of the Hague rules is for the benefit and protection of children, chiefly. And the US hasn't ratified the treaty yet, either, has it?

Ruth, here is a link from the archives (Kevin's more recent post)for more info about UNICEF http://www.guatadopt.com/archives/000513.html and you can also access the Families Without Borders website from there.

Just to clarify, after reading this in Spanish: "a partir del próximo año, padres adoptivos provenientes de Estados Unidos no podrán tener menores guatemaltecos si la legislación nacional no cumple con todos los requisitos que establece la convención de La Haya, ratificada por ese país hace varias semanas." This translates as to the timeline, as of next year. Also,"A través de un acuerdo gubernativo, el Gobierno ratificará el convenio de La Haya que promueve la adopción segura de menores." The key word here is, "ratificara", which means will ratify in the future, not has ratified, to mean the present. This article stresses the need to secure adoptions and stop the sale of babies. Hope this helps aleve any confusion for those who have just received a referral or are in PGN. Marie

Ruth,
Here is my, perhaps simplistic, understanding of UNICEF's role in and attitude on international adoption. They are not against it per se HOWEVER they look at it as a last resort. They desperately want children to be raised in their culture of origin which would be fine if there were people to adopt them there.

We have been in PGN since May and our birth mother is a minor and actually we just had our exit interview on Friday. I keep in touch with the attorney in Guatemala. I don't know if you,those who are waiting and frustrated like we are, if your birth mother is a minor but if so, that can be the hold up. I am not sure if PGN is moving or not. But like you, we wanted our daughter home 'yesterday' but look at every thing as a step completed. Rules change everyday in Guatemala. Our children will come home. I know they will. Think of it as God brought you this far, there is no way God would take this from you.

Ruth- In response to your inquiry about Unicef. Maybe one should just look at countries where Unicef has had an influence by halting international adoptions, because their position is that children should stay in their own culture. Take a good look at Romania for example. The money that Unicef gave to Romania has not been used to neither build orphanages nor provide welfare assistance to parents. Children are being dropped off in hospitals which are now overcrowded with children lining the hallways, with little medical attention, education and food, along with little to no opportunities in their future. Is this better than a family? This was shown on a report that aired on CNN a couple of months ago. Guatemala has only 5 state-run orphanages. Where then are over 4000 children going to be placed? After seeing this, I do not want the children of Guatemala to have the same bleak future. Marie

We already have a referral already and our Power of Attorney has been sent and registered in Guatmemala. Our dossier is on its way there now and we are just awaiting approval from Immigration. We don't know if we are considered in process or what!

We are just starting the process. Homestudy is done. Waiting for fingerprinting appt. Is it worth it for us to continue?

I echo LisaR's question. For those not yet with a referral, should we head for another country? Guatemala was our first choice for a number of valid reasons. Thanks, DaleK

Thanks to everyone for their input regarding the "order". We just recieved our referral last week and, needless to say, we are concerned. I guess it is in god's hands now, please keep us, as well as the others that are in process in your prayers.

For those who are awaiting a referral, just got a referral, not pre-approved by USEmbassy, awaiting DNA results or not in PGN yet, regarding your question "wondering if you are in process or is it worth continuing". Your best bet is to discuss this with your social worker and agency. This journey is not for the faint of heart. Even if you do get a referral or are in-process, so many things can happen. For instance, you can lose the referral due to a birthmother changing her mind, a relative can claim the child, or a child dying from crib death. I don't want to sound grim just real, but these things do happen. I know. We lost two referrals after the family court interview due to grandparents reclaiming their grandchild and then the other a mother not sure about relinquishing. In any event it was devasting for us but it also lengthen our own desire to have a family. We had to wait for another referral. Our fingerprints expired and we had to redo them, so our timeline from first application to the "pink" and bringing home our 5 month old son to the US took a total of 21 months. So keep this in mind, along with this could also happen with whatever other country you go to, even a domestic adoption. The term, "in process", has been discussed numerous times on this website. Well worth going back and reviewing. Keep in mind the ratification in question and the hoop-la regarding this will not go into effect until March 2007. So it stands to reason that cases still would be processed prior to that, or "grandfathered". The worrying item here would be similar to what happened the last time Hague occurred was that there was a delay in processing, due to everything coming to a halt and cases took longer than usual (whatever usual in GT is). Marie

Jen - i feel with you. We have been in the PGN since March and have been kicked out 5 times. Our birthmother just turned 18 at the end of August (reason for our last ko) We have been in 8 weeks yesterday now. My agency just told us that our file is ready to be picked up at the "window" It is either approved, or has been ko again. Let me tell ya this has been 2 very long days. I am hoping for great news. It is always nice to know that someone else is in the same boat.

Regarding Joe and Sheri's post,
In process means (in my humble opinion) your i-171 completed and your POA registered in Guatemala.
This means you are grandfather in
But of course as you know in this process things can change, but at this point and time you are ok
Shawn

Hi folks -

I opted to post this here since things are still "fuzzy". What I can tell you....
There are so many discussions going on amongst DOS, the Guatemalan government and adoption advocacy organizations. Since Congress and the President have a different *position*, we are seeing some posturing rather than actual resolutions or actions.

There is a LOT of attention to what is going on. Kevin and I do have confidence that the Department of State *WILL* keep its promise to advocate for those in process to bring their children home. They do not have control on the Guatemalan side, but the Guatemalan Congress has been reluctant to let a virtual shutdown occur. That is good! They have been at odds with Sra Berger/Ortega/UNICEF and that is where the posturing and the very derogatory verbaige within the press has come from.

We hear things daily, but we do not post until we have some sense of what is really going on and can validate it.

We will post more soon....

Thanks Kelly and Kevin for keeping us always posted with current and accurate information. Your dedication to us waiting-parents and especially to the children of Guatemala is deeply appreciated and commended. Marie

We began paperwork in March, our little man was born May 10th, had referral immediately, and we entered PGN on Nov. 6th. We have had a LOT of glitches. We are praying to get of PGN within 2 months....is this realistic? Our little man is already 6 months old!! Anyone else have their PGN timetable from the last few months? Seems we cannot compare our cases to others from a year ago. We KNOW God is in control, but I get worried. Carolyn

Hi Carolyn,
We were in PGN for exactly 12 weeks (no KO's) and waited for our pink for exactly 6 weeks after that. Our attorney said that 8-12 weeks in PGN is most common right now. We return to the States with our son on Tuesday. The other parents we met on this trip described shorter waits and some described longer. But being in PGN is great- congrats on getting there. You will be out before you know it!Hope that helps-

Carolyn,
We entered PGN 9/6, out 10/17-just under six weeks.
However, Tues. will be 5 weeks out and sill no pink slip. We entered the embassy Tues. 11/14...still waiting to hear if we are traveling! Another long weekend of waiting.
Good luck!
Margaret

Our agency told us after getting out of PGN that we should have our pink slip soon and travel within 3 and 1/2 weeks. Is that not the case???

Thank you all for information about UNICEF. I will read the book and the long article. I still see no reason for children and people to stay within their "borders." How will we ever get tolerance for diversity and increased understanding and love if we still believe that"race" defines us all. If white American babies are in need, why would we care if stable, well-educated and financially healthy families of other races adopted them?? We would want what is best for the babies. Seems to me like we are treating babies like "property" of the country, not world citizens in deep need. That sounds racist to me. Thanks for the help.

Hi Ruth,
I enjoyed your post.
I have a question, What book are you referring to?
Thanks,
Lizzie

We have been out of PGN for 2 months now and still no pink!! I am going down the day after Thanksgiving and "waiting" it out in Guatemala.

After entering PGN last January with several ko's we exited yesterday, finally! We are waiting on the pink slip. For those of you who recently received a pink slip, how long did it take from the time you exited PGN?

Becky-When we exited PGN in September it took only two weeks to get "pink" and get our appointment at the USEmbassy. Congrats on your big day soon to come! Marie :)

Angie,
Do you have any idea why your pink is so late? I am waiting 5 weeks now. I have been in the embassy for a week and a day. Still no answer.
Hoping to hear something today.
Margaret
Becky-the wait is getting longer and longer it seems.

Hey Angie and others wiaitn for the pink.
Our first child came home in feb of this year (we are in the process for number 2) He was born in Guatemala City. In the past, birth certifcates in Guatemala City do take a little bet more time than other birth certifcates
our wait was about five weeks, which was back in feb of this year was suppose to be really good for GCBC!
Congrats on getting out of PGN

Margaret,
I have my own ideas why our pink is taking so long, but no concrete reasons. I am taking all the paperwork I can think of when I leave for Guatemala on Friday.

Angie,
I heard from the agency today. TWO rejections from the embassy for the I600's saying our signatures were photocopied! THEY HAD TWO originals...what a joke. Can they not tell black pen. I just overnighted to Guatemala FOUR I600's: two with blue ink and two signed with blue magic marker/felt tip.
I am so upset to wait a week for this. ALL is complete. I guess we will see what next week brings.
You have to love the new law of sending the I600 early (instead of signing it at the exit interview) then they just create dealys saying the signature is not an original.
I am so upset. I guess I won't be hearing from you after tomorrow...where are you staying?
I may have to go down to sign them myself in front of them.
Margaret

THANKS everyone for your feedback re: recent timetables for exiting PGN. But, I did not realize there was also such a LONG wait for the pink slip....YIKES!! Looks like our Little Man will not be home anytime within the next couple of months. SIGH.

We have also had some other news, in reference to our baby in Guat. It turns out that some, or many of the Foster Mom's have been asked to keep the babies inside the homes, and not take them out to appts., etc., with all that has been going on in the country, and the news. We were supposed to get our baby's pic., and medical report, the first week of Nov., but the foster Mom will not leave the house with him. Anyone else have any feedback on this?

Also, ANY new info. on others timetables, or pink slips would help.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Carolyn

I have seen some of the people here with the same timeline as my wife and I haveof get out of PGN. I'm in my 14 week with 3 k/o's. At least they are looking at my file. What I can't understand is why they don't give youall the k/o's at ONE TIME!!?? Waiting and hoping.

Angela,
I am unsure if you will read/post from Guatemala. It would help to know what you find out about the delays in getting your Pink Slip.
Is your file in embassy yet?
Margaret

We've been in PGN since 19JUL06. We were told 6-10 weeks and we would be out. Funny how we were using the holidays as hopeful family days. First is was Labor Day. We didn't feel so bad when that passed but we were really disappointed when we didn't have our little toddler by Halloween. Thats O.K. we sure would have something to be thankful for on Thanksgiving. Well, trying not to be to optimistic but what a Christmas miracle it would be. Going on week 19 of PGN.

Lisa,
I was wondering - have you had any kick outs? We have been in PGN since July 5th with no kick outs that we are aware of. I can relate to your sentiments about the holidays - I too have watched all these holidays go by, and tomorrow is our daughter's 1st birthday. I never expected for her not to be home for that! Oh well, unfortunately there is not much more we can do but wait. Just wondering if your experience has been the same.

We got our pink slip! We got word that we exited PGN on Nov 20 and our pink slip was issued on the 27th. For those of you in North Carolina, we called Carol Armstrong in Senator Dole's office and she was helpful. Maybe since the article was printed in the Salisbury Post it has helped things move along with her office.

Becky,
When is your appointment? I am out of PGN six weeks and still waiting for my pink slip. We have had three rejections at the embassy.
Margaret

Katherine,
We actually had 2 kick outs that were relatively insignificant which makes it even harder to accept. I think they were just looking for anything they could find. I don't understand why they scrutinize one document reject it but leave another document with the same wording alone. Who knows that other document may get us kicked out also. As someone said, at least they are looking at our file.
Lisa

We have been in PGN since JANUARY 11th (yes, you read it correctly) !!! We have been k/o'd since around June and one of the objections has yet to be radified. Our son is almost 14 months old and we are devastated that we must go through the holiday's AGAIN without him. I wish that they could see that the families on the other end are suffering greatly from this heartbreaking process.

Margaret,

Our original appointment was for December 4 but we had to reschedule for December 11. If the embassy is kicking out documents for dumb reasons then your senator's office should be able to help you. they can contact the embassy and find out why it's taking them so long and push them to get it done. If they are kicking it out for a valid reason then there's nothing the Senator's office can do. If you haven't tried that route already, call your senator and see what they can find out.

Becky,
I was at our congressman's office yesterday submitting a file and form for them to act on our behalf. I contacted both of our senators offices by fax.
We were resubmitted Thursday 11/30. We should know something Monday or Tuesday.
Margaret

Whatever happened to the idea of charges being brought up against PGN for abuse of power? This was mentioned in the summer when the meetings were occurring with PGN and the Embassy. The child I am trying to adopt is now 22 months old-referred at about 1 1/2 months. PGN is focused on issues
that seem unrelated to the facts they have before them within my case. I have been in PGN since January 2006 also with absolutely no end in sight. I have had two KO's -the last in August.

Hi Folks- I remember reading in past posts over the year that we weren't supposed to contact our senators to intervene in USEmbassy affairs. Basically because when a senator contacts the embassy, the short-staffed Guatemalan USEmbassy has to respond and in so doing, only delays the progress for the rest of those waiting for processing. Just a thought. Marie

I've just been letting everything wash over me recently. So it goes. What can I say?

I can't be bothered with anything recently. I've just been sitting around doing nothing. Today was a loss. I just don't have much to say. Nothing seems worth thinking about.

More or less nothing seems worth doing. I've just been letting everything wash over me lately. I just don't have anything to say lately. Shrug. I can't be bothered with anything lately.

We are better off today than we were eight years ago