A little over three weeks after I turned in my second phase documents, as promised, I did hear back from the Court in Moscow. Instead of a court date, they sent me list of 12 additional documents they wanted from me -- several of these are additional originals of papers I have already sent them.... WHY? you ask -- no clue. More upsetting is the fact that they did not accept my medical exam --b/c.....wait for it..... the doctor didn't specify that I didn't have NARCOLEPSY. I am not kidding. Also, they need a letter from the medical board that my Dr.'s license is active, and she is in good standing. (never mind that I had submitted a copy of her license, which clearly indicates that it's active and valid for several more months). And, for the kicker -- I got a copy of my Hungarian birth certificate for my phase I paperwork, had it translated by the Office of Official Translations in Hungary, and then had it notarized and apostilled here in the US. Which was fine for phase I, but now they want my Hungarian birth certificate, with no English translation and notarized and apostilled in Hungary.
I am angry. This just feels like ridiculous and completely unnecessary. There is absolutely no additional information that they'll be gaining from these documents (other than the real nailbiter ...whether I have narcolepsy or not). This just seems like a way to push me further, delay things further ....and for no earthly reason. i think by now it should be established that I am not a criminal, that I don't have some seriously reduced life expectancy due to disease, and that I have the financial resources to support a child. I think it's also been established that I am committed to this process, and willing to go to great lengths to complete it. So now WHY....
My agency tells me that although it's to be expected to receive a request for additional documents, it's always something different, depending on the individual judge('s whim?) -- so they can't prepare me for that.
This round of documents will take me several weeks to get together. And I am lucky that my mother is able and willing to deal with the Hungarian side of things, otherwise I'd be in even more trouble. And, at this point, I have no sense of assurance that this is the last batch of papers I need to get together. I am sure there is some other esoteric disease that my doctor will neglect to test me for. And.... I mean 4 originals of the same document is good, but wouldn't it be nice to have 6 of them???
Yes, I am very angry. Could scream out loud actually. I have no sense of confidence in the process. And this little girl is sitting in an orphanage in Moscow -- for no real reason.
For the first time in many many months I feel like maybe I don't have it in me to complete this process. I am tired and disillusioned, and not even close to my goal.
If anyone has read Kaffka's The Trial --- that is kind of how I feel -- you don't know the rules, there is no person or persons you could appeal to - none of it makes sense, and you just feel caught up in a senseless, endless maze. -- I know this is a little dramatic, but I am very frustrated.
ReplyDeleteIs it possible that these roadblocks are set up to encourage you to offer a bribe to shorten the process? I have heard of this in China, and I experienced it in Thailand.
ReplyDeleteRick