Well, we're adopting a new daughter . . . . . . . . .

[shakespear]

. . . . in a manner of speaking.

One of my old friends from Volgograd has a college-age daughter that has qualified for a J-1 visa from the State department.  That means she will be one of about 100,000 English speaking foreign college students coming to the USA this summer to find part-time jobs and when finished, take some of the money they earned and tour around to see the wonders of the USA. 

Her name is Daria (Dasha).  She's 20 years old, a very good & polite girl and cute as a button.  She will be staying in our house this summer.  I got her a job at our Country Club working at the swimming pool refreshment stand and driving the beer cart around the golf course.

I discovered that employers LOVE to have these foreign kids on J-1 visas as employees.  They do not have to withhold SS or Medicare taxes from their paychecks and do not have to make any SS contributions on behalf of the employee.  They are covered by Worker's Comp in case they get injured while on the job. 

It should be a fun and interesting summer.  Olga gets a second chance to successfully raise a maturing, well-mannered daughter. 

I'm just hoping she doesn't get "knocked up" while here.     Her father would literally kill me. 

[Larry]

Congratulations!

I love the J1 visa. Two of my former FSU girlfriends had come to the US on these visas. So when I met them they spoke English quite well and were familiar with life in the US.

[shakespear]

I love the J1 visa. Two of my former FSU girlfriends had come to the US on these visas. So when I met them they spoke English quite well and were familiar with life in the US. 

I understand the majority of students taking advantage of this program now are from Eastern Europe. 

Conceptually, it's really a pretty good government program.  Let them come while they're young and impressionable and see America in her best light.  They'll go home with positive impressions and tell others about their experiences.  I've met several that had taken advantage of this program during their college years and each one of them really liked America and spoke favorably about their American experience. 

In addition, it gives the advanced English speaker a chance to learn "American slang" which adds value to their language skills in the business world of their home country. 

[TomT]

She'll be popular.

[shakespear]

She'll be popular.

There is no doubt about that TomT . . . . . . .

That's what makes me a bit nervous.

Kind of like the goalkeeper in a hockey game 

[Zachris]

Popular indeed.

Given the predilections of some of our forum members, I am surprised you posted her picture.

[shakespear]

Given the predilections of some of our forum members, I am surprised you posted her picture. 

When it comes to forum members, I've discovered there is a BIG difference between actual predilections and your perceived predilections.

[sharonhaber00]

I'm just hoping she doesn't get "knocked up" while here.     Her father would literally kill me.

If not, you will adopt grandson as well.

By the way, very professional picture. Who is the photographer?   

[vendelo]

She is really pretty.

Is her mom single? :-)

[sharonhaber00]

She is really pretty.

Is her mom single? :-)

She probably has half of her genes, but I wouldn't count on similar look, however.

[shakespear]

She probably has half of her genes, but I wouldn't count on similar look, however.

Sharon, I'd have to agree with you that as the mother, she probably does provide half the genes to her daughter. . . . .

[shakespear]

She is really pretty.

Is her mom single? :-)

No.  Happily married for many years.

When I'm in Volgograd each fall we go to their wonderful family dacha and stuff ourselves with shashlik, dried fish, assorted vegetables and of course plenty of beer and vodka.  We walk down to the Volga River and do a little swimming. 

[shakespear]

What the hell is wrong with young men nowadays anyway?

Dasha has been here for almost 6 weeks and works in a place were there are perhaps 40 young men between the ages of 18-21 working as well and not a single one of them has tried to engage her in any kind of "get to know you" conversation and not a single one of them has asked her out on a date. 

You've seen her photo so you know attractiveness is not the problem. 

Back when I was 20, it would have taken me about 20 minutes upon learning of her existence to have found an excuse to start chatting such an attractive and unusual (being Russian) girl all the while trying to determine if this was a girl I could ask out on a date.

Have the Democrats been successful in pussifying our young men?  Has computer social media caused young men to fail to acquire the ability to communicate with the opposite sex in a face-to-face manner?  Do these guys have no hormones whatsoever?

While I'm pretty sure Dasha isn't looking for a long-term boyfriend I'm absolutely sure she's getting tired spending all her nights at home with the "old folks" and would JUMP at the opportunity to go out somewhere with people near to her own age.

Suggestions?       

[Brasscasing]

Don't push, Dad. When the right guy comes along you'll be pining because she's not at home and you don't see her enough.

Everything in it's time.

Brass

[mendeleyev]

SS, she is lovely!

You need to keep an eye on the wealthy old farts hanging out on the links.