It was an interesting experience- certainly not what we expected (ONCE AGAIN!).  We headed out at 11 this morning- with a car full of gifts and donations.  We swung by to pick up the Registrar who had to be present for the "handover".  We were escorted to the Director's main office and then Pam was told to collect Katya's new clothes from the car and go and change her.  As soon as Pam went into Katya's group- she came out and asked "Are we leaving?"  Pam said "Yes"- and Katya stripped right there (knowing she could not take her clothes).  Pam pulled out her clothes and dressed her.  She did not go back to her group or her carer- she just headed straight for the door.  In the meantime, Paul was filling out all the official paperwork.  Pam and Katya arrived back in the Director's office- and the Director began to question Katya. 

"Do you know you are leaving today?" -"yes"
"Are you happy to go to America?"  -"yes"
"Do you want to say goodbye to your group?"  -"no"
"No?  Why?"  -"Because I'm never coming back here again."
"Never?  Not even to visit?"  - "No NEVER"
"Not even to visit me?"  - "No, I will never come back here." 
(this last line was said with more conviction than I have ever heard from a child)

We finished all the paperwork and brought up the donations and gifts.  The Director was LESS than appreciative (of the new leather portfolio we had bought her!) of the gift.  She said in a very condescending way "Da Da..spasiba"  which came across as "alright already- get out".  She proceeded to chuck (literally- throw) the gift over into a corner which was piled with things that looked like they hadn't been touched in years...  then take the bag Pam had the remaining gifts in- and told Natasha to just leave- she would deal with it.  Pam, very resolutely, told her NO, that she intended to give each gift personally.  Clearly the Director was annoyed and Natasha remained silent (as you don't contradict the Director!).  The Director waived us out of the office- deciding not to pick the fight.  Pam and Natasha went to visit Olga and Nina- both of whom were appreciative for the chocolates and jewelry.  The Doctor actually received the gift in a manner one would expect.  Saying "thank you" and wishing us well for our future, asking us to take good care of Katya.  Unfortunately, Katya's primary carer was not there.  Natasha and Paul both believed it would be too hard on her to let Katya go- so she was given the day off.  We left her gift with Olga.

Then we piled into the car and Katya immediately grabbed the ziploc...thankfully the Dramamine worked beautifully- and she was not sick at all.  She chatted and laughed the entire way home.  The passport was not complete- so Alec took us back to the apartment.  Natasha said to be prepared for early tomorrow as we would collect the passport and head to the medical center.

We went home and went to lunch at TGI Fridays- we ordered her beef soup (very similar to her normal lunch) and a variety of food (chicken, bacon, cheese, rice, potatoes, sour cream, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, guacamole).  Envision a table full of appetizers.  She tried a little of everything and we got a good idea of what she liked and disliked.  We then went for a walk to Independence Square where she took pictures with Santa and rode a pony.  The pony ride started with bloodcurdling screaming- and ended with her laughing and chatting.  Glad she did that on a well trained small horse!!

We are now back at the apartment watching Russian cartoons and listening to her dissertation which has not stopped since we left the orphanage!!!  We've had a few moments where she grabs things that are not hers or sneaking into the kitchen trying to get food.  But she is quickly learning what is hers and what is not...