thanksgiving, finals and goodbyes

I got super homesick the week of thanksgiving. knowing all my fam was going to be together and I was MIA made me a little sad. but we celebrated with many baked goods and some hearty chicken. guess Turkeys dont live in Russia. we watched a movie and had us a good old time. definitely didnt feel like Thanksgiving.

Finals were this week. So glad to be done! Russian Language Final was super easy. Couldn't believe it. Then I had a huge research paper due. And then went out with a literal bang, more like a bomb going off. Had my final exam in my Russian Lecture class. That was doomed to failure from the beginning. it was sooo difficult. let's hope the essay saves me. but I dont have a good feeling about it. Just happy to be done. whew.

Our closing ceremony and final party were today. We thanked our teachers and gave them presents. Then we had our party tonight. It was chaotic at the start but eventually slowed down. I sang a song in Russian with my Russian friend Katya. Despite the technical difficulties (aka crappy microphone stands), it went pretty good. American and Russian students performed various things. All our host families were there. And then of course there was dancing. Russians love to dance.

I sat there tonight thinking how crazy it was that almost 3 months ago we arrived in Nizhnii and had our welcome party in this same exact room. Now after making friendships with many of these students and getting to know our teachers and director in the International office, we're up and taking off. It really does go by fast. It's cliche but its true. I mean, it started off SOOOOO slow but it picked up and now time is just zooming by.

Tonight was rough. Katya, my Russian friend, cried when we said our goodbyes. I can remember the first time I met her. It was at the welcome party. She came up to me and a couple others and asked if we wanted to get some fresh air. That's when it didnt look like Siberia outside. We chatted and made converstaion. Eventually she visited us in the Profilac and we went on walks together to see the sunset. She in her heels. Crazy Russian women. The weekly run-ins in the International office during our chai break, sliding down the Kremlin hill in the snow and then practicing our russian song. Her playing guitar and me attempting to sing and speak russian at the same time. hard task. Now...its over. What a hard thing to have someone come in and out of your life in such a short amount of time. I dont know how she does it every semester.

We head out on the train Sunday night for Moscow. Spend over a week there and then I'm homeward bound. I feel like this trip has definitely been more about self discovery than anything else. I know way more about Russia than I ever thought I would but I also learned more about myself than I ever thought I would, espeically in Russia of all places. God's funny like that.

In case I dont get to post a final farewell....DASVADANYA!! Thanks for tuning in to my crazy life and wild Russian adventure.

time and its creepiness

One week left of classes and I just can’t believe it. I sit here on my bed, my sister at her computer, listening to Christmas music and feeling like time has crept up on me. Was it really three months ago that I was in the airport, waving goodbye to my mom at security? Have I really survived Russia? I don’t know if I’m completely ready to leave yet. I remember arriving in the JFK airport, struggling with my over-packed bags, making the trek to the Lufthansa terminal. My guitar on my back, my handbag on my arm and my two rolling suitcases; what was I thinking? My shoulders and back were so sore the first week in St. Petersburg. I definitely learned my lesson. I don’t know how I’m going to manage on the way back, with all the souvenirs I’ve bought. I think I’m leaving some stuff here. A part of me will always be in Russia that way! I remember my first interaction with Lica and then meeting some of the gang once I got past security. Stephanie was the first one I really connected with. I remember sitting at the gate, observing everyone and honestly thinking: “they’re probably all a bunch of nerds.” Well…I wasn’t 100% wrong.

Today I went with my sister to her social club. For an hour and thirty minutes I sat there while they all discussed things in Russian. I did have a chance to pipe up and explain how to play duck duck goose. They were planning an event for children and needed some ideas for games. Later this afternoon we had a sport’s competition. All our families were invited to come, along with the Russian students who help in the international office, and we separated into three teams and did a whole bunch of silly relays. My team was second. Surprisingly, it was a lot of fun. I totally biffed it in the snow afterwards though. I could hear mumbling behind me and knew that the boys were planning some sort of white wash attack… and I was the target. So I interfered by defending myself and pushed good old Danny Boy around, to show him who’s boss of course, but found myself tripping over the sidewalk and fell flat on my face in the snow. I laid there for a few minutes while everyone laughed. Of course no one was kind enough to help me up so I managed on my own. That’s how it’s done in Russia.

Yesterday I went and saw my kids at the orphanage. They are so fun. Tiring but fun. I only have one more Friday with them. So sad. As we were leaving, the little little ones were walking down the hall single file. My heart just sank. I love those little guys. I couldn’t help but form a huge smile on my face. One of the little boys started talking to me and I just said ‘I don’t know’ (in Russian of course), then a second later he had turned around and started walking towards me talking to me again. I patted his adorable little head and I said ‘I don’t understand.’ The poor guy. I’m sure he was super confused. They are the cutest. Oh my word. I just want to take them all home with me. I think I want to adopt a Russian baby someday. I would love to do that. Then my Russian would come in handy! I’m doing a research paper on orphans and homeless children in Russia and have found out so far that 95% of the children in orphanages actually have a living parent at home. They wind up there because their parents take to alcoholism. Talk about sad. Yula, one of the girls, just yesterday told Lica and Stephanie that her dad died two weeks ago. This is reality.

Speaking of reality, I received some unsettling news. My little brother is going to Iraq. For those of you who don’t know, he’s in the Marine Reserves and it was actually his choice to go. He flies to North Carolina early January and does some training for a month or so and then ships off to Iraq until October. I just can’t believe it. I had convinced myself this would never happen, especially with him being in the Reserves. But…Scotty seems to be really excited about it and my family really supports his decision. He can make his family proud, but he’s gotta come back alive. That’s all I ask. He’s my little brother and only 19 (next month). So, I’m really antsy to get home now. Thankfully I’ll get to see him at Christmas before he goes off and becomes a hero.

My host sister just asked me this morning over breakfast if I thought my life will be different when I go back home. I told her yeah, I hope so. How could it not be? An experience like this will change anyone I think. I’ll still be the same ol Caryn from the block, but life will by no means be the same.

Lord love a duck

yep, it's definitely Russia. the snow has come and is here to stay. the winds have picked up and I'm quite shocked I haven't blown away. the scene from mary poppins often enters my mind.It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. The streets are paved white and the ground is slick. I LOVE IT! Snow is comforting to me. I’m always disappointed by our winters in Washington. Maybe it’s the Eskimo in me.

mornings on the bus are still torturous. i find myself getting nauseaus and my limbs going numb. then there is the occasional surprise looking up and seeing my bus driver picking his nose and eating it. yeah. this is russia. i forgot to mention that a while back I went to the cinema and saw a documentary on british pop bands, like oasis. It was dubbed over in russian but still really interesting. gotta love wonderwall.

less than 2 weeks of class left. i'm super scared. scared for this russian language final we have to take. scared for this comprehensive final over every single thing i've learned all semester. the stress begins. i also have this 15 page research paper i'm working on. that's gonna be a doozy. it's a difficult process interviewing people that a speak a language you dont understand.

People will be people. My host family is great. My host dad has been nick-named ‘Mario” by the other American students. He is really funny and makes me laugh so much. Dinner conversations are the best with him. He always is saying ‘I am hungry’ and yells from his bedroom in the morning ‘bye bye’. He knows only a little English. He’s the cutest. And my mom is really fun too. She bought me gloves because I didn’t have any. She’s the best. They are both professors at different universities.

My host sister is Karina. Which translates to Caryn in English, how cool is that? The Russian students, ironically, had already been calling me Karina. And then somehow I acquired “Santa Karina”. This sister of mine though. She’s an odd one. Just a tad socially awkward. She basically runs my life. And she started liking a Russian boy. There’s definitely been unnecessary drama between the two. People will be people. Or kids rather. It’s nice to know we’re all the same. Whether in America or in Russia.

Mullets are everywhere. And when I say that, I mean both men and women have them. I was warned about going to a hairdresser here. I may get a she-mullet on accident. Makes me chuckle. I went with my host sister to the swimming pool today. Let’s just say, I didn’t do the banya…but I did the pool. Everywhere I looked there was a speedo. With some pretty big fella’s strutting them. Have I ever mentioned my distaste for speedo’s?

Like every Friday, Stephanie, Dan, Lica and I went to the orphanage. Except as soon as we got there, we were instantly told to turn around and go back and catch the bus before it left. I guess the older kids were at camp and they didn’t want us to play with the young ones. We were all bummed. But me and Lica ended up getting some pirogies and hung out at her apt. I stopped off at the Post Office and mailed some post cards. I ticked off several Russians. I think it was the 12 post cards I was buying stamps for. And for some reason, the post master puts all the stamps on herself then hands them back to me. This is Russia. Some things just don’t make sense. Actually, most things don’t make sense. We visited the Sakharov Museum. It was interesting, considering it was the apartment where the guy who made the H-bomb lived. Learned he was awarded the Noble Peace Prize. How ironic. A guy makes a nuclear bomb and realizes testing it would blow up the whole world…then turns anti-nuclear. Interesting.

It's pitch black outside by 4:30pm. And we get out of class at 4pm. It's a weird thing to get used to. I'm wanting to crawl into bed and sleep at 8 o'clock. Of course, anyone who knows me, knows that never happens. sleep? what's that?

I finally received the package my mom sent me in september. yep...almost two months. i finally have my power cord for my computer. Lord love a duck. the friends i've made on this trip are what keep me sane. or maybe keep me insane. either way. i couldnt do it without them. they definitely feed my hunger for laughter. just the other day I was coming to the reality of the fac that....soon we will all be departing and a lot of us will neve see eachother again. that's sad. it's gonna be hard to say goodbye. parting is such sweet sorrow...or something like that. leave the fancy words to the poets. its gonna suck.

a girl on a slow pony home

It’s pretty crazy how normal life has become. Even after moving in with my host family. I don’t know if it’s just me and the fact that I adjust rather quickly to new situations and places. I thought I’d be missing home more than I do. I’ve found that it becomes easier the longer you are away. It’s always weird and hard at first but then you get into a routine. You get used to how things are. Like that fact that the toilet is in a different room than the sink and shower. You always take your shoes off at the door. Traffic is horrendous. Cold water stops working for no reason at all. Taxi drivers get lost. Wallets are stolen on the bus. The power goes out in a whole apartment complex. The store is all out of your favorite kind of chocolate cookies. Everyone carries a plastic bag with them. Mom won’t let you out of the house without a hat on. Russians dancing in the halls at school. Drinking tea 5 times a day. Being served tongue for lunch. Using hand motions 99% of the time. Having to take your own role of toilet paper to the bathroom with you. People doing drugs on the street. Men giving up their seat for ladies on the bus. Showering at night. Not showering for days in a row.

I think before I came to Russia I had the mentality that America was at the center of the world. And it may be in some aspects. I guess I’m just realizing how big our world really is. There is so much out there. So much to be seen. So much to learn. I feel like my journey to Russia has opened my mind a lot. It’s also triggered a lot of desires within me. Like my desire to travel. So broad yet so simple. I feel like once I get back to the states, I won’t know what to do with myself. I graduate in May and that’s a scary thing. But it’s also exciting because I have the whole world in front of me. Where will I venture off to next? Where will this heart lead me? There are moments, like for instance, when I was gargling this nasty medicine stuff for my sore throat and it just hit me. I’m 11 hours away from what I always thought was reality. But the truth is, I’m living reality. This is life, right now. Whether I’m in America where I’m safe and comfortable or in a foreign country, challenged by unfamiliar things. Time doesn’t stop. And it definitely doesn’t run according to my schedule.

It’s only the beginning of a world I’m dying to see
Frightening yet exciting
My pulse races to the beat of this dream
I feel I’m jumping into a faith I don’t know if I have
And courage, I’m still trying to find

My heart longs for things I can’t explain
My feet are drawn to a place I’ve never been

dancing cheek to cheek

it's been an eventful last couple weeks. it started to snow a couple times but never stuck. it actually seems colder now than it did then and still there's no snow. the lowest I think has been 2 celcius...still havent figured out the conversion to farenheit. moved in with my host family a week ago yesterday. it has it's awkward moments. i guess I'm just not used to having people stare at me so much. meals are fun. my host dad is a jokester. they speak little english but their daughter, who's the same age as me and goes to the university, is pretty decent in her english. so she's my translator. i have a nice big room to myself. and a bolshoy (big) koshka (cat) named piersik (peach). I'm getting better at understanding the language. not so much speaking it. or using it for that matter. which is sad. we went to Kazan this last weekend. It's a city as far east as Moscow is west, I've been told. it's about 8 hours on the train overnight. it's the center of Islam in Russia. the Kremlin has a huge mosque that we got to tour. it was really interesting. i finally found some postcards there. for some reason they dont have poscards in Nizhnii. every Friday I have my service project at the orphanage or preeyuit (shelter). they celebrated their 12th anniversary and had a big performance they put on. it was the cutest thing ever. I want to take them all home with me. we got to drink tea and have snacks afterwards with them. i just love them. it takes about an hour to get to class on the bus every morning. and it's so crammed, i dont even have to hold onto anything. packed like sardines. no joke. it's a pretty difficult task trying to move. an arm in the face, a shoulder in the back, and then the lovely butt in the stomach or cheek to cheek. it sounds humorous but when you're in the moment, it's pretty torturous. this weekend we have our halloween party. me and stephanie are going as nerds. pretty stoked about that. we're also hittin up a discoteka. that will be interesting. the sun's come out today. I havent seen it in a while. tonight's my host mom's bday so were going to have a birthday dinner. it's been 2 months as of today. only 1 1/2 to go!! cant believe it.

just a run of the mill day

my day begins waking up at 8:30 ish..and heading straight down to breakfast. Which consists of Kasha, otherwise known as oatmeal, cream of wheat...some days if we're lucky enough we get noodles in milk. mmmm! Then I head back up to my room, get dressed for the day and am out the door headed to class around 9:20. Class begins probably around 9:40. Ira is our teacher on Monday and Tuesday. Elaina is on Wed and Thur. Ira doesnt smile as much as Elaina but they are both sweet. Russians say things in such a stern way, it makes you wonder if they like you or not. But really, that's just Russians. We go an hour and have a 10 min break. Then another hour and have CHAI...my favortie part. Except its not real chai. They just call normal tea here chai. We head down to the International office and both classes come together for 30 minutes. It's a gay ol time. We then proceed back up to class for the next 50 minutes. Class is done around 12:30 and then we walk back to the Profilac and have lunch at 1. Lecture then begins at 2 till 4 ish. That of which I am quite frequently in and out of. Good ol Harley, bless his soul. He starts each class with current events or world news if you will. That takes about half the class time. I'm usually in another place. I'm such a good student. Class is over and we head back to the Profilac. I sometimes go running or do some homework or just hang out until 6 when we have dinner. Then after dinner it's a mix of a whole bunch of nonesense. Some people go to the RSP apt to get 'real' studying done. Some just stay cooped up in their rooms and others roam the halls making loud noises and laughing their heads off...I would never condone that kind of behavior. This is a serious scholarly program. No fooling around here. =) Homework usually happens. The russian students helps us sometimes. Inevitably, someone has a guitar out and is making some ruckus. Then I'm usually in bed between 12 and 2. And there you have it. Another day, another ruble. Oh and I've been trying to explain the 6 million dollar man to my friend Dan (i'm a rhymer) but he thinks I'm just a fool making it up. Give me a shout out if you know what I'm talking about. My "stoke" of the day, a phrase fresh off the press as of tonight, was that I got my internet FINALLY registered!! Tuesday nights we have Bible Study, Sunday nights we go to Harleys for hang time and a movie. All other nights we are free to spread havoc on this university. Soon there will be no more dorm life and we will be moving in with our host families. that will be a sad day.

I'm an aunty, orphanage shoes and 4am pranks

So last wednesday my neice Jordan Marie Jamieson was born!!! I was so bummed I missed it. I saw pics and couldnt help but get a little choked up. I started volunteering at an orphange here in Nizhnii. It's one of the nicest orphanage supposedly and by the looks of it, I agree. The kids were intense right off the bat. I guess they never get hugged or kissed. So they are all over us. Dan, Stephanie and me and Lica, our RA, went for just a couple hours. We were told to bring slippers for while we were there. So thanks to Dan, we now call them orphanage shoes. I got mine down the market for a whoping 150 rubles. My russian class has downsized. They decided to start and advanced class and so we lost 3 students out of my class. Now were just down to 6. But I think it's helped. Today was really good. It's never really good. So this last Saturday I believe it was, I was sleeping over in my friend Theresa's room and several of the boys decided it would be funny to prank us at oh 4 in the A.M! I sleep through anything. But thankfully Theresa doesnt. I woke up to her yelling 'Andrew', thinking she was dreaming but once I opened my eyes and saw the door wide open I was super confused. Then all of a sudden the door closed and we heard the key turning from the outside. Theresa lept from her bed, realizing we were being locked in and that she had to pee. I was still half asleep, trying to make sense of what was going on right before my eyes. Then Andrew jumps out of the closet with a wimpy 'rarrr' and then Dan and Joel unlock the door and eventually they leave. War has begun. Let the pranks begin. Oh and I had an audience of Russians tonight...I was requested to play some songs. Of course they dont understand them. It's good practice. The leaves are falling and the wind is picking up. I think snow is expected soon!! Cant wait! p.s im geting home sick!

peeing in the bush, Bartok and cheesecake

Visited Suzdal and Vladimir this last weekend. It was GORGEOUS! This is what I was imagining Russia would be like. It’s Fall here. My absolute favorite season! Leaves are falling and they are everywhere. I actually made some “leaf angels”! It was wonderful. I have to note that it was about a 5 hour bus ride there. So our potty breaks consisted of the bus pulling off to the side of the road and boys in front of the bus, girls in back. Into the woods we went. Theresa, trekked into the woods with heels on. She came out with bare feet. It was quite the experience to say the least. The weather has been outstanding. I can’t believe it. The sun has been shining and it is super warm. We stayed at this hotel that had two suites. I took the mattress from my room and put in on the ground so I could be between Meredith and Theresa. I woke up to mosquito bites all over my body. But it was worth it. Our hotel had a bowling alley, swimming pool, restaurant, sauna, bar…you name it. Had a tour guide who totally reminded me of the bat off Anastasia (one of my favorite movies btw)..Bartok! It was the funniest thing. Some Russians, when they speak English, sound so funny. I love it. Got to see so many churches with the onion domes. Such beauty and incredible artwork. The frescoes inside the church buildings are unbelievable. It baffles me that people are this stinkin talented. Women have to wear head coverings and even skirts at some orthodox churches. The babushka’s yell at you and point to these wraps they give women who don’t have skirts. There are Sabakee (dogs) everywhere. They run wild. You'll see cats inside buildings all the time. And packs of dogs just lounging in the sun. Harley, our director, an interesting fellow, talks to these animals. He especially likes the cats. He tends to chase after them trying to get a picture. He’s a 65 year old man. So funny! An Orthodox Priest spoke to our class. We also had some American missionaries come in last week and talk about their ministries. Ohhh I have to mention this FANTASTIC café here in Nizhnii called Biblioteca. They have the best latte’s. Move over Starbucks! And their cheesecake…no joke…like a taste of Heaven. Been there three times now and I’m IN LOVE! Can’t believe it’s been a month already. Oh and the Babushka’s changed my sheets. No more pink! I’m happy.

“Another day another ruble”

My daily mantra has been the Russian word for ‘good’, pronounced horoshow. Both my teachers use that word incessantly. Plus it’s just fun to say. I say it in response to just about anything and everything. Even as a form of greeting. This last week flew by, surprisingly. The days are picking up and that’s a good sign. The past several days have been super gorgeous here. I don’t feel like it’s Russia. The snow is supposed to start showing up mid Oct. We’ll see about this. Visited the Russian circus on Saturday. Quite the show. Basically, the women were barely clothed and the animal rights within me got a little upset. The tigers were alright. But the bears….not a fan. There’s just something about animal cruelty. Dressing them in human clothes and making them walk on their hind legs, as if they were a human? I felt so bad for them. They’re supposed to be wild animals. Let them be wild. Just like the Tigers. Don’t tame what’s meant to be wild. That’s my high horse (no pun intended). Getting to know the Russian students more. I especially enjoy being serenaded before I go to sleep! A very funny, friendly and tall Russian boy by the name of Roma, sang to me and my roommate last night. Over the Rainbow was a particular favorite of his! Something I find interesting is that Russian students usually don’t like what they major in. They just do it because it’s easy and they can get a good job because of it. They also start college when they are like 16 and 17. And you can’t drive here until you are 18. So we got some youngster’s on our hands. The Babushka’s changed our bed sheets. Nothing that I would normally point out except for the fact that they are PINK! I couldn’t believe it. Some of the boys even got pink. That was pretty humorous. Today was just one of those days. Language was rough. But tomorrow is our Friday! We’re sightseeing this weekend in a couple different cities. I have to add that the Pirogies are A-mazing! Dorm life is fun but I tend to get cabin fever. I miss Seattle.

no banya...HOORAY!

Week two down...a lot more to go! Ends up my mom has to send me a new power chord for my computer. It'll take a couple weeks to receive it. So still no pictures yet...sorry! I've done some exploring and found some super gorgeous spots. Me and Theresa hiked down, litterally a hike with all them stairs, to the river. It had to have been like at least 70 F yesterday. And of course today the rain came, again. Us girls were supposed to visit the Banya today but it was 'in repair' which ends up being the case for many things here in Russia. This is Russia. I was quite excited about that because what you dont know is that the Banya is a woman's spa or sauna. I guess all the old Babushka's go there. You may think to yourself, that doesnt sound too bad. Yeah, except for the fact that everyone is naked. That's the catch. I'm not a fan! So that was my highlight. Had my first paper due today. Learning a lot about the Orthodox religion which is quite interesting and intriguing to me. Language class has its ups and downs. We have two teachers. One for Mon and Tue and another for Wed and Thur. I enjoy our Wed/Thur teacher a lot better. So I end the week on a high note. We learned this song in Russian yesterday and so today, a couple of the students in our group brought a guitar to class and sang it during our break to our teacher. I think she enjoyed it. Then later this evening, they sang the song to the Babushka's who cook our meals. It was pretty humorous. Tomrrow we get blood drawn for AIDS! I guess they are trying to get rid of HIV/AIDS in Russia so they are having everyone get tested. What a great way to start the day. I'm a little creeped out by some of the Russian/Romanian students here. Watch out for them! You dont want to 'make eyes' at them or smile or they will think you want them. My knee is fine, thank the Lord! We ordered pizza tonight and are gonna watch a movie. There are still moments when I have to remind myself I'm in Russia.

matruska's, sport and princess bride

I finished my first full week in Nizhnii. I still feel like the days go by so slow. The second day of language class was rough. I almost broke down and cried, it was last frustrating. Thankfully it got a little better. We have 2 teachers. I like the second one better. Our homework load isnt too fun but I guess that's how you learn! We had some folk singers come and visit our class. I loved it!

We visited a factory where they make what we call Nesting Dolls, crafts and such. The Russians call them Matruskas. It was pretty cool. It's been rainy and gray but for a few hours today it was sunny. Some of us visited a men's seminary where they held an orthodox service. We missed out on the skirt memo and were given a wrap by the guard at the gate. I enjoyed the service though.

We had Sport yesterday. That's what they call it. We played basketball and ultimate frisbee for a couple hours. I had fun playing with bball with the guys. Lucky me, I got to be on the team with all the Russian guys. Totally not fair. But I know it was a work out because today I am SOOOO SORE!! it's not even funny. And I think I tweaked my knee. Which is not good. This is the knee I had surgery on like 4 years ago and so it scares me that it's hurting me.

Tonight we watched Princess Bride at Harley's apartment. First time I watched it all the way through. Well almost. Still dont have my computer registered. My new friend Theresa is letting me borrow hers. We are sitting on the ground next to the girls bathroom against the window picking up wireless.

The Russian students have been visiting us at the dorms and having tea with us. They enjoy when we get the guitar out and sing songs. Everyone smokes here. We'll see kids that look they are 13 with a cigarette. It's pretty sad. It's already been pretty challenging and stretching in more ways than one. I just hope the days start to speed up.

first day of school

I've arrived in Nizhnii! The university is gigantic. There are about 40,000 students. So a bit of a change from little old Northwest. It's chilly and rainy but no snow yet. I like it here must better than St. Petersburg, which was super touristee. This is real russia! We moved into our dorm at the Profilactorium. The international student office had a welcome party for us. They had food and a talent show and then a disco-techa, a DANCE PARTY! Russian's love to dance. The russian students are really nice and friendly and surprisingly know pretty good english. The meals are good but they serve us a lot! Basically potatoes, soup and bread. Major staples! The bathrooms are disgusting! You have to squat to pee and bring your own toilet paper. The first couple days we were here the women's bathroom was in Remont, which mean 'in repair.' There was literally a lake of toilet nastiness everywhere and it stank like a mother! I feel like I'm experiencing the missions trip I never went on. I've done my laundry russian style. By hand and in the sink. Not too bad. Just takes forever for things to dry and it drips all over your floor. We have a close line up in our room drying them. I'll have to post pictures on a later blog. I'm at an internet cafe right now because our computers havent been registered for wireless on campus yet. A group of us walked Pedestrian Street tonight. It's the big hub bub of Nizhnii. I got me a winter jacket!! And it cost me less than $50! STEAL! The buses are an adventure. You literally cram as many people as you can. No personal bubbles here. It's 8 rubles to ride the bus, which is pretty cheap. 25 rubles is $1. Last night we were coming back from our director's apt after watching 'the hunt for red october' (the guys choice) and Lica (our RA) got off the bus and we were all completely oblivious. 19 of us...just laughing as the bus drove away. Thankfully we got off at the next stop and made it safely back to Lica who was still laughing! Fun times! Classes started today. 3 hours of language in the morning with a tea break in the middle. Lunch and then 2 hours of lecture in the afternoon. It's pretty sweet. I have my first homework assignment. Writing and translating in russian! I love how russians will start to talk at you and then you have to just shrug your shoulders and shake your head and usually they just laugh and walk away but then you get the ones who will keep talking to you. Like you understand them the more they speak Russian! The Babushka's are the funniest! They are the old women, grandmotherly type, who serve us our food in the cafeteria and run the profilcatorium. Watch out for them!

i've arrived in St. Petersburg

It feels like the Great northwest! the weather is windy, cold and rainy. Every once in a while the sun will come out but much like Seattle, the weather can change drastically in a matter of hours. It's been quite the culture shock. Mainly because I'm just now learning the Russian alphabet. I've seen some pretty amazing sights. We've been on a bus tour of St. Petersburg, viewed the Hermitage Museum of World Art, The Church of Spilt Blood and today visited the Peter-Paul Fortress. I have never seen anything like this before. I am literally in awe. It's unbelievably beautiful.

There are 19 other students from around the U.S and they're all so much fun. It's pretty amazing how much we get along already. We've eaten at Pizza Hut, McDonald's and Subway already. Really experiencing authentic Russian cuisine!! i guess it's harder to just pop in at Russian restaurants. You have to call ahead and reserve tables. So we just stick with what we know.

A couple nights ago a drunk Russian guy puked in our hotel lobby. It stunk up the whole room! It was pretty amusing to me. Today on the metro we saw a teenage boy steal a man's cell phone while he was sleeping. No one talks on the metro. It's silent. Russians don't smile. Or talk really. If you laugh or smile you're obviously a foreigner. Jet lag is a pain. I'm still not adjusted. It's an 11 hour difference so I keep waking up every couple hours. Tomorrow we go to a Russian orthodox church service which I'm really excited about.

The coffee is good but no starbucks!

anxious

i've never been so nervous yet so excited. i'm restless and tired and just want to be there already. so much build up and anticipation. i can hardly breathe. the last week has been constant craziness. i've been going non-stop for so long. cant wait to just get on that plane and relax. i had a garage sale to help my lack of funds for my trip. i made some money but not enough. the rest I'm just believing miraculously for. He's done it before. He can do it again. my mom's been a gem. she's even packed my suitcase for me. much practice that woman's had. i have one day left in america. weird. it's gonna be an insane day too. i've said bye like a million times to the same people it seems. it's happening. scary but true. the land of the unknown here i come. the next time you hear from me...i'll be in the MOTHERLAND!! dasvadanya!

preparing for departure

i leave in less than two weeks and it's so unreal. i have yet to pack or buy luggage yet. there are so many odds and ends to cover...it's overwhelming. i simply cant believe this is acutally happeneing. obviously i knew this day would come but it's stinkin snuck up on me. im anxious to just get over there. somewhat looking forward to the plane ride. i was reminded the other day that the flight will have movies. YES! its the simple things in life that excite me. i've met some of the other students via email and facebook. it's pretty helpful to already know names and faces. what an experience of a lifetime. i've just been really praying for the relationships i'm gonna form and the people i'm gonna come in contact with. who knows what God's got up his sleeve. i hope i have an opportunity to visit some of the orphanages. back in highschool i saw a video in church that showed kids living in the sewer drains under the road. and in the dead of winter. that broke my heart. ever since then i told myself i would go to russia someday and love on those kids. maybe this is my chance!