As I go through out my day, I am always saying to myself, “oh I gotta write about that!” or, “perhaps I should mention this part of Russia…” but often times by the time I’m home, I’ve been through so many of those moments that my reminders are exhausted and I end up just doing a play by play. So tonight, since not too much happened today, you get some Russian spurts! :D
1. I swear that everyone and their dog smokes. No, everyone and their baby. If you walking down the street it wouldn’t surprise me if you saw a mum and dad smoking like chimneys, and looked into the carriage to see a tiny baby with a cigarette in both hands. Its crazy! By the time I’m back home my life span will have been cut in half.. haha
2. Russia has BEAUTIFUL architecture. I just got back from visiting areas around Red Square, and the buildings were breath taking. Due partially to the setting sun, the yellows light blues and orange hues of the buildings, and the white molding that covers the corners and roods; it was a sight to see! So far, my favourite buildings are the pale yellow ones. Something about that colorus calls out to me. I love it!
3. Most of them time, the only times I feel like a tourist, or even like I’m in a different country, is when I’m uploading pictures onto facebook.. haha
4. I met some of my kids I will be teaching today, THEY ARE SOOOO CUTE! We got to play “Duck, Duck, Goose” with them, in front of their parents. Everyone loved it! Unfortunately though we wont start teaching till Wednesday.. it keeps getting pushed back because they aren’t sure how many kids will be in the program this year. But! After today, seeing their adorable faces, and hearing their enthusiasm for a new year of school, I can’t wait to start teaching! For the first two weeks, I get to teach Gym, which has got me planning, hopefully, some super fun activities. I can’t wait!
5.Soup. Rice. Chicken. Nasty bread. Soup. Rice. Chicken. Nasty bread. Soup. Rice. Chicken. Aaaannnddd, nasty bread. I feel like that’s all I’ve ate this entire time!! The soup is good. The rice is okay. And the chicken is doable only when you’re starving. Needless to say, I wish I could have some in and out just about now. ;)
6. I talked to my family and john this morning on skype! I was so excited I woke up every hour, from a different dream, to check my clock. By four A.M I just couldn’t take it anymore, and I logged on. The first voice and face I heard was johns. And then came my sister, my brothers, my mom and my dad. What a PERFECT way to start a day!!! I was able to talk to them for well over an hour! :D it made me sooooooo happy. Skype is incredible! And I just can’t believe the technology now a days! I’m in love! :D Its crazy though, that after our conversation I fulfilled a day, and they are just about to wake up to theirs.. haha
7. My favourite thing to do is ride the metro and listen to my ipod. There’s just something that makes me laugh when I am listening to Cold Plays “viva la vida”, and everyone seems to be swaying along… ;)
8. I had my first Russian ice cream today. It was called .. well some long Russian name, but in English translated to “creamy with the coco”. It was SOOOO good. :D I was surprised though by how small their “one scoop” is compared to out “one scoops” we might as have have been ordering twenty scoops this whole time… haha J
9. My school is pink. J I’m not sure if I have mentioned that previously, but if not. Tis true!
10. Russia’s economy status is very drastic in its range. On our way to school,( which takes about an hour, two if there’s traffic) We pass by country homes that are huge! With long driveways, and big yards. And also humble shacks. Where the windows aren’t covered by glass, but by cloths.. its very strange for me to see. And it breaks my heart to see the drastic differences, but it definitely awakens my eyes.. i hope there is something i can do here to help.. help something. anything.
And one last tid bit, with out counting, I counted four car wrecks today. Just on our way to school! And yet again my bus was in a “battle of the bravest” except this time we won. Barely. I think our windows got scratched.. if not, I do know that our mirrors were pushed aside. Its quite the scary trip..
All in all, I’m still loving it here. Every day is different. And everyday it becomes more and more beautiful to me. However, just because I am beginning to love it here, that doesn’t take away my ache for home. I miss everyone! And the most simple of things. But, until four months, this is where the life is at. J Hope everyone is well. I love you!
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