Top ten funniest moments in Moscow!

1. When our bus drivers son got on the bus to "scope out" the new American girls. 

2. When I told Nikita to use the other bathroom and he replied, " I can't go in there! There's a douche in there!" .. referring to a shower. 

3.When little Myil ran into the Kindergarten room with full on excitement cause we were playing "Duck, Duck, Goose." 

4.Watching Mark sing, "I'm a very angry pirate." Don't worry, I'll get video footage of this :)

5. Our plumber, Dima, stripping down to his black speedo and taking a dive in the freezing lake while Janelle and I were hanging out on the other dock...

6. Old Gramps who gave me a hug on Arbot street. :)

7. "Hey.. uh... guys? I pooped my pants. Literally." 

8. When Jenny tried to learn Russian on the bus with some of the teachers...

9. "ha! ha! We beat you!...*WHAM!" as Janelle face planted it, after tripping over the stairs.. :)

and last but DEFINITELY not least.

10.  (wearing the "Is this real life face..") "...Did I fall out of my seat this morning?" Bursts of laughter exploded from all those in ear shot. As they thought about my rude awakening after flying out of my seat after Meesha hit a bump on the bus!

( ask me to tell you the story, its better with visuals) 

;)

hahahahhahahahahahhaha, 

We've had some grand times good ol' Moscow...thanks for the ride. :)

reinstatement of : thankful thursdays. & a Russian memoir

gladly. :)

1. I am thankful that i was able to get a car. Even though its broken down on me every day since purchase..when it does run well, it will be a stress relief.

2. I am thankful for friends who care. {this one is coming because of you Katrina. :) }

3. I am thankful for this hat I am wearing today. Courts got it for me in London, and i look fancy! ;)

4. I am thankful for my roommate Jennie, and her bf Elmer. They are so great!

5. I am thankful that my land lord is lenient with me, because dixieonecards are the devil.

6. I am thankful for my giant comfy bed, and its beckoning welcoming.

7. I am thankful that my mom stock piled my pantry with goodies to eat. { mostly healthy too!}

8. I am thankful for my skull candy headphones. bomb.com, i'm telling you.

9. I am thankful for the DSC computer lab, it totally help with finishing my assignments. {which yes, i am actually doing.}

10. and since it was a year ago today that i stepped foot onto the Russian soil, I want to tell you all, again, how much i love and miss and am grateful for that whole experience. Not a day goes by where I don't think about the people I met, the places I went, and the way I grew. I loooooooooved my experience SO much. And I can't tell you how much I miss it. Especially Sergey.

and now for a walk down memory lane, the good:

  St. Basils

 Cathedral of Christ

 Fydor: our Lord Farquade look alike.

 the lights outside of Cathedral of Christ

 Myil and his daily activity.

 Nikita and his hairless head.

 the place we flew to Moscow in, and the welcoming weather ;)

 My birthday princess cider! One of the most re memorable days of my life.

 St Basils with snnoooooow.

 my awesome, wonderful, life changing, beautiful roommates. and our tickets to see the Russian Ballet

 My best friend, Sergey

and the..not so good:

aaand the not so good..

I can't say I miss the school food. ;)












sigh.. such good times. :)

the truest of loves.

"She asked God for true love,

 so He taught her to truly love herself."

{ this picture hung on the wall in a classroom down stairs, back in Russia, in Russian of course. And I have never gotten over my love for it.} 

You ARE greatness. 

:) 

if you can help:

Dear Friends and Colleges,

Thank you to everyone who supports me and my work. I couldn't do it without you. Happy New Year everyone! (better late than never!!)

In March we will have a dinner to celebrate the spring season, the 8^th of March holiday, and to raise money to help Dennis. Along with the dinner, we will also have a raffle with prizes from Wella cosmetics, Sheraton Hotels, Marriott Hotels, Radisson Royal, and Moscow River Boat Cruises. All participants will receive a coupon for a free brunch at Starlight Diner. 

Allow me to tell you a little about Dennis. Dennis is 16 months old and suffered difficulties at birth. He has been diagnosed with “West Syndrome” (синдром Веста) as well as Cerebral Palsy (ДЦП).  He needs an operation and, unfortunately, he will need to be sent to Germany to receive the operation.

Please contact me if you are interested in more information about the dinner and about Dennis. We are thankful for your help and support.

 Best regards,

Gezahgn Wordofa 

General Director, OPORA

Goodwill Ambassador

IF you wish to help out Gezahgn, by sending money, please let me know, and I will get you his address. You can do a lot by giving a little. :)

Gezahgn Wordofa

is the man that put together the Christmas party refugee camp, I volunteered at, while in Russia. 

Tonight we caught each other online, and he showed me this video. I am soooo grateful this was done, it truly shows the needs of the people all over Russia, and everywhere else. 

He is truly an inspiring, kind, and loving man. He works hard, and I am so grateful I had the chance to meet him in my International Branch back in Russia, and to help him at his party. He just got back from his homeland in South Africa, and he is already putting himself back to work in Moscow. And he says, that even though I am now far away, I can still help. Or rather I should say, WE can still help. He will give me more details on how exactly we can do that. I am excited! Like I said, this man is wonderful, he helps people believe in miracles, because he sincerely loves, and cares for them. No matter who they are.

He won't give up. He is just beginning. 

I miss

Sergey. 

I was just informed by his new teacher that he won't come to class, and he just keeps saying,

" I miss Miss Kiri..."

Well, I miss my Sergey. And I miss being Miss Kiri. 

I think one day I may have to go back to visit him. :)

one day soon.

As days go on, I am able to realize just how much Sergey changed my life. He became one of my best friends back there... and he never failed to make me smile. Him and I? We had a special connection. And we hit it off from day one.

The kid really showed me what the power of love can do.

I really really miss him :(

toilet paper.

I don't think I'll ever get over my obsession and gratitude of soft toilet paper. 

one of Americas many perks. 

another? safety. 

I feel safe at home, and I am praying for those who were affected by the suicide bombing recently in Moscow.. 

May they soon find peace among their old war torn country. Those people deserve it.

THANKFUL THURSDAYS

I am thankful for the Christmas devotional put on by our first presidency. 

***

I am thankful that our school cancelled today due to the weather, and we were able to go to Pushkins Fine Arts Musuem, eat some BBQ chicken pizza, and... get some new shoes! ;)

***

I am thankful for the falling snow. Its so beautiful, and its been falling all day. :) Russia looks good in snow. :)

***

I am thankful I was able to..sorta, learn to ice fish from Boris and Jasper! 

***

I am thankful that I was able to read Sergey Dr. Suess books yesterday. They are the best!

***

I am thankful for finally having the time and spirit to write about past memories. It feels good to get it out. :) 

***

I am thankful for the great examples my parents set for me. :)

***

I am grateful that people on the metro bought things from the sellers on the metro. :) I always feel so bad when nobody buys the random things their trying to sell.

***

I am thankful for "Who's line is it anyway?" marathons with Janelle! 

***

I am thankful for the giant Christmas tree's all over Moscow. :)

THANKFUL THURSDAYS

I am thankful that this week seems like its flown by! I can't BELIEVE that it is already Friday tomorrow! :D

***

I am thankful that I have peppermint hot cocoa by my side tonight. :)

***

I am thankful that tomorrow the girls from World of Knowledge school are coming for a sleep over party!

***

I am thankful for memories. & all the lessons, and laughter they bring. 

***

I am thankful for the Ensign my mom sent in my birthday package. I just read a really good talk about the peace of soul, and it was what I needed to hear. 

***

I am thankful for Sergeys tan & safe return from Egypt. Although he got bit  by a small shark while scuba diving, he is safe. :)

***

I am thankful for writing letters to people. I really really love it :)

***

I am thankful for The Spirit, and its comfort. 

***

I am thankful for answered prayers.

***

I am thankful for the time I got to watch my sister dance on stage. I can't wait to watch her again :) 

***

I am thankful for being able to help out at the Refugee Christmas party put on by a Giza, a man in my branch.. It was such an amazing opportunity. A Russian experience I won't forget!

***

I am thankful for our homemade, beautiful, Christmas tree we made for FHE on Monday.

***

I am thankful for a warm apartment.

***

I am thankful that my toes have yet to fall off from the freezing cold bus.

***

and although this is five more then ten, 

I am thankful that on Wednesday our school was to "cool" for school, and got cancelled. :)

thats Sergeys Santa sleigh, complete with a jet pack & head rest. :)

Its December

and I'm not going to lie... it doesn't feel like Christmas time :(

This is so hard for me to except. Normally I'm feeling like Christmas by July! or at least November..

But the cold dark, Russian Holiday days just don't seem to be giving me that same Jovial spirit. Ya know?

I can't even BEGIN to tell you how much this makes me miss home...

But, in light of the lack of Christmas spirit, there are a few good things that have happened...and, hopefully soon, some good holiday spirit will come our way. :)

last Saturday, Janelle and I went to go help out at a Refugee Christmas party..

there was a Santa...

 and, little girls wearing dresses. She was the happiest little one when she found this princess puzzle, never even opened. She held it close to her chest the whole rest of the party. It was enough to put a smile one anyones face. :)

And for FHE this past week we made a "Merry Moments chart" to record our thankful-tudes..

  

listened to some rockin Christmas music,

 ate some Russian pop-corn..

 all while building our Christmas tree...

and ornaments to decorate it. :)

and, i've been reading some enlightening Christmas stories, that I will share on my blog, every December day till Christmas. We all need heart warming stories every now and again,right? so..

 TIS THE SEASON! 

:) 

So, please, enjoy. For..this may be all your getting for the next month, because I REALLY don't want to blog about Russia anymore... hehe :)

ps. I really, love our tree. :)

dependant

"We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness.. We are the Lords hands here upon the earth, with this mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us." - President Thomas S. Monson

Kremlin Wall

THANKFUL THURSDAY!

How much cooler can this day get?! 

Its Thankful Thursday

my nineteenth birthday,

AND its Thanksgiving!!!!

soo much incredibleness all in one day.. soooo much to be grateful for! :D

1. I am grateful that, although I was an hour late, I was able to skype a ton of my friends and family this morning! I thought it was just going to be my family, but the minute the camera came up, there in my little screen were a million little friend heads all singing me "Happy Birthday" from across the world. :) Its one of the greatest moments of my life! 

2. I am grateful that all my friends made it safely back home for the holidays. No snow storm could beat out my buds! :D

3. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to spend these two wondrous events in Moscow Russia. Its, been an adventure! & its one i will NEVER forget! Thanksgiving was held at one of the other ILP apartments. (soooo nice!) They literally live in WALKING distance from the President of Russia, if that gives you a taste of their living environment. :) It was great! We had a turkey, a square pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, a green salad, and some bread pastries! I also brought along some princess sparkling cider to celebrate my day of birth with everyone. It was awesome :)

4. I am grateful for Christmas music! I can officially start listening to it out loud, with out my roommates get agitated. for, "Tis the most wonderful time, of the year!" :D 

5. I am grateful that my roommate downloaded 'Elf' so that we could watch it in bed this morning as we ate homemade cheesecake & drank sparkling cider. :) and that I received an email from a HAPPY friend. two best birthday gifts on record :)

6. I am grateful that my family sent me a surprise package for my birthday!! I had NO idea! :D I get to open it tomorrow! hooray! 

7. I am grateful that I get to live in some of my heavens today. :) 

8. I am grateful that I only have THREE more Mondays, and THREE more weeks left!!!!! :) :) :) :) :) 

9.I am grateful for my mom & Dad. I KNOW they love me, and I feel so lucky for that. I have been truly blessed to have them as parents. & i love them sooooo much!

10. and, last but not least... I am grateful for the video my friend Shelbi put together. Its a video where she went around to all my friends and they wished me a happy birthday, and then she put it to music, and sent it to me. & its the most amazing thing I've ever watched. I loved every single part of it! & I miss EVERYONE so much! Its an amazing feeling to be so overcome with love. :) & I am so grateful I was able to experience that. I still can't watch the video without tearing up..its just SO beautiful! :D i love it! i love it! i LOVE it! :D

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! 

& here's to my nineteenth year! :D

ps. here's a link if you wanted to watch the video :)

PIES!

yesterday Janelle and I went to a Relief Society pie making class. :) Since we have the week off, and can do awesome things like that. :) 

We LOVED being there. There were about six ladies from our branch, all absolutely wonderful! While we mingled and exchanged stories of how we ended up in Moscow, our President Sister. Lockehead (one of the most beautiful women on this earth, i'm not kidding.) Taught as all we needed to know about pies. It was such fun! 

After we made pie crusts, of all sorts, we headed off to the American Embassy school, where they were holding a mini Russian market. Okay, how cool would it be to attend an English school with kids from all over the world attending?! Talk about getting culturally educated! 

At the market I stalked up on some souvenirs, FINALLY!, and then we headed back to Sister. Titus's house. She was so nice to offer us some mac & cheese, and a place to warm up while we waited for our bus. It was sooooo nice to be in a home again. I know understand why they call the home, our second temple. It was wonderful :) 

Pies, greetings, shopping, mac & cheese, and the day still wasn't over with! We hopped on to our little bus, and headed off to find H&M. Mission completed! & I even bought myself a cute new birthday hat, ( that ended up being cheaper than I though! score!) I love the new hat. It makes me feel like a world traveler, AND now maybe my roommates won't be so embarrassed walking around Moscow with me... ;) 

pretty good day I'll say, and look! I even accumulated 10 pie tips for you. and..right in time for Thanksgiving :)

1. Don't touch your pie too much, the less handling, the better.

2. use COLD water and butter. Ours was so cold, the water had ice in it, and the butter was sliced off using a knife.

3. Wrap tinfoil around your crust until the last ten minutes to ensure no burnage. 

4. If you crust calls for butter, don't mix it TOO much. you should be able to see chunks of butter in various places. Where the butter lies, is where your flakes will lie. :) 

5. When making pies, make sure your kitchen in nice & cool, temp is everything in the pie world.

6. Half butter, and half shortening is the easy way of pie. and its still yummy!

7.when you roll out your crust, rotate you dough every three to four rolls. This is because you always push harder on one side. 

8. When rolling go hard in the middle, and ease up at the edges. 

9. Nobody likes a soggy bottom crust, so brush a little egg white before you pour in your filling, and WALA! no soggy bottom. :)

10. Sharing a pie is the best way to eat a pie. :)

also, for the absolute BEST recipes & tips visit her blog. 

She is amazing, and I promise you will not make one thing you don't like. :) AND ITS ON A BUDGET! :D 

Where are you today?

I had the opportunity on Saturday to attend a baptism of an entire family, and another member. After a two hour metro ride, and practically running down the street, we made it right on time. and I am so glad we did! The meeting was such a spiritual experience, and a cultral experience! The meeting was held in English, the baptisms in French, and the singing in Russian. :) It was very cool. 

It was so neat to see an entire family enter into the waters of baptism, and the covenants of eternal life. The joy on their faces was so apparent, and I've never seen people look so beautiful. This feeling was doubled when the mother got up to share, in her native language, her new found testimony of our Saviour Jesus Christ and His Atoning sacrifice, and the joys of now having an eternal family.

 It was a beautiful service in deed.

One of my favourite parts however, was the final talk given by President Kosac. He bore his testimony of our Saviour, and also the love he knows Christ has for him. He shared a profound message that really hit me. He said that often times he thinks of God asking him, "Why are you not more like Moses, Henry?" To this he says, "Well, I am not a prophet, there is no need to be." Then God asks, "Why are you not like Elder Holland, Henry?" and to this he reples again, "Because I am not of the apostles." And then.. in the silence of his questions, He hears God ask him, "Why are you not more like my beloved son Henry, Henry?" He said, "This brings tears to my eyes, as I realize that I too, though I am not of a higher calling, am great in the sight of God. And that the most important thing I can be, is myself. The Henry, God wants me to be." He then said, the most important question he asks himself everyday is,

 "Where are you Henry?" 

"Where are you Kirsten?" Surely not where you need to be. Remain focused on your goals, and your blessings. Pour ALL your energy into your faith in Christ, and when you have done this.. you will realize there is still more. There is always more to us. Its as if we are buried in the sand, and, as time goes on, we are slowely uncovered to reveal our entire selves.. Don't give up before you are completly uncovered. Because I promise, you are worth removing every grain of sand. Have patience. And, like president Kosac asked us, I ask you,

"Where are you today?" 

This answer may just be the answer you have been searching for. 

DOORS.

I have this incredible friend, who has his own blog.. (check it out)

and right before I left on my Scandinavian vacation, he posted this, and inspired me to photograph some doors on the other side of the world. 

So, whether you are in your own neck of the woods, across the world, or just visiting a friend, check out the doors around YOU,and who knows... maybe you will find exactly what you were looking for behind one..

Estonia

 estonia

Estonia

Estonia

Estonia

Estonia

Estonia

St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg

( see the tiny door?..) :)

St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg

...But, you will never know, unless you open them.