tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53087066186211655042024-03-19T23:01:06.921+03:00From Vladimir With LoveeRiNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02112987477678963610noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308706618621165504.post-22117212263130775562010-05-08T14:03:00.004+04:002010-05-08T14:23:59.800+04:00In Honor of Mother's DayAnd because it was just a wonderful time with my mom, I am posting photos of my Mom's visit to Russia. It was her first trip ever here. She really liked it!! So much so that she said that she could now see why I loved it so much and want to live here! That was in INCREDIBLE! And she was only here 13 days, imagine if she stayed longer! Or if she came every year, then she'd want to move here :) Hmm, sounds like something I need to work on her about ;)<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubbCDtj8xnqR82n1F3Wh7XKlxuTCJKdFP2FGsv1ZQIucQevj-n33F5ieiKQGJ0z5hwV2n7QB6FIgT2bQBXTkCjIvUWZQ5ZGBSiiqjQUJNJBLsDYHflXOjxc-kPsp1EobUlK8-8iV2VMVr/s1600/DSC01611.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468839114093274610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubbCDtj8xnqR82n1F3Wh7XKlxuTCJKdFP2FGsv1ZQIucQevj-n33F5ieiKQGJ0z5hwV2n7QB6FIgT2bQBXTkCjIvUWZQ5ZGBSiiqjQUJNJBLsDYHflXOjxc-kPsp1EobUlK8-8iV2VMVr/s320/DSC01611.JPG" /></a>The Kozmavas (clockwise) Oleg, Manana and George.</p><p>My first order of business was to introduce her to my Russian/Georgian family. God has blessed me so much with and through them. He has taught me so much about love in my time with them. I remember when the other AH teachers referred to their host families as my dad, brother, sister, etc... I thought they were crazy. Then God sent me to them and I love them so! </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNn0mwSuDCNnvozZjAUCs_2ELR3tUC3ntiw7lUja7B3kQxpkTki8vnoM4_gjsrlbk2Uen-tpJnVyUB6NrDPDh9JOrUuk8TYRQ4X8ZRd1vq5a61Q9UisZLPnP4xhC-TVDfAlZ26YJxmFVvp/s1600/DSC01610.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468839104840466898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNn0mwSuDCNnvozZjAUCs_2ELR3tUC3ntiw7lUja7B3kQxpkTki8vnoM4_gjsrlbk2Uen-tpJnVyUB6NrDPDh9JOrUuk8TYRQ4X8ZRd1vq5a61Q9UisZLPnP4xhC-TVDfAlZ26YJxmFVvp/s320/DSC01610.JPG" /></a> With the Kozmava Women (l to r): Manana, Nona, me, MoM, Tamuna. </p><p align="center">Few women impress me and inspire me as much as they do.</p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiClQU_YJt4SaRAXjH4LBgO3_Ca4XXlPkN_M5-8s5uFMBIaihglvh8yHPQbj0yQrqFvv91xuzW2EkTNROMlOx63i7E-UzrL4Nr4iI8uYfL5tQmCvZSBEbXxs3RSmNZvUzl1-h6TMDq84R/s1600/DSC01601.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468839098520074578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiClQU_YJt4SaRAXjH4LBgO3_Ca4XXlPkN_M5-8s5uFMBIaihglvh8yHPQbj0yQrqFvv91xuzW2EkTNROMlOx63i7E-UzrL4Nr4iI8uYfL5tQmCvZSBEbXxs3RSmNZvUzl1-h6TMDq84R/s320/DSC01601.JPG" /></a> Our Dinner Party, Phase I. (l to r) Tamuna, Manana, me, MoM, George & Oleg.</div><div align="center">Of course after we had some appetizers and drinks, the rest of the family came for Phase II. </div><div align="center">My mom was so overwhelmed (in a good way) by everyone's warmth and hospitality.<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8W88UXj0unCvhXaOnskYt0rP22zp1ydqLa9jGofgdphSOF1H0B46b6u4IW5_XwcdZSfDxxG6ZJJgKFQD2sjIoJDNJdnX7XJA69fnz9c7cn2uEXz4YyNDKqX4xwjLMJVYUs9IfPdcbNzlI/s1600/DSC01600.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468839084942776626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8W88UXj0unCvhXaOnskYt0rP22zp1ydqLa9jGofgdphSOF1H0B46b6u4IW5_XwcdZSfDxxG6ZJJgKFQD2sjIoJDNJdnX7XJA69fnz9c7cn2uEXz4YyNDKqX4xwjLMJVYUs9IfPdcbNzlI/s320/DSC01600.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a>My two moms. God loves me so much, he gave me two! The are complete opposites yet complimentary yet similar, it blows my mind.</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vOJ0h79m5xLNePK7lH0s7k4vikwt0NIpQ-kJTK7SINDvkw1WNevulPOQ3eSMET36xc1VXA2kHOjQbh8Go-PrssfU-1h7qHljOMl5rBC_cY7lYn1RJSIn3O3Nzq3QAnT2hA0pFCxS-CIg/s1600/DSC01599.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 180px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468839078951003858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vOJ0h79m5xLNePK7lH0s7k4vikwt0NIpQ-kJTK7SINDvkw1WNevulPOQ3eSMET36xc1VXA2kHOjQbh8Go-PrssfU-1h7qHljOMl5rBC_cY7lYn1RJSIn3O3Nzq3QAnT2hA0pFCxS-CIg/s320/DSC01599.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a>Beginning of Our Dinner Party, Phase I.</p><p align="left">HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all Moms!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>eRiNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02112987477678963610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308706618621165504.post-46398848275464225472010-05-08T13:28:00.003+04:002010-05-08T13:47:28.979+04:00Return From Yet Another Extended HiatusHi Blog World Friends!!!<br /><br />It's been nearly eight months since my last post. Geez, much has happened - good and bad. To be honest the early part of that eight months was not good. But Praise God, He turned things around for me. During Easter, I celebrated not only His resurrection and victory over death but a new beginning! Things since then have been great.<br /><br />Tomorrow, I am going to Kiev, Ukraine. Some friends from church, the student ministry group and I are heading out on the train after church. I am BEYOND excited! I have been wanting to take a trip for the last few months but my plans kept falling through. This trip was so last-minute, I guess plans couldn't fall through, hahah. I was invited and decided sometime after midnight last Saturday. Eleven of us will be going. We're riding third-class which means the train wagon will be a gigantic open area with bunk beds. Like a dorm or barrack on wheels. Should be interesting. I have seen animals (i.e. goats) board trains in the past so I am looking forward to the adventure!<br /><br />In Kiev, we'll be going to <em>Passion</em>, the praise and worship conference where Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman will be among the performers. I am very excited to worship in English in a corporate setting as I almost never have the opportunity!!! We'll also take in the historical sites and meander through the city. I am told it is quite beautiful and ancient. Tomorrow is also Victory Day so hopefully we will experience the celebration of the 65th annual holiday.<br /><br />What else can I say??<br /><br />In 7 weeks, I will returning home to Texas. I have to say the time has flown by. Part of me is excited to get back, as many wonderful celebrations await me (4th of July, three weddings); all-around good times with great people. But I always feel like the time to leave Russia always comes at a bad time. Does that make sense? Things are just picking up here and then I will have to put them on hold. Oh well, maybe that's one of the many ebbs and flows of life. What do I know? I feel like just a kid sometimes, hah!<br /><br />But what's <strong>INCREDIBLY</strong> exciting is that I will be returning to Russia in the Fall. I am so... I can't find the words but they're all positive, hopeful, thrilled, eager- you get it fill in the blank! I am BEYOND! I can't wait to come back even though I am still here :) Yeah, sometimes my emotions and I don't make sense but in this situation, I'm fine with it!<br /><br />This week was our first week of warm weather, WOOHOOO!!!! Last year at this time it was still considerably chilly. This Wednesday things were at 75, got cold on Thursday but then yesterday and today are 75 or 78. Soon I'll be able to say summer is here!!! But I am so content with the 70s those are perfect temps for me :)<br /><br />Kiev or Bust! Happy Weekend Everyone!!!!eRiNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02112987477678963610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308706618621165504.post-7167084825758657972009-09-03T13:08:00.007+04:002010-08-23T02:48:29.709+04:00The Smell of Dying Grass...<div align="justify">Hi Everyone!!!<br />
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Life in Vladimir is pretty fantastic! I FINALLY defeated jet-lag, YAHOO!!! It only took one week!!!! Well, on second thought I may have a residual amount considering I wake up at 7am like clockwork. Oh well, nothing a few good late movies or book can’t cure.<br />
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My first week here was pretty great. It’s always pretty great out here! It’s like a continuous vacation from the rat race that was my former profession. Ha! That is NOT a slight to my former colleagues – it takes dedication and passion to even make it working for “The Mouse”. You all keep keepin’ on, you have what it takes! My passion for that wore out and it’s my time to do something else.<br />
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Week one in Vlad – I volunteered at my church’s children’s camp. It was like VBS and lasted from noon until five every day. We, the volunteers and counselors, had to arrive at 10am. Since I was still fighting jet-lag, it was a long day for me. I was thankful for the continuous supply of black tea, chocolate and cookies. I was in the yellow group with the youngest kids, ages 3-7. They were SO CUTE! Since we had two kids too young for camp, my friend Olya T. and I were in charge of watching them. So I took Fedya (our pastor’s SUPER CUTE son) and she watched her adorable daughter Sasha.</div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377173669330414978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-CJyU2m2xYev5m_VNTpaITLFGsf45xN-X8LYeNGIPmVVu5_PYOFj34J6lUUuZe-o4sSAwqZKn6IsC696SbDyflyV4_xS9I_G1bPXfiA3qjBUl2DczWbaV5strlz8SyEcyvW-YVXeXwNN/s320/my+group.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" />My group, Team Yellow.<br />
<div align="justify"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377173659035306866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4p6a4f7c7XhP4KhH9qRr2oItIQ9tMqI0SBP0oNPJYDVNTJH05KLIE9T86IXf7wmQEKlfDamrziRdSLMfKyhE_mXeJMm4svn-lNrLluyefmlHZLjufWfEPTPPLzT0MrhK2BjOx4Q8ayyps/s320/fedya.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 303px;" />My friend Olya and Fedya.<br />
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Fedya is ALL BOY! He’s truly great! He is so full of energy and zest! I had so much fun playing with him and watching him “attack” the slide and wooden animals in the playground. He would literally charge the slide, waving his little arms in the air while yelling his battle cry. He also is very musical – he makes up a song for ANYTHING! He discovered some batteries from the microphone and started singing “эта мая батерая... эта мая батерая” (in English “it’s my battery, my battery!”. It had a melody and everything! I always adored Fedya but after that first day, I totally fell in love with him and the idea of one day having my own son like him! Of course, as with all little boys – we learned to fly! He had a song for that too “We are flying, we are flying!” Yall know how to fly, right? He basically sat on my shoulders while I held him and he put his arms out like the wings of a plane. I wish we had a video, it was awesome! Later that night I felt like a train hit me. Every night after camp, I came home and collapsed into a coma by 7:30p. I figure it would be great to do that every day to stay young.<br />
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At Thursday’s camp session, I taught a lesson about America. Marina, our camp director, thought the topic Skyscrapers would be cool for the kids since our theme was Miracles & Wonders. She was right, the lesson was a hit! I put together a PowerPoint and even got to use George’s (my Russian brother) photos of his trip to Chicago. He even came to translate one of my lessons. We had fun!!! I also introduced the kids to Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches! That was fun!!!! I used the jar of Jif I brought back for someone else. Oops! But it was worth it, the kids LOVED it. I have found that when Russian kids taste PB alone, many of them don’t like it. But as a sandwich, all of them liked it and all got “seconds”. Afterwards, I ended up with a fan club. Everywhere I went, I was either followed by three girls: Marina, Leeza & Diana or four little boys: Kirill, Alyosha, Ilya & Roma. They were just darling!!! <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377173677772445474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYXODlBEAnYwvB5LgLHCiD6uu7IuVtiW-H42LF0RFwnIf9Ddm3EVo3jskGILk-DHMmDhmxbS7XL_f-gywnLrar4w8gnvZRcTYCW9b_903kPGst80H9j1s-6fGA4S7j3bYlga-asfG8FSX/s320/red+group.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 207px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></div><div align="center">Team Red aka my Fan Club</div><div align="justify"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377173682886159138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF95HpHy1EaRjDGcfsRblaqF5dzocQxn6xXsFm9ruKg9-OvtxiChGBy-EgNoXSEXrka8Jph3dk-RUkVsoC76vsDFMaaMQ0eKiK0SeOYgDog_XH1vBx3isoJxf2L7e0K2z9r4G0xKj1cepe/s320/new+friends.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 199px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" />My new friends Marina (L), Diana (R) and their mom.<br />
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The day after camp ended Manana (my Russian mom) invited me to their friend’s dacha. It would be my second ДАЧА trip since returning. Both times were great, but they were two different dachas and two vastly different worlds! My Russian family’s dacha is a beautiful American home: two stories, a wine cellar, basement, full shower and bathroom, various bedrooms, a Jacuzzi, pool table etc… Plus the design is GORGEOUS!!!! It’s not like the other towering dachas that the “New Russians” (as my Russian dad calls them) built. Theirs has style and the architecture of an Orthodox church. It is simply beautiful. I could have happily stayed there all week!<br />
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The second дача was outside of Moscow and at least a 20-minute rollercoaster ride off the main road. Yes, it was a rollercoaster with all the bumps and holes in the road. I wasn’t surprised that most of the vehicles parked in the дачаs along the way were Hummers and various SUVs. My host dad told me that this is how the majority of the country (outside Moscow) lives. The дача was pleasant and I was thankful for the chilly air which made the mosquitos and flies tolerable. Boy, am I glad I didn’t go to this dacha in the summer! All was well and fine UNTIL I had to use the bathroom. Yeah, there was no toilet, only an outhouse. George and I cracked up laughing when we saw it from a safe distance. Then I really had to go and so I teased him that our friendship ended because he didn’t WARN me about the place before I agreed to come. He said he’d never been, fair enough. I determined to wait until I returned to civilization, I mean home.<br />
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SEVERAL hours and a complete Georgian feast later, we still weren’t heading home. Much to my chagrin, Manana and the other ladies insisted on a walk. GRR!!! I HATE being forced to do anything much less walk. I have to admit that SOME time I enjoy гулатing (walking) BUT with VERY SPECIFIC purpose and or people who (sadly) no longer live in Vladimir. Я скучю Бекс и Андрушка! I also enjoy going for walks with my students, they’re great. With them, Beks and Andrew, we always have something interesting to talk about and it makes no difference to either of us where we are heading, if anywhere or how long it will take to find Red Bull. To my mind (as Russians say), the idea of walking to just walk without a destination or purpose (i.e. walking to work or store) is pointless. If you want to exercise, go run or buy a bike or something. In my mind, walking to exercise is for old people, pregnant women and people recovering from heart/back/leg surgery. It’s especially tedious to walk with no purpose while I am STRUGGLING to speak Russian and protect myself from a perpetual onslaught of flesh-eating flies, gnats, bees, etc… So it’s now clear, I don’t walk for pleasure; only purpose. I was forced to walk this evening. Barely out of the dacha’s sight, we walked into a PUTRID REEKING STENCH! The family who owns the dacha assured me it was the smell of dying grass. WTH!?!?!? Dying grass?!?!?! Who has ever heard of that?!?! Not I. Granted, I’m from the 8th largest city in America and I consider far-lying suburbs to be “the country”. If grass truly died, I wouldn’t know it. Anyone who knows me has heard and seen that I am SO NOT a “Wilderness Girl”. I’ll be the first to admit it too, no shame! BUT I have been on hundreds of day-long road trips driving through my beloved Texas where we all know it doesn’t rain for months on end so grass is DEAD. Dead grass is not foreign to me but it NEVER reeks!<br />
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George was now by my side to coerce to keep walking. A few more steps into the stench and I vomited in my mouth. It was awful and don’t you know we didn’t have any water. It must have been the combination of eating the equivalent of four delicious meals in ONE sitting, lots of Georgian delicacies and an overly full bladder. Nevertheless, I blame the stench without which, I would have been fine. As I tried my best to regroup, I realized that I was in the middle of nowhere surrounded by 12 houses only 2 of which maybe had running water much less flushing toilets. I was not polluting my lungs with fumes from dying grass but from the stench of rotting sewage. When reality hit me, I nearly lost it again – all four meals! It was a sickening thought and smell. When I came to again, I saw that the entire dinner party was around me laughing. I couldn’t help but join their fit of laughter. It was disgustingly hilarious, maybe you had to be there – but be glad you weren’t!<br />
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OH! My mistake, we were walking to the lake – that was our destination. BUT the point of walking to the lake was not to swim but to look at it. To me, that is not purpose, especially when vomiting en route is de rigeour. I told George two words when we were done: NEVER AGAIN. He agreed. Despite the graphic events, it was a great Saturday. I had so much fun! My Georgian family is easily the best family in all of Russia. I love them so!!!! Once we returned from our walk, my host dad and mom teased me for half of the 3 hour ride home. We laughed and laughed. That day they learned the words “crap” and “poop”. It was pretty funny when I saw my host dad on Monday, he asked me If I wanted to go for a walk. All of us nearly collapsed with laughter. Then Manana said, “Not if it smells like crab”. George and I cracked up. Great times and even better memories.</div>eRiNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02112987477678963610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308706618621165504.post-29862347936525823132009-06-02T19:16:00.006+04:002009-06-02T20:33:30.954+04:00Recap of March 2009<div>OH MY GOSH! I can NOT believe I haven't posted a blog since March. Wow, I am a slacker. Or not, perhaps I didn't post because I was so busy working hard, teaching and studying harder =) Hahah. A little of that is true but mostly, I have been away because I have been loving a good </div><div>life!!!! That's right, loving life!</div><div> </div><div>I figure the best way to update you is with bulletpoints & photos, so here goes. The highlights of the last 2 months in my world:<br /></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>March 2009 - visited Kameshkovo Orphanage with our Friends of Kameshkovo team... We were a small team this year but we had a great time with the kids! The kids were surprised by my Russian, of course, it's not fluent but they understood me and I them. Of course, thankfully we had translators for the big things: like family time, lessons and games. But talking to the kids on my own was AWESOME!!!!!!!!! I can't explain it unless you've experienced overcoming a language barrier. I have a long way to go but I'm up to it!</div><br /><div></div><div>Kameshkovo Photos:</div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342766802966521906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3luF8tF3dpFNF-veOYx5GXLLZldZ5Y4IGe893JXd_HGwZnZW_5N-wYWzI0-H2Tov7VRFX3-RmhPyrKQyt1LVba883ptWxPfHt1XbAwKjhf198v2yjgUeOS5vFdT-CtuuELqfLcicGyeKj/s320/P1012494.JPG" /></div><div align="center">With Andrei, Alyosha and Maksim</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342766786560286818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWluZgr7MwLvttHPmxALVNXxmO0ExCdvC_V9Ks8CgknbpkV5gatAhT64DHuZ2AsiZBy952tGud4kWE8uhXEInTpXSX0HGAcXEE5gZE1cxGSrFqLha4YsAWaoOAUsy1k9SFVYwJWPnSMHO/s320/P1012487.JPG" /></div><div align="center">The Red Family Group</div><div align="center">Front L to R: Maksim & Mekhti; 2nd row: Alex, Valya, Alyosha and Yulia; Back row: Korvan, Veronika, Oksana, me, Katya</div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342766780955148066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Dj3lv3G43hzwXM8ncZ8ImPf5KS1FR17hBfsnpjvs2_nvTdJzKXrxCvyoNshQx3mGUx8hRp6Fg_IkW-4apreHfNyH2WKlkW4joSjadYe0es2XgxjFG5Y_ShQQxGFjRzxlo0WIR32tMfx3/s320/P1012466.JPG" />Our "Noah's Ark" Skit Group: Mekhti, Valya, Oksana & Alyosha<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342766774514666626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhwdJmyrnxcBOwRw3VAhBwyQMHK7Ua4kD3MTPUfAZRz2rzUpxY5tVTur7pzcYS6I1Scl3JL-tlILJK_OebSEfhUWuxxE99ETGu_h9Yl8OK1E70XELEi5se7728XVsJoPuuyTfK36UW3kI/s320/P1012459.JPG" />Alyosha, aka The Greatest Child Ever, was Noah... He and I created the ark =)<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342755607957468354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_-ZEx2w8cQpUHV_IfnL-23I0fyhDMQgdzS56Y8S6EAA-19fINrZJ5eZsGyr2m7xdBq0M6_2pI1XfJtLexuX380eVPFGYxf_4pzBs5a9zqxk7ZArVCALj23L4Tk1MizBbawe7FSVWjgDa/s320/P1012446.JPG" /></div><div align="center">With The Greatest Child Ever, Alyosha</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342755603818479186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshIEVpTA4WLsxKtI0HUVVkeJgn0ijwv_9iEvU4NegUJmzUc25Stn00P7I20SUimiRhfVqqY2dy_oB0S6N4IdLgBb_TXoLQ9GHUPI7riQ8_ArdKdK3JO3c80eqhfgK-2I_w90i15RfrBpT/s320/P1012411.JPG" /></div><div align="center">At the Nadezhda Fund with the Kameshkovo Grads</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342755606245776594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4_FkKGm3nf1RbM3Eju9BZbF8-8uPKZj5P-jIyyN3Of1NTKA1FT0y3D1MGwYhhk4qxHXgdVmLMKUGjk69V41uaFNuRxkm0iI-eyYQFtF9CwAFH0bH8zPTFJe3Ljp_jMDderDRCKK5qFvh8/s320/P1012401.JPG" /></div><div align="center">Again at the Fund with Lena (L) and Anya (R)</div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 321px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342755601373552322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0xn1nIvGp5TtBY5CmkjWLFHH89k2BcbPonh42QNCP6LRP8Fd6sF3v8rSDH0MTUvFxTfoiH5yMZJYz6RgKeWDclud8ddrbWMG__lWFnsQkFfts4H90dzgSzG2Dg16qzMUcjq3mXvMotQP/s320/P1012398.JPG" /></div><div align="center">With the senior boys: Vanya, Andrei, Vitya, me, Sergei, Maks & Artyom</div></div><div></div><br /><div><div>The end of our camp at Kameshkovo was sad because I don't know when I will visit again. I still don't have permission to visit on a regular basis. I have resolved to give up on pushing/trying for that because I have done everything I possibly could and nothing came of it. So it's in God's hands now. </div><div></div><div> </div><div>Another reason it was sad, my host mom Manana, got very ill during this time and was hospitalized. She has a severe heart and blood pressure problem. She was in the hospital a very long time, nearly 3 weeks. She came home in mid April. Since she and I her husband gave me their master bedroom, they needed their space back so she could recover. So on April 24th, I moved into my own apartment. It was sad to leave my host family because I loved them as my own family. They are AWESOME! The saddest part was leaving her and having her cry and cry. I have visited them since and I try to call them at least once a week to say Hello. She still is not well, so please keep her in your prayers. She will be going to Moscow later this week for more tests.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>eRiNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02112987477678963610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308706618621165504.post-49637824452122638232009-03-18T15:26:00.008+03:002009-03-18T15:50:25.160+03:00Super SundayAT LONG LAST!!!! Alyosha, Oksana and Pasha came to visit me in Vladimir. We had a TON of fun!!! It began at 8am when they arrived at the train station. Then I gave them a tour of the AH, the school where I teach. Ironically, they loved the place of my stress!!! It was completely foreign to them so I guess that's why =)<br /><br /><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314504811230364850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-Z-Yyp29tCgY-rQ42ZIkUUjnXZurYQhGvWaLs0XApb5dJeIB8eg1HzmXk3YPhmpy5BdENoRZhJQOJAgXSbh-PJYC8HC6XX1ckfxb-f7jUp4ijKnDRLxzMDTGUcAl-Apv0mSPLfgHCBF0/s320/P1012354.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314504815738791058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZUznpQ8D5ys7b4SG_0Yrv_pw5KsbwqYWX7cudhjc8Fn69EvQJ7GXqyqp33TRkk4SHuDJUCSu0CMJ7iWUUgg3clQYMg3T8VPdDxdFf-qWoKtci68vmNLYBEHBFsb22v3YTFVVhXoOqYmV/s320/P1012369.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314504819627441138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUhyphenhyphenplrYTdH3645I7-jKg7R-jRmN3D1ihH08enizqY5OWz_DENYRpTEUIoK3dIB8Qz3QCQLEQv4q8MA1HjWqijjDNnxnSFm0H3wjsHRA0lu8UBoLE2QChG3AfaOyJ8KPxvu7id-mR5rsD/s320/P1012370.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314504824780724114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHYmIOKiWWlL9yGvYZNash2WGUlITvsTp_yOi4CFi3ZsHTibJQFbUWiFuh7-CmPCwoiaKXRynj0fiDSVWD2W0OkTRFupyCXSuKvlbpCk0u3MqruvckeSYFv8WNs4AiuoxbLijAiPJ34tY/s320/P1012360.JPG" border="0" />Then we went to Mir Reptili. Which looked like an overpriced little room with 20 cases of reptiles. The kids were happy so I was happy. BUT THEN, the worker chick came over and took the animals OUT OF THEIR CAGES!!!! That's right, it was wild! We got to hold anacodas (it took 8 of us), gekkos, turtles, a boa, etc... It was awesome! So worth the 150 rubles per person =) Then it was time for lunch at Cafe Pizza. And after that bowling!!!</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314506491534058578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRY2Gskz0dPNr1dzczg_X7Nx9lpjd-BVLl6p3cijsasb3Pp-zlwZasLrpzxnf1ZffBmtzeTUsrGZSg-vWs7GPxdPbV68wTdVekdd0qvHeg6qePLe7SpG1BJW0GnuILfIEhhvWk4R-exFlm/s320/P1012381.JPG" border="0" />They'd never been before and it was so fun to see them loving it =) Even Nina bowled!!!! I won the first game and Alyosha won the second!!! It was truly a perfectly, wonderful day!!!! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314506490383767874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngukC96i2sk_nsvlYFGARvPNphFa4KcRSo-BGCHRhOHkhtYQvsPN4nQrIS68TGefhsJu89r9qnzY9SAe0jf7llpcVfS_xMm0OPjDumc1qjz2t_MJGc1IxyEbhn-AchAJnyC6W9BAdViAa/s320/P1012380.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314506483893027954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmQUCaoClpT-ySSu1kjvohyphenhyphenA8cAhUGmvCMlq8eLZmkPfqDOBUYFLIoW-uI8VATwOpd2vY_xH_tMkLpqgjm1qSIta6-iECvPhasENT7Pmhs0-hhFQXO_gYMEw2QKsYVGY5ZPSyNJZnhjDI/s320/P1012379.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314508053081331890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1waJsb90AqgVOikRYdND90EUS_OqmRnLGJGmTvnr3iftyQ-bl3tWmwwutSllclPwFf93CcP_ScYVyE2ra2nLLHthiw0CHEZqhGV82D850PSAJYfszO5bgShrVVSv04_6_pXmFzDDFQVu/s320/P1012378.JPG" border="0" /> <div align="center">Then we finished the day with tea, cookies and ice cream at the AH. It was truly a wonderful and perfect day! THIS IS WHY I MOVED HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314506492432359442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbpat9vmw8RCuavPq4IkMKYnKYRK7wkuVb8669URi8m9LklmBen31-w7j9Xzvi6fX3DKy_hTO8wNBkGW-jbnMFE8tSRJDY8xrDUdNpYDibZq3XL-_8NuOIR4W49Q2zBt7Kpw_GCeF3RQtX/s320/P1012385.JPG" border="0" />eRiNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02112987477678963610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308706618621165504.post-41299728098557337262009-03-18T15:16:00.002+03:002009-03-18T15:25:54.215+03:00My Fabulous Weekend Continues...<div><div align="center"><div align="justify">After camping, err.. the retreat, I went to Dasha's birthday dinner. She turned one years old on Friday. She is precious as ever=) She greeted me at the door. As soon as I took off my boots, I opened my bag to pull out her presents. Dasha heard this and ran back toward me with her arms out ready to get her gifts. It was SUPER CUTE!!! She knew exactly what to do and pulled the wrapping paper off immediately!</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314501660105769762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTx5eUBibzBG5ikPRDHWcanRGbQ7cfzT-PZTfE85LsETdbOGSd9qGJQuHOTjdPqakA_4NnIb8RyyAUIKsHk0Vj6f-eTUi97N5PlLIHP0C2N2EQd5IjgdYXJQDLlMF3moVbQyUQ5drjHTT/s320/P1012348.JPG" border="0" />She loved the books!</div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314501672506211282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmmKUdqUXZNLUjZR1wB9gDIZqNLrq10gjXuuqC5Y_lZKkxq5twiCUMxgnOVrtUOugHeAO8l5VPw-dxN4B6fr3eg3tANjFQlUJZ4eUyJHJmVg267nCurvOCD_5eo5oo8LyRejxVQx4q77E/s320/P1012350.JPG" border="0" />Anya and I midway through the night.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314501682719127714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif93ivVFB6GVizF59xBnLydThU1iJETFeBObl6S72IfyN9ihmMXPG6kuUbRyg-4l-HFZOkAKjMn5roXaxd41y4Msn9T8IoQ91lNgbi1vMJGfoY-Gjoz4DS4_g-zb1Nikx4EWAM5RAnTlef/s320/P1012351.JPG" border="0" /></div></div><br /><p align="center">In the end, it was the birthday girl and I.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314501681187238258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBi60dxPYhe_NstsmmTr1XByu0Atnr9S523p2VaNbr5mkzwlJ87EJZhXOsbQNBhpJhF3IlY0cjdCZBPj6hg2NlT05XjD_4r9VJCBPVPbLiX8r8hvduLVgWr9jP4mErcGFEP7VuA2Fi1wY/s320/P1012352.JPG" border="0" /></p><p> </p>eRiNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02112987477678963610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308706618621165504.post-21694986008066088972009-03-18T14:48:00.008+03:002009-03-18T15:15:52.872+03:00Camping in Russian- Sorta...<div align="justify">So my church had a weekend retreat for the college and career group. Ever so grateful to still be in this age group (HAHAH!), I attended. Of course, I didn't bother to ask what to bring or where it would be. So being the witty and clever genius that I am, I called it CAMPING! Ha!</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">To my delight, it was way better than camping!!! If you're reading my blog, then you know me and know that I am so not a camper. I don't mind wearing "wilderness" girl outfits if need be but seriously not for more than a day! And I certainly won't play the part, I will only wear the gear. My brothers and family know that I hate camping more than I don't know what. I have only been twice and not since I was 13. That was when my idiot cousin and brother threw my backpack in the river. My dad made them chase it but all my clothes were soaking wet. It sucked. The memory makes my skin crawl, ew. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Our retreat was more of a huge dorm. It was fun and I am sorry that I left early but I had triple-booked that weekend.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">A few pics:</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314495210501914338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhfUDPn738S9CGBDF1KFMMZUBM0ciSnCdtTsSuNv-o7uH_ahuoohqt7oQZFha-iLPShuRo2E_DiVwpIiu7G767s6P-fy_C49a6M7Iq87IFW8SjoizmAqFo7AIcScsFovWUuIV5BoH1SkPI/s320/P1012326.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"> The view from my room, pretty huh?</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314495205414096130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPP1PS7m2XbWWirHm_5MzYjfgsxt2gxdxQI-s9z0SzWE0TEN2oaDo6x1AJFPhcbgJCNgSzIYc9sk_2ChTeBEOvHm97LmLK3GiszqzR2XM3Zd2qv5dI95rbPA8QGmsfOztsLD6BTjh6cjL/s320/P1012325.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"> Sadly, Russian winter is on it's way out. I didn't even get to ski, BOO!</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314496834974542738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hiZl9emlq4f9rh0l2RkhPuWv6ALNNUfvN0NSBrKRGT8WPBSjeBWO2zlIs93jEIDB7b2U4MPAKxbX-1GV6FXFdyJ2feyx8cxzSX1DLa6OapOhqd4ax_CBLSPYlk2cM-UA9NPHdmxc_yxl/s320/P1012329.JPG" border="0" /> This was our scary and sad shower, thank God I was there only one day and got to shower at home! So you see it was camping-like. But we had a flushing toilet, yay!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314495219086249906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjPh-p63hZ5uvfEf7sRiyXd58aejgAR284fIlnvkxKT_VGvIUjF6yl5QfGGc3cEDQxdPRKoj-rTu2uQOBJfL1QEME2LxZ4XQXVUbm-qLY8awbtmfnkxrMUnUopsO8QxZFkY7nx0ZRvj8F/s320/P1012328.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314495213814950338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KK62TdardYN4vBsPkpEJQDA2u9R8sX-GUAIzwVlJafadiy9D1_9QjfeSc202wAD4n8fOihSY2KM74zZKaDfdA_QxIBE34n5ODPNB_4HPVyg6OVJIJAUDQS9S7uVe_RlDdaucjbwdAa9A/s320/P1012327.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">In keeping with Russian tradition, we had tea. I drank more tea in two days than I typically do all week. Wow.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314498249239385714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxAHC0FE6Xs54daGeQnuj-ChvrBy3EHkIIJCAtlqmRu7LW9Jgwk9Mz3phuRjreoLTUXYL7tlJXPAjFxPdGnBqhLqcf4S3GcwCTBc0ADyYxfSHRkqNXehh8d7XvehtaW5zY2Wd7mBt0t8H/s320/P1012330.JPG" border="0" />Our room was comfy. The bed was great! I even took a nap 10 minutes after waking up and dressing!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314498259599584978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_b7wqIl82OezuQgH-U1zQeGFzLa993lrzLNfVBJP0llEWrCO9bzxcIy_jnzfC-Jqm-Cr0tUDRo-wl7ktMkZHNc77Plo9zuyVvZOu4I1bWHgpChZPIEEsHbCPKPnzn-fSro8PhlZqWcV1/s320/P1012331.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314498273405945266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXjxT6MLB_2fwPAKj9v3o-Qudraj4WGJi8V8mHgnyQV_gFTx0y1eBZgHS-KF0U-3Kijr-95s_o1dWwAogXwRsbvQYaKTXHH2IV79EmM4SZuyzP69IbbC3UA3yd9ObbOkOl4G13CrQ8lzb/s320/P1012335.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Good times: with Bekah and her guitar (Stella)</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314498268932712946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dnlNPlH7YW-RgiMrqxVBnw2xFMHaJv4u98KZnDA6bz-Eb89JizyjY7IErJwtD1Hi9KdbDGurlskECyuYXy5zpC2hJqfqWNcEcjhn7nX-oa3Ijw6l1E6Ik8meHJy03vFN54HAWLB1zlXm/s320/P1012334.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Saying good-bye to Kati, it was her last weekend in Russia.</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314498264965505234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJcVf2EQI0XlBe0T_98FcyBdGmUDkd6buWGGA2ZhnBYlm_FQibXon_I_JsjdUsUhkTG9-8uWT-dNW4XqtCsn7RMmMI80hhtoLdsN0aIz39-fyLWJSMRdQBGyxaM6LnE-Bfm8Og_KVHSm6/s320/P1012333.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Country-western line dancing - Russian style!</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314499884446639682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJ1UZVyYy_W5xeZwWqoGRqJTgYQ8YJFakCt8T37H-evnG8cp_I0cRTFXfGH4SEgtUmJUtWZAhPM5rbmngTdJK-UDLcqeMOdB6CofNWuKw7YVEe4l6D1mTfTlSPgBoT8g1Ipk2naT9_DZL/s320/P1012337.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">Decorating sugar cookies, OF COURSE!<br /></p><p> </p>eRiNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02112987477678963610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308706618621165504.post-9204414029355827212009-03-18T14:38:00.005+03:002009-03-18T14:47:39.382+03:00Vacation TIME!<div align="justify">I only got three days of vacation but considering the crap that I deal with at work, they were more than welcomed!!!! Plus we got paid during vacation, I was happy to have my SIX dollars. HA! Sad, but true.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">On Monday, I headed out to Moscow with Bekah and Reese, my MAPs. We took THE BEST photos ever of each other clowning around. Including a MUST-SEE photo of "Muslim Erin" and "Erin the Thinker". Those two shots are OUTSTANDING. But beware looking at them while you are at work, you will scream with laughter.<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314491708747366642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58ZrROh7a5dVLb2siYVS_tD6B7lfwGbuDf-PSoWt2xbzkWz6hNBddq7RhW5on7xRm6tPEzgtAx0Q7jZaPG5ZhjdhUdi2FzBYyoUra8YnOSi0Ddgg4jCb1Qmbf7sBYpeY_wZW_CYN05vG-/s320/P1012320.JPG" border="0" /> Bekah with her new fur hat, isn't she PRECIOUS? Only $16 for that hat! I brought on too and when I came home wearing it, George yelled "COSSACK!!!" It was tremendous! <p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314491715835992866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIsfAXzL-L4Nd9RqJTk_tRjvxFqvEFP3RSP0LJSuKiDVTmc9TR08CUX6IFi7xb0NGouXMIcn8u9kNceALmrZe_0nK3WCgQJU7fNxIV_DGOo_OdHDhrd_-5TlXSiiYnxi_bhS-6m9gbWH5/s320/P1012323.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">This is host cousin, Tamuna. She is gorgeous and 13. She loves all my earrings. Ironically when we were shopping in Moscow, I saw a pair EXACTLY like my silver ones that she loves. Needless to say, I brought both a pair in gold, YAY! Georgian sisters, <em>TOCHNA</em>!!!!</p>eRiNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02112987477678963610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308706618621165504.post-63920294842453721042009-03-18T14:30:00.003+03:002010-08-23T02:40:20.418+04:00Celebrating Women's Day - Day Four<div><div>My first house guest came to visit, dear and sweet Bekah, YAY!!!!!!!!!!! My family LOVED her and my host uncle and cousins came over. We had a HUGE meal and lots of delicious treats =)</div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314489820979606834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmZzwsrsI4G1eWSuXoMbY741bFXfr8ht1-zMJNnjflDtLaOBx5melrRbNsLKta3fXa6rX9HBJZccYzVlJIHDbS3GwacFLB4VoiCbyANwvw4jqGaULQWt6kE9vVFaSMkis6oIsShEI0zrK/s320/P1012314.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></div><div align="center"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314489829120258466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nyIF4soo2fg33TTU1cywycH8ugLk8-8l8D2PdQClhe9RBrkOQNZNrjZizVfte7bFhRq3GTSWRsCJQUtHWduPBjA1GBNICTCChZot7nA_1PUnkFwHfiVrIerDclclhGh6y0B0ajtx3qoY/s320/P1012319.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" />Aren't they sweet? I LOVE them!!!<br />
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<div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314489823869338594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSLMOW1sxZMKGlGbHwaw6zB7wRv5tdIGvXsjt3wNmq7nSdiiazi2861hKWdIK8e7GTNeWqNqemiNIs1WiWa7GE1hjElhTCOGNcTkM3cEuXqFdhnpDx_b7Ao4DNuuUi1EWV6TKfPHSpx0s/s320/P1012317.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></div></div>eRiNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02112987477678963610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308706618621165504.post-26464280132013697352009-03-18T14:25:00.007+03:002009-03-18T15:50:01.973+03:00Celebrating Women's Day with Gifts!!!I started to celebrate on Thursday when my students brought my flowers and chocolates. It was very sweet- literally, hahaha.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314487919342034514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMMAEraNPz73tQck-wub94ErVYVAo49pM6KONi_CvfhRypYXKX4HKiRurcnSKpNn-K_RnT6m2GAtEnZWYgcEAChuQAvfNPdTH2VauZl30dd_eYdkRqd7gjTV8IXNNLz_5ywz5Rnze9PAH/s320/P1012306.JPG" border="0" />Friday morning, sweet little Arseny "congratulated" me with my FAVORITE flowers, tulips. When his mom gave them to me, he quickly jumped in and said, "those aren't from me, those are from my mom and dad". Then he ran off and quickly returned holding little juice boxes. He said, "These are from me!" It was the CUTEST THING!!!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314487924779249010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFn0gzUWKq7Pq-NIbzw2g7LJ5-rd2KoQj3BDWE0As5O1qiG9wPcPxKbVVCby79Wz1Pgpm8NwCLQu4uFbajcMgsAlEU6pgUymexXf0pUjJAxBSapi481Ed-jrJuKDtNY9UB6QODWyy_Chl/s320/P1012307.JPG" border="0" />Friday night, my host dad threw a small surprise party for Manana (my host mom) and I at their restaurant complete with DJ and dancing. It was so fun!!!!! I didn't have my camera but George did and he took tons of photos. I will post them soon =)eRiNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02112987477678963610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308706618621165504.post-34502946136297668342009-02-25T17:30:00.005+03:002009-02-25T19:26:46.513+03:00Heart-Shaped CookiesSo the day before, on the 13th, I went to the Nadezhda Fund with <em>moi russki brat</em>, George and <em>maya padruga</em>, Helen.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306747015684600114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxKJ2slkpHWGtvqn3NkU8cF_EBvRCRrQXVywooR14HtSDIKOp8NNYZ8xvYeReQcT7M1k4unwL2gsE2oGEzMGqezPILn4D6Oma8K2xDonkyq3hhZGSC_441W0IXkXsBzSCB_eVmFccLrZv/s320/DSCN7092.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306747002838596098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymoxluCHFmjirQxjMRm7n-ND3dPZQ1HIVZ0rUfYtKrzQMozqGX55aED1epaV9l-KZINnxKa4MiioaiGbcrjkIKWxLTfzyiOze3WVpQBj9flhoamzjd1XwaiWtBpQDcblRC9HC7UzWZ-ml/s320/DSCN7098.JPG" border="0" /><br />I baked/decorated Valentine's Day cookies and brought snacks for tea time.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306746992800750434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsskdZumbR6w_xXAfKDdq-S_vXAjeWpO3lCfTCRiEyL-UZROfmfeiJRfXYTuFAOj0G6eRiIYfqFRj65JtR3bshKx-vZKPh70fkxsbGej9r1ZlsPxvzpKgsufXC-RTAkAu14O3nCnPMDyl/s320/DSCN7097.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306747007661993986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqG-ZrovGbpG7uNYqOXxQla3nq9YJ7SuaXAawa0zMv45mvvcYrYRkEKvB5ujsFMXOySK-4YlZ0oNNwDSBbyxMb5S0Dpj1uXfNZU0_jadCQRsbF9hlqA7l-ijJDyZw-D7cvHOJmwdVXgcyz/s320/DSCN7096.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306747011763278386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQyohSZTn37UJoljg8CWgtldXlSdOnwGxLWlFwvaqnLfPNNx8EOQR7tTzNlH8r4COv6bDW6UYAdlJRnGV87hLjkUXY0J_R7t60vZOlp2frz6MKGclsnYNw3P_f9eQ4HLOtPzw99h1ZPIQ/s320/DSCN7093.JPG" border="0" />The cookies were originally just for visiting Aloysha and the kids in Kameshkovo. But I had so much fun baking them that I baked 10 DOZEN, that's right folks. And I decorated EVERY SINGLE LAST ONE of them!!!! It was so fun!!!! I even shared some with my teenage students, they loved them =) Everyone - my students, the grads and I, had a great time!!!eRiNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02112987477678963610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308706618621165504.post-22410882078899657652009-02-25T16:56:00.009+03:002009-02-26T12:26:00.913+03:00The Weekend I'd Been Waiting For...FINALLY came on the 15th of February- I got to visit both Alyoshas, Oksana and Pasha at their foster family in Kameshkovo, YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306737657214801666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHlePbrONEJdd_8qHLnhqJR4DHWzfvKeJjabuOgqlyIB3X2Ld-OfhEAwNvx3FLONKmYeCw44Cb2PTcmAt2ctSUQazzNScS_DLsaC87qkI-oe-mlRRZAREUf1anteeP13lHi-on5gcxrJp/s320/P1012217.JPG" border="0" /> From L to R: Alyosha Usoev, Slava (their foster dad), Pasha, Alyosha, Erin, Nina (their foster mom), Karina (Nina & Slava's granddaughter) and Oksana.<br /><br />My dear friend Anya drove and translated. She did a fantastic job, per normal!!! SPASIBA ANITCHKA!!!! In the photo below, she is sitting next to me. Isn't she gorgeous?!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306736467467413170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1JJwiaL6LJm1SWWmRBuo5f81eykaJPxt_W0d9gyrTKhqpaikspaEo-FC_sHEKjXTzFLP6CLW2-5NWas5aGkiXwRQ60FM2la8MtQ3t-h0hNH7N5MWbZxCEmmzRsjXpbRYCQF3GjxH8OFt/s320/P1012219.JPG" border="0" /> It was our Christmas/Valentine's Day celebration. Nina, Alyosha's foster mom, made a delicious meal!!!! I baked and decorated Valentine's Day cookies in the shape of hearts. It was hilarious to see their expressions when they saw the cookies! They loved them =) I guess now, that I think of it, cookies like that don't exist here, hehe. Then of course, the kids got their presents. The flying monkey was a HUGE hit with everyone!!!! Pasha LOVED his electric guitar toy- even Slava enjoyed it =)<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306736471938079186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX77K_TR-nZlLDgcgGR9BvyGt0vJf_F0aK16XWclr9N6lz3HPwRdvoou6jnTEyqlwGdiFKcBleCvj9EQOeGS4yQs54m-sRBAT2MXtM3gITiQUqzkMnfZnzmQaStvgazvShpPojFcet_tGC/s320/P1012216.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306736475910174754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxj_OUjlZfYh9rdh9glebSKllhEW5jVro_IMZEcZP_TtpTZcxUnFicAgt0WK9n2mm7_aOQDEdekp8h18SxfkhrxJ1FGpqZRjFzeb_mhNMzVLUKJV5TgOn66S0uXosmu64Ds5i8aS5OXtT/s320/P1012221.JPG" border="0" /> <div align="center">With my favorite kids in the ENTIRE world: Pasha, Lyosha, Alyosha, Karina and Oksana.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306736469186357074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zKH01NptqzR_ILpJmkccl0nhTgVGa2bJka64xS0t8ZYhRsF5RP0vXUABR8dT6c-GJr0xlx6wPLSHG3mISSUhk5yXZssz3PyqiXtkmL6to4xREAS9vUzGE4wZQm2VAXx-YNUTv016S84C/s320/P1012215.JPG" border="0" /></div><p align="center">Karina with her stickers and Alyosha in the back- I can't believe how much he grew!!! He's fantastic! If I could possibly love him more, he'd be my own son!</p><p align="left">The BEST thing this month, actually in the six months that I have lived here, was seeing them! Plus, even better is that Nina agreed to bring them to Vladimir regularly to hang out with me! This weekend, we're going to plan for ice skating, skiing or bowling- YAY!!!!</p>eRiNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02112987477678963610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308706618621165504.post-57798664400599211792009-02-25T16:13:00.006+03:002009-02-25T16:56:39.064+03:00Long Overdue Update<div align="left">SO MUCH has happened since I've returned to beloved Vladimir!!! All wonderful things, of course. I'v been back here for nearly one month- on Friday, it'll be officially one month.<br /></div><div align="left">For starters, I live with the absolute BEST family in Vladimir. The Kozmavas, they are so loving, considerate, generous and fun! I love coming home to visit with them every night.</div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306726304891624690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbLJlba5CQlnxRVIofUm8mggZ9eWCC-w5I6CpRVvCcJulP3gYVhfsQbT0_GrDSxeV4eOimISB-AX3z8-X9N_d57MJdhyphenhyphenp7audv9dzb3noiGuXeu4zeTP9gKZx6v4hbEl8VyLP_tXG2aCf/s320/P1012227.JPG" border="0" />My Beloved Host Family, The Kozmavas. </div><div align="center">Sitting is my host dad, Oleg. </div><div align="center">To his right is Manana, my host mom. </div><div align="center">Standing next to me is my Russian brother, George.</div><div align="left"><br />We took this photo last Saturday (21 Feb 09). They took me with them to a Georgian Christening Dinner Party. It was OUTSTANDING!!!!! I was introduced to everyone single person there but no one thought I was foreign. Ironically, everyone tells me that I look Georgian. Perhaps that is why I blended in so well =) Then the people sitting around us heard me speaking to George, my host brother, in English. They asked and I told them I was American. NO SOONER THAN FIVE MINUTES LATER, the DJ is on the mic calling for "The American" to be brought to the front for a dance.</div><div align="left"><br />A line of at least ten people, men and women, formed- all of whom brought their cameras and shot glasses to take photos and shots with me. It was hilarious! I felt sorry for the little two-year-old girl whose party it really was, because it turned into mine for the few hours I was there.</div><div align="left"><br />I can't tell you how many photos, shots and dances later it was when I finally left with George. But suffice it to say that we left at 11pm. It was tons of fun. While there, I was invited to two more Georgian functions- both weddings. I'm told that it will be more even grand. It's hard to imagine since this party was so extravagant. I kept commenting and George, who is only 14, continued to assure me "this is nothing, Erin". I can't wait to see more!!!!</div><div align="left"><br />Here are some photos:</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306726305364644738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh403SNbB2ZejanTXsRmUiw_0WMQABTCTDal6IOvkIYkJ_5oTNVoxHV20wAVqo5SiZm4b-bloVpkZN8_h_83GBVq7Z7jbzsS1XuBAU2zXB4DiQlHu-FTchi19GxglCIU1cktZeF3egVFPtL/s320/P1012225.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">AN OUTSTANDING SPREAD of DELICIOUS Georgian food!!!!! </div><div align="center">Their food is very similiar to Mexican food in that it's very flavorful and they use a lot of the same spices.</div><div align="left"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306726310553989602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQn8DlaPc_Y0R2C0VZqUe5ayiCc40QPZ54TYM2JBZUPZR9pN9Zc9AKGsryPeyOZ1xIHK_imeZHHCfFFiiUQruApKSsoDnW19LIjMtLxrO8qDG4zt0QJ3IJHiDM7moiAe5vreMkIgq383s/s320/P1012231.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">With my Georgian aunts, The Ladies Kozmava. </div><div align="center">Nona is to my left. She's married to Oleg's younger brother Soso. </div><div align="center">Next to her is Oleg and Soso's sister, Mamida.</div><div align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306726316060674642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmd0i2iBpqy1aZc7VzywdGRunJ2XI7rmtoKN5Swm8y2mZ7JNuuL6iFGMOfoB6wChKmQqFRIm7U3GyjKcIgVLV_hjbB5UUul9ZJN0jQmNiBWIJZuTvcPOHQxqY0CNjdiAhwdNkTLOOeLu5w/s320/P1012232.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">With Soso and Nona Kozmava. </div><div align="center">They have three BEAUTIFUL kids who are my Georgian cousins, of course. </div><div align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306726316617593858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFRw9Q2TGMXd4zOtJxLnRoGxax3eLfnS3MBQYRkRpu85MTz1ZLG49sFDM_DFPg1JDUyxDbkq9MrQk7oggnnWDtrYA15XdSEHHTHVslZTh8hOyjy_1Q6BpczgIHblpfrDkUdt3U0WPZhAv/s320/P1012235.JPG" border="0" /></div><div align="center">The American- dancing with a random Georgian/Russian man. He was such a great dancer.</div><div align="center">I was telling George "I'm going to kill you" because he was taking photos papparazzi style.</div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306729741385105266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQGmf-id776tLQs_w5USYTGlgaeRbKgEbKsZ1Tq0b_acuQEI37550DMS8RkPWs0Xu9Nj6qDEn_YcF3DjzmzBllg6RvqvBxjOYSbnZr-fQaB6kz8I03QQvI4MgMsZItImGbmpGTqwV9RQR/s320/P1012237.JPG" border="0" />The American dancing with random man from above's son. I can't remember his name and</div><div align="center">that's his mom in the background. They are George's godparents. Their son invited me to his wedding in September and I'm in!<br /></div><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306729750379948162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVh3OZJe7JYpr3jsrTpnMBWsW7kqCvTfzC4BJT587ljk35yePmhkRj80Qn46CE0TwOSQlDf0DHuk272Q_OdIz4gsuffakcUf-WA-5ykTVVKfFZ5H-guImNItNWZtn6isUXK0ST7Q4A-FlH/s320/P1012241.JPG" border="0" />Not to be left out- A GOAT made a cameo at the shindig. It was announced that we should all dance with him (and PEOPLE DID!) because he'll be the meal at the next soiree!</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306729744268984370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAT05sbtZhK1QG2V1omI3MtT23LSj0gR7_6PGzdOKiEaiVmxjgUL3Fx7nQmsz8BJZHaysH88xiT7wmIe6MplVGAi2JxXchwXO5nzFHE5nmI5p6Mha_PxciMD-twLUWVDukucM3RKdw4mF7/s320/P1012244.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">My two FAVORITE ladies in Vladimir!!! My host mom and host aunt. They are both WONDERFUL moms to their kids (and me), AMAZING cooks and hostesses, and BRILLIANT doctors. Behind them in my dance partner from the previous photo. In spite of having just one eyebrow, he was pretty hot.</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306729745009159314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAWhqPnNJ2hITbBPxDLOMM-oqc7IvwMT_hYzUuLOlgdeR7y_b4_9LzcPqlZNRxTMGTsFAOA2hf_tMAzXr_f-CoN9FsZ6S1Wk4Eh16GvcKG7BjggKfJKHHAEB3FT3KGOOG0DiVAgtpVxbo/s320/Pelamushi.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Last, but not least, my friends- introducing the correct way to begin and end a party. Any gathering, actually =) PELAMUSHI!!! It's this outstanding dish with nuts as a topping that is essentially congealed red wine, OH YEAH!!!!</p><p></p>eRiNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02112987477678963610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308706618621165504.post-14779765885033510052009-02-07T10:37:00.002+03:002009-02-07T10:42:50.272+03:00RETURN TO RUSSIA!!!!Vso Privet!!!! (Hi Everyone!)<br /><br />After 36 days of life in America, I have finally returned to Vladimir!!! It's a beautiful winter wonderland!!!! Although, I really could use the ski mask that I so proudly purchased but accidentally forgot in my mom's car.<br /><br />Things are going swimmingly! I have a new host family, the Kozmavas, whom I love! They are super, as my host mom would say =) After everyday I really look forward to coming home and talking with them. Words can't accurately describe the improvement from my previous place. Suffice to say that they are God's blessing to me.<br /><br />I haven't be able to blog, lack of time and internet access. But I have many things to share. So perhaps after this weekend...<br /><br />Poka!eRiNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02112987477678963610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308706618621165504.post-49818053734796279512008-12-21T03:01:00.004+03:002008-12-21T03:35:24.042+03:00TEXAS OR BUST!<div align="center"> And NYC too =) And Connecticut!!! YAY! AMERICA!!!!!! Russia has been OUTSTANDING! And I was sad to leave BUT THEN, I got to see both Alyoshas and the grads from Kameshkovo orphanage so all is well.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282028844596832994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 263px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBLrN9Z7fxbQFF9XKUXFnQtgAZMvEmHmWbjgSEJE8a6Z0AwNV5TohqgT4xQ6nuNjNEKg69CPMaT3NBn0GkJ_IRKqwbzdCtu0EncMQQ_Qg2OhZOnoCN0m_K-0JrSOGoD3xypbaEjnKpk6d/s320/Lyoha+Erin.jpg" border="0" /> Alyosha & I.<br /><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282031430561753154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlf3QOhd1D9RQcI6JhfrVK032AzdZVG3cA0m-LPbWE4HbrtoubvnBPhFV4wVmRijarwDBFlF-mKyl0r7UAI1Lhj1ZAL6qcPWouiyHd5DS9sq29NUcZ-42OZLiQQzo7ZQgJLfiG87lFuT4/s320/P1012157.JPG" border="0" />With the grads on Red Square: Tanya, Sergei, Olya, Erin, Sergei, Artyom & Alyosha.<br /><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I leave Russia with the best memories and fantastic photos knowing that all my precious moments here were a gift from God! My students were awesome, I had SO MUCH fun with them! I met a ton of great people and am progressing in learning Russian so that's a plus. I still have a SUPER long way to go =)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Since I haven't finished packing and our driver will be here to take us the Moscow airport in like 30 minutes, I will post a few of the best photos from my FINAL DAZE here =)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">ENJOY!</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282028841950262690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZ9-ox5a6hIX1pMEcQzshbMqYuq6lXxvevUG4YaLhEnxigm94GhX9vXverGw8VO9CdDN2e9PukTIdaJAFfT517UQGspoWaizEROQfyAApzrQwbsLAXF3YJRvEKvIs-lrLnvZ3E3PvVCxL/s320/P1012125.JPG" border="0" /> With Arseny. Then my students, they ROCK!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282028871253759762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR93eFOGAaPJ-OOYSoNidF7FFOYAn-px6UvhnMHXLjOqS_0Ph1PN8zufEgdyLVWCVytTCfrCIEqpclbJejxucnnShYo8mYwYpJZ1K_sF6wvvalNU1llQ1bpNO589rNT6MMpYLx89PSjlSo/s320/P1012137.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282028860656733234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xhpQ-133rzMFQvOFsp_GEv5B3UEwCs5Ld4w4qO9SOmAge6PpzJ6p60CPYJ_J_kkrqrD59sqWMIndLHvH-SXbhj20fu2KWQ0Zn6orfkL2Mi_NtzOaAv0pXbI5sf9SV-WDTAikC4GtRmdD/s320/P1012136.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282028851980486050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOql7DdoOrDLes3yOx6-Pw8a9245JlyQ0dvgPqjbALqjYdGwaNXMKEaK-jOWBTv1GDJ4IgMdKCLWvS3DwqVJPD1paKjC6tUa8RpLv8fYdCZuDng_GbdjnkDK30kzRx0ibD7fMKw_RHxh87/s320/P1012129.JPG" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282031424903764594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ToZ9N_qcvTSeG-xke5jnS3-7ad8s0l4hBZ86beMWZDYErqV2ZfMUyvaKxA5f-w-b3QrpLb4OIH17zxVIyBzbij0OZX988d4TyE8K4DL3zhuJGN6wVa1nSx8zlldE6Yac4OR6wSbWU9R8/s320/P1012153.JPG" border="0" />eRiNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02112987477678963610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308706618621165504.post-16922115867041388662008-12-12T23:51:00.006+03:002008-12-13T00:02:01.545+03:00The Best News This Month...I GOT TO SEE ALYOSHA!!!!!!!!! What could be better than that? SEEING HIM EVERYDAY. Of course, and I DO get to see him everyday!<br /><br />As of Tuesday, he has been in the Vladimir Regional Children's Hospital for exams and observation. They are checking his kidney and health. He underwent major kidney surgery this past May. I was with him when he checked in on Tuesday and have been able to see him everyday. Sadly, visiting hours are only in the evening so I am only able to stay for an hour in between my classes.<br /><br />The condition of the hospital is sad and scary but his spirits are good. He is quite brave and has a strong character. He is healthy and doing fine. His doctors say he is in good health, doesn't need any more surgery (presently) and can go home on Sunday. Selfishly, I am sad because seeing him everyday is literally the highlight of my day. But I know he will be better off with his foster family. Life with his foster family is leaps and bounds ABOVE what he has at the hospital, where it's a known fact that the food is terrible. But I enjoy cooking and bringing him food and snacks. Shopping for kids is so much more fun!!!! I will be very sad to not see him anymore =( Hopefully I will get permission to visit the orphanage SOON! If anything, at least by 2009!<br /><br />Here is a photo of him wearing the wax vampire fangs that my friend Stephanie sent. THANKS STEPH! These were so fun =)<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279010378316442786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ05hf8WtrMYbZHzrZXKBHb8WvpzqjVPY2Dc3XWadEAQ3uV0wSmhRmB2oV6tB0QXuRFDPm60kRseKaPEKuxj0Ii1R7hUOmtzUODx6W6yS_coMPpYEcGyqZTtvwVINeSz30b3KZNNqP1RSl/s320/P1012096.JPG" border="0" />eRiNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02112987477678963610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308706618621165504.post-13193811288037308822008-11-20T17:58:00.003+03:002008-11-20T18:27:20.230+03:00A Vegetarian with Winter Boots Living with SnegSo it's been almost two weeks since my last blog- apologies. I got a terrible case of food poisioning the weekend before last - ugh. I was so sick for like FOUR days!!!! I have since sworn off meat. I am now a vegetarian while I live in Russia. I always rolled my eyes when someone said they were a vegetarian, thinking that nothing in the world could stop me from eating meat. Well, that's because I hadn't lived in Russia before. Yeah. After unknowingly eating cat/dog, constantly getting stick and now food posioning, I will no longer eat meat in Russia. Nope. No can do. Perhaps I may change my mind once I get my own apartment and can clean the apartment, kitchen and meat to my standard of clean. Until then, no.<br /><br />What else is new? Hmmm.... my apartment quest continues. It's not fun like it would be stateside- well, it wasn't fun in CT either so I will rephrase. It's not like looking for an apartment in Dallas, that would be fun!<br /><br />I FINALLY brought a pair of winter boots JUST IN TIME!!!! It started sneg-ing on Tuesday. It stopped briefly for a few hours that night hasn't let up. It's not the pounding we normally got in CT but it definitely is a steady stream of tiny flakes that is quickly building up. Back to my new word sneg-ing. One of the American teachers, SashAlex made it up. <em>Sneg</em> is Russian for snow and ing is the gerund ending. So pretty funny. We all died laughing when she said it too. SashAlex is part homage to Beyonce's new ridiculous name "Sasha Fierce". Sasha's real name is Alexandra but all the Russians call her Sasha and she started hating it about the same time she started hating Russia and teaching. We try to call her Alex, which is her usual name, but then we heard about Beyonce's ridiculous name and viola! We are a hilarious bunch! I am so serious. I haven't had this many laughs at work before in ages! If we had a live webstream of video from our teacher's office, MTV or CBS or Comedy Central would TOTALLY pick us up as a new reality show!!! We'd be funny, rich AND famous =)<br /><br />Update on permission for visiting Kameshkovo orphanage... I am now waiting for Tatiana, the orphanage director, to contact the Ministry of Education via phone or letter and express her approval of my visiting. Then the ME will decide whether or not to grant me permission. Well Tatiana is on vacation until NEXT Friday. So at the earliest, she could call the ME would be December 1st. UGH! I was doing fine with waiting and just dealing with the run around of all the bureaucracy. But the last few days, it's been very difficult.<br /><br />What else? OH!!!! How could I forget??? I got tickets to see Yevgeny Onegin- my absolute FAVORITE Russian story. Four of us are going Sunday night and we got front row seats! I love the theatre! Plus, here it's only $7!!!!<br /><br />On Saturday we are having a Thanksgiving Dinner here at the school for the staff and our host families. Ugh, I am not really looking forward to this. I wish that I could say that I was but that wouldn't be true. I am just really, really tired. And I feel like I am always here at the school and I need a break. The other teachers feel the same but somehow we all feel like we got "guilted" into preparing this dinner. One more weird thing, they don't sell whole turkey birds here, we are buying it in hunks. HAHAAH! At least it will cook faster.<br /><br />I will post photos of my snowland, new boots and the Thanksgiving Dinner over the weekend!eRiNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02112987477678963610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308706618621165504.post-72663351371944988612008-11-07T18:56:00.002+03:002008-11-07T19:02:42.246+03:00Moscow Holiday PhotosFrom my fantastic one-day trip to Moscow on Monday with Reece & Becca. They are American students that I met at church and are totally fun & cool.<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265945531886408418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 235px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FsE274qwpOTvLB3yEvTbmYxFysReZyGoLLVqh0Q_P98mZvzazLvUcHKJJ5f2SOTIhPB_vHshwqiskW-xHyY3G6W5PaO_fd1CmFMz8hfWAd15HPFuanSmjQWeu8F3278q4jmCjJFz7EFF/s320/mos1.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><p>Here we are at Starbucks on Old Arbat Street. I paid $9.89 for a tall white chocolate mocha that was so not tasty. Fortunately, the $4 that I spent on a white chocolate-cranberry cookie partially redeemed the mocha. UNTIL! I found out that I got cheated out of my free drink that I was supposed to get after buying a coffee mug. BOO STARBUCKS IN RUSSIA!!!! I will not go to Starbucks again until I am stateside =)</p><p>Before hitting the Bucks, we hit Ismailovo Market and froze to death. But we did feast on tasty lamb shaslik. Here I am trying to warm up by wearing the Soviet fur hat that Reece purchased.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265945525079638594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 235px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 238px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzMG6MbGErJ8E48kmYRRMdz6mUf62JXF20LkhdYZbmue8e_oflkmeIxpq7Wdp9hcIU-mmmrv-xNnNx7mmMasKk62-mHa4ccjSz2bWEIZOYP1QT7AHPolBVBgSvqT_JOzJhfrO4jmLmLVR/s320/mos2.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>On Tuesday, I met up with Amanda and we hit Globus. We brought all the ingredients to make pizza. It was a fantastic meal!!!!! Of course, it was gigantic and pan-style. One piece was like eating 2.5 slices. No matter, it was delicious!!!!!! Behold...</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265945535440421122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 235px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJk_1LGcTNhOnY_v29DJq5_njS1nuPP2mtsTJvxSi5Pu_DRdZv-KNZtwm1Llg2eFC1xOGdCUwduvmHUeKueoxp2BhyphenhyphenowQb0g2Gulmmed-6bMv5TONXbQbo5AgEFsgJAOVSYH_8F29QgSda/s320/mos3.jpg" border="0" /></p>eRiNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02112987477678963610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308706618621165504.post-89649432164934412952008-11-07T18:32:00.005+03:002008-11-07T18:56:12.009+03:00A Good Week with Kameshkovo News<div align="justify">Today I got some good news- not the best news, but hopeful news =) The Department of Education has read my request for permission to visit Kameshkovo orphanage. They are now only asking to speak with our orphanage director, Tatiana. Then they will make their decision. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify">Just this past Tuesday (on our holiday), I saw Tatiana at Globus (my favorite store)!!!! She came right up to my ear and said "hello". I turned to see her with THE CUTEST little boy! I was so happy to see her!!!! The little boy is named Sasha, he's one of our new kids at Kameshkovo. He will be living with Tatiana, her husband and their foster son, Vanya. OH! Vanya is GIGANTIC!!! He is at least 3 inches taller than me! And he continues to study English at school and refuse to practice with me. Though he did manage to say he was impressed with my Russian =)</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">When I talked to her at Globus, she said that she would call the DE and tell them that she wants me to be able to visit. So I hope she won't forget or get too busy =) Please keep this situation in prayer! I wish that I would have taken a photo of all of us at Globus, I am sad that I didn't. I remembered when they were walking away but hesitated. I never should have! Oh well.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">In more Kameshkovo news, on Wednesday I visited the Graduate Ministry Center like I do every Wednesday. I got to spend time talking with a girl named Masha. She is really sweet and eager to learn English. She is so very patient with my Russian which I really appreciated because I need to practice. The MC is the only place I can really practice speaking Russian =) I told her about my sad pirozhki story. She offered to teach me to make them!!! YAHOO!!! That way I can insure that I eat quality meat in them! We are planning to meet up so.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265943517276779826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOf5znm-9vhYF25j2-G8zhL7ssgGYYfAPMGltvkTtwtj7okkI_MB3fFezM-gR8Au2dBneWnvh03mOOSNORzYHiCDUawOpbHX8kUXEpQ-NwL7EGDN9Jc-WOWFyl0G0Y9mCX55aaz6Vob11I/s320/mc1.jpg" border="0" /> <div align="center">Masha & I.</div><br /><div align="justify">While she and I talked, another girl walked in. I was struck by how beautiful she was and how fashionable she was dressed. She came over to where Masha and I were sitting and stared at me, as if she was waiting for me to say something. About 20 seconds later, I jumped off the couch and hugged her- it was Olya Bizyukova. I didn’t recognize her at first. She is a woman! Gosh, it’s exciting to see how beautiful she has become. She was always a pretty girl but to see her mature is cool. Everytime I see one of the orphan grads grown up, it never ceases to amaze me. I can't believe fast it has been. I remember when she was a shy little girl. She's still pretty shy. She was at the MC working on a report. I didn't want to distract her so I gave her my cell number and told her I'd like to see her sometime. She agreed. Later that night, I received the sweetest text message from her- in fluent English!!!! I hope to see her soon.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265943520252062338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 226px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxcA-klCS2iYx9ecxNOUhh1zefxruboxA_eJegZODt6L4aBjSQV6l6r5WTp8ID2FliuSsPRaWMgSlh4-T4YMaMTpbtZrt6ej4LgyjsEB0aerjYmjHPKLSQTdYMHPuVqtLqqu3djvFDC02/s320/mc2.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center">Olya & I.</p><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265943524038747554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 272px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 235px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7qiT4ozGsRjmgxNjPPAzpxHv1BQNhbeNYTyBY4pbGjvLaVzeJoZQOM4RDha4hxvPRhT_yrf9eyM6pJEu0UkZlyX8LmDqiHofG5Q3ZlbENNPBvPaK-4YhbbFSukA-hWRM7TOVgX_S5j-KK/s320/mc3.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"> Tatiana & I. She is on the CHC staff at the ministry center. She speaks great English and often, actually each time I visit, translates for me =) She's great!</p><p></p>eRiNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02112987477678963610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308706618621165504.post-90240648713067181142008-11-07T13:57:00.005+03:002008-11-07T18:32:16.817+03:00Halloween Party at the AH<div><div><div><div><div>As promised, here are some photos from the Halloween party at our school. I didn't dress up- surprise. Surprisingly, it was a fun party. </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265937734918219890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 235px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3v8qApDzDtr2m8tbsjDdN-rQB-ot6i_TsOddEheB6m167sx-jhqyi0fQYtjZyZbtJs0D_A3wW38eWP9VcxGS2ogUH-zpiESMj4a38YsQkYcSsKyspB0pgs-TdZg5aBoM3dOkq6wi8ha-/s320/hp5.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center">This is my friend Elena... she is a pirate. She's a beginning ESL student. We have fun together. I speak to her in my beginner Russian and she speaks to me in English =)</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265937335390004882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 238px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 235px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDQf01WeOouxisgSDGNS5htN_giUt9_VXkhmn8QicTbhCNbOQPqud5uEFefrIp-Elw2_aFzb-Ab3tKnMT8OgqoXusJiazulYRuWCzJgTcfuulM-Ah92HmoKmDBxgrCSYPCRNdJ8K_ywFw/s320/hp3.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center">This is Natasha. She is one of my favorite students. She was my only student to attend our party. We had fun together. She's very smart; speaks very good English and wants to be a fashion designer. Her mom is also one of my students =)</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265937328586228210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 235px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5R07Mfrc-wMeLaYcb44cBzG-4SnmensLzoDJQoB9eZeqtvz8qyA43_Bmxvb9zz7kVu8qnyCtADsZxj5R1N8CY90oJlaPK4Tp_0V0uBjKfbZ80PMcSMiwmbeCBpwvjZNgfnWkDmHl3UQLD/s320/hp1.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center">This is Sara having fun with two students.</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265937328299106434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 235px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1ZWfq1CxS1doj-z82W44TvoYxjFU4yzFLaMR0D9BpCdmUqcdWEBvwCU7P035ExNEoV6QZhggTca-NoDq7PQEiezMbFqbNDmQMVqCmmYYQTkEI9mtdYFBGia8mSQJZHyfZsIe1Su8B194/s320/hp4.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center">Alexei, Sara and Marisa dressed up and ready for the par-tay!</div><div align="center"> </div><div>Afterwards, we celebrated Lorik's birthday by going to see a dance show called Men & Women. It was entertaining. I shared a couple guffaw-laugh-out-loud moments with Alex. I don't think the show itself was meant to be funny but it was the atmosphere. The things that made it funny are numerous. </div><div></div><br /><div>Some of us shared cocktails during the Halloween party- namely strawberries and champagne. Before you are impressed, I should tell you that they sell it in a can for $1. If you've been keeping up with my blog then you know that we are klassy here, with a k. So of course we brought the canned drinks. </div><div></div><br /><div>At the theatre, our group got yelled at by the usher for not checking our coats- this is expected in Russia at the theatre, restaurants, etc... The usher didn't notice that I still had my coat. I sat and waited for our group.</div><div></div><br /><div>As soon as the show started, Alex and I broke out our drinks and chips. I really liked the show but somehow in the middle of the show, I got a visual of she and I sitting there eating chips and our own drinks at the theatre. That would never be excepted at home but out here no one flinched. It was hilarious!</div><div> </div><div>The good times continue in Russia...</div></div></div></div></div>eRiNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02112987477678963610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308706618621165504.post-54680925187353429862008-11-02T19:16:00.003+03:002008-11-02T19:38:19.984+03:00Something Strange to ShareSo I hesitate sharing this information since so many of my friends are dog and cat lovers but I wouldn't be sharing all my experiences as Irina if I didn't blog about this.<br /><br />I had been sick for like 9 days, no clue why. I thought it was the greasy food at Nina's or the fact that she doesn't really wash the dishes. She merely rinses them in the water that we aren't supposed to drink and the dries them off with the same towel that the cats sit on when they are in the kitchen. Yeah, disgusting I know. But how the heck am I supposed to tell an 79-year-old Soviet woman that she's not exactly clean. I tried explaining this to my director here at the school who says that I just have a "different definition of clean". For the sake of my faith in humanity, I'd like to think my definition of clean is universal. By the way, my definition of clean is dirt and clutter free.<br /><br />Marisa (one of the teachers here) and I were talking and she says, "Wow you're still sick. I thought if it was just a bug it would go away by now. But it must be something that you are repeatedly eating." I thought about it and realized that pirozhkis are the only thing I had been repeatedly eating after swearing off my chocolate and beer diet a few days before.<br /><br />But I had always eaten pirozhkis and never been sick. Hmmm...<br /><br />Wednesday before our teachers meeting, Marisa and I went winter boot shopping and stopped to pick up a couple pirozhkis for lunch. I order per normal but since we were there early enough in the day, I could choose from several different types of meat pirozhkis. So you're thinking chicken, pork or beef. A likely thought, it was my own thought but I am sad to say that I was terribly mistaken.<br /><br />I pointed to my new favorite, one shaped like a football. The lady working at the counter asked, "Cheburshk?" I froze in horror. That's the word that all my students (both adults and kids) warned me about- it is cat or dog meat or a blend of both. That's the same pirozhki I had been eating for the last 9 days. I should have known something was highly suspect about my finding a tasty $4 meal.<br /><br />In case you didn't read between the lines, I'll spell it out for you. I had been eating pirozhkis made of either dog or cat or both for the last week or so. No wonder I've had stomach problems. The next day I double checked with several of my Russian students who all confirmed that my fears were true. However, I was told (and I quote) that "if I had eaten quality cheburshk that I would not be sick". OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't remember exactly how to spell that word but if you come to Russia, don't eat it. I'm not saying it will make you physically ill. I did get ill and somehow felt better as soon as I ceased eating the questionable meat. I will admit it was tasty- so much so that I ate it more than once, heck more than 3 times! But now there is just this disconnect in my mind that I can't fathom eating it again.<br /><br />Some of my friends have told me that it's an urban legend but I am willing to bet that it's not. Some of my friends and students have also said that if you prepare the said meat yourself, then it's delicious and safe. Ironically, the same folks who told me it was not cat or dog told could not identify from what animal the meat came. Yeah, highly suspect. I shall never again eat that type of pirozhk.<br /><br />On a happier note, I met two American students at church last Sunday- Reece & Becca. We have become fast friends and are heading to Moscow together tomorrow in celebration of the Russian holiday "National Unity Day". We hope to eat Mexican food at "Hemingway's" and I am dying for a White Chocolate Mocha from Starbucks. So hopefully I'll have both and it will cleanse me (literally and mentally) from my previously mentioned dining woes.<br /><br />Until then, POKA!!!!<br /><br />AND DON'T FORGET TO VOTE IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO!eRiNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02112987477678963610noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308706618621165504.post-79668280425608712202008-11-02T19:12:00.002+03:002008-11-02T19:16:23.663+03:00Good News<div>I got to see Natasha Volkova on Wednesday at the Ministry Center!!! YAY!!! She is as gorgeous as ever and we even got to talk with each other in Russian. Not for too long without my needing a translator but still it was great to see her =)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Here's a photo of us:</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264094534401842802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 194px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWhI0FeiVCjKxtPM8StDGKzFv_cWuWMuNXHEa6Td8M2EP9JiQaqhhqgOmSX9fr5sksV1tTJ5DEBLm4zmyW8ojNahIhxJXPBwnn6Far-YBVniBZDM0fGVRG44ua_qRJM3gbF30G9UCra6H/s320/P1012035.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div>eRiNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02112987477678963610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308706618621165504.post-84829808337636549842008-10-13T18:35:00.004+04:002008-10-13T19:03:50.365+04:00My Hood<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256647796470973490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwOpgoOLDPCE1G_yEklZYSBSDs8JcZIP8OENxBfnzNbdtrihm9wPVIb2DInFdZpGZ9lO7lDBFkPNGf81YavNTzZIsSOhBQhf__GWnUyP3yHGct-_ENJ-GLwhFPwOS85PURh-z0HDbDsfO/s320/P1011954.JPG" border="0" /><br />Above: this is the dirt path that leads to my buidling. Mine is the brown one.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256647804723989730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDjqMZDU7cUNbqStJbuK5qf5qn2acb5F3HCEQPObrpYVraMXKKCKzJiwr6GI1wmjtbb0zOc0asLEKW1YyzFCr17pBUkMWYDWTTAFkVYUcPvEYNc6IIU8bpoy2wQzJm-OsRNTX_1Asfq_z/s320/P1011956.JPG" border="0" /><br />Above: this is the street behind my house that leads to church. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256647807655943090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEuIxIx3PyukUpF-KEvvwc6vWEydnNTfO-OXWaEq6xoceVJNToE1cv0gumKQW2fc77p_qO2pFt9UzMHV8ujQxlxllOh5Tr2MsqqqIs5RpvyTJrUtG0DPnnbUp4RiiRHiTGCeLony8hfv4/s320/P1011957.JPG" border="0" /><br />Above: this is the street behind my building. I sometimes walk down it at night because it is dark and there are no street lights around my building. This path is easiest because it's paved.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDD2sJumAPradeYLoCwGfyHa2m-oEjR8IH2D7l2qs5HpDeZwwkoKjfgOCwk87_UOi8R_TsVz1OPLC7lAi7zh2s-7kOYYNxs_RFfpubicBh_dn8ZdwnLIjB-TzDotyVz4Cm_p6W0RBNphUq/s1600-h/P1011958.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256649233191901202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDD2sJumAPradeYLoCwGfyHa2m-oEjR8IH2D7l2qs5HpDeZwwkoKjfgOCwk87_UOi8R_TsVz1OPLC7lAi7zh2s-7kOYYNxs_RFfpubicBh_dn8ZdwnLIjB-TzDotyVz4Cm_p6W0RBNphUq/s320/P1011958.JPG" border="0" /></a> Above: this is the path leaving my building going toward the bus stop.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36NIqbRg00QxaOOEgtgcl6Esu8qmr9cdYaTvykB6anW-PjD6eRb_iK5g8dQbvatR7TCMVWG63sGd4oOKHMdNjf6wDgdUYlpafS5lr82QM4wdHwDqviWzLNuijH2lwmfvGHelEu8ui_2Xj/s1600-h/P1011959.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256649234741300130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36NIqbRg00QxaOOEgtgcl6Esu8qmr9cdYaTvykB6anW-PjD6eRb_iK5g8dQbvatR7TCMVWG63sGd4oOKHMdNjf6wDgdUYlpafS5lr82QM4wdHwDqviWzLNuijH2lwmfvGHelEu8ui_2Xj/s320/P1011959.JPG" border="0" /></a> Above: once I get out of the alley, this is the dirt path to my apartment. I live in the third building which isn't visible from this photo =(<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNd-sxV2W3WXuj0ZZPGgGFd6MZ0C5_51eZ8oAe3-Y6xPiWmEd2ZFWfoPT7PS8MCTZKSKQ1bSIt-R2M8jD7D-mGWliL-QN1J03z6AqxJEnMZjUYzDwGt8oX4skLJ14J8GfJb4SCwK8ZdpHt/s1600-h/P1011961.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256649238187425842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNd-sxV2W3WXuj0ZZPGgGFd6MZ0C5_51eZ8oAe3-Y6xPiWmEd2ZFWfoPT7PS8MCTZKSKQ1bSIt-R2M8jD7D-mGWliL-QN1J03z6AqxJEnMZjUYzDwGt8oX4skLJ14J8GfJb4SCwK8ZdpHt/s320/P1011961.JPG" border="0" /></a> Above: once I walk through the park this is the little alley I pass behind to get to my house.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpwVwlh6L_3lUyxmDJJVKsqEGZ7DGsTzIN0rm5QGgmA89olQRwI-jaSvPIjspArVeyepxQug-s-r8EZWYCJzyZ68KYr3MPYa60-VeW0VO-LII-3XDsuGX2WiRAFh-ooBYLGKKauFcGFGq/s1600-h/P1011963.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256649241162186306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpwVwlh6L_3lUyxmDJJVKsqEGZ7DGsTzIN0rm5QGgmA89olQRwI-jaSvPIjspArVeyepxQug-s-r8EZWYCJzyZ68KYr3MPYa60-VeW0VO-LII-3XDsuGX2WiRAFh-ooBYLGKKauFcGFGq/s320/P1011963.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Above: after the alley, I walk through this park. The trees are pretty during the day. I caught it on a good day- normally there are lots of people here drinking and hanging out. It's strange to see in the day but at night it's somewhat comforting knowing that people are around. Otherwise it's dark and scary.</div>eRiNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02112987477678963610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308706618621165504.post-57603974553089534312008-10-13T17:56:00.006+04:002008-10-17T13:15:01.635+04:00A Good Weekend & A New JobT'was a good weekend indeed. Not fabulous but good. No matter what, life as a Russian intrigues me daily.<br /><br />Saturday I met new Russian friends- well, they are more like employers. Well no, my clients really- Olya and Nikolai. They are such a handsome couple, they are the Russian version of Brangelina! Well saying that doesn't do them justice because I think Brad Pitt looks like a woman. I can't very well call them TomKat because Katie Holmes is not all that. Well just imagine the best looking Russian man married a gorgeous Russian woman. Yeah, that's them.<br /><br />And now you're thinking- can you imagine their child? Yes, he's a precious doll. His name is Arseniy and he's my new student. He is 5 years old and just super cute. We will start our private lessons on Wednesday.<br /><br />How I met them is the real story. They are the business partners of a dear friend of mine's friends. Yeah. So we agreed to do a preliminary meeting on Saturday. I was running 5 minutes late. I called Olya to let her know I’d be a few minutes late but her husband was already waiting for me. He called me and told me he was at the store across the street and would come by soon. I thought, gee, sounds like he has a car. I’ve only been fortunate enough to know two Russians with wheels.<br /><br />Let me just clarify- he doesn’t just have wheels. This dude ROLLS HARD! I saw a killer midnight blue Mercedes pull-up near me. Just then my phone rang and it was Nikolai. He said I am in the blue car in front of you. I said, “The Mercedes?” as in ‘hell yes’. He said yes. Damn! I haven’t been in a car that nice in a hell of a long time. I felt like a bad ass again. And that feeling is not easy to come by for me, especially out here. We literally fly down the street and around the corner. I had to hold onto the OS bar and he laughed and told me not to be scared. I tried to assure him that I wasn’t- God forbid I lose my chance to ride in his fly ride again.<br /><br />I half expect to pull up alongside an American suburban house or an Uptown high-rise. Nyet- it was a normal apartment building. Then I was certain we’d walk to the penthouse- wrong again. We went up the stairs and right around the corner- one of the first apartments. The inside was glorious- literally. There was lots of light and it was bright and airy. The floor had a tile mosaic in the center, it was beautiful. It was so modern and stylish that it reminded me of Aungy’s place in el D.F. Olya came to meet me and she was Demi Moore gorgeous. I was so surprised by how young and handsome this couple is! I was half expecting an older man and his wife. Nope- they are probably my peers. Sure enough around the corner came the cutest Russian version of the boy from Jerry Maguire. Seriously! The difference is that Arseniy is by far and away more precious!<br /><br />I enjoyed 3 hours at their house. I had delicious tea and expensive candies. Yum! I definitely overate today- all day, except the nasty breakfast. I compensated for too long, hahaha. Fortunately we didn’t talk about price until nearly the end of my visit. I was worried that they would think it was too high and so I hoped that Nikolai would be gone when that part of the talk came. Ironically, he came home just in time for it. Neither he nor Olya flinched. I told them if they required no lesson plans of me then I would consider a lower price, otherwise I would charge per academic hour which is 45 minutes. Olya then said that she wanted me to come 3 times a week- yikes! That’s a lot! I will be so much closer to owning that killer fur!<br /><br />I told her I had to go at 3pm because it was friend’s birthday party. They were gracious and let me go. She then said, “Nikolai will drive you wherever you need to go.” Too bad it wasn’t Globus =) I told them that I was going to the AH to get my bags first. They were fine with it.<br /><br />I can’t lie; it was pretty surreal to be in Russia, with a hot Russian man driving me around in his Benzo. HAHA It was a good afternoon!<br /><br />Sunday was the Thanksgiving holiday at church. Not Amerian Thanksgiving but a day of giving thanks to God. It was very cool to see all the children perform and adults too =)<br /><br />I then meet up with Anya and Dasha for lunch. It was a fiasco getting there. I will start from the beginning. After church I walked to the bus stop with Natasha, Dima, Natasha and this lady who always sits with Natasha. Dima left us at the corner and said he was going with his brother in their car. The brother drove up to us and Dima jumped out of the car insisting that we come with them. They were going to drive us. I was like “hell yeah” until I saw that his mother got out of the backseat of the car and said that we should ride with her sons while she took the trolleybus. HELLO! Yeah right, there is no way that I’d bounce the mom from her seat just so I could chat with her hot son. Nope. I said no, in English hoping that they would just realize that we could all three ride in the backseat. That realization never came and I told Natasha to go with them and that I’d be fine on my own. I was kicking myself the whole way to the bus stop and while on the bus because I forgot my iPod. Talk about co-dependency, the way I need that iPod is ridiculous! Thanks again Dad, I love it!!!<br /><br />Then I got to the grocery store and basically had a mini-meltdown. I put 90 rubles on my phone and it didn’t work. Then I got assaulted by some rude ass woman who literally with all four of her stomachs shoved me out of the way in line. I swear, one day I might just lose it and deck someone. Either in a line or on a bus- I’m telling you folks, pray that I keep my sanity. The colder it gets I get closer to the edge. I am SICK AND TIRED of being shoved around. I am not proud to say that I have shoved back and got some of my space back but it sucks!<br /><br />Anyway I was pissed about that then some stupid worker took two cases of Red Bull out of my arms and yelled something about only buying one. Damn psycho chick! Don’t ‘F’ with me and my Red Bull- everyone in America knows that. Guess these crazy Russians are going hafta learn soon. There were 4-packs of Red bull on sale!!!!! The fact that they even made it to Vladimir blew my mind I was willing to pay $10 USD for four! Thank God that wasn’t necessary; the four packs were $2 USD. Andrew was going to flip- he and I walked around for an hour looking for them! We’ll use ‘em Tuesday and it’s going be a great day =)<br /><br />That combined with my phone not working, getting thrashed in line really flipped my switch. Then I crossed the street to Anya’s house. I needed to call her to get into her building, but no- my phone still didn’t work. I hoofed back to the store and added 100 more rubles. Nothing. I was going to lose it. I was saying how I was sick of the mud, no sidewalks, and filth and not having anything convenient and how I missed my damn car. Yeah out loud in English- not yelling but definitely talking to myself. Thank God that just when I rounded the corner, I saw a teenage girl going into Anya’s building. Thank God she let me in. of course I went to the wrong apartment and rang the doorbell but no one answered. I was just going to turn around in a huff and leave when I thought I’d try my phone one more time. Sure enough- success, I got Anya. She even made lunch!!!<br /><br />She had my absolute favorite eggplant with garlic and tomatoes. She makes a tomato sauce that I could drink it’s so delicious. It reminds me of the mild salsa at ChaCho’s. I would kill a small animal for ANYTHING from ChaCho’s!!! What was funnier is when Andrew and I were on the prowl for Red Bull, he said I would kill a person for a Red Bull. It was funny. Highly inappropriate but damn funny. That’s something only he, Tiez and I would laugh at. He and I shared some good laughs on our search and settled for Adrenaline. Anyway- back to lunch, Anya made delicious borscht!!! Then the to-die-for eggplant and her mom made meat pies. Then she also had the most delicious meat, potato and mushroom crock-pot dish. YUM!!! I stayed chatting and playing with Dasha for five hours! Her brother Igor also came by for a visit. He’s on his way to the Russian army. He’ll most likely end up in the Moscow area and be working with rockets. I jokingly told him not to point any toward America. We all laughed.eRiNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02112987477678963610noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308706618621165504.post-20335239685236036682008-10-08T14:23:00.002+04:002008-10-08T14:55:50.186+04:00Return from Hiatus<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRxzAZGPhuGQsxIVY8EUBFk-Rc2PY5Noa6Jgd_SJVv0qJY8Ex3r9CHdydKTJW_jwJfzZU2pS01xV9xWuCndDcPfRN9LFU6pqxqA4zs0mhefkgMp_Omi9txehEBE3dainlNk4qNyaEkCzC/s1600-h/P1011967.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254734915605898914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRxzAZGPhuGQsxIVY8EUBFk-Rc2PY5Noa6Jgd_SJVv0qJY8Ex3r9CHdydKTJW_jwJfzZU2pS01xV9xWuCndDcPfRN9LFU6pqxqA4zs0mhefkgMp_Omi9txehEBE3dainlNk4qNyaEkCzC/s320/P1011967.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Hey Folks. So I have been on hiatus, not self-imposed I assure you. Our internet use is closely monitored here at our school. We are only allow to use so many MB per month. Last month, we overused our internet so much so that we also tapped into our allottment for the month of October. This means that we were without internet for a few days. It is frustrating, trust me- as the internet is literally my only connection to you, my beloved family and friends in the U.S.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I am currently working on getting internet at my home, which has become like a part-time job. HA! Fortunately, I asked my friend's husband and he is currently helping me. I really and truly hope to post a real blog some day soon =)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>For now, I will give you a abbreviated version. This week, Russia celebrated "Teacher's Day". My fabulous students decorated the board for me in class. It was super cute. I was running into class just 5 minutes before the lesson that I didn't even notice the board, HA!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>eRiNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02112987477678963610noreply@blogger.com1