Most pleasant

Most pleasant
I think I shall write this completely haphazardly. Today on the way to church I saw Maxim parked in the church’s big white van on the side of the road beside the forest. He so I came over and he told me to get in because he was talking people over to the church so the Babushka’s wouldn’t fall and die on the way. I got in and he mentioned that I was late and I said “like always” which he laughed at. He is a very jovial fellow, but I think he may be more jovial than usual… I dunno though. We waived down a bunch of old ladies and went to church. He made basic comments and then laughed like they were jokes so I laughed too. I appreciate joviality.
Dearest Masha had called me to wake me up, and I was already up and ready. I don’t know what it is about morning church, but I never can get to it in time. Everyone always asks me if I will sit in the balcony because I guess that is where everyone sits, but there are 3 different balconies so I was at a loss for which one they meant. I opted for the farthest back balcony as opposed to the left or right balcony, but once I got there I was aware it wasn’t the cool kids balcony but the older folks balcony. No big. After church I beat it, but not before Aleksey stopped by and said “Hi” literally. HE never spoke in English to me until now, and when the guys go into their English conversations he usually playfully chides them and says that if they keep speaking a foreign language he is just gonna speak Ukrainian. Oh, yeah, they do that. They’ll have like 5 minute straight of only talking in English to each other (or at least trying to). They say it is to make sure I don’t miss home, but I sometimes think they are trying to impress me. IT is endearing though. I love my menfolk here. Seriously, they make me very happy and generally relaxed (except when I am not sure if I am breaking a social norm by hanging with them all the time, but I am getting better at picking up on cues from Seryozha or Dima when I need to back off… at least I think I am).Then Paige and I did our ritual Pizza and Pasta.com. good times.
Then I went to church. Now, night church is the one I can’t be late to even if I try. I was supposed to be there about an hour early to practice singing (which really means get there 45 minutes or so early because Russia time is kind lagged), and I got there like an hour and 15 minutes early. It was snowing really wet snow so I decided to try to get in. Right when I got to the door it was swinging shut and I grabbed it just in time. Then I tried buzzing the room. To my suprize they let me in. When I got in there was a girl I’d never seen before. I said a greeting and put my coat on the hook she was confused as to why I was making myself to cozy and asked who I was there to see. I told her I was with the Church and she said that It was all clear then asked me about the times we meet and I told her. Then she went to some back room and disappeared… forever as far as I know.
About 20 minutes later my men come in. they had the keys and so were incredibly confused at what I am doing sitting in a room that is protected by 3 levels of security. I tried to explain it an dI know I got the point across, but I don’t like speaking much when I first enter a Russian social occasion. IT is like I like to get acclimated to thinking in Russian and to the way everyone is talking before I jump in so this immediate interrogation threw off my groove a bit, but not too long. Then in short time they were laughing and joking and asking why I didn’t sit with them at church and where I was sitting etc. My groove was still thrown off and I didn’t feel like admitting I tried to sit with them but failed because as usual I didn’t really know what I was supposed to do so I did a lot of shrugging and told them I was late to church. Dima told(in Russian), “We know. Late like always. We know everything, Deah.” Haha. That really cracked me up. I mean I guess I knew they must talk about me because I am something of an anomaly (a girl, the youngest person around, an American, and an all around strange person) and I see them about 7 times a week, but I just think it is funny that they had all talked about me being late to church like they are keeping tabs on me. I told them I was in the last Balcony and they told me they were in the left one, and I said I’d sit with them next time. They found this answer generally unsatisfactory because next time was a week away, but it was the only answer I had, so they’ll just have to live with it. I really was so glad when they all came in. My dear menfolk.
I had door duty while Aleksey and Sergey practiced their song, and Aleksey had door duty while I practiced singing with the gang. I sang a solo today. It was my first full song solo. I sang this weird song first in English then in Russian. I got all the words and everything, but the overall sound quality was below par as far as I am concerned. No one let on though. When the song was over they all joyously thanked me and praised God. They are so encouraging. Nicolai played the guitar for the song. The service was about faith and I found it personally quite encouraging and fruitful. After the service the fellows asked me if I was going to go with them in the van to Ozerki (which I’ve done last 2 times, from Ozerki I take the metro… it is slightly faster and cheaper then tramming and metroing) but I had already told Kristina and Raisa Semyonovna that I would go with them by bus. The men seemed disappointed and surprised. I road with the ladies home and it was pleasant, although I got a bit roadsick.
Friday we had the fieldtrip to the Hermitage, but just the area that was done to show how Peter lived. It was pretty uneventful. Then Paige and Helene and I went to KFC then Paige and I went to her place. Paige let me use her interwebs and I cut her hair. Ha, that made it sound like it was a trade. They were unrelated.
Normally I go to rehab on Friday nights, but Kristina called me and told me to go to Olga’s for Choir practice. I’m slotted to be at rehab from 6-7 (but if I can get away with it I stay longer) and the choir practice was on the other side of time at 7. I texted Seryozha and told him I wouldn’t be making it. At Olga’s there was a very pretty sunset outside of her 6th story window. I only took a picture with my camera phone so it is poor quality. The practice was fun and pleasant I love those people, but it really is a shame I didn’t make it to rehab.
Saturday slept in, hand washed my white wondrous sweater, and met up with Paige at Idealnaya Chashka (a café) before Church. Then I went to Wonderful Church and was delighted and refreshed, as per usual. I road with the boys to Ozerki and has a nice chat with Aleksey about the ways God speaks to us. That seems to be a major theme of my life right now the way God communicates with us directly and interferences with that and or Evil’s attempts to hinder it or trick us. I like the subject and it is very near and dear to my heart to this is a pleasant season all in all. I am learning to Trust in God a lot more and He is really encouraging me in that area. He also keeps putting people in my path that seem to have interestingly intimate relationships with God. I love it. :)

Still on a wonderful Jesus high so bear with me as I no doubt exude exuberance. Today is Monday. I slept in today because I don’t have any classes or anything. Paige wanted to go shopping, but I slept too late so it didn’t happen. IT was a GREAT day though. I stuck around in bed until like 2. I would wake up and roll around cozily and pray myself back to sleep in bliss. I did have one terrible experience with a nightmare and some rebuking was in order, but that was early in the night, and after that it was all wonderful!! :)
Then I peed and ate and had like the longest shower ever. And put on too much makeup (including liquid eyeliner) and clothes that I look alright in. I stopped by a knock-off teremok stand and got a coke and something cheap and yummy to eat and went to Rehab, one of the most delightful places in all of the earth.
A while back when Nicolai asked me if I was staying late or not and I told him I would be there as long as they said I could we jokingly said I could live there. He shouldn’t have joked about that. I would live there in a heartbeat. Seryozha seemed to be concerned about where he would live if I lived there, but Nicolai didn’t seemed too concerned with it. I had half a mind to take him up on the offer on the off chance that he was half serious. Anyways, at rehab I cut out the pull-tabs on more flyers (I need to get better about pasting them more frequently!). Only one new guy came in. And one mom came in who has been going to church and the meetings and she was supposed to meet her son there but he didn’t show up. It was very sad. She is such a sweet woman and she took it in beautiful stride but I know how much it hurts when someone lets you down and you could see the sorrow behind her eyes.
Then in short time we had the parents meeting which was wonderful. Peter Petrovich and I shared a hymnal and when Kristina came we shared with her and when this young girl came we shared with her too. It felt very cute. Everyone else had their own hymnal and we 4 were sharing. Peter Petrovich gave his testimony which was absolutely beautiful. He is an “adaptant” and I’ve known him for about a month now. He mutters A LOT and it is hard for me to understand him but he is incredibly good hearted and pretty raw and down to earth. I’d say he is in his 50s… but who knows I am bad at that stuff and it is hard to really guess an alcohol or addict’s age anyways.
After the lesson we had tea as usual. God had given me a message to give Aleksey so I gave it to him and he had Slava read it and they both seemed pretty happy about it I guess so that is good. This is the first time God gave me a message to give someone in Russian! That was exciting and when I told Aleksey that God told it to me in Russian he was just as excited about it as I am (but that may be because he’s had to endure my translations before, haha). IT is SOOO good when your brothers and sisters share in your joy! Last week, as I said, I had some issues with reading and so today Aleksey advised me to read slower. He said(in Russian) “I know you want to read fast and well like everyone else but read slow enough that you understand what you are reading. No one is going to mind or saying anything to you for reading slow.” I just kept saying “Mmmhmmm” While he talked to me about it because it rang true but he could tell I felt kinda ashamed I think so he went on about how if he were reading English It would be hard for him too. That was a sweet touch. I love Kristina. I love her SOO much. She is SO sweet and so spunky. I was glad I got to sit by her today. Let’s see what else? Oh, Seryozha and Aleksey sang together today and they did on Sunday too. I like it when they sing together. Dima wasn’t there for the meeting but he came after just to drink tea. He always makes me laugh.
Oh, I forgot to say! You know I always come to rehab at 6 for the intake and the parent meeting is at 7. Well Mikhail saw me walk up at 6 and I guess he didn’t know I come in for intakes so he said the equivalent of “wow, you’re here early.” And I said “I usually am here this early” and he said “I thought you were usually late” and I said “No, I’m only late in the morning.” And he said “Ah, you like sleep.” And then I went in. But I just thought it was funny that again they spread word around about that one conversation yesterday with Maxim when I said I was late. My men, I think I’ll keep them.
Also, guys keep giving me candy. I mean we eat candy at almost every tea-time so it isn’t a big deal, but it is still an almost daily thing (today it happened twice in a 5 minute period). I always try to refuse but then they are convinced I don’t like sweets or am on a diet and when I say I just don’t want it now they tell me to put it in my purse. It is usually pretty tasty though. :)
Nonna keeps making sushi. She is really good at it. She made some last night at like midnight and made some tonight too. It is yummy. I am the only one that doesn’t eat it with wasabi so for me it is like dinner and a show. Everyone’s face turns red and contorts and what not. I don’t know if they exactly like that I laugh all meal but they don’t seem to mind.

A Bit of Rest

I didn’t go to school this morning. I woke up, kinda hoping I had slept in, but I hadn’t. I told myself and God right before I looked at the clock that I’d get up if it was before 7:30. It was 7:27. Bummer. I got up and showered, ate, read the bible, put on make-up and was completely ready. Then my stummy started hurting. It was a lower abdomen pain, the kind that might go away in few minutes, but may be foreboding multiple, painful, and/or urgent trips to the restroom. I weighed out whether to tough it out or not and ended up deciding it wasn’t worth the risk. It sucks that it happened for the private Russian lesson, but I didn’t want to be stuck 20 minutes into my 40 minute walk to school feeling like my intestines are exploding. So texted the teacher, Inma, and Paige to let them all know I wasn’t feeling well and wouldn’t be in school. Inma said she had a stomach ache and wouldn’t be coming in either, and Paige said she’d just decided to sleep in, and the teacher told me to get well soon. So I watched the 30 rock and House episodes Paige had just given me, and then watched like 3 Arrested developments and took a nap. By 10 I was completely fine and realized it had been a false alarm, but maybe my taking it easy helped, and lord know I could use a mental health day. Then I met Paige at like 3 and we had lunch over by the consulate (which I have yet to go to btw, I feel like I should… I just can’t figure out why I should or what I might possibly need to do there). Then I went to Rehab. I gotta say my brain was mush today. I couldn’t even read the Bible verses when we went around the circle and split of the verses as usual. On my last verse I just gave up butchering the poor language and refused to read further. IT was pathetic and demoralizing. I also didn’t contribute anything to the lesson this time, which was disappointing because last week I really felt like I was contributing and had hoped it would be the changing of the tides for me. We all have off days I guess, and I think we are more apt to have them when operating almost full time in a foreign language that is drastically different from our mother tongue. I was relatively demoralized, but I asked for the scripture again from Aleksey and he was kind enough to write it for me (2 times… sort of, he wrote it down and left but RAN back like 2 minutes later telling me he had reversed the numbers and by that time I had all but lost the first thing he gave me to he had to write it on a different piece of paper and everything). I have been dying for some calla lilies lately and so I bought 3 on the way home. Ha, when I ate with Paige I told her that I’d been hoping to buy some for myself for over a week now because I see them at the metro station on the way form rehab almost everyday, but that people keep on walking to the metro station with me and I don’t wanna buy flowers for myself with some kind church goer I barely know so I always tell myself I’ll get some next time. Buying flowers for yourself feels kinda silly if you do it in front of someone who knows what you are doing. I told Paige I hope that they will drive me to the Metro station so I don’t have to walk in the slick woods and then that from there I am alone so I can buy the flowers in peace. That is exactly what happened, praise God! It was swell. I like them a lot. So I came home and Nonna asked me about my day and I tried to tell her about it, but she said she couldn’t understand me and that I should tell her in English. I am pretty that is the first time she has ever said that to me in my whole life (except when I haphazardly try to translate movie titles mid-conversation). I told her I haven’t been able to communicate all day and she said I might just need a one day break from Russian. That sounded like a pretty sound thing to say. So we talked in English from there on out. That was our first English convo we’ve had here that lasted more than 3 sentences. Then I came into my room and looked up that verse. It was like a double edged sword. It was beyond awesome and it blew my mind. Aleksey is like a freaking prophet or something because there is no way he could’ve just known that I needed that verse. I didn’t even know I needed that verse. Way to be, kid, and THANK YOU JESUS for sending that my way! I journaled and prayed until I got called to dinner of fish, cucumber, and potatoes. I never liked fish really ever in my life, except for granddaddy’s catfish (and I think I liked them more for the memory than anything), but Elena Borisovna prepares her fish very nicely and I am really starting to warm up to it. I think fish is an acquired taste and I’ve never had the reason to acquire it before. Right now Elena Borisovna and Nonna are fasting for Lent. I am very glad I took that Russian Orthodox Christianity class before I got here because I figured out they were fasting before they even told me. :) The orthodox fasts are pretty intense and they don’t eat meat (aside from fish) for the whole of Lent, as I understand it. Elena Borisovna keeps having me practice a song for a festival that is like April 10 or 11th or something. It is almost terrifying, but from what I hear, you are only young once.

Oh, and I finished Catcher in the Rye last night. I wolfed it down in like 5 days on top of a pretty busy schedule.

Okay this is now Thursday evening. I haven’t uploaded this because I quite shamelessly slept in today and thus didn’t go to the institute at a time suitable for internet use. I didn’t even care that I slept in. I know I can afford the absences, I figured it out a couple days ago, and this morning it was a stressless rest of refreshment. Delightful. I laid around and slept all morning. Delight of delights. And Paige slept in and slipped too. She called me at like 10 and said she was sleeping in and I told her I was still in bed and it looked like I was too. She said that she appreciates our cross-city, psychic connection and is glad we are on the same page. Late she called and asked me to meet her so I could run errands with her. I got ready for the day and spent some time with Jesus and then left to meet her. We met up and I was hungry so we went to KFC. I cannot describe how good it was. IT was our first time there in Russia, and undoubtedly not out last. We did our errands and did a bit of shopping. Paige got an ADORABLE purse and a cute Hello Kitty wallet. They were each shockingly cheap. Then we went to the institute because Elena Borisovna wanted me to watch their “spectacle” and then practice my song and Paige needed to give them photos for their visa. And I watched the show which was just a dress rehersal I guess and it was Anton Chekov’s A Wedding Proposal which I directed at Memorial way back when (but I did it in English of course). It was nice to see it. Then I was forced to practice in front of them like 3 times. I still don’t have the words down. It is annoying. Then I went to the BibleStudy over Revelations. That was nice. I love my rehab boys! They attend too but they are in their own group and I am in a women’s group. Afterwards Dima and Mihail came up and talked to me. Okay, when I first got here I really felt like Dima reminds me of Karl Dowell, and he still does but now he is evolving into his own person in my head and not just my Karl Dowell replacement. Anyways yesterday Dima had commented on how I always stand in a ballet position and asked me if I ever did ballet. I told him yes and he said he did too. We swapped ballet terminology and stuff for a while. It sounds like he was pretty serious about it before he was an addict. Oh, and he also always sings various old school American songs everytime I see him and the one I get the biggest kick out of it “Ice, Ice Baby.” So, after the Bible Study when Dima and Mihail came up Dima again commented on the fact I was standing in 1st position and then said he had something to tell me but he forgot because he thought he wouldn’t see me until tomorrow. Then Mihail sang “Ice, Ice Chicken” which totally cracked me up beyond all reason. Dima explained that they had made up this new version called “Ice, Ice Chicken” and Mihail sang it a little more but as far as I can tell the only words are “Ice Ice Chicken to go.” I love it. I am imagining that Dima and Mihail made it up while transporting or cooking a frozen chicken, but that is just a guess.
Oh, I guess I didn’t tell you last week cause I wasn’t writing! Well, last week at this Bible Study I met a few girls in their 20s. 2 of them are named Masha and I forget the rest of their names. They were very nice and we walked to the metro together afterwards talking about what have you. Anyways the Masha, the one that is in my group for the Bible study, was there again. We started talking about all the strange ways God communicates to us and has throughout our lives and it was really cool. She asked me why I wasn’t at church on Sunday and when I told her I slept in again she said she’d call me Sunday morning to wake me up. Hehe. That made me happy. We talked non-stop all the way home. Oh, I am pretty sure I was supposed to tell Aleksey something at Church today, but I was passive and didn’t. Naughty me. Hopefully I ‘ll tell him tomorrow or Saturday. Oh, also, yesterday when Seryozha was talking to a heroin addict who was coming in for the first time and the heroin addict’s mom the mom asked about fasting (because it is lent). I am passionate about fasts and their importance (although I am a lazy bones and probably don’t fast nearly enough), and since we are protestant I was totally expecting Seryozha to say something I would totally disagree with in my heart. But no. He hit a homerun. He didn’t downplay the importance of fasts he just said that our church doesn’t fast for lent but that we encourage fasts, but tend to do them as individually compelled by God. So that was nice. I am so used to going to a church that I frequently disagree with theologically and it is SOOOOOO nice being at one that I have yet to find anything to tiff about. I mean, the language barrier may be helping that since I may have something to disagree about without understanding that I do, but still, it is wonderful. It helps me trust my church and my brothers wonderfully, which is good because I really need the tight fellowship and I rely on them a lot. I love this church and I love these people! PRAISE JESUS! I think I am going to try again to read Mere Christianity, so if you are reading this Aaron Wright you should message me. OH! And class is cancelled for tomorrow and we are going on a little excursion instead, so that means I’ve got a 6 day weekend since I don’t have class on Mondays and I didn’t go today or yesterday. And let me tell ya this little vaca was much needed and appreciated!!  Thanks, Jesus!

I’ve been reading the Catcher in the Rye and I think it slightly affected my writing style on this one.

Today at the Rehab’s Parent’s meeting I was really sad for a bit. I may have even shed two tears. I did it all very discretely of course, but Aleksey noticed. He was sitting pretty far away too, so I was either less discrete than I assumed I was or he is really just that in tune. After the meeting when I was scurrying around to get the tea and biscuits ready he pulled me aside and told me that he is not a prophet or anything but that he saw that I was getting sad and he didn’t know why and he wanted to give me this Bible verse. He also gave me a little Christian flyer thing that everyone was handing to each other. It really made me really excited to go home and pray and look up the verse. I was really in the mood to be encouraged, if you know what I mean. Aleksey is from Ukraine and an ex-alcoholic (yes I know, once an alcoholic always one but I can say what I want). Anyways, he is a really cool guy and God has told me some wonderful things about him, but he and I only talk when we give each other verses or stuff form the Lord, and otherwise the language barrier is way strong. Even the Russians every now and then ask him to repeat himself “but in Russian” because he resorts to Ukrainian quite frequently. He is finishing his adaptation soon so be in prayer for him as he seeks God’s will in where to live and what to do when he gets out. :) Anyways instead of talking the van with him and Maxim to the metro I walked with Seryozha’s mom and Galina Simionovna (I think that is her name). The stopped in the bathroom first to I went too. Seryozha’s mom and I walked and talked home from the metro. She is a wonderful woman. Be praying for her. She said she has a surgery next weekend. Please do be in prayer. But she seems to be an eternal optimist. It is some sort of woman’s surgery, so take that as you will. When she told me about it I told her my mom used to have cancer but now she doesn’t, Praise God. She kept saying how so many others have it worse than her and said she is so glad that she only has her problems and not the ones that other people have, like cancer, or husbands dying in car crashes, etc. This is coming from a woman with failing health and 2 heroine addicted sons (although praise God one, Seryozha is sober and the other is in rehab). Still, you have to admire that kind of humble trust and optimism. At least I admire it. When I got home I was SOOOOO excited about reading that scripture. I reached in my back pocket only to find air. I cannot say how disappointing that was. I knew I had put it in my back pocket, but I searched all of my belongings anyways. Then I thought maybe I lost it on the street, so I went out on the street and retraced my steps all the way to the metro. I picked up so many crumby pieces of paper it wasn’t even funny. And I know I looked crazy, but I just kept looking. It was kinda nice though. I haven’t been praying and relying on God as much as I should lately and the search was pretty rife with conversation with God, even if it was mostly me whining and moaning about how I was looking forward to reading it and wondering why God let me lose it. I never found it (big surprise). I think it must have fallen out of my stupid pocket when I went pee. I didn’t even have to go pee. But God works all things (even little silly ones) for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28) and I did get to have a pleasant convo with God and I can always ask Aleksey for the scripture on Wednesday, plus I got a little more exercise for the day :) I was thumbing through Matthew because I am pretty sure that it was from Matthew (but it could have been from Mark) and I ran across Matthew 5:4,8 and those are good enough for me. You can’t go wrong with the beatitudes.
Before the meeting Nicolai had me practice this song I had never heard before. It is pretty simplistic and I believe not to well-written, but they like it when I sing it in English even though they feel the same way about the song in its Russian version. They weren’t gonna have anyone even sing it in Russian after me but I said if I just sing in English and no one translates it is almost the same thing as me going up and speaking in tongues without a translator- who does it benefit? Well, I didn’t say it that well, but I stumbled over a few words until they said it for me. They are pretty good about that. So I practiced the Russian version a bit but it is a mouthful.
On Sunday Nicolai and I sang a duet of “there is none like you.” We were introduced as “An International Duet.” Everyone said it is better when I sing with Nicolai than when I sing with Seryozha. Poor Seryozha. I sang the first verse in English then we sang the 2nd and 3rd verses in Russian and then we sang the bridge in Russian. Then the brothers from the Adaptation Center sang a wonderful song that really made my heart sing. But the ending was sloppy, admittedly and they were crazy embarrassed about it. I don’t know much about music but their’s was my favorite song all night and there they were feeling like crap about it. They even started out being self-conscious stating in their introduction that they shouldn’t be expected to have as much musical talent as was in the international duet. Oh, if they only knew how almost nobody but my mom and dad think I have a good voice in America. I try to tell them so when they go on a bit too much, but they always seem offended that someone would think my voice isn’t amazing and they tell me to tell the Americans that *insert their name here* says I have a great voice. IT is cute. I get a lot of encouragement here, but being the weakling and spiritual-lightweight I always seem to be I always could use more, so it is nice to be in such a loving environment. God has always been very gracious to always put me with loving and encouraging people. I can never say I am unloved, and that is a HUGE blessing.
Elena (my house mom) wants me to sing at some festival in April so yesterday we practiced a little bit after church.
I can’t believe today is only Monday.

Moribund

I saw a dead man today. He was laying face down on the pavement with his arm reaching out over his head, his thin, yellow, wrinkled hand protruding from the cuff of his shirt. I just turned the corner and there he was. I was on autopilot so I kept walking and had to back-track to avoid him and the police and ambulance. They didn’t move him and there was no caution tape and no warning.
Later Paige had to undergo the same shock I did, even though I tried to warn her.
Also there was like a crazy blizzard with Oklahoma-like winds after a day of warm weather. I was wearing flats and was entirely unprepared. A day in the life I suppose.



That was from... Friday. Not the best day ever but things are looking up. Sorry to not have posted for so long and then to post this less than encouraging bit of info, but ya gotta start somewhere.

You haven’t lived in St. Petersburg until you’ve moshed with a Babushka.

I haven’t written in a long time and I really don’t feel like playing this serious a game of catch up. The title of this post is something I said long ago but I don’t thing I ever typed to you all. The metro gets crazy crowded during rush hour (go figure). And everyone lining up at the doors near Petrogradskaya make a decent mosh pit as I like to call it. You all get slammed up against each other and have little say in which direction you would like to go, so if you want to get into that door, and I mean really want it you need to either push or brace yourself against the crowd trying to reach that same goal. IT is delightful. I always feel sorry of the very young and the very old who are in the crowd and I hate being slammed against them because then I feel I must try to protect them from the surge and must for the most part give up my selfish goal of getting in the metro asap. I usually go to rehab during rush hour.
Today (Monday) there was no school because yesterday was women’s day. That would be exciting except I don’t have class on Monday and the place I wanted to go was closed for women’s day. But for women’s day I got Apple soap from Nonna and Elena, a candy bar from Nicolai, a magnetic bookmark from Lubov (I forgot her ochestva), and a dolphin-shaped banana-scented soap from Sergey. I think I made out pretty well, although I didn’t get any flowers, which is kinda surprising because everyone and there dog had flowers all week. I did give flowers though to Nonna and Elena. Good times.
Let’s see. Thursday I sang in Big church with Sergey (just so everyone knows this is the guy in the pics and he will be called seryozha, sergey, and/or seryoga). There were like 60 people there and we sang in microphones and stuff. I sang the solo of “My Jesus, My Savior” in English and then Seryozha and I sang it together in Russian and he played guitar throughout. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it and on Friday Seryozha told me that they want me to sing more and that everyone loved me… and that no one complemented him. Aw, poor guy. I told him that the next time I sing in English he has to too. He tried to talk his way out of if but I told him I am a good teacher. Then he asked which song and I said whichever he wanted and he said “Ti omoy Menya” (which is one of my favorites EVER) and I said there is no English translation for it and he said I better translate it. …So I did. I gave it to him on Sunday and we practiced it today. I told him we better sing it on Sunday and he said “Maybe” in English.
Friday day I really don’t remember what I did… hmm… oh, I had Russian class and then Paige and I hung out and I used the internet a lot and began a preliminary job search, then Paige and I ate at Nyamburg which is a yummy and pretty cheap café near Chkalovskaya. :) OH, today when I went for a walk I found a Chinese play on Chakolovskaya! I pass it everyday but the sign is really high up and I guess I never saw it. I am sure I’ll go some time soon. …Friday… Then I went to rehab and we worked and hung out and I went home. Then on Saturday I slept in and then Met up with Paige and we trekked over to the Okkervil River. IT is way close to where she lives and exactly between where she lives and the metro I go to for church. so we headed that way from her metro. The sun was out and it was a beautiful day. Then we went shopping… but more like window shopping except going in. Then we ate at McDonalds and couldn’t find a seat for like 8 minutes so a worker came over and asked if we needed a seat and when we said yes she walked over to some girls and asked if we could sit with them and we did… It was awkward. I wasn’t in the mood for McyD’s anyways but we didn’t want to trek to some unknown location looking for decent grub. Then I went to our little Church Bible study. Then I went home. Then on Sunday I was late for church. I mean like 20-30 minutes late and I figured since it was big church nobody would notice but as I was entering the gate from the woods to the street by the church Sergey was leaving and greeted me and told me I should sit in the balcony. A)what are the odds of being there exactly when he is. B) caught. Then later that day another guy told me he say me in church that morning too. Oh, speaking of getting caught. I am always really early or really late. For rehab and church I would say I am usually really early. On Saturday I was like 30 minutes early so I snuck in the building as usual and then was like “I don’t wanna wait in this shady stairway again” so I left the building and went for a walk jovially listening to hard rock and traversing through rickety Russian open air markets. When I returned I stood a ways off and at a candy bar, then I say the van of rehabbers pull up so I sauntered over making it to the door right when they did. On Friday Sergey told me I am like a clock, and I told him he was way wrong, but when we came up at the same time it was as if his statement had been confirmed. Ha, and when I went inside one of the mothers said “You came here a lot earlier didn’t you? I tried to run to you but you left already.” I thought it was funny.
And then on Sunday night I came early to practice the songs we were gonna sing. I let some people in (we have a weird security door) and Sergey was one of them and he was like “Deah is EVERYWHERE” which was kinda what I was thinking that day about him… al catching me being late and all.
Oh, I talked to OU and I got my loan stuff sorted out they said. They said I should get the money that has been sitting in my OU account to my bank this week. Yea Jesus!!
Today I went shopping alone with Jesus and we bought a spring coat since it has been warming up and I’ve been sweltering in my winter coats. I like it a bunch. I tested it out today because I wasn’t sure if it was too light. I think it did pretty well, but the Russian were appalled. Sergey in particular talked to me for like 7 minutes about how I should wear more layers despite my “Warm Oklahoman blood.” But the babushkas had a similar reaction. They all love me. Now when I enter a room they all greet me so warming and today as I left it was like a chorus of “Go with God” and on guy called my sestrichka which is diminutive and I like to think of it as “darling sister.” It all makes me very happy. IT saddens me to think I don’t know if anything is going on there tomorrow for me to do… grrr. I shall have to wait until Wednesday! Well. That is pretty much the show. Peace players!

Wonder of Wonders

HELLOO!! I didin't type anythign at how so this blog will no doubt be incomplete. but I atleast want to Write about Monday. Monday after I posted I met with paige way quick and ate teremok and she went to her helpign sesson. Then to stay out of the cold and wait to go to Rehab I went to a cafe that was AMAZING and had a yummy cheesy croissant. then I went to Rehab.

At rehab There was a guy named Dennis who is an ex-addict and just finnished his Bachelors at a christian school and is abotu to start studying psychology. He basically wants to do the same thign as me I think. :) Then He left to do some stuff and Seryozha started practicing a new song for worship. Then because I had told him that I knew a few of the songs we sing in English he made me sing them... except I totally didn't remember the words because I haven't sang them since I regularly attended Henderson Hills liek 2 years ago because we sing old school stuff at Christ the King. So I tried to remember them an dwrite them down but there were chunks I didn't remember. Seryozha really wanted to sing the English with me but I wrote sloppy so he couldn't read because I didn't know if they were the right words and there were lines I would just make up on the spot. Yeah... so he wanted me so sing it soem time and then the would sing it in Russian or we coudl sing it toegether in Russian or whatever. I was really stubborn about it and he was all like "hey, you were the one who wants to help." So I bucked up and we practiced a bit and I showe dhim some pics on my ipod and he said my family (particularly Cherith) looks nothing like me. Then we helped the peopel that came in then we went to the Parent meeting. He actually let me help carry thigns over to the meeting. Yea for starting to be mildly helpful and treated less like a guest! Then we hadd our parent meeting which was great as usual but I did soem unfortunate zoning out during the lesson. I guess my mind didn't want to work to very hard. but I did get some out of the lesson. We sang a few songs before the lesson and after the lesson we were going to sing a song and Seryozha said he wanted to sing a solo... then he looked at me and said (in Russian) you ready? Uh... I totally thought we were like preparing for Sunday or liek a week away or soemthing. But I just said Da and he said (in Russian) "you sing it in English, then we will sing it together in Russian." Adn he started playing. I didn;t coem in when I was supposed to so he sang softly in Russian to let me know I should be singing. Then I sang it... complete with improvs, and by the end my voice started to waiver a bit but I think that over all it was vocally ok. then a measure after I was done he started in Russian... I thought I was supposed to sing with him but was nervous and hadn't practiced much in Russian and so I couldnt make the turn around that quick. I should have stopped singing but I think I basically sang a word or two from each line. classy. Anyways. everyone said it was great and some people took pictures (they always take pictures at church) and they posted them on vkontakte (russian facebook) and so now I show them to you! Then at prayer requests I didn't have to have mine translated although Seryozha had to help me speak. I was trying to say "God's will" which is Volya Bozhe but I think I said Bolya Boga, but I got corrected and all was well. then we prayed and I started settign up the food. And the people that usually set up the food had to go so I was the only one doing it for a while until Olga and Nastya and Sergey stopped their little photoshoot and came and helped and it made me feel very happy to feel helpful!! yea!!! I knwo these people help me A LOT MORE than I help them, but I am glad that finally I am doing something, even if what I am doing is very little.

SO that was that and we ate and we cleaned up and I walked to the Metro with the mother and then Seyozha's mom got out on my stop because she and seryozha live REALLY close to me and so she walked me how and we talked. the women are so nice and they love me like crazy. I am VERY VERY BLESSED!!

Then I chilled at home and talked to Paige an excessively long time on the phone and I couldn't sleep even though I started trying at like 11:30... I know for sure I was awake at 2 for sure and probably later. I dunno why. It might have been my mild performance adrenaline...

At school the next day I talked to Elena about what universities I should look into and she said she'd call them all and find out about them. WAY COOL AND NICE!!!!! Then Paige and I wen tot our Religion class for the first time. It is the best class I've had so far! ...but that isn't saying much. Paige was dying for Mexican food an dshe convinced me to skip my next class and get Mexican Food with her. How could I resist when she said she'd pay and that I could use her interwebs at her place after? Plus the class that I would've gone to it Atual Problems in World Social groups and the teacher HATES me so I asked today if I could change classes and Elan said I could so I am going to start taking Culturology....
So we ate yummy yummy mexican food. I got the Chimichanga which TOTALLY hit the spot. It was even better than the burrito. and I got papas al horno. yumm. THe chips for th echips and salsa were carmalized and not my fav.
Then we wnet to Paige's and hung out and I used the internest forever and she was a dear about it. Then I went hoem and tried to go to bed. It was like 8 but I was SOOO tired. But none the less I couldn't sleep at all. I got to sleep around 12:30 I think... earlier than usual I guess but not as early as I was shootingfor.

This mornign I had my little Russian class and it was swell. And I've been online since then trying to keep myself and you up to date.

;)

I don’t even remember the last time I wrote or what I ended with…
But Thursday I had 2 classes, then we ate at chainaja lozhka. Then Tanya took us to a Russian restaurant to show us where one is as part of our “orientation.” Then at night I went to a local Academy’s open house. I am really feeling like the Lord wants me to stay here and study legit as a Russian student and get a degree here. I didn’t ask any questions at the open house because I didn’t wanna make a scene and I was nervous but when I got home I called and they told me to come in the next day. It was nice walking home alone on beautiful Nevsky Prospekt and to enjoy the celebration I decided I was going to see a movie. I occasionally very much enjoy going to movies by myself so on the way home I popped in to the closest movie theatre and checked out movie times. I came home and talked to the fam a bit. Both Tanya and Nonna told me on Thursday that they thought I would have to take the crazy hard entrance exams if I want to study at a Russian school, it is like a Russian SAT. This was disheartening but I knew and what encouraged by the fact that all things are possible with God and He has had me do what I deemed impossible before and I only want to do His will and if it is His will He’ll make it happen. How did you like that run-on sentence? Anyways, so I went and saw “International” at the theater which was fancy and all the seats were love-seats and sofas and waiters could bring you food and stuff. I bought some ice cream it was yummy. Then on the way home I stopped by the supermarket and bought some chips. Seriously, I think that I haven’t stopped eating in the last 4 days or so… Maybe my body is pissed that I am losing weight and trying to get back to equilibrium…
Friday morning I got up way early and spent time with Jesus. Then I went to the Institute in the hopes of talking to Elena about what I might need to do to go to school here. She wasn’t there and I was supposed to meet the foreigners back at Petrogradskaya so I briefly used the interwebs and beat it. On the way out I fell twice on the ice. Twice in a row. We are talking like fall get up and take 2 steps and fall again. Some older man grabbed my arm and helped me across the slickest steepest part of the road. I had headphones in so I didn’t hear a thing he was saying and I couldn’t take the headphones out because he had my arm so I smiled and nodded. Eh, I might have had to do that anyways even if I had heard him. Then I met the gang and got more food. Then we all went to the gramophone museum. Yepp. That is what I said. This excursion was planned for us (the foreigners) by the office and Tanya took us there. There were a lot of gramophones… most of them were American made. I dunno, while the subject matter wasn’t exactly my cup of tea it was a personalized tour by a very enthusiastic woman who at the end made us tea and discussed Samovars with us. Then Paige and I cut out and bought me some boots. We had tried to the day before but everything was so expensive I nixed it. Since the situation was getting dire I opted to bite the bullet and buy the cheapest non-hooker boots that were of bearable taste and functionality. Cost me like 65 bucks. But then dad ended up more that reimbursing me out of the kindness of his heart. Then Paige and I went to Nevsky prospect and wandered and went into our favorite store where she bought a Soviet cigarette case. It is delightful. In our wanderings we found a statue of Turgenev and a music store. There I played an Austic bass which made em incredibly happy and long to buy it and realize that I forgot every song I ever thought I knew…. Sad. I almost bought it on the spot but it was so expensive I couldn’t forgive myself. I asked the store clerk where I could buy a used one and he said he didn’t know. Then Paige headed home and I headed to the Academy where they basically enrolled me. They seemed like it was absolutely no big deal to attend and said I didn’t need to take the SAT I just needed to take a conversation test. They had me give them my info and basically said come back in May to take the test and fill out the visa info. IT was so awesome and so easy!! Praise Jesus! Now, I am not for sure going there, but it is a wonderful feeling to have a huge door wide open in a direction you feel called to! : ) Then I came home and told the ladies and they looked over all my papers and info and seemed to think it was all a really good deal and a good price and everything. Yea! Then I went to rehab. It was wonderful as usual! It was kinda funny though because they practically kicked me out. They were like “That’s all, Deah,” and waved authoritatively.
Then I wnet back to the apartment where I met Irina, a protestant woman who plays the bass at church and helps occasionally at her church’s rehab ministry. Haha! How awesome is that! AND we ate cheesy potatoes!! EXACTLY LIKE THE ONES I VIRTUALLY LIVED OFF OF LAST SEMESTER!!! WOO HOO!
Then I thought “Well, it it like 1:30 pm in America… there is no way that I am going to be able to get ahold of anyone but I better try because I really feel like God wants me to break the news about my probably staying here longer to them today.” I called and immediately got a hold of dad and talked to him for almost an hour then the call broke up an then he was busy so I called mom and got ahold of her too! She had left work early! : ) Then I got to talk to dad again, and then after all that with th e15 minutes left on my phone card I called Cher and got ahold of her too! If that is not a freakin’ miracle then I dunno what is! I have been trying to get ahold of these people forever and to no avail, but on this special day I got a freakin’ bingo! It is a shame I didn’t get to talk to Fergie though… FERGIE I LOVE YOU!!!
Then I went to bed. Saturday I slept in then showered and posted a bunch of flyers with Jesus. Then I prayed and figured it was time to go chill with Paige and headed over there. Everytime I called it said her line was unavailable and to try back later. So I am at the door of her apt. building and trying to remember the first security code…. I can’t but I remember that I got the same email she did that told her where she was living and how to get in. So I check my email on my phone and get in the first door and call her apt on the 2nd door phone and Tatiyana answers and lets me in. Now I am a completely uninvited and unexpected guest all because I wanted to grab some blini with Paige… yeah. But it was okay. I drank some tea there and check the interwebs and then we went to ideal’naja chawka(the Ideal cup) which is this coffee house not far from her place. There I got a sandwich a tea and a chocolate cake, all of which were delish. Then I went to the church bible study. That was swell. We read and discussed John 2. Praise God I was able to slightly contribute to the study! :) I love Jesus a bunch. Then I and 3 other ladies practiced a few songs to prepare for the worship service on Sunday. Then I went home and watched the documentaries about the rehab. :).
Sunday (today) I went to morning church at Ozerki. It is the church affiliated with the Rehab and is on the same grounds as the rehab. I like it. It is pretty freaking traditional, but apparently the morning service is for the older people. I liked it. The Choir has uniforms and they sing beautifully. To be honest I have really been hoping to be preached to at whatever morning church I go to because all of the other things I have been going to have been so interactive and that kinda puts me on edge right now. This was a nice traditional service. Maybe a little more baptisty traditional than I am used to, but I got used to Presbyterian traditional quick enough so I’m sure I’ll adjust in time. Then Paige and I met up and we ate at Pizza&Pasta.com and incase you are wondering… they don’t have a website. It is also not far from Paige’s place. THE PIZZA WAS SOOOO GOOD! We got the chicken, pesto, mushroom pizza. I think I died and went to heaven. IT was amazing. I don’t think I am expressing this clearly enough. DELISH. Then I went to church nice and early so we could practice the music. I was the first one there. I had to wait until someone left the building to get in… then I couldn’t get on the level the auto school we meet in. So I waited in the stairway for a while and texted people to look busy. Sometimes when people came by I put the phone to my ear and nodded. IT was all very stupid so I went back down stairs and called Paige while in a corner. Then I tried again later and I got in jut fine and the girls were like We just got here too!!! I didn’t have the heart to say I’d been waiting and virtually hiding for almost 20 minutes. We practiced and had the service and all was well and we had tea and socialized afterwards one newly-wed couple was just back from their honeymoon and they were all cute and glowing. At socialization time I socialized a lot more than usual. I LOVE MY CHURCH! I love those people and they love me and we all love Jesus! Hehehe.
Now I’m home. Tada!