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!