The weeks are flying by, and suddenly I've been in Russia for more than six weeks!!! That is the total amount of time I was here last time!
I have been trying to make the most of everything lately, because I realize before I know it it will be December and I will look back on my first THREE MONTHS of living here. I sometimes feel all this pressure that it has to be good, I have to be spending my time wisely, taking every opportunity, etc.
Meanwhile, this means I haven't opened a single book I brought with me, I haven't responded to more than 1 out of 3 emails I receive, I haven't...done so many things I thought I would have time for. I find myself scatter-brained most of the time, and constantly forgetting about something.
Oh well. I'm having fun in the meantime, and teaching is progressively getting better!
I am finishing up my third week of classes, and more and more lately I have been walking away with a smile on my face. I can't help but fall in love wth many of my students--especially the teenagers. They are sooo cute and charming! My favorite 14-year old boy walked with me to the bus stop today...ah. It made my day. And my favorite teenage girl had a birthday yesterday, so she brought be a giant chocolate bar--which is traditional in Russia, but I LOVED it anyways! I love the feeling that my students and I are starting to get to know each other, and with that my confidence in teaching and discipline are growing. I do still screw things up a lot of the time, but my good teaching moments are growing daily... :)
Oh! And my flatmate Jenny and I just started taking Russian lessons from a teacher at our center. We will have lessons for an hour, three days per week. This is MUCH-needed, because as our job is to speak English, there is not much chance to learn Russian as I would have liked!
Things I miss from the U.S. right now:
- bobby pins! (I have 2 left that I'm guarding with my life...)
- DONUTS --Top Pot, Krispy Kreme, Safeway, I'd take it all!
- tall double-shot americano from ANY Seattle coffeeshop
- ROSS --I am quickly becoming tired of my clothing, but things are so expensive here, and shopping is a big task to overtake!
- my red rubber rainboots. :(
- my roommates
- my family
- my lovers
Things I love about Russia right now:
- adorable children/teenagers/adults--let's face it, they are all pretty great
- tea and cookies
- efficient and reliable public transportation
- cheap beer
- having flatmates/friends to hang out with whenever I want!
Amen.
ReplyDeletethis was a VERY effective, heartwarming, and wonderful update on your life. Love you!
ReplyDeletei like the part about the americanooo and could die laughing in my head about the cheap beer. i love you.
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