The Million Dollar Question

(Vologda State Technical University)

The University will start classes on Monday the 5th and that is the day I will officially be Ms. Stewart the American English Teacher at the very fine establishment. Brighid and I have been testing students for the last couple days, and we have one more day of testing to go to see what students will be in our classes. It would make sense to me that tomorrow would be the last day, but our school administrator said she needs some time off, so Friday is the day. I was a little concerned about this because, how are we supposed to place people into classes for Monday if we aren't testing until Friday? To this my administrator explained patiently to me. "Lindsay this is Russia, and we don't plan until the last minute. And even then, things change". I want to be that flexible, but every ounce of me wants a concerte plan and to understand the whole schedule, and to line up my days and know what to expect. But my Russian admin. Diana said, "It is like when I say I will be there at 2 and I am there at 3:30." And I thought to myself--It is exactly like that, and hopefully I will begin to adapt soo to this cultural difference and grow in flexibility. Here's hoping.

Anyway, back to the test. The test includes a written and an oral section. Brighid has been leading the written part and I have been running the interviews. The whole process has been really exciting for me. For the Russian students however, it has been quite intimidating. They are so nervous when they come into my office and they all look very uncomfortable. I try to be as warm as possible, but for most of them just speaking English to a native speaker is scary, and I really cannot make that any easier for them...being that I cannot change the fact, I am indeed a native English speaker. I have loved hearing their responses and getting to know a little bit about each one of them. One of the questions that I posed aimed at getting at their hobbies. I had a lot in common with many of the girls, and we got to talk about dancing and aerobics and reading. I look forward to building relationships with these girls through some of our common interests. Some of the questions were a benefit to me two fold. For instance, I asked them what were good places in Vologda to visit. I could gauge their English by their answers, and also got to hear about great museums, restuarants, parks, etc. What was most fascinating to me about the interview however, was my last question. I asked it to every student that I interviewed and I can honestly say that 9 out of 10 students had the same response (and we tested around 35). I will give you the question first. You think about how you would answer it, and then read on to see what the Russian students said. (Students ages ~ 16-30).

Question: What would you do if someone gave you a million dollars?

You answer:

Their answers: (I literally started writing this down after I got the same answer three times in a row...) "That's too much," "I have all that I need," "That wouldn't happen," "I wouldn't want it," "I don't need that money," and "I already have what I need."

Others said they would buy a flat, or a house for their parents, a couple said they would travel, and one said he would buy a car. However even these answers were not extravagent.

It just made me think. I know exactly what I would do with a million dollars. Why is that? And I think that is the question that I want to leave you with.

So it isnt starbucks, and I am not even sad about it. I found a new coffee shop. And I can order in Russian. One vanilla latte please. 35 rubles, perfect. The two guys who usually take my order (well at least my last three orders..) will only talk to me in broken English however. Do I really come across that non-Russian? Yeah, I guess I do. But I am learning more and more words every day. This morning I wrote down all the words that I know and it came out to 60. Today I have 10 new words in my list that I will be working on. I try to use my Russian as much as I can, and when Brighid and I are out in public we try to speak as little English as possible. Like yesterday when we rode the bus for the first time... we watched how other people got on and paid, and just followed suit. I think we blended in the best we could (no one talks or smiles so we didnt either), and we didnt even get lost.

The weather has been beautiful since we have gotten here. Last night I looked outside into the clear night sky and thought like I have every night since I left Michigan...same moon, same stars. It is so comforting to look up and know that He is in control of everything. God made this whole earth and it seems so huge. But we all look at the same moon and that makes me feel close to you and to Him.

Traveling Part 2

(if the pictures dont make sense, read on)

yes, thats me at 4am, with no knife. dont judge.

So Russian customs went surprisingly fast. They let me through in no time. But remember an entry or so ago when I asked for something crazy to happened on my trip so I would have a story to tell. I guess I should have made that a little more specific. I got out to claim my luggage. And welp. Only one bag was there. Shoot! This was a little overwhelming for me, especially because they were not very helpful. So it took me about an hour and a half to go through the process of getting my information to them at Lost and Found. They also told me that I may have problems with customs because I was bringing to much weight into the country. WHAT? Too much weight?? Then why did the airline let me bring in that much. Luckily at this point Brighid and our driver (who came to pick us up) came to my rescue and the Russian driver talked the lost and found lady into something. But whatever it was was good, because I no longer should have any trouble with customs. Whatever. I thought to myself….don’t you dare let this ruin your first hours in Russia….so I just went with it.

So B and I jumped into the Mashrootka (its like a van), and the three Russians who picked us up could literally speak as much English as we could Russian. B and I assumed that the 300 mile ride would take about 7 hours-ish. But, we really shouldn’t think like that. The rule is everything takes forever….and the ride to Vologda was no different. We took so many pit stops it’s not even funny. For things like chocolate, or ice cream, or cigarettes, and of course the bathroom breaks on the side of the road. We had a great time teaching Michelle how to play gin and we used our Russian language books to ask them easy questions. The car ride was a little crazy. I am not going to lie. They don’t wear seat belts, and I swear they have no driving laws….that’s all I will say on the subject however. so ask more later if you want to know.

Anyway we got to our dorm about 330a (safe and sound). We started to unpack right away, and at 4a our school administrator stopped by to say hello and give us some food. We had some sausage, cheese, and bread as soon as she left. I went to bed before B around 5….because I had less to unpack! Dang.

So now I have spent two full days in Russia. There are many more stories to tell but this is really long enough for now. I will write more soon however. All in all, I am having a great time…..and I think my bag should be here tomorrow. At least, I hope…..J But you know how long things take here….or at least I do.

Traveling Part 1

So where do I start? For real. I feel like it has been an amazingly long time since I last wrote in this or talked to anyone from America. However, it literally has only been four days.

I guess the beginning is a good place to start from. Well, I left Pasadena a couple hours after I wrote and I said my goodbyes to the group. Brighid and I got in the car and on the way to the airport we were completely silent. I just stared out the window thinking….this is the last time I will see American cars, American road signs, American words…. I don’t know what Brighid was thinking, but it is extremely unusual for her to be quiet for that long.

We got to the airport and were informed that British Airways was still on strike so we would not be getting any food on our 11 hour journey. However they did give us 20 dollar vouchers, so B and I just stocked up on sandwiches, ice cream, and drinks. The plane ride was fine….we sat in row 53, the very last row and watched movies, and I stretched as much as I could for fear of leg clots that my family told me to worry about.

London came sooner than expected and we went through customs quickly. We waited for the shuttle bus for a couple minutes, and then B went inside to exchange our money. By the time she ran in and came back out, the bus had come and gone. No problem we thought. It comes every 20 minutes, we don’t mind the wait. Over an hour and a half later…….

Well that was a learning experience. We learned at training we would do a lot of waiting in Russia, and we started early. Good practice for me, being that I always like to be right on time. We got to our hotel about 6 and left for central London on the tube by 615p. It was raining and gray but we were so happy. After being in sunny California for 5 weeks I missed the rain like nobodies business. So we walked in the rain without any rain gear what-so-ever. We met a number of people on the tube and they all had advice about where to go and what to see. We had some good talks with a few guys that we named, ‘therapy man’ (he wanted to be a counselor), ‘travel man’ (he traveled…), and ‘tattoo man’ (I think you get where this is going.)

We ran around London, almost saw Jessica Simpson because her new movie was premiering there, but I was way more excited to see all the buildings, and streets, and double decker buses. We saw Parliament and Big Ben and took our picture with some guards. It was great fun, and we never did get lost. Maybe it was because I could read all of the maps and signs…..here comes Russia.

But before I can leave London I must say…. It is so expensive! I spent 32 dollars on transportation alone. And that’s all the money I spent there. At the airport they gave us 5 pounds for our voucher (that’s roughly 10 dollars) and my porridge with a smidge of golden syrup for breakfast was 3.75 pounds (about 7 or so dollars!) and when they say smidge, oh you better believe they mean it.

We left London at 10a and arrived in St Petes at 4p…and here is where the story gets a bit more interesting.

Heading overseas

Bye, Au revoir, Pa ka!

My last day state-side. Last night was our last big group dinner at the CheeseCake Factory. I wasn't that hungry but I did have a Newcastle and a piece of chocolate peanut butter cookie dough cheesecake to tide me over until I return from my year abroad. ( I am assuming they dont have a Cheesecake Factory in Russia.) It was great to be with everyone all together before we split up to go to different countries. It was also great to talk with so many friends and fam from home yesterday too.
The whole team woke up at 330am this morning to say our first goodbyes. Cat and Haley were the first to leave.... Brighid and I are next to go at 5:20pm. I will be traveling for the next few days but as soon as I get there I will write about my exciting travels. Please think/pray for safe travels, but also that this would be really fun. I would love something crazy to happen so I can have a cool travel story to tell.

We 'graduated' tonight! It was our TEFL certificate ceremony, and I along with everyone else....PASSED:) Thats me with my regional director Deb-getting the certificate (and yes I really was that excited). Our CIS group shot, and then Hillary and I snapping a photo before the show.

Three days and counting....

This morning I went to Starbucks with Jamie (suprising I know...:) ) and I was carrying my Russia bag that Brighid made for me. While I was standing in line this gentleman started speaking to me in a foreign language. I just stood there and looked at him with a very confused look on my face~I am sure. It took me a minute but I realized that he had just asked me if I spoke Russian. I was so thrown off that I couldnt even remember how to say no in Russian. I mean, nyet-how you say no-is not an extrememly difficult word or anything but I was taken off guard none the less. I can only hope that once I am in Russia that I will be ready for people to be speaking Russian and will be able to respond accordingly. Its just the beginning.....

Today I also got the final travel arrangements for my trip. Some of the women going to Russia didnt get their Visas for the correct dates and thus have to delay their trip by a few days. Fortunately Brighid and I are still leaving this Sunday. We will be flying out of LA to London where we will stay overnight. On Tuesday morning we will leave London and fly to St. Petersburg. At the airport our school administrator will be waiting for us and will drive us 300 miles to Vologda. Hence, I will be arriving at my final destination Tuesday night....Tuesday day your time. (There is an 8 hour difference for those of you EST time zoners.) Gosh, its really happening.

I just cannot seem to grasp that I am actually leaving. It probably wont hit me until sometime next week when I am unpacking in Russia. I still feel like I should be heading back to Michigan to go to school and watch Michigan football and see all my friends and family. However, life is changing and my friends are all starting their new lives too, and I am really going to be in Russia. I dont feel old enough to do this, but I guess I am. Do you ever actually feel 'old enough' to do any of these adult things in life? I think its probably supposed to feel this way. It makes me have to trust God more. I have to have faith that he will pull me through. And I do, but I need practice. One step at a time.

Its easier to take these steps when I have all of you behind me. Thanks again for your love and encouragement, for your notes and packages, for your prayers and financial blessings. I have been so blessed to have family like you, friends like you, a church like you. I dont take any of you for granted. You are constantly in my heart. Always.

On our hike in the mountains, we stopped to take a dip....

Today my group and I went out to eat at an authentic Russian restaurant in Hollywood. The wait staff only talked to us in Russian, and with the small amount of Russian that I now know, all I could really say was: yes, no, may I have, and this. It worked well enough and it defintely gave me a taste of what I'll be experiencing. But this time, unlike my coming year abroad I had 18 other english speakers who could help me out.

Tonight we had our last English class. We taught the past 4 weeks at the local Armenian church here. It was so neat to see the students progress in their speaking skills, and it was so valuable for me to have the opportunity to teach students before I go abroad.

Speaking of going abroad.... I wanted to let you all know when I will be leaving.... August 21st at 9:20pm. It is coming up so soon and so fast!

Me and my teammate Brighid, Above: Girls Night out!

Hello from sunny southern California.


I have been here for two and a half weeks now, and I have been busy from the moment I set foot in Pasadena. Busy can be bad at times, but in my case it has been great! I am learning so much and feel that I am really being equipped well to teach and minister overseas. I thought you might be interested in seeing a piece of my schedule, a day in the life of a Teach Overseas teacher during training, so here is what I did yesterday.

6am- Wake up for a walk with my roomie Jamie from Arkansas.
7am- Breakfast
8am- Team devotionals
9-1030 TEFL (teaching english as a foreign language) training in large group.
**Large group consists of all the new teachers of Teach Overseas going to China, Vietnam, Morroco, Hungary, Czeche Republic, and the CIS.**
1030-12 TEFL, small group-just my team going to the CIS, which includes, Russia, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, and the Ukraine.
12- Lunch
130-3- Group Dynamics "Handling Culture Shock, Depression, and Grief"
3-415- Language and Culture
430- Prepare for teaching
530-Dinner
7-830- Teach English at a local church
9- Prayer and debriefing

Some classes change from day to day. So, luckily I don't have to learn about culture shock and depression daily. There are many more up lifting cultural classes that I have had. In one such class we learned what is considered to be rude and acceptable in Russia and the rest of the CIS, and also different cultural myths. For example, putting the sole of your shoe on a chair is very offensive. You should not blow your nose in public for it is seen as rude. Bread is seen as sacred in the CIS and should not be thrown away. Also, you should NOT shake hands in a doorway. Some myths include: If a woman sits on a cold stone she might not be able to have children, and you'll have a good trip if its raining when you are leaving.

I usually have part of the weekends off and I have gotten to explore Old Pasadena and Santa Monica with friends. Last Saturday was my first time ever seeing the Pacific ocean. It was a really fun experience, and the pictures on this site include pics from both mini trips.

I hope to write on this site often so that I can keep you all updated on what is going on. It means so much to me that all of you have supported me in so many ways. This trip that God is preparing me for includes all of you have given to me your love, your prayers, and your finances. I literally could not do this with out all of you. Thanks for blessing me with your kindness. I am praying for you.