Russia is warmer than Michigan. Now, that is something to write home about!

It was 29 degrees today...and I didn't wear my huge Russian coat or a hat and I was very comfortable out there.

Of course I am not bragging that I had it warmer...Because you and I both know that when the snow is melting mid March, I will still have a full month of it to go.

Enough about the weather...This week was great...Full of surprises, birthdays, and Valentines day, of course. The best thing about the week is that Stasey is back! We had no idea she was coming home and when her mom invited us over...via a letter, because she does not speak English...She said that she had an interpreter there for us. Little did we know that interpreter would be Stasey! If you remember Stas is Brighid and my friend who goes to church with us and is one of the first friends we made here. In January she was offered a great opportunity to spend the semester in Moscow and long story short, she went. Getting her email while I was in Europe was really hard because although I was so excited for her, I was selfishly sad and knew Vologda wouldn't be the same without her. Anyway, the program did not end up being what she hoped and she is back. She is really happy with her decision though, and is looking forward to returning to Moscow in the fall for University.

As for birthday's this Friday was our school administrator Diana's birthday and Amanda from the St. Petes team!

And lastly Valentines was wonderful. Brighid and I took our friend Dana out to the one and only Mexican restaurant in town. It was fabulous! I haven't had that good of salsa in a long time. I had forgotten how much I love it. We also gave our students Valentine cards and candy (that was so thoughtfully provided for by my parents' package they sent for the occasion.)

Classes started with a John Steinbeck quote, "I believe love cannot be bought except with love." and a question, "Do you believe there is one perfect mate for every person?" The theme of love, and discussions on American Culture and dating were very interesting this week. Students had a lot to say. And that's the point after all....getting them to talk. In English that is.

Well it is Saturday night, and after a semi-busy day I wanted to sit down and write out a blog. The sole purpose just to let you know what things have been going on over here. As I stated in my last blog classes have begun, and they have started out really well and I want to run through a lesson.....

So my last lesson (I am teaching American Culture this semester) began with a quote by Thomas Edison. "Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits." I asked my students what they thought of this, and after I explained the new vocabulary term 'hustles', I had them discuss its meaning, implications, if they agreed or disagreed, and how they thought other cultures would interpret this saying. We talked about how we spend our time (do we hustle while we wait?), I gave them facts on how statistically Americans spend their time, and then we talked about our priorities. Do we say what we mean, and do what we say.

For instance, it would be extremely rare to hear someone say that they value their TV more than their family...but people often spend more time in front of the TV, than in conversation with their family. You say you prioritize your kids but you sit and watch tv for an hour and only talk to them for 15 minutes. Maybe its not tv for you...but what is taking away your precious time. We all have 24 hours in a day. Thomas Edison used 18 to work. That was his priority, and he seemed to walk the walk. Not everyone's priority is work....and it should be different for differnet people.

Anyway, this class got me thinking outside of school too. And I just started thinking about what I say are my priorities and what I actually spend my time on. I recommend this to everyone. Not so that you can get down on yourself, because obviously that isnt the right response. But just so you are aware.... Ignorance isnt always bliss. Actually it rarely is.

Okay...well, I will write another blog about the rest of the week later. A priority has come up! :)

Back to school...

and I feel like I never left. It was great to see my students again after the long holiday. I asked them what they've done in the last several weeks to keep up with their English. They did give me an honest answer at least, which was "nothing". Some said that they watched American movies....but, I guess that is what I expected. I wouldn't have practiced much if I was in their position either!

This past week has been a little hard with readjusting to life here, but now I am getting back into the swing of things. I got to spend some time with Sveta and Dana last week, and Vera this weekend. I went to English Club at the library on Saturday where they asked me to bring in pictures and talk about my European trip. And Sunday Vera came with me to church. The church had its 10th anniversary...and so we sang happy birthday and had a party after the service. It was so good for me to see everyone. I felt reconnected as soon as I stepped in the doors. My good friend Stasey has moved to Moscow, but her sister and mom were there and even though Stasey wasnt there to translate, Vera was...and I got to tell her family about my trip. Her mom also invited me over this week to have chai, which I am looking forward to, but it will be very different not having Stasey to help us communicate! Oh well...'they' say most communication is done non-verbally...so here's to that!

Brighid comes home tomorrow morning from Vietnam...and I am looking forward to ending my week of being alone at the Profolactory. And maybe having two bodies in the place will warm it up! I can use all the body heat and shower steam I can get. When the temperature is consistently -20, -25....warmth can be hard to come by even inside. Except....my office at school is an oven! So...whatever...its Russia. I like it.