Birthday Extravaganza!

Last week a few of my students told me that they would be unable to attend class on Monday evening. Normal reasons....a mothers birthday celebration, a business meeting, a trip to St. Petersburg.... And I remember saying to Brighid that I would have a small class that day. She suggested that we combine our classes and do a movie (which is good for English aquisition! dont you worry:) ) So, we were getting ready for class....and Brighid was feeling a little sick and kind of cranky...the movie wasnt working...and five minutes after class was supposed to begin, there were only 3 students!! A combined class should have at least 20. Brighid was frustrated and said..."Ugh, they must have skipped class today..because we were planning a surprise party for you tomorrow...and they must have thought that meant they didnt need to come to class today...gosh!" (FYI we dont have class Tuesday....so it made sense that if they had to come on Tuesday they may think they didnt need to come to class Monday). Anyway, my first thought was that I felt bad for her because she wasnt feeling well...and I felt like the students had taken advantage of her. But my second thought was, 'Why did she tell me that! I love surprises! I wish she wouldnt have said that...shootface.'

Then one of the three girls who was sitting there suggested if it was just going to be the five of us...maybe we could take a walk, it was a nice day. And I was so irritated. Why would they suggest that...cant they see Brighid is upset? Another one said, 'maybe we could go to a cafe..Im hungry'. So I said fine. Lets go...but we are talking in English the whole time ladies. So we were walking downstairs to leave the building and a student was running up the stairs. Tanya said "Sorry Im late!" I told her she wasnt late, and about our new plans about going to a cafe. She said that she thought her dad was still here (he had dropped her off) and she suggested maybe he could take us. I thought to myself that it was a nice offer...but Russian cars are pretty small...so I asked if she thought it could fit all 6 of us. She said that her dad drives a van. Great, I thought, how lucky.

Well, we drove around and headed to a cafe I had wanted to go to, but hadnt been yet. One of my students just a week ago had asked me if I had ever gone....hmm, what a conicedence I thought. So we walked into the cafe...and around the corner, were all of my students!!! A huge Happy Birthday banner...pizzas, chai, and lots of smiles. I was so surprised...and was very excited. We all talked and had a great time. They even gave me amber earrings as a present...and amber is my favorite...and the earrings are kindof obvious...because I wear earrings everyday. But, it was so thoughtful. I loved it.And that was just Monday.

Tuesday was my actual birthday. I had class at 930...and I got the key to open up my classroom and headed to class. Strangely none of my students were in the hallway waiting for me. But I soon discovered why. They had locked themselves in the decorated room (with the help of another teacher.) So I unlock the door, and they are all waiting for me...with cake and juice and icecream and then they sang Happy Birthday in English and Russian. We talked about Birthdays...and common traditions that we all have....After class I went to the library...and at the American Corner, Elena and Sasha had another cake and tea party for me. Afterwards I met with Asya...and then Dana...and then had another classroom party...roses....Then I saw Vera...lillies....Then I went home around 530.


Brighid and Stasey and I had planned to go to the pink Cafe to celebrate...and so we left shortly after I returned home. When we arrived, there was yet another surprise! Yuri, Katya, Kostya, and Galya (and the baby Irina)...were all there. It was a marvelous. I was surprised throughout the whole day...even the very end...when we returned to the profolactory and the fire trucks and fire men were taking care of a fire that happened in the building. We werent there to see any flames, but the smoke has sure lingered.

The day started with a cake and candles....and ended in smoke. Just how a birthday should go.

It was the best 23rd birthday I could have ever asked for. Also...recieving the wonderful emails from friends and family from home as well, topped my day off and made me feel at home at the same time. And...the packages I got and the phone calls I recieved each made my heart so full.

And the girls and Joel are coming from St Petes this weekend too which makes me feel like birthday is lasting even longer. Oh birthdays. Shootface.

Today we went bowling with our good friends Dana and Nastya (also our students).

And I just had to post some pictures, because I have never before bowled what I bowled today...and I dont know if Ill ever bowl it again.

The bowling alley was just like the one in Brighton...crowded and full of smoke. Ugh. But it was really fun and we plan on going again with some more kids.

(Oh and it was my sister Sam's bday the 23rd:) So if you see her, you can wish her a happy belated.)

Stasey and Brighid after Bliny making!!

The 300,000 people were on this step alone. Shoot.

The burning away of Winter.

Sunday March 5th....was (Molly Hincka's 15th birthday in Michigan!)
But it was also the celebration here in Russia called Maslenica where they wish out the winter and wish in the spring. There was a mini carnival for children, lots of food, balloons, music, tons of people (it seemed that all 300,000 people in the region were here!), and the burning of the woman winter. Which is a stuffed doll that they burn away, symbolically like they are burning away winter. In some ways this day was similar to our Fat Tuesday where we eat and celebrate before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday. After that celebration Brig and I went to Stasey's to learn how to make bliny (pancakes). We ate half of what we made during the cooking process, but Stasey's mom said that is the way you are supposed to cook, so we just followed her lead;)

Then on Wednesday March 8th we had International Women's Day! A wonderful day where the women here are appreciated and celebrated for who they are in the lives of others. No one had school or work, but on Tuesday and Thursday Brighid and my students gave us gifts to celebrate us as their teachers.

Now its the weekend again...and I just cant believe how quickly the time has gone. We got our return tickets home finalized, and we are leaving here in only 10 weeks. I am starting to get spring fever and want a change ( mostly concerning the weather...ha) , but at the same time, I want to be right where I am and not let these 10 weeks slip on by.

Today we are heading to Stasey's again, this time to teach her mom to make a chicken pasta...oh the cultural exchange. Goodtimes.

I have been reading a lot as of late, and have been challenged and encouraged in much of what I have read. Thus, I wanted to share a little with others...and this is one of the only ways I can overseas.
"In the Christian community thankfulness is just what it is anywhere else in the Christian life. Only he who gives thanks for the little things recieves the big things....We think we dare not be satisfied with the small measure of spiritual knowledge, experience, and love that has been given to us, and that we must constantly be looking forward eagerly for the highest good. Then we deplore the fact that we lack deep certaintly, the strong faith, and the rich experinence that God has given to others, and we consider this lament to be pious. We pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary, small (and yet really not small) gifts. How can God entrust great things to one who will not thankfully receive from Him the little things? If we do not give thanks for the Christian fellowship in which we have been placed, even where there is no great experiences, no discoverable riches, but much weakness, small faith, and difficulty; if on the contrary, we only keep complaining to God that everything is so paltry and petty, so far from what we expected, then we hinder God from letting our fellowship grow according to the measure and riches which are there for us all in Jesus." --Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"What may appear weak and trifiling to us, may be great and glorious to God." --D. B.

I'll let those words just speak for themselves.