Russia Installment Number Five

26 February 2010

I’ve decided that the weekdays are getting pretty normal and somewhat boring to blog. I enjoy recording the day but don’t think anyone really cares to read my epistles. So I will go back to writing day-to-day in my actual journal and then I will summarize the week each weekend. Then my posts won’t be as intimidating and will really only tell about the fun adventures with pictures. I know that many times I check other’s blogs I really just look through the pictures. And it will be better if I don’t pull my computer out every night because Sasha and Velera bombard me and always want to watch Bolt or do funny pictures and what they end up doing is pushing buttons making it harder to type or pulling cords that I am afraid will blow a fuse and ruin my entire computer. Once a week risks will be much better for all of us.

But I will finish off this week since it is weekend and I have adventures today to share. It seems like so long ago, but I did teach Kindergarten this morning and it was horrible. Good thing the rest of the day made me forget how badly the day began. I was so prepared with what I thought to be fun lessons and knew we were being observed today. But to my dislike we were put in the gym instead of the music hall. The kids are much more distracted in the gym and never sit still. We spend the entire time chasing them around. Today was particularly bad and I think Jesh was pulling a mercy card to even give me a 3.5 again on my evaluation. Someday I will pass and maybe even get a 5. Remember how I actually have a teaching degree. It’s ridiculous and somewhat discouraging…my biggest problem with the teaching profession.

Thank goodness after lunch I met Kayla at McDonald’s and we had a little Internet party with our favorite warmed up cookies. The employees at the MacKafe already know us and know what we want before we order. Quite helpful with a language barrier. Those cookies made everything better!

Then we dropped our computers off back home and planned to go explore Fantanka…the street where the Institute is that is gorgeous…then go to an Institute activity at 7pm. It was well worth it! I am in love with Fantanka. It is right on the river and has the most beautiful buildings and bridges and everything. I was in heaven and found the bridge I would love to get engaged on. Funny thing is that over a year ago Olivia and I decided to set a date for our wedding and work towards it. I figured I gave myself sufficient time and we even celebrated my pre-anniversary last February 26th. Sorry Olivia, I guess we both missed our weddings.

Kayla with my engagement bridge

The view from the bridge

The first limo we've seen in Russia...Kayla is determined that Anastasia is inside :)

The great trees that lined the bridge

Jesh joined us and we continued our walk down Nevsky Prospect…the center main street of St. Petes. It was busy and beautiful and fun. We found a McDonald’s with a MacKafe (we have learned that they don’t all have one) and gave in to buy another cookie…don’t worry we split one.

Kayla and Jesh with the Nevsky Prospect Bridge

Kayla and I with our cookie outside of MacKafe

An iced over restaurant window we passed our walk down Nevsky Prospect

I tried to get a good video of the crazy driving out here but you can’t see too much on it. But it gives a great perspective of the street.

The Institute activity was fun. Heather and Linlea were already there. We had good food and played some games. Heather, Kayla, Sister Clements, Solomon, and I had a fun, LONG game of Uno. Solomon is an Africa from Ghana here as a student. He and three others were at the activity. We really didn’t meet too many people but it was a fun crowd and great setting.

After the activity as Kayla and I were walking back to the metro, we were stopped by a girl walking in front of us who asked where we were from. Turns out she is from Michigan and is in Russia studying ballet. This is her second year here and next year will finish up and join a ballet company in Berlin. Her name is Haley. What a crazy experience! I am slightly jealous. She was a sweetheart and we LOVED that we met her. We just wish we exchanged numbers or something. It would be fun to hang out with her.

28 February 2010

I left my computer here at the HT’s apartment last night so Heather could Skype on it so I didn’t get the chance to write about our Saturday’s adventures. It was nothing picture worthy but still an adventure. We met up to go to Oonona…a large market of St. Petes. I thought it was a souvenir market like the one in Moscow but it was actually more coats, boots, hats, slippers, movies, music, etc. I am trying to find boots but not the same type black boot I already have and that is all that is sold for women. I want more of a hiking boot that is flat and waterproof. Right now the weather is warming up (who knows if it will stay this way) and so the snow is melting and everything is just deep puddles.

Kayla and I were more excited about the DVDs because they are so cheap and they have more recent movies available. BUT there is the risk of them actually working in America and being in English. We found English in Russian on the back of them and thought we’d be safe. We looked around at movies the majority of the day. I risked it and bought one to test. It works on an American DVD player but does not play in English. So if anyone wants to watch Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Sqeakwell in Russian, let me know.

On the way home we stopped at Chinea Loshka for some blini. We got lucky and the cute girl who took our order spoke English. I’m always willing to just point and try without knowing but others aren’t as risky. We were very happy with our blini.

The evening was spent calling family. After a month I really just needed to hear voices. I haven’t gotten a hold of everyone yet and am still in the process but enjoyed making some connections.

Today I was SOOOOO HAPPY to go to church. I hate ever missing. I can tell a BIG difference. Kayla and I got there early since we have been asked to play prelude. I played today and found out that it is only prelude. They have someone to play during Sacrament meeting. I guess no one wants to be early. ☺ Then I also played during opening exercises of Sunday School. I am definitely rusty but excited to be able to help out and be a part of this great branch.

After church I went home and enjoyed some quiet with my scriptures. Then Igor came home and made me lunch and we chatted. I then came over here to the HT’s apartment to try more family and have made some more great connections. Really this weekend is just a weekend of connecting back again with home. I love my family and friends so much and get so excited about any email or note of any kind. Thanks everyone for your love and support!!!