Russia Installment Number Three

12 February 2010

I LOVE TODAY!! I feel like I finally am really a part of this city. It takes getting lost to realize how much you actually know.

This morning Brandon and I had our crazy Kindergarteners. And just to make things exciting, Jesh came along to evaluate us. I’ve been observed many times in my teaching and am quite used to ignoring they are there. And I completely forgot Jesh was there this morning until the last 5 minutes of my rotation and I had run out of material. I started doing things that were basically time fillers. When Jesh talked to me after to show me my evaluation, he said I would have passed if it weren’t for those last 5 minutes. To “pass” I need to get a 4 or a 5 out of 5. I got a 3.5. I figure I should start off not so high so there is more room for improvement. In other words, that is my positive outlook on the situation. ☺

After teaching is when the great adventure began. Kayla and I planned to check out the Mega. Igor told me it was a huge shopping center even bigger than Walmart. And we could catch a free bus to get there. I was in for checking it out. Bethany was the only one who decided to join us. Everyone else missed out! On the way to the bus stop we checked out some stores that we pass daily. In one I found the greatest coats for a pretty decent deal. They were VERY unique which is what made them so cool. In the end, I decided I would actually stand out more wearing one of those than my own coat.

At the bus stop, we found that going to the Mega is a popular thing to do. Everyone sardined onto the bus and off we went. Kayla and I were giddy with excitement to be on our own finding our way around. The bus dropped us off in front of the IKEA. It felt so familiar yet I realized I am closer to Sweden here than at home. We followed the crowd into the front doors hoping to find the “Mega” store. We soon found out that Mega is not a store but an entire shopping complex. It is basically a VERY big mall with fancy shmancy stores. I’m pretty sure we traveled back to America for a short time because that is what it felt like. Even the music playing over the system was American music. Many of the stores were familiar stores with English names and the styles and apparel were just like home.

I LOVE how they spell IKEA!

We did find this WalMartish store. I could see the similarities. Kayla and I were drawn to the chocolate isle…after looking for the necessities like hair supplies and boots (I am not finding boots worth their price so I will be content with mine until something comes along)…and found some treasures. I found this great toffee that reminds me of the Canadian toffee Aaron brings me that I LOVE! I will have to buy lots of that to bring home. ☺ I also found a great candy bar named Picnic that is a new favorite. Yes, I did try it all immediately after buying.

The Russian WalMart

We then continued walking around the mall. The coolest thing is that you can take the shopping carts around the mall with you. Imagine that great site!! Kayla and I were excited to find an H&M. We plan to go back and update our wardrobes before we go home. Poor Bethany wasn’t as interested but was a sweetheart to let us have our fun.

When we were finished we went back to the bus stop to catch the bus back. Again it was very full. I didn’t know how round about we would go before getting back to our original stop but we soon found that everyone had to clear out of the bus and we were in a part of town we didn’t know. A sweet Bahbushka tried to help us. We really need to learn Russian faster. We did catch “metro” and her pointing so we knew we could find a metro station. So we went in that direction and sure enough found a station. On the way we found these stairs going down that I thought were the metro. Turns out it is just an underground crosswalk under a busy intersection. Crazy cool!!!

Once we got to the metro, we knew we were fine….not that we were ever scared. We weren’t far from the Kindergarten I teach at so I knew how to get us back if we would have had to walk. We were so excited to see a new part of the city and to find out that we can get around on our own. And we got out in a new metro station we had never seen…we told Bethany we would ride her to her stop…and it was magnificent! I swear some of these stations are underground palaces.

This is the intersection we cross all the time right by the metro and this night we witnessed a crazy traffic jam

We continued our independence when we got back by taking our computers to McDonald’s to use the free WiFi. We ordered food on our own…yes, I ate McDonald’s even though I vowed never to. But here they have McCafe where we ordered Panini’s and muffins…and enjoyed some time online.

I am so grateful for Kayla! We have so much fun together and she loves to have crazy adventures with me. We plan on many, many more to come!

13 February 2010

Can I really be more in love with St. Petersburg? I don’t think so! I love our Saturdays with Svieta! I just love Svieta!! Today she took us to the Peter and Paul Fortress. It is all part of the amazingness of Peter the Great and the Romonov family.

The walk from the Metro was beautiful. We passed a Muslim Mosque and walked through this park that would be gorgeous in warmer weather. Then walking up to the grounds of the Fortress was amazing. I could have taken pictures every step of the way. Britt, you would be in heaven with some of the great photography shots.

I love that I have a red nose. It proves that it's cold! :)

We got our free tickets thanks to our student id’s and went into the Cathedral tomb where there is a memorial for every Romonov…including Anastasia! ☺ I asked Svieta the true story today and learned a lot about Russian history and its rulers. Very interesting. Peter the Great and his wife Catherine are still looked upon VERY highly. Then there is a lot of craziness in power that went out of the Romonov family and finally back in until Nicolas II was ruler (He is the father of Anastasia). The Bolsheviks then came in and captured the family. They were actually held hostage for while then told they were going to get a picture taken and when they were all posed, the entire family was killed. Sad! At the time everything was done very privately so it wasn’t until later that people went looking for the remains and found all but Anastasia’s and Alex’s (her brother). That is the true story.

Heather in an adorable doorway

Linlea, Kayla, and Heather outside the gate...all the entry gates were gorgeous!

The Peter and Paul Fortress at it's finest!

The Cathedral

Kayla inside the Cathedral

The room dedicated to Nicolas II and family...notice Anastasia on the far right

At the gift shop I found the greatest rings and I gave in and bought one! I LOVE IT!! I can’t get over how gorgeous it is. It is made from real amber from the Baltic Sea. I’ve been told that I am not supposed to take amber out of the country but I am going to try. I love my Russian ring!

We then got to hear some true Russian church music that was amazing and performed in the greatest of acoustics! I was so impressed. Bethany bought the cd. It was tempting.

Somewhere in the mix of all that I dropped my ticket and needed it still to go in the prison. So I went back to the ticket office to get a new one and they were going to make me pay. So I thought I wouldn’t get to see the prison. Luckily, there was another ticket office at the prison and Svieta explained the situation and they gave me a new one. Thank goodness.

The prison was crazy. Svieta says it is the scariest prison in Russia because of complete solitary confinement. The prisoners were political not criminal and were put in rooms all by themselves with no heat and no sound. I would go absolutely crazy!

After our great tour, Svieta took us to Cili’s Pizza for lunch. It was very good pizza. We got a ton and ate it all. The crazy part is always trying to split the bill. I love that there is no tax here. It’s easy to figure your part. And it’s crazy because you don’t tip here. I’m still not used to that. Kayla has this great feature on her camera that detects your smile and makes it even bigger so we were taking cheesy pictures and making them cheesier. I was laughing so hard I was crying! I want that feature on my camera so badly!

I spent my evening on Skype with my cute parents and trying to catch up on responding to some emails. I got to chat with Whitney and Shan online and it made my night. I have the greatest friends! And as always I was enjoying my group here and just laughing. Everyday is a new adventure and SO MUCH FUN!! I am so very blessed!

14 February 2010

It doesn’t feel like Valentine’s Day even though there were people around all day with roses and balloons and significant others and such. The bigger celebration of the day is the Maslenista Festival. This is where they actually burn lady winter and bring in spring. It is huge here in Russia so I wanted to take part in the fun.

Church was great as always! I really love this branch and wish I could speak Russian so I could bond better with them. I love them more and more as I hear their talks and testimonies (through translation of the missionaries of course). There are some solid members here with great knowledge of the gospel. I love to learn from them. And the missionaries are great to help and make sure we understand and are being taught something.

I was asked to play the piano for opening exercises to Sunday School and then after church a member in the Bishopric pulled me aside and asked if I and the others (Kayla and Susannah) will play every Sunday at the beginning of all three meetings. We will trade off. I felt like a true member of the ward kind of getting a calling. I love to be able to help out.

While I was meeting with this Brother, everyone else made the decision to go home. I thought the plan was to head right to the festival. I took pants with me to change into and everything. Before I knew what was going on everyone was walking out the door and I still didn’t have my coat on. So I rushed after them and convinced Linlea and Susannah to head to the festival with me. Since we were already on our way we didn’t want to turn around to change at the church. So Susannah and I changed into our pants in the middle of the metro station. It was awesome. ☺ My favorite was when Susannah just barely got her pants on under her skirt and was pulling off her skirt as the next metro train was pulling up. We were all just laughing.

We found our way to the festival and found a LONG line. I didn’t know we needed tickets nor really anything about what was going on. We stood in line and realized as we got closer that we were in line to get tickets from the back seat of a car. It seemed a little sketchy but others were doing it. We didn’t understand the signs but paid our dues and got the student discount then followed the crowd across a big bridge.

On the other side of the bridge was a huge park and around the paths were tents with food, come with little carnival games, others with corn on the cob, and some with apples on a stick. We were already FREEZING at this point but kept wandering to see what the fun was. At this stage Jesh, Brandon, and Dani had found their way there but we had the hardest time connecting with them. We were hungry so we gave in to a booth where the only thing we recognized was pizza. So pizza is what we ordered. Susannah was quickly disappointed when she bit into a piece of meat…she’s a vegetarian. So she ate the crust and Linlea and I ate the rest. There were just microwave pizzas and mine was not warmed up well. It was still cold in the middle but we were frozen and hungry so no one complained.

Susannah decided she had enough. So we finally met up with the others at the ticket gate. Dani and Susannah decided to take off. Jesh and Brandon wandered more with Linlea and I. We really wanted to find the little straw women on sticks that everyone was carrying to represent the lady winter. We couldn’t find a booth that sold them anywhere. And we learned that Russians eat blini all week then celebrate today with meat cabobs and bread. We did run into a large stage and a Russian group performing with the crowds going wild. I have never seen so many happy Russians. It was great. I was dancing like crazy mostly to keep warm but also lovin the music. Linlea would dance with me but the boys were bums and just stood there.

We then headed over to where the Lady Winter dummy was to watch her burn. The schedule said 6pm. We got there at 5:30pm and she was gone. I never even got to see her….just the end of the burning fire. We were very disappointed.

The remains of the Lady

Jesh and I showing our sadness...actually Jesh isn't doing a very good job. :)

Then this evening Svieta came over and taught us to make Russian apple pie. Much simpler than American apple pie and still very tasty. (Mom, it doesn’t beat your apple pie but I don’t think anything could!) It would have been better with ice cream but none was bought. I love these great cooking lessons on Sundays. I just love Svieta!!

15 February 2010

Typical Monday. I didn’t want to wake up. Going to bed too late is wearing on me…I have got to train this cute family that bedtime is at least 10pm. ☺ It’s also my own fault because I don’t get home until 8:30pm at the earliest and then I eat and we all chat about our days. I enjoy my evenings with my Russian family.

Tonight I tried codfish and had potatoes. The fish was fine, not my favorite but good. It’s so funny because my Russian family doesn’t have a microwave…I think they are more rare here…so they heat everything up in a pan on the stove. I’m learning the technique but definitely am grateful for a microwave. After dinner I was introduced to a new fruit that was absolutely fantastic!! It looks kind of like a cantaloupe on the outside but you peel it more like an orange and it has a grapefruity taste. So good!

Kindergarten went well this morning. We only had Danya and Sereja. You would think it would be easy to handle two 5-year olds but it’s not. Sereja is the problem initiator. He kicks and hits and chases and anything else you can think to get the whole group crazy. But Brandon and I handled it and kept them under control for the most part. I feel like I am getting better with my arts and crafts and drama lessons. Of course, that is because in two weeks we switch and I will get to teach games and gym. I have NO idea how to keep control in those rotations.

Level 7 was HORRIBLE today!! More of the class showed up including two who seem to initiate a lack of caring. Stacey is gorgeous and so all the boys want to show off for her. Not good with 15 year olds. The whole class was speaking Russian WAY too much and would not stop. There was no way to discipline them and they weren’t caring about a thing. I felt like I was back in my math classroom. Heather and I did our best to keep things going and somehow we made it through. Something has got to change.

After class Linlea, Heather, Kayla, and I hurried off to meet the missionaries at the metro to show us where the Institute building is. They have FHE on Mondays but we teach till 7:30pm and it starts at 7pm. We got there as quick as we could but still didn’t make it till 8:30pm. I really wish we didn’t teach so late in the evening. It ruins the entire day. Our afternoons are shot because there is not enough time to go and do anything between our teaching times so we waste time at the HT’s apartment. I get planning done but I don’t have to be and wish I could be seeing more of the city. I also with I could be more involved in the Institute. They have a Book of Mormon class in English taught on Tuesdays. But yet again I teach too late. ☹ Elder and Sister Clements (Connie, Elder Clements is Lewis Clements and they said they know your family but have not found a relation) are the senior couple at the Institute and want us so badly to participate. We’ll see how much we can do. Tonight we made it just in time for refreshments, which was wonderful because Sister Clements had made oatmeal cookies. Oh the taste of home. It was fabulous!

Kayla and I were so disappointed coming home because we REALLY wanted to stop at our little pastry shop and get yummy pastries. It was closed. We have only found it open once and want so much to try more. We have decided to give up our chocolate runs for lent. This lent is a little different for me because I don’t want to miss the chance to enjoy Russian sweets (40 days is a long time when I am only here 4 months) and I don’t want to offend my host family who already know my LOVE of sweets. Plus, after last lent I was debating a new fast anyway. I was thinking peanut butter (we all know how hard that is for me) but this lent peanut butter is not tempting because it’s not available. So the rule is no candy runs but we can still enjoy sweets with our families and on outings. It will have to do for this year. It’s a little strange to not have a normal lent…especially since it is actually a big thing here. Igor gives up meat, dairy products, and sweets. He’s hard-core! Tanya hates it because she doesn’t know how to cook for him to fill him up.

16 February 2010

Today’s redeeming factor was my Level 3 group. Thank goodness. I don’t know what my problem was. After our Russian class this morning I just wanted to go home. I think teaching every evening and losing any play time/nap time is killing me. I’ve decided I just need some “Kara time” since I haven’t had ANY since I got here.

Russian class was fabulous as always!! I really love learning languages and want to find a way to go back to school and just take language classes. Any ideas? Stac is so great and always makes us speak and practice what we are learning. Today we started learning numbers and got to do a little math. I loved it!!

After class I just wanted to go home because I knew no one would be here and I could just enjoy. I wanted to read and relax and do some laundry and maybe watch a movie on my computer. But we were being checked by a doctor at the Kindergarten after lunch so I had to go. Everyone was all worried because we were told we would have to take our shirts off. I’m not sure why or what needed to be checked. I’ve heard that out here doctors won’t take your heartbeat through a shirt. So we had our heartbeat checked, our glands checked, something under our arms, and for some reason our hair. At that stage the doctor said something about crysiva (which I know means beautiful). Alla was in there to translate and she told me that the doctor said I was beautiful. Don’t worry the doctor was a woman. I just had to smile that even here in Russia I get comments because of my hair. ☺

At that stage of the day I was so frustrated with not having enough time to do anything yet not wanting to plan. I am already planned for the rest of the week and knew I could get ahead but just didn’t want to. And for some reason I have just wanted to eat ALL day! I ended up just staying at the Kindergarten sulking inside and planning ahead. Dani saved me and brought back treats, which she amazingly shared with all of us. She and Susannah are always so wonderful to share the new Russian treats they buy. I love them!!

Then when the time came to head over to the Elementary, sweet Kayla looked at me and said, “I love you. Go and have a great class!” She saved me mood with those thoughtful words. I love her too. She will never really know how much I needed her tonight.

Then my cute 9-year olds were so fun tonight. They were all trying to talk so much and getting so much better with their English. They went a little crazy during break time and I couldn’t get them to come back to class but besides that class time went so well. They all beg to practice reading and are getting better at understanding. Plus, they were sweeties and shared their snacks with me. So I guess I will have to just be okay with the fact that I can’t make it to Institute because of my late class.

And I got to come home and help Igor with his English while eating dinner. He loves to take advantage of me to teach him different things and it just makes me realize how absolutely ridiculous the English language is. It’s so hard to explain why things are the way they are because there are no rules that are consistent or that make sense.

17 February 2010

I needed today! I planned early on to come home between teaching because I knew no one would be home and I could have some “Kara time.” I got up this morning, got ready, and walked to the Kindergarten alone. Since I didn’t get to walk with Kayla last night we didn’t plan to meet up this morning and it was a lonely walk. I miss her when I have to walk alone. I got everything ready at the Kindergarten then met up with Brandon at the bus stop to get to the new Kindergarten.

We actually had four students today! And they did fairly well today. Misha really is VERY creative and smart so he makes things more interesting. For arts and crafts I had them make spiders. They were very fun and turned out quite cute. Misha asked for one big eye and three little eyes for his spider. He also asked for a little pom-pom for the head. His spider looked great. Sereja got frustrated when his legs wouldn’t stand and gave up. Mya just made bracelets with her pipe cleaners even after I helped her make the legs. Danya loved his until the end when the pom-pom was too heavy for the legs and they kept collapsing. So I gave him mine. I got to keep Misha’s. They are such cute kids. I can’t help but love them.

Then came my great afternoon. I stayed on the bus two extra stops so that I was closer to my home and then enjoyed doing laundry, clipping my fingernails and toenails, watching Step Up 2: The Streets, and planning lessons. I am all planned for next week! I’m glad to know that I can find some time for myself.

I was nervous about Level 7 after Monday’s class and didn’t really want to go teach tonight. But I got there and wrote the schedule on the board and started preparing mentally. Heather got there and we chatted for a minute and waited for the class to arrive. Jesh came too to check out their craziness. They were better tonight than Monday but still had their moments. Heather said that they are better for me than her. I told her that I hope that is true since I have been doing this for 4 years with this age group. The sad thing is that they should be better than they are with me because of my experience. And Heather has another disadvantage because one student, I think Ilya, decided she looks like Brittany Spears. So now they don’t take her seriously and joke about is the whole time she is teaching. They ask her to sing Brittany songs and ask for her autograph and stuff. Oh the joys of 15 year olds. They are worse than the Kindergarteners.

After class I was so excited to meet up with Kayla and finally walk together. But when I arrived at the Kindergarten, Igor and Sasha were just leaving so they offered a ride. I asked if Kayla could come but we were headed to Tanya’s mom’s to pick up Velera. Little did I know we were staying there for the evening. Ola, Tanya’s mom, was very sweet and fed us dinner. Then I got to try Russian ice cream for the first time. Boy, do I enjoy ice cream! I was surprised to find that is comes in a bag and this flavor had a layer of caramel in the middle of the rectangle block. It was tasty!

Russian Observations: This may not be all Russians but those that I associate with seem to love ketchup, mayo, and jam of everything. This morning Tanya gave me hard-boiled eggs COVERED in mayo. And every time I am served meat and potatoes or meat and cabbage I am asked if I would like ketchup. Jam is just ALWAYS sitting on the table for bread, blini, porridge, whatever. In fact, I was asked tonight if I wanted jam with my ice cream. So interesting.

Olympic Reality: I have forgotten that the Olympics are even going one because my Russian family doesn’t watch them. When the tv is on, it is either kid shows or Discovery channel. I miss watching figure skating especially. And it would be fun to watch from a Russian perspective because Russia is usually fairly good. Although Igor said that Russia is not doing too well this year. Too bad because I am gaining more and more Russian pride! ☺