7 February 2010
I am very humbled today by the gospel! First off, I love fasting! There is a definite spirit that comes with doing so. And secondly, I love that the gospel is true and is the same no matter where you go and what language you speak! I was glad to get to church today on time…Kayla and I were the only ones who made it by then…and to partake of the Sacrament. I miss it quite a bit when I don’t get that blessing. We had a cute Elder translating for us and he was so intimidated because he had never done it before. He did a great job even though he missed quite a bit. I felt the spirit and I gained much from the testimonies of these Russian saints. It’s weird for me to look around and realize that the branch really is these 25ish faithful saints. How amazing! We pass SO many people every day here. I’m shown the trueness of the saints being such a minority. All the meetings were so wonderful and I truly feel fulfilled and ready to go another week at the grind.
After the block of meetings the Branch President asked to meet with us all. We didn’t know why and were a little nervous. Turns out he just wanted to get to know us and find out our past callings as well as any talents we could share. How great is that! I am so impressed by that and look forward to helping out in any way. I am grateful I have talents with music and can share those if needed.
The rest of the afternoon was spent at the HT’s apartment…as always…connecting with our families. We all went home to grab our computers first so we could post pictures to share. I didn’t get everything up that I would have liked but at least something is posted. AND I got to talk to Megan and my Mom!!
Also in that time, Svieta came over to teach us how to make bleenly!!!! FANTASTIC!!! I think I will live off it when I get home! I missed the mixing of the batter because I was more satisfied talking to Megan but I got the recipe and the instructions. I can’t wait to try it on my own. Svieta truly is amazing!! We can’t love her enough!
Sundays are amazing days! I need more of them…especially since I have no idea what I am teaching tomorrow and I teach two Kindergarten lessons and my level 7 group. It’s going to be a busy day!
Random Russian Culture: For some reason all the women out here wear their boots with stiletto heels. I have no idea how they walk in them at all let alone on the snowy, crazy sidewalks. I guess you do what it takes for fashion.
8 February 2010
I am going to be in so much trouble tomorrow. I am not being a good student. I haven’t been studying my Russian verbs. How can I expect my students to do their homework when I haven’t done mine. I am sitting here trying to study them and I’m not doing well getting them to stick. And really all I want to do is belt out English songs. I miss singing. My vocal chords are begging to be used. I try so hard to even sing the hymns at church but I can’t read Russian fast enough. The goal is that by the end of the four months I will be able to read the Cyrillic alphabet as quickly as I do ours.
Kayla and I started our day off early since we weren’t prepared in advance. We spent over an hour at the Kindergarten writing lesson plans for today. I actually put some good plans together for my Kindergarten class and because I did they were the worst lessons I have taught yet. Every time I try to plan, I feel it is worthless. But I will keep on doing it because it is supposed to benefit. I need all the help I can get. I don’t feel like I do a very good job with the Kindergarteners. Jesh came and observed our Kindergarten class and told us at the end that ours is definitely the worst one. That is always comforting. Our cute boys are just spoiled little babies. And I say that in the nicest way. They cry over everything and all think they should get anything they want. It’s a little ridiculous. I have to admit I left today discouraged and ate more chocolate than was necessary. Maybe that chocolate run was a bad thing.
Oh and to add to my already not so great day at the Kindergarten, I spilled soup all down my right leg while walking the trays from the kitchen to our little room. It was warm which felt good but then I felt dirty and gross all day. Silly soupy pants!
But I did spend the afternoon planning for level 7 and actually getting a little ahead. It was nice to use my time well. I did stress for a minute when I wasn’t sure if we could get the stories I needed printed for level 7. Since I have to come up with my own curriculum I find stories to read on the Internet and we have to print them off. Every class it has gone down to the wire before being able to have them ready. Luckily it has always worked out. Jesh pulls through for me and I appreciate it.
Level 7 went all right. I had help from Bethany and Heather to keep them under control. They were helpful but the class was also much better than last week. They are already realizing that I am serious about structure and control of this class. And I realized that I really have a weird love for that age group. I was given the option to not teach that class to lighten my load and I have a hard time taking that offer even though the option would be nice in many ways. What is wrong with me? Why do crazy teenagers make me happy?
I am seeing more and more that I need to improve my elementary lessons as well. I get too much in teacher mode and forget that I am helping them practice English not learn the material…that is what their actual school is for. I also need to make things more entertaining. Heather had some great ideas so I’m hoping that we can really work together on this class.
I came home again to an empty house. This is getting kind of weird. Tanya tells me to help myself to anything in the kitchen but honestly I have no idea what things are so I don’t even know how to help myself. But it’s a good thing because I eat so much anyway and today I had so much chocolate. But I still did help myself to these great little sweets that are a cone filled with this yummy cream and dipped in chocolate. Normally they pull these out at breakfast and I find it an entertaining breakfast food. Today is was my dinner. ☺
I think the cold weather and walking and stress is getting to our group. Many are not feeling well. Some are worse than others. Poor Linlea is the worst one. Kayla is getting worse and most of the rest of us have some ailment or another. I can feel the very beginnings of something working in my throat. I’m not sure how to fight it because orange juice doesn’t seem a common item around here. I will try drinking more water and getting more sleep. I really don’t want to get sick.
Random Russian Culture: Since it is so snowy and wet all the time, everyone takes off their shoes at the door and wears slippers. The school provided us with a pair of Russian slippers but I want another pair that I pick out. Not that I don’t like mine…it’s just that they are pink. Also I have to carry my slippers around with me everywhere since I teach at multiple schools. So another pair would save me some weight in my already too heavy bag. My shoulders are tight with knots and need a break.
9 February 2010
Everyone is holding strong even though health is not 100% in our group. I feel fine but fear I may lose my voice. It starts to go away every so often and I just don’t think the fact that I talk ALL day is a good thing.
Russian class was great this morning. I crammed to learn the verbs on time and did all right. I still need much practice but I at least recognize them on paper and almost have them come right to mind. I don’t understand them as well when Stac is going off. It’s good and bad to have a native Russian teaching us Russian. I really do love the challenge of learning this language. I have already added it to my list of languages I need to be fluent in (1. Danish 2. Hebrew 3. Russian 4. Spanish). We were asked today if we would be willing to teach English classes at this school in return for one-on-one Russian classes in addition to the class we are already in to really improve our Russian. They would like some of us to just work there and teach English but our Visas are volunteer Visas so we can’t take pay for anything or we will be kicked out of the country. But we can trade services. I am totally interested but don’t think I can fit it in my already packed schedule.
We had a training meeting today and I realized just how much more I should be doing in preparation for these classes. I need to be putting so much more effort into them to help class be more interesting to my students. One of these days I hope to be planning for a class more than hours in advance. Then I can make things more interesting.
Tonight at my level 3 class I found many things that need improvement. This poor little class seems so far behind to me. I am having trouble really assessing their level. Most try to explain everything in English but all of them get frustrated and say things in Russian to express what is going on in their mind. I have to say I am very impressed that these 9 year olds can read and speak as well as they do. They read English better and faster than I read Russian. It’s amazing and wonderful! I really like this class. Alex always shares her chocolate and candies with me. They all know my name and often say “Miss Kara.” I love it! I am such a fan of hearing my name. I’m one of those crazy people! ☺ Jenya doesn’t like to say anything in English and just makes noises. Ksusha follows directions very well. She is the only one who did her spelling homework and also the only one who got 100% on the spelling test! Olya loves to participate but has a hard time saying things. They are all just so adorable!
For dinner Igor made me blinli (I have been corrected as to the English spelling of the amazing Russian pancakes…thanks Bob)! ☺ He is not normally the chef around here but he tried really hard for me and I was very satisfied. I’m pretty sure blinli is just dessert and most likely not the healthiest meal but I sure love them! They could be made into meals with substantial toppings but around here we just put jam and/or sweetened condensed milk…YUM!
We found out today some of our vacation days. I am hearing rumors that we will be going to Moscow the 19th of this month to the 23rd! That will be so amazing and fun. Then we have our week long vacation at the end of March. That is coming so soon and I need to find out the possibility of a Scandinavian Cruise or at least someway to Scandinavia. I have to get over to Denmark (my odd obsession) and Sweden (to visit Evelina) while I am so close or I will just be upset.
Russian Myths Revealed: I was told before I came that it would be so cold and EVERYONE would be wearing hats and big coats and boots and such. Not true. It is no different than anywhere else. Most are bundled up because it is cold but you do see those without hats or gloves and those with their coats unzipped. I have yet to see a Bahbushka yell at anyone for not being bundled. I also have yet to see a Russian gypsy. I was under the impression they were all over the place and would be trying to pickpocket me all the time. Not true.
10 February 2010
I tried making my first blinli today and I almost died…not from the blinli. ☺ Drivers around here are absolutely crazy. No one signals and everyone just swerves into whatever lane they so desire. Pedestrians definitely don’t have the right away here and even when you have the green light to cross you have to be careful. I learned that very quickly. The first time I sat in a Russian driven car driving from the airport I wasn’t sure I would survive. So as a pedestrian I have learned to be very careful. But today even amid my caution, a car came zooming to the front of the crosswalk and I honestly didn’t think it would stop. I would have been a complete goner.
The completely unrelated to my near death experience, I came home tonight and was asked if I wanted dinner (always the first question when I come in the door). Igor was cleaning up a bit and the boys were playing. Tanya, of course, was not home yet. I told Igor I would make myself blinli so he didn’t have to worry about it. They keep a bowl full of batter in the fridge so all I had to do was cook it. I thought, ‘How much different can this be than cooking crepes?’ I was deceived. There is more of an art to cooking blinli then I ever imagined. I struggled, made them too thick, and not thoroughly cooked. I will need much more practice before I can cook like a true Russian.
Oh! I also tried on my first shopka (fur hat) today. Kayla and I wanted to start price shopping because we have been told things are cheaper in Moscow. Let’s hope they are cheaper. Unless we misunderstood, these were around $70! We had no idea what this street vender guy was telling us but he was putting these hats on us and pulling out a mirror and saying A LOT that we did not understand. Russians are interesting because they continue talking even when they know you can’t understand and they don’t do anything to try and help you understand. We just smiled and then moved on. I’m not sure a shopka is all that attractive on me but I am still determined to buy one….if I can find a decent price. They are very warm which is a great bonus!
Teaching today was its usual adventure. This morning in Kindergarten, Brandon and I only had three of our group…Misha, Danya, and Cerioja. Danya threatened after last class that he was never coming back because he couldn’t buy what he wanted at the store (he didn’t have enough tokens saved up and was offended). As usual our little sissy boys all ended up in tears at one point or another. But I have a soft heart for them and just want to love them. I had a sweet moment with Misha today as he was in tears. I sat and wiped his tears and tried to calm him down (it’s more difficult than you think when he doesn’t understand what I am saying). Luckily love is universal and he could at least tell than I care. I honestly just wanted to hold him in my arms and hug him til he felt better.
We only had three students come to the Level 7 class as well. Heather is now my team teacher and is helping plan and teach which has taken a huge burden off of me. We had a hard time getting much energy out of the boys tonight. We are supposed to have 10 students. I really hope I haven’t scared them all off. I’m feeling a little bad about it. And just when I think I am getting away from American teenagers who think they can get away with cussing, I was yet again wrong. Vadik is a very smart kid and even knows how to cuss in English. He even knows it is in appropriate. I’m sure he learned it all from listening to Green Day, Nirvana, and watching South Park. This is where he is learning his English. Great!
This is me pointing at Rule #1: English Only!! The hardest rule for them to obey!
I’m afraid I am going to lose my voice. I feel fine except for my throat. I thought it would just go away but I talk too much during the day. I am surprised I could still talk through the end of teaching today. And the cold air and pollution doesn’t help. Every time I breathe the air, it pains my throat. Thank goodness for the hot soup that is a pre-meal staple.
Good news!! We got our tickets today for Moscow! Our train leaves at 1:30am. It was the best we could do because it is a busy travel time here right now. They have this holiday where they burn a lady dummy representing winter and celebrate the coming of spring. I can’t remember the name...something like matsa litsa. I don’t know why it is so early because we still have a good while of winter left. But I guess it gives us all hope that spring will actually come someday. Regardless, we are going to Moscow! I am so excited to travel in Europe!
11 February 2010
I absolutely LOVE learning Russian even if it is hard! I was studying last night and Sasha, the 7-year old, came and started reading my notes over my shoulder. So I started saying the Russian out loud and he was quite impressed. ☺ Then this morning I was studying again and Velera came over and was trying to distract me. I started saying things to him…the very few things I know…and I actually understood most of his responses. I was so very proud of myself. Velera likes to call me Ashley (she is the teacher who lived here last semester). He thinks it is funny because he knows I am not her. So we got in our typical fight game of me not being Ashley and then he said my necklace was ugly so I told him it was pretty and we went back and forth on that for awhile…all in Russian!!
Russian class was intimidating as always. I think I understand and then Stac starts speaking mostly Russian and I get lost but then pull back to knowing what is going on. It takes so much brainpower but I am getting it. I will now need to go home and somehow continue learning so I can get even more fluent. I wish I could say I could be fluent in 4 months but I highly doubt it. So to make this time of study worth it, I need to continue.
After lunch I was so productive. I planned the remainder of this week and all but Kindergarten for next week. I even started lessons for Monday for Kindergarten. I will get ahead yet.
These pictures epitomize our existence at the Head Teacher's Apartment...constantly planning!
Teaching Level 3 was great except I felt like I couldn’t keep their attention and I don’t know how to fully gage their level. I feel like the material is too difficult for them and as much as I try to dumb it down, it never seems to be enough. Those who are willing to try do quite well. The others seem to fall further and further behind. I have got to do something to help them. I felt like class was going very well all evening until the last 20 minutes when Jesh walks in. Of course, he sees the rough patch when the other two hours went well. I guess the benefit is that I can’t get fired from a volunteer job. ☺
My cold has gone from my throat to my nose. I have been stuffed up since lunchtime and never seem to not have to blow my nose. My voice is still on and off. I wasn’t sure I would make it through my two and a half hour class tonight but I did alright. It’s probably good that my host family is not home tonight. I’ve heard Russians blow sickness out of proportion. I will just drink lots of water and go to bed as soon as my laundry is finished. This is my first experience using a Russian washer. I had Tanya teach me because I feel a little awkward having someone else wash my clothes. It’s bad enough that they will be hanging in the open to dry. I hope I haven’t offended her by wanting to do my own laundry.
Kayla and I had a great adventure tonight. We walk passed these street venders everyday so we decided we wanted to try a pastry from one of the shops. We had no idea what it was or what it was filled with but they warmed it up and we shared it. It was our first experience ordering and eating something we had no clue about. Success!! It was very good. And it costs about a dollar. We decided this might start to be a nightly tradition. The bread tasted fresh and it was filled with some sort of cheese and/or butter. Very good!
2 comments:
I love your really long posts. I feel like I am part of the adventure.
As soon as I saw those slippers I knew they weren't ones you personally picked out! I'm glad to hear you're settling into a routine and your having fun learning Russian! Hope you're feeling better!
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