Blogs from Oklahoma, United States, North America - page 27

So...my letter of invitation from Moscow State University has finally arrived from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs! Now I have to send it (along with my HIV certification, VISA application, and photos) to the Russian Consulate in Houston for VISA processing. Hopefully this will not take long (their website says 5-10 business days) but after the wait on my letter I'm not hopefull it will be a speedy process. Good news though, I was able to get a full refund on my airfare. This is a great blessing because now I will be able to get a new ticket once I have my VISA in hand. I thought I might have to transfer the funds to another flight. I did not want to do this because I am not 100% sure when my departure will be ... read more

Hello Everyone! I am currently in Nashville, Tennessee visiting friends and wanted to give you all an update concerning my endeavor. I still very much want to leave for Moscow on August 29th but things are looking grim. I am still waiting on my invitation from the school and then I have to apply for my Visa with the Russian government. I spoke with Amber (the other AIMer who has been in Moscow for 15 months, but is currently home for a visit) and she said she is not able to leave next week as originally planned because she too has not received her letter of invitation. She has been trying to get hers for two months and I have been trying for over a month and half. I'm not sure what the hold up is. ... read more

Things are falling into place for my soon departure to Moscow, Russia. I can't believe it was only a month ago that I made the decision to go and work in the Mission field of Russia. I was approved in December 2007 but did not feel it was the right time to go. I now feel it is right and the way things are falling into place is amazing. I put my house up for rent on a Saturday in July and in just six days I had over 60 inquiries and had it rented (with the first months rent and deposit on hand to hold it until August 1st!). I feel really good about the people I rented the house to. I prayed that God would allow someone to rent my home that would take ... read more

Six o'clock on Friday evening Momma doesn' t know she's leaving 'Til she hears the screen door slamming Rubber squealin', gears a-jamming Local country station just a blaring on the radio Pick him up at seven and they're headin' to the rodeo Momma's on the front porch screamin' out her warning Girl you better get your red head Back in bed before the morning Nine o'clock the show is ending But the fun is just beginning She knows he's anticipating But she's gonna keep him waiting Grab a bite to eat And then they're heading to the honkey tonk But loud crowds and line dancing Just ain't what they really want Drive out to the boondocks and park down by the creek And where it's George Strait 'til real late And dancing cheek to cheek ... read more

Hochatown, Oklahoma, 19 juillet Le pays cajun cache bien ses secrets, probablement au fond du bayou, et je dois avouer que l'Acadiana ne m'a pas emballé plus qu'il le fallait. J'avais peut être une image un peu romantique de cette terre d'accueil des déportés de 1755, mais je n'y ai pas fait les contacts que j'espérais. Certes, la présence de ces cajuns est visible par les patronymes que l'on observe un peu partout; Boudreau, Thibodeau, Lambert, Chiasson... La cuisine cajun est aussi à l'honneur et les restaurants qui offrent ces spécialités sont nombreux (les écrevisses ne font pas mentir leur réputation!). La musique est probablement l'élément le plus vivant de cette culture particulière et je dois dire que ma soirée à Houma m'a ravi. Mais lorsque j'ai discuté avec «Doc» Broussard, un vénérable septuagénaire qui m'a ... read more