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Published: November 26th 2008
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White Christmas?
This was taken on the University grounds...just beautiful! When it snows it really makes things brighter here! ...but not like in the US! They are starting to decorate for Christmas and are beginning to play a little bit of Christmas music in the malls, but it still doesn't compare to home. But, at least it is feeling a little like the holidays. It's been a few days since I spent some time sharing what is happening so I'll take some time today to do that.
I get Thanksgiving! Before I left Tulsa I asked my mom to cook Thanksgiving dinner for me because I didn't expect to have a traditional Thanksgiving here. It was good and I'm glad I was able to have it, but I do get to have an American Thanksgiving after all. Here's the story. When my Grandma found out that I was coming to Moscow she brought me a newsletter from a couple (Tim and Alley Wiley) who are here in Moscow working at Hinkston Christian Academy. She goes to church at View Acres in Berryhill with their Grandmother and she thought I might like to get in touch with some fellow Okies.
So, I emailed them before leaving and told them my situation and that I would like to meet them upon my arrival. They were very nice and said to give them a call and they would have me over for dinner. However, because of all the turmoil going on since I arrived I had not had a chance to contact them. I finally sat down and called Tim on Monday evening and he asked what I was doing for Thanksgiving. I told him me and Amber did not really have plans. He said they were going to another American couple's home for dinner and called to see if we could attend. They said they would love to have us so now we get to spend Thanksgiving with fellow Expats in Moscow and eat turkey! So, I'm excited about that.
Other good news...they are finally starting a new class for me. Four days shy of me being here a month and I am just now beginning a formal study of Russian. I know I mentioned this in a previous blog, but the Russian's have made me skeptical and I didn't quite believe it until I went to pick up my passport and new VISA today. Svetlana told me to come back tomorrow and they would inroduce me to the teacher and the class would begin! All I can say is -- Hallelujah!!! It has been a long, tedious process but I am glad to be getting somewhere.
We are meeting so many new, exciting, and interesting people. Everyday it seems like we come in contact with someone new. I have also met a few Russian people who have somehow located my blog and contact me.
In other news...I am going to look at a room for rent on Saturday. I don't mind living here in the dorms, but I would like to have access to a nice kitchen as well as at least a washing machine. Plus, I have been able to contact some people around my age who have rooms for rent for $100 less than what I am paying to live in these dorms. So, we'll see how that goes.
An intersting fact you might enjoy: people hitchike here in Moscow! I know you would not think of doing that back in the states but it is a way of life here. If you need to get somewhere you just flag someone down and ask if they are going your direction. If they are you negotiate a price to ride and then they take you. It is kinda like taking a taxi but they are private citizens. I've heard one reason they do it is to help pay for the expensive cars that they drive. You see BMW's, Volvo's, Mercedes, etc. everywhere! I don't know how many of you have heard of skype, but I found out about it yesterday and it is a such an awesome program. It is free to download and you can talk to people in real time over the internet. I also pay a small fee each month and have a local Tulsa number so people can call that (and it won't cost them anything) to contact me. Of course, I have to be on the internet but I have voicemail so people can leave me a message and I can call them back! It was a wonderful find so I want to give everyone my contact info if you ever want to get ahold of me: (918) 289-2806.
Well, that is about all I have for now. I am attaching a pic of the snow that has fallen. It has snowed almost everyday for the past several days and today it is just beautiful. Keep me in your prayers and I hope you enjoy the pic!
Until we meet again...
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Robin
non-member comment
Love your blog
Hey! Just wanted to say thank you for you blog! I love to read about people who go to Russia for more than just a short trip. My plan is to come to Russia(St. Petersburg to be more exact) in either May or September 2009 to study for a year and I am getting really excited and love to hear about other people's adventures. I wish you luck with your lessons and finding a place to live! Thanks! Look forward to hearing more.