Thought I'd wasted 40 rubles

...since my efforts to access email and upload photos were failing. I'm at an Internet cafe where I pay to use Internet.

Figured out why studying a language in the country of that language is good. Back at OSU, what I learn in Russian class stays in Russian class. Here, I can learn something in one class and than encounter it a while later somewhere else.

I got to be lazy this past weekend, which was an incredible treat. On Saturday the group took a walk down Arbat Street (an old arts/academia area of Moscow), then we broke into groups and I went out with Maria (the resident director), two OSU guys and two Russian girls. We got lunch at a Soviet-style canteen and then went and sat in a park--just sat and talked. I got to discuss Heggy's and Taggart's, two Canton ice cream shops, with another student while sitting in a park by Red Square. Their names have gone far! Then we went and walked in an underground mall, and then came back.

I'm missing my friends from church and Student Christian Fellowship (OSU). I stayed home Friday while a lot of students went out drinking, and I felt a bit lonely. I miss the encouragement that comes with Christian fellowship. I need to stop thinking about home so much.

Winging out,
--Christine

Pigeons are pigeons, whether in Moscow or DC

So I'm finally here! It's been quite an adventure already. In some ways, Moscow's like any other big city--lots of people, cars, ads, and pigeons. But it has more age, and more color. There's also a lot of street vendors, selling flowers, Pepsi-Cola, ice cream, pierogies, etc. There's a number of American shops, like Calvin Klein, Subway, TGI Friday's, and McDonald's. I'm surprised at how many people do speak some English, mostly at the airport, university, and tourist spots. Red Square is beautiful, although I find that I'm not as impressed by great architecture as I used to be--I'm seeing it as a very temporary, weak thing of this world. Still, it's nice.

Carbonated water is icky. Borscht is delicious. Like I'm surprised at how good it is.

Almost there...

Packing's pretty much done, with the final suitcase weighing about 45 pounds. Now I just have to organize my affairs at home (i.e. leaving my room in a state of relative neatness) and enjoy the last day at home (we're going to C-bus the night before I fly out from there).

If you're willing, I probably will need all the prayer I can get during this adventure. Here are some specifics.

• That I would be able to overcome my visual impairment, and communicate my needs to other people
• That I might find other Christ-followers among my fellow OSU students or the people I meet in Moscow
• That I will be confident in speaking Russian (I tend to get rather nervous when trying to use the language)
• That I'll stay physically, emotionally, and financially well and safe
• That I'll gain a sense of direction for the future
• That I will reflect the love of Christ to those around me

Winging out,

--Christine

Family time, suitcase time--which gets more time?

I'm back in the Valley, with my family. :) It's been good so far--great food, great conversation, great sharing of movies, YouTube music videos, and cuddle time with the dog. You'd think I'd be packing for the trip. Not yet. I'm UNpacking all that I accumulated in my college dorm and had to bring home. Amazing how much "stuff" I decide I must have with me at college. But I'm limiting myself to only one suitcase for Moscow, which should teach me to live on a lot less. Hopefully.

How do we decide what's necessary in our lives? Within the category of "having," how do we distinguish between nice/convenient/significant/essential?

One week from now, I should be in Moscow. Wow.

End of an American School Year

This will be my next-to-last night in Taylor Tower. It's been a good two years, and I've made some good friends in this oversized brick structure. But, as Seth said at the last SCF meet, we're moving forward. It's funny, because I've wanted this kind of movement forward since I was a little girl in rural Kansas, yet now I'm hesitating a little. The last few years have been so good, and it's tempting to just stay here where I feel safe and content. But I've carried this dream of travelling overseas my whole life, and so I have to go. I have to know what it's like.

The facts: I'm leaving on June 18, 2010 for Moscow, Russia. I'm going with a group from my university, and we're staying at a Russian university and taking language/culture classes. I'll be there for eight weeks. I've never left American soil before, so this will be totally new.

The blog: No promises. I want to relate what's happening and what I'm learning, but I don't know how computer access will be or how much I'll be able to tell in English what's happening in Russian. I'll do my best, so keep checking (if you're actually reading this and are intrigued enough to keep reading this.)

The blog title: This experience will be totally new, and I'm realizing that I that loves to plan can't really predict anything. I know the language, but as I realized during the language assessment I did today, during "real" conversation I won't remember every piece of useful vocabulary or every grammar point that I've learned. My usual points of reference won't always be there. There will be situations where I have to "wing it."
(There's also a pun involved in the name, since I wanted it to be easy for those who know me.)

Anyway, that's the scoop for now. I have finals to get through, and then--moving forward.

What are you doing this summer?