what's with today, today?

2011-01-13T18:25:00.017-05:00

So 2011 has begun and I'm holed up in my Decatur flat waiting for the ice to melt. I've had 4 days of being "snowed in" here and all the Russians are laughing for sure about our snow/ice predicament in Atlanta. But it's been a nice time of reflection, tea drinking, and skype conversations.

It's been a while since I last wrote and I thought I'd take the opportunity to write a bit about some new experiences I had this past year*. I've recorded them in a journal but would like to share a few highlights. It's been an awesome privilege to travel around the world and hear stories from people of such diverse backgrounds. I'm still trying to process all the things I've seen, heard and smelt.

I'll begin with an excerpt from my last day in Moscow 07/21/10:
"My last day! It's really been the last week that's left the biggest impression. Spending my last weekend in Vladimir and reliving so many memories there with friends is something I'll cherish forever. What a blessing to have meaningful friendships here that have lasted 10 years! Going to dacha, eating shashlik and swimming in the zagorod lake, dancing the night away...Then switching to my newer friendships in Moscow and getting to spend my last night with fellow colleagues and friends there. I could have walked all night if not for that darn metro closing at 1am!"

Here are excerpts from my Balkans trip immediately following my Moscow departure:
"First impressions of Serbia (well, Belgrade really): dirty, gray and Old World with a burst of color and excitement here and there. Alina and Andrei met me outside our hostel in Belgrade and so began our Balkans journey. I had no idea then how memorable and adventurous this trip would turn out to be...we caught a bus to Novi Sad (New Garden) where we met up with our Slovenian group with the rental car. Andreja and Ales had rented an 8-passenger van for our trip and driven from Slovenia along with Ales' cousin Ana and Andreja's schoolmate Barbara. We drove all afternoon through Serbia and came to Bosnia through the mountains--beautiful countryside! By nightfall we'd arrived in Sarajevo and found a campsite outside the city. With the mountains surrounding us, I can see how pedestrians were sitting ducks for snipers(in Russian I learned the expression goes "prey for wolves") during the Bosnian War.

Sarajevo impressions: places of worship and bullet holes everywhere. I bought a collection of short stories recalling personal histories of people who had lived during the siege here. I still find it hard to imagine the mass slaughter and chaos that happened here 15 years ago. Locals say Sarajevo is at peace again but it's hard to understand how people can move on. During this trip I came to realize my misinterpretation of the Balkan people I met; their seemingly reckless attitude and free-spirited behavior was also probably a coping mechanism during the war. My new Slovenian friends confirmed this idea on a number of occasions. I learned so much from them and the stories they shared about growing up in Yugoslavia and the aftermath..."

Montenegro: "Barbara had suggested climbing Lovchin mountain, the burial site for Njegosh, the famous spiritual and political leader of Montenegro who happened to be a prolific epic poet. Lochin is probably the most beautiful mountain view I've seen EVER. Never have I felt more aware of God's creation as I felt on that mountain top. It brought me to tears! Songs of praise escaped my lips as naturally as breathing in that place. Alina and I then found ourselves in Njegosh's tomb (great acoustics) taking turns singing old Slavonic Orthodox and Protestant hymns."

Croatia: "Barbara and I went for a morning jog near our campsite along the Adriatic coastline at Kupari, 10 km south of Dubrovnik. There we discovered shelled-out hotels and former resorts, long abandoned and rusting into the mountainside. We had watermelon for breakfast and then spent the day touring the colorful and tourist-congested city of Dubrovnik."

Slovenia: "After a day of hiking the Juianski Alps outside Ljubljana we went to visit Andreja's grandfather, Albin Noch, a former alpinist and mountain rescue worker, confined to a wheelchair after years of mountain climbing took their toll on his knees. He told us fascinating stories about World War II; how he dodged the "draft" into the Nazi army that was headed to fight the Soviets and how the partisans in his family had to hide out in the surrounding mountains during the war. The local villagers came over to meet us and we shared a cup of homemade tea and some type of local moonshine that tasted like paint thinner. The next day our group swam across the famous Lake Bled before escorting me to the airport. I'm writing this entry on the plane to London with lake water in my ears and a love for the Balkans in my heart."

*I hope I haven't bored you to death. If not, stay tuned for more stories from India!

signs of spring

2010-03-14T05:51:00.008-04:00

Spring is trying to make an appearance here but with the continual dusting of snow we've been getting lately, it might be a few more weeks before I can venture outside without my warm coat. But today the birds are singing and the sun is shining through my window as John Denver's "Sunshine On My Shoulders" plays in my head.

I celebrated my one-year anniversary in Moscow a few weeks ago and have been reflecting how fast time has flown by here. I get asked all the time how long I've been in Russia and the explanation gets a little complicated. When I reflect on how this country has been a part of my life for the better part of a decade, it just blows my mind. Recently I visited an old friend in Vladimir who showed me recent pictures of orphan 'kids' I worked with my first summer here. All of them are young adults, some married with children (!). My mind immediately flashed to the picture on my bedside table of my 'family group' from the first summer I worked with these same kids. What memories!

The past few months have been a time of decision-making: deciding to make the trip home for the greatest surprise party for my parents 60th birthdays, deciding where to go for New Years (Finland!), and whether I should stay here another year or head back "home." It was with much prayer and reflection that I made the decision to go back to the US after my teaching contract (and work visa) expires this July. I don't know exactly where I'll be/what I'll be doing but I've been given these words: "Be still and know that I am God." That's all I need to know for now so I wait with anticipation for what comes my way (and any contacts/ideas people want to throw my way!).

turtle riding on the Bay of Finland, Helsinki

with a Swede and two Finns, Stockholm

the gang's all here! surprise party 01/30/10

after record snowfalls in February

Kameshkovo "family group" at Krutoyak camp, 2002

лето и осень (summer and fall)

2009-10-07T05:02:00.006-04:00

So it was a crazy summer and oh how I had great intentions of writing an update last month but time got away from me (that and traveling home for Abby's wedding). For anyone interested, here's a brief update:
My brother Michael and I had some adventures together on his 'last hurrah' trip/internship before he gets married this May. He helped me to stop and admire areas of Moscow I'd never had the chance to explore. From shopping the markets together his first week here to the last pub crawl his last weekend, I will always treasure the time spent with him in Russia. I hope he will too!
I also had some adventures in July when I traveled to Ukraine for vacation in Crimea and an unexpected visa run to Kiev. It was nice to relax on the Black Sea but Kiev was the real highlight of my trip. What a wonderful city! I met some amazing people through a contact of Michael's at couchsurfers. And the girl I stayed with just happens to work for UNHCR in Kiev so I got to visit their office and learn more about the refugee resettlement process from the other side. I also enjoyed 24-hour train rides across the country, meeting interesting people and understanding why they called Ukraine the bread basket of the USSR (miles and miles of gorgeous wheat and sunflower fields).

So we're now in the last week of October and I was hoping there'd be snow by now. My students tell me it'll come in a few weeks. In the meantime, I've been enjoying the leaves changing around town; especially the birch trees. This is truly my favorite time of year.

"premium" Ukrainian countryside

swimming in the Black Sea, Crimea

beautiful birch trees changing color

Russia Day weekend

2009-06-17T03:52:00.006-04:00

Last weekend Russia celebrated its independence. Instead of trying to figure out from whom this great country became independent, I decided to grab my brother Michael and head for the countryside. I wanted him to get a taste of the "real" Russia outside of Moscow and St. Pete. Here are some pictures from our adventures in Kostroma and Vladimir:

at Ipatyeski Monastery, Kostroma

on the banks of the Volga River, Kostroma

making chili with friends one stormy night, Kostroma

swimming and shashlik with friends on the outskirts of Vladimir

birthday, etc.

2009-06-03T03:05:00.006-04:00

Traditionally on the 30th birthday one reflects on the past three decades and what has been accomplished up to that point. Maybe I've just been a shallow thinker lately (listening to bad English and correcting pronunciation mistakes 24/7 will do that to you) but all I can think about is how blessed I've been in my 30 seemingly short years of life. All this reflection started last Wednesday when I picked up a hefty package at the local post office from the USA. Inside was a photo album my family had put together with pictures from each year of my life. Looking back over the years to all the people and places that have shaped who I am--what an amazing stroll down memory lane it was! After that things got crazy and there was much celebrating this past weekend. I missed having family and friends from home here but my friends from Moscow, Vladimir, and Kostroma made it very special.

Celebrating at the Hard Rock (they actually didn't allow us to eat the cake on the premises. ahh Russia...)

so we took it to Starbucks where the staff happily provided us with forks to eat it with

friends from Vladimir and Moscow

currently listening to: Club of Sons, new Conor Oberst and Mute Math (thanks, Tim!)

весна (spring)!

2009-04-26T03:08:00.002-04:00

Spring is finally here! We had our (hopefully) last snowfall last Monday and now I can leave the house without a scarf and wear tennis shoes without fear of babushkas yelling at me for not dressing warm enough.
Top 5 ways you know it's spring in Russia:
1. your neighbors are all out painting the miniature fences around the building neon pink, green, and yellow (hey, after long winters here people want to see color!)
2. your shoes are caked in mud/dirt/anything that's been under the snow for 6 months
3. Orthodox church bells are ringing (one of my favorite sounds of the city)
4. All talk at work is focused on how one will spend weekends/vacation
5. One can run in the park without fear of drowning in puddles of melted snow

*Be looking out for my next post with some pictures of ultra chic fashion trends I've discovered here in Moscow. But first I need to find a USB cable for my phone so I can upload the pictures. My phone is a newer model but all the cell phone salespeople in town say they don't make a cable for my phone. Ahh...Russia.

A winter's day, in a deep and dark....March?

2009-03-21T15:23:00.004-04:00

So Moscow's had her second snowfall of the weekend, this time turning the slush to ice all over again. I thought spring was around the corner so on my way home from work yesterday I bought a bunch of hyacinths from a babushka by the metro. That flower always reminds me of springtime and Easter. Dad would always go by Publix around this time and buy hyacinths to make our house smell nice and springy.
The snow here is still beautiful though...it sparkled this evening as I walked with friends to the metro from an "English Cafe" meeting. I had worked all day and decided to "relax" by leading a conversation group for two hours. :) But I did enjoy having a colleague from work join me as well as a guy from Donna's (my roommate) Bible study.
Last night I celebrated my "ML has been in Moscow a month" anniversary by watching an old Soviet movie (Старики-Разбойники) with friends and eating pizza. These past few days I've been reflecting on how blessed I am to have such good friends (old and new) here. God is always providing!
*highlight of the week: one of my colleagues commented that a mutual student of ours told her how "active and positive" I was in class and that she had a smile on her face all the way to the metro after she left my class this week.

this week...

2009-03-11T04:18:00.003-04:00

Top 5 most interesting things to happen this week so far:
1. Being asked to join a rock/blues band...as a vocalist!
2. Finding knock-off Bath and Body Works lotions and gels at a local store (same fragrances, different brand)
3. watching Flight of the Conchords with my sister via skype
4. Being asked at work to teach an "English Through Music" class using Beatles songs
5. Already getting to wear my light-weight coat here...spring is on its way!

Masha and I (and all the ladies in the house) received flowers at church for International Women's Day on Sunday.

Масленица

2009-03-02T03:18:00.004-05:00

Maslenitsa is a Russian holiday that marks the beginning of Lent and the official start of spring. You're supposed to eat блины (blini=pancakes), drink медовуха (medovukha=honey drink) and listen/dance to traditional folk music. I celebrated with friends on Red Square and also at a beautiful park in the southern part of Moscow where a recently restored palace is located (called "Czaritsino").
The snow still falls here but is starting to melt...spring is on its way!

my neighborhood

2009-02-26T10:24:00.001-05:00

Here are some pictures taken this week at a park near my house. It was a beautiful day to be alive! :)

First week in Moscow

2009-02-23T02:57:00.005-05:00

Well, I've made it through a week of Russian life. From the carnations I received at the airport from a friend (thanks Masha!) to the beautiful walk on Red Square last night, I'm starting to feel at home here once again. As I look out my window, snow is falling and, at the moment, all is right with the world (the picture was taken outside my building).
After arriving Monday, I started work at Speak Up (my school) the next day. They didn't waste any time and by Thursday I was already teaching five classes. Needless to say I was looking forward to the weekend! And when I found out it was a 3-day weekend because of the armed forces/men's day holiday I began to relax a bit. I'm pretty sure jetlag is over but I still manage to stay up half the night and getting up at 6:30 for work will take some getting used to.
So far, I've been able to see friends over the weekend and hope to get out and explore my neighborhood more this week.
Top 5 highlights of the 1st week:
1. Learning that my school is behind the Bolshoy Theater and that some of our students are ballerinas. How cool is that?
2. Eating my first bowl of pelmini (meat dumplings)
3. Talking to friends in Vladimir on the phone
4. Listening to the babushkas talk below my window (I'm in the second floor right above the building entrance)
5. Hearing Russian everywhere :)

I'm going!

2009-01-30T22:15:00.003-05:00

Well, I’m finally leaving for Moscow! You were probably starting to think this day would never come. I received my visa invitation from Speak-Up (the school where I’ll be working, see picture) on Thursday and went straight to the travel agency to send my paperwork off to the Russian consulate. I should get my passport WITH VISA back by February 11 and then I’ll fly out Sunday, February 15. Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement during this waiting period. Once in Moscow, I’ll try to keep you updated via blog, email, skype, facebook, and all the other technologies that seem to bring our worlds a little bit closer.
For those in the Atlanta area, I’d love to see you before I go so give me a call/email!

Наконец-то я скоро уезжаю в Москву! Вы наверно уже думали, что у меня не получится. Но я в четверг получила приглашение от иститута Speak-Up (где буду работать) и сразу поехала в туристическое агентство, чтобы отослать мои документы к российскому консульству. Я должна получить паспорт С ВИЗОЙ к 11 февраля, и потом я улечу воскресенье, 15 февраля. Спасибо за ваши молитвы и поддержки в течение этого периода ожидания. Когда в Москве, я буду пробовать держать вас обновленными через blog, электронную почту, skype, facebook (в контакте), и все другие технологии, которые, кажется, приносят наши миры немного ближе. ;)

stories

2008-10-04T11:11:00.026-04:00

I love hearing people tell stories. Listening to them tell me about how life used to be and how it continues to impact them is something I wish I had more time for. In my line of work it's so easy to become jaded by the stories of my refugee clients. Well...maybe jaded isn't the right word; maybe it's just the fact that I get so busy with daily tasks and trying to stay afloat that their histories get pushed to the back of my mind.But as my time with World Relief is coming to a close, I have begun to reflect more on the last two years of interacting with my clients. Particularly in this past week, the burden of certain people's pain and suffering has consumed my thoughts. How some are able to even get up in the morning blows my mind. But then I know that years of learning to deal with it--whether it be through faith, family connections or through self-medicating--can still leave them in such an unsettled state that I have only begun to understand. I will take their stories, and memories of my interactions with them, "along the side of my life" always.
some of my stories (and pictures that follow):
-talking politics in a doctor's office with a young Iraqi girl who worked with our soldiers in the war
-hearing a North Korean sing a line from a song by his favorite British boy band
-dancing in a Turkish wedding
-listening to one man's account of his time in a Vietnamese prison after the war
-escorting the first refugee family I met (from Afghanistan) to the airport as they were moving to California
-witnessing a grown Sudanese man cry as he was reunited with his wife from Dafur after 8 years
-trying to get "personal information" from a Burmese couple without a translator in a doctor's office
-buying a hot meal from Krystal for new Iraqi arrivals--their first fast food experience!
-translating for a Turkish woman during her gall bladder surgery
-proudly sporting my Karen Burmese skirt at the ESL gradution--handmade by one of my students (see the pic above---she wore a matching one!)
My "New Choices for New Americans" class at GA Perimeter College, spring-summer 2008
my first Meskhetian Turkish friends, 2006
the last World Relief ESL for Jobs graduates of 2008 CNN tour/MARTA training with Bhutanese, Burmese, and Iraqi clients, 2008
my 3 Iraqi sisters reunited with their family in Atlanta

I'm going!

2008-08-23T10:55:00.003-04:00

well, I talked with the director of Speak Up Language School two weeks ago and accepted the position of English teacher there! So now they've got to secure a work permit for me and then I'll get a visa. Pray that it will be a speedy process! They told me it will be around mid-October before I can set foot on Russian soil again...

Moscow calling?

2008-07-11T11:11:00.003-04:00

So I may be moving back to Moscow soon. It's been three years and I just can't seem to get Russia out of my blood. I'm excited about the possibilities but anxious at the same time about leaving my job and the wonderful people in my life here.
Here's one of the places I might be working:

live music fanatic

2008-03-19T08:50:00.015-04:00

I caught a Guster song on the radio on my way to work today and began reflecting on the many times I'd seen them in concert. I think I've reached my quota at 5 times. Then I started thinking of musicians I'd seen live at least two times or more over the years and some of the random places I saw them perform (a rodeo arena, an abandoned steel mill, and Red Square to name a few). What happy memories.
Here's the list:
Nickel Creek(5)
Vigilantes of Love/Bill Mallonee (5)
Jars of Clay (5)
Andrew Peterson (4)
Modern Skirts (4)
Gomez (4)
Bob Dylan (3)
Over The Rhine (3)
R.E.M. (2)
Paul McCartney (2)
Mute Math (2)
James Taylor (2)
Joseph Arthur (2)
Magic Numbers (2)
Chris Isaak (2)
The Who (2)

-most $$ every paid for a show: $80 (Rolling Stones Bridges to Babylon tour)
-artist who I would pay $100 to see: Radiohead
-furthest traveled to see an artist perform: from Atlanta to Bahamas to see The Roaches (now known as the Return)

R.E.M. is coming

2008-03-06T10:55:00.003-05:00

get ready for the new album featuring this song!

government conspiracy

2008-02-27T11:09:00.001-05:00

music I'm listening to

2008-02-25T10:03:00.005-05:00

Recently my friend Tim inspired me to publish a list of songs I listen to. They aren't necessarily from albums released in 2007, but rather songs I've appreciated over the last year (some within recent months). Now that I'm writing this out, I can think of a million other songs to add but I'll settle on the following top 10:

1. "Reckoner" by Radiohead (from In Rainbows)
It was hard choosing one song cos I can listen to this album straight through without wanting to skip anything. But this is definiately my favorite.

2. "Tattoo" by Joseph Arthur (from Come to Where I'm From)
I saw this guy open for Gomez in London almost ten years ago and I was in awe of his stage presence and cool guitar looping tricks. I remember him playing this song, too.

3. "On" by Bloc Party (from A Weekend In The City)
I love Kele's vocals on this song in particular.

4. "Mistaken for Strangers" by The National (from Boxer)
I just discovered this album recently and am so into this song!

5. "Monster Ballads" by Josh Ritter (from The Animal Years)
You know when you buy an album and start out by listening to one or two certain songs but forget about the rest of the album? This happened to me with The Animal Years. I was obsessed with "Girl In The War" and "Lillian, Egypt" and overlooked this gem of a song.

6. "Simple X" by Andrew Bird (from Armchair Apocrypha)
I'm no drumming expert, but the drum track on this song ROCKS. And Andrew's got some mad whistling skills.

7. "Louis, Louis" by Teitur (from Stay Under the Stars)
This guy played at HRC Atlanta last year and was very underappreciated by the crowd. He's got that endearing Scandinavian folkie style that we know and love.

8. "Scenic World (version)" by Beirut (from Lou Gisland E.P.)
I would love for this song to be a processional at a wedding.

9. "Guyamas Sonora" by Beirut (from The Flying Club Cup)
I LOVE THIS BAND.

10. "Carousel" by Iron & Wine (from The Shepard's Dog)
haunting lyrics and groovy music.

I don't think I could ever have a job as a music critic. It's hard for me to articulate why I like certain types of music and dispise others (my comments above are case in point). I think I could be the person that gives stars though. That job seems alot less complicated.

What are some songs you'd give 5 stars to?

what to do?

2008-02-22T15:28:00.003-05:00

So I realize I haven't posted on here in a long time. Well, grad school was my excuse but now that I'm done, that's no longer the case. Maybe I'll try to update this more regularly like some of my other diligent friends.
Now that I'm done with school and working full-time at World Relief, I'm trying to decide the next step. Here are my top 5 thoughts about the future that are bouncing in my head at the moment:
1. Move to Moscow and teach English somewhere.
2. Take a month-long trip through Russian, Ukraine and random Central Asian countries and see what types of teaching and ministry opportunities are available.
3. Get a job with the foreign service at the Moscow embassy.
4. Stay in Atlanta and continue to teach.
5. Improve my Russian by getting an interpreter's certificate.

Graduation Day

2007-06-01T15:15:00.000-04:00

We had an ESL graduation party for my Somali and Sudanese students last week. I'm going to miss their bright smiles and joyful attitudes.

Here are some more of my past students from Vietnam, Burma, Turkey, and Somalia. What a blessing it has been in getting to know these refugees. I am continually amazed by their perserverance and motivation as they try to make a life for themselves here in America.

one orphan

2007-03-19T22:57:00.000-04:00

This video features a few of my friends so dear to my heart.

travel

2007-01-11T10:18:00.000-05:00

I miss traveling!
Places I want to go where I haven't ever been before:
1. Nepal/India: to see the Himalayas (goal: to get to Mt.Everest base camp)
2. Peru: to visit my pastor friend Marco and his family and go hiking in the mountains
3. New Zealand: To visit Rohan and Minas Tirith
4. Ukraine: formerly the breadbasket of the USSR...I hear the land is beautiful (and the language too)!
5. Turkey: I've worked with many Turks lately and have become quite interested in their culture

ML's top 5 albums of 2006

2006-12-08T13:39:00.000-05:00

A coworker let me borrow the new Beatles "Love" album the other day and as I was listening, I was thinking of other albums I've enjoyed this year:
1. Modern Skirts "Catalogue of Generous Men"
I saw this band from Athens, GA perform a few times this past year. They put on a fabulous live show and their album is packed with well-crafted, popy tunes. Favorite tracks: "Pasadena" and "My Bully"
2. The Weepies "Say I Am You"
Great music for coffeehouse listening. Favorite tracks: "The World Spins Madly On" and "Painting By Chagall"
3. Beirut "Gulag Orkestar"
Old-world, gypsy music at its finest. Favorite tracks: "Postcards From Italy" and "Scenic World"
4. Gomez "How We Operate"
Of course I'd have to put Gomez on here! They are one of my favorite bands...and their new album is now getting some radio play (is that a good thing these days?). Favorite tracks: "See The World" and "Girl-Shaped Love Drug"
5. Mute Math "Mute Math"
So what if the MTV crowd has embraced them? Their lyrics give a powerful message and they put on a killer live show complete with keytars and atari (my ear drums are still recooperating). Favorite track: "Noticed"

What's some music you've been enjoying this year?

Happy Christmas everyone!

jobs are good

2006-11-10T15:22:00.000-05:00

This week it's been nice to see some refugee clients find jobs. This may seem like a small feat, but for those who have only been in the US three months, not knowing English, who are required to find work upon arrival, it's a pretty big deal.
I take so much for granted as a native English-speaking, American citizen. The privilege of being born in this country allows for so much opportunity that much of the world will never experience. I am humbled daily by the stories and current situations of the refugee families and immigrant friends I have the privilege of knowing.

cool concert alert: Chris Thile @ Variety Playhouse, Atlanta Friday, Nov.17

toothpastefordinner.com

ob-la-di, ob-la-da

2006-10-20T09:33:00.000-04:00

Life has been pretty busy lately. My job has required that I accompany refugee clients to doctor's appointments and surgerys and vaccinations so I'm learning new medical terms in Russian like "anesthesia" and "IV bag." I have not been to the grocery store in two weeks as these refugee families like to feed me when we return from the doctor's. I'm eating more Russian food now than I did in Moscow!

In other news: one of Moscow's premiere football teams, CSKA (Central Sport Club of the Army), beat Arsenal on Tuesday! I'm still a die hard Spartak fan, but am happy that Arsenal got beat by a Russian team.

Have a great weekend! I'm headed up to north Georgia for the annual Blairsville Bash. My family's been in attendence since I was a wee lass. It'll be nothin' but BBQ, bluegrass, and...sitting around campfires all night. I can't wait!

Beirut (the band) 9/26/06

2006-09-26T22:00:00.000-04:00

I just randomly found this from the show Sunday night. The band jumped the stage for a little gypsy song and dance with the audience. I'm standing on Zach's right (the trumpet player)! What a night...

The Wings Look Nice On You

2006-09-21T21:46:00.000-04:00

Sufjan Stevens 9/20/06 Fox Theatre

Paste Rock N Reel

2006-09-19T22:35:00.000-04:00

If you're in the Atlanta area now (or if you're not, get over here!) I highly recommend making plans to see some artists at the 2006 Paste Rock n' Reel Festival. You'll see me spending all my money to see Sufjan Stevens, My Brightest Diamond, Bain Mattox (an old high school friend!) and Beirut. You're welcome to join me!

2006-09-13T12:41:00.000-04:00

So I got a new job a few weeks ago at World Relief Atlanta. For the time being I'll be a case worker and an interpreter for many of the Russian-speaking refugee families we are resettling in the area. It looks like my Russian will be better than it was in Russia! It's been fun so far trying to translate concepts like 'food stamps' and 'checking accounts.' I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be apart of something like this.

I miss the "currently listening" feature on xanga cos it's interesting to know what people listen to when they write their blogs. I for instance am listening to Beirut. This old world gypsy rock music fad is pretty groovy.

2006-09-05T10:53:00.000-04:00

last roadtrip of the summer

2006-08-21T14:35:00.000-04:00

I traveled to Mississippi to see friends from Moscow and on my "way back" decided to drive all the way to the gulf coast. Here are images from Gulfport, MS. The landscape was such a contrast that included dilapidated structures alongside the new or refurbished buildings. Next week marks a year since Katrina struck this coastline and everywhere I drove, from Biloxi to Mobile, were reminders of her distruction and the effects on the surrounding communities to this day.

I thought of a verse in Hebrews that talks about the removing of created things so that "what cannot be shaken may remain" that is, the kingdom of God through Jesus Christ. It's still really hard though to see this mess and think of God's plan through it all. Then some song lyrics came to mind (imagine that)and helped me: "earth has no sorrow heaven can't heal..." (be the first to guess who sang them, and I'll buy you an ice cream cone)

back to basics

2006-08-10T17:08:00.000-04:00

So I've decided to come back to my blogspot page after being away for so long. I'm learning how to do all kinds of fun stuff on here! And it seems that everyone and their brother has blogspot these days. So...expect more random ramblings here!

This time last year I was spending my first day back in America after being away for about 3 years. Here's a last picture in Moscow (Red Square at midnight)...

Bittersweet Me

2004-10-22T17:20:00.000-04:00

Well, I did my duty as a US citizen today....put my little vote in the ballot box! I must say I'm feeling quite patriotic. I was supposed to have an absentee ballot in my hands by now, but it still hasn't come and I couldn't wait any longer (that and the fact that if I waited for that ballot to come through the Russian postal service, I might be waiting until the next election). I hope to use my ballot, if/when it gets to me, for a lesson in school about how we vote in America. Hmm...I should probably study up on that myself since everything seems to get more and more complicated as time goes by. My roommate asked me when we'll know who the next US president is, and it was hard to answer that question. The embassy rep. said it could be months after the election (was he joking?). I don't pretend to know the ins and outs of our complex political system. Anyway, I don't want to write about politics anymore. It puts me in a bad mood.
I said goodbye to a friend today who's ending her term here and headed back to the US next week. The lady who sold watermelons near my building has also vacated her watermelon cage and is probably on the road home, too. Everyone and everything here is always in transition it seems...bittersweet times. I'm given today to meet and reach out to people, and who knows what tomorrow holds?
"Carpe Diem--that's...seize the day" -Cameron from Dead Poets Society (man, urge to watch that movie NOW)
2 Timothy 1:7

Mellowed out

2004-10-16T15:28:00.000-04:00

Today was a feel-good day. This is my favorite time of the year when leaves are changing and the weather gets cooler. Here in Russia the cool usually only last a couple of weeks before the MUCH cooler weather sets in. I don't know if it's because I've lived in warmer temperatures all my life, but I actually appreciate and enjoy cold weather. What a blessing! But then again, maybe it's because I haven't been exposed to more extreme temperatures out east...God willing I'll venture out there one day soon. I went on a walk along the Moscow River with some friends yesterday afternoon and felt inspired to take a bunch a pictures among the white birch trees. These are my favorite trees in the fall because of the beautiful color contrast of leaves with the bright white tree trunks. The added blue brilliance of the sky reminded me all over again of the mighty God we serve.
Psalm 19

I'm listening to some great music by Mute Math, a group I discovered in a (Relevant) magazine ad. Check 'em out! They only have an EP out at the moment, but they'll be coming out some more cool stuff soon.

2004-10-13T06:42:00.000-04:00

View of the 'hood from my window

First post, first snow flurry day!

2004-10-12T07:06:00.000-04:00

Thanks for visiting my new blog! That word makes me think of mud for some reason. Up until a couple of weeks ago, I had no earthly idea what a blog was. Living in Russia for the past two years, it seems I've slowly begun to loose some of my English as I try to tackle the Russian language. So new, western tech terms (such as 'blog') don't help matters. I've reached a point in learning a second language where I am forgetting even basics in my heart language! That doesn't help seeing as a primary purpose for my being here is to teach English. That just goes to show how God can use anyone to accomplish His will.
This morning I was able to chat with workers at my school and get my teaching schedule. So far, today has been a 'friendly day' where most people I've encountered have wanted to have conversations with me (with a smile!). The lady that sells watermelons next to my building told me she's been reading the Psalms from the NT I gave her. She will probably pack up and leave for 'the south' (Caucas region) before next month because it's getting cold (today there were snow flurries for the first time here). People come and go so quickly here it seems...
James 4:14-15