I'm going!

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?

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

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

get ready for the new album featuring this song!

government conspiracy

music I'm listening to

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?

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

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

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

travel

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

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

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

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

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

Sufjan Stevens 9/20/06 Fox Theatre

Paste Rock N Reel

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!

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.

last roadtrip of the summer

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

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)...