Novwi Zhizn

Congratulations to Hannah : ) поздравлаю и Бог благословит тебе и твоей новой семье!

One Flew Into the Cuckoo's Nest

A bird flew into my head yesterday. Yes, into my head. I was walking to School 48, just like every other Friday morning, when I suddenly felt a smack of feathers on the side of my head. Is this normal? Do I need a flashing red light on the top of my head, like high towers have so that airplanes don't run into them? Maybe it would be a good investment (or a nice Christmas present).

This was my last Friday at the school, since the school year has ended. It was a bit sad, knowing I'll never see these kids again, but I will be going back a few times in the summer to work in the English Language camp, so it wasn't my absolute last time in the halls of School 48, or talking with Galena Alexandrovna, one of the best teachers I have ever met. 

I, too, am wrapping up my time here in Russia, and preparing for the summer months ahead. My final exam is a little more than a week away, and then I will have some free time (I use the word "free" tentatively, as I will still be working) before I begin taking private lessons in July. Hopefully, my mother and sister will be able to visit in the end of June, and in the beginning of August, I am off to Spain for World Youth Day 2012!

The weather is nice here- the climate is similar to early spring in America (often in the 60s or low 70s). Lately it's been raining a lot, which has offered a nice relief from the mosquitoes- due to a massive failure in logical thinking, I spent a hot day next to a pond at a cookout, and came home covered in 30 mosquito bites! My legs looked diseased, but since it is common for Russian women to wear nylons under shorts, I was able to semi- hide my hideous half-eaten nogi (legs).

I am preparing to say my goodbyes to students and friends who are leaving after the exam- this will be by far the hardest thing I've had to do in Russia. Most of the students either go home or stay with relatives in Europe, India, etc. for the summer, in order to work (and get a break- Russia can be a bit overwhelming!). My friend Andra will leave on Wednesday night, so we will rent a marshrutka (a van-taxi of sorts) and take her to the train station, from which she will board a train to Mongolia. It will take her 4 days by train to get home- I am  envious; I dream of taking a train across eastern Russia, to see the majestic scenery and the infamous Lake Baikal. But, I figure that I have to return to Russia eventually (to keep up my Russian, of course), so this might be my next adventure!