Monday, June 21, 2010

Hey everyone! So I am here safe and sound (finally)...I was delayed in JFK for 20 hours, came late to the program, got dragged into some Dartmouth drama (one girl decided to switch rooms on me), was extremely tired, got placed in a really bad home stay, got stuck out on the town Saturday night until 5:00, woke up at 12:30 on Sunday and was late to the group scavenger hunt, made it to school today and took the hardest Russian grammar test of my life, and have been searching for internet ever since...
But other than that I am having the time of my life! as they say here бывает...I feel like so much has been happening and that I have been here for months already...
In terms of the host family, I have a host бабушка who not only has not been the most gracious to me and its definitely been uncomfortable from day one, which I thought was normal until I talked with other people and most everybody said right away that their mothers were really nice, which made me sad because mine is not....in fact, I have already made friends with about 4 other host mom's (just not my own :-( ) because one of them was friendly and talked to me, found out I spoke good Russian and introduced me to everyone else here and now I am the go to girl for the host moms haha...too bad mine wasnt better....I spoke with the program and they said as long as I am safe and secure that is their main concern, which is understandable, but that if I still feel uncomfortable at the end of the week they can move me, I want to move today, but it looks like I may have to go through some red tape before I do...but hey the squeaky wheel gets the oil right? Ill see how that goes...
Otherwise, Russia is great - nothing works, the fashion is nuts, all guys have mullets, all girls wear high, high high heels, the buildings are amazing, the city smells like smoke/wet/old food/strong perfume, the public transportation system is great, there are tons of бельй пух pollen floating around, and I feel like Ive been here for weeks! My school is incredible though - an old convent that Elizabeth I built turned into a university - absolutely gorgeous...
So right now it is raining and the sun is shining - wierd - it does not get dark here much at all (the sun rises at 4, sets at 12, and it never fully gets dark) so when I got stuck on the Nevsky Prospect on Saturday becuase the metros close at 12 and we didnt know it, it was totally fine, not only because I was with 8 other students, but it never got fully dark...
Tomorrow is my first day of official class and I am excited - other than that I have had a super eventful past couple of days, my Russian is improving leaps and bounds, and somehow in the midst of all this pandemonium I am thoroughly enjoying myself!

7 comments:

  1. ok and i tried posting pictures but couldnt - ill have to mess around with this a bit more...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow, sounds like quite an adventure. Glad to know you're safe. My advice, get to a better home.
    Miss you.
    What about your phone?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanking the Lord you arrived safely to your destination. A little food for thought. Just as the Lord cared for you while traveling, He continues to provide and care for you. He may have placed you with this particular host family as a mission to bless and love them through sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Ask the Lord for His guidance in this situation. Continued prayers for you. T. Natasha

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Sweetie,
    I just can't imagine someone not liking my neice. Give me her phone # and I'll have a chat with her! Well, I guess our travels through life don't always land us in the softest of places. I would just consider any adversity a learning experience, and remember the Lord will lay the right path in front of you. Love hearing what you have to say, you sound wonderful. Look forward to your next post.

    Love you...Ts.Lil

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Melissa! Loved reading your post! Made me chuckle. You have a great way of articulating!
    Hope you get the home thing all situated. But, I agree with your Ts.Natasha....you never know why the Lord puts certain people in your path. But one thing is for sure, there is always a lesson to learn :)
    Look forward to following your adventures! Can't wait to see pictures and give you a big hug when you get home!
    Our Lord will continue to watch over you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow, your last phrase perfectly sums up your blog post; It was necessary to read through a lot of pandemonium you see to find the bits that were shining!
    I'm glad to hear you're safe & that you're ready for the adventure to begin with classes, albeit sans night life with the non-setting of the sun.
    May God continue to bless & guide you through whatever opportunities are in store ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD!!
    P.S. I hope to see some of that amazing architecture in which you'll be attending classes!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dochk,I see that in every experience thus far from NY to st.pete every time you needed help someone was there for you to step in at just the right time. Looking back we see so many times the hand of God in our lives. He was definetly there for you at this time. Use that power of prayer to guide you through everything on your trip, especially with your lodging arrangements. I pray it works out for the best. By the way, you don't need high heels, those other Russian girls must be jealous of your height. I want to know, what doesn't work? "Lyublyu tebe"----POP

    ReplyDelete