The Semester's Over! Now, Waiting on Christmas and Russian Invitation

I know it’s terrible that I don’t write here more often…but what can I say, I’ve been busy!

I just finished emailing in my last assignment for this semester’s classes, that makes it 24 credit hours down and 9 more to go! I will be taking 3 more classes next semester to finish up my degree in Intercultural Studies at Calvary :)

This past Sunday I was at the last church I was scheduled to share at – that means that I don’t have to travel any more :) I’m sure I’ll still be leaving the ranch to get out and see people, but now I feel like I’m free – no more homework and nothing else on the schedule…well, except to sit back and enjoy Christmas with family!

I called the university in Krasnoyarsk last night to check on my invitation (which I am waiting on to apply for my visa so I can return to Russia as a student). No news there, except I found out that they were a month later than they had previously told me in submitting the paper work to the government to receive the visa. So if my estimates are right (though no one can ever be sure of anything when dealing with dates and timelines in Russia) it looks like (the optimistic view) the soonest I will be returning to Russia in the end of January first part of February…perhaps it is more realistic to say the end of February…

I’m not sure what I will do with “all this extra time” but I have a feeling that it will fill up pretty fast. I am getting more anxious to return to Russia and fear losing my Russian language more and more as I stay here in the States.

BUT I do not want anyone to think that I am not enjoying my time here. I am REALLY enjoying time with family and friends and am stinkin’ excited to be here for Christmas!!

Until the next time, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

p.s. I’m kinda glad I’m not in Krasnoyarsk right now, they are experiencing -40*, -50* weather…burrr

motivation for reading: super-soaker and a BA

Pretty sure that my present-day life is reading books. When I get finished with one, I write a paper about it and pick up the next one. After I finish a chapter or section I “reward” myself by changing my reading location (from the floor to the bed, from the bed to the chair, from the chair to the floor) or do other fun activities like go to the bathroom.

Coffee is my friend.

It's so much fun...especially since reading has always been my favorite thing to do…

I remember when my parents bribed (they would probably describe it as “rewarding” or “encouraging”) me to read x amount of books over the summer with $10 of spending money. It must have worked, because I remember buying a super-soaker water gun (I still have it too!)

But pretty sure I wouldn’t be going through all of this for a super-soaker. If only $10 would buy a Bachelors of Arts degree. Turns out a BA costs a little bit more money than that AND, wouldn’t you know, it requires reading!?

DON’T GET ME WRONG, I’m enjoying what I am reading and God is teaching me through it. I’m also thankful that people are supporting me during this time, so I am able to get this better-than-a-super-soaker-BA debt free!!

Enough about the college life (take 2)…

Two weekends ago I took these pictures while with some Greer’s in Springfield, MO area (Brighton and Silver Dollar City) MO.

Good times!

Back to College Life

Here I am in Kansas City, MO at College. To be honest, I haven’t exactly been excited about this “opportunity” to be back at College. I feel like I’ve been there and done that and would like to move on to “bigger and better” things than dorm life, dress codes and papers. God is still working on my heart to enjoy my time being here, because I know where this is where He wants me, for now.

I’m thankful for the opportunity to get my accredited bachelor’s degree – and move one step closer to getting credentials to teach English in Russia. Praise God for His provision of funds to go back to college (being a student is surprisingly stinkin’ expensive).

I am also thankful that CBC has a good non-traditional studies program (online classes, correspondence courses, independent studies and intensive night courses) that enable me to remain flexible to travel and be at home with family while working on completing 33 credit hours (needed to get my BA…don’t worry, I’m not taking all of these 33 at the same time). I will have to be here in Kansas City, on campus through September 27^th.

There’s some really neat students here – and although they make me feel “old” – it is encouraging to see their desire to serve the Lord.

God is using the classes to teach me more about Himself and myself. In my night class last Thursday God used the teacher and homework to show me that my focus was off. I realized that I was focusing on my goals, plans and tasks ahead of me (and finding myself over whelmed, exhausted and inadequate). You might be like me and think, “What’s so bad about focusing on your goals?” You’re right, it’s not “bad”, in fact I would say that it is “good”. The problem is that it is not the “best” thing to focus on. Because I was not focusing on Jesus, I was becoming overwhelmed and forgetting my purpose in accomplishing my goals and Who was my motivation in accomplishing them.

Praise God for His Holy Spirit that helps keep us inline. In Sunday School the teacher referred to the Holy Spirit as like the rumble strips on the high-way of life. He alerts us to know that we are veering off the path of God’s best, God’s will. May I be able to keep my focus on Jesus – who is going in front of me making the crooked places straight (a reference to Isaiah 45:2 - one of my Grandma’s favorite verses to quote to her grandkids).

Matthew 11:28-30 continues to be words of Christ that bring comfort and strength – “Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Accept my teachings and learn from mw, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your lives. The burden that I ask you to accept is easy; the load I give you to carry is light.”

From March 10 to May 28...

Sorry that I have neglected my blog. I struggle knowing whether it is worth the time to keep up with it. I do this for people that like to know what's going on in my life. But I fear that weirdos out there read it instead...

So to all you weirdos out there that just check out strangers' blogs so that you can make annoying comments to "challenge" their blogs and make bloggers feel like their lives are messed up: maybe your life is the one that need some "fixing".

But to all my friends and family that actually check my blog: Thanks for reading! I'll try to keep up better.

Much has happened since the last time I posted. I'll bring you up to May 28th with the help of some pictures... if you're a friend or family member you probably already are receiving emails and updates anyway).Me and my American friend Michelle (and sleeping Ethan) enjoying a weekend together in Chereponevo (South of Novosibirsk)

At the Novosibirsk Opera with Lena (she took the picture)

On my birthday I went to see this Orthodox temple in Novosibirsk

Me and some sisters at a church youth convention

This would be a me, some horses and a camel outside of Kyzyl, Tuva

Packing up my room getting ready to say goodbye to Akademgorodok and the people I love thereLenin Square in St Petersburg (where I spent 5 days with the Slawsons before flying across the Atlantic)Rapid City, SD...almost home
Come on dad, it really wasn't that heavy...

Europe…Siberia…Can they really both be in one country?!

I had a 4 day weekend, so what better to do than catch a flight to St Petersburg and spend "International Women's Day" with colleagues and friends, Thomas, Cristy and Isaiah! This weekend was my second visit ever to Europe (if you count my 24 hour layover in Amsterdam back in 2005). After living in and traveling to Siberian cities like Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Abakan and Kyzyl it was hard to feel like I was still in Russia as I roamed the streets of St Pete. Sure there are lots of similarities – under one government, similar history, Russian is the predominate language, traditions coincide etc. – BUT as I looked around, the differences were insane!

First off, I ate at a REAL Carl's Jr and had an American hamburger with fries. Also, many people walked around with cameras and I heard a handful of languages being spoken on the streets. People in St Pete don't look at you funny if they hear you speak in English. Lots of signs are written in English and Russian. One lady commented that my Russian was really good "for an American".

It was great viewing this beautiful European city – that really seemed to give me a break from what I know of as "Russia"! Perhaps that "break" was brought on by the awesome fellowship of the Slawson family. It was SO refreshing to be around some fellow InterActers and share lots of laughs together. This family truly lives to glorify our Savior and radiates with joy and grace from Him. I can't wait until I get to go and hang out with them again…and see some more sights of this beautiful city :)

Random photo update

It's been a while… hopefully these random photos will give a bit of an update to my life over the past 2 months and make up for lost time.

It's been a little cold the last 2 months. I took this pic the other day in -30 C weather. This little guy was waiting outside the grocery store for his master.

Did I mention that it's been cold here the last couple months? I think we're averaging around -22 F for the past 10 weeks

No, this is not some strange Olympic sport…

This is the "Day of the Lord's Baptism" on Jan 19^th in -40 F weather. Apparently, if you take a dip in this cross-shaped hole chiseled out of the lake you will wash away your sins. One of the most "ironic" things I learned, was that in order to "keep themselves warm" many drink a bunch of vodka before the plunge.

My teacher (who took us students on this "field trip") said "They are doing just what Jesus did." I responded, "But Jesus didn't live in Siberia". I doubt there was a need for an ambulance at Jesus' baptism.

Others wanting to receive a blessing come and bottle water from the lake to sprinkle in their apartment to bless it. (The water is "holy" because the Russian Orthodox priest blessed the water in the lake.)

I've been enjoying having more company over the last couple months. I just fold up my day bed set up a card table and I have a dinning room :)

Note: the Oreo's and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups where NOT bought in Russia. Thank you mom and church ladies for the goodies!

Breakfast on Super Bowl MONDAY. Sad that my Colts didn't come out on top, but I was thankful for the ability to watch the game live online (even if I did have to get up at 5am to do so). Thanks to the mystery giver who made watching the game possible!

Does Tuva Need to be Changed?

It is my firm belief that Tuvan culture does NOT need to be changed.

Tuva (or Tyva – if you are going by the modern pronunciation; though, most Tuvan's I know still use the old pronunciation) is a beautiful place with beautiful people and a beautiful culture. I feel that part of the beauty of the culture is its uniqueness, which is protected by its isolation - having no railroads and being sheltered by the Sayan Mountains. It is amazing that these people have hung on to their native language when so many other native languages are dying. And it is inspiring to see their deep pride in their culture.

Unfortunately their culture has been under attack for most of their nation's history - especially during the time of the Soviet Union. During the USSR many ethnically Russian people moved to the republic – flooding the cities and institutions with their language, philosophies, way of life, etc. In modern day, the number of ethnic Russians in the Republic has significantly declined (and continues to do so). Even though the ratio of Russians to Tuvans is decreasing, the percentage of funds from Moscow keeping the Republic afloat is increasing.

From my observation the biggest threat to the Tuvan culture is not Russians, westerners, or promotion of any other culture – but rather the problems that are causing the people themselves to suffer; a poor economy, unemployment, alcoholism, murder and other violent crimes.

Poor economy and unemployment are first on my list because of the number of families I know suffering from it. There are people that simply cannot afford to feed their families and heat their homes. People in the villages and towns throughout the republic continue to move to Tuva's capital, Kyzyl, looking for work. On top of this, youth and other "people of promise" are quick to leave the Republic all together to pursue higher education and better work opportunities, often returning to Tuva just to visit relatives'.

As far as alcoholism is concerned, its effects can be seen throughout the Republic. While some might argue alcohol as being a part of Tuvan culture, I think it's fair to say that at one point in history it was foreign. Most Tuvans (especially wives and children) I have talked to don't look at alcoholism in a positive light. Alcoholism plagues the region, especially in villages. I think it's safe to say that alcoholism is the main cause of other threats to society; crime, violence and even murder. Off the top of my head I can't tell you any statistics, but I have heard from a number of sources that the Republic of Tuva has the highest crime rate in Russia. During conversations with people who live or have lived in Tuva I have been amazed to hear that they personally knew at least one person who was murdered.

So, does Tuva need to be changed?

For the preservation of Tuvan culture and the sake of the Tuvan people, I hope that there is change – change that will diminish the threats to Tuvan culture and society, while supporting and preserving their beautiful culture.

I pray that I can help promote solutions to threats on Tuvan society without changing Tuvan culture. I want to live in the culture, learn the culture, adopt the culture and promote the culture.

Mayday! Internet down!

Well, I see that it's been a month since I wrote...

My December was busy preparing for a "Russian Language Celebration" and once that was over I was working my tail off trying to get my family's Christmas present put together - a 35 min video of my life here. After many long nights I got the video done and then headed off to Tuva. When I got back from Tuva I was ready to get caught up ... WRONG! The internet in my apartment building stopped working and just in time for all the internet tech people to take a long 6 day New Year's vacation. I finally got through to the tech support dude 2 days ago and he told me that it was too cold to fix the problem. I wanted to respond, "And just how warm does it need to be for you? We live in SIBERIA, buddy! I can't wait until May!!"
I refrained and am now sitting here using the free hi-speed at a cafe that could easy be mistaken for a bowling alley with it's fragrance of cigarette smoke. I downed my cappuccino an hour ago but still have much work to catch up on. Hopefully the waitress won't be so mad once I give her a nice tip (a practice not too common in these parts).

...So that's my excuse. I hope to write more "ventures" soon. (And just so you know, "soon" means anything from 1-30 days).