What a Week

Hello everyone.  I have not had much time to write this past week - so much has been happening! I think the best place to start is the 5th of March, a Monday.  A couple of weeks ago, I attended an information session regarding teaching English to local university students.  It is strange, because I have always said that I do not really want to teach yet I continue to volunteer my time to activities that involve teaching.  My responsibilities here in Piter are primarily to help Russian students with their English conversation skills - something, that I know from experience, can be challenging when learning a foreign language.  When the Russian professor first called me about arranging the times when I would assist her in class, she asked me how long I would like to be left alone with them.  At the time, I was slightly mortified.  However, I quickly realized that everything would be fine, that I did not need to worry.  Everything was fine; in fact, after I met with the Russian students, I felt incredibly happy.  Tonight, I again felt the same way.  It is more work in my already busy schedule, but it is completely worth it.

Tuesday, I met with my Russian language partner, and we attended a photo exhibit together.  We ended up speaking a lot of what I call "Ruslish" as she would try to speak to me in English, and I to her in Russian.  Hopefully, we will meet again soon.

Wednesday was the only day I did not do anything out of the ordinary.  I only have one class that day in the morning, but I usually end up staying at Smolny Institute until five so I can work on homework.

Thursday we did not have any classes because it was International Women's Day.  It is a big holiday in Russia and Eastern Europe, and is not widely celebrated in the United States despite the fact that it originated there.  I received chocolate from my host mother and celebrated the day by going to my first ballet, called Laurencia, at the Mikhailovsky Theater.

Friday I again had no classes and instead spent part of the day learning how to cook Georgian food.  We prepared several dishes, including Khachapuri, which is bread filled with cheese.  All the food was delicious and I am glad I was given the recipes.  Hopefully, when I get home, I will be able to prepare a Georgian meal for my family and friends to enjoy.  

Saturday I went on an excursion with the group to Yusupov Palace, which is supposedly one of the most beautiful and or grandiose palaces in Saint Petersburg.  It also happens to be the place where Rasputin was murdered.  Honestly, I do not know much about Rasputin, and because the tour was in Russian, I had a hard time learning more about him.  It is somewhat frustrating that the tours are in Russian simply because it takes so much focus in order to understand everything that is being said.  Usually, at the same time, I am trying to take pictures and absorb what I am looking at, whether it is a room in a palace or a monument in a park.  When I do attentively listen, however, I can understand a fair amount.  Nevertheless, I found Yusupov Palace interesting and I am glad that I decided to buy a ticket to permit me to photograph the interior.  Who knows when I will be in Russia again? 

Sunday, unfortunately, was spent in school.  Because we had Thursday and Friday off, somewhere along the line Russia decided that we should all return to school and work on a Sunday.  Because of this, I have a tediously long week this week.  However, my Sunday turned around exponentially with a surprise lecture by the former president of South Ossetia, Eduard Kokoity.  Despite the fact that he lectured all in Russian, and spoke really fast mind you, I really enjoyed listening to him.  Never would I have imagined getting the opportunity to hear him speak, and to merely say that I enjoyed hearing him speak really does not express my true thoughts.  The moment I learned that he was going to be here, I felt an excitement like no other.  

Almost anyone who knows me well knows my passion for South Ossetia and the Caucasus region.  It is a topic that can really get my blood flowing.  I have known for a long time that I want to go to graduate school and study this region - study the history, the culture, the politics.  In the future, I want to work as a diplomat and help people understand this region better.  I would give some background information on this region, but I am afraid I would go off on a long tangent.  The region is complicated, but immensely important; what happens there has implications in the West, despite many Americans not having a clue as to where this region is located.  Unfortunately, since entering college, I have not had as much time to devote to this topic, but I intend to return to it.  

Before I sign off, I would like to mention that I am trying to plan a spring break trip to the country of Georgia with a friend.  I really hope it works out.  If not, I may visit Yalta in Ukraine or Kazan in Russia. There is so much I want to do yet so little time.  

Farewell for now!