Wow....it's been a long time since I have posted here. I should count up the number of times I start this blog with that statement! I think it must be almost all of them.
Well, indeed a lot has happened since the last time I was here. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years...just to name a few!
I won't bore you with all the details of everything.....it would bore me as well! I will just say that we had a great Christmas/New Years in the States with family & friends. It included a very quick trip to OKC, cut short by the snow storm of the decade. Then a wonderful cruise with the Lasher side of the family, as well as Meghan's Jacob and Drew's Marie. We were so happy that Marie was able to travel from her native Korea to meet all of us and go on the cruise. Despite jet lag, meeting a ton of new people and the language differences she was a trooper! It was good to get to know both kids' significant others. We enjoy them very much. We also got to meet our grand puppy PC (Meghan & Jacob's dog) for the first time. He is a sweetie, full of energy and love!
Just before we left for the States for the holidays we received word that we would be leaving Moscow in the first quarter (that's finance speak for sometime Feb/March.) We still don't know when or where! We are trusting God to put us in just the right place for us. It did cut down on the stock-up shopping for Moscow....and I sure didn't need to look for a new coat and boots! I'm really sad about the new coat...I wanted a RED one!
So how do I feel about leaving Moscow? At first, and still....SAD! I have loved my time here, I have loved my friends here, I have loved my life here. Still, we have been here 4 years...and probably it is time to move on, as someone told me, before I despise it! That is a positive way to think of it. And when we know where we will be going, then we will have something to be excited about (hopefully!) At any rate....if you would say a little prayer for us, it would be appreciated. The hard part hasn't even started. I suppose the long drawn out is a good thing. I have time to....detach. I have time to clean out those spaces that desperately need it at my leisure. I have time to do those last things I want to do. And revisit those things I want to see one last time.
So thanks for your prayers....please pray for me to leave it in God's hands and quit trying to take it back. Pray that Harry's next job is just exactly what he wants. Work has been stressful at times here. Heck, LIFE has been stressful at times here!! But we wouldn't have missed this opportunity for the world! Excuse me, while I go find a kleenex to dry my tears....the first of many!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Friday, November 13, 2009
So I went to the grocery store this morning, and all the employees were wearing medical masks. Of course most of them had them around their neck or looped over their ear. The point? Not sure. Just to make a show I guess.
Then went to the money machine. I usually walk, but I'm extremely tired from the Craft Fair yesterday and the weather is gross. So I had Dima drive me. After I asked him to take me, I realized it was on the busiest street in Moscow, mid-morning. Not very likely that there would be parking spaces. And of course there weren't any. No problem.....just double park! Just one of the many practices that makes Moscow traffic horrendous. However, this morning, I was more than happy to take advantage!
The 16th annual AWO Craft Fair. benefitting the children's oncology hospital, was yesterday. We have worked for many months on it. But really, REALLY worked the last 2 days. It was very successful and we are happy....but mostly happy it is over!
Then went to the money machine. I usually walk, but I'm extremely tired from the Craft Fair yesterday and the weather is gross. So I had Dima drive me. After I asked him to take me, I realized it was on the busiest street in Moscow, mid-morning. Not very likely that there would be parking spaces. And of course there weren't any. No problem.....just double park! Just one of the many practices that makes Moscow traffic horrendous. However, this morning, I was more than happy to take advantage!
The 16th annual AWO Craft Fair. benefitting the children's oncology hospital, was yesterday. We have worked for many months on it. But really, REALLY worked the last 2 days. It was very successful and we are happy....but mostly happy it is over!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Fall in Moscow
Harry is always "reminding" me to update my blog....no so easy to find fun things to write about anymore (have I been here too long???) but a couple of things have happened recently, so here I am to tell you about them.
A couple of Sundays ago, as we were walking up to the church, a few 20-somethings were gathered at the gate. Not the typical St. Louis parishioners....they had piercings and leather and spikes and were holding flowers and smoking a last cigarette before heading into church. A couple of people were holding bouquets of flowers (an odd compliment to the aformentioned dress) I suspected they had no idea this was a English-language Catholic Mass. As far as they were concerned it was a church, and apparently any church would do. They were a few minutes behind us in entering the church, and came in loudly (I think there were maybe 8 or 10 of them.) Fr. Eduard, our friendly, but strict junior priest hushed them from the altar where he was setting up for Mass. (Fr. Eduard was the priest who reprimanded us after Mass one Sunday for not singing! Our organist and chief choir member (there are maybe 4 or 5 at best anyway!!) were not there. We are a congregation where, for the majority of us, English is not the first language....give us a break!!! Anyway I digress........) They sat right behind Harry and I. Mass began, they chatted through most of it, albeit fairly quietly. Friend Anne, who was sitting behind this little band, said more than one left for a cigarette break during Mass. The sign of peace was rather humorous...I was determined to shake their hands. They weren't quite sure what to do but took my offered hand and smiled back. They were smart enough not to go to Communion. After Mass, I saw our ever present Andrew (without whom Mass would not go as smoothly as it does) take a couple back to the Sacristy....I assume to speak to Fr. Eduard. I had no idea what was going on but very curious about it all. So at breakfast after Mass I asked Andrew what the deal was. He said that they had showed up to get married!! I'm sure Fr. Eduard set them straight. Not sure this would EVER happen in the US. Life is (almost) always entertaining in Moscow!
This next story is more humorous (for me, anyway) in hindsight. When it was occuring, I didn't find it nearly so amusing. It's kind of a 2 part story.....
Saturday morning we went to the Mega Mall north of town. It's a bit of a trip out there but we can make a day of it. I bribe Harry with offer of lunch at a KFC where he can have fried chicken AND beer. We went to the Lowes-type store for some plants for the church garden, then on to Auchan's grocery store for a few items. Now, if we didn't desperately need some of the items I would never even walk into this store on a Saturday, mid day. It is the craziest place you have ever seen (I'm sure I've told you about it before in this space.) Not only are there so many people you can barely walk (and Russians are not known for their courtesy or their understanding of personal space.) Now amid ALL this chaos, they are stocking the shelves, as they always do. Doesn't matter how busy the place is, they stock shelves. So, TONS of people, pallets of goods, and forklifts!!!! Well, Harry is off getting something, I tell him I'm going to get eggs and milk...he is just a little ways behind me. In front of me is a forklift. So, I step between 2 pallets to get out of the forklift's way, not even noticing there is a cart (not mine of course) between me and the forklift. Well, she hits the cart and pushes it in to me...to the side of her mind you. I am pinned (and it's a bit uncomfortable as you can imagine) between the cart and the pallet. I can't get out, I can't move. I hear Harry say, sort of loudly, are you ok? The forklift lady, backs up, climbs down off the cart, shoves it out of her way (I escape) and climbs back up on the forlklift and drives off. Not one word of apology or even a glance my way. I'm used to it....I might have been in more shock if she had said something to me!
Part 2 of the Auchan's story: So I've been "forklifted" and as you can well imagine, I'm not very happy (pissed off if you want to know the truth!!) We get our few necessary items and go to the check-out stand. Now on most Saturdays the lines at this place are RIDICULOUSLY long, but they have fairly recently instituted express lanes. So there are 6 express lanes and you stand in one queue til one of the 6 checkers is open. We are (amazingly!) first in line, staning there, minding our own business. Suddenly a Russian lady walks up and places herself right in front of me! Now, again, this is typical Russian behavior. If they think they can get away with it, they will cut in line with no qualms whatsoever. So I say to her in Russian, excuse me. She, with a big grin on her face says something back to me, which of course I don't understand. So I say to her, loudly and in English, EXCUSE ME, I WAS HERE FIRST, YOU WERE NOT!!! And I step in front of her.....and she backs off. Then it is my turn and I walk up to the cashier, who is smiling and pretty soon laughing. I ask Harry, do you think they are laughing at me or her? He says, probably both of you! Harry says, good for you. If I had not been pinned by a forklifted cart I might have let her pass....but not this day!
We ended the day with a trip to the honey festival and a walk around the lovely Tsaritsino park. The weather was beautiful and the trees are turning. I was happy to have a good memory to replace the "Auchan's Moment."
A couple of Sundays ago, as we were walking up to the church, a few 20-somethings were gathered at the gate. Not the typical St. Louis parishioners....they had piercings and leather and spikes and were holding flowers and smoking a last cigarette before heading into church. A couple of people were holding bouquets of flowers (an odd compliment to the aformentioned dress) I suspected they had no idea this was a English-language Catholic Mass. As far as they were concerned it was a church, and apparently any church would do. They were a few minutes behind us in entering the church, and came in loudly (I think there were maybe 8 or 10 of them.) Fr. Eduard, our friendly, but strict junior priest hushed them from the altar where he was setting up for Mass. (Fr. Eduard was the priest who reprimanded us after Mass one Sunday for not singing! Our organist and chief choir member (there are maybe 4 or 5 at best anyway!!) were not there. We are a congregation where, for the majority of us, English is not the first language....give us a break!!! Anyway I digress........) They sat right behind Harry and I. Mass began, they chatted through most of it, albeit fairly quietly. Friend Anne, who was sitting behind this little band, said more than one left for a cigarette break during Mass. The sign of peace was rather humorous...I was determined to shake their hands. They weren't quite sure what to do but took my offered hand and smiled back. They were smart enough not to go to Communion. After Mass, I saw our ever present Andrew (without whom Mass would not go as smoothly as it does) take a couple back to the Sacristy....I assume to speak to Fr. Eduard. I had no idea what was going on but very curious about it all. So at breakfast after Mass I asked Andrew what the deal was. He said that they had showed up to get married!! I'm sure Fr. Eduard set them straight. Not sure this would EVER happen in the US. Life is (almost) always entertaining in Moscow!
This next story is more humorous (for me, anyway) in hindsight. When it was occuring, I didn't find it nearly so amusing. It's kind of a 2 part story.....
Saturday morning we went to the Mega Mall north of town. It's a bit of a trip out there but we can make a day of it. I bribe Harry with offer of lunch at a KFC where he can have fried chicken AND beer. We went to the Lowes-type store for some plants for the church garden, then on to Auchan's grocery store for a few items. Now, if we didn't desperately need some of the items I would never even walk into this store on a Saturday, mid day. It is the craziest place you have ever seen (I'm sure I've told you about it before in this space.) Not only are there so many people you can barely walk (and Russians are not known for their courtesy or their understanding of personal space.) Now amid ALL this chaos, they are stocking the shelves, as they always do. Doesn't matter how busy the place is, they stock shelves. So, TONS of people, pallets of goods, and forklifts!!!! Well, Harry is off getting something, I tell him I'm going to get eggs and milk...he is just a little ways behind me. In front of me is a forklift. So, I step between 2 pallets to get out of the forklift's way, not even noticing there is a cart (not mine of course) between me and the forklift. Well, she hits the cart and pushes it in to me...to the side of her mind you. I am pinned (and it's a bit uncomfortable as you can imagine) between the cart and the pallet. I can't get out, I can't move. I hear Harry say, sort of loudly, are you ok? The forklift lady, backs up, climbs down off the cart, shoves it out of her way (I escape) and climbs back up on the forlklift and drives off. Not one word of apology or even a glance my way. I'm used to it....I might have been in more shock if she had said something to me!
Part 2 of the Auchan's story: So I've been "forklifted" and as you can well imagine, I'm not very happy (pissed off if you want to know the truth!!) We get our few necessary items and go to the check-out stand. Now on most Saturdays the lines at this place are RIDICULOUSLY long, but they have fairly recently instituted express lanes. So there are 6 express lanes and you stand in one queue til one of the 6 checkers is open. We are (amazingly!) first in line, staning there, minding our own business. Suddenly a Russian lady walks up and places herself right in front of me! Now, again, this is typical Russian behavior. If they think they can get away with it, they will cut in line with no qualms whatsoever. So I say to her in Russian, excuse me. She, with a big grin on her face says something back to me, which of course I don't understand. So I say to her, loudly and in English, EXCUSE ME, I WAS HERE FIRST, YOU WERE NOT!!! And I step in front of her.....and she backs off. Then it is my turn and I walk up to the cashier, who is smiling and pretty soon laughing. I ask Harry, do you think they are laughing at me or her? He says, probably both of you! Harry says, good for you. If I had not been pinned by a forklifted cart I might have let her pass....but not this day!
We ended the day with a trip to the honey festival and a walk around the lovely Tsaritsino park. The weather was beautiful and the trees are turning. I was happy to have a good memory to replace the "Auchan's Moment."
Thursday, September 10, 2009
A Military Tattoo????
No it isn't body art! A military tattoo is a military music festival and although I've never been to one anywhere else, I would say that Moscow's must surely rank up there with some of the best. Bands (and really, some were more like theatrical productions, some were straight off the (American) football fields. All were great and some were fabulous! Some of the countries represented: Russia, Kazakhstan, India, Israel, Finland, Italy, France, UK, combining GB and Northern Ireland (representing mechanical and electrical engineering,) China...those are the ones I can remember (no Americans....financial crisis, maybe??) Ranks up there as one of the top experiences for me in Moscow.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
A Late Summer Update
Summer has slowed down to a crawl. Nice, though. It's good to have some quiet time before the busy-ness of fall. Yes, even for those of us without children, fall just seems to get busier. AWO signup will take place early September and the new year will be off and running. We are definitely gearing up for that. Fall always means the Craft Fair, our big fund-raiser for Nastenka, the childrens oncology hospital we support. I have no specific role this year (for the first time since I moved here!) but I attend the meetings to offer the wisdom of years past, to fill in where needed, and to just "keep my hand in."
Meghan has made the big move to Dallas. She also has a job! She will be teaching 3rd grade at Ethbridge Elementary in Garland. As I understand it, she will be teaching everything but math, which makes her MORE than happy! She is excited about teaching science which she has never taught before. Of course she has only been at school one day, the kids don't start til the 24th and I've only spoken to her briefly, so she may not know much...and I know less! But she is very happy to be settled in Dallas and not having to drive every other weekend to see Jacob.
We hear from Drew even less frequently than we do Meghan! He is 5 hours ahead of us in Korea, and believe it or not, that makes it more awkward to get ahold of him. Plus, he is working (duh) but his Blackberry only works at his hotel. Go figure! Anyway, last news was that he was heading back to the US around Aug. 20th. He will be happy to see "what he pays for" (his words) and sleep in his own bed. He has been gone since first of March, if I remember correctly. We haven't seen him since Christmas! Hopefully that will be remedied soon.
I thought of a couple of interesting things I've done this summer. On Tuesdays, my friend Bonnie and I get together with a Russian Language teacher, who has been around the ConocoPhillips group a long times and knows most of us. She knows Bonnie and me well....we ONLY want language in a fun environment (shopping, sightseeing, cooking.) So among the many things we have done this summer, one of them is to learn a couple of classically Russian dishes. One is called pelmeni, which is a little meat (or anything else you wish to put in it) dumpling wrapped in a dough that is alot like a noodle dough. It was fun, tasty, and dinner was cooked for that night. These are very traditional and are sold everywhere.....restaurants and stores. I enjoyed learning how to make them. Will I ever do it again....maybe. They are time intensive! But sometimes I get motivated....so maybe. The other thing we learned to make is called cirniki . Cirniki is a kind of cheese (tvorog....kind of a cross between a cream cheese and a cottage cheese...has some small curds in it, but creamy) pancake. You mix it with egg, flour, a bit of sugar, and fry them, potato pancake style. They are served with sour cream and jam. Really good! I haven't made them at home yet, but will do it soon. Maybe I will even take pictures like my friend Kerry!
We have enjoyed a run of beautiful weather the past week or so. Warm, sunny days. We try to get out and enjoy. I've taken Abby to the park a couple of times, we try to have coffee or eat outside when we can.
Hope your summer has been full of fun things as well and that you are ready to face YOUR busy fall, rested and refreshed.
Meghan has made the big move to Dallas. She also has a job! She will be teaching 3rd grade at Ethbridge Elementary in Garland. As I understand it, she will be teaching everything but math, which makes her MORE than happy! She is excited about teaching science which she has never taught before. Of course she has only been at school one day, the kids don't start til the 24th and I've only spoken to her briefly, so she may not know much...and I know less! But she is very happy to be settled in Dallas and not having to drive every other weekend to see Jacob.
We hear from Drew even less frequently than we do Meghan! He is 5 hours ahead of us in Korea, and believe it or not, that makes it more awkward to get ahold of him. Plus, he is working (duh) but his Blackberry only works at his hotel. Go figure! Anyway, last news was that he was heading back to the US around Aug. 20th. He will be happy to see "what he pays for" (his words) and sleep in his own bed. He has been gone since first of March, if I remember correctly. We haven't seen him since Christmas! Hopefully that will be remedied soon.
I thought of a couple of interesting things I've done this summer. On Tuesdays, my friend Bonnie and I get together with a Russian Language teacher, who has been around the ConocoPhillips group a long times and knows most of us. She knows Bonnie and me well....we ONLY want language in a fun environment (shopping, sightseeing, cooking.) So among the many things we have done this summer, one of them is to learn a couple of classically Russian dishes. One is called pelmeni, which is a little meat (or anything else you wish to put in it) dumpling wrapped in a dough that is alot like a noodle dough. It was fun, tasty, and dinner was cooked for that night. These are very traditional and are sold everywhere.....restaurants and stores. I enjoyed learning how to make them. Will I ever do it again....maybe. They are time intensive! But sometimes I get motivated....so maybe. The other thing we learned to make is called cirniki . Cirniki is a kind of cheese (tvorog....kind of a cross between a cream cheese and a cottage cheese...has some small curds in it, but creamy) pancake. You mix it with egg, flour, a bit of sugar, and fry them, potato pancake style. They are served with sour cream and jam. Really good! I haven't made them at home yet, but will do it soon. Maybe I will even take pictures like my friend Kerry!
We have enjoyed a run of beautiful weather the past week or so. Warm, sunny days. We try to get out and enjoy. I've taken Abby to the park a couple of times, we try to have coffee or eat outside when we can.
Hope your summer has been full of fun things as well and that you are ready to face YOUR busy fall, rested and refreshed.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
We've had a great summer here in Moscow. The "kids" came and went, the summer finally got here and the weather has been lovely for the most part. The trees are beginning to lose their leaves and some even have touches of color!! It's still July. But I know full well that fall is very close. I'm not ready! Too cold a spring and early summer. But I shouldn't be whining yet!!! Something about having a positive attitude.....
Been on a couple of bus tours....if you are on FB you can see the pics. Seen a couple of "new to me" monasteries in Moscow. Enjoyed the outdoor cafes every chance we get. We have a Friday Afternoon Happy Hour here at our courtyard. It includes snacks, wine (lots of it,) beer, and singing!! Yes, singing! Friends Megan and Bonnie and I end up singing to country favorites. See what too much wine will do to you! It's fun....I wonder what the neighbors think? At least they are tolerant of us.
I am always fearful that with many people traveling out of Moscow during the summer that it will be boring. Hasn't happened so far! In fact I yearn for some quiet days at home. Most weeks I have to make that happen by turning down an invitation to do something fun. Oh, well, such is life! The Moscow Life, anyway!
Been on a couple of bus tours....if you are on FB you can see the pics. Seen a couple of "new to me" monasteries in Moscow. Enjoyed the outdoor cafes every chance we get. We have a Friday Afternoon Happy Hour here at our courtyard. It includes snacks, wine (lots of it,) beer, and singing!! Yes, singing! Friends Megan and Bonnie and I end up singing to country favorites. See what too much wine will do to you! It's fun....I wonder what the neighbors think? At least they are tolerant of us.
I am always fearful that with many people traveling out of Moscow during the summer that it will be boring. Hasn't happened so far! In fact I yearn for some quiet days at home. Most weeks I have to make that happen by turning down an invitation to do something fun. Oh, well, such is life! The Moscow Life, anyway!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Kids are coming!
I'm sure they really appreciate me calling them kids since they are 25-30-year olds, but guess they will always be kids in my book!
So, who is coming to visit? Meghan and her boyfriend Jacob are arriving in a few hours! I'm excited for Jacob to see Moscow (and St. Petersburg.) He has heard alot about it, I'm sure. Now it will fun to show him "our town."
Tomorrow, 4th of July, Harry's 1st cousin Jan's oldest daughter Leana is coming, from around the world...I will have to get the story straight before I tell it! Her friend Maria will also fly in from DC. So we will have a house full and I'm so excited. I love people this age! They are so smart and open to the world. They will experience Russia in a totally different way than I do. I'm excited to see Russia through their eyes.
Monday-Thursday next week they will go to St. Pete's...without me or Harry. I hope all goes well! They are set up with a way to get there and a place to sleep. After that....they are on their own. Free to explore the city as they would like. A few guidelines from me on the must-see's....and some contact numbers in case of trouble. But not expecting any....they will have a great time, I'm sure!
Meghan and Jacob head home July 12 and Leana and Maria head out to their next destinations on July 14.
Tomorrow, the American Women's Organization will hold a 4th of July Pot Luck celebration right here in our little courtyard. We are happy to have them and even happier that someone else is in charge!! But we will have bathrooms to share, so that will be good.
So my days will be filled with sight seeing for the next couple of weeks. I will catch you up when I can...and hopefully learn to post pics.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, AMERICA!!!!!!
So, who is coming to visit? Meghan and her boyfriend Jacob are arriving in a few hours! I'm excited for Jacob to see Moscow (and St. Petersburg.) He has heard alot about it, I'm sure. Now it will fun to show him "our town."
Tomorrow, 4th of July, Harry's 1st cousin Jan's oldest daughter Leana is coming, from around the world...I will have to get the story straight before I tell it! Her friend Maria will also fly in from DC. So we will have a house full and I'm so excited. I love people this age! They are so smart and open to the world. They will experience Russia in a totally different way than I do. I'm excited to see Russia through their eyes.
Monday-Thursday next week they will go to St. Pete's...without me or Harry. I hope all goes well! They are set up with a way to get there and a place to sleep. After that....they are on their own. Free to explore the city as they would like. A few guidelines from me on the must-see's....and some contact numbers in case of trouble. But not expecting any....they will have a great time, I'm sure!
Meghan and Jacob head home July 12 and Leana and Maria head out to their next destinations on July 14.
Tomorrow, the American Women's Organization will hold a 4th of July Pot Luck celebration right here in our little courtyard. We are happy to have them and even happier that someone else is in charge!! But we will have bathrooms to share, so that will be good.
So my days will be filled with sight seeing for the next couple of weeks. I will catch you up when I can...and hopefully learn to post pics.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, AMERICA!!!!!!
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