индиана.эми

Grant me Wisdom

2012-01-28T17:40:00.001+06:00

You cannot grow in the great art form, the integration of action and contemplation, without 1) a strong tolerance for ambiguity; 2) an ability to allow, forgive, and contain a certain degree of anxiety; and 3) a willingness to not know and not even need to know. This is how you allow and encounter mystery.

All else is mere religion.

- Richard Rohr

All I Really Want for Christmas

2011-12-05T08:24:00.000+06:00

is this...

Is it not gorgeous? Does it come in duel-voltage?

Baking cookies is my peace

2011-12-04T02:47:00.002+06:00

When I'm in a kitchen, doing what I love, for the people whom I love,

everything makes sense.

Today was a very good day.

Who doesn't love a good haircut?

2011-10-30T05:49:00.000+06:00

Going from this in the morning:

To this:

I finally feel like I look my age. And I love Seattle.

List of things I want to do in life

2011-10-14T19:23:00.000+06:00

This fall the list is including:

learn to cut hair, work at a bakery, bee keeping/honey farming

Who else has big dreams?

Cocoa Cookies: The Short Film

2011-10-13T08:52:00.000+06:00

In my blogging class, I gave the kids an assignment to make a DIY video. They're so great! There's a few on how to do nail designs, how to make a duct tape wallet, and even how to play "The Entertainer" on clarinet!

I needed to make one myself before all these tech-savvy 11-year-olds showed me up.

DIY: How to make cocoa cookies

Giuliano Rap

2011-10-12T15:53:00.001+06:00

I found this written on the bottom of a paper an 8th grader turned in...

My name is 'big G' from the Medici
I have a big brother and he's quite wealthy
His name is Lorenzo and he's my bro
I got stabbed to death and I fell on the floor.

Spiced Pear Cookies

2011-09-28T23:14:00.000+06:00

Recipe from Judy Daudt

This has been a very good week at school. All my classes are going well, kids are staying out of trouble and being as entertaining as ever, and there are only three days of classes! For the kids anyway- I have teacher in-service to learn how to UbD-ize my units. But today felt like a Friday, so I came home, watched a movie, slept for an hour, and decided to bake something. I have guests coming over Friday and I think I'm going to try for a pear cake since we have so many pears we need to eat. But I didn't want to bake a cake and have it sit for two days, so I decided to start small with a batch of spiced pear cookies. One of my dear friends and mentors from university gave me a cookbook she had compiled and it's full of Midwestern deliciousness. While I'm quite experienced baking apples, I've never tried pears. So here are the results:

Absolute success!

Giving the house a nice, spicy aroma

So without further adieu, here is the secret recipe:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar (I used white sugar for the half cup- brown sugar is a precious commodity here!)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1 pear- peeled, cored and diced
Suggested: 1/2 cup raisins or Crasins
I omitted the walnuts, because I don't believe in infecting baked goods with nuts, but whatever floats your boat. I have similar feelings, though not as strong, to raisins. Crasins I might have tried if only for the festive color.

Preheat oven to 350*F/175*C.
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until smooth.
Beat in egg and vanilla.
Mix in flour, baking powder, cinnamon and ginger.
Stir in chopped pears, and others.
Bake 15 mins (more like 12 in my oven)
Cool

Optional:
Frost with 1 cup powdered sugar mixed with 2 Tbsp lemon juice. I don't think they need it though. They're sweet enough!

Very sticky to put on the baking sheet. I was worried, but they turned out just fine!

metro, metro

2011-09-25T03:39:00.001+06:00

On the way to a friend's girls night birthday dinner & movie, I got on a near empty metro car. So I pulled out my camera.

And then I took a bunch more pictures. As long as I keep loving the metro, I can live here.

Two Views of Barack Obama

2011-09-17T17:59:00.000+06:00

The assignment was to create a timeline that included major events from your life. It was given to 8th graders, who were mainly born in 1998. "Major" events they chose span from the super-disaster in Japan and earthquake in Haiti, to the death of Michael Jackson and when Steve Jobs resigned as CEO of Apple.

Many students chose the election of Barack Obama as a major event. Here are the unedited paragraphs written by two of them.

One:
On November 4th 2008 Barack Obama was elected president of the U.S. Barack Obama became the forty forth and first black president of the U.S. after a long campaign that lasted nine months. He was running as a democratic candidate against republic candidate John McCain, in his campaign he promoted change and hope for the American people and the world. When he got elected he started to make an impact immediately by helping U.S. and British forces in Iraq and making sure everyone in the U.S. got healthcare. He has helped in many global problems such as the Iran Iraq war, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the civil war in Libya. He is currently running for the 2012 presidential election as well. This was a major global event because he has made so much impact on the world and helped so many different nations and not just his own. He has also prevented global disasters such as ordering the death of Osama Bin Laden. He also continues to have new ideas to help the world and make it a better place, which is beneficial for everyone.

Two:
November 2008- a recent event that has shaped the United States was when Barrack Obama was elected president. This was a very historical event for the country because he is the very first African American president. This was not an event that shaped the world but it did shape in some way the United States, because it may encourage other African Americans that want to run for political office. The presidency has been a difficult one for Obama while it has nothing to do with his race, perhaps he was not qualified enough to take on the huge responsibility of being president and the country has since paid the price for his inexperience.

Rain by Shel Silverstein

2011-09-05T10:12:00.000+06:00

I opened my eyes
And looked up at the rain,
And it dripped in my head
And flowed into my brain,
And all that I hear as I lie in my bed
Is the slishity-slosh of the rain in my head.

I step very softly,
I walk very slow,
I can't do a handstand--
I might overflow,
So pardon the wild crazy thing I just said--
I'm just not the same since there's rain in my head.

Novopodrezkovo Market

2011-08-28T01:23:00.001+06:00

Today I went to an antique market at Novopodrezkovo. It took a long time to get there, but it was a nice excursion. I'm really glad I live in Moscow on days when I get to do things like this.

Some people had tables, but many just lay out a tarp or cardboard and sell whatever they have. I bought two purses- one was 40 rubles and one was 10 rubles. That is ridiculously cheap.

Ambrosky on the electrichka

Elizabeth liked this one painting. We also looked at a lot of Soviet tea cups and plates. If only I had a house to fill!

I looooved the little green radio!

Wisdom from Kids

2011-08-25T23:12:00.001+06:00

I have the best job in the world. Read and be inspired.

What do you think this quote means?
"A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for" -William Shedd

Responses from 6th graders:

The thing about the ship is confusing the first time but then you see the point. I think that ships are meant for sailing, getting different food or money to another place and for war. In all these there is a part of risk and braveness so you know that the ship in harbor is safe but that is not what it is meant for. Like in war you are safe in harbor but if you go and help your country you can save more lives than just yours.

I think the quote means that you can be safe and not take risks or you can put yourself out there and take risks.

[It] means that you should take risks, ships can stay in a harbor safely but sometimes you need to step out of your comfort zone otherwise you'll never learn anything. A ship takes a risk every time it goes out of the harbor, it could sink or be attacked by enemy pirates but without ships traveling around we would not have been able to discover new lands before planes! So you need to step out of your comfort zone sometimes and take risks so you can discover new things too.

I look forward to this school year and I think that life is about taking risks. I think the quote reflects this concept and that you can live your life very reluctantly, but you shouldn't, because like shouldn't be about being afraid.

The meaning of the quote means that ships... are for sailing across the sea to face the storms.

I think that [the quote] means that kids are nice when they're quiet but they're not meant to be. They're meant to have fun and jump around and enjoy life and be a risk taker.

Humans are comfortable with what they're used to, but if they didn't change at all they would just have a boring life and waste it. He's basically saying you have to take risks (even if they're small risks).

I think the quote means that you are not supposed to keep your ship safe all the time. Harbor is a place where you can leave it at night, but in the morning go sail and have a fun adventure!

Storm Ravaged Ship by Vladimir Bibiko

Mr. Riley and Me

2011-07-25T08:50:00.000+06:00

I visited the home of one of my favorite poets when I was a child, James Whitcomb Riley. Read poems to your kids, everyone!

LITTLE ORPHANT ANNIE

by: James Whitcomb Riley (1849-1916)

INSCRIBED WITH ALL FAITH AND AFFECTION

To all the little children: -- The happy ones; and sad ones; The sober and the silent ones; the boisterous and glad ones; The good ones -- Yes, the good ones, too; and all the lovely bad ones.

ITTLE Orphant Annie's come to our house to stay,
An' wash the cups an' saucers up, an' brush the crumbs away,
An' shoo the chickens off the porch, an' dust the hearth, an' sweep,
An' make the fire, an' bake the bread, an' earn her board-an'-keep;
An' all us other childern, when the supper-things is done,
We set around the kitchen fire an' has the mostest fun
A-list'nin' to the witch-tales 'at Annie tells about,
An' the Gobble-uns 'at gits you
Ef you
Don't
Watch
Out!

Wunst they wuz a little boy wouldn't say his prayers,--
An' when he went to bed at night, away up-stairs,
His Mammy heerd him holler, an' his Daddy heerd him bawl,
An' when they turn't the kivvers down, he wuzn't there at all!
An' they seeked him in the rafter-room, an' cubby-hole, an' press,
An' seeked him up the chimbly-flue, an' ever'-wheres, I guess;
But all they ever found wuz thist his pants an' roundabout:--
An' the Gobble-uns 'll git you
Ef you
Don't
Watch
Out!

An' one time a little girl 'ud allus laugh an' grin,
An' make fun of ever' one, an' all her blood-an'-kin;
An' wunst, when they was "company," an' ole folks wuz there,
She mocked 'em an' shocked 'em, an' said she didn't care!
An' thist as she kicked her heels, an' turn't to run an' hide,
They wuz two great big Black Things a-standin' by her side,
An' they snatched her through the ceilin' 'fore she knowed what she's about!
An' the Gobble-uns 'll git you
Ef you
Don't
Watch
Out!

An' little Orphant Annie says, when the blaze is blue,
An' the lamp-wick sputters, an' the wind goes woo-oo!
An' you hear the crickets quit, an' the moon is gray,
An' the lightnin'-bugs in dew is all squenched away,--
You better mind yer parunts, an' yer teachurs fond an' dear,
An' churish them 'at loves you, an' dry the orphant's tear,
An' he'p the pore an' needy ones 'at clusters all about,
Er the Gobble-uns 'll git you
Ef you
Don't
Watch
Out!

"Little Orphant Annie" is reprinted from Complete Works. James Whitcomb Riley. Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill, 1916.

Attic

2011-07-21T21:47:00.003+06:00

I live in a very old farmhouse. I'm not sure how old, but I've been told it predates WWI. Since it was first constructed, the house has had two additions put on while it was owned by my great-grandparents. The downstairs is in pretty good shape, but we have terrible insulation that makes is hot in the summer and cold in the winter upstairs. This week we finally had an energy audit to figure out what we could do to make it more energy efficient.

We had go up to the attic.

The door to the attic is actually in my room, the room where I keep all of my earthly possessions while I travel the world. I have never opened the door and had no idea what could be up there, except for two Christmases ago a bat got into my room through the attic and nearly scared my cousin and me to death. So we opened the door and went up a few stairs to move the board covering the entrance to the attic. Vermiculite came raining down and we didn't stay long.

After the energy audit guy left, my mom and uncle decided they need to go up there again to see the situation. I didn't go up very far, but I snapped a few pictures. We found an old school project on milk, a suitcase, a stained glass window, and some World War 1 pants (I don't know if that's what they are but they look military-esque and have a draw string). We also found my Grandpa Jim's baby book! His mother had written entries for things like Baby's First Visitors, First Steps, First Baptism, and First Pair of Shoes.

I think we're going to have to put on a new roof soon to fix the insulation problems. And hopefully cover up all the vermiculite before anyone gets cancer.

Grandpa Jim reading his baby book

Seamstress

2011-07-21T05:55:00.000+06:00

Sewing is a lot of pinning and ironing. I'm glad I know how to sew, but it is a lot of work. I've sewed a few things in the past: a tunic that was a bit small, a peasant skirt that ended up too large, and two pencil skirts that have been staples in my wardrobe for about 4 years now. I got a really nice Elna machine for Christmas a few years ago so I figured this was the summer to give it a spin. For a moment I had dreams of giving up buying clothes for a year, but I'm not thinking is this not how it's going to be. Not just yet.

I made 2 shirts this week. The first one was made of silky fabric that slipped a lot and was difficult to work with.

I should mention that this pattern claimed it could be done in 1 hours. And it took me about 7 hours over 3 days. So I don't think they told the truth.

As I was finishing the first shirt, I felt like I need to do another one to get more practice, so I ran over to Grandma Norma's basement to see what fabric she had. I got a cute white print with flowers and finished this one in about 3 hours!

P-P-P-Portland!

2011-06-30T12:21:00.023+06:00

Mt Hood from the airplane

I just back from a 2.5 hour kayaking trip and it hurts to type. The writing conference is really neat, fun, and amazing and I'm having a great time. It is also very interesting. Now I can teech kids to write good.

I love Portland! My first night here was so full with meeting other teachers, going to Powell's Books, Deschutes Brewery (there's nothing like sharing the sampler with people you just met), and a Butterfinger donut at Voodoo Donuts (oh so bad for me after 10pm!). This is such a walkable city; I just have to leave the hotel and the fun finds me.

The conference is from 8am-3:30pm, so we have all evening to explore the city. Last night I went back to Powell's and a couple of friends and I found an Asian fusion place called Ping (it was highly rated by GQ, so you know it's classy). Then we tried to find a brewery (fail), and then a chocolate cafe (also fail), so we just went back to our rooms and went to bed early. Good choice.

Today one of my friends from Moscow suggested we go kayaking. I had never been and it was a great adventure. We didn't have to go far to feel like we'd left the city. This beauty of the water and the trees and the sky suddenly came out of nowhere and it felt good in my spirit where I didn't even know I needed it. Sorry no pictures though!

On getting myself to the airport

2011-06-28T00:42:00.000+06:00

I've had the craziest morning. I'm trying to get from Salt Lake City, Utah to Portland, Oregon. So I woke up and cleaned the house, and packed lunch with the left over food and took off for the airport. I realized about 10 mins into the drive to the airport that I had forgotten my rain jacket- it's very cute and I just got it. Since I won't be coming back to the house till December, I figured it was worth it and went back only to find out that my mom had given me the wrong key to the door! (She and Tommy left yesterday for Iowa). So not only did I not get my jacket, I was late getting to the airport.

Then I had to return the rental car which involved a.) finding a gas station near the airport, b.) filling the tank, and c.) return the rental.
So here's what happened:
a.) I couldn't find a gas station and spent 10 mins driving around.
b.) I couldn't figure out how to get the gas tank open. There wasn't a button in the car and no way to open it, so I called my mom, who called my uncle who has this car, and eventually found out I needed to PUSH on the tank cover to open it. 20 mins wasted.
c.) I went to the wrong rental place. Add 10 mins.

Needless to stay, I missed my flight. I checked-in just as it was leaving. BUT the people were really, really nice about it, and since I'm just taking a short flight (seriously, it's like an hour long), and they have many flights going there each day, I just got put on the next one for free! Yay! Finally something good to say about Delta. Next stop: lunch.

I could not have asked for a better way to leave

2011-06-19T00:20:00.000+06:00

Movie night and sleepover. Talking till the sun rises. French toast. Izmailavo antique shopping. Friends to help me finish all the food in the fridge. Cookies and coffee. No tears, just love for these most important people in my life. Спасибо вам за все. See you in August (...or later).

Summertime is coming- oh wait it's already here!

2011-06-05T12:34:00.003+06:00

If I had to live through the last week over again, it would be worth it to get a day like Saturday. I just didn't have much to do this week. A little this, a little that, a few meetings, but nothing that felt too crucial. Oh I'm not complaining about summer break! I just wasn't expecting it this week. Our school doesn't let out till June 17, but being the freelance educator I am this spring, I found myself in a week where I didn't have a lot going on, but just enough that I couldn't have any city adventures and I stayed in my neighborhood. That was a very long sentence and had one of my tutoring kids written it I would have called them out on it, but I finished all my tutoring jobs this week so I don't care! Next fall I'm going to be dreaming about these lazy days, so I really shouldn't say anything else about it.

So yesterday morning I had a breakfast meeting at Starlite Diner- I love breakfast and Starlite's free refill Americano cannot be beat. Free refills are not a known concept all over the world!

After I got home and some came friends over to watch the epic childhood favorite: Mighty Ducks. Afternoon turned to frosting cupcakes, family dinner, and dinner led to the back porch for the inaugural lighting of our new fire-pit. We conversed about the goods and bads of expat life, of living in America, and secretly dreaming of someday being Mom-bloggers.

Take it season by season should be my new life motto- at least for this summer.

Pokrovskoye-Streshnevo Forest

2011-05-19T23:03:00.002+06:00

I went on a walk in the woods today. It was beautiful, with the exception of some ankle biting mosquitoes. The great thing about this city is that there is so much history here. Many major cities boast of such a claim, but Moscow is different. It's everywhere and it's not all common knowledge. You have to do some digging and ask around, and maybe get someone to explain it to you. For example, Tolstoy met his wife in my backyard which is also where Stalin used to go on retreats. Ok, maybe not in the same spot, but general vicinity. Walking distance.

I am so glad Spring is back!

Aristocratic theater, turned Committee sanatorium, turned railroad exec sanatorium, turned hip night club

There are always stray dogs

I would tell you more information on this forest, but that would be so un-Muscovite of me to give it all away so easily. You can read all about it here from a wonderful lady named Phoebe who knows the history of Moscow like the back of her hand. Or come visit me.

Soviet Victory today

2011-05-16T18:23:00.003+06:00

One week ago today was Victory Day- the day that Nazi Germany surrendered to the USSR (and some other Allies). The week before that was May Day, and Moscow has been a-buzz with shashlik picnics and Soviet era memorabilia. Any visitors coming to Russia in early May who didn't know otherwise might believe they had been transported back 70 years when red stars and statues of workers holding wheat above their heads was perfectly normal. Christine and I took a spontaneous trip to St. Petersburg where we arrived outside the Hermitage in time to see the entire Saturday Victory Day rehearsal with both soldiers and vehicles displayed in majestic regalia.

Two days later we stood for 2.5 hours in Moscow on Mayakovskaya Square to see a much less spectacular 10 minutes of tanks rolling by. And then we went to Starlite Diner. And then like all good Moscuvites, we went to Victory Park and got stranded when the metro closed at 4pm. It was really moving to see all the war veterans receiving flowers from young people in thanks for their service. It was also a beautiful day to sit in the sun.

Victory Park

To add to the wave of post-Soviet excitement, after reading in the most-helpful April-May 2011 edition of Moscow in your Pocket that you could rent bikes at the VDNKh (ВДНХ) park, Christine and I visited what we've dubbed the "Soviet Disneyland." At ВДНХ, we were treated to an assortment of pavilions celebrating Belarus, Armenia and other Soviet republics, statues of workers, and museums dedicated to the achievements of the USSR (such as electricity and space exploration) littering the park in a derelict sort of nostalgia. If you take a visit to Moscow, this park has to be on your list of things to see. Rent some bikes for 150r/hour and take a trip back in time to when all this was taken seriously. Also plan on finishing the trip with a Стардог (Stardog), a bottle of kvas, and a Кино (Kino) cover band.

She was obviously waiting for her rocket to come

I sang along to "Kamchatka"

The Metro of our City

2011-05-15T12:54:00.000+06:00

If my life had a color palate...

2011-05-09T00:47:00.000+06:00

this would be it.

Morning- Mikhail Vrubel- 1897

Утро М.А. Врубель

Hermitage, St. Petersburg

May Day!

2011-05-03T01:11:00.002+06:00

My good friend, Christine, got here on Saturday. Saturday was also the day my online class ended and everything was due AND it was the first day of the church youth retreat and this weekend we also had Youth Sunday! So yes, crazy weekend! But, ah I am so blessed and everything went according to the greater plan. Many, many thanks to the parents who carpooled, fed, taught, and generally supported all the weekend's activities. Glory to God.

So what do I do now? It feels so weird to have everything dealt with... for now. Inevitably something will come up soon. My mom went to the US today, so I spent a few hours making cookies, cleaning the kitchen, and planning meals. Yum.

May Day is a holiday here, so in addition to the many demonstrations that took place on Sunday, today was a working holiday! Christine and I slept in and woke up to the news about Osama Bin Laden. So we made bfast and watched CNN and BBC (and decided the latter was much easier to follow and gave us much better information). After lunch we went to a friend's apartment and had tea and talked about Moscow. It was so nice to just sit around and talk. That's all. Bedtime.

Oh one more thing. I went to Ladies Night with some friends at a sketchy bar and had the most ornate cheesecake ever. It almost made up for the $20 bill. Almost.

My idea for a royal gift...

2011-04-29T12:14:00.002+06:00

A Walk Through Kolomenskoye Park

2011-04-27T01:38:00.002+06:00

We have had amazing weather in Moscow lately! So lovely in fact that the last few days I have sat outside sans coat and read in the sun. Lovely.

Saturday my friends Amber and Kristin and I went on a walk around Kolomenskoye Park. Kristin's friend Aileen joined us. It was the day before Easter and people were lined up outside Orthodox churches to have their Easter cakes blessed before the big all nighter. I did not stay up all night to celebrate Easter, btw, but I did watch The Passion of the Christ, bake monkey bread for my family, go to church, and then we grilled out for the first time this spring.

At the park...

So cool, right? The hip kids on rollarblades

Hey you're not supposed to be in our picture...

From that view, we all had a "Wow, we get to live in Moscow..." moment. And anyone who has spent time here knows, you really need those moments to get you through all the "Why do we live in Moscow?"s This is why the great weather has been so good for the spirit of this city. You can tell people have more energy, are more willing to leave their homes and be outside.

And then we saw someone trying to parachute from the ground. It was an unsuccessful attempt.

And finally, we saw a guy doing headstands.

The Friday that was Good

2011-04-22T16:39:00.000+06:00

But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5

Back... for now

2011-04-20T23:15:00.002+06:00

I'm back and my cheeks are dry from the light sunburns of last week. I wouldn't trade them. Coming home from a wonderful trip is always a bit rough, just like when visitors leave and the holidays are over.

And then there's work and some down time and meals and sleep, but you can't help feeling like there's something more you should be doing.

And then it's that feeling like you're coming down with something, only you probably aren't, kind of like how kids say they have a stomachache even though the school nurse says they're fine and then Mom realizes that they're just nervous because it's the first week of school and everything is new.

Only I know it about myself because I come home from somewhere every few weeks and know it's just that "being back" feeling.

Being back. Back where? Back to normal. What is normal?

Questions I often ask, especially on metro time.
When I see people whose lives are so transparent
though language divides us.
A mother and daughter laughing,
books and newspapers,
someone sad,
a great pair of shoes.
I could almost step in and ask a question,
but I don't because the breaks squeal and it's time to transfer.
And we walk fast and faces are lost in the crowd.

And I'm not complaining because I love my life, I just feel sick and feel like there's something more I should be doing and have just come home.

And that always makes me extra introspective.

A Response to American dialects

2011-04-08T07:23:00.000+06:00

I wrote this for my online ESL class. We read from a book called American English: Dialects and Variation by Walt Wolfram that I thought it was pretty interesting. The assignment was to write a summary and response.

This week’s reading asked the question “Are American dialects melting into one or growing more distinct?” After establishing that dialects are indeed still evident and changing, the author discusses recent trends. Language contact, population movement, expanding transportation and communication networks, and shifting cultural centers are the main causes of dialect shifts. The United States is a melting pot of many immigrants. Previously dialects were the result of European settlers, but not Asian and Hispanic influences are affecting the way we speak English. Although regions are known for their dialects (for example, Southern accents), dialects are not always regionally based, as seen with Black American Ebonics which exist in inner-cities all over the country. “One thing about linguistic stereotypes is certain: they have less to do with the actual speech of a region than with popular perceptions of the region’s people” (110). Due to higher mobility among Americans, traditional dialects are losing predominance in some regions, yet the influx of mainstream dialect sometimes causes local communities to hold more strongly their dialect. Finally, in the past the origins of dialect were in cities, but now cultural centers are the suburbs and teens are starting the trends. Dialect trends “jump” from region to region, without rippling through rural areas of low population. For further study, I chose to read the section on “The Midwest,” chapters 16, 17, and 19.

Often thought of as a culturally bland part of the country, the Midwest encompasses many dialects. The African American Vernacular English (AAVE) is obviously distinguishable because of the ethnic differences, but White American English is actually quite varied in the Midwest. It is as not as “accentless” as many like to claim. One of they key reasons is internal migration, especially after American wars. Typically, the origins of Midwestern dialects are Scots-Irish, but German and Scandinavian immigrants have also influenced vowel pronunciation and grammar. Over the years, however, people in certain areas “have also adopted [Inland Northern and North Midland] dialects merely to avoid the stigma of sounding too rustic or uneducated” (127). I think it is interesting that regional accents influence how a person is perceived. For example, I wonder how this class would be different if we could hear each other rather than read what we write.

Interestingly, patterns that were carried over from New England to Michigan have become the basis for ESL pronunciation. While attending university in northern Indiana, I became quite attuned to dialects and could frequently distinguish whether someone came from Michigan, Chicago-land, Wisconsin, Minnesota, or Southern Indiana. I agree with the conclusion that as more people learn ESL based on the Northern, New England influenced dialect, they will find inconsistencies between the classroom and real life. However, I found this section on Midwest dialects lacking as a whole because that it focused mainly on Great Lake cities, rather than the Plains states. I especially took offence that “it is not uncommon to ﬁnd Michiganders who will claim that the speech of national broadcasters is modeled on their dialect,” (110) because as everyone knows, the best news broadcasters come from Iowa.

Recent Baking Victories

2011-04-08T02:24:00.002+06:00

Everyone Loves Xiao Mei

2011-04-08T01:54:00.001+06:00

So I'm going to post some pictures of her!

A jolting halt before continuing on her way

2011-04-04T01:32:00.003+06:00

The whirlwind travel has caught up with me and now I realize that miss people.

A lot.

I've had a slow weekend. Some very wonderful things happened, but my spirit feels heavy and tired. I saw a picture of a friend and me from two weeks ago and I realized how much ground I covered in a very short time. It's so difficult to be human and do the right thing when you're tired.

In the week since I've come back, I've really pushed it to make up for lost work hours. Too much to do; mind spinning too fast to sleep. Maybe it's just time for a good cry... I have one week to get myself together before another flight. But this one will be a spiritual journey, a pilgrimage, and hopefully I will return with a healed heart.

Family Game Night: Masterpiece

2011-04-03T23:48:00.002+06:00

A Russian Beauty

2011-04-02T13:57:00.001+06:00

The title of this post is from a short story by Nabokov about a Russian girl born in 1900, who moves to Berlin and is reaching 30 with no marriage prospects. In good Russian fashion, all of her struggles amount to a single line obituary about dying in childbirth. I don't know why I've been thinking about this story so much lately, besides the obvious cocktail party anecdotal value. But anyway, like Val, I am stuck on a Lomo kick. Tragic or hopeful, here is the Russian beauty I see...

Stalin style Moscow State University

Moscow city bus, taken from inside a hummer limo

Police car guarding Victory Park

What would a photo collection of Moscow be without St Basil's?

City lights blur

Caramel Popcorn- the easiest recipe you've never tried

2011-03-29T17:52:00.000+06:00

My friend, Jenna, put this recipe on her scrumptious blog, Elegant Domesticity. I get very excited when I find a recipe that not only can I find all the ingredients to, but that could see myself making. It is an added bonus when the family will like it too (or are giving up chocolate for Lent). I'll let you go to Jenna's blog for the recipe, but here is documentation of my delicious success. Thanks to Val for suggesting the LomoLomo iPhone app, which I would also recommend because it's awesome and free!

Magic happens when you add the baking soda...

Waiting, waiting... oh it smells delicious...

All done! Yum!

A Visit to the Chicago Art Institute

2011-03-28T22:41:00.000+06:00

I am so blessed to have seen so much great art in my life. Some paintings just give me chills to think about how old they are, or unique, or what the painter must have been thinking as he or she created. I spent a couple of days in Chicago and by wonderful fortune, I have a friend who studies at the Art Institute and was able to get me a free ticket to the museum. The Impressionists = so fantastique. Modern art = not so much...

Check out what I saw...

This is HUGE in real life!

I could have told you, Vincent, the world was never meant for one as beautiful as you...

It's the Moulin Rouge!

Amazing from a distance; even better up close.

I hadn't seen this one before, but I really liked it. It's called "Easter Mystery" by Maurice Denis.

I just love this one. So classic.

Dorian Grey!!!

There were many school groups there (it was a Thursday morning, after all). They were pretty cute and I'm glad they were being exposed to this amazing art collection in their city.

Long Distance Relationships

2011-03-23T21:31:00.002+05:00

This whirlwind trip is almost done. So far I've hit 8 cities in 8 days. I'm on the two-day-tour, where I stay places for 2 days and make a lot of stops on the way. When I grow up and go places, I am not leaving for 2 months. Right...

Someone asked me the other day if I visited so many people when I come to the States because I want to or because I feel obligated to. Honestly, it's both. I like my friends and if this is the way we can stay connected, then I'm fine with it. And I am obligated out of love, because this is what it takes for it to survive. In a world of gchat, Skype, and long distance relationships, human contact is something I look for and crave. I don't feel guilt-ed into visiting. If anything, I'm embarrassed that I'm constantly calling up people to say, "Hey I'm back! Let's hang out, oh and I'll be staying at your house." Thankfully, my friends are so gracious and I don't eat much. This is my life and I'll love it for what it is and the moments it provides me. If I can't have a place where all my friends and loved ones come together, this works for now. I say "good bye" and never know when our next encounter will be. Only God knows our paths.

Thanks to Aaron, Ben (especially for the car), Carl & Judy, Ian & the Kees, the Harrisons, Jake & Kim, Jeff, Elizabeth, Rachel, and Sasha for being so precious to me!

Outsider

2011-03-16T19:46:00.001+05:00

I am so quiet now. In public, on a bus, in a cafe, I don't say very much. I am used to not knowing the language and concentrating very hard for non-verbals or key words or context. I am used to being secretly different.

I am on a journey that will take me by plane and car to people I love and want to know more. These journeys fill my soul like a tank of ethanol-based fuel. They make me go, but are highly controversial with regards to the long-term benefits.

I am quiet, but my head is full; as is my heart. We understand the reasons why, acknowledge the pain we are enduring, and possess the courage it takes to breathe.

Nom nom nom

2011-03-15T19:15:00.001+05:00

If you're ever in Durham, NC, be sure to check out Cosmic Cantina!

Their burritos are delicious!

And they have great decor!

(this post is basically just for Jake)

New Driving Rules for Moscow Drivers

2011-03-09T11:52:00.000+05:00

As some of you know, I started driving in Moscow this year. I have been driving since I was 14, so the actual driving here is not the difficult part. Moreso, I would say it is the ever changing rules and the feeling that people are purposly trying to kill you. A collegue just sent around this list of rules and I thought I'd share, so you too could have a feel for what it is like to drive in Moscow...

New guidelines for driver safety have been released for Moscow drivers. Please read and abide by these posted rules.

1. Under no circumstance should you maintain a safe distance between you and the car in front of you; the space will just be filled in by somebody else, putting you in an even more dangerous situation.

2. The faster you drive through a red light, the less of a chance you have of getting hit.

3. Warning! Never come to a complete stop at a stop sign. No-one expects it and it will result in you being rear-ended.

4. Never get in the way of an older car that needs extensive bodywork, especially with any sort of "такси" sign displayed.

5. Braking is to be done as hard and late as possible to ensure that your ABS kicks in, giving a vigorous foot massage as the brake pedal violently pulsates. For those of you without ABS, it’s a chance to strengthen your leg muscles.

6. Never pass on the left when you can pass on the right. It’s a good way to prepare other drivers entering the highway.

7. Speed limits are arbitrary figures; they are given only as a suggestion and are not enforceable in Moscow during rush hour, especially on the MKAD, where the maximum speed possible is 4.

8. Just because you’re in the left lane and have no room to speed up or move over doesn’t mean that a Moscow driver flashing his high beams behind you doesn’t think he can go faster in your spot.

9. Always brake and rubberneck when you see an accident or even someone changing a tire. This is seen as a sign of respect for the victim.

10. Learn to swerve abruptly without signalling. Moscow is the home of high-speed slalom-driving, thanks to the Department of Public Works, which puts pot-holes in key locations to test drivers’ reflexes and keep them alert.

11. It is tradition in Moscow to honk your horn at cars in front of you that do not move within three milliseconds of the light turning green.

12. To ensure the utmost safety, be sure to wear your seatbelt when driving on the sidewalk.

13. Remember that the goal of every Muscovite driver is to get ahead of the pack by whatever means necessary.
THANK YOU

The Moscow Department of Motor Vehicle Safety

Copyright Infringement: Kosovo Edition

2011-02-26T12:19:00.009+05:00

Our tour guide/graphic designer at the Peja Brewery said that in the marketing world of Kosovo, copyright infringements are not a big deal. Pretty much anything goes in terms of gaining inspiration from any other sources... as we saw for ourselves the rest of the day:

Meg Donalds?

And my favorite, the Facebook cafe-

Roadtrip to Peje

2011-02-24T22:46:00.003+05:00

Since I knew nothing about the political geography of Kosovo, I'm assuming you don't either, so here is a map to illustrate my tale:

Notice that each city has two names- one in Albanian and one in Serbian. So we started the day in Pristina, where Peder lives, and drove two hours to Peje. I like roadtrips, especially in new places. Anna and I talked about how, many years ago, it would take people weeks to get across the ponds (Atlantic or Pacific), but having that time was helpful for them to process where they're going and where they've been. When you can get on a plane and fly around the world in 12 hours you don't get that, especially since planes have started showing recently released movies that I really want to see. I know that I was on a 6-hour bus one day and spent 4 hours in the car the next, but I'm actually really thankful that I had the time to take it all in.

The view from Peder's apartment

I thought about many things as I watched Kosovo pass by out the window. The buildings I saw were all built with the top floor jutting out over the first floor creating an overhang, balconies without rails. They were taller rather than wide and for the most part stood alone. The landscape was hilly with short brown grass as per winter, with small patches of snow here and there. The road was of varying conditions, from pavement to mud. We passed cemeteries, a paint-ball course, rock quarries, and many, many American flags. There didn't seem to be any real towns, just the similar tall building which could have been homes or businesses. They were too far away to tell.

It is very strange to be in a place that was filled with violence and genocide just a few years ago. You think twice about the things you see, and wonder what happened to make it that way. We passed rubble that Peder said had been Serbian homes. They were destroyed so the Serbs would never come back, and the destroyed buildings still haven't been cleared away. We saw a church that had been bombed and all that remained amongst the wreckage was a corner wall. The steeple sat upside-down on a pile of rocks.

Just outside the city of Peje is the Peja Brewery. We literally passed by the factory, and did a U-turn to see if they gave tours. It being a Saturday, they were gracious enough to have a Marketing Director and Graphic Designer who spoke English show us around. The factories weren't running that day, but we still walked through the whole assembly line, from bottle making to labels, to bottle filling. The brewery has an interesting history. It was started as a state-run operation (because it definitely is the government's responsibility to make sure everyone has enough beer!), and is now co-owned by Slovenian investors ("47%"). I'm thinking I may have to someday return to do research and write a book... Our tour guide was so wonderful. He took us back to his office and offered us drinks and free souvenirs (see the picture down at the bottom- free t-shirts!).

The Peja Brewery which we toured. We never did find out whether this is full of beer or not...

Label machine

After the brewery, we continued into the city of Peje. Peder met a friend at a coffee shop that we had heard about, called Sweet Bean. It was started about a year and a half ago by an American couple, who we met while enjoying an amazing latte. The couple are around my age and said they started it to teach young people about entrepreneurship. It was a lovely place and my possibility-for-the-future Spidey-sense was on fire. Isn't it everyone's dream to move overseas and open a coffeeshop?

I like taking pictures of my coffee

Our original destination was the Patriarchy of the Serbian Orthodox Church, 2km NW of Peje. To briefly and inadequitely sum up the past 20 years in Kosovo, many regions are hostile to Serbs, so NATO Italians guard the premises. It is considered a very holy site, but I don't think the patriarch actually lives there most of the time. Inside the walls are a church and the living quarters, a garden and a stone river. The nuns and clergy who live there keep the grounds kept, grow grapes, and keep bees. The church has been partially renovated, and the frescos inside were beautiful. Oh, there is also a gift shop.

Inside the church

Outside the church

Just hanging out in an Italian-guarded Serbian Orthodox patriarchy

Anna and Peder

After leaving the patriarchy, we continued on the road going westward into the mountains. The road goes through a canyon next to a river. The whole scene was majestic: the snow and trees high up, and the different rock textures from the mountains. It was dizzying. I think it would be an amazing place to hike in warmer weather. We had dinner on the top of a skyscraper in Peje before driving back to Pristina.

Amazing view

This will go down as one of my favorite days ever, I think. And finally... our t-shirts from the Peja Brewery!

Peja souvineers!

Day One in the Balkans

2011-02-22T00:41:00.002+05:00

I'll preface this all by saying that I wasn't even supposed to be here this week. I was supposed to be in Sharm el Shiek, Egypt, with my family, but about a month ago we decided to seek another destination for February Break. World events have had a way of disrupting my travel plans especially in the last year (ahem, Eyjafjallajokul), so here I am in Belgrad.

Where do I begin? Having virtually no reference for what to expect in either Belgrad or Kosovo (truly, I wasn't even sure if the latter was a city, country, or what. Actually, I'm still trying to figure that one out), I'm not sure where to begin to tell you what I am seeing. I knew that Belgrad was a city because of when a Chinese Embassy was bombed in 1999, I didn't have school in Beijing for a week (more of those world events changing the course of my life). But other than that, I'm afraid my Balkans education has been sorely lacking. I'll try to explain as I go and use pictures.

I left Moscow in a blaze, except for the sitting in traffic for 2 hours on the way to the airport (some days it only takes 15 minutes). My flight to Belgrad was about 2.5 hours. I met my lovely friend, Anna, and we took a bus back to her house. After a quick lunch we were off to the bus station where we boarded a luxurious coach and began the 6 hour journey to Prishtina, Kosovo, to see her boyfriend, Peder. In order to get seats together we had to sit backwards and I am amazed I didn't get sick. Thank you, Ira Glass and others for distracting and entertaining me along the way. We stopped after 2 or so hours at a rest stop, and got some tea/coffee.

We spent about half an hour at the border into Kosovo. There are some interesting rules regarding boarder crossing from Serbia into Kosovo, stemming from the fact that Kosovo says they are an independent country while Serbia does not. In fact, you can't enter Serbia from Kosovo unless you have entered Kosovo from Serbia. We didn't have any problems though, and I later learned that in Kosovo, they love America. I saw quite a few American flags fluttering in the Kosovar wind, and it was weird. It was about another hour to Prishtina where Peder met us with flowers. We went back to his apartment and got some food before going to what I'm going to describe as a living room bar. It was there I had my first taste of Peja beer. More on this later.

This is where I have a difficult time explaining what I saw. My first impression of Pristina was a strong smell that recognized from the past, from China. Later Peder told me it was probably the coal factories, which does make sense. Prishtina felt old and new, a strange combination of falling apart and being rebuilt. Everything seemed a work in progress. Remont. We went to artsy places where Peder seemed to know most people. We walked past a large building with a big blue lit-up sign that said "American School of Kosovo." There were no Western restaurants or stores that I could see. And we needed to take a flashlight to see the water filled holes in the street. I have these images and no conclusions. The day before had actually been Independence Day for the Republic of Kosovo, but there were very few people out that night and no trace of the celebrations.

Moscow is two hours ahead of here, so I fell asleep quickly, after brownies at midnight. Anna and I are back in Belgrad now and we're about to go to a cafe now for dinner and book reading. More on the road trip to Peja and new friends later...

Teaser: I spent the weekend in Kosovo

2011-02-21T02:38:00.003+05:00

We just got back and are having a quick bite to eat before bed. I'll write more in the morning...

Oh how deep the snow doth go...

2011-02-16T13:36:00.000+05:00

This is a park bench, Xiao Mei, and a trash bin. We have a lot of snow here.

Today's temperature forecast: -11*F/-24*C

Sometimes I am silent

2011-02-15T12:45:00.001+05:00

But I'm not thinking anything great. I'm still and quiet, but I don't have anything to say. I wish I were river or an ocean, but I feel like a pond. My writing should be better and I should have more to share. But sometimes, more often than not, I put my mind to rest and sit.

Where do you find the inspiration to keep thinking and speaking?

Happy Valentine's Day: What I'm learning about love..

2011-02-14T12:23:00.009+05:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

I think I just had the best Valentine's Day weekend ever (so far). Friday night I came home from school sick and exhausted and spent the evening watching cake-themed reality TV and Skyping friends a world away. Lesson: love can travel many miles.

Saturday morning I did pretty much the same thing as I recovered from illness. I did the only natural thing when you're too tired to do anything else and are bored of cake: I painted my nails. Photographic evidence to come.

Saturday night some of my friends hosted a Galentine's Day party. Without giving too much away for the male audience (after all, this was a gal's only affair), let's just say the sugar cookies, brownies, asiago and garlic dip, tea and conversation made for one of the best nights out I've had in a while. We left happy with party favors. Lesson: tea and friends cure both the common cold and tired hearts.

Sunday afternoon we had church and then the youth group Valentine's Day party. We watched The Princess Bride and ate a romantic spaghetti dinner. After the movie we talked about promises, how Buttercup doubted that Wesley would return after 5 long years, and how we can keep the faith that Jesus said he would return even after 2,000 years. I am constantly amazed at what comes out of the mouths of babes. Lesson: God's love never fails.

And the final thing about love I've learned over the past few months...

Love is different than you'd think
It's never in a song or on a TV screen
And love is harder than a word
Said at the right time and everything's alright
Love is different than you think
(Caedmon's Call)

Holy Land blog

2011-02-09T12:25:00.000+05:00

I'm going on a pilgrimage to Israel in April and I am the official bloggeress. Check out the preparations and fun at http://mpcholyland2011.blogspot.com

February already?

2011-02-08T12:23:00.000+05:00

Yesterday I sipped a chai latte in Starbucks while reading for class off a Kindle and using the Bible app on my iPhone. Am I even still in Russia? When did I become such a yuppie?

Oh many things have happened in the past month. Highs so high and lows so deep. One week my computer was stolen and my dad arrived at an airport half an hour after a bomb exploded; another week I had to make one of the most difficult decisions of my life. And then there are other things, not so earth shattering- work is good and steady, I taught myself how trim my own bangs from YouTube videos, I started painting my nails. I've had a cold for a few days now. Through it all I am finding my way back to sanity again.

I have breakfast dates and support from great friends to love me through the tears. We remind each other how important it is to Sabbath and that our prayers are not in vain. I have a hope and a future...

...which will involve journeys to Serbia and Israel and America, visitors to Moscow, and opportunities to love bigger.

Inspired by Moscow

2011-01-17T11:57:00.000+05:00

I have a lot more I'd like to say about Manila, but today I am surrounded by winter. It's good to be back. Now excuse me while I remedy the explosion of suitcases in my room...

"You can never go home."

2011-01-09T04:53:00.000+05:00

I've been back four days and it's not home. But I'm still having a good time. I forgot how late nights go here. I haven't gone to bed before 1:30am. The first night a we watched a friend's band, the second night we went to my friend Sharlene's wedding and danced late into the night, and last night dinner and a movie with friends turned into a bizarre evening of Catholic youth group and San Mig Lite. This is Never Never Land.

Today we're going to church in Makati and then somewhere with Christine's family to go swimming. Yesterday we stayed in bed most of the day. My first day we had lunch at Cibo which thankfully has not changed a bit. Mostly things are the same. The weather is the same always- around 85/29, high humidity, chance of rain. I've heard the same The Corr's song five times that was big 10 years ago. For the most part the fashion is the same. There have been some renovation changes to Alabang Town Center, but it's basically the same. Everything smells the same it always did.

What has changed?

I'm different. And I see it all through different eyes. Eyes that ask the question, "Could I live here again?" I feel a lot of peace here. I remember parts of my soul that came alive here. I grew up a lot here. But I like where else I've been and where I am now.

New Year, New You?

2011-01-04T22:39:00.000+05:00

I heard that slogan on a news channel recently and it made me think. I know that a lot of people make New Years resolutions and that most of them don't last long enough for the ink to dry before people are back to eating, working too much, watching TV, compulsively logging into Facebook or whatever. I haven't made any resolutions per say, but I've been trying to do things to "get ready" for the new year, like what I wrote about in my last post. There are so many unknowns in this new year I feel like I just need to get a framework in place (that just ensures I will be fed and safe), and let life happen.

I've always thought that you are who you are over a long period of time, not simplified to one moment. Following that line of thought, it's very difficult to reinvent yourself all at once. Pick one area where you'd like to change and do it day by day. That's my new years advice.

Speaking of advice, I'm a collector of random information that I like to air out on this platform from time to time. So here's some random information I've recently heard that may or may not be true:

My fashion sources tell me that the new looks for the ladies in 2011 will be: 60s ladylike, with some elements of 70s bohemian and glam, biker & punk, lace/knit/macrame, flared pants (I assume to combat skinny jeans), stripes, and I'm sorry to say, more jumpsuits. Hairstyles will be bobs with bangs, so I'm all set. And if clogs are truly making a comeback, I think I'd rather go barefoot.

My financial advisers tell me that individual stocks with high-paying dividends are the way to invest this year. Interest rates on savings accounts and CDs are pathetically low, so picking a relatively stable stock that pays a quarterly dividend of more than 3.00% is a much better deal- if you're young and plan on holding it for the long run (which you should be doing unless you're 70). I read in USA Today that large companies are flooded with cash right now, so that they're putting it into upping their dividends and buying their own stock, which makes each one still out there worth more. Investing is an area that I've definitely learned more about, little by little, this year, but it's still pretty complicated.

As far as politics go, I'm still trying to figure out this whole Tea Party thing. I really like that people are being more vocal about how things are run, but it seems like they're focused on just one issue (the economy). I was happy to defy demographic statistics and cast my vote during the mid-term elections this year. I recently heard a woman call into a radio show and say that 2010 was the year she stopped voting after 30-some years. Her reasoning was that she didn't like how things were going and didn't trust anyone, so she was would just exist while things happened around her. I wanted to reach into the speakers and punch her. Or send her to North Korea where she really wouldn't have to worry about doing her political homework. Vote, people!

Let's see, what else can I talk about? I'm sitting in an airport, if you haven't figured out yet by the length of this thing. Travel! In 2011, I'm going on a Holy Lands travel binge this Spring. Egypt and climbing Mt. Sinai in February and touring Israel in April. I'll be in the US after March 13 and hope to go to Serbia sometime in there still.

Well it is time to go board my plane! If you're in Manila for the next 10 days, EMAIL ME AND WE'LL HANG OUT!

It was a good Christmas

2010-12-31T07:38:00.000+05:00

It was a snowboarding in Utah, 42 inches of falling snow, bake off where everyone wins, love to my family, love from my Savior, Christmas Eve service and crazy wrapping paper throwing during the every growing cousins gift exchange, waking to cinnamon rolls and lots of cousins kind of Christmas. It was pretty much the best kind.

I actually miss Christmas and the anticipation of it all. It’s a good thing we start celebrating in November. There’s no way we’d be able to fit in all the joy if we only started after Thanksgiving.

Now it’s a much needed haircut, sitting by the fire, singing carols at the retirement home, custard and coffee, shop till you drop, cousins from the other side, games every night, trying to get the Christmas letter postmarked before 2011 week in-between Christmas and New Years.

I spent the morning doing things to bring in a good new year: resume updating, moving around money, planning, praying, and journaling.

I’m ready to leave the snow for a tropical vacation after the New Year…

The How I Feel ABCs

2010-12-20T00:42:00.000+05:00

I spent the night in the Amsterdam airport on Friday. It's a long story that involves winning the longest-time-ever-spent-sitting-on-the-runway award from Delta and standing in a lot of lines. I had a lot of free time, so in 26 letters, here is how I was feeling that night:

Annoyed
Bored
Come on!
Drained
Exasperated
Forgotten
Going to stay
Here all night!
Icky
Journaling
Keeping watch
Lost
Money can't save me
Noise, noise, noise!
Overwhelmed
Personal space
Queues a mile long
Runway for 6 hours?!?!
Stuck
Tired
Unbelieveable
Vigilant
Waiting
X-ray machines (hey it's an airport!)
Yawn
Zzzzzz

Sir Elton sings me "Tiny Dancer"

2010-12-16T08:58:00.000+05:00

Amazing. Spectacular. Classy.
That's how I describe seeing Sir Elton John rock out to a packed house last Sunday night. He played for almost 3 hours straight, accompanied by only a percussionist (I'd never been so captivate by a tambourine solo!). He took flowers and gave autographs, and then an encore. He even dedicated a song to me*!

*and all the other ladies

Xiao Mei, Metro Christmas Trees, and other Decemberisms

2010-12-12T01:56:00.000+05:00

Well not too much/a lot has happened lately (depending on which hour you ask me). I feel like this blog is about my travels and life in Moscow and I haven't done much of either. No traveling in the past... 3 weeks. And not much Moscow living, because I've been either working or sleeping. I took a week off from social life 2 weeks ago. It was really, really cold that week too. But I've been out more this week. I know this is totally a blogging cop-out, but here are some pictures to speak for what I've been up to lately.

So since December has began, we've celebrated Xiao Mei's 7th birthday,

and decorated the Christmas tree!

I had dinner at ГУМ with a friend on Wednesday and was delighted to see their spectacular Christmas decorations, including this Metro-themed tree,

and a lot of other trees too,

a castle/slide in the middle of the mall,

and fancy gingerbread (not really) houses.

I have 4 more days of teaching 6th grade Humanities, and 5 days until I fly to the US!

"Hello to Snow!" Party

2010-12-04T16:08:00.000+05:00

Nothing makes me happier than a successful party.

And before I forget for two months, here is the (not so) secret soup recipe I made for dinner.

Tortellini Soup
This recipe makes 8-10 quarts (but I changed it up to feed 22 people!)

Ingredients:
2 lbs sweet Italian sausage
2 48oz cans beef broth (or bouillon cubes with water)
3 15 oz cans diced tomatoes/5.5 cups of chopped fresh tomatoes
3 15oz cans tomato sauce/ whatever you can get that's close (I used tomato paste)
1 cup red wine
1 medium chopped onion
4 garlic cloves, chopped
2 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
6 zucchini squash, chopped
6-8 carrots, chopped
2 cups mushrooms, sliced
1 large bag frozen tortellini/ 3-4 8 oz packages dry tortellini

Directions:
1. Fry and drain fat from sausage
2. In a large pot add beef and broth, tomatoes, tomato sauce, wine, onion, garlic and herbs
3. Cook over low heat for 1-3 hours
4. Bring to a boil and add tortellini and vegetables
5. Cook for 45 minutes, adding extra salt or spices to taste
6. Watch the tortellini to make sure it is completely cooked but not too soft
7. Serve with fresh Parmesan cheese and crusty bread

I did not take this picture. It is from google images. But mine looked just as delicious.

Pumpkin Soup

2010-12-04T15:41:00.000+05:00

This is looooong overdue... a few people asked me for the pumpkin soup recipe I used at the All Things Fall Party in October. So here it is...

Note: I use basic recipes and adapt them based on how many people I'm cooking for and what ingredients I have or don't have (ie which country I'm in), and usually put in a lot more spices

This recipe is for 12-16 servings, but when I made it for the party I think it fed 18 people, so I made a bunch of adjustments here and there

Ingredients:
Half a chopped onion
2 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp salt
(I also usually add a tsp of pumpkin pie spice if I have it)
2 Tbsp butter
2 30oz cans pumpkin (or fresh pumpkin. I usually have some of both)
2 28oz cans chicken broth (or bouillon cubes w/water), plus a bit more if your cooking for a lot of people
2 Tbsp maple syrup
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 cups milk or cream (go for the cream!)
Fresh sage leaves or dried bread cubes for garnish (optional)

Directions:
1. In a large pot cook onion, curry powder, cumin, coriander, and salt in hot butter until the onion is tender.
2. Whisk in the pumpkin, chicken broth, brown sugar and maple syrup, until well combined. Bring the mixture to a boil; reduce heat.
3. At this point, I use a minipimer which is my new favorite kitchen appliance. This step isn't necessary though; your soup will just be a little chunkier.
4. Stir in the milk/cream and heat through. You may have to taste and add some extra spices (I think I quadrupled what this recipe asks for haha)
5. Serve with garnish

I obviously need to make taking photos of my baking victories more of a priority...

Evening Prayer

2010-11-15T02:25:00.000+05:00

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see—
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies;
Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Back to the grind -or- I love my kids

2010-11-08T20:26:00.000+05:00

Teaching is awesome/exhausting.

Problems don't go away, even if you leave the country for a week. There are still tests to grade, reports to write, electives to plan, and classes to teach every day. I'm still not going to get much sleep the next few nights.

But I had a wonderful week in the US. Yes. And I got hugs as soon as I walked through the door this morning and helped a child after school talk through a problem, and that makes it all worth it.

PS. I even managed to incorporate this song into a lesson today.

40 year old thoughts on a hopeful day

2010-11-04T19:15:00.000+05:00

I am on a lonely road and I am traveling
Traveling, traveling, traveling
Looking for something, what can it be
Oh I hate you some, I hate you some
I love you some
Oh I love you when I forget about me
I want to be strong I want to laugh along
I want to belong to the living
Alive, alive, I want to get up and jive
I want to wreck my stockings in some juke box dive
Do you want - do you want - do you want
To dance with me baby?
Do you want to take a chance
On maybe finding some sweet romance with me baby
Well, come on

All I really really want our love to do
Is to bring out the best in me and in you too
All I really really want our love to do
Is to bring out the best in me and in you
I want to talk to you, I want to shampoo you
I want to renew you again and again
Applause, applause - life is our cause
When I think of your kisses
My mind see-saws
Do you see - do you see - do you see
How you hurt me baby
So I hurt you too
Then we both get so blue

I am on a lonely road and I am traveling
Looking for the key to set me free
Oh the jealousy, the greed is the unraveling
It's the unraveling
And it undoes all the joy that could be
I want to have fun, I want to shine like the sun
I want to be the one that you want to see
I want to knit you a sweater
Want to write you a love letter
I want to make you feel better
I want to make you feel free

Blue Devil for a day

2010-11-02T18:17:00.000+05:00

A coffeeshop! My computer! A paper to write! I'm back in college!

Except I'm also writing report cards and can't stop missing my kiddos.

Some things never change- it has taken me a while to actually get focused enough to start working. I'm already halfway through the Rock of Ages soundtrack (which I've been pretty much addicted to lately).

October, where have you gone? You brought me a Boyz II Men concert,

An All Things Autumn party,

and many more fun times in Moscow.

I'm in the US now for the infamous 90-day-visa-run. I flew into Orlando, spent Halloween at Universal Studios, and now I'm visiting a friend at Duke. I'm enjoying the sun, pumpkin chai lattes, riding in a car, hearing English, and generally being in a place where things work and every pretty much convenience is available. Oh yes, and Happy Election Day! I totally voted- take that, demographic trends.

Ok, back to work...

How I Met Your Mother

2010-10-17T20:18:00.000+06:00

...in Russian?

I'm assuming it's the same storyline with different actors... looks like there's still a Barney though!

These posters just appeared all over the city. Sorry this is such poor quality; I took it from a distance.

Stories and Remebrance

2010-10-11T01:10:00.000+06:00

“Children raised as foreigners often question the whole concept of home, never feeling that they quite belong anywhere… often, they find that the only permanence is in memory and in the stories they tell… In a nomadic world, telling our stories is one way to establish our place in time, especially when ties to extended family and community become tenuous and personal histories may be fragmented by moves, scripted by family mission, or silenced by the need to conform. Finding a voice can be difficult when language and location are always changing… telling our stories binds us in an act of remembrance.”

--From Third Culture Kids, Growing Up Among Worlds

I've been working on a paper all weekend about implementing a lesson plan with cultural relevance to students in ESOL. I keep coming back to TCK material, but I've been having a difficult fitting it all together. There really isn't a lot of information out there about the TCKs in ESOL. Maybe I'll just have to start a new field of study.

The great winter shoe search

2010-10-09T13:28:00.000+06:00

What better way to spend a Saturday morning than to sleep in, eat Cinnabon, and look for shoes online? I resisted booties all last year. Usually their heels are too high, and the oversided, scrunched feel make me wobbly. But I'm finally warming up to a few pairs...
Help me! Vote on which shoes I should get!

1. in Black

I LIKE:

Wheaton by
Blowfish

2. in Brown

I LIKE:

Singsing by
Madden Girl

I LIKE:

Nottinghill by
Indigo by Clarks

4. in Purple... I've got a big crush on these

I LIKE:

Muse by
Naughty Monkey

Single Parenthood (and other recent happenings)

2010-10-06T20:50:00.000+06:00

would be really challenging. Plus points to any single parents out there who read my blog, which is no one that I know of. But it is rough. And how do I know? Because this week I am house/teenage daughter sitting, and next week my mom goes back to the US, so I'll be watching Tommy and Dad.

So what else has been happening with me...? I have a tea corner in my classroom. Actually this whole little section included my computer and desk area and it's called "Ms Woodtopia," and no one is allowed to enter unless I invite them in for tea.

A few weekends ago, I went in search of a market with my friend Elizabeth. We didn't find it. Well, actually we did, but it closed 2 months ago. But it was a beautiful day and we had fun exploring the outskirts of Moscow and talking.

So, overall, I'm doing well. I have a classroom full of amazing individuals who probably teach me more than I teach them. I am very thankful for my job and all of my friends here who listen to me go on and on about the children.

Time for dinner :-)

My new ride...

2010-10-04T00:22:00.000+06:00

What do you think? Is the sickle and hammer a bit much?

Sharkey Resurrected

2010-09-22T14:58:00.000+06:00

Look who's back... again!

For those of you from Taylor who were fortunate enough to know this little guy, my class LOVES Sharkey. I first got Sharkey many years ago and has been my travel companion through many, many phases of life. And now he has big celebrity status in my classroom.

Teaching Day Therapy

2010-09-21T23:14:00.000+06:00

Today it was Tortilla Soup. And it was delicious. Usually I make cookies after a long day at work, but I think I'm going to do another run next weekend.

Speaking of running, I ran 10 whole kilometers one week and two days ago! It was completely voluntarily- no bears were chasing me. Well, I guess technically I was "voluntold" because one Friday I came home and my dad said, "I signed us up to run the 10K this Sunday!" and that was that. I had wanted to do it- when I was actually running on a regular basis waaaaay back in the first part of the summer. The Moscow Peace Marathon, of which I ran 10 kilometers, began at St. Basil's Cathedral and went along the Moscow river, so it's pretty cool just to say I did it.

The Dadster and me before the run. I should send this to the Taylor Alumni.

Fact: I had never run 10 kilometers at one time in my life.

Booooyah. Yeah, I just ran a 10K AND I got a picture next to the most iconic symbol of Russia. And my mom rang a cowbell in my honor.

Tonight I didn't go to my Young Adults Bible Study (I like to call it Yabs in my head...). Some icky sickness is going around and I couldn't muster the energy to get there, which is sad, because sometimes in Moscow you don't get to do what you want just because it takes so stinkin' long to get places. Like, if I had a car and there wasn't the crazy traffic, I totally would have been there. I drove half an hour to get to church (and everywhere else) the whole time I was in college, but it was through peaceful country back roads and not no-left-turns-allowed-ever Moscow. So I stayed home and made soup.

Tangent: why are Tuesdays the hardest? Mondays always take more energy than you think but there's a residual relaxation from Saturday and Sunday, so it's not so bad. And by Wednesday it's already Hump Day, so you can start looking forward to the next weekend. Thursdays are my favorite day, because the next day is Friday and after school I can see my friends. But then there are Tuesdays, and they're packed and exhausting. I had some crazy insomnia Sunday night and only got about an hour of sleep total. My kiddos turned in a big project yesterday, and I need to grade it. Whew, so yes, this Tuesday I am tired.

I kind of wondered if I'd feel a skipping-church-guilt for missing Yabs. I don't really, though. I more have the sleep-is-my-biggest-spiritual-need feeling where I just want to sit in silence and remember that God is still there and loves me when I'm running on empty.

If you have not heard Dancing in the Minefields, you simply must. The bridge is the part that really gets me. It's so good and the video is perfect.

Please speak well of me

2010-09-06T23:55:00.000+06:00

Dear The Weepies,

Thank you for making good music. Just thank you.

I've had such a procrastinating evening. I came home. I worked on the 1500 piece puzzle I got for my birthday (it's honestly the first puzzle I've ever voluntarily attempted). I ate dinner. I made brownies. I tried to read for my online course, but the document is 47 pages long and I can't find a good study groove. I wish I could go to Paynes and get lost in learning.

I keep waking up feeling like autumn. Like I could just jump in my car and drive around the back roads of Indiana with the windows rolled down and the music cranked up, breathing in the scent of changing leaves. Maybe for the rest of my life whenever the weather cools and scarf season begins, I will remember my 5 falls in Upland. The other night I made Judy's curry dish and so many things came back to me. MuKappa retreats, late nights in the Souphouse, fall break trips, and everything I loved about fall semesters. Truly, I could not have asked for better friends.

I've been away
a year and a day
you recognize love
after the fact
you did what you did and that was that
dont say words that you dont mean
when I'm gone please speak well of me

looking back now
I only wish I had been kinder
did I ever know love?
did I ever know love?
and could I have been blinder?
dont say words that you dont mean
when I'm gone please speak well of me

dont hold back

~The Weepies

A Giant Snow Globe in Red Square

2010-09-05T02:31:00.000+06:00

My guess is they'll fill it with sexy girls and bears. Actually, I think it's set up for the "Military Tattoo" show tonight, where different military bands will play on Red Square. This weekend is Moscow City Day. I went to meet some friends downtown, where security was tight in Krasnaya Polshod (Red Square). It is also tradition that the first year university students have a big parade on Saturday, so there were lots of students chanting and waving flags for their faculties (departments).

We walked around the square and also went to Church of Christ the Savior. I took off after that and did some meandering on the way home, getting reintroduced to this city. It has been cold and cloudy, but the sun came out and met me for a little bit.

My buddies, Menin and Pozharsky (from Nizhnii Novgorod!) who saved Moscow from the Lithuanians and Poles.

This is a monument called "The Vices of Adults Hurt Children," or something along those lines. Sorry, I forgot exactly. Each of the adults in the background have something written under them, like "war" or "greed."

Nice people feeding the ducks

Yay! The sun!

Feels like home

2010-09-04T03:02:00.000+06:00

Having a real 8-5 job makes me feel the expression "working for the weekend" in a much more literal way... I was a hermit this week, but I really needed to be. It was insane. But in spite of the moments where I think I have no idea what's going on, straining my voice to tell chatty students to calm down for the umpteenth time, and coming home exhausted, there isn't anything else in the world I'd rather be doing now.

And then comes the weekend-

Friday night at the expat watering hole (is there anywhere Irish pubs are not?)

Seeing old new friends and starting a fresh year,

Coming home with the smell of second-hand smoke and metro grime.

And back before the metro closes, because I refuse to pay gypsy taxi prices.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

Personality tests

2010-09-02T10:40:00.000+06:00

My Bloginality is ENFP!!!

As a weblogger, you may not be consistant in posts. Although, if you find a specific focus on their journal or a very flexible manner of writing, it may be more fufilling. Because you are warm and see so many posibilities in life, you may inspire others to follow in your footsteps with a journal.

I'm planning for my Autobiography elective and I thought the first day we'd do some fun personality tests to warm up and get to know each other. I've been trying out different ones all morning, but I've decided with the 6th graders to tweek and use the Golder Retriever/Otter/Beaver/Lion one. But, if they were a bit older, though, might be temped to try out the Coffee Personality Types (CPT)...

Okay, okay, yeah!

2010-09-01T01:38:00.000+06:00

In a school year, there is only one first day of school and I'm pretty sure this is a good thing for everyone. As one friend once put it, "You know, you come home, have a good cry, and then it gets better."

I came home, had a glass of wine and made cookies.

I also wrote notes on my class lists, made a plan for tomorrow being mindful of the messes of today, jotted down some ideas for my elective, and worked on the online graduate course I'm taking. Yeah, I signed up for that before the madness of first year teaching ("the grind" as one professor tactfully put it) was an option. So far, so good, but I'm foreseeing a decline in my social life in the near future... (this is also my public apology for not replying to emails lately).

I'm still so so excited to be a teacher this fall and I know it'll get better. I've got some cool kids in my classes and I like my subject. If I can just make it through this week...

I could go over everything again, and wonder why but
I don’t think that’ll give an answer to me anymore, cause
Now I’ve learned some things just refuse to come to the light, and
It’s okay, okay, yeah
I said okay, okay, yeah

~Waterdeep

A place to call my classroom

2010-08-29T13:22:00.000+06:00

It's a work in progress. Saturday and Sunday I've gone in and turned a room that has been used to teach humanities, Russian, French, and apparently watercolors, into my own. I should make a list of the crazy things I've found in there. Many thanks to the band of pre-8th graders, Tommy, and everyone else who came to visit and help. If anyone has any great ideas of what to do with the space where it currently says "Enduring Understandings," I'd love to hear them! Especially before Tuesday!

(These are all of how it looked as of 4pm Saturday)

Utterly Amazed and Thankful

2010-08-27T21:08:00.000+06:00

The weather has been so weird today. First it was sunny, then it rained hard, then the sun came out again, then it rained, then it was sunny, then it poured, and now it's overcast. Kind of like me.

Ok that's being a little to melodramatic (and personal) for this Web 2.0 setting, but really, this week has had quite a few unexpected ups and downs.

If I haven't told you yet, I got hired to teach 6th grade Humanities! It's at the school in Moscow where I substitute taught last year and I'll be working from the start of the school year through about November. I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity I've been given. That last sentence feels like a complete understatement. To be trusted and believed in is such an amazing feeling. On Thursday I was introduced as "highly qualified." The other teachers have been so kind and wonderful to me, too. We start classes on Tuesday and I am completely overjoyed.

At the same time, I only got here on Monday, was hired on Wednesday, and started work Thursday. My classroom is a mess, I'm frantically learning the Humanities curriculum, planning an elective from scratch, and I don't even have a class list yet. I'm still jet-lagging every afternoon. And my heart is breaking a little over the people who won't be in Moscow this year.

I'm also really hoping there won't be a first-year-of-teaching 15.... Some people might come home from a long day of work and feel like running and exercise is the best way to relieve stress, but not me. There has been probably like one time when this was the case. More often, I'll be found on the couch, wrapped in a blanket and wearing comfy pants, eating chips, and watching whichever Take Home Chef or whatever TLC show is on. Today it was strong coffee and dark chocolate. I'm thinking of joining the pilates class in the staff health and wellness program. Keep me accountable, k?

Tonight I'll begin lesson planning and tomorrow I'll work on my room. I live 2 minutes from the school- hugely thankful for that. This is an experience that will drive me to my knees again and again. I'm nervous, but I feel so prepared. I had such a great education- in education- at Taylor and my student teaching placements. I know this is what I want to do and I'm working in an incredibly supportive community. One more thing- today I found out that another teacher in my section, one of the new hires, graduated from a small Christian college in Indiana! What are the odds?!

(by the end of writing this it is sunny again).

O divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved, as to love.

~St Francis of Assisi

Productivity

2010-08-25T10:39:00.000+06:00

Despite what you may think, 4:30am is a great time of the day. Especially if you're involuntarily waking up due to a condition that I just learned is also known as desynchronosis.

So besides looking up different ways to say "jet lag," yesterday and today I have done the following things between the hours of 4:30am and 10:00am:

- Learned how to make delicious scrambled eggs (the key is heating the pan with butter and sour cream, keep them moving with a rubber spatula, and don't add salt & pepper till almost the end)
- Cooked Tommy fried rice
- Played poker with oatmeal cream pies
- Listened to podcasts
- Downloaded new music
- Took my dog for a walk
- Uploaded and edited photos
- Took a nap
- Got a job
- Dyed Tommy's hair

Last night in America...

2010-08-22T09:02:00.001+06:00

"Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones. And when you have finished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake."

Victor Hugo

10 things to do at the Iowa State Fair

2010-08-21T07:51:00.000+06:00

1. Eat pizza from Leimon's Pizzeria

2. Get inked by everyone, from politicians to universities to Creationists

3. Watch the Homeschool Tumblers

4. Eat a giant Turkey Leg

5. Ride the double farris wheel

6. Eat some delicious CinnieSmiths from the wonderful Smith family

7. Get your picture with the Orange Bowl

8. Try a fried Oreo (or don't...)

9. Get a free massage in the Varied Industries building

10. Visit the fair's largest pig, Tiny (1,166 lbs!)

Lima, Ohio

2010-08-17T11:48:00.000+06:00

Lima (pronounced /ˈlaɪmə/), Ohio is where I lived from age 3-10. That makes it the longest place I've ever live, but I hadn't been back there for about a decade. My cousin's wedding last weekend was in a town about 2 hours away from Lima, so Sunday morning my mom, Jake, Kim, and I decided to swing by there to see our old houses and go to church.

It was crazy to see our old houses. The look smaller than I remembered... As we drove past shopping centers, banks, grocery stores, the old BP refinery, houses, hospitals, the public library, and restaurants, so many memories came flooding back to me.

We went to Lima Community Church (of the Nazarene, when I went there). It was the strangest thing to be there again! While we went there in the '90's they added a gym and new sanctuary, but even though the population grew a lot during that time, now there are even more people attending. There is even a separate building for high schoolers. As some of our old friends, including my former dance teacher, led us around, I felt like I was in a dream. Some things had changed, but a lot of it was as I remembered. I spent so much time at this church as a child. I was in countless plays and productions, VBS, Bible quizzing, kids church, and "Impact" in 5th grade. I knew all the secret staircases and rooms. It seemed like the church is thriving and involved in some exciting ministry. As Jake said, it's always nice to go back to somewhere and see that it's doing better, as opposed to worse.

In the sermon, the pastor referenced this passage to emphasis how important it is to teach the next generation about the Lord.

Psalm 78:4-7:

    ⁴ We will not hide these truths from our children;
      we will tell the next generation
   about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
      about his power and his mighty wonders.
    ⁵ For he issued his laws to Jacob;
      he gave his instructions to Israel.
   He commanded our ancestors
      to teach them to their children,
    ⁶ so the next generation might know them—
      even the children not yet born—
      and they in turn will teach their own children.
    ⁷ So each generation should set its hope anew on God,
      not forgetting his glorious miracles
      and obeying his commands.

As I sat there, I felt it was very fitting to be hearing this teaching at the place that basically gave me all my early Christian education. I felt very thankful to have had grown up in that community. I don't remember the exact lessons or the names or my teachers, but I know their impact on my life. As cheesy as it is to say, I am who I am because of this church. I am so thankful for everything I learned and those who poured into my life at a young age.

Wedding #4

2010-08-15T08:27:00.000+06:00

I'm at a hotel in Mansfield, Ohio, and there is a pad of paper next to me that says "thought pad." what am I thinking now?

i'm thinking that the wedding today was pretty great. my cousin, Tim, is a great guy and I can tell that his new wife is a really sweet, dedicated person and they're going to be really happy together. it was so fun to see my extended family again and we had a good time at the wedding, and afterward playing cards and getting dinner.

I'm thinking about my wedding, on 11/11/11. Groom TBD.

i'm thinking about how great is the new Arcade Fire album, especially the first 8 songs which are all I've heard so far.

i'm thinking about the book i just bought, Hipster Christianity. Yes, I actually bought this book. I was initially hesitant, but upon further inspection I discovered that a.) it is actually about something meaningful, not just satire or shallow observations of hipsters, b.) the font looked like a book I would have read in college, and c.) I opened it up to a random page that was describing the different type of hipsters and one was called "Expats;" it went on to reference Rilke, Lost in Translation, the band Air, and H&M. After reading the introduction and first chapter, I am not disappointed with the purchase.

I'm thinking how I started out writing in all lowercaps, but quit because I couldn't take the incorrect punctuation.

And now I'm thinking I want to go to sleep.

Book Review: Mister Pip

2010-08-13T00:09:00.001+06:00

Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

It begins as an inspiring story about Mr. Watts, the only white man left on a Polynesian island, who begins to teach the village children after civil war erupts and all the educated people leave. His only textbook is "Great Expectations" and daily lessons are taught by members of the community. But things quickly change as the rebels and national army creep closer...

I loved the first half of this book. The breezy island feel of a community coming together to educate the children. Mr. Watts, the unpretentious outsider who tries to be a gentleman through it all. Learning about a part of the world I didn't know existed.

But this is one of the saddest books I've ever read. I was reading it on an airplane and tears were streaming down my face. I had to close the book and try to think of something else. It wasn't a good cry either. I didn't know what to do with myself and was so thankful I didn't have a seatmate!

Mister Pip is narrated by 13-year-old Matilda, which is the book's greatest strength and weakness. Lloyd Jones-as-Matilda's narration is not all that convincing (clumsily going to extremes in an at times awkward plot)- until the last 100 pages or so. Then all pretenses are stripped away and Matilda's recalled childhood begins to fit into the larger scheme of her life. What ultimately saves this section is the very last sentence of the book, as the author primarily takes the "and this is my story and I live with it" approach that leaves me with an unsatisfying resolution (which reminds me of my reaction to the film "Precious"). Maybe this is just a matter of personal preference, though.

Also, if you have not read "Great Expectations," I would strongly suggest doing that first before reading "Mister Pip."

View all my reviews >>

Electrici-hy

2010-08-11T22:04:00.000+06:00

So I've heard rumor of rain in Moscow. Can anyone confirm this?

Speaking of rain, I was going to post something last night, but we had a thunderstorm that knocked out all the electricity for an hour or so. It was around 10:30pm and we were at Grandma's when it happened. She lit two kerosene lamps. I don't think I had ever seen a working kerosene lamp before. It was like being on Little House on the Prairie!

We lit a bunch of candles at home, and realized that everything we were incapable of doing anything we would normally be doing (watching TV, being on the internet, anything requiring running water or pluming, listening to Odysseys...). So what else was there to do in a thunderstorm with no electricity at 11pm, but to eat ice cream?

Speaking of ice cream (or celebrations calling for ice cream), today is Grandma Norma and Grandpa Jim's 54th wedding anniversary. Congratulations! As I write this, she is telling him to put on socks, and drilling holes in the wall to install a rail so it's easier to walk. Now that's love.

Speaking of love, I love my new hair! I'm remembering all the things I loved about having short hair before. Being able to wash it in the sink is tops. Taking half the time to get ready is a close second. Third is probably looking more my age (aka not 17), although a lot of people say I look more like my mom now. AND after someone on facebook pointed it out, I realized that pretty much everyone is getting the same hair cut! So much for originality. Oh well, my head still feels light and free in the summer heat.

(PS "Electrici-hy" should be said in your best Billy Elliot accent)

Hair! (and lack thereof)

2010-08-10T06:03:00.000+06:00

I have short hair! Yesterday (yes, yesterday), I was talking with some of my girl cousins about our hair and decided to get a hair cut- and try to donate as much as I could. This morning I did a bit of research and decided on donating to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths program.

Before I get to all the pictures, I just want to say that it is surprisingly simple to donate hair to be made into wigs. I decided on Beautiful Lengths because it provides free wigs for women with cancer. There are other great organization who specialize in making wigs for other groups, such as children and those with alopecia. I wanted to get my hair cut by a woman who runs a salon out of her home, but I wasn't sure if she needed to be registered or something. The truth is that anyone can send in hair. There are some requirements, such as having long hair (8-10 inches minimum), and it can't have been bleached. The requirements for Beautiful Lengths in the US can be found here.

And so, here is the photographic evidence...

Before... it was really long

Cutting of the ponytail... 10 inches!

Then, I put the hair in an envelope and mailed it off! (Tommy wrote the note)

New hair!

Seriously, this was the easiest thing. I already wanted to get my hair cut, so I just decided to make it a little shorter and was able to help someone in the process. Ladies, get growing!

Oh and of course... I had to have a little photoshoot when I got home :-)

World News: Smoggy Moscow

2010-08-09T08:22:00.000+06:00

So, here is the news from my beloved Moscow while I've been out for the summer. Record high temperatures and out of control forest fires have made everything smoggy and unbearably hot. Just check out the images in this Reuters video.

Although the US State Department is discouraging travel to Russia, top doctors want foreigners to know that it's not too bad. The school year at the school where I work will even be starting one week later due to the situation. Here's a picture of how icky the atmosphere is there (credits to Miss Paula who is braving it out!)...

My dad went back there on Friday and says he's the only one without a face mask when he leaves the house to walk the dog. My mom was supposed to go back on Thursday, but since school is starting later, she's coming back with Tommy and me on August 22. I hope some "wind of change" take it all away before then!

My cousin Jim sent me this article, that included this ironic little quip:

"It's just impossible to work," said Moscow resident Mikhail Borodin, in his late 20s, as he removed a mask to puff on a cigarette. "I don't know what the government is doing, they should just cancel office hours."

Perhaps this is Nature's way of getting back at Moscow for seeding clouds...

Tommy and I have been scoping the Internet for news, and he just told me that Nizhnii Novgorod is one of the worst hit areas.

Source: NY Times

Pray for Rain!

Jake's Wedding Pictures

2010-07-30T01:02:00.000+06:00

My little brother got married!

See pictures here. The photographer, Brian Mullins, did a great job. He was also very prepared: "Hello, Bridesmaids! I'm the photographer. I have safety pins and thread if you need anything!"

But this one, taken by my grandma, is my favorite...

Feel free to add captions

And sometimes your flight gets canceled

2010-07-25T21:45:00.000+06:00

Well, I'm in an airport again. In Detroit.

And earlier Atlanta.

And even earlier Salt Lake City.

And I'm trying to get to Iowa.

It makes no sense. What was supposed to be a 2 flight itinerary, leaving at 10:30am and arriving at 4pm, became the last 24 hours of my life, which involved leaving SLC at 1am. It's 10:42am (central time) and the final flight is about to board.

It was weird having another day in Park City. It kind of felt like when we were stranded in France.

Not supposed to be there, but we were.

I need to go catch that last flight, but I must beg forgiveness for the week of silence. Photos and prose coming soon~

Flying to the Wedding

2010-07-16T00:08:00.000+06:00

It feels like the 80's
when we were much smaller
but somehow felt bigger than now

come summer my brother
you say you will marry
by this time next year it will be

you came with a ring
the obvious thing
and we were all smiling so wide

it feels like the 80's
when we were much smaller
but somehow felt bigger than now

it feels like the 80's
when our world was honest
it sometimes feels less honest now

the love of another
the cradle and cover
by this time next year will it be

we long for this things
these obvious things
when we can feel complete inside

it feels like the 80's
when our world was honest
but nothing feels more honest now
more honest now...

~Denison Witmer

Fount of Every...

2010-07-13T20:12:00.000+06:00

Good morning (yawn).

My mom sometimes does this thing where she wakes you up by reading a devotional while you're still snuggled in bed. This morning I caught about 73% of what she was saying and it was about blessings. Then I went back to sleep for another hour.

But I'm still thinking about blessings. There are literally hundreds of good things that happen to me every day, but it's only till something goes wrong that I usually acknowledge God as the source of all good things. Then, it's like "Um? Excuse me? Where aren't you fixing things?" I need to adjust my glass to half-full mode more often. Here are a few things I'm thankful for this morning.

1. Coffee.
2. Talking on the phone with friends
3. Getting letters and packages
4. Being healthy
5. Not having to get a new passport till 2015!

What blessings are you thankful for this morning?

Scribbles and Nostalgia

2010-07-12T08:47:00.000+06:00

Dear Biographer, I'm sorry I'm not more organized.

Today I tackled my bedroom closet, which is full of journals, assignments books, and class binders. For the last 6 years, this closet has been getting progressively more disorderly and it was finally time to take the plunge...

and throw some things out.

Ok, so it wasn't that much, but it felt really good to finally go through everything and objectively put things into the bin. Every other year I've attempted to clean, I've gotten stuck reading old journals and never finish.

Now, I'm talking notebooks and notebooks of class notes, journaling, notes from Bible studies and youth camp, and most embarrassingly, teenage poetry. It was scattered everywhere. I might be coerced into publishing some of it someday, if you haven't already found me on poetry.com (who remembers this? All my friends and I wanted to get the coffee table book with our poetry published in size 8 font).

I couldn't believe how much I wrote throughout my teenage years! The hardest part of sifting through everything was that I would write 5 pages in one journal and leave the rest blank, or 85% would be class notes, but interspersed would be scribbles about how I was feeling that day.

I spent the afternoon listening to Switchfoot and Jennifer Knapp and remembering what it was like to be 15. I really only cared about God, friends, getting into the school play, and boys. I did silly things like take notes with my left hand, or completely in highlighter, and drew lots and lots of doodles. I feel like periodically reading this stuff will make me a better teacher.

I found the first research paper I ever wrote. It was from 7th grade and it was on Elian Gonzalez. I also have a bunch of IB English HL essays, I'd be willing to sell.

Just Kidding. But really.

Prayers for Norma Jean

2010-07-10T05:37:00.000+06:00

Pray for my Grandma Norma's ankle to get better. She slipped on a step in her flooded basement Wednesday and was in a lot of pain Thursday. We're going to the doctor's today for x-rays because we're pretty sure it's broken. She does so much that people don't see and being immobile is really difficult for her. It's just the way she's always been. She has been taking care of my grandpa who has a very difficult time getting around. Plus, my brother's wedding is in a week and she'll need to travel ("even if I'm coming in a wheelbarrow," she said).

If you're ever in... Independence, IA

2010-07-09T04:45:00.000+06:00

Tommy and I were tourists today. We made a run to Wal-Mart in Independence, IA to get things for detasseling, which begins this Saturday. And then we walked around the town. Located about 15 minutes from where we live, Independence ("Indy" to the locals which is very weird to me, since I lived in Indianapolis, which is also an Indy) is an important city around here. Besides having the nearest Wal-Mart, it's the county seat to Buchanan County and the gateway to other major cities, such as Waterloo and Cedar Rapids via I-20.

One thing I did not expect to find today was Em & Jerri's Coffee Co. The local coffee shop in our town recently closed, much to our distress (Midwestern farmers aren't really the type to sit with a cup of chai and read in a cafe), so we've been on the lookout for another cool place to go. As we drove through downtown Independence, Tommy and I spotted Em & Jerri's neon electric cappuccino and ice cream neon signs and decided to stop in.

I was immediately impressed by 1950's decor, variety of tables and chairs, and chalkboard menu full of desserts and coffee drinks with remarkably low prices. They sell The Republic of Tea products. For lunch they offer a simple daily sandwich (usually a Maid Rite or pulled pork BBQ, as per the Iowan pallet), as well as potato salad and chips. I had a half chicken salad sandwich on marble rye bread and Tommy had a 2 croissants. We both had mango smoothies that were delicious.

At the back of the store is an area called the Newsroom, which pays homage to the building's history as the offices of a local newspaper by posting framed clips on the wall. Em & Jerri's also provides free Wi-Fi, I am happy to report. I will say that the place was pretty cold, so bring a jacket or get a hot drink. Overall, though, I was extremely pleased with the find. I wanted to ask the woman in charge, whom I assumed was Em or Jerri, about the shop but she was busy as we were leaving.

But even more remarkable is what I read about Em & Jerri's Coffee Co online. Em is actually 21-year-old woman living with a disability. You can read more about her story here. I am so happy to have found a place that not only provides coffee in a fun atmosphere but has also given an entrepreneurial young woman an amazing oppertunity.

So, if you're ever in Independence, IA, check it out :-)

The one day flood

2010-07-08T07:52:00.000+06:00

So I'm home for a while. And by home I mean my secret home in Iowa where all my possessions collect like a museum of my life, all the photographs and memories crammed into one upstairs room of an old farmhouse that I periodically sort through and fall into nostalgia. I wanted to write about this today, but a few things came up...

After a long drive through the back roads of Wisconsin and Iowa, I arrived home to my mom and Tommy. We ate dinner at Grandma Norma's next door and picked green beans and cabbage from her garden because she said it was going to rain the next day. I was so happy to have a few quiet, uneventful days.

haha.

First, there was the flooding this morning.

By afternoon the rain had subsided, but there was still water in our basement and Grandma's, too. Our basement is very dingy and I go down there as little as possible, but I managed to take a couple pictures from the stairs.

Then Grandma Norma twisted her ankle on a step going to her basement. My mom took her to the ER for x-rays, but they couldn't tell what was wrong. We're going to a foot specialist in Cedar Rapids tomorrow.

So like I said, quiet and uneventful...

I also made banana bread and researched family genealogy today, while watching Little House on the Prairie, and 4 episodes of M*A*S*H with Grandpa Jim while my mom and grandma were at the ER.

Travel blues.

2010-07-06T06:25:00.000+06:00

Oh, the words that have passed between many and me.

But right now, I can't think of a thing to say.

I am tired of the road and want to go home.

I want a hug.

I want a coffee shop where I am known by name, and relationships that don't need facebook to survive, and to stop saying things like "we should move to ________ together someday."

My heart can't really take it anymore.

Flat.

2010-07-02T07:40:00.000+06:00

I had a flat tire... AGAIN! Thankfully I was only a few miles from my friend Heidi and she came to wait with me for an hour & a half for a tow-truck to get there.

All is well now (I hope). I've got a bit more driving on this trip, so that's a really big hoping for no more car troubles...

Who are you gonna be?

2010-06-30T04:36:00.000+06:00

Yesterday, I met the Travel Answer Man in the waiting room of a hospital, of all places. He travels and gives advice on tourism. Sitting for hours listening to his stories of his worldwide travels and the things he's done, my mind simultaneously was racing with "How can I get this job?" and "I'm so glad I teach."

Even though the name I've chosen for my current profession is "Freelance Educator," a born freelancer I am not. That's why photography wouldn't have worked out for me as a career, although I love it dearly. My friend, Ian, is an talented photographer, but he has the business sense and work ethic to keep getting jobs (in creative places, like Alaska). Having that much flexibility would drive me crazy. I like the school day schedule, and even more the school year schedule. I like working with the same colleagues and seeing the same students day after day, and feeling like I'm making even a small difference in one place.

I am not a wanderer either, at least not in the way I once was. The world is a glorious, glorious place and has many wonders to behold- but anymore I'm not wandering wondering. I know, for the most part, who I am and what I want, and finally have the confidence to live like I know it. I hope that doesn't sound presumptuous of me. I have found, as the Travel Answer Man and I discussed, how to take the things I'm good at and enjoy, and turn them into a job. Most people have that backwards, I believe. A few years ago, I stopped worrying about what job I could get with which degree, and made a list of the kind of person I wanted to be and the things I wanted to do in life. So I teach. And I happen to teach in Russia. And I travel a lot and I love it. And I can build on the foundation of my original list.

I am a wanderer, in that I search for new things, places, and ideas, but I am much more rooted in me. I am very content with where I am right now. Perhaps I'll expound on this tomorrow...

Has anyone else had a time of their life of wandering wondering? Are you still in it? Stories!

Breakfast at the Amish

2010-06-28T02:04:00.000+06:00

One of the greatest things about being in rural Iowa is the Amish community: the Bump & Dent stores and especially the bakery.

It's open Friday and Saturday mornings, so we try to go whenever we're at home. Pies, pastries, bread, cookies, mini pies, and kolaches all homemade and sold at ridiculously affordable prices.

Oh deliciousness.

Mom, Grandpa, Grandma, and Tommy

What will you get for a dollar?

2010-06-27T10:55:00.000+06:00

One of the first thing foreigners must notice about America is that you can buy all kinds of stuff here: food, clothes, and all kinds of random things to fill your homes. In a book on economics I've been reading, the author points out when you spend money on something, you're essentially saying, "I think this is worth it." So, for example, when you spend $8 to go to a movie, you're saying "I think seeing this film is worth $8, and I value it more than other things I could buy with $8." I may be oversimplifying a principle, but lately I've been thinking of the things I spend money on in these terms. It makes me feel more in control of my finances to make such conscious choices down to the dollar.

I've also been wondering if you can tell the things a nation values based on what you see for sale.

Here are some very random things I've seen lately. Would you buy them?

A clear, underwater themed toilet seat

A camo tuxedo

Dios es bueno cap

The Summer Search

2010-06-26T23:53:00.000+06:00

The theme of this summer has been seeing where God is working and join in, for however long I am there. Traveling around (a lot!), I've seen Jesus in a youth community center, in a hospital waiting room, and in the blessed union of marriage.

But I never really expected to see Him like this. I had anticipated a few weeks of relaxing, spending time with family, and maybe finding another organization to volunteer with.

Ever since Grandma hurt her ankle, I've gotten a much bigger feel for how her life goes. It's to the tune of mowing the lawn, gardening, taking care of the dog, helping grandpa to the bathroom and with most everything else, making and serving dinner, clearing away dishes, and a million other little things. I don't know what she would do if my mom weren't here now.

And now, as I sit eating dinner in front of a TV watching The Lawrence Welk Show and British comedies on PBS, I know that I am exactly where I'm supposed to be.

Many thanks to, Anna, who teaches me to see Jesus in unlikely places.

PS I don't think American TV from 1967 was much different from what they were seeing in the Soviet Union. Ah, it never gets old.