I had class at 9:30 this morning, so there was no dilly-dallying around the house. I was up and out and in comfy moccasin shoes by 8:30. After multiple calculations and thorough testing, I’ve determined that it is a 45-minute commute. It is about 50 in heels but that has only been tested once so that information shouldn’t be cited.
Today was pretty normal. Not as stressful in class as Thursday. I think it’s because the teacher is less intimidating. She seems less crazy. Also, the room was a more comfortable temperature. I found out I’ll be starting with my new group on Monday! YAY!!
Before leaving school, I ran into Diana (from Colombia). I can make small talk in Spanish, and can understand most of what she’s saying in her language, so I’m trying to use that as much as possible until my Russian is adequate for conversation. She can definitely speak English; she just has a really hard time understanding in class. The teachers go from Russian to English the whole time. Spanish is rarely if ever spoken in Russia, and never used at school. She was probably so lost when she first got here. Oh well, we’re buddies now, so no more of this being lost and alone business. If you can’t speak even the tiniest bit of another language, please go and do that.
I went to pick up my registration after taking a walk by myself around the Neva River. Ann-Karin ended up being really booked all day so I took advantage of having no plans, and explored.
It was funny, I was in this great mood after talking to Diana (we’re planning on hanging out a lot), and so I left for my self guided walking tour, turned on my iPod and “Jerk” by Muscles (please, please listen to this) came on which is such a great song. I’m laughing right now reliving this J. So I walked outside, and all I wanted to do was dance around the streets and sing “WOOOOOO!!!” throwing a fist in the air each time that part played in the song, but KNEW that would not be acceptable on the streets of St. Petersburg. So I tried to walk like a straight-faced/hardcore/freakin’ Russian, but just kept giggling. This went on for the duration of the song. My heart is happy when I think about this strange and beautiful moment.
I walked next to the Neva, down the street next to the main building of my pretty pink school, through an unkempt garden path leading to the military museum (they have a military museum?!). I walked back to the main building to wait for an hour until the office would let me pick up my registration, and found myself in the middle of the annual Philology and Arts celebration. Apparently this is a celebrated day in St. Petersburg. The study and teaching of languages is looked upon and commemorated each year…isn’t that awesome? They release this huge pyramid of balloons into the sky, listen to music in their big courtyard of statues and manicured bushes, and as the women walk around in, yes you guessed it, heels, the men take pictures and smile. I wrote my Dad a letter as I observed this glorious event.
I beat the crowd to the Registration office, talked with Ann-Karin for a bit, and made my way back to the Metro. Oh and I saw Sul-ki at the office too. She’s actually here to become a missionary. She’s invited me to her church next Sunday, which I obviously said yes to. Who wouldn’t want to attend a Korean Protestant Church service in Russia? I wonder if they stand during their services. Did you know they didn’t/don’t have pews in Churches here? They embrace the sacrificing for your Lord concept.
Something I’ve noticed about Petersburg is that the weather is truly unpredictable. It can be a beautiful summer day when you wake up and leave the house, but by the time you’re leaving your job or school, its raining and grey. The weather has a tendency to change hourly. It also doesn’t really get dark till 11pm. Like right now, it is 10:21 pm and I can see everything outside my window perfectly. For those who go out and wish to explore and party till all hours of the evening, it is perfection. For those of us who go to bed by 11, we need the blinds. The White Nights of June shall be spectacular.
Look up the White Nights in St. Petersburg if you don’t know what I’m talking about.
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