6/29. Mexican Monday...the creative titles for my posts are really top notch.

Let me describe class now. I know I went into a little detail earlier in the trip, but things have developed and changed. Elena has retained her ability to make some students feel bad and teach us a ton of vocabulary words each and every class. She never fails to answer every question she asks before we have enough time to process it and respond, and always makes a spectacle of Siuyuan when he can’t pronounce something. She tells us we have a ten-minute break half way through class, and will then give us only 5 minutes. I’ve found that we’ve learned a lot by being in class with her, but seeing as she simultaneously makes us feel incompetent, I’ve been having a hard time applying myself while she’s teaching. She started picking up on that last week, and at times, will now make my confusion into a big deal or skip over me when she asks everyone questions. I feel like it is a shame, since I now only have 2 more weeks left here, that my determination to impress has significantly decreased. I’m starting to itch for the freedom summertime brings and the family and friends I have back home.

After class, a group of us went to the Mexican restaurant Tres Amigos. I forgot how good salsa and guacamole were until this lunch trip. They are both incredible, and were immediately added to the list of things I’m looking forward to eating when I get home. Peanut butter, salad, and cereal are also on the list.

I’ve almost forgotten what its like to be surrounded by no one who speaks the same language as me. I get by with my Russian, I can understand some Spanish and French, and I speak English. Going out to eat today reminded me how much I used to take UNDERSTANDING WORDS for granted. I think that because the Latin American/Spanish culture is far more welcoming and kind right off the bat than Russians are, I didn’t feel as much like an outsider at this lunch or when I lived in Mexico. When I first got here I thought I would have no problem just jumping into the language like I did with Spanish, but I found that to be extremely false. Here I was met with irritation to my attempts, and so much eye rolling. I’m not discouraged anymore from returning to the country, but recollecting on how I felt when I first arrived really makes me appreciate being able to express my gratitude for people’s kindness in the States and now here. I hadn’t realized how rare it could be to find someone anxious to help you out or answer a question until I got to Russia. Never again will I decline the opportunity to help someone. In fact…I’ll go seek it out.