Schools

Today was all about finding the schools.  We walked around and took the metro for most of the day.  And let me tell you, the metro can be a long process!  I got to see one of the schools I will be teaching at.
It is A-dorable!  I am really excited to start teaching these kids.  Getting to see some of these kids (even though it was at a different school) made me have this over whelming feeling of love for these sweet children.  One of the schools we went to, the kids were getting ready to nap and they saw us come in and just started shouting "Allo!"  It was the cutest thing!  I didn't get any cool pictures today, but I'm sure I will again soon!

We went to another store today to buy some groceries.  I'm not sure what to call it.  It wasn't a grocery store, but more of a Walgreen's type of store.  It was pretty crazy trying to steer the cart and get around there!  There were lots of people and lots of food.  And let me tell you, I have not missed bread and baked goods this much since I became gluten free.  There are SO many yummy kinds of bread and baked stuff here!  It's all I can do not to cry!  Also, it has been WAY harder trying to find food for me to eat than I thought it would be.  Honestly, some of the phrases people told me to use don't make sense to them, and I have a hard time explaining that I can't have wheat.  I don't think they really understand wheat, but rather, flour.  I really should have brought more food from the US with me.  It's okay though.  I really do thing heavenly father is looking out for me.  Even though it hasn't been easy, I've still been able to find something to eat.  I really think this experience is going to help me grow closer to him.

I also really love the people in my group!  We all get along really well, and my head teacher is awesome!

Until next time!

XOXO -Keeley

Americans...

On my first full day in Russia, I had to get naked.  You heard me..naked. Well, half naked, but still naked.  We were taken to get pictures for our visas and then taken to an office with a nurse and a doctor who were going to take x-rays of our chests to make sure we are healthy enough to work with the kids here.  I guess American physicals aren't good enough for them... Anyway, we were given a sheet of paper translated to english explainig what we needed to do:

1) Remove all clothes from the waist up  (Umm, excuse me??)

2) Take your passport to the doctor  (Wait, you want me to take my passport to a man while I'm all out here?)

3)  Stand in the machine, inhale, and hold your breath.

As you can imagine, some of us were laughing and some of us were freaking out, and some were doing both.  Luckily, the nurse (I assume she was) that was helping was really great and didn't make you feel uncomfortable.  Also, the doctor didn't look at me, so that was nice!

To continue, the reason I titled this post "Americans..." is because that's mostly the response we got today.  A few people were kind to us even though we stuck out like a sore thumb.  But most were pretty grumbley and cold towards us.  I expected that, so it wasn't a surprise.  One lady who was standing in line for x-rays was not happy that our group was going before her.  All I heard was her yelling about "ce sheh ah" which means USA!

I saw a couple of babushkas.  They were cute.

We took the metro to Nevsky Prospect, where the scenery got a million times prettier.

(Random lady I caught while taking a pic of the cafe)

Our apartment is small and a bit run down but it's kind of cozy in a weird way.  Luckily, we have hot water!  It feels like New York because there are constantly tons of cars and traffic blaring on the street below us.  It's midnight, and it's still just as loud as it was at 9 am.  I'm glad I brought my ear plugs!

We had our blood drawn and our vitals taken at a doctors office.  And saw a dentist as well.  It's kind of funny how they want to evaluate us themselves, even though we have better medicine in the US!

We were all pretty tired by the end of today.  The only reason I am able to stay awake long enough to write this is because I took a massive nap when we got home!  I am still tired though so I'll just go back to bed after this!  I knew my sleeping during the day in the US was going to be helpful...see Mom and Dad?? :)

Well, all in all, it was a good day. Long, and tiring, but good.  And a little bit of my Russian is coming back so that's helpful!

I have another full day ahead of me tomorrow, so I am going to hit the sack!  спокойной ночи!

I'm leaving soon!

Well, I finally have a final date for departure!  I will be leaving on the 26th of this month!  I am so excited!  I can't believe it is almost time to go!  It seems unreal!  I am ready for this big adventure though!  Well, as ready as I can be!  I am especially glad that I leave on the 26th because I won't miss Kian's baptism!  I can't believe he is going to be 8. That is unreal!

-XOXO *Keeley*