A Memoir of a Busy Day

This is a week between two holidays -- a week of vacation for many Russians. Not for me. No sir. I am working nonstop. It hasn't been a week of much sleep either.

Living with Ivan
Yesterday, my good friend Ivan moved in with Vitaly and I, as he needs a place for about a month. I really enjoy hanging out with Ivan, and we have similar interests like Subarus, Soviet Military Paraphernalia, and The Simpsons. I think it will be great fun having him live with us.

Three Hours of Sleep
Last night, I stayed up über-late chatting with friends (you know who you are ;) ), and talking to my uncle before he flew up to Alaska for the funeral of a good family friend of ours. Dan was well along in years, and cancer had slowly taken it's toll. He died peacefully, but it is still sad nonetheless that I will never again hear his kind and friendly words of encouragement. So, as I was saying, I stayed up until 4 AM doing all this. Then I had a shower and went to bed. My alarm was set for 10:00.

Early this morning, our doorbell rang, and some guy walked in. I just ignored it, thinking it was Ivan (the new flatmate). Then some unfamiliar face poked his head past my bedroom doorway and started talking to me. Half delusional from sleep, I thought for a second it was my cousin D.J. I had the sense to ask "who are you?". It was Dale, a former teacher who we were expecting to visit for a few weeks. I knew he would be staying with us, but I paid little attention to the date of his arrival. Dale was here. Today. Crap. He was supposed to be staying with me in my room. My room was a complete dump, as I had given no thought about the possibility of him arriving. I decided to get up, and introduce myself to him, while cleaning my room. I didn't go back to bed after getting up. Though his arrival caught me off guard, I like Dale. I have really enjoyed talking with him, and am happy to have him with us for a while.


Friends are Friends Forever
Today, something else happened, a milestone in my year in Russia. My good friend and colleague Navina went home to America. I call this a milestone because the idea of finishing my year of teaching seems so far off, but now that she has left, I see how soon my own departure will be. I don't mean to be selfish in putting it in those terms, by the way. I am quite sad about my friend leaving. Getting to know Navina, and spending time with her has been a privilege. She is a very talented, cheerful, inspirational person, who is so good at being a friend. I wish her the best of luck at Andrews next year, and I hope that her life of adventure takes her to the amazing places she only dreams of. So, if you read this, Navina, so long, счастливо, and пока! Thanks for the many good memories.

All in all, it's been a busy day, and I even forgot to mention spending three hours making pumpkin pies for Navina's going away party. And an hour after getting to the party, leaving to teach a three hour class at the school. Yeah, one class that lasted for three hours! :) I dread tomorrow morning, because I have to teach at 09:30 at a place 40 minutes away. Uggg...
But, as I write about yesterday, which died an hour ago, it was a good day, and it was successful, and for that I am grateful. Praise to the Lord.