Rebecca, Danny, Me, and Andrew trying some "local" Lebanese food. We're being brave and bold because we have no idea what to expect in Russia! (and the food was great, actually!)
Friday, June 27, 2008
Lebanese Restaurant - Downtown Pasadena
Rebecca, Danny, Me, and Andrew trying some "local" Lebanese food. We're being brave and bold because we have no idea what to expect in Russia! (and the food was great, actually!)
William Carey International University
Just posting some pictures of the University where we are studying and training. Pasadena really is beautiful!
Wheat Grass!
So tonight, we had quite an adventure. Being that I'm the only one that can drive a stick shift, I am always invited out when people need to run errands! We went to a Juice/Smoothie shop tonight and we decided to be bold and order what the 'locals' drink. I ended up with an Acai berry bowl smoothie topped with banana and granola and a shot of wheat grass with a chaser. Wheat grass is literally grass pushed through a juicer until it liquifies, then you shoot it down your throat. They say one ounce of what grass is equal to eating 2 1/2 lbs. of fresh leafy green veggies. It literally tastes like licking the bottom of a lawnmower. It's awful - seriously. They usually give you a "chaser" afterwards, like a flavored juice of some kind, but she forgot to give me one so I had that awful taste of grass until my acai granola bowl was ready. That was pretty good, actually. It better be as much as this healthy California crap costs!
After that, we went to the 2 story target in Olde Town Pasadena. Had to get a few last minute things before we leave for Russia. Then back for another night of ultimate frisbee on the lawn. Never a dull moment! Maybe there is something to this wheat grass thing after all..... haha
Love you all and thanks for reading!
Kim
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Almost finished with training
The week is slowly coming to an end, and we are learning a lot. There is definitely a big culture difference! The weather is beautiful now. Sunny and warm, but not hot. At night, we sleep with the windows open (no AC) but it feels great. During my practice session yesterday, I actually made the "students" do a science lab. Ironic, huh? haha
We've been exploring the city of Pasadena, and it is quite interesting a beautiful. I have taken a few pictures that I'd like to post on snapfish before I leave. I'll write more later when I can about our computer and phone monitoring while in Russia. Basically, there is no privacy, so I can't give anything specifics about what we're doing, money, or religion. I'll still have the use of my cell phone until Tuesday, so feel free to call or text me!
Love in Christ,
Kim
We've been exploring the city of Pasadena, and it is quite interesting a beautiful. I have taken a few pictures that I'd like to post on snapfish before I leave. I'll write more later when I can about our computer and phone monitoring while in Russia. Basically, there is no privacy, so I can't give anything specifics about what we're doing, money, or religion. I'll still have the use of my cell phone until Tuesday, so feel free to call or text me!
Love in Christ,
Kim
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Cooling off a little....
It's not 101 anymore!! It actually feels quite good now. According to the locals, this is what it's supposed to feel like! We had another early morning with devotions and service at 8am, then jumped right into culture and teaching sessions. We are learning more and more about our teammates which will make the transition into Russia a lot easier. I really do have a great group to teach and minister with. We all have special gifts and talents that meshes well together. The 4 of us will be in Lodeynoye Pole (pronounced Low-dean-ya Poe-lay), 2 guys, and 2 girls. We are staying in traditional Russian flats. I'll find out more about what that means when I get there!
We are also finding out how hard it is to get into Russia. No one can just decide to go there on a whim, grab their passport, and book a flight. NOT allowed! You have to be invited by a reputable company in the country to show your legitimacy and reason for travel. Putin is slowly changing the free will of travel into and out of the country. A veteran teacher with TeachOverseas discussed this with 2 of us at breakfast this morning. That's why we got a "teacher's visa" - because they are permitted at the request of the Russian government schools. Religious working visas used to be allowed but are slowly not anymore. Hence, the organization tried to show 'teaching English to Russians' as their main focus, even though they are a VERY Christian based organization. There will be opportunities for witnessing and serving once we meet the families in their homes. So please continue to keep us in your prayers and we begin our journey. Pray that the Russian government will still allow our visas and will not find that we are there for the wrong purpose (according to them... even though God IS the RIGHT purpose!)
Thank you again for your interest, love, and prayer. It's amazing how I can feel the power of prayer, even across the miles. Love you all!
Love in Christ,
Kim
We are also finding out how hard it is to get into Russia. No one can just decide to go there on a whim, grab their passport, and book a flight. NOT allowed! You have to be invited by a reputable company in the country to show your legitimacy and reason for travel. Putin is slowly changing the free will of travel into and out of the country. A veteran teacher with TeachOverseas discussed this with 2 of us at breakfast this morning. That's why we got a "teacher's visa" - because they are permitted at the request of the Russian government schools. Religious working visas used to be allowed but are slowly not anymore. Hence, the organization tried to show 'teaching English to Russians' as their main focus, even though they are a VERY Christian based organization. There will be opportunities for witnessing and serving once we meet the families in their homes. So please continue to keep us in your prayers and we begin our journey. Pray that the Russian government will still allow our visas and will not find that we are there for the wrong purpose (according to them... even though God IS the RIGHT purpose!)
Thank you again for your interest, love, and prayer. It's amazing how I can feel the power of prayer, even across the miles. Love you all!
Love in Christ,
Kim
California is HOT
I made it out here safely! My flights Saturday went well with no problems. I flew into LAX. My flight was to land at 4:18, but was a little late. I jumped on the shuttle and went straight to William Carey International University in Pasadena, California. We had immediate sessions that night and met our teammates. I will be traveling to Russia with 10 other people, but there will be 4 of us at our school specifically.
Sunday, we had a church worship service in the morning then had team building excercises around the city for most of the day... in 101 degree weather. We had lunch at a fabulous Lebanese restaurant. They were so nice and the food was phenomenal! Figured I might as well get used to eating new and different things. In Kahzikstan, they eat a lot of horse meat! (Hope we don't in Russia!)
That night, 3 of my teammates and myself ventured out to tour a little bit after our sessions. We went to see the Rose Bowl and the parade route (we're in Pasadena, after all!). And lemme tell ya.... these freeways are slightly scary, but I'm used to Wilmington traffic, so I can handle it! haha We had no idea where we were going, so at a stoplight, one of the guys asked the car beside us (their windows were down) and they gave us PERFECT directions! And if you ever want to know, take the freeway to 210 West in Pasadena off of Hill, or Mountain St. West :-) We grabbed dinner at Tommy's Old Fashioned hamburgers (not that old fashioned, but to them, I guess they are!) and headed back to campus. It was still in the 90's even though the sun was down. It was too hot to go to our dorm rooms (no air conditioning and it was 92 in my room). So some of us had the bright idea that since we're so hot and sweaty anyway, might as well have fun! We grabbed a volleyball and frisbee. We had a good round of INTENSE volleyball (Mama would be proud) then ultimate frisbee... with only 3 on each time, so we ran A LOT! Needless to say, it didn't matter how hot it was in our room. We burned off all the energy from the day!
This morning, Monday, we had breakfast at 7, then a morning devotional worship service, then into our first session. We learned about cultures and customs of our respective countries. I will be in Russia, but the other countries represented are Morocco, Vietnam, Hungary, Cambodia, and Kahzikstan. For example, a Russian woman CANNOT sit on the bare ground with nothing under her, or the 'evil spirits' will enter her and she will never have children. Also, it is bad luck to whistle inside your house or you will lose all your money. Only give someone an even number of flowers if going to a funeral. NEVER give a friend or someone you love 2, 4, 6, etc. flowers, but an odd number! We cannot go up to someone and compliment their baby (say they're cute.. ohhh look at the adorable baby... etc) because that is unlucky and you are sending evil spirits. Never eat food in open markets - they have parasites and will make you sick. I have more, but will type them later!
So I have been assigned as "team administrator". Basically, I am the liason between my team in Russia, the school administrators, embassy or consolate as needed, and the US. No pressure there! haha. This will be a piece of cake after dealing with prom this year :-) Each person has a responsibility. It's a well oiled machine.
Oh, and we've lost power twice today. Not that it's affecting the air conditioning... since we have none! But makes it a little difficult for our lessons, projectors, screens, lights, and computers. Probably an overload since it's so stinkin' hot! Speaking of computers, I don't have mine out here, so I'm relying on my wonderful new friends! I borrow a computer as often as I can. So if I can't update this daily, please be patient... it's coming!
Thanks so much for your support and prayer. It does mean a lot! I still have my cell phone for your texters out there. I LOVE getting them!!
I miss home, but am making wonderful friends and memories out here. I can't wait to fly off to Russia to begin my work!
Love in Christ,
Kim
p.s. Target in downtown Pasadena is 2 stories. It has 4 escalators and 4 elevators.
p.p.s - Regular Gas is $4.79 a gallon
Sunday, we had a church worship service in the morning then had team building excercises around the city for most of the day... in 101 degree weather. We had lunch at a fabulous Lebanese restaurant. They were so nice and the food was phenomenal! Figured I might as well get used to eating new and different things. In Kahzikstan, they eat a lot of horse meat! (Hope we don't in Russia!)
That night, 3 of my teammates and myself ventured out to tour a little bit after our sessions. We went to see the Rose Bowl and the parade route (we're in Pasadena, after all!). And lemme tell ya.... these freeways are slightly scary, but I'm used to Wilmington traffic, so I can handle it! haha We had no idea where we were going, so at a stoplight, one of the guys asked the car beside us (their windows were down) and they gave us PERFECT directions! And if you ever want to know, take the freeway to 210 West in Pasadena off of Hill, or Mountain St. West :-) We grabbed dinner at Tommy's Old Fashioned hamburgers (not that old fashioned, but to them, I guess they are!) and headed back to campus. It was still in the 90's even though the sun was down. It was too hot to go to our dorm rooms (no air conditioning and it was 92 in my room). So some of us had the bright idea that since we're so hot and sweaty anyway, might as well have fun! We grabbed a volleyball and frisbee. We had a good round of INTENSE volleyball (Mama would be proud) then ultimate frisbee... with only 3 on each time, so we ran A LOT! Needless to say, it didn't matter how hot it was in our room. We burned off all the energy from the day!
This morning, Monday, we had breakfast at 7, then a morning devotional worship service, then into our first session. We learned about cultures and customs of our respective countries. I will be in Russia, but the other countries represented are Morocco, Vietnam, Hungary, Cambodia, and Kahzikstan. For example, a Russian woman CANNOT sit on the bare ground with nothing under her, or the 'evil spirits' will enter her and she will never have children. Also, it is bad luck to whistle inside your house or you will lose all your money. Only give someone an even number of flowers if going to a funeral. NEVER give a friend or someone you love 2, 4, 6, etc. flowers, but an odd number! We cannot go up to someone and compliment their baby (say they're cute.. ohhh look at the adorable baby... etc) because that is unlucky and you are sending evil spirits. Never eat food in open markets - they have parasites and will make you sick. I have more, but will type them later!
So I have been assigned as "team administrator". Basically, I am the liason between my team in Russia, the school administrators, embassy or consolate as needed, and the US. No pressure there! haha. This will be a piece of cake after dealing with prom this year :-) Each person has a responsibility. It's a well oiled machine.
Oh, and we've lost power twice today. Not that it's affecting the air conditioning... since we have none! But makes it a little difficult for our lessons, projectors, screens, lights, and computers. Probably an overload since it's so stinkin' hot! Speaking of computers, I don't have mine out here, so I'm relying on my wonderful new friends! I borrow a computer as often as I can. So if I can't update this daily, please be patient... it's coming!
Thanks so much for your support and prayer. It does mean a lot! I still have my cell phone for your texters out there. I LOVE getting them!!
I miss home, but am making wonderful friends and memories out here. I can't wait to fly off to Russia to begin my work!
Love in Christ,
Kim
p.s. Target in downtown Pasadena is 2 stories. It has 4 escalators and 4 elevators.
p.p.s - Regular Gas is $4.79 a gallon
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