Yes, Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus.

If you had asked me a year ago if I would be okay having a Christmas day without my family and our traditions, I would have given you an extremely nasty look just for bringing up the possibility that Christmas could happen without my family. In fact, a year ago from today, I was getting yelled at by my dad for insisting that our in-transit family keep to the traditional Christmas morning, tree-gathering, Santa Claus-bringing ceremony.

Then, today happened. I am over 5,000 miles away from my family, in a place that doesn't really celebrate an English Christmas (which meant that I ended up working). I am in a land where I barely speak the language.. And yet, I enjoyed myself. I didn't even mind working, spending an hour putting together a comprehensive movie packet for my TOEFL class and then teaching for 3 academic hours. After work, my AD and I walked over to a fellow intern's flat where we gathered for our own mini-Christmas celebration. And while I didn't stay too long, I'm not missing being with people celebrating Christmas. I do have a slight nostalgia at not going caroling with my cousins, or singing the Star Spangled Banner before praying over the main feast (a strange family tradition I know). But, I'm not upset. I'm altogether quite content and peaceful right now as I sit in bed, typing, reading, listening to the Notebook soundtrack and munching on yummy gingersnaps. Life seems so right here, away from the bustle and commercialization of Christmas and minor family spats.

I love my family, but I'm glad I get to spend Christmas in Russia. Santa gave me the greatest gift of all this year. He gave me the means to achieve my dream, and the promise that it will continue as long as I need it to. He gave me back my faith and my hope and my confidence. It's okay to dream big.

So good night and merry Christmas dear readers. I hope that Santa was able to bring you all of your desires too.

On Santa Claus

Many of my readers might believe that the above tribute to Santa is a playful exchange of words alluding to the childish spirit of Christmas. But I must confess, within my deepest soul I not only WANT to believe there is a Santa, I DO believe in Santa. While there may not be an actual man who flies to every country and slides down every chimney, who's to say there isn't. It is as possible me getting to come to Russia. As possible as a Georgian taking over half of Europe and Asia. As possible as the Titanic sinking. As possible as a man walking on the moon. Besides, even if there is no tangible MAN, there is definitely a tangible spirit of Santa though who has inherent magical qualities. (Although here most of my critics are going to try to tell me that a spirit cannot be tangible, I will persist in insisting that this one is.)

Today, I had my TOEFL students read the "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" article written over a hundred years ago. As we discussed it we pondered the different points like why is the author writing such a formalized letter to an eight year old. What is the real purpose of the letter? After some consideration, the conclusion I came to is that while the letter was addressed to the child Virginia, the response was directed at the "skeptic" readers themselves. It is such a passionate plea for a return to the innocence of child-like belief, alluding to faeries and magic. But it is also very sensualized and fervent in its endeavor to bring in rationalized arguments that the readers can relate to: among these being love, poetry, beauty and faith. Readers, remember that this is the time of the Bohemian revolution. Fantasy authors and romantic authors such as Shelley, Keats, Byron and Mary Shelley were in their prime. This plea is just a push trying to get these skeptics to go from Dracula and Frankenstein to a faith in the innocence and purity of Christmas. To go from an obsession with romantic love and drama to the purity of a child's love for all she holds dear.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, because in a world filled with skeptics who try their best to outshop, outcurse and outdo their loved ones, somehow, true Christmas innocence continues to exist. And that, Virginia, can only be because Christmas is magical. And Santa is magic.

Sincerely,
Your Russian Traveller

Christmas Time is Here Bringing Joy and Cheer

The sun set several hours ago, officially welcoming Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The night is perfect and serene, and while there is snow on the ground, the air is clear and crisp and a perfect 21F. And though I can't see the stars in the sky, I know they are there, smiling down on me. They have to be. Because this night is perfect.

My Christmas Eve day began with one of the best presents of all for an overworked EFL teacher: my first two classes were cancelled. This gave me the extra time I needed to hit up the ATM and then go Christmas shopping. I needed to get gifts for Lena, a good Russian friend and coworker, and one for Lidia and Ilya, a couple who has taken me into their home. I ended up buying a rose and dark chocolate for Lena, and a rose and picture frame for Lidia and Ilya (however their rose started drooping by the time I got of work). I don't usually enjoy shopping, even when I do speak the language. But I did feel a sense of accomplishment being able to buy these gifts for myself. (Additionally, earlier this week, I made a Western Union transfer all by myself - without a translator. Score 1 for me!!!)

After I bought the presents I headed to the school to get settled and prepared for my next four classes. My first class was a pre-int group of preteens/young teens. We mixed a page out of the book with several Christmas worksheets and games. My next class, a teen intermediate group watched Kung Fu Panda: Holiday edition, and then they discussed the important aspects of Christmas (or in Russia's case New Years). One of my students, Alyona, brought me a gift containing chocolate candies, chocolate bars, and a canister of gingersnaps. Yummy!

My next class was my favorite class of all - my New English File adult intermediate group. They are always so much fun and are always dutiful and hardworking. Tonight I had planned a movie night. The class before we had gone over the story "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," looking at Christmas vocabulary and reading timelines. So today, we put watched the movie in order to reinforce the word pictures in the story. I had brought a few snacks and tea, and while I was getting everything set up, they stopped me. Margo stood, and then everyone stood, and then they presented me with a wonderful box of sorted Ferrero truffles. I almost cried on the spot. I love my class!

My next class was a NEF advanced class. They are a new class for me as I just took them over from another teacher a couple weeks ago. We ended up watching "The Santa Clause."

After my last class which ended at 22:00, I walked over to Lidia and Ilya's. Lidia had invited me over for Christmas Eve, even though I worked late!The darkness was already breathtakingly serene, except for the music coming from my earphones. I part walked, part skipped the way there. I love this weather and this serene solitude of darkness.

The night only increased in greatness as it progressed. In addition to me, they had invited another friend of theirs over, Alexei. The company was good and so was the conversation. We traded Christmas and New Years traditions and laughed over the different names of food. We laughed over the fact that we both got each other picture frames for Christmas. We laughed over the antics of their daughter Sonya who is a treat to watch as she plays with her toys. Christmas music played in the background causing me to sway and lip-sing to the familiar tunes. Lidia had prepared a dinner consisting of rice, chicken, cucumber and tomato salad, and jello which we feasted upon with great relish. Ilya drove Alexei home, and Lidia and I played with Sonya and attempted to put some of her new gifts together. Then Lidia and I took turns reading the Christmas story. At about 1:20 I finished the perfect evening by re-entering the inviting darkness of the Russian night sky.

I don't remember the last time I had such a good Christmas Eve, even in the States when I was surrounded by family and lifelong friends. Thank you God for sending your son to become one of us, to die for us. Thank you for providing us with everything we need, even when we don't know we need it. And thank you for sending people into our lives who are there to fellowship with and to love.

Happy Birthday Jesus!




Did you know that you can get a pregnant Barbie Doll? I didn't but I sure got a kick out of this one. You can put the baby in the tummy, and then when it is born, you can turn the tummy cover make it flat again, because of course, Barbie has to be in perfect shape!



From Genesis to Revelations in pictures.
















Pop-out book of the nativity story.
















New Presents for Sonya!














Lidia, Sonya, and their beautiful tree!



Sincerely,
Your Russian Traveller

The sun set several hours ago, officially welcoming Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The night is perfect and serene, and while there is snow on the ground, the air is clear and crisp and a perfect 21F. And though I can't see the stars in the sky, I know they are there, smiling down on me. They have to be. Because this night is perfect.

My Christmas Eve day began with one of the best presents of all for an EFL teacher. My first two classes were cancelled. This gave me the extra time I needed to hit up the ATM and then go Christmas shopping. I needed to get gifts for Lena, a good Russian friend and coworker, and one for Lidia and Ilya, a couple who has taken me into their home.

I ended up buying a rose and dark chocolate for Lena, and a rose and picture frame for Lidia and Ilya (however their rose started drooping by the time I got of work). I then headed to the school to get settled and prepared for my next four classes. My first class was a pre-int group of preteens/young teens. We mixed a page out of the book with several Christmas worksheets and games. My next class, a teen intermediate group watched Kung Fu Panda: Holiday edition, and then they discussed the important aspects of Christmas (or in Russia's case New Years). One of my students, Alyona, brought me a gift containing chocolate candies, chocolate bars, and a canister of gingersnaps. Yummy!

My next class was my favorite class of all - my New English File adult intermediate group. They are always so much fun and are always dutiful and hardworking. So, tonight I had planned a movie night. The class before we went over the story "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." So today, we put watched the movie in order to reinforce the word pictures in the story. I had brought a few snacks and tea, and while I was getting everything set up, they stopped me. Margo stood, and then everyone stood, and then they presented me with a wonderful box of sorted Ferrero truffles. I almost cried on the spot.

My next class was a NEF advanced class. They are a new class for me as I just took them over from another teacher a couple weeks ago. We ended up watching "The Santa Clause."

After my last class, I headed over to Lidia and Ilya's. They had invited me over for Christmas Eve, even though I didn't get off work till 10:00! The evening was amazing. In addition to me, they had invited another friend of theirs over. The company was good and so was the conversation. Everyone had a laugh over the fact that we both got each other picture frames for Christmas. Their daughter is a treat to watch as she plays with her toys. Christmas music was playing. Dinner consisting of rice, chicken, cucumber and tomato salad, and jello tasted mighty delicious. Lydia and I even took turns reading the Christmas story while Ilya took Alexei home. At about 1:20 I finished the perfect evening by walking home in the dark of the cold, fresh night.

I don't remember the last time I had such a good Christmas Eve, even in the States when I was surrounded by family and lifelong friends. Thank you God for sending your son to become one of us, to die for us. Thank you for providing us with everything we need, even when we don't know we need it. And thank you for sending people into our lives who are there to fellowship with and to love.

Happy Birthday Jesus!



Lidia, Sonya, and their beautiful tree!



New Presents for Sonya!



Pop-out book of the nativity story.



From Genesis to Revelations in pictures.



Did you know that you can get a pregnant Barbie Doll. I didn't but I sure got a kick out of this one. You can put the baby in the tummy, and then when it is born, you can turn the tummy cover make it flat again, because of course, Barbie has to be in perfect shape!

Private Smiles

Russians are not known for their overt cheerfulness or their friendly smiles to random strangers on the street. Which makes sense when you think about it. After all, why would you wave and nod at somebody you don't know. Yet, that is what I am used to. I hail from a small, Texas village where it's customary to give a pleasant "Howdy" and wave as you pass people walking along the side of the road. We consider it friendliness and manners, but looking back it does seem odd.

The fact that most Russians don't smile on the streets or in shops in no way means that they lack manners or social graces. If there is one thing I've learned here, its that Russians are highly social creatures who live to be with each other and enjoy the presence of friends, family and a good drink.

The second thing I've learned is that to really get people or the attitude of a nation you really need to keep your eyes open and focused. While I in no way claim to have unlocked the psychological attitudes and positions of a nation I have learned to cherish the glimpses I get into the daily lives of these seemingly stoic people.

Russian Tableaux

1. On the bus, there is a guy. Young, probably mid-20s, and quiet for the most part. In his hands he holds a tiny baby. He is bent over, staring at the young infant. Next to him is a young woman with long blond hair and a slightly large, yet thin, nose. Her frame is facing the man and child. Her hand reaches out and her fingers brush up and down the baby's arms and legs. Tender, caring. Together the two young parents protectively surround and cherish their precious treasure.

2. In the school I get such joy and amusement out of watching the young kids come and go. They come in with their babushkas, and their little bodies are like round little blue, purple and pink snowmen. When they get inside, their babushkas sternly, yet gently unravel them from the mounds of winter coats, gloves, hats, scarves, sweaters, etc. Then the children go off to class and the babushkas sit and wait, sit and wait. Then, when the boys and girls stream out of the classroom, the babushkas swarm around their ward and commence the bundling process. All out of love.

3. The girls in my classes continually amuse and endear themselves to me in the simplest ways. For all of the advanced technology and desensitization that occurs in the world todays, these preteens and teens know how to show compassion and friendship to each other. Before and after every class, they greet and leave each other with several kisses, both on the cheek and the lips. There is no lesbianic innuendos or snide comments, just sincere, innocent girlish affection for a fellow companion. I can't help but think that the girls in the US are missing out on something. While we greet each other with hugs, I've never seen girls really stroll down the street arm-in-arm or hand-in-hand (at least just as friends) or greet each other with friendly pecks. There is so much stereotyping with those sort of gestures now that we shy away from what use to be common practice. Here its all natural and wonderful.

When you walk down the street, you don't see a lot of people smiling and waving back at your friendly overtures, but when you look at the hands and the eyes you see such tenderness and compassion. When you hear them speak and chatter with each other, or with you if you're lucky, you hear warmth and affection. It's not overt. It's secret and private. But in a way, that makes it worth so much more, because you know they are sincere.

The Delights of Teaching: Conversations Overheard

Yesterday I assigned one of my in-company groups a discussion project. One of the unit objectives had been to learn and actively use various discussion interjections and expressions such as "I admit it!" "That's precisely what I mean." "What I'm trying to say" and "Anyway, . . ." So, I looked through the ESL treasure trove of online jewels, www.onestopenglish.com and found a discussion topic that I thought would get my ordinarily stagnant, advanced-level business adults talking.

The assignment: A fire is consuming a building and fourteen people are stuck on the 32nd floor. The elevator can only hold 8 people, and for some reason, the stairs are out. The students are given a list of the 14 people which contains the profession and a few notes on each desperate person. The students must use these notes to decide which 8 people will live and which 6 people will suffer from smoke inhalation before having their flesh consumed by a raging hot fire.

The people included
*a lawyer (who has four young children who depend on her).
*a journalist (whose recent investigations broke a drug ring).
*a farmer (who has made two failed suicide attempts).
*a mailman (who is suffering from cancer but responding to treatment)
*a politician (who is an active environmentalist)
*a priest (who does a lot of community work)

Three out of the four students took the time to read through the both the professions and the notes and then decided. The other student (with whom I have had previous problems), well... here are a few of his responses.

About the lawyer:
Me: Why the lawyer? She has four young children who depend on her. (Trying to encourage discussion and use of vocabulary)
St: Because she takes money away from our children. All lawyers should die.

About the priest:
St1: He can just consider it a promotion.

About the journalist:
St2 (who is in favor of keeping the journalist and killing the mailman): But the mailman is not needed as much, plus he's dying anyways.
St1: But she should die. She's young and female and a journalist. All journalists should die.
St2: Do you read any news or magazines?
St 3 and 1: Yes.
St2: Online or paper.
St 3/1: Online.
St2: So the journalist is more necessary and useful.
St1: She should die. All journalists should die.

The thing about this is that he was serious. He has said quite a few comments like this before in class. It almost makes me want to cry (especially since I'm young, female, and have carefully considered a career in journalism). However, I feel like after making a few, hopefully thought-provoking remarks, the best solution is to awkwardly laugh it off.

I wish I could say this kind of discrimination is rare, but I have heard many such remarks. One of the biggest reprimands I have to make among my students is to teach them that "nigger" is not an appropriate word. They have actually been taught to use this word by their Russian English teachers! Of course it doesn't help that they turn around and ask why they hear it in music sung by black artists, but I just have to insist that that word not be used.

However, it does bring home to me the fact that I do more than teach English. I have the opportunity, not to spread the glories of English tradition and superiority, but to share with them a more expanded horizon of thoughts and philosophies. Black people are more than just druggie rappers. There's more to life than math, science and vodka. Smiling is okay.

I can't say I was born to be a teacher and that teaching is my destiny (the thought of which actually gave me nightmares a few years ago). In fact I would like to be the perpetual professional student. But I do love those few moments when I feel like I am actually connecting with my students. One of the greatest feelings was when I was watching Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone with one of my advanced teenage classes, and one of my students exclaimed out of the blue, "Ahh, I understand it." And that's why I am teaching without regrets.

Pay Day and Blessings

Pay Day! I have never appreciated two words so much. But, tomorrow is pay day, and I am extremely excited. 8,000 out of 10,000 rubles from my last paycheck went to pay bills back home. This left 2,000 rubles for two weeks. Normally it can be done fairly easily since I walk to and from work and don't eat out a lot. However, this past pay period I was assigned a new class that was not within walking distance. The day of the first class, I ran out bus rides on my card. So, I ended up paying for it. In the future, I will have a month long bus pass, but as I said, I haven't needed one before now.

Since this past week was the first of the month bills were due. So, I've been without phone and internet and surviving off of spaghetti noodles and rice. Which isn't bad, but after 2 weeks of it, I want something with substance. In addition, all but two light bulbs in out flat died. My room and both toilet and shower room are in complete darkness (except when my computer is on).

Normally, it's not so bad to get from paycheck to paycheck, but it seems that everything hit during these two weeks. I only have to take 4,000 rubles from my next paycheck, so life will be easier.

The good news is that God provides blessings everyday through wonderful friends. I am so thankful for all of the friends I've made here. Lena, Alex, Janice, Jon, Lidia, Kayla, Colleen and many more! They help remind me to be joyful in all things.




Kayla and I on our exploration of the great city and Colleen's birthday party at the Starlite Diner which is another post in and of itself.

Sincerely,
Your Russian Traveller