MARCH!

Hey. Russia is crazy. I am discovering this more and more. I love it here, but some things are just weird. For example...On the metro. The metro is a curious thing. With every kind of person bumping into every other kind of person, anything and everything can happen. Whether its a random puddle of blood, dancing hippies, or the the drunks that are so happy they scare you, they all provide just the amount of needed entertainment for your short ride from here to there. Today, on my trip home the metro was taking extra long. With long waiting times at each stop, each car fills up like a sardine can. Innocent me - the stupid American that wears a backpack - is hated the entire time, because my big backpack seems to be in the way for each person. Now you must take in this whole situation. When people step onto this metro car, they do so like cattle with a fire behind them. Push, shove, scream, grab, claw, and climb. Anything and everything goes. I sometimes laugh, as people are just crazy. You have plenty of time to get on and off, there is no need to panic about it. When people are on the car, they stand in rows, facing the door that they want to get off at - for the next however many stops. Like cattle. They are funny. No matter how much room you might have, they will push up against you, to get closer to the door that will open in 10 min. 10 min people. 10 min. I just want to say calm down, relax. Back away slowly. Anyway, me and my backpack. Unfortunatly, as the fates would allow, my backpack was pressing up against the big grumpy ugly guy. Him, so prissy in his new suit, thought it was wrong for my backpack to touch him. EVERYONE IS SQUEEZED TOGETHER. I have no where to go. I can not even turn around! He was yelling at me the whole 30 min, and kept pushing me away. What a jerk. Furthermore, we both get off at the same stop. Now remember, when it stops people stampede off that car, as if a grenade was about to explode. WHY RUSH? I have no idea. Do you know where they rush to? They all run about 15 meters to the slow escalator. The escalator is packed - YOU CAN'T MOVE. You must now wait 5 min, to get to the top. What is the rush to get up higher 3 steps above the next person? Why? Anyway, this man was behind me again. I am walking at a brisk pace with a hoard of a crowd. As I am about to step onto the escalator, the man screams at me, takes both of his hands and shoves me onto the excalator. I scream at him, telling him to calm down and shut up - clearing making a fool of the man in front of the other 200 people in view. We calmly glared at each other the rest of the way up the escalator. hahaha.

As Spring is here now, the snow and ice is melting. However, that doesn't mean the ice is gone. Last week as I ran across the road, then jumped a small railing, I slipped. My back foot, as it was coming over, slipped on the ice. I didn't quite reach the full height that I wanted. I have never came down so hard. Me, at full speed, full backpack, straight into mud, and concrete. Yes, I was pissed. Onlookers, shrugged and snickered. hahaha

I went to a small town of Veborg a while back, and forgot some of my papers. Recently have been stopped more and more by the police. I guess I just look like trouble. However, on the other hand, I don't know what it is about my deminour, but almost twice a day I am asked for directions. Ok, there are 50 people standing and walking near me, they come through all of them, and straight to me. Um...why? Do I look like a tour guide? No. Most of the time, I am confused as a homeless person. But these situations everyday, sometimes makes me feel at home. Almost as if they can't tell that I am lost, and have no idea what they are saying. :) I helped a friend move some furniture around his house. hahaha. Silly Russians. When Russians move, they leave most everything in the house that you can't take in a taxi. Thus, the overall moving experience is fundamentally lost. They were amazed at the simple stories I told them about moving one big thing from one side of the city, to another, up the stairs, around the corner, over the banister, and so on. I felt like a master for one day, as I helped them move things around. Teaching is going very well. I have been teaching them how to do speeches. They still don't get it yet. If its the last thing I do, I will beat it into them! My usual diet is buckwheat, chicken, milk, mixed vegi's, and peanut butter. :) I miss the mountains, friends, video games, family, swimming, and free water. Yes, I still hate that I must pay for water anywhere I go to eat. I have so many stories, but I must save some for the ones I tell around the fire back home. I miss and love you all, and you all remain in my prayers. Paka.

petinka

Adventures overseas

Well, it has been a while.

I don't have much time as I need to make this short. I sometimes feel like in writing these, I am stuffing a pillow into a sandwhich baggie. Yes, I finally got home. I had to sleep with some homeless people for a night in Latvia (YES), but I safely took the bus back the next day. I just finished my first week of teaching. It has been great. Lots of the same students and a few new classes. Again, I teach english to business, engineering, and linguistic (new) students. I am getting back into the mode of teaching, and enjoying it. 

I knew I was back in Russia, when my faucet, for some unknown reason, had an electrical current running through it. hahaha. It hurt pretty bad. hahaha. I knew it was still cold here, when the police stopped me because I didn't have a coat on, and that I didn't belong. I am now heading the friday night event of "sports night." We get a lot of students together, and we play basketball, floor hockey, and vollyball. I will be starting english club again soon, as I will look for where it best fits into my scheduale. The Bible study will also begin again soon. Its all a good chance to get to know the students, and provide a good outreach. I would ask that you might consider helping me financially. As the Ruble is plumting. I am still over $3,000 dollars short, and I have commited to coming back a second year. I pray that you pray about this, as it can be harder and harder to survive here. I miss you all. Thank you for all your prayers.

pete

There and almost back

Well hello,
As I sit down to write this, I contemplate what I should write. Last time I talked to you was back in December, around Christmas. And now, its nearing the end of January. I almost hesitate in telling you everything that has happened in fear that I might miss the best parts. So much has happened and so many memories created. I don't know where to start. Well, my mom always taught me to start at the beginning, and I think that might be safe to do so. So, without further adu...
As I finished up teaching this last semester I thought alot. I thought about my mission here in Russia, and the great opportunity that I have here. As my two room mates left for the holidays, I was left alone. I had a very simple Christmas, and hung out with friends. For New Years, I took a 10 hour train ride east to the city of Vologda. I stayed there with some friends and their families for 1 week. That was great. I was able to truly experience the home of a Russian at New Years (their big holiday). I have never eaten so much in my life! They treated me so well! Champagne for breakfast, feasts for lunch, and even bigger meals for dinner. I can honestly say that I went out of 2008 with a bang. Vologda is a beautiful city, very small and homey.
I then took the long train back to St. Pete where I repacked, and did laundry. I left later that night on a taxi. This taxi took me over the boarder into Finland. We drove through Helsinki, and Tamperay. It took about 9 hours. Its cold in Finland! Burrrrr. I then jumped on an airplane in Tamperay and flew to Dublin, Ireland. I stayed there one night and flew out again. That one day in Dublin was great! It was a beautiful city! I then flew from there to Budapest, Hungary. My ultimate destination was here, as I would be substituting for another teacher. I would be teaching High school English for 2 weeks. However, my friends there, failed to read my email, on when to pick me up.... hahahahah. Traveling for those few days and this is what I came to. I was hungry, tired, and lost. Around 10pm I set out from the airport looking for food, shelter, and communication. I was so lost. After about 6 hours of walking and many hotels, i finally found one. And to make a long story short, I was teaching 2 days later. I taught 9Th - 13Th graders. It was very different than what I was used to. However, a very enriching experience. I hung out with some students and thoroughly walked the Budapest countryside, and city. Budapest is a beautiful city, and I was fortunate enough to see most every big site. Being in Europe with a once in a life time experience, I couldn't resist a 2 hour train ride to Bratislava, Slovakia. I stayed there for the weekend, and for one day took an additional train to Vienna, Austria. Vienna was the most beautiful city I have ever been in. Around every corner there was always something beautiful. I highly recommend visiting. Overall my 2 week experience was fantastic. After that I flew out of Budapest and back to Dublin. I have spent 5 days here in Dublin. And that is where I am now writing this. Its a gorgeous city. Its like a miniature St. Pete. I just stayed in a hostel, and walked the city everyday. On Sunday, I had a great day! I woke up about 6am, and walked about 7 hours south along the coast to various Irish cities and sites. Then I walked back. hahaha. It was great! Yesterday I received a grand tour of the Anglican Church of Ireland from a high bishop. I was ecstatic. These 5 days in Dublin have tested all 5 of my senses as I try to survive walking the city. Never have I felt so stupid crossing a street and almost getting run over ten thousand times. This country is backwards in the side of the car that they sit, and the side of the road that they drive. Its just ridiculous! Anyway, it has been a great experience also. I leave tomorrow for Riga, Latvia, where I need to find a bus back to St. Pete. I start teaching again the 16Th of Feb. I am sorry for going over everything so fast. I have had many life changing experiences and crazy stories in these last few weeks. I would be happy to tell you all of them some time. Maybe around a bon fire some day. haha. I hope all is going well with the rest of the world. I have said about 10% of what I wanted to say. I love and miss you all!

pete

Hello my fellow Homosapiens

Its that time of year again!

Merry Christmas!

I have had a time to reflect on everything that God has blessed me with, and am completly convinced that he is not only in control of everything, but also enjoys making these some of the best days of my life. Sometimes as I meander down the lonely streets of St. Pete, I have to stop and remind myself where I am. It suddenly becomes very surreal to me, and I am agast in amazement. It all started when I was a young kid, and God has carried me through it all, and has brought me here just like he said. I am completly in love with this country, its traditions, its people. Yes, I still stand out as the ugly American. Many have described me as dirty, rude, weird, and crazy. Many say I smile too much, or I have too many fantastic days. They say I am crazy for not owning a coat. I say they are all overdressed. Some say I am too honest when making friends, and that I should just keep to myself and ignore the problems around me. There is one problem with this. I have a joy in my heart that many do not have here. I have a joy that I can't hide nor keep to myself. I think of Christmas and all that it entails, and have to thank my Lord for what he has done. For without his birth, we would be alone. In some ways, I do not miss the glorified shopping season of Christmas in the United States. I am here in Russia, where most do not celebrate Christmas. I have a ten inch Christmas tree, some Christmas music, and friends. It seems that in missing Christmas, and my desperation to celebrate it some how, I have reached out and grasped the bare essentials. The true meanings of Christmas - the saviors birth, friends/family, and a joy filled heart. My heart breaks when I see the hopeless faces of the many people on the streets. I am spending this Christmas with good friends that I have been blessed with. I miss you all very much. I pray that you all have the most terrific Christmas that you have ever had. Please keep me in your prayers, I need everyone one of them. I love you all. Merry Christmas.

Peter

hello earthlings

hi everybody! I just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I will have a full update within the next week. 

bye bye now

pete

life is crazy

"Russians show their tears to the world, and save the smiles for their friends - Americans show smiles to the world, and save the tears for their friends."

I am thinking I need a change in my clothes. I never wear a jacket/coat and everyone thinks I am crazy. Because of it, people think I am homeless. Many scatter as if I have the plague. 

However....Life is good.

pete

A Full Update of All my Doings

Well, its that time of year again. Christmas! Its the 9th of December, and I look forward to a great Christmas break. I don't remember the last time I sent an update, but I can say its long overdue. So much has happened, and I've changed so much. To begin...

We had a great Thanksgiving dinner! We invite about 20 people over! Thanksgiving is not celebrated here, so we did our best to show it off. Putting tables together, gathering the chairs, we tryed to set the mood with everything we could. With our humble kitchen, we managed to cook two turkeys, green bean cassorole, mash potatos, muffins, cookies, apple pie, stuffing, gravy, and cranberry sauce. It was a marvelous time! The next day, we jumped on a bus for 7 hours and left the country! We went into Estonia! The capital of Estonia, Tallin. We spent 4 days there, making all of it again and having another wonderful dinner. This trip was with only my team mates. It was a good time to reflect, and reboot. Tallin is beautiful! I know like the back of my hand now. Jeff and I walked the streets many hours, exploring its many avenues, and alleys. The people there were completly different, and gave me a new perspective on the Russian soul. I must confess, as welcoming and safe Tallin was, I missed Russia. There is just something about the attitude in Russia, that my heart clings to. Now, I have school only until the 19th of December. I start back up again the second week of Febuarary. Very long break! Within that break I will be teaching in Hungary! Every week I still have English Club, and enjoying every second of it. We still have a bible study on Fridays combined with a sports night at the gym - which is very popular with the students. My team mates and I still have our own bible study every Friday morning. And Church is always a good learning experience on Sunday. The days here are becoming shorter and shorter. The sun doesn't seem to rise until about 10 am, and it sets at about 3 pm. I haven't really seen the sun for a month now, it always dark, raining, and gray. This crappy weather has really affected my students attitudes, in many negative ways. However! I am as cheerful as ever. I have come to the understanding of Gods great plans, as I see why he did some things as he did. I have a 4 year degree in Mechanical Engineering. Currently I am not using it-or so I thought. My mood has been higher than ever lately, because of the numerous resources God has given me. When the weather is horrible, or I seem more tired than ever. Walking through the streets, I can always  - always change my way of thinking....and become an Engineer for a few minutes. Since becoming an engineer, I have had this unique admiration for the world around me. For how the city is structured, why things are the way they are, or why people are the way they are. I always enjoy watching the world around me and absorbing it like a sponge. I love this majestic world, and I am lucky to be living in it! In everything I do, I give God the Glory. Furthermore, my relationships with my students have become stronger. I don't think I could be here without them either! I have also become very relaxed, and have never had so much patience in my life. I am looking at the world differently now. I am constantly trying to learn Russian! Its very hard. Recently I have been studying the grammar rules! BAH! I have taken many trips to the post office to pick up packages! It feels like Christmas everytime! I now have 6 jars of peanut butter in my room and two packages of oreos. I keep them under lock and key. hahahaha. I have told ESI, my teaching organization, that I feel I need to come back a second year, begining in August. I think God is leading me in that direction. As many of you know, I am still very short on funds. This is one of the most expensive cities to live in, and the small stipend I recieve for food and living, is hard. I am still $4,000 dollars short in paying for my plane tickets and various costs. Please, if you feel you can help me out, anything and everything will be appreciated. Well, thank you all for listening. Here is a bit of Russian for you... "YA VAS LYUBLYU" - I LOVE YOU ALL

With all my heart and my best wishes for Christmas,

your petey