YML :)

Tired of hearing people complaining non-stop? Granted, in an uncertain world with an uncertain future, many people, deprived of basic human necessities such as water, food, shelter, oppressed and neglected by the governments who are supposed to represent the people, have every right to and should complain, seek justice for all the prejudice and hate which have no place anywhere in our world. I for one, in addition to getting visibly upset by prejudice and intolerance of any kind (I think Facebook - and the Internet in general - has politicized me, I've never been so vocal about politics as I've been in recent months), admit to having very little patience for people who constantly say FML. First of all, I am in general wary of people who swear profusely. Second, count your blessings and be grateful for what you have. I know it's a cliche and sounds over didactic to the point of moral superiority, but I don't intend to be. I know I'm not perfect, but I do know what I have: the love and support of my family and friends both here in Moscow and back in the States, my health, the gifts of writing and music, I could go on. Third, it seems to be "cool" to say FML every five minutes...it isn't, take my word for it. Nobody wants to read it; frankly, nobody cares.

I apologize for offending anyone, I didn't mean to start this post with a ginormous rant. What I intended to do was propose an alternative to all the negativity we see on TV and read about in the papers and online. The alternative is YML: Yay My Life. I don't claim to take credit for this acronym, I'm sure people far wiser than I have, if not used this in their speech, at least taken it to heart in their everyday lives. I say kudos to them. Yay My Life is an outspoken, direct attempt to show the world that, yes, life is difficult at times, but life is too short to dwell on the negative. Go out and live life to the fullest. If you're passionate for music, try playing an instrument or joining a choir. Incidentally, if you're a tenor living in Moscow and enjoy singing, do please consider the Moscow International Choir, or if you're a tenor who wants to grow in Christian faith (again , living in Moscow), do consider singing at the 11.00 service at St. Andrew's Church or at 2.00 with the Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy (also at St. Andrew's). We need tenors!!!!! :D

As many of my friends will tell you, I'm always smiling. If I'm ever upset about something, it never lasts long. I try to chill, spent a few minutes in silent prayer, and move on. I am so the eternal optimist. I'm called to share my optimism with others. I remember back in 2004-05 when in the middle of Merrily rehearsals we had a pretty significant crisis: half the cast quit midway through the semester and we had to pretty much reblock the entire first half (we hadn't even looked at the second act at all before Christmas break). I think it was around then that amidst cast frustrations that I started sending out emails to the cast and crew encouraging them not to lose hope. Despite all the hardship, despite the financial difficulties, we managed to put on a decent show in February. I consider that a small victory, even though I am so the worst actor/dancer in the history of the universe. To those not in the know, that was the origin of my mass emails, which, I like to pretend to think (lol) achieved a certain level of popularity among HC folk. Now that I've started blogging, people all over can read my random opinions and agree, disagree, or outright mock me. Let them mock, they're entitled to their opinions. I will never stop being an optimist. I've been hurt several times in the past, but have each time gotten up and become stronger, a better person. I will likely be hurt again, but knowing that I'm not alone gives me strength to keep fighting day after day.

As June grows ever closer, so do exams, due dates for papers, and, alas, final farewells. I'm so totally not ready to leave. There have been several occasions in the past when I was totally prepared to just go home and not look back, but now I'm totally in a funk just thinking about it. Living in a different country, a different culture entirely from what I've grown up with has totally made me appreciate America more. At the same time, I've grown much more tolerant and appreciative of Russian culture (especially fairy tales and cartoons, yay))). Knowing that I'm going home soon fills me with deep sadness. I really don't know when I'll be coming back, nor in what capacity. I'll probably say this about 50000 times in the next three weeks, so bear with me, everyone. I have to say a profound thank you to everyone who took a leap of faith and became my dearest friends here in the Motherland. Не обижайтесь на меня, если что-то было не так. Не поминайте лихом! (Don't be offended, if something (I did or said) wasn't right, don't remember all the bad things, only the good...) I'll probably thank every person individually as we get closer to the due date. Get your hankies out, you who are prone to tears, it's gonna be epic. Having said all this, I have to remember all the upsides: first of all, I get to see my family and friends from home again for the first time in six months, in some cases over a year. Second, I love all of you very very much and there's no need to be too sad about my leaving, I will be with you in spirit, bowling, having a few laughs and telling the story in spirit. I am also determined to come back, think of all the reasons I have to return....i.e. you are the reasons. ;) You who laughed with me, gave me strength when I felt like giving up, embraced the geek that I've always been and always will be...there just aren't enough words to sum up all the experiences, all the happy memories of the past year and a half. Geez, if I'm saying all this now, what's gonna go through my mind June 18-19ish, the eve of my departure??? Better if I will be beautiful. ;)

To end on a positive note, let me express my deep gratitude to every single person I've met in Moscow and become close with. You are all unbelievably kind-hearted and special. I shall greatly enjoy your company these last few weeks and then sorely miss you and think of you often when at last I must say goodbye for the last time. But let's keep smiling, keep dancing through life, and most importantly, YL...Yay Life!!!!! :) Thank you and God bless, love you guys. Comrade Jon :)