There's something about Middlebury. What a great opportunity: to speak Russian every day, to say you're going to go to the gym and then actually follow through, to play piano every day, what more could I want? What I want is back in Moscow. A good friend once said: "Distance makes the heart grow fonder." He was certainly right about that. There will always be a place for me back in that wonderful city that tries to intimidate innocent people who just want to take a MODERN icon home. There will always be a place for me to tell the story. There will always be a place for me to spend many a lovely afternoon, walking around Kolomenskoye, beating Mike at bowling...but I digress. I'm back in the States and have enjoyed a lovely week at home in Winthrop and Boston, seeing some friends and watching the Sox.
Tomorrow, after long last, I move back into Middlebury for a final summer of singing with Sasha, Seryozha and Lena, of revising teh beast which is my thesis, and making new friends through offering help with those pesky cases. It should be a glorious summer. I'm truly looking forward to what is to come. It will be a bit of a pain to move in, but by the time most of you read this, I will have moved into Middlebury and already having dinner with my classmates. Considering I just returned from Russia, it won't be too much of a transition into speaking Russian. Reading it for me is no problem. I have to make a conscious effort to work on my vocabulary, keep a journal of words and phrases that will come in handy. I'm planning to take Anna Karenina and Russia 9-21st cent: Search for Identity. If I can, I wouldn't mind auditing Stylistics. Yes, I know I already took that class in Moscow, but I wouldn't mind getting another perspective, studying all the different styles of modern Russian. Oh well, I can always read up on it, I did buy and bring home about 40 books covering different aspects of Russian stylistics, grammar, linguistics, etc. My name is Jon and I'm a future linguistic (re: hapless nerd).
I don't know what awaits me come fall, but I will keep an open mind, and keep smiling. I am going to be challenged, exhausted, overwhelmed, delighted, occasionally down, often up, happy, nostalgic, sad, never indifferent, attentive, active, relaxed, loving, caring, compassionate, sympathetic and emphatic, devoted. In the meantime, I welcome these next six weeks as an opportunity to study my ass off, to socialize, to network, to compose a new piece, to sing, to play piano, to be merry, to go to church, to pray, to reflect, to be me.
Keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I begin my final summer at Middlebury! This summer, just like this past week, will go by far too quickly for my liking. Before I know it, I'll be sitting in Mead Chapel awaiting my diploma. Soon you all can call me MASTER Jonathan. In the meantime, Jon will do. Only one person can call me Jonchik, and she's waiting for me in Moscow. ;) Жди меня, и я вернусь...
Thanks to Dad for loading the car, and to Mom for coming up to Middlebury with me. I love you guys! It really is beautiful up here in the Green Mountains, and as tired as I am (still suffering from jet lag, but I'm better today than I was on Monday, when I took a nap at 6:30 p.m and woke up Tuesday at 5:30 in the morning.)
"It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me, and I'm feeling good." (Michael Buble)
"DUCKS CAN'T FLY!" (The erudition of Bobby...tell that to Emilio Estevez)
On that inspired note, I think I'm gonna call it a night. Peace out, comrades! Enjoy your summer! God speed and God bless. Love you all.
Poka,
Comrade Jon
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Пока, Москва!
5 more days. It seems so surreal. So wonderful and yet so terrifying. So refreshing to finally be at home with my family and friends and yet so morose about not going out for drinks with friends, not beating Mike at bowling or writing down the latest Sergeism.
So much to say, but where to begin? So much to be grateful for, but to whom and for what? So much to look forward to, but what to look back upon?
Умом Россию не понять...I would say, умом МЕНЯ не понять, lol. Think about it, this has been my third stint in Russia, second in Moscow. I keep thinking each time that when I leave, I'm not gonna come back. But everytime I return, despite the hard times, despite living in the most ghettotastic apartments ever designed, I keep coming back. Despite the rudeness, the weather, the ridiculousness of corruption and the inability to provide handicapped access, I keep coming back. Despite the impossible to understand visa rules, I keep coming back.
I must be сумашедший. I keep wanting more. And now, I have oh many reasons for returning to Moscow. I can't even begin to count them. Suffice it to say this: As Fr. Simon and Nicolette have said in their very thoughtful blessings, I will be back. I NEED to come back. I WANT to come back. People assume that I want to move to Russia. This may be a slight exaggeration of my love for the Motherland, but I can't deny that it isn't a possiblity, at least worth serious consideration.
Today was a momentous day. I turned in my grades and am temporarily done with academic obligations. The adverb temporarily is absolutely necessary here, because for one thing, a grad student is never done or free, simply on a "break". And my break will last literally one week, before I ship up to Lake Dunmore, the lovely Green Mountains for one final summer of davai, davai, davai, Anna Karenina and Kornei Chukovsky. As for my grades, I have once again received straight A's, thanks partly to the fact that I have less writing assignments and exams this semester (to compensate for writing the first draft of my thesis), thanks also to the fact that the one exam I was supposed to take, Linguistics, I didn't have to; my professor gave me an A because I always came to class prepared. Это называется автомат, и короче, это подарок студентам от Бога. :) Yay my life. :)))
While I still have loads of packing to do (give me some credit, I did start, LOL), I'm determined to make the most of my final few days, saying "poka" to all my friends (I will be back one day, so no need to прощаться навсегда). You can find me drinking tea, beating Mike one last time at bowling in my quest for another 200 (so happy I got 213! What? You're awesome, dude! Thanks, I know. :)))
It's been amazing. I really can't think of any profound thoughts or wise, inspirational quotes that could pinpoint exactly how I feel at this moment. It's been the most wonderful six months I've ever had. I'm looking forward to more unforgettable memories, more Sundays spent singing tenor in Church, more chances to beat Mike at bowling. ;) For now though, I sign off, ready to continue my Russian education back in the states, ready to say poka to Russia and hello to Boston, to my family and friends whom I love and miss terribly.
God speed and God bless, my dear, dear Russian friends (by which I mean, Russian, British and American). I love you всей моей душой, всем сердцем.
Peace and love,
Comrade Jon
So much to say, but where to begin? So much to be grateful for, but to whom and for what? So much to look forward to, but what to look back upon?
Умом Россию не понять...I would say, умом МЕНЯ не понять, lol. Think about it, this has been my third stint in Russia, second in Moscow. I keep thinking each time that when I leave, I'm not gonna come back. But everytime I return, despite the hard times, despite living in the most ghettotastic apartments ever designed, I keep coming back. Despite the rudeness, the weather, the ridiculousness of corruption and the inability to provide handicapped access, I keep coming back. Despite the impossible to understand visa rules, I keep coming back.
I must be сумашедший. I keep wanting more. And now, I have oh many reasons for returning to Moscow. I can't even begin to count them. Suffice it to say this: As Fr. Simon and Nicolette have said in their very thoughtful blessings, I will be back. I NEED to come back. I WANT to come back. People assume that I want to move to Russia. This may be a slight exaggeration of my love for the Motherland, but I can't deny that it isn't a possiblity, at least worth serious consideration.
Today was a momentous day. I turned in my grades and am temporarily done with academic obligations. The adverb temporarily is absolutely necessary here, because for one thing, a grad student is never done or free, simply on a "break". And my break will last literally one week, before I ship up to Lake Dunmore, the lovely Green Mountains for one final summer of davai, davai, davai, Anna Karenina and Kornei Chukovsky. As for my grades, I have once again received straight A's, thanks partly to the fact that I have less writing assignments and exams this semester (to compensate for writing the first draft of my thesis), thanks also to the fact that the one exam I was supposed to take, Linguistics, I didn't have to; my professor gave me an A because I always came to class prepared. Это называется автомат, и короче, это подарок студентам от Бога. :) Yay my life. :)))
While I still have loads of packing to do (give me some credit, I did start, LOL), I'm determined to make the most of my final few days, saying "poka" to all my friends (I will be back one day, so no need to прощаться навсегда). You can find me drinking tea, beating Mike one last time at bowling in my quest for another 200 (so happy I got 213! What? You're awesome, dude! Thanks, I know. :)))
It's been amazing. I really can't think of any profound thoughts or wise, inspirational quotes that could pinpoint exactly how I feel at this moment. It's been the most wonderful six months I've ever had. I'm looking forward to more unforgettable memories, more Sundays spent singing tenor in Church, more chances to beat Mike at bowling. ;) For now though, I sign off, ready to continue my Russian education back in the states, ready to say poka to Russia and hello to Boston, to my family and friends whom I love and miss terribly.
God speed and God bless, my dear, dear Russian friends (by which I mean, Russian, British and American). I love you всей моей душой, всем сердцем.
Peace and love,
Comrade Jon
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Children Will Listen...
This has been quite a week for Tardifs, Taylors, Semedos, Varones alike. My best friend got promoted to sergeant, my sister moved into her first flat (apartment), my cousins Jess and Josh went to their Senior and Junior proms (Jessie is graduating from high school this weekend, congrats, cuz!!!! Can't wait to see you at your PARTAY!!! :D), I finished my first draft of my thesis after months of agonizing research, writing forever and hoping for more than a little divine inspiration. My cousin Kristina is getting married, my cousin Gillian is graduating from college, wow. YAY everyone! On top of that, my best friend Maureen was featured in a interview, woo hoo! My friends Alexa and Bob have set a date for their wedding, as I have alluded to in a previous post, my friends Michael and Irina are getting married, supposedly in Russia, which would give me a superlative reason to return to the Motherland. So many props and shout-outs to make! Will be spreading them out over the next couple of weeks so be prepared! :)
On a serious note, I'm asking in advance for help in moving out. I need to arrive by Domodedovo no later than 3 p.m. on June 20 (Sunday) for a 5:15 flight to London (B.A.) If anyone can and wants to help me move my luggage from my flat (Leninsky Prospekt, Dom 81, kvartira 122, pod'ezd 5) to Domodedovo. If nothing else, I'd be very grateful for the company on the way to the airport, as well as your steadfast generosity with your time. If not, I can totally manage on my own, but would love to see anyone who has the time and desire to wish me off as I leave Russia for the third (and maybe final) time. Do let me know if you can help or knows someone who can help. I've got two suitcases and two carry-ons. Thank you very much in advance! :)
Now that the thesis is (mercifully!!!!) finished, I can concentrate on studying for my truly dreadful linguistics exam. I'm sure I won't fail, but I'm still quite worried. Lots of questions to study, plus it's an oral final, as it customary in Russia. Eeek. I just want it to be done. It will be on Wednesday, all that remains after that is a short paper for my music history class. After that, some bowling to celebrate my academic and other successes, but mainly, time spent with the best friends a guy could ask for. Thanks for making the last year and a half incredible for me. I will never forget your kindness ,your crazy stories about me, all the good times. Forget the bad, remember the good, that's what I say. YYL. :))))
Gonna keep this blog short today, feeling a little tired, tomorrow Fr. Simon's gonna send me off proper, as he won't be in church the following Sunday, which will be my last Sunday at St. Andrew's...never gonna forget all the Sundays singing children's hymns multiple times, the time I was asked to play piano with less than 10 minutes to go before the start of the service, and of course all the Tuesday and Saturday MIC rehearsals and concerts. Better if I will be beautiful...and TELL THE STORY!!!! :D
Moscow, I will never forget you...and yes, as Fr. Simon rightfully will say, I will return one day...thank you all and God bless.
On a serious note, I'm asking in advance for help in moving out. I need to arrive by Domodedovo no later than 3 p.m. on June 20 (Sunday) for a 5:15 flight to London (B.A.) If anyone can and wants to help me move my luggage from my flat (Leninsky Prospekt, Dom 81, kvartira 122, pod'ezd 5) to Domodedovo. If nothing else, I'd be very grateful for the company on the way to the airport, as well as your steadfast generosity with your time. If not, I can totally manage on my own, but would love to see anyone who has the time and desire to wish me off as I leave Russia for the third (and maybe final) time. Do let me know if you can help or knows someone who can help. I've got two suitcases and two carry-ons. Thank you very much in advance! :)
Now that the thesis is (mercifully!!!!) finished, I can concentrate on studying for my truly dreadful linguistics exam. I'm sure I won't fail, but I'm still quite worried. Lots of questions to study, plus it's an oral final, as it customary in Russia. Eeek. I just want it to be done. It will be on Wednesday, all that remains after that is a short paper for my music history class. After that, some bowling to celebrate my academic and other successes, but mainly, time spent with the best friends a guy could ask for. Thanks for making the last year and a half incredible for me. I will never forget your kindness ,your crazy stories about me, all the good times. Forget the bad, remember the good, that's what I say. YYL. :))))
Gonna keep this blog short today, feeling a little tired, tomorrow Fr. Simon's gonna send me off proper, as he won't be in church the following Sunday, which will be my last Sunday at St. Andrew's...never gonna forget all the Sundays singing children's hymns multiple times, the time I was asked to play piano with less than 10 minutes to go before the start of the service, and of course all the Tuesday and Saturday MIC rehearsals and concerts. Better if I will be beautiful...and TELL THE STORY!!!! :D
Moscow, I will never forget you...and yes, as Fr. Simon rightfully will say, I will return one day...thank you all and God bless.
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