Moscow: The Final Frontier

So I can't honestly say this will be my last time in Russia. Nor can I say that I have any intention of moving here permanently, which I do not. For the moment I'm going to enjoy the ride. My flights out to London and Moscow were very smooth, I do love and will continue to support British Airways (they've always been very decent to me). I was VERY pleasantly surprised by the relative efficiency of passport control. I only had to wait about 15 minutes (SAY WHAT?!, you may think-I know, right?!). Of course, I knew afterwards that I had arrived in Russia when it took me about 4 hours to get to my new flat, having sat in traffic for pretty much the entire duration of my journey. That was the second worst traffic jam I've ever sat it, the first of course being the time it took us five hours to get to the Cape from Winthrop (we were in a blizzard at the time, but C'MON MAN!)

Anyways, after a weekend in which I got on one day two hours of sleep, the next day 11, the first week teaching went by pretty well. It was definitely an adjustment on many levels, but I think I did all right my first week. I have two groups on my own, two intermediate groups (one teenagers, one adults), plus a bunch of groups which I share with other Russian speakers. Lesson planning has never been an issue for me; I always allot a ton of time to planning my lesson; the more I plan, the better the lesson will be. I do have a few chatty children, but no real discipline issues...yet. I have survived my first week.

On the social front, I'm back singing in choir. We're singing Rossini's Petite Messe Solenelle and Christmas Carols today. I listened it the mass a couple of times and it is FANTASTIC. There are a lot of fugal passages and beautiful harmonies, I look forward to singing the entire Mass (we rehearsed the Credo today). No major Sergeisms yet to report, other than him telling the tenors that we sound like an electric piano...should be another wonderful season. I'm also excited to be singing a solo at church during the Carols service on Dec. 14 (Sunday evening, 18:30 at St. Andrew's)...will send out dates and times for the International Choir concerts when I know then. In the meantime, stay tuned for further updates and incredible Russian adventures.

Funny ESL moment of the week: on Wednesday night, a lesson on irregular verbs/past participles turned into a story about Superman, Captain America and a pirate named Roger. I now no longer have any reason to hate participles in English.

Talk soon, stay warm (we've already seen our first snowfall of the season a couple of days ago!!!), and if you run into Roger the pirate, tell him Ilya says privyet. Peace out my friends!

Love and blessings to all,

Comrade Jon

Do you want to go to Borneo? No.

Do you know the old saying? Do you want to go to Borneo? No.

Context: Dad comparing the British penal system with Borneo at dinner at Jeveli's. Much hilarity ensued.

So yes, it's my last night in the U.S. Tomorrow I set off for Russia, where I shall be teaching ESL at the same place I was at before, Dolgoprudny. This time I shall hope to have Saturdays off so I can sing with the Moscow International Choir (too much to hope for having Tuesday evenings off, so I'll settle for Saturday mornings of telling the story and trying to not let my face have any problems while being beautiful. While I am not nearly as sad I was in 2006 when we celebrated my birthday three months early (just mom, dad, grandma, and me). I watched Finding Nemo that afternoon with mom and just started bawling, this time feels like routine. I've already spent nearly two and a half years on and off in Russia (St. Petersburg for a year and Moscow for a year and a half) and apart from a few annoying incidents, I've had lots of love and random laughs, and I"m sure I'll be having lots more. Looking forward to seeing all my crazy friends from LL and choir. Looking forward t0 walking along the Moscow River, traveling up to Dmitrov and bowling with the crew.

Today was spent doing every possible errand: dentist appointment at 8:00 am, haircut at 9:00, marathon at 10:00...LOL. Well, maybe not a marathon, but I did do lots of last minute errands. About to print off my boarding passes before I go to sleep, then pretty much just chillaxing tomorrow morning and afternoon. Mom and I usually watch a movie before I embark on such a journey, so we'll see. Maybe Nemo again? Maybe Up? Maybe a Choir marathon? :))) I love my wonderful family for all their support. I love all of you, my dear friends, for all your support. I will definitely stay in touch and I trust you will as well, whenever you can.

Will send a follow-up date with more details about living arrangements, my teaching schedule and plans for the year. For now, this is Comrade Jon signing off and wishing you a very happy Wednesday! Peace and love, Comrade Jon