Feast and famine

"There once was a girl with one little curl,

right in the middle of her forehead.

When she was good, she was very very good,

but when she was bad she was horrid."

For the little girl (with the little curl), there is not middle ground; very very good, or horrid.  I feel that way about camp work; at least, this poem has always reminded me of that.  Not that it can be good or horrid, it's never really horrid, but that kind of extreme describes the nature of working at camp.  The phrase "feast or famine" sums it up as well.  If I'm not up to my eyeballs in work or living at camp, I'm cooling my heels.  There is no middle ground!

I have been busy up to my eyeballs since the beginning of the month.  I have had 20 separate lessons to write for camp; a pretty tall order!  I write all of the lessons myself, from scratch; there is no ready camp program for us.  So that's where I've been the last month, locked in my room on my computer, writing lessons.

Today, I'm going to give you, my faithful readers, a sneak preview of this years lessons!  The theme of camp is "Star Tours: Route 66".  The kids visit a new planet every day, and each planet has a different theme; communication, water conservation, a planet of wild animals, even a planet where Darth Vader has stolen the sun!  

So here you go, a little taste of English camp!

Well, I sure hope we can get the sun back!  This is day five of the second session, which is kids aged 14-20.

I'm excited, I don't know about you!  I head off to Ukraine on Tuesday for more document jockeying, so expect a report and pictures of me with my dear friend Margarita (she's from Ukraine and studied at UM; we became fast friends).

Two of my favorite girls; Rita on the left, Eli in the middle.  From our college days!

Пока ребята,

Russian Jane

Spring Holidays

I feel like every time I turn around in this country, there's a holiday.   And not just some day that a few people celebrate at home, we're talking day-off-from-work, no-school, federal holidays.  While this can be an inconvenience for people (like me) who need to get government paperwork filed within certain time frames, it's mostly a lot of fun for everyone, and a chance to relax.

In the first ten days of May, there were three federal holiday: May Day (1st), Easter (5th), and Victory Day (9th).  On top of that I went to a 12-hour wedding yesterday, so it's been a busy season!

May Day is Labor Day in Russia.  All workers get the day off to relax and, if they live in the beautiful South, enjoy the fine spring weather.  I spent the day with friends volunteering at a rehab center high in the hills.  There actually wasn't much work for the ladies to do, so we had a nice day relaxing.  And when I say "rehab center", don't think some walled-in stone institution: this is a charming farm overlooking green valleys and the sea.

Photos by Anya Pyankova

Easter was on May 5th.  If you find yourself saying, "Jane's lost it, Easter was in early April!" never fear, I'm still with it.  In the Western world, the Catholic Church determines on which Sunday Easter falls.  In the Eastern world, the Orthodox Church decides.  It has something to do with phases of the moon, and is a very complex process, and even though the two churches use the same process they almost always have different dates, usually two weeks apart.  This year, Western Easter was especially early, hence the month-long gap.

Easter in Russia is a major holiday, and often one of the two times a year Russians attend church (Christmas is the other time).  There is a lot of overlap in Easter traditions; church services, dying eggs, and even a Russian version of a hot-crossed bun.  I spent the day with family and close friends.  Grandma Vera brought us a duck from the countryside.  As good as it was, it was no replacement for my mother's Easter ham dinner.  Mom always asks me for a list of the food I want to have when I'm home, and Easter dinner is always near the top of the list.

May 9th is Victory Day.  Russia's involvement in WWII began in June of 1941 when the Nazis attacked the Soviet Union's western boarder.  Their involvement lasted until the Nazis surrendered.  They lost approximately 20 million citizens, half of which were civilians involved in guerrilla warfare or victims of attacks.  Victory Day is especially important in Novorossyisk, which is one of Russia's few designated "Hero Cities". 

Novorossyisk earned the status of Hero City for turning back the Nazi front from the Caucuses region and further south.  In the cold winter of 1943, Soviet marines landed in the icy waters outside of Nazi-occupied Novorossyisk, and in a battle that lasted nearly 50 days were able to defeat the enemy and regain the territory along the sea.  95% of the city was leveled during the occupation and ensuing battle; that means that the entire city of Novorossyisk has been built, essentially, since the 50's.

The massive memorial Malaya Zemlya (Малая земля) on the battle site

I spend V-Day at camp, not working but relaxing with friends.  We played volleyball, had a barbeque, and enjoyed the day.  That evening friends and I climbed up on the roof our the church and watched the firework salute. 

And last but not least, I went to a 12-hour wedding yesterday.  I'll spare you the details (and see if I can dig up some photos later!) but suffice to say, it was simultaneously the loveliest and most tedious wedding I've ever been to.

So, busy times this May!  And that's not even work!

Пока ребята, Russian Jane

Tourist season is upon us!

Here on the Black Sea, a lot of the economy revolves around "the season", meaning tourist season.  Here, the season starts in May and ends in October.  I don't want to gloat, but yesterday it was 80. 

While Novorossyisk is primarily an industrial port city, the prime location on the Black Sea coast and the closing of Sochi for construction of the Olympic Games have resulted in an influx of vacationers during the summer. 

Mom took this from the front porch in Missoula.  Meanwhile, I was getting my first sunburn of the year.

Of course, my work at camp revolves around the season.  That means that until June, I'll be a busy beaver writing lessons for the English program, planning camp activities, and preparing for the arrival of a team from Simpson University that will brave the month of June with us as our guest native speakers.

These guys are so brave, they have no idea what they're in for.

All that said, happy May Day (a little late) and happy first day of the season!  I hope the weather gets straightened out for you guys, and that you have a beautiful Spring.

I'm headed downtown now to buy myself a fan; it's already unbearable hot in my room!

Пока ребята, Russian Jane

Parents in Russia part 2

My parents are safe and sound back home, and I think we're all still trying to wrap our head around the entire trip.  I left for Moscow on March 20 and yesterday, April 15, was my first "normal" day back.  Needless to say, I'm a little tired!  Tired, but kind of amazed and bewildered at what just happened.

My parents and I met in Prague where I got a new visa while we toured the city.  In America, we think of things built in the 18th century as really "old", but in Prague you can find structures from the 13th century that are still in use!  It was an amazing city, one I had always wanted to see and am very glad we got to visit.

From Prague we went to Moscow, where we saw almost all of the sites (the Lenin Mausoleum was closed, next time!).  Moscow is a remarkable city, with a remarkable metro I might add.

After Moscow, we came to my dear Novorossyisk.  I had a list of places I wanted to show them and things I wanted to do, but Uncle Ilya thought my ambitions were too modest and took the liberty of amending my schedule.  By the time my parents left, we had seen EVERYTHING that there is to see in our region.  We were tired, true, but what an amazing experience it was!

Here are some of the highlights of our tour.

We visited the town that flooded last summer, and met with a pastor there who told us about how God spared the believers in that town, about the people who died or moved away, about how the town is continuing on.  He and his wife had us over for lunch; what warm and lovely people.  One of the unique experiences my parents had on this trip was visiting many homes. Usually when you travel to a place, you see many interesting sites but rarely how people really live.  It gave my folks a whole different perspective on Russian life.

The pastor showing us where the water level was.

If you can imagine, this entire bridge was underwater.

Directly following the flood, their home served as a center for organizing, feeding, and housing volunteers from all over the country, so this was actually my second time at their home.

Hanging out with my boss, Andree, and his wife Natasha.  He and my dad had an instant connection, and our afternoon with them was peaceful and fun.

Andree showing us their construction project.

Our town tour really was a highlight of the trip, at least in my mind. We learned all kinds of things about Novorossyisk, WWII, and the history of the Black Sea region.  We even saw a dead dolphin on the beach! That sounds kind of grim, but for a girl that grew up in the mountains it's a little mind blowing.

Public exercise equipment on the beach? Yes please!

Gettin' fit on the shore.

Dad had a certain affinity for Lenin statues.

Dad's birthday was April 9, right in the middle of our trip! After a tour of the campground where I work, we had a wonderful birthday celebration with the Ivanyenkos, who were such wonderful hosts the whole time.  I know dad will remember this birthday all his life, I certainly will.

"Mountain Springs".  My buddy Andree's dad did all this rock-work.

The captain can't keep a straight face.

On a birthday hike up to a cliff overlooking the sea, where someone build a platform with a picnic table.

Dad with his new 'KGB' birthday mug.

Smoked fish was a real birthday treat!

My buddy Arthur gave dad a map of the former USSR, you can scratch away the places you've been like a lotto ticket. I wonder what's underneath?

If anyone is wondering if I miss my parents, of course I do.  Our time here together was unforgettable, and reminded me of how much I love and appreciate them.  I hope this won't be their last trip to Novorossyisk, and I know they hope the same.

For now, camp season is right around the corner and I have some lessons to write!

Пока ребята, Russian Jane

Parents in Russia

This is going to be a quick update because we're busy beavers over here, but I just had to share about my parent's trip to the Czech Republic and Russia (real fast).

Daddy in Prague

We went to Prague in the Czech Republic (former Czechoslovakia) so that I could get a new visa at the Russian embassy.  The visa process was clean and smooth, and the town, oh the town! Prague is a medieval town that was untouched during WWII, and we had a wonderful time exploring.

The Czechs (and Russians by the way) have a tradition of putting a lock on a bridge when they get married

Mom and a Czech guard

After Prague, we went to Moscow.  Moscow is hectic, busy, and amazing.  It's really something to see, and though I can't say it's our favorite city, we were very happy to have seen it. We saw the Kremlin, Red Square, the Christ the Savior cathedral, and even the Armory. 

The famous Bolshoi Theater

Novorossyisk is a "hero city", and is honored at a memorial in front of the Kremlin

Former rocket scientist turned matryoshka artist

Now, we're in Novorossyisk giving the region a thorough tour.  We've been going nonstop since we got here, but thankfully the next few days will be a bit more restful. 

Dried fish, my obvious favorite!

My buddy Vasil worked as a tour guide for a while and gave us an excellent tour of the town

Mom and I at a WWII monument in front of the Black Sea

So friends, I'm tired and have a lot more to tell you (and a lot more photos to show!) but more on that to follow.


Пока ребята,

Russian Jane (and Russian mom and dad!)

Dreams come true

I find myself back in Moscow right now, sitting in the apartment/office that I stayed in back in June when my adventure had first begun.  I'm on my way to Prague to get a new visa (my fifth one!) and to do something I could have only dreamed about: bring my parents to Russia.

It's almost been a year already, can you believe it?

I'm spending a couple days in Moscow to make a stop at the American embassy for some passport matters, and on Saturday I'll scurry over the the Czech Republic where my sweet parents will be waiting for me. I don't think that "excitement" quite covers it. I'll get a new visa in Prague (I have to leave Russia to do this) and see the sights with my parents, then we'll come back to Moscow for more touring, then finally to the Black Sea.

Both returning to this apartment and bringing my parents here have given me cause for reflection.  When I look back on where my life has gone since June, I'm amazed.  I came to Russia just one month after graduating college, unsure of where my trip would lead me. I wound up at camp where I found both an amazing group of friends and a family (remember, I met Masha at English camp).  I was then offered a permanent position at Mountain Springs. I've been through three camps, survived a flood and an earthquake, brought my brother here, and am now preparing to introduce the two most important people in my life to this "Russian life" I have.  All I can say is, all glory to God, because even my best plans could not have turned out like this.

In our unfinished kitchen, watching the boys stand on the ceiling using homemade gymnastics rings.  Living the dream.

Tomorrow, after my visit to the embassy, I plan to do some "pre-touring" and make a plan for the parents.  The next couple of days will be so hard, waiting to see them!  I know we're going to have a wonderful time together, I know that they'll love my Russian family and friends, and I know that I'll cry tears of joy when I see them at the gate of the airport in Prague.

My Russian life has been a dream come true so far, and it's only getting better.

Пока ребята, Russian Jane

International Women's Day

Yesterday was International Women's Day, which is a big enough holiday here in the Russian Federation that school is cancelled. Every other woman walking down the street with a hint of a smile, carrying a little bouquet of spring flowers. Every other man is frantically scrambling to get those same bouquets of spring flowers, and scouring the town to get gifts for the important women in his life.

In America, International Women's Day is sometimes printed on calendars, occasionally mentioned, but for the most part it goes unnoticed. But not here. This is the one day a year set aside to appreciate the important women in your life, and the men really do a nice job, I have to say.  My boys certainly made me feel special yesterday.

       Uncle Ilya gave me the table, it's the neatest thing! It folds up. The tulips and tea-pot are from Senya and the rose is from Tima (the Ivanyenko's oldest son).

Even though it's traditionally the men who celebrate the women, I thought I'd take this time to celebrate some of the most important women in my life.

First of all is, for course, my mother.  In American pop culture, there seems to be the idea that becoming like your mother is something almost repulsive. To say "I sound like my mother!" is usually not a compliment to oneself.  Call me square, but I pray to God that I grow up to become like my mother. She is the kindest, most patient, most loving person I know.  She's a wonderful cook and an excellent homemaker, so much so that my friends often compare her to Martha Stewart. And she's been a wonderful and supportive mother, even supporting me as I move across the world. She's been a blessing to my life and I only hope that the older I get, the more like her I become.

My grandmothers have also had a profound impact on me. I've grown up knowing that I am dearly loved and treasured because of them. Lois has inspired me with her lifelong love of learning and her own adventures overseas, and Patty has shown me what Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 13, to always see the best in everyone.  Their loving kindness and godliness have been examples to me all of my life.

And where would a girl be without her friends? Eli has been there for me through trials and triumphs, thick and thin, tears and laughter. She's suffered through my burnt popcorn, my broken Spanish, and my study-induced meltdowns.  Eli is as true a friend as anyone could ask for.

And lastly, the two newest ladies in my life, Masha and Aunt Tanya. I thank God constantly that he has put me in their home. I could not have survived this Russian life without them! Masha is my best friend here; she knows all my business and I know all of hers, we pray for each other, laugh and cry with each other, and understand each other at a glance. Tanya looks on me as one of her own, cares for me like a mother, and gives me great encouragement and comfort as I'm so far away from my own mama.

Ladies, I love you all so dearly, and can't thank you enough for the impact you've all had on my life. I wouldn't be where I am today without you. I think of you often, and look forward to the next time I see you. Happy International Women's Day, I love you all!

С любовю (with love), 
Russian Jane