Thanksgiving in Russia might have lacked a proper turkey and the family that I have celebrated the holiday with for the past 17 years, but it was still a really nice experience. Sarah and I originally had plans of attempting to make a turkey and have our own little dinner, but both of us being so busy, those plans kinda unraveled on their own. But the day turned out all right after all. We made hand turkey's in English class. Meet Wilbur. We were limited in terms of art supplies, so we had to use Sarah's highlighters. But I think he turned out very handsome :) After school, Sarah and I went for a walk around the town. We walked for several hours because it was such a nice day and we were having really good conversation. It's funny how like-minded we are. We have such great conversations about politics and religion and music and literature and everything. It's nice to have someone to talk to about intellectual things like that since I lack the ability to have such a conversation in Russian! When I got home, my family was preparing a special dinner for me! I was so happy they were recognizing my American holiday! They made mutton. They seemed to know that we usually eat turkey on Thanksgiving so I don't know why it was mutton. But I don't really care because there was mashed potatoes and it was just really sweet of them to think of me like that. I tried to explain to them in my limited Russian why we celebrate Thanksgiving. I think they understood!
Then there was Mother's Day on Sunday the 29th. I thought it was on Friday so I bought my mama flowers and gave them to her early. I think she really appreciated it. Then on Saturday there was a party at my cousins house with all the usual family and friends. Mother's day is a really big deal, more so than in the U.S. Alla and Inna had a whole little program with songs and poems. It was really cute. All the moms were crying at one point! They presented little gifts to the mamas and babushkas too. There was lots to eat (of course) but it was all sweets. Cakes and cookies and candies (I made American chocolate chip cookies that everybody seemed to like) I didn't eat that much; you know me and sweets! I even got to make a little speech. It was quite simple obviously. I just said that when I came to Russia, I came to a family I didn't know at all. And now I will always have a Russian mama, papa, sister, brother, and grandmother. They really liked it I think. If anything they thought my Russian was cute! All and all it was a great party. It just made me miss my real mom!
Not much else is happening and yet everything is happening at once! From this point on, my time here is precious and I need to utilize every minute! I'm getting to know some students in the 10th class really well and am doing stuff with them. I'm doing this dance competition with them at school, so I've been practicing everyday after school and on Saturdays. They don't really practice that hard and the competition really isn't that serious, but it's still something fun to do with them! And then there's Simon, who is also in the 10th class and he's really cool too. I went гуляатьing with him, Sarah, and his sister Sasha. She lived in Alaska with some work program so she speaks English really well. It's weird to hear Russians speak with American slang! Haha, but it was really fun. I got to go to his house for dinner after and his family was awesome. They were really excited to met me and Sarah and were so welcoming. I love being guests at Russian homes!!! I think it's how every culture should be :) It's something I can't really explain and something I'm definitely going to miss...
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