Happy 2010!

С Рождеством and С Новым Годом!!! A little late I know. Anyway, the holidays in Russia were interesting. I was afraid I was going to be really homesick on Christmas, and yes, I did think of home often. But thankfully I had a fairly festive and positive day at school. Sarah and I sang Christmas carols in the English classes in the morning. And then we went out to the market and checked out this little religious store. The lady inside knew who we were immediately thanks so our TV appearances. She was really nice and we're going back without a doubt! Then we went back to school for the tree decorating :) It was perfect timing for me and Sarah. It felt really festive and was a lot of fun to do with our friends! And what made Christmas really special was my teachers thought of me and gave me presents! It was so sweet; I almost cried.

With the 26th came the start of school vacation! Sarah and I went to Krasnodar for a day of shopping and it was perfect, with the exception of a slight misadventure on the public transportation system within the city, but we got where we needed to go and now it's a funny story to tell! We visited the book market again and spent nearly 3 hours in a cafe before meeting up with Wilson and Clare and going to another cafe. Sarah and I were very pleased with how smooth the trip went and we'd like to go to Krasnodar one more time before heading north.

The 28th and the 29th were the New Year parties at school. The 28th was with the 8th class, which is my cousin's class, and she and her friends were really happy that I came. Then the 29th was with the 10th and 11th classes. Both nights, they sang New Year songs and did like presentations and skits. We even danced the cotton eyed joe. I don't know why they thought that was so festive, but whatever. Sarah was the photographer for those events so I have to get the photos from her.

Then there was the adventure with Alla dying her hair blonde. Yes, blonde. Inna and Ulya came over and we all went into the bathroom and they wipped out a box of hair dye. Alla said it wouldn't make her hair super blonde. I just looked at the picture of the girl on the box with the platinum blonde hair and smiled and nodded. Of course, her hair turned and orangish blonde and she freaked out. She had to tell her mom about it and they both decided it would be better if Papa never say it. Alla easily avoided Papa because of his new work schedule (he's a night taxi driver now. I don't know why) and bought brown hair dye the next day, New Year's Eve. I had to dye her hair back because Mama was too busy with New Year prep. It was a nice little bonding moment for us :)

Then that night was New Year's Eve and we all went to my uncle's house and EVERYONE was there! My family is so freakin' big... It was pretty cool. We had a big meal and there was lots of talking and laughing. At midnight we went outside to the streets and watched the fireworks. You could just stand there are turn in a circle and see 6 or 7 fireworks displays. People were just setting them off at their homes. The night was pretty cool, but it wasn't as festive as I was hoping. It felt like any other family gathering. But like my homeroom teacher said, I've experienced 17 holiday seasons in America. I can afford to spend one in Russia :)

Nothing much has happened since New Years. I went around town and took pictures of the backstreet, rural areas with Sarah and Andrea. I wanted to capture the Russia that I know the best :) All the Americans are coming to visit Korenovsk on the 8th to get a taste of small town Russia. That should be cool. As my time winds down here, I'm hoping to make the most of it!