~Love is in the Air~

    February has been a very unusual month of Craziness. I don't think there was much down time for me this whole month. The month started out with me still recovering from all the doctors visits and trying to regain my health and stabilize my heart rate. An update about my health, I am now on a heart rate medicine to help try to regulate my heart rate as well as anxiety medicine to keep my body calm more than what I can control. I have been on my heart rate medicine for a little over 2 weeks now and have only had 1 episode where my heart rate was really high. I think the medicine is definitely helping. I have only been on my anxiety medicine for about 5 days so it will take a little more time for that to really sink into my system and for me to start seeing it work.
  For the 100th day of school, I only made it for the parade and then I had to leave to return to the doctors office. It was such a joy to see all of the elementary students dressed up to represent something of "100." My children represented 101 Dalmatians and very cute Dalmatians might I add. At the end of this week I was able to return back to work and my kids welcomed me with open arms and lots of love and happiness. I have never been made to feel so loved. It is reassuring to know that I must be making a true influence in my students lives for them to miss me that much when I am out. The school had an Elementary Movie Night after school on a Friday. We ordered pizza, sang some silly songs, watched a movie, and enjoyed popcorn together. The kids had a blast and I think the teachers and parents did as well. It is always nice to be able to give to the kids fun things to do outside of the school day but to enjoy it with their friends and family in a safe environment.
   The most exciting week in a school year, I think, is Spirit Week! It is a time for silliness, creativity, and imagination to run wild. The first day of Spirit Week was Twin Day. All of my kids dressed like someone or something and I dressed alike with the 2nd grade teacher. Next was Character Day, this was a huge hit with the kids and trying to figure out who everyone was through out the day was a bit of a challenge. I sank into my childhood and was Junie B. Jones (from a book series) Everyone's favorite day including the teachers was on Tuesday and that was Pajama day! As much as I love this day I also despise this day because I get so tired being so comfortable and warm through the entire day, it makes it hard to teach. The last day of Spirit Week was the most absurd. Wacky Tacky Day is always a hit and a lot of students enjoy this day to for they do not have to match anything they are wearing. I got really involved in this day as well. It is so fun to bring out the inner child and craziness in the teachers. It shows the kids we really do know how to have fun and be "cool" in their eyes. Spirit week came to a close when we wished the basketball players off to Budapest for the tournament and we ended the week with Valentine's Day Parties.
   I titled this particular entry, "Love is in the Air" because Valentine's weekend I had a chance to be a part of the English Cafe Retreat again. A group of about 40 of us, Russians and Americans, left Moscow for the weekend to become more acquainted and help the Russians with their English  It was cold, very icy and snowy, but we had a blast. We played games, sang songs, watched a movie, had discussion groups, and thoroughly enjoyed each others company. We all learned new things about ourselves as we all took the 5 love language test. We discussed relationships (bf and gf, friends, family, etc) and even had a devotion time on Sunday morning for all who wanted to attend. We do not push religion or things on these people for we aren't trying to turn anyone away but to help improve their English, build relationships, and in the end, hopes that they would be willing and initiate the move to learn more about Christ. What a great time of fellowship it was. On a side note from this weekend, I had the opportunity to walk around outside in the snow and ice to take pictures of my bosses daughter who is a senior. On our journey, I stepped through snow and ice and was stuck in a river. It was only about a foot and a half deep but was enough to soak me past my knee and freeze my toes and leg through my pants and boots. Needless to say, I still have all of my toes and Alisha and I just created some very humorous memories that will never forget.
    February has slowed down a bit since Kindergarten met their last obligation for the month. Kindergarten and first grade lead chapel this past Friday and did an outstanding job. We sang some old fun songs and performed 2 skits. We talked about how Jesus is the only way to Heaven and also performed a skit about Zaccheaus. The children memorized scripture and even learned a whole praise and worship song in Russian. It was a very beautiful chapel and I am one proud teacher! My children were rewarded also on Friday after chapel by having a, Friday Fun Day. We left the school and went to a park for a little over 2 hours. We played on huge mounds of snow, went sledding, and painted the snow! When we left the park we were all cold and tired so we made our way back to the school and watched a movie while we ate popcorn and drank hot cocoa. The kids absolutely loved such a wonderful fun filled day. I am definitely looking forward to the last few months here with these kids before we all set off for the summer!
   

The Hoopla since the New Year

     I have been really bad about sitting down and actually writing out how things have been going here in Moscow lately and I apologize. Please bare with me as this second semester is only going to get more crazy and busy but I will do my best to keep you all up to date.
     In the month of January I have been trying to get my kiddos back into the swing of school. It has been another adjustment period for these kids especially because I had kids travel all around the world for Christmas Break. My kiddos have surprised me though with how much they remember and being so eager to be back to school and learn. We enjoy each others company and knowledge in my classroom. I love being a part of what the Lord is doing each and every day through me for these kids. I am so blessed to be able to say that I work at Hinkson with such wonderful staff and very special children. As the days went on in January so many things took place at our school. We had the opportunity as a school to help pack seeds to send to families who are less fortunate or who are struggling. We packed 1,004 bags of 7 different types of seeds in each bag for families in need. This was such a wonderful experience to be apart of in helping Moscow community. I love the outreach ministries that I can be a part of while working here at Hinkson.
   Here in Moscow it has been so beautiful with all of the fluffy snow and crazy amounts of it as well. I had the opportunity to go sledding with Karen, Alisha, and Haley. We took a walk through a beautiful white covered park and made our way to some slopes to go sledding. This was my first time ever and it was one of the best days ever, despite the frozen legs and soreness afterwards. Sledding down the hill to get to Karen at the bottom was a blast, going forwards, backwards, on our stomachs, and also trying to race each other was so much fun. We laughed, face planted in snow, rolled off sleds, threw snow at each other, and tried catching snowflakes in our mouths. So many memories were made on this wonderful Saturday with special friends, including stepping into knee deep snow, getting stuck, making tunnels and so much more. My boss Karen made hot chocolate and when we returned to her house she had some very delicious hot soup ready for us as we sat around and had wonderful conversations.
     Our school has been taken over by sickness and a lot of the students and staff were out with some kind of flu and other sicknesses. I had 2 students gone for over a week straight. It is so nice to have my class back to school all together  and still just as excited as the first day of school. Now that my whole class is back together I have been out of work for a week now. I have been battling hot flashes, heart races, dizziness, headaches, and chest inflammation which causes chest pain. The dr said I was very dehydrated and have a viral infection. I am under drs orders to stay home, drink lots of fluids, and rest. All of my blood work came back normal so he is unsure why some of these things are still happening and causing pain. I will call the doctor again on Monday and we will discuss further investigation. I appreciate all the prayers as we try to determine what is really going on here.
     As January has come to an end we prepare for so much excitement and new adventures in February and the months that follow. The 100th day of school is on Monday and I am very excited about seeing my Dalmatians trot through the whole school in our elementary parade. We are also getting ready for our Elementary Movie night at the school, spirit week, valentine parties, winter break, Chapel presentations, and Friday Fun Day in Kindergarten. SO many things to look forward to but with all of this comes a lot of planning and preparation. I hope and pray we can all stay well and enjoy the time we have with each other. Take care friends and family, know you are loved and miss all the way in Russia. 

In a Nutshell

    I can say that a lot has happened since the last entry and that would be true but at the same time its been pretty relaxed. The first half of the year ended on a very good note. We celebrated Jesus Birthday in my classroom and had a wonderful Kindergarten Christmas Celebration. We ended the 2012 year with a huge successful Bang here in Moscow! I am a very blessed teacher and so proud of each of my students. I have seen so much change and love happen right in my classroom each and every day. I am amazed by what these children bring to our class each morning.

Over Christmas Break I had the opportunity to go to Italy and visit with the Bruce's  It was a very much needed vacation away from the frozen and snowy Moscow. I arrived the Sunday night before Christmas and the little ones had no idea! It was the best surprise EVER.. I spent Christmas there in Naples with the Bruce's. We made a trip up Mount Vesuvius. The drive up the mountain and back down were just beautiful. I am still in awe of everything I got to see and experience while I was there! So many wonderful memories to cherish forever! We spent endless hours laughing and just enjoying each others company then it was off to Rome for 3 days. We visited the Colosseum, The Vatican, St. Peter's Cathedral, Sistine Chapel, and so many other sites there in Rome. We walked for what seemed like forever each day. We ate pizza, pizza, and more pizza! lol :) I spent the nights in the hotel room with just the girls. We had a giant slumber party. Painted fingers and toes, took silly pictures, pillow fights, and watched Italian cartoons. After we left Rome, we headed back to Naples for just a few more short days before I was to return to Moscow. We played games, went to Ravello, Walked in the Sea, collected ceramic stones, went skiing down some stairs, skyped with family from home, and had wonderful home cooked food! New Years Eve was a very tiring day for us and the girls didn't stay up for Fireworks and all the jazz but Trisha and Jason and I walked outside to watch the fireworks and to bring in the New Year together! No better way than being with family.

Well I am back in Moscow and have been for about a week and since I have been back it hasn't stopped snowing. We go back to school tomorrow and I think I am actually ready for it. I am so excited to see my little kiddos again! I have missed seeing them every day! I have really enjoyed having a break and not being forced to go, go, go every single day. I have been able to sleep in, that is when I can actually get to sleep, make sure my house is clean, things are done on my end, catch up with friends and family from home, and really start focusing back on God and the relationship I have with Him. Things for me personally have gotten pretty shaky here lately and I have my moments and days of frustration, confusion, questioning, and loss of hope, but I am going to start focusing on me and what I need to do to better myself and my relationship with God. This may have some heartache and emotional ups and downs to it but I think this is what needs to happen. I need to go through this in order to move on in my life and know I am doing the right thing. I could definitely use all the prayers I can get. Also please be in prayer as we begin the second half of the year here in Moscow and that we all are ready to conquer what things come next for us. Things will be getting busier, harder, colder, but this is the long stretch to home. I have to keep reminding myself daily, If God brought me to it, He will bring me through it. I can do this, No- I WILL do this! Thank you all for your support and prayers. I will do my best to keep this updated a little better now that the Holidays are over now. :) Good Night America! 

Busy Life in Moscow

Life has definitely gotten away from me this past month so I am going to back track a little and try to catch you up! I am becoming more and more involved but the second semester is also coming to an end and with all the Holidays at the end of the year, things get a little insane! 

Back on November 16, my kiddos led chapel for the whole elementary.They worked so hard and did such a wonderful job preparing and telling the Story of Jonah to a large group of people. The kids led the music with, "The BIBLE, Who Did, Making Melodies, and Who is the King" They also shared a Bible verse that they have memorized so far this year in our Bible class. I was a very proud teacher. The following day the high schoolers performed a wonderful show called, Belle Notte. This year Belle Notte was called, InternatioNoel and they performed Christmas songs from all over the world. It was beautiful! 

The following week was a bit crazy for it was Thanksgiving week. We had a short week at work and on the last day before our break, we celebrated Thanksgiving as a class. We dressed up as Pilgrims and Indians, went on a Turkey Hunt outside, Read the Thanksgiving story, played games, did some crafts, Carved pumpkins, and had a Thanksgiving feast while watching, "Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving." The very next day I left Moscow with a group from the English Cafe and went out to a Dacha for a retreat. We had so much fun. It was so worth getting out of Moscow for a weekend to relax and enjoy fellowship with some great people. We played English games, sang oldies and Christmas songs, watched a Christmas Carol, and had group discussions with the theme of "Past, Present, and Future." 

The highlight for me from November was going to see, Little Mermaid, the play in Russian! No need to know how to speak the language when you have seen the movie 100 times! I still sang along to all of the songs in English as they sang them in Russian! It was so wonderfully performed and incredible to see it performed live!! I even got the soundtrack cd in Russian from the performance. I will learn the Little Mermaid theme song in Russian! (Some day HAHA) 

On to December, So far this month I have been extremely busy every single day before and after work and all weekend. Getting thngs perpared for the Elementary Christmas Program, trying to record grades, get into the Christmas spirit, planning all the days we have before we leave for Break and much more. I went to Izmilyva (Russian Flea Market) the first Sunday of the month and about froze to death walking around in the snow and ice! They have some awesome stuff and I am stoked about souveniers I can find there! I went to a friends house for Dinner and  that was very delightful  to not have to cook and be able to catch up and just have a girls night outside of school. I have been going to Bible study at a different families house every Wednesday, I meet new people there each week. It is so nice to be able to fellowship with people from Russia, America, and Africa! 

Today the children in the Elementary performed their Christmas Program! They did a wonderful job! The 5th graders performed with Bell Chimes, 4th grade performed with the Recorders, and K-3 sang a great bunch of songs with hand motions and beautiful voices. The finale for that age group before 4 and 5th grade joined back up to end with a bang was, I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas! The kids absolute favorite song and it was SOOOO cute!!! The night ended and I was out the door as soon as I was able to be. Now time to relax a little before the Christmas Dinner tomorrow for the Staff! Then back into reality come Monday morning again! Christmas break is so close but there is so much to do before it can come! Italy is almost here and I can hardly wait!!! :) 

November Makes its Appearance

     Fall Break was too short for us in here in Moscow. It was cold, wet, and gloomy but we tried to make the best of it while we could.After traveling all the way across town and waiting for another coworker in a metro for 45 minutes, I finally got to go exploring with my roommate at a Children's Hands on Museum. It is something new to Moscow and it was so much fun. It was two floors and we played with everything. I was able to walk through a "fun house," play with very large bubbles, sit on a chair of nails, scream into a sound box, and explore the many different kinds of machines they had. Natalie and I played in this museum for over an hour and then decided we should make our way back to our apartment.
Just a few short days after my experience at the museum, it was Halloween. Now people here in Moscow do not go Trick or Treating and all of that Jazz but who would want to when it is 18 degrees and the snow and wind are whipping around like crazy outside. Natalie and I walked home from work on Halloween evening freezing and getting pounded in the face by snow being whipped around because the crazy amounts of wind that were happening. Later that evening, Natalie and I were in the kitchen talking and I said, "Hey Nat, do you want to go trick or treating in this weather, I'll dress up like an Eskimo and we can ask people for hot chocolate when we knock at their doors." We cracked up for a good 5 minutes after this conversation. The conversations that go on inside our four walls of our apartment crack me up and keep things going bright here in Moscow while everything else outside is so cold and gloomy.
November 1st was an exciting day for me but as well as most of the staff and our Hinkson girls soccer team. It was the day of the "Hinkson Cup" which is when the staff and moms play a soccer game verses our girls team. I was a bit nervous because I am (as most of you know) a very clumsy person, and I was about to play soccer in the freezing weather, snow, and ice. What was I thinking?? We went out and played 2 halves of 15 minutes each so only a 30 min game. The first round I slid about 4 times but was quick to jump off the ice and snow and continue playing. We held the girls 0-0 the whole first round. Pretty good considering we were the "old people." LOL The second round we were all so cold and tired that the girls team scored 1 on us in the last 5 mins. They won 1-0, but we all did a good job playing considering the weather conditions.
So after a lot of praying and emotional long hard days of trying to work through some tough situations, my boss approached me with another job opportunity and I accepted. I now work one Saturday a month monitoring the hallways at our school during the SAT test that are given. I work from about 7:45-1pm. God is definitely working in my life and providing all of my needs at the perfect time. All my praise has to go to Him!
This past week has been a busy week for everyone here as we were preparing for our Fall Festival/Rummage Sale here at our School. We had a great turn out. We had so many fun games, costumes, face painting, decorating cookies, ping pong, video games, prizes, a jail set up that you could pay tickets to have someone chased down- picked up- and dragged to jail, dress up photo booth (which I was in charge of), lots of different items on sale, delicious food, and many other things. The kids and even the parent and staff enjoyed our time together. It started about 10am and lasted until 2pm. This was definitely a huge hit for all of the kids from our school and their families. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this incredible adventure.
I also had the opportunity to go to an English Cafe that some people I work with host at our school for Russians who want to better there English language by speaking to Native speakers and each other. Last night was "Open Mic Night" and I enjoyed listening to many people sing and share their talents! We also sang some karaoke songs together as a whole, which was a lot of fun! I am glad I went and I think I will continue to go each time they host an English Cafe. The people are great. What a way to make new friends!
Now as time gets closer to Thanksgiving, we are preparing for so many different things around the school as well as the holiday weekend plans. I am excited about what is going to take place for Thanksgiving this year but still having a hard time accepting that I will not be home for the Holidays. I just have to keep reminding myself that this is where God has placed me and He has a reason and a plan for me being here! 

The snowy madness has begun

Snow has arrived here in Moscow. Our first snow fall was October 26 during the Parent Teacher Conferences that were held at school. Needless to say, the snow didn't stick but I enjoyed watching it fall from the windows of my classroom. It was a blistering cold day. October 28 was the 'real' first snow day. I woke up to a beautiful white covered view from my windows of my apartment.
Not too many exciting things have happened since my last post, it actually has been a pretty hard month. I got a new student in Kindergarten, her name is Allison. Since Allison has arrived, the dynamics of my classroom have changed tremendously, and most not for the better. It has been a very crazy time in Kindergarten trying to get things back to 'normal.'
I did make it to the Russian Ballet and boy was that absolutely incredible. I have never any kind of ballet or dancing done so beautifully. The Russian Ballet consisted of, a Jewish wedding, Greek dance, Russian kick dance, Chinese dance, Japanese dance, a sailor dance, and many other things. Each dance was well performed and so fascinating! I cant even explain what I seen. I teared up watching the beauty of the dances being performed so perfect. I will definitely go see another one!
Twice this month I have had the privilege of going over to my bosses house on a Saturday to have dinner and play some games. This is always an exciting time because I dont have to cook! LOL My boss makes the best cornbread and she specially makes it for me every time I go over! :) I have had the opportunity to play some new games while over at her home as well as spending time with her family and making new friends! It is such a joy to have a wonderful family here that is so fun to be around and so uplifting.
I had the opportunity to go out around town yesterday with my bosses daughter and take photos of her for her senior year. We had such a blast together. I explored different things and starting with taking the brown, orange, red, green, and blue lines to get around town on the metro. We rode very steep escalators, walked thru metros, around a park, down Arbot street, and many other places. We also hiked up a huge hill, walked thru a watery mud hole, slipped on some ice, hopped over a small stream, walked by a river, and had so much fun doing it all. I also experienced a Russian Mcdonalds. Very different atmosphere, the inside of this mcdonalds was amazing and two stories. The 'drive thru' people were "walking thru" just absolutely different. Amazing to see how similar but different things like this are in another country!
I have started something new on Tuesdays after work with a small group of ladies that I work with. We now get together and do aerobics together! We had so much fun meeting for the first week but we all were so tired and sore for days following our workout. We will continue to do aerobics every Tuesday after work together, so please keep us in your prayers! Lol...
The first semester of school is done and grades are all finished. That was definitely a crazy week to get all of that finished on top of planning for our parent teacher conferences. But, I got it all done and on time! I do have a couple of funnies from the past couple of weeks from my lovely kindergartners. I asked all of my students, "What are some different kinds of people in the world?" I got some very expected answers like, boys, girls, black, brown, russians, americans... and then my youngest student yells out, "usual people- you know like the usual skin colored people." It was too cute! One more story and this has to do with my Russian student. At the end of each semester I will do an overall semester test to see what knowledge the child has gained, etc. On this test, I had to ask the child about, Top, Middle, and Bottom. I used a picture and asked the children to point to something on the top shelf, something on the bottom, and something in the middle. Well when I was testing my Russian, I asked, "Point to something on the bottom," but before I could finish my question, she pointed to the little girls "bottom" on the paper. I had to do everything I could to hold it together. Well she definitely knows what the body part "bottom" is and when I got around to finishing the question she could show me something on the bottom shelf as well! :) It was so funny and too cute. It made me very happy to see the progression that my russian speaking child has made so far in the first semester.
Our first semester as well as October has come to an end but the learning and making a difference in a child's life will continue. I look forward to all of the new adventures, stories, memories, and life lessons that the future here in Moscow will bring! 

The Sparks of Life

      September ended on a pretty good note. Fall has definitely settled in here in Moscow. Kindergarten has been moving forward and enjoying each day we have with each other. So many news things have come about in my class. Each and every day the children bring so much joy and laughter into the class and so much learning is happening among the students. I do have quite a few stories to share that definitely make me laugh every time I tell them.

The first story that many of you might be terrified to hear but to me it is truly a hilarious moment that I will never forget. Natalie and I were invited over to our bosses house, Karen. While we were over at Karens we  watched Robin Hood with the younger kids while Karen made a delicious dinner. We then ate Potato Soup and have Corn Bread, man it felt so nice to eat some southern corn bread! :) When we were finished we all sat around the table in the living room and played games. We laughed and had such a good time of fellowship with each other. Before we knew it it was late and we needed to get home. Natalie and I said goodnight and headed to the elevator. The elevators are very small here and its definitely an interesting experience. When we got to the elevator I climbed in and the doors immediately closed behind me with Natalie on the other side. I banged on the door and I could hear my roommate laughing on the other side. This was the moment I realized, "I am stuck in the elevator." One of the first things I was told when I got here in Moscow was not to be shocked if I get stuck in an elevator and that it happens to everyone at some point. So I started laughing hysterically. I am laughing so hard I am now hunched over holding my stomach because it hurts so bad and now I need to use the bathroom. The doors opened and my roommate is laughing so hard her face was red. We both finally made it to the bottom floor and out of the apartment complex, still cracking up laughing so hard we are both choking to the point of puking. I will never forget the day of being stuck in a very small Russian elevator by myself listening to my roommate cracking up on the other side. Oh what a night! 

A little dose of  what happens in my Kindergarten class every day. We got to chapel every Friday morning and I usually sit on the end of the row next to my class. Laurel wanted to sit by me one day so I allowed her to. Before chapel started all of the kids in the room were turned around and talking. I happened to look over right at the time that Laurel was starring at me and I couldn't figure out why, then all of a sudden she latched onto my arm and held on for dear life. I have no idea what is going on and then she leans over and whispers in my ear, "Miss Macomber I am so glad that you let me sit next to you in chapel because I love you." (As she leans in for a hug) Last week we were talking about Vowels in class. We have this vowels song that we sing every day before we move onto our next vowel and Evgeny, my very intelligent boy, stops singing and waits for me to acknowledge that he is not singing, and he shouts out, "Miss Macomber, I have no more oxygen in my mouth to sing this song, the vowels song is too much for my mouth." WOW! The things kids say, but wait it gets better. In science we have been talking about, Rocks, Sand, and Soil. On the first day we talked about Rocks and I asked my class who could tell me what a rock was, and my youngest, Sadie burst with excitement to tell me so I called on her. Her exact words were, "A rock is a hard thingy mabobber." I love he vocabulary that my class uses every single day, it's great. Also, yesterday morning when all of my kids came inside, I noticed Sadie's hair and I said to her, "Sadie your hair is a little wild this morning." Boy was that the wrong thing to say to a 4 year old because she had a come back. She starred at me and said very seriously, "Miss Macomber, my hair is still very sleepy and we need to give it time to wake up." Oh how I could not stop laughing after that comment was made. Oh boy, This is why I do what I do. The things that kids say definitely make teaching worth every second of my day for the rest of my life. 

Oh, this is so fun. As most of you know my roommate Diane from college, well she works at a christian school and the Kindergarten class at her school and my class are going to become Pen pals. I am so excited to see how the kids interact with each other through drawings, letters, videos, etc. My class is thrilled to be able to talk to people in the states. Some of them whom have never had this opportunity. What a wonderful experience for both classes! 

Here is another story from Natalie's third grade class that is very funny. You have to love teaching in an international school but using an american curriculum. What is a babushka? Well in America a babushka is a headscarf but in Russia it means grandmother. The third graders all know Babushka as a grandmother. Now picture yourself only knowing babushka as a grandmother and stay with me during this story. In third grade they are reading a story about a girl who went from Russia to America with nothing but her Babushka and her coat.In the story the girl swings her Babushka around and around as she dances with it. Then later in the story she takes her Babushka home and cuts it up and makes a quilt out of it. The kids at the end of the story were rolling they were laughing so hard. This is now the running joke in third grade! ;) 

 Well September is now over but October has definitely made its appearance here for me. My week of October has been an eventful one. It started out with us forgetting to pay our internet/phone bill so that got shut off and we weren't 100% sure how to pay it. Ha Ha. Then a very special necklace broke at work and I was devastated, BUT it may be able to get fixed. After this I went grocery shopping on the way home and decided I was going to make some dinner. I went to go plug in my microwave to use it and the outlet started sparking and smoking. I immediately unplugged it and it continued. I panicked mainly because I don't speak Russian  I'm home alone, I cant get a hold of my roommate, and my kitchen is sparking and smoking. I was able to get a hold of my boss and her husband had me go to the 7th floor and find someone to give my phone to them. I am very emotional at this point and this little old lady was able to help me. She came to my room and turned off all of the breakers and was able to give us a number for an electrician and stuff. My bosses husband came over as fast as he could. On his way he picked up dinner for me and he ran into my roommate. They both came to my rescue. We were able to figure out the problem and the next day another guy from work was able to come over and fix it for us. Praise God it wasn't something too serious and that I was able to find some one who could help me. Like I said, October has not been my month so far. Here is to hoping that it gets better for me! 

Other than all of the fun stories that have turned into such great stories of laughter, things have been coming together for me. I have had a lot of opportunities lately and a lot of decisions to make and I think I have come to some conclusions. I am very excited for all of the things that are happening in my life lately and I looking forward to many more so I can share them all with you! We also just celebrated the Korean Thanksgiving at my school. It was very different but totally amazing. What an experience to have had! Something fun that I am looking forward to, is this coming Thursday I have the opportunity to go to a Russian Ballet show and I am stoked! I can't wait to share that experience with you all! Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as we all try to get through this cold weather, the sicknesses that are going around Hinkson, and some other things that are going on with some staff and admin at my school. I would greatly appreciate everything! Thank you for being so awesome!!! I love you all!