Relaxation

Last week was stressful. Lots of excursions, coupled with a social life, as well as homework, left me drained by Friday. Much good came out of it though. Apparently word has gotten around that there is a group of Americans in Tomsk, so this week journalists have visited us at school twice. On Tuesday's news they showed a clip of one of our classes (unfortunately not mine). Then, on Friday, at least five journalists showed up at our weekly Russki Chai (Russian Tea). Russki Chai takes place every Friday after classes are over. We all gather in one room to drink tea and eat cookies as each group (we are split into 3 groups of 6 or 7 students) recounts the week's lessons and gives an artistic performance (in Russian, of course - everything is in Russian). For example, we have sung Russian songs and read poetry. One kid always sings opera. Well, this week, I, along with two other girls from the group, performed a scene from the play "Duck Hunt" by Aleksandr Vampilov. Apparently I'm a great actor, cuz I got compliments for the rest of the weekend. Who knew? Journalists were filming, snapping photos, and asking questions left and right. Later that evening an interview I gave made the final cut for the newscast. The point is Tomsk, Russia, may be my big break to stardom.

That night, motivated by our reminisces of college life, we threw a party, complete with jungle juice. The Russians were unfamiliar with it, but don't be surprised if hunch punch becomes the next big thing amongst Siberian youth. The following morning I had to get up early, as I had volunteered to work with two of our professors to put together a video about Tomsk and our group's experiences here. The American girl who is collaborating fell ill, so once again I became the star of the show. After shooting for a couple hours I was compelled to explore by myself, since there are only two weeks remaining and I figured there's a lot I still haven't gotten around to seeing. I didn't stray far from my own neighborhood, but I was fascinated by all I saw, and I realized that this city really is beautiful and has a character all its own (or at least I'd assume so). Today was the first day I could really relax, stop, and take it all in. I've been doing so much these past two months, but when you're consistently on the move, you don't have time to digest everything your mind is taking in and truly process where you are and what on earth you're doing. But yesterday was that day, so praise the Lord. I'm definitely blessed to be here.

And now for photos I took while exploring yesterday.

Gators for Pushkin

Two professors, two Russians, me, and a Chekhov-impersonating American student who's from the same town my mom was born in.

Russian car - a Volga, if I remember correctly.

Remember that building from the Power Rangers?

Architecture School

Regional Court House