Finally, greetings from the girl who never blogs when she says she will.

Well, perhaps if I stop promising to update regularly, reverse-psychology style, then I'll actually begin writing and sending e-mails and communicating.

A lot has changed in a month: my roommates went back to China, they didn't want to study Russian any more; Beth & Aaron just left for a new assignment since their visa was set to expire this month; Cecil's off getting a new visa; hmm, what else. The weather has turned absolutely beautiful. I never imagined how exciting 20 degrees and sunshine could be. It smells like spring, and I've rediscovered the will to live (kidding). But I qualify myself as a sunshine-in-the-meadow-feet-in-the-creek sort of girl and the winter here was starting to feel a bit oppressive and my soul was beginning to feel rather bleak. When you weigh the options: sit in dorm room and eat canned tuna and tea for dinner or go grocery shopping ... and you decide to go with tuna because you don't feel like putting on three pairs of long underwear, pulling on boots, finding your hat, and then freezing all the way to the store and back ... then, I think, it is time for spring.

So, International Women's Day was today (March 8th). Ever heard of it? My professor claims the French celebrate it too. It's basically the day that all the Russian men, who have been coming home drunk and beating their wives for the other 364 days of the year, do a 180 degree turn in their spirits, spend a tremendous amount of money on flowers, candy, make-up, and other gifts, and make it all up to their women in 24 hours. Disclaimer: there are some really great Russian husbands who appreciate their wives year-round (many rounds of applause to them!) but from what I've seen, they sadly constitutes a very small portion of the population. Anyway, I am a fan of this day because it means we get a break (Friday and Monday) and there is an abundance of chocolate.

Also today was the First Premiere of the Garage Sale in the Russian Far East. Some missionaries here are preparing to leave the country and in an effort to get rid of stuff, covered their apartment in price tags and invited everyone in for a free for all. Since Russians don't really get the idea of the garage sale, it was a very quiet free for all, but a lot of fun. I realized how much I miss cruising by Goodwill with a sock full of change and finding buried treasures. I had a big moment (aka small step into adulthood) and that was my first personal purchase of matching cutlery and tableware. Granted, they are fluorescent yellow, plastic, and hideous but hey, I blew 20 rubles and got matching forks and knives too. I am now the proud owner of 4 plates with forks and knives to match -- pretty good for under a dollar. I can't wait to eat ... tuna ... off of them.

Actually, I've decided to swear off of eating Ramen/lapsha for the month of March. It's very entertaining to see the look on people's face when I tell them I'm abstaining from instant noodles in observation of the Lenten fast. Actually, this decision has nothing to do with Lent and everything to do with the fact that I've finally tried all the flavors (the bacon is AWFUL) and want to give my palate some time to recover.

At the garage sale, they also had a whole bunch of books, 10 rubles a piece. You all know I'm a sucker for a cheap book, so this was very exciting, especially because they were in English! I will be happily reading some old favorites (I bought Cheaper by the Dozen -- it's a classic, come on).

I've been going to a church that has a bunch of students, Russian and Chinese, and having some excellent times trying to get to know people. I notice that I am growing less frustrated with the language barrier; as my vocabulary increases, I find I can describe things, even if I don't know the exact word. This is also my first time being in church without a translator. I have one friend who speaks excellent English, but I don't let her translate for me. I do occasionally lean over and ask her for clarification =]

Lately, my skills have been increasing in a game called "spot the Mormon". I don't know if a big team of them just came to the city or if I just haven't noticed them before, but in the last few weeks, they seem to be everywhere! Beth, Aaron, and I were walking down the street a few weeks ago, and these two guys (immaculately dressed and not looking Russian at all) stopped and asked if we spoke in English ... but they asked in Russian, and they asked in the very politest way possible. I was so floored by being politely approached by a guy on the street that I didn't know what to say.

Well, that's a quick update on me ... I've posted a lot of pictures on my facebook account, but I know that a bunch of you don't do facebook. I have plans to have a photo-uploading party in about three months (an attempt to reverse-psychologize myself). By the way, I've finally figured out the hype about skype, so look me up and we can chat for six pennies a minute, or something like that.

Grace and peace to you!