One week in Russia

I can't believe I have been here for a whole week already! Time has gone by so fast and it makes me so sad! I'm not gunna lie the first few days were not even close to being easy! Culture shock mixed with missing my family, jet lag, and not being able to speak the same language as most the people around me made for a major challenge but I came into this situation knowing it was going to be hard and I strongly believe in the words that if it is hard and scares you it is probably worth it. I have learned so much and I have meant people I will remember my whole life! I am so grateful that I get to experience life here in St. Petersburg. I love the kids I teach with my whole heart and all I want is to see them progress in English and I hope what I teach them here will bless their lives. 

My host family is awesome and they make me feel right at home, only the son, Vadim can really speak English but Yulia, the mom, is learning so fast. When she picked me up from the airport we pretty much just sat in silence but now we talk about everything. She was asking me the other day when I was going to get married and have kids, and then told me that I needed to wait till I was at least 30 haha! ( but that might happen...) I could talk about Russia all day but I know it is a lot more fun to look at pictures so here you go...

On the plane 

My first night

Going on the metro

From the top of my apartment building

My host brother, Vadim

Feeding the ducks

Right by my apartment

My walk to work

My room 

My house shoes

Russian style

My host family

Umm...

My 3-4 year olds

My level 3 class

So many birds

One of the schools I teach at

My apartment building

This is how kids dress for the first day of school

East Coast

So my aunt Carrie needed someone to watch her kids for her while she went to Mexico for a trip that she won through work, so she flew me out to Boston where she picked me up and the fun began. I love the east coast it is so pretty, I just wanted to take pictures of everything. I stayed in Rhode Island, which was amazing. I had so much fun with Josh and Kirstin we visited Providence and they made me feel right at home. When my aunt Carrie got back from her trip she flew me down to Maryland where I visited my aunt Heather. She took me to the Amish market, DC, Gettysburg, and some beautiful runs (that I thought I was going to die on) but I loved every second I was there.  It was so fun to see all the historical sites and spend time with family that I haven’t seen for awhile. I am so grateful for such awesome family, and I feel so blessed.