Journal 3
Tuesday - 1-18-11
Being that it is now the second "business" day of my being back, I called Vika, so that I could figure out what to do about registration; but then I was informed that Vika wasn't in town! I got directions about what to do, however -- so it's all good.
**********
This evening, Roma and I had our second practice. It wasn't all that stellar, but I suppose it wasn't terrible. I did learn two new words though -- one of which, was actually thanks to the "Slinky™"!!
As it turns out, they marketed the Slinky here under the title, "Ráduga" (The accent there is just for where the accent in the word is.) -- and that means, "Rainbow." I guess, because they didn't bring the metal version here, but the multi-colored plastic one.
You should have seen the pantomiming going on between us, as I tried to find (and failed to do so) the words to describe what a Slinky does. Eventually, with the hand motion of making it "jump" back and forth between your hands (as though you're juggling it, but without letting go), I managed to make him understand, and there was a huge, "OHHHHH!!!" moment. =^___^= ''
"Slinky, Slinky, everyone loves a Slinky…"
*****
Then, the topic went slightly more serious, as Roma and I discussed potentially getting a new coach…
You see, Roma actually went up to Vitaly tonight, and asked him about when he could work with us next. I came up not too long after that. What a chilly reception!! I was actually taken aback by how un-friendly, and almost awkward, the communication between us was. It was really unsettling.
I asked Roma later what Vitaly had said about lessons, and Roma told me that Vitaly said he wouldn't have time for us until later next week… So, that is what brought up a flicker of the, "Should we get a new coach?" idea.
**********
Though it is Tuesday, I won't be going to hustle tonight. I'm a little tired, so I figured I'd just stay home and relax.
I wound up talking with friends again all night. Not that I'm complaining!!
*I caught Yitian online, and it was SO wonderful to chat with her, AGAIN! After the last semester of almost no contact, it's a thrill to have chatted for a few nights in a row, after having visited in person!!
*Tchoula was spitting prophesy about my friend Colin and I. He teased us, "You'll be good friends, if not more, down the road." He and I had a good laugh about it. Then, I found out that Colin knows "Wookie." -- And then we geeked out some. =^__^= ''
*Then, there was the random guy from Algeria messaging me.
As we were getting to know each other, at one point, he said that I was a good girl. I shot back, jokingly:
Me:
But we don't know each other - how do you know I'm a good girl?
Rida:
you deal withe people good and simply u r from us ? [Translation: "You deal with people good and simply, you are from the US"]
-- I was in shock, for a moment. It's not often these days, with all of the stories about how America is a playground bully, or an oppressive force in the world, or how we have a bad reputation/image, that you hear anyone saying, "I know you're a good person, because you are a US Citizen."
I told him as much, how it was so nice to hear, "Especially when we hear so much that people don't like us around the world sometimes," and he answered immediately, "a know way because you r the best!" [Translation: "An, no way, because you are the best!!"]
I had the warm and fuzzies. It's nice to hear that someone thinks so highly of your home country like that.
I know that that feeling of admiration, that respect for the US and its founding principles (as a place of freedom, rights, and as a force of good in the world) is something we [US Citizens] hope our country still inspires.
Love,
Moscow Kitty
=^__^=
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