I Have Confidence...

Hey guys!
I'm now all landed in Voronezh and getting settled in (by "settled in" I mean sleeping a lot and occaisionally moving items from one part of the suitcase to another.) I'm living with a host family and with Laura, another Baylor student. Some things I've noticed from my travels:
1) Everywhere has more trees than Dallas.
2) Zurich really looks like it does in the German textbook.
3) Germans really do dress like they do in the German textbook (which scares me a bit).
4) Russians compensate for having cold outside by keeping it really hot inside (it's sweltering in the cafe I'm in).
5)Puppies are the same all over the world.
6) Never trust someone from the embassy to fill you in on all the important details (aka what time your train leaves - the WP kids, not us, thankfully).

I'm tired and at an Internet cafe, so I think that's all for now. I'm convinced that there has to be a WiFi hotspot somewhere in this city - Laura is less sure. Oh, dear. Eh. Take care, my children.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

No music this time, since my Zen's a little dumb and can't be trusted not to eat things...

I'm nearing the end of the whole packing/getting ready/spending large quantities of my parent's money thing. (Have you ever noticed how much stuff you suddenly need right before you go anywhere? It's insane.) One of my bags is going to be overweight, and that's just how it is. I can't check in online because United is evil and hates me personally. Oh, and Java's tried to eat pretty much everything I've tried to pack. Clearly, it's been a fun evening.

My first flight leaves Dallas at 2 PM tomorrow, and I should touch down in Moscow at 6 PM local time on Wednesday (9 AM for you Texas kids). Then, we'll be picked up and I should be in Voronezh by noon on Thursday. I'm really glad we all decided to get in early - I don't think anyone was planning on multiple days of travel.

I spent most of morning running errands at Baylor. I'm beginning to think you guys want me gone - I'm leaving tomorrow, I swear. Erica got her birthday present, and I'm pretty sure she was quite pleased (and yes, there is a back, dear).

Again thanks for the prayers (and if you want to send up a few for my poor parents, both of whom are getting rather teary-eyed, I don't think anyone would mind). Actually, there was a lady from St. Petersburg in my mom's Sunday School class, and I think talking to someone who knew the place really helped her. (I can only hope).

Have a good day, y'all.

...and then she spat out her tongue

start music: Blowin' in the Wind - Peter, Paul and Mary

First off, I have wonderful friends. I <3 y'all (even you, Ms. She's-Out-Of-My-Life). I really needed the fun last night - I've been within an inch of eating my hat or something from all the stress of getting ready and trying to get everything together (and other things...)

Take-off draws ever closer, and the ulcer in my stomach grows. I trust that everything's going to be alright, and I genuinely appreciate and cling to the prayers I know are being lifted for me, even now. At the same time, it's so hard to let go and cast your cares upon Him. I fight an eternal battle to cast off my burdens and leave them at the throne, but sometimes it seems like a hopeless struggle. But nothing is ever hopeless in Him, is it? I need to learn to keep that ever before me.

In other news, the Bourne Ultimatum was good, if a little nausea-inducing in places. Also, I finally bought boots. Cowboy boots, no less. They're warm and comfy and pretty, so all is well. (I really should've been a rodeo queen - sparkles and livestock - what's not to like?)

Y'know, I should probably start packing...

End music: Beautiful One - By the Tree

An Update

So my visa's in (yay!). It's pretty and holographic and all that jazz, and most importantly, it gets me into the country (hooray!).

I also have my tickets (all SIX of them), despite general stupidity on the part on everyone involved who is not me. Now I just need to keep a good grip on the three return tickets all semester... this'll be fun.

I'm so glad I've been able to see everyone before I leave (man, my tense is getting screwy here - you get the point.) A special shout-out to the Madera girls for very graciously re-directing (and sometimes man-handling) leads my direction last night, since "she's going to Russia - you better dance with her!" Thanks ladies - a girl couldn't ask for better friends. :-)

Y'know, I should probably start packing and/or buy some shoes. I've finally convinced my mom that yes, I have enough clothing. Now she's worried that my footwear is inadequate. You can wear flip flops in the snow - frost bite is for wimps.

Laters!

Yay Russia!

So I feel a little bad leaving this blank, so here's some things to look at:

The university I'll be studying at

The Google map of the area (Look! There's more to Russia than Moscow and Siberia!)

The local marriage agency

My visa should be arriving tomorrow, so prayers that everything'll work out alright are greatly appreciated.

Until later,
Cара