Language and Culture at the Post Office

Today I was very proud of myself.  I felt quite accomplished.  Why?  You might ask.  Well, I'm going to tell you...

We received a package slip yesterday in our mailbox.  Package slips always bring us great joy because we love getting packages.  Here's the process to which we have become accustomed:

1.  Receive package slip in tiny mailbox.
2.  Fill out back of slip.
3.  Walk 30 minutes to post office or ride bus 15 minutes to post office.
4.  Wait.
5.  Have lady finally find our package and sign a bunch of papers.
6.  Return home.
7.  Enjoy contents of package sent with love.

Now we know that it's very important to whom the package is addressed.  We have learned to ask people to please put both my name and Thomas' name in the address so that either one of us can pick it up.  The ladies at the post office are very strict about this. It doesn't matter that we're married or that there is probably no other person with the family name of Slawson in their passport living in St. Petersburg, if my name isn't on the box, they won't let me within 10 meters of that package.

So here's what happened today:

1.  I filled out the slip that had Слоусон, Т on the front (which would stand for Thomas' name), knowing that my name should also be on the box and thinking from past experience that there would be no problems.
2.  Strolled with Isaiah to the post office--a new one for us, which is much closer!  Less than 10 minutes later I found myself in a newly renovated post office, waiting in line.
3.  At last it was my turn, and here's where it gets interesting.  I shall now turn to prose style for the conversational effect:

I told the girl working at the counter that we received a package and gave her the slip with my passport.  After looking at everything for a few minutes, she said that she couldn't give me the package because my name started with a K (in Russian), not a T as was written on the slip.

Yes, I realize that.  That is for Thomas, my husband.  But I know my friend wrote my name on the package, too.  Please go look at the package.

She left a little disgruntled and returned, I can't see your name.  The package is closed.

Look, I know my name is on that box, please go check again and look at the package.  What do you mean it's closed?  Look at the address.  The address isn't inside the package.

She returns with her supervisor.  I at this point I had texted Thomas to tell him I was having issues.  I then had the same conversation with the supervisor who told me the package was closed and she couldn't see my name.  Thomas calls and asks to talk to her.  She explains to him that since my name isn't on the slip or on the package that I can't pick it up unless he comes and fills out some form that will give me permission to pick up his packages for the rest of the year.  She hangs up on him.

While being forceful but amazingly still keeping my cool, I ask one more time for her to please just look at the address because I know that my friend put my name in the address, too.  She leaves in a huff saying, I'll show you the bag.

Bag?  What bag? I think to myself until she returns with the box wrapped up in a great big white bag tied with a zip tie that has a tag attached to it with Слоусон, Т clearly typed on the outside.  She seems victorious and is about to dismiss me from her presence.

Then I realize that I can see through the white bag and detect the label where the address is clearly typed out.  I ask her to put the bag on the counter, and I show her through the bag where my name is clearly typed out for all the world to see.

At this point, the most amazing thing happens.  Rather than getting even more upset with me, which is what I feared would happen, she got mad at the Moscow post office people (or whoever it was that initially received the package and tagged it improperly), and she became my friend, laughing and joking with me.

I realized at that moment that I had begun to learn how to "work the culture".  Rather than just getting upset and confused, I stood my ground and was able to stay calm and prove my point.  Her final response to me was the best part.  I hadn't soured her for future interactions.  In America I probably would have been perceived as incredibly rude and demanding; but in Russia I was doing what was expected.  The trick for me is to keep the balance in my temper.  Not having grown up in this culture, it is very easy for me to get personal in such situations, but Russians really do't take it that way.

So, I left the post office with a package and a spring in my step and excitedly told Thomas about my victory when I got home.

How to Avoid a Migraine

1. Make very clear plans with your language teacher in your fluent Russian about a time for your lesson to take place.

2. Stay home the morning of clearly planned lesson rather than going to the grocery store and moseying about the region while pushing your sweet child in his stroller in the falling snow along the not-as-clear-as-they-once-were sidewalks.

3. Because lesson day and time were so clearly discussed and remembered by you, there will be no need for shock and dismay when your teacher announces her arrival to your husband as you enter the apartment with sweet child, stroller and groceries.

4. Be completely relaxed while your teacher finds all the things you've forgotten about the grammar of the Russian language over the past 6 months. (actually, now that I think about it, it's been more like 8 1/2 months)

5. Eat regular and healthy meals because you know exactly what is going to happen during the day and are never caught completely off guard.

And in case you didn't catch the sarcasm in this post, it could also be named:

"Why I Thought my Head was Going to Spin off of my Neck Yesterday"

I'll let you figure out the rest.

Oh Yeah! Something from January!

Well, for some reason I realized the other night when I couldn't sleep that well, that I hadn't told you about Camp Babochka!  I had asked for advice beforehand because I was supposed to help with the craft and I really had no idea what to do.  So now, at last, here's how it went at camp.

There was a special welcoming committee for the campers and their families.  The theme was fairy tales, so the counselors all dressed up in Russian fairy tale character costumes, mostly gnomes and fairies.  And apparently Snow White is a popular Russian character as well.

Even though the campers only see these counselors a few times a year, there is a close connection.  The parents stayed in a building nearby while the counselors took care of their campers overnight.  We learned afterwards that the parents were thrilled with the camp.  They want to do another one!  This is a big deal because none of the parents are believers, and this camp is clearly a Christian camp.  Anna, the director of the camp, has long wanted to have a ministry directly to the parents of the campers, and her prayers are beginning to be answered!

And here's the first day of the craft that I was in charge of organizing and directing--in Russian!  The first 3 minutes seemed to be going all right, then the next 15 minutes were utter chaos and I felt a bit terrified.  Then the amazing counselors really stepped up and things went very smoothly.

In the evenings we all joined in one large group and played games before the message was preached.

The second day some of the campers went outside in the FREEZING weather to play a game of hockey!  They had a great time!  I stayed inside, however, and helped some kids who didn't want to go outside with crafts.  Fewer kids and better preparation on my part made for a much more calm environment. :)

After the hockey game I gave a talk to the girls about table etiquette in preparation for their Christmas ball later that evening.  The girls were very patient with my Russian and asked some great questions.  We had a great time together, laughing (often at my language mistakes), chatting and just being girls.
Thomas, Isaiah and I had to leave early due to our flying back to the States and all, but we had such a great time!  I was thankful to actually have an active part in what was going on.  Thomas did a great job leading a small group.  Isaiah just plain had fun with all the other kids!  Thanks again for all your prayers!

Tot School

For Tot School this week, I decided to continue with A and Red, since last week was short with Thanksgiving and all.

Monday, however, was Russian day.  Isaiah's nanny Julia was able to come again at last!  She doesn't speak English, and we're hoping that Isaiah is picking up his Russian from her and our other Russian friends so that he doesn't learn our mistakes or our accents!  I joined them for snack time after their walk (this gives me some great practice, too!), and I was excited to see them interacting so well.  Julia would tell Isaiah to do something very specific, and he would obey perfectly!  What a smart boy I have--already becoming bilingual!

Tuesday we again combined therapy and school.  We (I) named things with "A".  Isaiah liked the pictures that I had prepared for him to color, he pointed to them and said "all done" very clearly after he wore them as hats.  

He still likes to color on his clothes more than any paper, so thankfully the crayons wash out very well. :)

We tried something new to help work on his fine motor skills since coloring isn't too interesting, apparently.  We have some colorful plastic cups that are great for stacking, or for talking into to make your voice sound funny, which is obviously the more important thing to do!

Wednesday we had a shopping date!  We bought Daddy a Christmas present, and Isaiah was a big help as we wheeled through the store.  He helped soften up the cashiers so that they were nicer to me.  We strolled through IKEA (gotta love it!) and pointed out all the "A" things like alligators and armchairs and art supplies and some other things that I forget now.  But, we scored a major find--the closest thing to construction paper that I've seen in Russia!  Woohoo!  Pretty colors and everything!  I snatched that package of paper up in my hands as if it were a bag of gold!

Never one to be put off quickly (just a nice way of saying that I can be pretty stubborn), we tried coloring again after his nap.  He had been using a mandarin like a crayon, so I asked him if he wanted to color.  He said, "Uh-huh" (which he says to everything like other toddlers say "no" to everything). He did actually color on paper a little bit--progress, perhaps?  Then I decided that we needed to practice for opening up Christmas presents, so we ripped and ripped and ripped paper--finally something he was much more interested in!  But I was so busy "helping" him that I forgot to get some pictures.

Thursday was my Russian lesson day (and a migraine, sadly), so no Tot School really took place that I remember.

Friday we had fun preparing for friends to come and play.  Isaiah had a blast playing with his little friend Slava who can crawl now.  Isaiah was so excited that he didn't even want to eat his pizza!  As soon as Slava was done, Isaiah quickly declared "all done" so that he could go and play.  I think Isaiah learned pretty quickly that he could roll a ball for Slava to chase!  Lots of laughter and good Russian practice for me with Slava's patient mother Oksana.

I'm so pumped about starting B next week because I have some fun ideas for ways to use my new colorful paper!  I even found some glue!  And I think that Isaiah and I might practice some of the craft projects that I want to try for the camp in January (and yes, please give more ideas!).

Check out what else is going on in Tot Schools around the world!

Imagine Me Jumping Up and Down with Joy!

A lady in the park today thought that I was from Finland!  Woohoooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow Begins...

Taking a break from catching up on the traveling, just wanted to let you know that my first lesson will be Thursday morning at 11am St. P time.  I'm a little nervous because I didn't do a scrap of homework that was assigned to me while I was gone.  My teacher is probably used to such, but I hate disappointing anyone, especially someone as wonderful as Ludmilla.

Please pray that I'll be calm and have understanding and remember what I'm supposed to know!  I'll have my lesson tomorrow and then have a break as Ludmilla will be out of town for a while.  Maybe that will give me time to do some of that old homework.

Family Outing

Today was a good day.  I didn't have a language lesson again because my teacher is sick, but I did get to practice a little bit at one of the markets.  The weather was beautiful!  We all headed out for a couple hours to find some material for me to line our curtains in order for our bedroom to be darker--it's still light at 9 PM!  I can hardly believe that I'm typing that, but it's true!  We also found a couple other things.

I cannot explain to you the difference that we are beginning to feel emotionally just from seeing the sun more regularly.  I knew from my studies that darkness definitely influences your emotions, but WOW!  I had no idea how much I could be influenced!  I praise God every moment that I see the sun right now!

But back to the outing...we were able to spend so much time outside, that Isaiah was completely hyper when we got home.  After being cooped up for so long, he probably forgot how wonderful life is outside.  I get to take him again tomorrow while we go help a friend do some souvenir shopping.  I'm excited to get to use my russian some more.  Being able to actually communicate with people, even if it is on an elementary level, but on my own without having to depend on Thomas has been such an encouragement to me.  Thank you for those of you who have been praying, and please keep it up!

Spring in the Park

Well, it's been spring in Russia for 2 weeks.   Here spring starts on March 1, no matter what.  So we've had some snow, we've had some rain, we've had some sun.  Overall, it's starting to feel more like spring because the days are getting longer, and it's actually getting warmer, too!  The other day, I wore a t-shirt on under my jacket--no sweater, no turtleneck, just a t-shirt!  I felt so light and free!

Today Isaiah and I were celebrating the little bit of sunshine that I saw creeping out from behind the clouds.  We went to the park.  We were finally able to get to the playground equipment which had been surrounded by great ponds of water from all the melting snow.  He really enjoyed riding on the merry-go-round and the see-saw.  But the real highlight was when a huge group of kids came to play.  He laughed and laughed until he didn't make any sound. Forget the belly laugh--I love his "whole-body" laugh!

As we were about to leave for home, I noticed a woman with 2 boys come into the playground area.  One of the boys was in a wheelchair!  Since our time in St. P we have seen only 2 children in wheelchairs.  This was the first time that I had been close enough to talk to someone taking care of a child in a wheelchair.  We stayed a few more minutes, and I observed the lady and 2 boys.  I could feel my anxiety build a little as I knew that I HAD to talk to this lady!  She seemed really nice and caring towards the boy, so as they were leaving, I stopped her and asked if they lived nearby (a nice beginning, I thought, because I know how to say that!).  She was super nice!

As it turns out, she's friends with the boy's mother and helps out often.  I'm not sure of the boy's exact condition, but it was fairly obvious that he could not use his legs at all.  He seemed like a happy little boy, though, especially to be out and playing.  She wanted to give me either her phone number or the mother's phone number (I was getting a little confused at this point), but neither of us had a pen or paper, so we're meeting tomorrow (Saturday) at 3pm our time, which would be, um, 8am EST.  And this time I'm bringing Thomas, too, so we'll be able to communicate even better.

SO.....please pray that she'll come, that we'll be able to understand each other, and that this will help us get a contact in the community to begin some of the work that we've been longing to do. I can't tell you how excited I am at this moment!  When I came home from the park, Thomas was sleeping, and it took all my willpower not to go and wake him up (he really needed his rest).

And, when I can find my card reader, I'll show you some really great pictures of Isaiah playing in the park...stay tuned!

Ups and Downs

Ok, so it's been a little while since I've written about language learning, at least I think it has, but this subject is never far from my mind.  Lately I've had some encouragement in my learning.  But I am always amazed at how I can be encouraged in one aspect or one conversation and turn around and be completely lost in the next conversation that I have (and when I say completely lost, I mean COMPLETELY LOST, having absolutely no idea what is going on).

First one of the "Ups":  

For example, my friend Luda has been a big help in my language learning.  Most recently she said that I should start a Russian journal and use at least 5 new words that I am trying to learn as I write about my day.  At the end of the day we will talk on the phone about my day, giving me a chance to then verbally practice these words.  This will be a big help I think.  I was actually able to talk ON THE PHONE for over 10 minutes!  I told her about my day, then she told me about her day, and I was understandable and understood her!  I feel quite excited about this accomplishment and look forward to continuing the practice.

And here's a couple of "Downs":

Then, I go to the store to buy groceries for a few days (hopefully) and the cashier says something to me that I can not begin to comprehend.  Nope, not a clue.  I can't even try to describe the situation by the context or her body language or anything.  

(And another) 

I'm riding on the tramvai after my lesson the other day, and an older lady gets on and begins fussing at the conductor for not wiping off the wet seats.  When she finished her scolding, she turned to me and began talking.  Now the tramvai is not a quiet, restful way to travel.  The tramvai is quite loud, which makes communication even in my own language a challenge.  So this babushka is telling me something in Russian, and I'm trying to understand, but at last I have to pull out the old trusty phrases like, "I'm sorry, I don't understand because I am studying Russian.  I've only been studying for about 5 months."  Then she asks me where I came from, but because of all the traveling noise, I don't get it.  On her 3rd try, I finally realize what she wants to know.  "Oh, I'm from America; I'm an American."  This revelation brought questions as to my opinion on what was going on in Kosovo!  "Um, I don't know what to think.  What do you think?", seemed the safest response.  Then I was just able to sit and listen in complete lack of comprehension to her tell me what she thought about Kosovo.  I also heard the word "parastroika" in there somewhere, too, but I have no idea why.

From the tramvai we went to the metro where I was briefly separated from the babushka.  When she saw me again she linked arms with me and said something like "Ah, my American".  Somehow we got separated in the crowd pushing and shoving to get on the escalator, but maybe that wasn't such a bad thing.

Who knows, maybe someday I'll be able to understand a complete stranger while using a means of transportation that has the sound of a rumbling, squeaky herd of water buffalo; but I'm not holding my breath, and neither should you--but you should keep praying!

St. Petersburg Got a Little Smaller

Living in a big city has been an adjustment for me.  I grew up in a town of oh, 8,000 or so.  Then during seminary our community was rather small, even though Jackson was a much bigger town that I was used to.  Yazoo City was anything but a big town.  Even if you didn't know every single person in town, you had some connection to everyone you saw.  I really like and miss living in a small town.

St. Petersburg is definitely not what you would call a small town!  I think it's possible to walk on the same street at the same time every day and see different people every day.  Getting to know people in a big city is sometimes difficult, too; although it might be easier if you actually speak the same language fluently.  But the other day when we were shopping in the fruit and vegetable market, St. Petersburg got a little smaller.  One of the ladies that works at a certain stand actually remembered me from several weeks ago!  She asked me if I wanted Granny Smith apples again this time.  I was so impressed!  I felt significant to my surroundings.  Realizing that someone who doesn't have to remember me for any particular reason really did remember me was fun.  She also gave Isaiah a mandarin (for free!) and played with him a little bit and said that he was a good boy, so she must have good judgment.

My Little Adventure

A little over six months. That's how long it had been since my last hair cut, which was in the States. With our big trip to Germany coming up, I wanted to have a slightly nicer look for my hair. Lately its just been pulled back with a pony-tail holder at random times during the day.

Why did you wait so long?, you might ask. Good question. Since most of you, my dear friends, have never been to Russia it might be hard for you to imagine the condition of the hair of most of the population of St. Petersburg. Let's just say the mullet is still alive and well and living here, even with women. So, with my language skills not fully developed and seeing the rather strange hair styles around me, I felt a little nervous about going to a Russian salon to get a little trim.

Finally the need outweighed the fear. There's a little salon about a minute's walk from our apartment that I pass nearly every day. I bundled up in my nice warm coat and made the trek to the salon. I thought that I was going to try to simply make an appointment, but the next thing I knew, I was getting the finishing touches on a new do. I think that the hairdresser was a bit of a perfectionist. She washed, cut, cut some more, cut even more, blow dryed, cut some more...I was in the process of trying to figure out how to tell her that I thought my hair was definitely short enough now, when she finally was satisfied with her work. I was getting a little concerned.

I came home to better examine her handiwork. I look more Russian now, but thankfully I don't have a mullet. No, seriously, she did a good job. It's a little shorter than I would have chosen, but I have a good haircut, and I got to practice my Russian. All in all, it was a good experience.

Before, even before Christmas actually, so add some growth to the hair

After

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