November

November has been a nice change of pace from an exceptionally hectic October. This month I didn't venture outside of Tyumen, and I feel like I'm settling back into a routine and a "normal" life. Still, I have managed to keep myself really busy.

I'm not sure where to begin with describing what I have been up to all month so here are the highlights:

-- I didn't mention this earlier, but I started volunteering at a language center in late October. On Friday evenings I teach adults who are preparing to take a proficiency exam. At first I wasn't thrilled about working Fridays from 6-9, but I really enjoy the groups, it is a very relaxed atmosphere, and I leave in a good mood every time.

-- I got to see NEW MOON AND New York, I Love You!

-- I guest lectured at the neighboring University - Tyumen State on immigration. There were a few questions about my perspective on the topic, but it turned into largely a QA session about my life. It felt a little like I was in the hot seat, but still fun! I also visited a "Global Classroom" at Tyumen State. Students from Tyumen video-conference with students from the University of Nebraska at 7pm in Tyumen and 7am in Nebraska! This time, the Russian students showed a PowerPoint on Russian nightlife, and the American students presented about university housing, international students, and student jobs and internships. They are meeting a few more times and I have been invited to visit again and I am going back this week! I wish Lafayette would do something like this!

-- Constantly being reminded that I am the only foreigner/American some people will ever meet. This is still crazy for me to think about. Oleg (driver from the dacha) and Dima (one of the people I met at the Youth Forum who wants to improve his English) and both have told me that I am the first foreigner they have really interacted with. I am also the first foreigner/American that many of my students have ever met.

-- I have gone on more city tours and I've been exploring cafes all around town with students and friends. Marina, a teacher invited to take me on another tour of Tyumen. Irina, also a new teacher who spent a summer in Orlando, has shown me some great places to eat in Tyumen. We have decided to make Friday lunch dates a recurring tradition. I now know a place to get great pizza! WOOOO!

-- Concerts! Earlier this month I went to a Sergey Babkin concert with my student, Vika, and her friends - some from Tyumen State. I think it was the place to be that evening as I spotted several of my students and ran into Grunya, who was there for "work" aka interviewing Sergey, as well. I'd never heard of him before, but really enjoyed the concert!

The following week was the "first year debut". Apparently this has been a tradition for some time in several Universities around Russia. I was supposed to only go on Wednesday with Svetlana and Artyom, but after my students decided not to come to my Tuesday evening class, the teachers brought me to the concert instead! I also went to the finale concert on Sunday (all of the top rated performances from the week).

-- Swine flu mania finally made its way to Tyumen. Masks were supposedly mandatory in the university although only 10% of people were wearing them. Apparently, there has only been one confirmed case of a student with the flu, but everyone was a little surprised that the university hadn't been closed. Something else is going around and tons of people are sick. I came down with a really terrible cold/bronchitis that knocked me out for a good week and half. Thankfully back to normal now!

-- Last week I went to a lecture on healthcare in the US at the American Corner given by the Public Affairs Officer, from the Consulate in Ekaterinburg. The lecture itself was pretty interesting, and after I was invited to have tea and sweets with the consular official. Turns out he is from Philadelphia. How is it that I go across the world and meet someone from Philadelphia who has lived in Haddonfield, NJ - a neighboring town!?