There's a Cold Front Moving In!

This morning on my way to school, I was reminded by the nose-bitting cold that I am soon going to be in very cold weather! I'm slowly getting ready for the Russian snow by assessing the clothing I have and what I will need to stay warm. I've decided that I'll need more than what I am wearing in the following picture.

This is my niece, Chickadee, and I on our trip through the Cascade Mountains in June 2007. It was really exciting to see snow in June!

The next time I see snow, I'll surely need a coat, gloves, a hat, etc. I'd better get a move on to beat the cold!

A Note of Gratitude

Hi all!

I want to thank all those who have contributed to my trip to Russia. It would not be possible without your help.

Thank you ever so much!

Where Am I Going?

Well, time has certainly flown. It is now well into October- close to the end! January is just around the corner, and so is my departure from Vancouver. I am super excited for this big adventure!!

I will be in Voronezh, Russia from January to June teaching English in a school. The map below shows where Voronezh (the yellow tack) is in relation to Moscow to the north and Ukraine to the southwest.

(Click map to enlarge)

I'll be living with a host family and learning to speak Russian. I know a few words currently: please, thank you, good bye. I'm hoping to learn more basic words and phrases between now and January.

I hope this gives you an idea of where I am going!

Is there a goalie in the house?

I have a goal! This probably sounds pretty dumb for those who don't know that I haven't been able to state one goal for my life for the past three months! Anyway, today I talked to a counselor at SVU, where I've been toying with the idea of attending. This counselor encouraged me to apply for a Talent Scholarship on the flute, so today I dusted off my flute for the first time since putting it way in May. I'm really excited to start working on the pieces I have chosen/will choose to showcase my playing. I already have one piece chosen, and I am in search of a second.

I had forgotten how much fun it is to work towards a goal. My hope is to have a polished recording of my pieces sent in by December or January (before I flee the country!). So, for the next four months, I'll be practicing and practicing. If I'm not available to do something, the reason will most likely be that I am practicing. I really want to finance my schooling without my dad's help, and a scholarship would be a wonderful start!

I'll keep you updated on my progress!

Watch out, again!

This is a video of my nephew, Roadrunner, demonstrating how to play in the Ball Room. How many balls can you count?

(Your sound isn't turned off. This is a silent film!)

Watch out!

Today, my nieces and nephew took me to OMSI (The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry). We had a ball of a time! Literally. Take a look.


It was a war zone in this room! Balls were flying everywhere.

Speaking of flight, I made a flying contraption out of a Dixie cup. This picture shows what it looked like as my niece, Bookworm, holds it. I think it flew very well; it flew up at least ten feet. I'm really bad at estimating, so that is my best guess.

What trip to OMSI would be complete without a visit to the Earthquake Room? None! My niece, Pixie, comforted me when the earthquake started. She was as cool as a cucumber on a hot July morning!

All in all, today was a fun day!

Testing, 2, 2, 3

This is a birthday cake that I made in January. It tasted as good as it looks!