Such a perfect day..

I came across this map just a little while ago, it's the best i've come across! Now I finally know where Novgorod is in relation to everything else in Russia. It's right below St. Pete's!

Yesterday I cleaned out my room and re-arranged and re-organized. It was nice. On a side note, last night mom, Kevin, and I watched From Russia With Love (yes, the Bond movie). Haha, that's such an overused term, and anyways, mom wanted to watch it so I would get an idea of Russian culture. Well, for those who've seen it, they know the only thing Russian in the movie was the spy, and, for those that haven't.. well, there is nothing to be learned about Russia from this movie really. Haha, it was a good movie, but not a lot of Russia! Oh well, it was fun to watch none the less, even though I was falling asleep. Kevin says that there are other Bond movies that are actually set in Russia.

Well folks, it's down to the wire now. 24 hours from now I will be awake and hurrying around to make sure I haven't left anything behind. The bags will be in the car, a last quick survey of my room will be had, mental image to be taken, and then there is Moses (my ever so loving cat) to pet for the last time!

So for now, I will play my Coldplay music really loud, and keep forcing the wonderful summer memories that I've had with freinds to stay with me. I won't lie, the hardest part of this whole experience will be leaving my parents, close friends, and of course Kevin. This really doesn't bode very well for me, and I can see myself only crying a lot tomorrow at the airport!

The past few days haven't really been filled with excitement, it usually just comes in waves. It's more of an anxious/ nervousness, that is accompanied by feelings of not wanting to eat. Actually, I usually just am sad when thinking about leaving.

It's so silly really. Don't get me wrong, I am beyond ecstatic that I am doing this, I know this is the only opportunity. But, it's scary, and this will be the hardest thing I will have ever done. When I come across such challenges my first thought is to usually run away from them and not face them. I was never one to say bring it on!

The challenge of this is exciting, and in the end it will be something that will teach me a many great things. Personal goals for myself in this trip will be to learn to be more independent, less anxious, less afraid, and more trusting in myself and in God. I am sure that one of the best ways to do this is to thrust yourself out into a foreign country without the familiarities of home to comfort you.

My first really big hurdle will be the plane ride. Ah! I have traveled over the ocean before, but since 9/11 and all of these insane plane crashes over these 6 months, I am quite scared of flying. Now, you can go on and on and tell me about how safe planes are compared to cars, and I did read the statistics yesterday, doesn't really help. I hope that routine turbulence will not turn into a panic attack. I ask of all of you at home to pray for me.

Today on my last day, I've got a little bit of cleaning to do, and luggage to go through for the last time. A small trip to Brockport to pick up crayons and coloring books to take for the children in the orphanage, (I am doing an internship in an orphanage my last few weeks in Russia) and then a small trip to work and the bank! Meatloaf for dinner, and apple pie for desert! Some of my favorites. It's going to be a good day.

So, I don't have much else to say. Thanks again for reading, and my next post will be en route. Oh and, pelase, leave me comments or write me an email, it will certainly brighten up my days and leave me something to look forward to! :)

A final note, again thank you for taking the time to read this, pray for me, and I appreciate everyone who's helped me go on this amazing trip. Thanks for all of the well wishes and support. It all means more than you can know, and I will think of you all frequently! I love you.


~ Alexandra

People moving all the time
Inside a perfectly straight line
Don't you wanna just curve away?
When it's such…
It's such a perfect day