"back in US, back in US, back in USSR"

This fraze is actually from a song (the Beattles) and I am glad that in reality it is "back in RUS, back in RUS, back in RUSSIA" :).

I arrived to Moscow on May 24th and spent there 4 busy days (3.5). I had an extra luggage I had to get rid of. So I had to sort it out a bit on what I'll need with me and what I can send by post. Despite this luggage sorting we had a good time with Deanna. Though short.

Then I flew into Irkutsk where my uncle met me and took me to the village I grew up in and where lives the majority of my family. The population of the village is about 200 people. I spent there nearly a month. A good way to adjust back to the culture. So Ulan-Ude afterwards seemed as a big city, Toronto or something like that :) with civilization, hi-tech equipped etc. But I had a good time with my family, gardening, helping my Mom repairing the house (remont)...

Now I am in Ulan-Ude. Meeting with my friends, going to the Family meetings, enjoying our short but hot Siberian summer and searching for a job. I live with Shawna and it is such a blessing to live with her! I am thankful to the Lord for everything He gave me here.

I am sorry that I am not faithful in updating this blog. It was mainly for the use while being abroad. But I will try to post some news once in a while. And I apologize for all the mistakes in English :)

God bless!

Trip to Banff, Alberta

Banff
those are everywhere

this bridge is for animals to cross highway
Lake Louise

A few pics from my trip to Banff. A city in Alberta on the border with British Columbia province. Right in the middle of Canadians Rockies. Reminded me of Arshan very much. I mean nature.

Excellent service, friendly people.

Tulip Festival

The annual Tulip Festival has begun in Ottawa. We have a beautiful weather these days. More pics to come. It is just the beginning.

Trip to Niagara falls, Toronto (27-29 April)

Sorry for not posting any news. Many things have happened since my last post. Here are a few pics from my recent trip to Niagara Falls and Toronto.

Going home soon!!!!

I am counting days to my return back home!!! I have exactly 5 weeks left. Just 5 weeks! It's been a good time here but as we say in Russian "В гостях хорошо, но дома лучше". Though I will really miss Logan (most of all) but I hope he will come to visit me next summer in Russia :).

"In Siberia it was warmer"

This morning we woke up to this beautiful and a bit shocking view! And it was snowing all day long. Logan didn't mind it at all.

The tree..

This tree is just perfect for climbing!

Beautiful Ottawa weather

enjoying the weather and goofing around

A couple of pics of Logan

As the weather gets warmer we spend more time outside with Logan. He can walk, he knows a few words and learns knew ones pretty quick. He loves being outside.

Some pics from retreat

learned some new games
Fireplace to keep us warm
Kitchen

The craziest guy in the group :)
Stacking cups game. Some consider it as sport. Who is faster.
Competition
This game is addictive
Eggs, bacon, toasts and sousages for breakfast

The place called Tucker House, less than one hour away out of city. Some crazy (and not really) people from College and Careers group in Rideauview.

К сведению..

Вот этот малюсенький тюбик мази от герпеса стоит 25 канадских долларов (умножать округленно на 20руб)!!! Грабеж среди бела дня.

Благодарна Богу за здоровье. Если болеть, то уж дома, а лучше вообще не болеть! :))) Хотя у меня здесь есть страховка на экстренные случаи. А вот если я пойду лазить на скалы, то страховка не поможет, в случае падения, ушиба и пр. А так хочется в горы!

Видимо меня это так поразило, что я решила поместить это на блоге. Хотя мне говорили, что лекарства здесь дорогие. Конечно, для самих канадцев система здравоохранения и медстрахования работает очень хорошо.

Spring in the air

5 o'clock tea
last chance to skate on the canal

Back in January a few people told me that there was another girl from Russia one Sunday at the service. Next Sunday I made sure I met her. Elena is from Neryungri (Sakha), which is pretty close to Ulan-Ude. It is amazing how God brought her to that same church I go to. Here is a picture of her. We went skating about a week ago. It was the last day the canal was open. The ice was poor, melting.

This past weekend I've been to a retreat with a group of young people from the church. It was very refreshing to get out of routine for a couple of days.

I have just two months and 3 days left and I am going back home. Looking forward to it but I know I will miss Logan and people I met here. Very thankful to the Lord for the time here.

The title of this post is about spring - it's still pretty chilly but it is going to get warmer by Thursday - rain.

skating on the Rideau canal - the world's largest skating rink

starting at 0 point


Beavertale tradition (+hot apple cider)

We made it until this end

a few pics from yesterday's skating

no expectations...

Yesterday after skating on the canal with a friend of mine I went to the O-train station. I had to buy a ticket from that "box" - ticket machine. It says it costs $2.25 (Canadian $) and it doesn't give you a change. So I put $2 coin in but it didnt' accept c25. I thought "well, it should accept c25 because it says it is $2.25". I was staying in front of that thingie persistently putting c25 again and again trying to figure out how come it's not working. And a boy came up to me and said he has coins. Being a foreigner you never know for sure how everything works in another country. I thought maybe he has some special coin or something I didn't know about. And here he gives me $1 coin. I thanked him and said that I actually have, it's just that I was wondering how come it doesn't accept c25 when it should.. Finally I gave up and put $1 in and got my ticket. And what do you think? I was still hoping to receive change! :) Not that I desparately needed this c75, it just couldn't fit into my mind how come they say it is $2.25 and there is no way but pay $3. Tricky. :) O well... But I was told later that probably the problem was with the ticket-machine, and usually it does accept 25c coins.
But I thanked this boy for his willingness to help me. We chatted all the way until he had to get off. In our conversation I mentioned the church I go to here hoping he might remember the name of it and come. But I just pray for his salvation. What an example for me!
So, I was thinking - we as christians being taught to do good deeds often do it as sort of a duty. It made me think how much I have to learn so that it will be natural for me to be helpful, to do something good with no expectations of praise or a prize and not pleasing people but God only who only is Worthy of praise and worship. (Col.3:23)
And it is not the first time someone's helping me. It is really an encouragement. And it is people who even do not know me and perhaps will never see me again.

Trip to British Columbia (21-31 Dec)

Some pics of Vancouver