A Reckoning

Today, I finally worked up the courage to post my Russia wrap-up: the last few days and the journey home. I really had every intention of posting before I left Moscow, but my brain resembled a not-quite-cooked batch of scrambled eggs. Concentrating on any kind of task, especially writing about the mess of thoughts and emotions that hit you right before returning State-side after a four-month vacation, became nearly impossible. And, of course, I had some precious time to spend with some choice people, and that takes precedence over my desire to generate a new post.

I guess one of the hiccups that kept me from sharing our last week with you was the whole TORFL testing process that occurred on Monday and Tuesday. Basically, a vast majority of we program participants decided to take the state exam for Russian proficiency–lo and behold, I actually passed the elementary level. Not a triumph, but a small and respectable feat, I would say. The speaking portion made me pretty nervous, but I actually enjoyed the writing portion quite a lot. The whole testing process remains amusing to me only because Russians take testing procedures FAR less seriously than Americans do. Some of us had way more prep time for writing and speaking portions, there were indefinite start and stop points for the multiple choice exams, and sometimes there wasn’t even a proctor present in the room with us. That’s not to say that I was necessarily surprised. I guess I even appreciated the more relaxed testing environment. It was also great to see some American students freak out  as they experience this sudden lack of discipline.

Once we got through testing, we had a few relatively free days to say goodbye to Moscow, and we did. Joey and I made it out to Red Square one last time, saw the giant Christmas tree and the giant (exclusive) ice skating rink. By last week, daylight disappeared by 3:30 in the Moscow area, so we had the chance to catch some good photos of the lights strung around the square. I’ve never seen the tree in Rockefeller Center or anything, but the one the Russians had assembled looked pretty okay.

Another place we felt needed to be seen at least once more was Patriarch’s Ponds; it seems that we both have some sentimental value attached to it, and, honestly, I wanted to see it frozen. I was surprised to hear some British people chattering in the kiddy park–I suspect they were expats or something. Oh, and although I hadn’t seen them elsewhere, I’m guessing pull-sleds (kinda like prams) remain popular in Russia. Moms scooted their kids back and forth; usually when I tried to snap photos of the little bundley babies, their moms would jet off. So I’m left with pictures of colorful baby blurs.

I’m realizing as I get through this post that I may have to dedicate a few more to that last leg of my trip. As long as no one minds waiting for old news, I think I might actually do that. Anywho, all of these activities took place last Thursday and Friday, and I felt like they were the perfect things to do/see right before leaving. For me, leaving Russia seemed a timely sort of event; the winter really deadens many of the happier emotions usually associated with the holiday season. I certainly wasn’t unhappy those last few weeks, but thinking of the sunny winter setting in in America, I couldn’t wait. Not to mention that four months in Moscow felt like eight: life there, although quite livable, is a little rougher, a little less obliging. But, of course, that doesn’t make leaving any easier. I promise to post again very soon; the transcontinental flight was the dooziest of doozies.