Molly: Unplugged

This year the name of the game seems to be computer issues. This time it's not actually my computer, though. It's the cord that's causing problems. Fortunately that's a much more manageable problem than the last time- all my information is still there, I just can't get to it until I find a new cord.

I've been to a few electronics stores here and no one seems to have the one I need. They all have universal ones that would work, but those are much more expensive. So it looks like I may be computer-less for the next month and a half.

Honestly, now that the initial shock is over, I'm kind of looking forward to it. I don't know about any of you, but I'm way more consumed by my computer than I have any right to be. Now that I've figured out how I'm going to pull off the rest of my lesson plans this semester, it's just a matter of getting used to doing things the old fashioned way again. It will take getting used to, but I think it will be good for me. There are so many things that I can do more of (walking, reading, knitting, drawing, cooking) when I'm not constantly distracted by the internet. I even played an old-fashioned game of spider solitaire the other day- you know, with actual cards! ;)

So here's to doing things the old-fashioned way! It's gonna be great!

Vologda, Baby!

I have an exciting announcement to make- I've been thinking and talking and praying about it for some time, and I believe God is calling me to return to Russia for another year! Only this time I hope to be serving in Vologda, a smaller city a 12-hour train ride from St. Pete. ESI has had teachers in Vologda for several years, but it has always been a small team. This year, however, they are planning to expand to a new school and will need another team of teachers. The idea intrigued me as soon as I heard of the new program, but I wasn't sure that that was where God wanted me until this spring.

I'm very excited about the chance to pioneer a new program, and to be on a slightly larger city team. And though I will miss my friends in St. Pete, it's nice to know that I'll be close enough to visit them a few times over the year.

In honor of this decision, here are a few pictures from our trip to Vologda in December, which I never posted:

Bowling with some of Timon and Andy's students

Visiting a monastery outside the city- Yes, that is snow up to my knees!

Erica and I by the train on our last day