I'm ready

Put me on a plane and send me to Russia tomorrow.
I'm so ready to go!
:)

Gratitude

I am grateful for so many things!
The fact that almost any temperature above zero seems warm to me now
so much family that loves me
wonderful roommates
understanding professors

but right now, I'm especially grateful for righteous priesthood holders who, at the drop of a hat, are willing and able to come over and give me a blessing to receive the strength and comfort that I don't know how to find on my own.

what are you grateful for today?

That was nice

Something really nice happened today.
Jess and I were practicing our musical number for Sunday (she's playing the piano and I'm singing). There were people on the couches in the lounge so we had the door closed but they could still hear us. Earlier when we were waiting for them finish up with the piano I was listening to them and one of the girls was an amazing singer!
Anyway, when we left, they asked which one of us had just been singing. I said it was me and...well, they were very complimentary :) They asked what ward we were in and said they wanted to come hear me sing on Sunday.
That just feels good :)

Guess What?

I AM GOING TO RUSSIA~
THAT'S RIGHT! I put in the last part of my application soon after I got here and I HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED! I'm leaving the 23rd of August and I'll be back the 19th of December. I won't know if I'm going to Moscow or St. Petersburg until I turn in my visa application, which I can't get until I do some passport things...there's a lot of paperwork I have to do before I'm ready to go, I hope I can get it done in time! But I'll be teaching half the day and then get the second half to go explore! I'm hoping I get to go to Moscow. On the weekends and holidays I have the option to travel to the Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and Sweden. I'm so excited/nervous/scared/stressed out! But mostly excited. I've done a LOT of research and have big lists of places I want to go in every country. Mostly historic and religious landmarks...the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania, Alexander palace in St. Petersburg, the ruins of Tartu in Estonia, the Kremlin in Moscow, St. Basil's church, Lenin's tomb...and that's just the tip of the iceberg. This is going to be the best adventure of my life so far!

I AM SO SO SO EXCITED!