с новым годом


with love from Russia

Christmas in Moscow

Before 1917, Christmas was celebrated in Russia in much the same way as it was in the rest of the world: on December 25, with Christmas trees and Christmas gifts, Saint Nicholas and the like. During the years of Communism after 1917, all formerly Christmas traditions were transferred to New Year's Eve, which became the traditional winter holiday. New Year's Eve is now to Russians what Christmas is to most people in the rest of the world, with one exception: there is no remnant of Christianity in the holiday. New Year's Eve is simply a chance to celebrate, to bring in the new year and get rid of the old. It is a chance to exchange gifts, have a day off and enjoy oneself.

Christmas is once again celebrated in Russia, but not near to the extent it once was. All the traditions have been firmly settled in New Year's, and very few people take advantage of the new freedom to celebrate Christmas as they wish. The Russian Orthodox Church has made Christmas an official holiday, but it is celebrated on January 7th. A few Russians have begun to celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December.

Josiah in Moscow

Josiah and Terry standing in Red Square with St. Basil's Cathedral in the back ground. It will be fun with Josiah here for the holidays.

John Quincy Adams

The Embassy received a gift a statue of John Quincy Adams, America’s first Ambassador to Russia. The statue was created by noted sculptor Alexander Burganov, a People’s Artist of Russia, and its casting was made possible through the generosity of American corporate sponsors. The statue commemorates the 200th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and the United States in December, 1807.

John Quincy Adams – diplomat, politician, and sixth president of the United States – served as U.S. Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary in St. Petersburg from 1809 to 1814. After representing the United States at the court of Tsar Alexander I, Adams served as U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain and later Secretary of State. In 1825, he was elected President. After being defeated for a second term, Adams won a seat in the House of Representatives, where he served for 17 years until his death in 1848.

Toys for Tots

Pat is standing with 2 of the Marines during the Christmas party at the Spaso House. These Marines, stationed in Moscow for security of the embassy were collecting Toys for Tots toys for the children in need here in Russia.

Don't forget you have an opportunity to help the children in your area.

Happy Thanksgiving

The reason we like Thanksgiving is because it’s not centered around gifts and expectations, but is focused on ‘just’ being thankful for your family and friends all around you. What an interesting word ‘just’!! We’ve actually tried to take it out of our vocabulary (but it does slip out occasionally!). The word ‘just’ tends to downplay some very important matters. Our friend Alberta shared that insight while in Mercy Ships. It’s a HUGE deal to be surrounded by family and friends that you know love you (lest we forget that there are those around you who might not feel that they have that support). We are thankful that even though we won’t be by family this year, We have wonderful friends around us. We encourage you to reach out to those around you and never ‘assume’ that they have that kind of support system. If you have it, count yourself blessed!!

Our Thanksgiving started out this year going to the chocolate factory. Pat is all dressed up ready to enter the factory where we saw how they made two different kinds of candy. This candy factory will be closing this year and it's been open since 1851.

After the tour they gave us candy bars, a cd and tea.

Donna, a fellow worker, invited us over for Thanksgiving dinner. I think this is the first time, in along time that I haven't had to fix anything. It was a pleasant and relaxing afternoon.

Here is Terry relaxing with Dean Pryor and Terry White, other fellow embassy workers, as the final preparations are being made.

We took a tour of this church in the village of Angelovo in a northwest suburb of Moscow. We learned all about icons and the Russian Orthodox Church. Russian Orthodox Church buildings differ in design from many western-type churches. Firstly, their interiors are enriched with many sacramental objects including holy icons, which are hung on the walls. There are no pews. Most churches are lit with candles rather than electric light. Russians sometimes speak of an icon as having been "written," because in the Russian language the word pisat (Russian: писать), meaning "to write", can also be used to mean "to create paintings". Icons are considered to be the Gospel in paint and since many of the people couldn't read this was their Bible in picture form. While we were in the church the priest came in and our tour guide asked him if he wanted to say a few ords. And as a good minister of the word: he spoke to us giving us a sermon about Love. You can see all the beautiful icons behind him. There is a rich history and elaborate religious symbolism associated with icons.

ICA

Here is a group picture of the Diplomatic Fellowship. This is part of the ministry of the church, ICA, where we attend.

We won't starve

People told us that bad weather was coming and getting snow bound, we weren't taking chances on running out of food. So, we spent a weekend making: chicken mole, Italian chicken rice soup, brisket, tandoori chicken, BBQ chicken, lentils and sausage, stuffing, and a few things I don't remember. All together there were 21 dishes giving us about 150 servings.

Do you think we will starve?

Spaso Ball

We attended the annual Spaso Ball the last week of October. We danced all night to a live band playing big band music. The Spaso House was built in 1913 and has been the home of the US ambassador since 1933.

España

Dave & Sherri have a time share and invited us to Spain, so we took them up on their offer.

While we were in Spain, we visited Barcelona, Ronda, Seville, Granada, the Rock of Gibraltar, and a ferry boat to Morocco. It was a fast paced vacation with many places to see.

A beautiful reflection in the pool at Alhambra Palace.

A food market in the Souk in Tangier Morocco.

La Sagrada Familia by Antonio Gaudi-this
gave a new meaning to the word Gaudi.

The bull fighting ring in Ronda where the Spanish bullfighting was perfected.

Threading the needle through the streets of Ronda.

Magnificent bridge in Ronda.

The Rock of Gibraltor

On the top of Gibraltor, Pat's a bit scared of holding the monkey.
The link about the monkey is not our video, but they were that close and they did jump on my head, the one who was the most scared.

Our First Visitor

Donna from El Paso came to visit us in Moscow for three weeks.

Not only did we have fun, she helped us move, which was a BIG help.
Thanks Donna!

Donna standing above the Lower Gardens in Peterhof, the summer palace of Peter the Great.

Sherri teaching Donna how to make bread.

The finished product. Delicious tasting too.

Terry, Pat, Donna and Nadia went by train to St. Petersburg where we saw many palaces, gardens, and churches.

Even took a 1:00 am boat tour to see the city at night.

Of course you can't forget the food.
Everywhere we ate, the food was good,
whether we ate from a side walk vendor or

a fancy Russian restaurant, which happened to be where
President Putin chose to celebrate his 50th birthday.

Over all I think Donna enjoyed her
experience in Moscow & St. Petersburgh.

Moved Again !!!!!!

Yes, we moved again. This time to the embassy compound. The change in job's for Terry required that we move to the compound so he could be on 24 hour call rotation with other technicians.

There have been a few advantages of being here:
easier access to the city by metro, (the crowded metro)
our commute is 30 yards to the elevator to go into the building (compare to the 1 to 2 hour commute each way from Rosinka),
and having lunch at home periodically or every day if we desire.

The apartment is smaller than where we were, but well laid out. We have finally put up the last picture on the wall and can now call the moving complete.

Now it is time to enjoy our new home, Remember... we have a spare bedroom for guests.

ΚΟΤΟΡЫЙ ЧАС?

Russian for : What time is it?

It's time to repeat the class. Now we know why they called it Survival Russian. The idea was to learn enough Russian to grocery shop, order in a restaurant, and not get lost on the metro.

Anyway, we barely survived the class and then went on to Russian O class and found we were not able to keep up. So back to Survival in September and build a better foundation before going on.

We did receive diplomas but we're taking it again anyway.

ДО СВИДАНИЯ (da svee DAH nyah)

Russian for: Good bye

Onward to a New Future

We went to South Carolina to see Isaiah graduate from Army Basic Training. Afterwards, we were allowed to take Isaiah to his next training post, Fort Bragg, enjoying those extra few hours together.

Melissa, Andrew, and the kids were there to congratulate Isaiah.


Hanging out at the hotel room with Avery and Blake.

Cucumber Festival in Suzal

Highly professional technicians holding on when in a pickle.

Ready or Not Here We Come

Take a look of our Drivers License. Robert & Cathy Barton before they left Russia, gave us a 93 Suburban. Thank you Robert and Cathy!

DDC

Starting mid August Terry will be starting a new job. His new position is HVAC DDC Control Technician. His primary duties will be operating and repairing direct digital control systems. Also operates, maintains and repairs boilers, chillers, heat exchangers, water heaters and air conditioning units. Analyzes malfunctions in heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems and make necessary adjustments or repairs.

Yeah !! We're back on line

It's been a long time since we have undated our blog for two reasons:
1. No internet access
2. It took awhile to figure out how to change our blog page from the Russian language to English.

It'll take some time, so sit back relax and enjoy all the updates.

The Africa Mercy has sailed from Newcastle, England to it's new port in Liberia. As we saw the passing of the Torch from the Anastasis to the Africa Mercy our hearts we're sadden because we weren't there but praising God for all He's done and will be doing. The first surgery begins June 25th.

Check out our updated information. Profile, email address, links, and recent books read. When you click on "The Kitchen Boy", choose either High Speed or Dial Up to enter.

For those who kept sending emails with no response from us: Thanks for your patience.

Our Home In Russia

Rosinka is an International Residential Complex and is located 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Downtown Moscow. We live in a two bedroom house, therefore we have a spare bedroom. A HINT for anyone who wants to give us a visit, or if you always wanted to go to Moscow now's your chance.

Viewing the Sites

We were on a Double Decker Riverboat viewing the sites of Moscow.

The River Boat on the Moskva River, passing by the Kremlin.

Pat in front of St. Basil's Cathedral

Terry in front of the Historical Museum

The tour guide explains about the Presidential Administration Building

The State Kremlin Palace, built in 1961 for the Communist Party Congresses.

Standing in front of the State Library, the statue
is of Fyodor Dostoevsky.

Pat in front of Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Famous People

The Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Alexius III
walking from the church on the Kremlin grounds

Condoleezza Rice came to meet with President Putin about the European Defense Shield and took the time to talk to the staff of the American Embassy

Ambassador of the United States of America to the Russian Federation

We met with the Ambassador, William Joseph Burns on April 10. Ambassador Burns earned a B.A. in History from LaSalle University and M.Phil and D.Phil degrees in International Relations from Oxford University, where he studied as a Marshall Scholar. He is a recipient of three Honoary doctoral degrees. Ambassador Burns is the author of Economic Aid and American Policy Toward Egypt, 1955-1981 (State University of New York Press, 1985). He speaks Russian, Arabic, and French. In 1994, he was named to TIME Magazine’s list of the “50 Most Promising American Leaders under age 40”, and to TIME’s list of “100 Young Global Leaders”
Ambassador Burns and his wife, Lisa Carty, have two daughters.

Now that’s Fresh

Check out the lettuce, it’s still potted.

We Arrived!

We left El Paso at 6:00am on Monday April 2nd and arrived in Moscow at 10:30am Tuesday April 3rd. Our sponsor met us at the airport and then took us to our new abode in the community of РОСИΉΚЕ (pronounced Rosinka) which is 20 km from Moscow. We have a lovely 2 bedroom house, townhouse, or condominium (which ever you prefer).

The following day, Wednesday, we did what anyone would do at a new job – fill out paperwork.

On Thursday, we came home on the Metro. As soon as Terry got on the Metro he had 4 men surround him speaking a language he doesn’t understand, and hands all over him. Terry became another statistic of an attempted pick pocketing.

Pointing at the object if you want at the markets and then extending your hand full of money for them to get the right amount will do for right now until we start our language course in May.

We’ve had security, medical, & computer briefings, have met fellow workers, rode the metro, and went grocery shopping all in this first week.

Don't Mess with Texas!

Enjoying the last few days before we leave. Texas Style.

Miles and Miles of Nothin' but Desert!

The Bataan Memorial Death March is a challenging march through the high desert terrain of White Sands Missile Range, N.M., conducted in honor of the heroic service members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II, sacrificing their freedom, health and, in many cases, their very lives.
Josiah marching the 26.5 miles was able to experience, in part, what soldiers endured during their long forced trek through the Philipines, Out of 391 in his category, Josiah came in 46th.

Pretty good for his first time running a marathon.

Bright and Early

The new chapter in our life begins April 2nd which is the morning (4:00am) we fly out of El Paso. We arrive in Moscow on the 3rd. We might not have access to internet for awhile so be patient with us, we will respond.