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.

I'm in the Army now!

Isaiah has enlisted in the Army. Basic Training will be in Fort Jackson, South Carolina on April 26. Next, schooling will be in Fort Bragg, North Carolina for Psychological Operations.
The psychological operations specialist supervises, coordinates, and participates in analysis, planning, production, and dissemination of tactical, strategic, and consolidation psychological operations. Now that's a strike.

Congratulations Isaiah!!

Rachel rockin with the Barretts

One of the weekends we slowed down was when Rachel Wilson came to visit. Even though Rachel is from Texas, we met her in England and have kept in touch.
When she arrived, we had a good old Texas BBQ and relaxed in the jacuzzi. The next day we went to Juarez, Mexico checked out the goods at the market and ate Mexican food. We finished the day with some fierce bowling competition. Rachel is a Russian major, so she helped explain and clarified the Russian language to us. Thanks Rachel. We'll see you in Russia!

My Bags are Packed and Ready to Go

Life has been fast paced for the last month. We had a moving company come and pack our household items on the 19 March heading for Moscow. We rented our house on the 15th, and the tenants moved in on the 25th, our car was sold on the 23rd. In between those dates we had a garage sale, return any items that weren't ours to the rightful owners, moved our furniture in a container, paint, repair, packed, celebrated Pat's birthday, Isaiah's birthday and tried to find time to visit a few friends and family. We still didn't visit all of Pat's family and some of her friends.