Today the Matryoshkas have been in Moscow for a whole month. I remember thinking about this day and this blogpost on the day that we arrived. I remember hoping that I would be sitting in the position in which I find myself today. The PGCE student in me wants to give you a reflective observation and I'm afraid I'm going to give in (my lecturers would be so proud).
It is extremely difficult to begin to capture the last month and as much as I have attempted to try through this blog, I fear that the only way I would be able to is if you could all be here with us all the time and merely follow us around all day, to experience what we do. For the record, there have been many occasions where we have wished this could be possible but it does add to the adventure knowing we can't escape home to Mom's cooking and Dad's lame jokes. Alternatively, we could invest in a GoPro...
The main thing I think that we have all learnt is just how capable and potential we all have. We've pushed these limits time and time again, and we have exceeded them time and time again. I am so proud of us.
I have watched one of my oldest friends manage to take everything in her stride and I have hoped to learn from her just how to be strong. Maree is one of the most fascinating people I know. Before this month, I thought I knew her but I have witnessed a whole new woman emerge. She is considerate and caring without fault and she never forgets to do the little things. She puts her head down and she gets the job done. She is a hit with her clients and always goes the extra mile for her lessons. She does her Ree-thing quietly but always looks back to make sure you have caught up...or to possibly fold a discarded shirt and hang up a towel.
Jackie never ceases to amaze, surprise and shock me. If you need a wake up call or hug, she will literally jump on you. However always offers the stability and encouragement you need to get through the day. I have a new-found respect for the 18 year old Jackie who went off to America because I have realised that leaving your country and re-locating has been difficult at the age of 22. Maybe it's due to her drama skills, but she can fill any role you need her to- mom, nurse, friend, psychologist, hooligan, teacher, maid, drinking buddy, comedian, professional shopper. Strange how she is pretty crazy but has kept me sane on many days. She's loved at her drama group on Saturdays and is beginning to rack up those high profile clients and while she works hard, will never say no to a spontaneous adventure...or nap.
The things we collectively miss is some of the familiar food we know (a braai...if only). Special mention must be made of Steri Stumpis. We miss being able to have a conversation with a cashier or stranger in a queue. We miss our people the most obviously-our family and friends who we love so very much and are back home, rooting for us. We miss those things but we are so grateful and happy to be here. We are so incredibly lucky. We love having money to buy amazing clothes, we love meeting new people and we love living a completely different life. At the moment we are loving our new apartment (blog to come) and our new landlord (definitely more on that later).
To celebrate our Moscowversary, we are off to go ice skating with some of our new friends...let's hope the next blog doesn't include a trip to a hospital for broken bones. :)
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