Russia 2005

Tchaikovsky

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:37:02 EST

Caddy corner to the hotel was Tchaikovsky. Which is a play on words; "Chai-Cofe-ski" ... chai = tea, cofe = coffee; aka. a coffee and tea house kind of like Starbucks.

Zoo 2

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:37:01 EST

The zoo.

Zoo

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:59 EST

This is the Ekat zoo. Another one of the excursions that our students took us on. We had a lot of fun this year; not only seeing the city but forming great friendships that I hope will last for a long time.

Another park 2

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:58 EST

Lindsey and Holly in the park.

Another park

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:57 EST

This is another park that I had not seen in the 2 previous years. It was outside the big mall and supermarket.

Natasha 2

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:56 EST

Natasha's boyfriend Dima joined us on the retreat. Unfortunately that was after I dropped my camera. If I can get their pictures from some of the other teachers, I will post it later.

Natasha

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:55 EST

Natasha, one of my first year students who has become very active in Kompas.

School #13

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:54 EST

School #13, another school we visited during our stay in Ekat.

Overlooking Hotel Iset

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:53 EST

Hotel Iset from the lookout point of the tallest building in Ekat. This is the title pic from my index page.

Oleg and Sana's flat

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:52 EST

Oleg and Sana's flat (source of the blini).

T-Bone ~n blini

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:51 EST

T-Bone enjoys some blini (Russian pancakes).

Student's flat fun

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:50 EST

Good times.

Student's flat for Borst

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:49 EST

Borst, pickled peppers, mushroom salad, and a cake for dessert.

Student's flat

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:48 EST

On Saturday, Renata and her roommate invited Jen, Julie, and me to their flat for borst. They really rolled out the red carpet for us. We had a great time and some great soup too.

Church On The Blood after dark

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:47 EST

Across the Iset, the moon was rising to the left of the church On The Blood.

Ekat after dark

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:46 EST

After the party, we hung out with the students. We went down by the Iset river and the lights reflecting off the water was beautiful. I set my camera to night time exposure and tried a shot. I'm glad it came out as good as it did, I wasn't expecting too much.

Pizza party 2

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:45 EST

More winners.

Scavenger hunt pizza party

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:44 EST

Guess what the winners got? A reserved spot at Centralni Dvor and 5 pizzas ... yes more pizza!

Scavenger hunt winners 2

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:43 EST

Victors' shot.

Scavenger hunt winners

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:42 EST

Guess who won??? If you guess our team ... then you'd be spot on!!

Scavenger hunt scoring

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:41 EST

Counting up the score.

Scavenger hunt 2

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:40 EST

More pics from the scavenger hunt.

Scavenger hunt

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:39 EST

On Friday we had a scavenger hunt. This picture is from the meeting place before we heard the results.

Lift

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:38 EST

This isn't a self portrait but a shot of our hotel elevator (or lift).

This is also me burning off the last picture from a roll of film ... "roll of film", remember those?!?

Iset breakfast

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:37 EST

Another shot that is becoming tradition, breakfast.

Balkan grill desserts

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:36 EST

The chef sent out several plates of their different desserts.

Balkan grill 10

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:35 EST

Deb and ...... hmmmm, oh yeah! Rodney.

Balkan grill 9

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:34 EST

Phil and Darin.

Balkan grill 8

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:33 EST

Ashley???, Jen, and Mark.

Balkan grill 7

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:32 EST

Amy and Deb (Darin's sister-in-law).

Balkan grill 6

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:31 EST

Jamie and Amy.

Balkan grill 5

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:30 EST

Daniel and Tim ... nice parsley action going there T-Bone.

Balkan grill 4

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:29 EST

Julie and Phil.

Balkan grill 3

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:28 EST

Ashley and Kelly (Mike's wife).

Balkan grill 2

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:27 EST

Kathy and Nancy ... you can find them here.

Ok, so for some fair airtime, they might be more happy to see you visit here.

Balkan grill

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:26 EST

Hangin at the Balkan grill. Daniel and Tim (or as I like to call him, "T-Bone").

Scharades 3

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:25 EST

Sousha

Scharades 2

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:24 EST

Games; Leena and Katya

Scharades

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:23 EST

Scharades; Dina and Sousha

More class time

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:22 EST

Class time.

Matching game 2

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:21 EST

More of the game, Dina looks at the camera instead of the game.

Matching game

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:20 EST

We are playing one of the games in the Talk the Talk class. Left to right: Ann, Jen, Sousha, Katya, and Ivan.

Jen is one of the American stinters and was working with us in the classes. She and the other 5 stinters will be doing a lot of follow up this next year. They have the same appeal to the Russian students as we did, and that is speaking English with native speakers. I really think they will have an awesome impact this year!

1941 - 1945 -- WWW2?

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:19 EST

This is on the wall of the building where I was teaching.

Sorrow

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:18 EST

This young lady was upset and crying because none of the Americans got to come by and hear her do her tests. Time just ran out. So I asked her if she'd like something none of her classmates got ... a hug and a picture. The answer was a shy and quiet, "Yes".

She's in Darin's son Bear's class and one of the students I have seen since the first grade (or first form).

School of Tomorrow

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:17 EST

More students from the School of Tomorrow.

The School of Tomorrow uses a Christian based home school curriculum written in Dallas!

Pizza 2

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:16 EST

More hangin out with the students after class. Iriana (on the left above Julie) was a student in our class that also worked at the Centralni Dvor.

Pizza

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:15 EST

Hangin out with the students after class.

Iset lobby 3

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:14 EST

And Amy.

Iset lobby 2

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:13 EST

And Daniel.

Iset lobby

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:12 EST

Hangin out in the Hotel Iset lobby; Kathy, Nancy, and Jamie.

Subway 4

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:11 EST

Subway

Subway 3

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:10 EST

Subway with Dina, Sousha, and Katya.

Subway 2

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:09 EST

Subway

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:08 EST

The Ekat subway ... it only had 6 stops and is the shortest subway in Russia; and probably the world. Yet it was packed.

Wedding

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:07 EST

A Russian wedding (right under Beavis and Butt-Head).

Park Vosnesenski 7

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:06 EST

Kate is into Japanese culture and she taught Natalia origami. They each made a crane for Julie and me.

The Thinker

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:05 EST

"The Thinker" ... no wait, I think that is Rodney instead.

Island in Park Vosnesenski 5

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:04 EST

On the island in Park Vosnesenski.

Park Vosnesenski 4

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:03 EST

Park Vosnesenski in full autumn.

Park Vosnesenski 3

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:02 EST

Park Vosnesenski

Note the island with the columns, we got to go out there (which you will see).

Park Vosnesenski 2

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:36:01 EST

Park Vosnesenski

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:59 EST

This is park Vosnesenski (which also means "of ascension"). The 2 students are Natalia and her friend Kate (who was in the English class next door).

Vosnesenski bells

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:58 EST

You've seen this church, I've been to it for the past 2 years. But on an excursion with the students, they took us to a beautiful park next door that I have never seen.

I also got to hear the bells ring for the first time ... very lovely.

Coach 2

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:57 EST

Coach taking a break.

Scrimmage

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:56 EST

During a scrimmage, Alex's team won and the loosers had to do rolls (which are hard to do in full gear). 1 roll for each points they lost by, these guys had to do 5. Alex was on the winning team, but they had Dima as goalie. In the second scrimmage, the goalies switched and Alex scored on Dima (The Wall)! WhoooHooo.

Coach

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:55 EST

The Coach with Cray Ivan. The coach was a great player too and this program has turned out a lot of great players, some to the NHL. So it is a great honor for Alex to be here.

Crazy Ivan 2

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:54 EST

Crazy Ivan in full gear.

Crazy Ivan

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:53 EST

I don't know what this guy's name was, we nicknamed him "Crazy Ivan". He is a friend of the rink's owner. The owner said he could drop by any time and skate, so he shows up for every practice and gets out on the ice with the kids. He is so nice that no one has the heart to throw him out. :)

We were going to take his picture and he said "Wait, not without my mask".

Alex

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:52 EST

Alex suiting up.

Dima -- "The Wall"

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:51 EST

This is Dima, the hockey goalie on Alex's team. He is something else, nothing got past him. We nicknamed him "The Wall".

Hockey

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:50 EST

One of the mornings, some of us went to see Darin's son Alex practice hockey.

After class

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:49 EST

This is after the English classes. We invite students to hang out with us and go for dinner (which was usually pizza).

Breakout group

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:48 EST

My discussion group again, new on the right is Ann.

Tasting game

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:47 EST

More of the tasting game. This one was spreadable cheese. The vocab words would have been smooth, gooey, creamy, etc...

Back to class

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:46 EST

The lesson where Jesus feeds the 5000. We have a game where students close their eyes and we give them something to taste. Back to front : Sousha, Katya, Leena, Natalia, Renata, ???, and Julie (with her back to the camera).

Julie vs. Lenin

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:45 EST

Julie had to hold this pose for quite a few shots too. But I much prefer this shot of Julie to this shot of Lenin.

Contrail

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:44 EST

I couldn't zoom in enuf, but the contrail on this plane was impressive.

Ekat is a military town ya know.

Trooper

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:43 EST

Julie had to hold this pose for about 9 shots. What a trooper ... :)))

"Facilities" @ the classes 2

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:42 EST

Ok, last one I promise.

"Facilities" @ the classes

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:41 EST

Ok, enuf of the bathroom shots! But this wasn't our hotel, it was the university where my classes where held; which was the same place I was last year. I don't have a shot from last year (be thankful), but this was MAJOR improvement from last year.

Despite the improvements to the mens facilities, I have word from Julie that the ladies room has not seen the same reconstruction work.

Excursion into Centralni Dvor

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:40 EST

Also on the excursion. The students take us to lunch at the Centralni Dvor (local student hangout).

Excursions 2

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:39 EST

In front of Ural State University; Julie, Rodney, Phil, and Ashley.

Excursions w/ the students

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:38 EST

This was one of the many excursions we had about the city. Pictured are Renata, Liana, Julie, Sasha, Rodney, and Natalia.

Motorcycles in Ekat

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:37 EST

Some Russian motorcycles. I think this was a cell phone promotion at the university.

Iset shower

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:36 EST

Our shower.

Iset "facilities"

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:35 EST

I don't know why, but a bathroom shot has become a traditional part of my photo galleries. Each year has improved upon the last.

Posing 4 pics @ Gradara

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:34 EST

Lower right is Uri (student in the 2nd year classes), and Natasha (student in the 1st year classes). Both trusted in Jesus for their salvation after the classes were over. Natasha was in my first year discussion group and was my language helper for the second year group. She has been a big part of the Kompas student movement and a great blessing to me.

Stinters @ Gradara

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:33 EST

2 of the stinters at Ekat for the next year. I don't think she realized the size of the entree she ordered.

The BIG Napkin!

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:32 EST

Most of the schools and some resturants only had 1/2 or 1/4 sized napkins, so Julie is showing off a full sized napkin at the Gradara.

Gradara

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:31 EST

Chillin at the Gradara.

Lunch @ School #94

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:30 EST

Lunch time at the "School of Tomorrow".

BTW, the "School of Tomorrow" uses Christian home school curriculum written in Dallas.

School #94 2

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:29 EST

More students from the "School of Tomorrow".

School #94

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:28 EST

It is amazing that I have seen many of these same students during my visits. The girl on the lower left I remember quite well. Some of the students that are in the 3rd grade I have seen since the 1st. It is a lot of fun to visit the schools and see students and teachers again. And I know it is a blessing for Darin to keep in good standings with these schools too.

Love the windows in RU

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:27 EST

I love the windows in Russia, we had these last year too. The handle has 3 positions : down is locked, horizontal allows normal opening/closing motion, and up is ... well cracked. I'm sure the last position is very functional during rainy/snowy season.

Iset hotel room

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:26 EST

Inside the Iset. A very nice room according to European standards.

Breaking out

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:25 EST

This was my breakout group (the students I meet with during the comprehension half of the class).

From left to right : (in back) Ivan, Sasha, Renata, (in front) Katya, and Natalia (or Natasha).

First day of English classes 2

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:24 EST

Also on the first day of class.

Staffer Mike

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:23 EST

Mike (front right) is on staff with Kompass and will be in Ekat for at least a year. He and the stinters will be key in following up with the students in the comming year.

Russian helper Tanya

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:22 EST

Tanya (in front) is our language helper and is connected with Kompas. Iriana, behind, is a student of the class.

First day of English classes

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:21 EST

This is the first day of English classes known as Talk The Talk. We deliver on the promise of English lessons by talking with the students, teaching vocabulary, teaching idioms, and playing games. That is the first half of the lessons. The second half we test understanding and comprehension by reading lessons and parables out of the bible.

Moretti's ... mmmmmmm

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:20 EST

On Monday, we meet Darin's wife Susan for lunch at Moretti's (an Italian restaurant).

Street vendors

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:19 EST

All over the city you see sidewalk vendors. Most selling fruits, vegtables, and even clothes, socks, gloves, etc...

Tourists 2

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:18 EST

Closer shot of the same.

Typical tourists

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:17 EST

This is also on "tourist day" on the other side of the Iset. You can see the church On The Blood in the background, and the green roofed building is a large bank.

Cellphone promotion

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:16 EST

Cell phones are more prevalent in Russia, even kids in and below the 3rd grade have them. This is a Motorola promotion.

River Iset 2

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:15 EST

Also on the Iset, while we where being tourists.

River Iset

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:14 EST

This is the Iset river. Our hotel was named after the river.

Interesting note: the tower in the background is called The Tower of Death. Too many people have tried to climb it (in a less than sober state) and fallen off. So the city has locked off the rungs on the outside to prevent further accidents.

City Founders

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:13 EST

Another shot that you may remember. It is the city founders. I learned this year that the students call them Beavis and Butt-Head. :))

Church on the Blood 2

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:12 EST

Another shot with the whole week 1 team.

Church on the Blood

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:11 EST

This is at the church On The Blood. You've meet the first week team except Julie Adcock (on the right).

She was too shy to pose for a pic on the plane ride. Hey Julie, didn't I tell ya on the plane that if you don't pose I'll let everybody know in my photo album??? Whoops, my bad. :))

Church Vosnesenski

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:10 EST

This is the bell tower of the church of The Ascension of Jesus Christ. It right across the streat from the church On The Blood.

War memorial

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:09 EST

On the first day, we did the tourist thing and went around the city. You may remember this, it is the Black Tulip. It is the war memorial for Russia and Afghanastan.

Crammed in like ...

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:08 EST

The traditional / obligatory sardine shot. Daniel, Nany, Rodney, Julie, and Kathy.

We Have Arrived!

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:07 EST

After about 24 hours of traveling we arrive!! This is the first week team.

In back:: Daniel, Phil, Rodney, Julie, Jamie
In the middle:: Nancy, Amy, Mark, Ashley
In front:: Kathy and Tim.

Crew pics 4

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:06 EST

And Amy. Amy was the other 2 week-er. Since our tickets were purchased for 2 weeks instead of 1 week like everybody else's, Amy was my traveling buddy for most of the trip. And, as it turns out, Amy was my relay co-leader at the retreat.

Hey Ames, think we can still bust out those dance moves?? Ask me later ...

:)

Crew pics 3

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:05 EST

And Jamie, and Phil ...

Crew pics 2

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:04 EST

And Julie ...

Crew pics

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:03 EST

The obligatory plane shot. From left to right: Mark, Tim, Daniel, and Ashley.

Starting off ...

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:02 EST

I just loaded my camera with film before leaving for Russia and thought I'd burn off a frame with a humorous shot. What do ya think?? Is 3 baldies better than 1?

Russia 2005 -- Talk the Talk

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 21:35:01 EST

Some introductions: on the very top, the building with the butterfly is the Iset hotel where we stayed this year. It is very nice and centrally located to all the universities and schools that we visited. Under the Iset and to the left is Lindsey, my second week co-teacher. In the middle is yours truly and to my right is Julie, my first week co-teacher.

This year was very different than the past 2 years that I have been in Ekaterinburg. Instead of going to universities and schools during the day, we had free time. Free time ... ha! During our free time we would meet with students to get to know them better. The students were very enthusiastic to meet with us and show us parts of the city. I don't know how many miles we walked with the students, but I saw a lot more of the city than I had in the past 2 years combined. I think this was one of the best years yet and I am very hopeful of what this next year will bring.

Coincidently Darin and his Kompas (Campus Crusade for Christ) team got 6 stinters (short term international missions) who will be helping them with follow up contact with this year's students. That is why I think this comming year will be one of the best.

This year, for the first time, the second week team got to attend the retreat that is offered after the classes are over. Most all of the students that stayed in the classes attended, and invited friends. Unfortunately, I dropped my camera at the retreat and lost most of my second week pics. But since I was with Gene or Lindsey most of that time, I hope that I can get most of the pics back that I lost. There is one pic that I will miss ... when we got to the retreat there were some puppies at the security gates and I got a picture of Dina (one of our students) holding a puppy. It was a great shot and I am sorry I lost that one ... :( ... But I hope you enjoy the remainder of my album.