Russia.
I talked to my parents, and it's a go. If I can find the money. There's too much excitement to sit down and explain it, but I'll try.
I was at an environmental education conference today.. the key speaker was Ocean Robbins (A VERY cool guy.). Anyway, one of the activities was to find someone you've never met before and ask them what they've done to take a stand. There was a lady next to me, and I told her about my involvement in the community.. and from there I think my life took a quantum leap. It's funny how our actions defines who we are, more than anything we think can. "Be the change you wish to seek in the world." - Gandhi
Anyway, that's not the point. The point is, about an hour later the same lady came up to me and said.. "I've been thinking a little bit, and you are exactly the type of person that I would want to take to Russia with me for an educational camp." At this point, I was wide-eyed, shocked, beaming, and curious. She goes on further to explain that it's not a comfort trip, but by no means is it a dangerous one either. I'd be teaching English to students in this small, shit-assed town in the very southeastern corner of Russia. The deal is, these kids need to know English to be able to compete in a global economy, it's essential to them surviving. She also went on to explain that I could stay there from 3 weeks to 7 weeks, whatever I choose. I could also attend an environmental education conference in the same area, but in China. And I was welcome to go touring and backpacking around the country with her for two weeks.
The deal is, I some how have to come up with the money to pay for this. But I want to do it so badly, that I will find a way to come up with the money. Since it technically is a mission trip, I can hit up churches and other slavic/russian organizations throughout the state. I'll be working to save my money and there goes the guitar, but I have to do this. How I react to these children, the children of communism, will be a huge determining factor of who I am. To know if I truly am the person I want to be.
I'm amazed at this opportunity. Things like this do not just appear for you to pass them by, especially something as.. coincidental?.. as this. The chances that I would sit next to this women, I would choose her to speak to, I would say the right thing to interest her, and she would find me a few hours later and ask me if I'd be interested. I'm stunned. I'm doing this.
I was at an environmental education conference today.. the key speaker was Ocean Robbins (A VERY cool guy.). Anyway, one of the activities was to find someone you've never met before and ask them what they've done to take a stand. There was a lady next to me, and I told her about my involvement in the community.. and from there I think my life took a quantum leap. It's funny how our actions defines who we are, more than anything we think can. "Be the change you wish to seek in the world." - Gandhi
Anyway, that's not the point. The point is, about an hour later the same lady came up to me and said.. "I've been thinking a little bit, and you are exactly the type of person that I would want to take to Russia with me for an educational camp." At this point, I was wide-eyed, shocked, beaming, and curious. She goes on further to explain that it's not a comfort trip, but by no means is it a dangerous one either. I'd be teaching English to students in this small, shit-assed town in the very southeastern corner of Russia. The deal is, these kids need to know English to be able to compete in a global economy, it's essential to them surviving. She also went on to explain that I could stay there from 3 weeks to 7 weeks, whatever I choose. I could also attend an environmental education conference in the same area, but in China. And I was welcome to go touring and backpacking around the country with her for two weeks.
The deal is, I some how have to come up with the money to pay for this. But I want to do it so badly, that I will find a way to come up with the money. Since it technically is a mission trip, I can hit up churches and other slavic/russian organizations throughout the state. I'll be working to save my money and there goes the guitar, but I have to do this. How I react to these children, the children of communism, will be a huge determining factor of who I am. To know if I truly am the person I want to be.
I'm amazed at this opportunity. Things like this do not just appear for you to pass them by, especially something as.. coincidental?.. as this. The chances that I would sit next to this women, I would choose her to speak to, I would say the right thing to interest her, and she would find me a few hours later and ask me if I'd be interested. I'm stunned. I'm doing this.