It's been how long? Christmas and Russia

My goodness, how time flies! I began this blog to chronicle my month-long missions trip to Russia in the summer. Now it's been six months since I flew home from that beautiful country. And now, one of my favorite times of year is upon us again: Christmastime! Russia has popped up in my brain a lot this December. Maybe because I've recently gotten to see friends who have been there themselves; maybe just because it has a special place in my heart. I thought I'd share memories that often pop into my brain as I go about life here at home. (Random proud moment of Laura- I used my high school html skills to italicize how in my title...yes, I'm excited about html.) 

The seemingly never-ending
escalators of the metro

1. Crowds. When I'm in a big crowd exiting somewhere, or when I'm in a busy line at a restaurant, I feel like I'm back in the Moscow metro or ordering food at the busy McDonald's in Kitay-Gorod.
2. Fishing for change. When paying with cash at stores, I always try to pay in exact change because that's seemingly the polite thing to do in Russia, and I half expect the cashier to become frustrated with me if I don't. One time at a self-checkout at Kroger, I put a 5 ruble coin into the machine instead of a quarter...oops.
3. Escalators. Riding any escalator reminds me of going to and from the metro. Metro escalators were super long and it was not uncommon for young Moscovites to make out on them...awkward yet humorous. 
4. Crossing streets. Crossing a street in Moscow is different from crossing a street here at home. Here, we make eye contact with drivers and wait to proceed until they wave us across the road. In Russia, it's a pedestrian's world. You just cross and hold your breath that the cars will stop for you. Typically, if you look a Russian driver in the eye, he'll take it as a sign for him to keep on driving.
5. Randomly speaking Russian. I'll often answer my friends or parents with little Russian words or phrases that I picked up while I was there.  Да. Нет. Спасибо. Пожалуйста. Я не знаю. Мороженое. I hope that doesn't annoy them too much...
6. Parks. I miss the pretty parks in Moscow. I live within walking distance of two lovely parks here in Flower Mound. They just aren't quite as picturesque as Kolomenskoe, or the park at metro Kitay-Gorod, or the garden at Christ the Savior. At my parks, there aren't ice cream vendors nearby, or well-groomed flower beds lining the pathways, or babushkas selling trinkets to passersby. 
7. Hearing foreign languages. So, obviously, living in Texas, the common foreign language one hears is Spanish, but every once in a while, I hear something different. I've become somewhat of a creeper in stores and restaurants, craning my neck and listening hard to catch any familiar Russian words. (see #4) So far, no Russians.
8. Movies set in Moscow. There are TWO movies out in December that are set in MOCKBA, where my very feet have trod. Haha. I want to see both of them: Mission Impossible (which Brent and I plan to see over the holiday) and The Darkest Hour, which may or may not turn out to be a cool movie. It has potential, I think. If not, I can just point to the screen a bunch and say, "I've been there!" I need to find someone who will go with me who won't mind my commentary... 

Cool city.

I've been able stay in touch with a few sweet Russian girls via Facebook. In honor of Christmas, I asked my friend Katerina to tell me about holiday traditions over there! It was fun to learn, and I wanted to share:
Christmas in Russia isn't as big of a deal as it is in the West. Because Russia was under Communist rule for many years and religion was banned, people didn't celebrate Christmas. So, New Year's is seen as the special holiday there. People get together and celebrate with their families at the New Year instead of at Christmas. The Russians have a "Santa Claus" figure similar to us, and he comes at New Year. His name is Ded Moroz, or "Grandfather Frost." Ded Moroz has a granddaughter, Snegurochka, "she helps him with presents, like a gnome :)" Katerina told me. Isn't that cute?? Christmas in Russia is also different from ours: it is celebrated on January 7th, not December 25th! I hunted online, and History.com said that in Orthodox tradition, it is believed that this day was when the three wise men visited Jesus. (Here's a link to the article, it's a pretty interesting read!) Katerina said that the religious attend church services for the occasion, but overall, it's just a day to be polite to your neighbors, to wish people well.

I love Christmas! I love spending time with my family and reflecting on God's blessings as the year comes to a close. And I love the story of Jesus' birth. :) How the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. My friend Kim (who works for Cru and lives in Moscow! Holla!) posted a super adorable Christmas video on Facebook and I thought I'd share it too! It just makes me smile.

Merry Christmas, y'all! Have a happy New Year!

God Bless,

               Laura

Photos courtesy of Lauren Young and myself 
Video from YouTube