Good Bye Nizhini Novgorod

This week has been so official! The Russians want to properly send us off…and that has included (but not limited to):
1) An official departing meeting with all our teachers, faculty and students of the international office, and all the American students.
2) The going away party last night, with an entire hour of performances by both the Russians in the international office and us, the American students
3) A final Bon Fire this afternoon – which I didn’t go to and instead went to the salon with my Mom and got my nails done, and then got my hair chopped off—it took all my energy NOT to cry right then and there…
4) Tonight is Easter service at 12 am for the Eastern Orthodox Church tonight…
5) Final good bye to Calvary Nizhini
6) The final good bye from the International Office students and faculty (aka Galina) at the Train station at 5:15 pm tomorrow…
I have seriously had enough of the goodbyes. It breaks my heart to think that there is very REAL possibility that I will never see these people again. Nikita, Jenya, Lena, LyaLya (Mama), Papa, Natasha, Rustik, Katya, Marina, Katya, Anya, Olga, Mischa, Mischa, Roma, Anya…and SO many others! They have had a profound impact on my life here, on my impressions of Russia, and how I will express how and what I learned here. This is too real, too hard, and too severe. Why does it have to end? It doesn’t really feel like I JUST got here, but it does feel like I have belonged here. Even on the days that have felt mundane, and—let’s be honest, boring—it all has been an exceptional experience. Yesterday morning, I got up and carried all of the things that I no longer want to keep to leave here in Russia, and more specifically—Debbie’s. From there I took a bus, and walked in my heels (I am now formally a Russian woman) with all of my things to Debbie’s apartment. From there I got ready, went to the last meeting and received my diploma from Nizhini Novgorod University. Nikita said a few words that resonated in my head, he said, “We will always remember you, Russia will always remember you. You are written on the heart of Russia, and you can now call Russia your second Motherland.” Last night was so much fun—if I ignored the fact that this was the last time I was going to be seeing the majority of these people—I performed in a traditional Russian dance, and I messed up but I didn’t really mind, at least I got to take part. I was surprised a couple of days ago that I was going to be in a skit for the last party, it played off the fact that I participated in the pseudo-Russian wedding early in the semester. Anya, Anya, and I were three princesses who were looking for our future husbands…and of course! Jenya was mine, Evan was blonde Anya’s, and Matt and brunette Anya’s. We each had our own stories…however, all the princes had to throw a shoe over their shoulders (Old Russian superstition) and where ever the shoe landed, that’s where they would find their true love/wife. Evan had to follow the sound of the music to find his bride. Matt had to follow the dancers to his. My story was cute…apparently I am a princess who many suitors want to marry—but I am very picky, and I will only marry the one who fits the shoe that I have found. Jenya comes, and says “That’s my shoe!” He tries it on, it fits (hypothetically, actually it didn’t really fit, which was a relief because it gave him less reason to convince me that we are meant to be in reality), and we live happily ever after. It was great. All of our Russian families were there. My mom was there with her sister and her daughter (Kristina). Lena had an exam and Papa was working, but it was great to see all them there! Mama stayed until the very end of the party and we took the bus home together. She takes such good care of me. When we got home she told me that she will fix the holes I had in my shirt and wash all my clothes before I depart for Saint Petersburg. She is always making sure that I look good, whether it be that my shoes need cleaning, or there is smudge on my shirt, or the bag that I am holding is unattractive, so she gives me her purse instead…it is really all about appearances here. The past couple of days have been pretty cold – in the negatives once again. Before that we had 4-5 days of +15 to +5 degree weather and I even broke out my spring coats that I wasn’t anticipating on wearing until I got to France! Last night I packed up ALL of my stuff and went through all of my papers that I am going to need, and not need. There is so much room in my luggage, which is great because that leaves enough room for souvenirs from here and France.
Today is an interesting day…waking up and know that it is the last time will be waking up in this bed—that this is my last who day here in the city that I have resided in for the past 3 months…the sun isn’t shinning, and it snowed a little, rained a little, and there is a pretty consistent wind blowing. It’s as if Nizhini is saying goodbye to me too, letting me experience the cold one more time (as if I could forget) and engraving it’s trademark characteristics on my before I leave. Thank you, Nizhini Novgorod, for your sub-zero temperatures, warm people, icy sidewalks, the winter seasons, and the impending spring, dilapidated wooden homes, graffiti walls, muddy streets, littered alleys, and the in numerous high rise ghetto apartment buildings with their metal barred windows and dirt speckled walls. You have been an excellent city, and I wouldn’t change one thing about you. Thank you for welcoming me, having me and teaching me—even though at times I was chewed up and spit out, I held on and didn’t break down. You have taught me that suffering is not bad, but constructive in how to live properly. Thank you Nizhini, God has used you in a powerful way in my life, and the instruction I have received here will go on to all those I encounter. Thank you God, for this wonderful city, and may you continue to bless the people here.