fun fact

ok.  so when i was first hired for this job in russia, i was so super stoked.  then i got scared.  cuz we all have these stereotypes and ideas about russia from growing up during the cold war.  yes, of course, i knew it was an incredible work opportunity and i would be crazy to turn it down, and i was intrigued by the adventure.  but i was also scared...would i find joy there?  would it be as oppressive as the news reports still say?  if i used "putin" in the wrong sentence would i get thrown in jail like the members of pussy riot?

and then my dad's friend tom sent me a link to a youtube video of a flash mob dancing to "puttin' on the ritz" on a bridge in moscow.  and it was incredible.  i watched it over and over and i thought, if a group of people in that city can put on this kind of a fun, energetic, joyful performance on the street in february when it is cold, and drizzling and grey and miserable outside and not get thrown in jail, then i will be just fine.

AND THEN.  today, i found out that one of my russian colleagues PRODUCED that flash mob.  her production company has done several incredible flash mob performances.  they rehearse them, get all the permissions from the city government (and there are a LOT.  believe you me.)  finds a team to film them, and then goes out and does them, no matter the weather, the crowd, the challenges, whatever.  she did one in st petersburg in the river.  in may.  when the river was 10 degrees (like 40 degrees F).  and they got the group of 600 volunteer dancers to run and splash and dance in the water.  amazing.  and i already liked and respected her so much, and then to find out she was behind the video that tipped my emotions and made me confident i would be just fine in russia...well, that is beyond words, if can be so dramatic.  and makes me think i am meant to be here.  good things are in store.  like the radiohead song "everything in it's right place."  that's how i feel right now.  even thru all the frustrations with learning a new job, learning a new language, figuring out a new culture, missing my family and my friends.  i'm supposed to be here.  i have been given the opportunity to shine here, and i hope that i can.

so here are the links to the inspirational flash mob video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgoapkOo4vg

and here is the link to the st petersburg one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJYmMmkNOkI

and tonight i did my taxes and am getting a $3 federal refund.  woo hoo!  see?  all good things.  let's hope this luck keeps up.