A Happy Heart

On Sunday, September 23rd, I cried for the first time since moving to Russia. I was alone in my room talking to Shea. I was sad, homesick and I couldn't help but think of all the things I missed-My family, Shea, American Food, English, being able to understand people when they talked to me and my bed. As a few tears streamed down my face, Zhenya walked into my room. I thought I had masked my sadness as I talked to her. Afterwards I went out to the balcony to continue my conversation, hoping she didn't notice. When I came back inside, Zhenya once again came into my room. As I was asking her if she wanted to paint with me, she said to me, "I think you was crying when I came in. Are you okay?". She hugged me so tight with such concern. I assured her that I was okay. We began to get ready to paint when my host mom came into the room. She was worried that I hadn't eaten any food and wanted to know if I was hungry, which I wasn't. Zhenya began talking to her in Russian, explaining that we were going to paint our Matryoskas. I then realized that Zhenya was also telling her mother that I had been crying, I was embarrassed and worried. I didn't want them to think that I didn't like living here, because I did, I love my home here. Zhenya then repeated to me their conversation and ended with, "Today we will do some fun to make you happy". She stated all the different things that I could choose to do, we could go to a jump house, swimming with a water slide, musica, eat sushi, anything I wanted. In that moment I almost started crying again, but instead of saddness, my heart was full of joy, and love. I realized how much my host family cares about me and loves me. Ultimately we chose to go swimming, not a really a surprise there, I love swimming.
We went swimming twice yesterday, once at the pool with the water slide and again walking home in the rain stomping through the rain puddles.
Walking home I saw some delicious looking Macaroons, we decided to stop to try some. My first ever Macaroons tasted heavenly, definitely my new favorite treat. We also filled our starving stomachs with Pizza from Zhar Pizza and headed back home with smiles on our faces. Of course swimming and eating out was fun and made me happy, but what cheered me up was reality of how much my host family cares for my well-being. A month ago, we didn't know each other, but today and forever they are my family in Russia.

          

Advice from a girl with a happy heart:
It's okay to be sad and it's okay to be homesick. Love the people around you and create a family. Family will always bring happiness to the heart. 

-Laura Burke (soon to be Frazier)