...Happy be-lated Veteran's Day...
Trip Start
Aug 22, 2005
1
16
20
Trip End
Dec 08, 2005
NN, Russia
Saturday, November 12, 2005
I'm feeling a bit down this morning. I feel like I'm missing everything. A number of us have felt that way on this trip, especially recently. So much has happened over the last months (and we're not even done here yet). Many of our families and friends are going through some very difficult times back home, and we're all the way over here...unable to help, even talk (easily) to those we love and care about. I've felt this coming on for awhile, but it hit me hard this morning. I missed Veteran's Day. I know, that probably doesn't sound like much, but I'm used to doing something to mark the day for veterans. Here, the American military is associated with such negativity. IRAQ is the issue. I've not mentioned this before, but the "handling" of this topic has been extremely hard for me to take here. Our professor is very biased in his thinking on this subject. And, naturally, the Russian press is not very "sympathetic" to our cause. I don't pretend to wave a "Bush and the American military can do no wrong" banner. But I also cannot turn my back on what we're doing and say that it's another "Vietnam" and look disdainfully at the military. I knew and know a great many good people in the Service. I also knew my share of not so wonderful people. I hate that the sacrifices men and women are making over in the Middle East (and around the world) are being diminished by the one-sided approach to the issue that is being made over here.
Many of us over here feel very different than we did when we left. We know that things will not be the same upon returning, but how different will they be? I miss you all so much. One thing I have learned here is that I have not put enough value on and enough of my time into my relationships. I will strive to change this upon my return.
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Anyway, thankfully we only have a little more than two weeks left here in Nizhni. They will not be easy weeks. This week is our last week of lectures. The following week is our finals week. We also have a research paper due that week. But then we get to celebrate Thanksgiving! We will be at Harley's and have dinner (they are "importing" pumpkins so we can make pumpkin pie, etc. and turkey...:O)) and then watch movies and play games all day long. That will be very fun. Then just a few days later we finally depart for the capital, Moscow. I'm very excited about this. Please keep us in your prayers and thoughts over these last few weeks.
God Bless...and take care...
S.
