ANASTASIA DAY

Among other things - a really bad experience at school the Friday before Spring Break, Spring Break, itself,  and the arrival of her adoption traumaversary on April 17, my little Nastia has not quite been "herself".  I did take her out to celebrate Anastasia Day.  The day fell on a Sunday, which was not good since I had to work for 12 hours that day, and then Monday I had to do the retreat, but I took her out on Tuesday for lunch and to buy a cell phone.  The girl who has posted some 400 photos of herself on facebook wouldn't allow me to take her picture....then she agreed, and stuck up these ugly black nails, knowing I hate them.  So, I just took a picture of them.   The food was good, anyway. 

A TEENAGER OR WHAT?

Nastia appeared so much the "quintessential" teenager that I had to take this photo - doing her nails while talking on the phone.

Pretty typical Nastia.

SORRY

I shouldn't post this, but I thought it was so funny.  Nastia became acquainted with a boy on-line, and eventually - because he lives nearby - it became appropriate to "get together".  So, it was agreed that an outing to the roller rink would be  suitable.  So, I packed up my lesson-planning books, picked up a friend for Zhenya (who was going as a second chaperon) and we went to the rink.  For a half an hour, at least, the young man's progress toward the rink was monitored via text.  Then - he arrives - shrowded from view by a monastic hood.  Nastia disappears into the ladies' room.  Boy sits and waits.  Nastia hides in corner; boy waits.  Eventually she comes over to me and waits.  He waits.  So - here you see in the foreground Nastia, and in the background, with the cowl, the gentleman friend.  They are texting each other. 

I got fed up and went to the snack bar (had to finish reading II Samuel, and they turned the lights down - as an aside I really do not care for King David).  When I came back - lo!  They were skating, not exactly together, but within two or three yards of one another.  Later, I asked if they talked, and it seems like perhaps they barely spoke.  But no sooner were we in the car than the phone was in action for a texting-fest.

I think it is much easier for Anastasia when her "boyfriends" are in Iowa or Ontario.  Definitely easier for me.  But Zhen had fun.

WINTER BLAST

The secondary students went on a weekend "camp", leaving Friday afternoon. Sergei went, but Anastasia didn't want to go because we had Russian school.  Also, I think she is beginning to recognize her limits. 

NEW CAMERA

Anastasia got a camera for Christmas



She's really enjoying it.



Really.