Home, sweet Russian home.

I am now firmly embedded in my Russian homestay. I am staying with a very nice Russian woman named Lyuba and her son Danil, who is an English major at the university here. They are very kind to me, and since Lyuba is a Russian teacher, I have no shortage in grammatical corrections. The apartment is small, but I wouldn't call it cramped. I have a very sweet, small room that I suspect is actually Lyuba's bedroom, but they don't seem to begrudge me it. We don't have a dog, but there is a turtle in the kitchen and a very charming young raven that likes to hang out outside my window. The turtle is a pet, the raven is wild, just so we're clear on that.

So far, no mosquitos! It was decent weather until today, of course the day I have to go to classes on my own. Got lost, ended up at the university half and hour late and soaking, soaking wet. However, I wasn't really scared, and I know the island I'm on a lot better now.

Had my first two classes today. Grammar was first, and though I was late I caught on fairly quickly. Second was phonetics and conversation, which was just fun. It might help that I already have a pretty good accent. Others seemed a little off put. Still, we have a sweet little song to learn for... uh... Thursday?

I'm writing this from the computer lab we've been given. The meat course of lunch held no spark for me- some sort of greasy rice with indeterminate meat mixed in- so I came here. I'm going to have to log off soon, since computers are in high demand. I just found out last night that there is a computer in Danil's room, so if they have internet connection I'll buy an internet card and have access from home.

I'll email mom and dad my cell phone number. The time difference, from your end, is take one hour off and switch AM and PM.

Busy but cheerful!