The J-1 student looks at coming to America as a big
opportunity for them. Like my friend Andrew who lives in Kazan Russia. Andrew
told me that his mother works in a museum in Russia, where she earns about
$70.00 a month. Andrew could earn twice that in a week working as a
housekeeper.
I have not met a J-1 student who was not highly motivated.
The
simple things in life that we sometimes take for granted, like a glass of
orange juice, a piece of chocolate candy they savor.
Thumper & L'mera at the movies summer 06
It's
June 4th, my phone rings, it is Paul the owner of Big Apple Bagel. Paul has
a young Russian girl L-mera' who needs a place to live. L-mera will start
each morning at 6:00 am, which requires her to leave my home at 5:15 on her
bicycle. She will ride her bike 7 miles into town work from 6-9 at Big Apple
Bagel. Than she will go to work as a house keeper at the Residence Inn from
9am- 5pm. Than she will get back on her bike an ride the 7 miles back to my
Home.
Thumper & L'mera VA beach Sept. 06
L'mera and I have many conversations about life in Russia. Behind her
grandmother's home they have a garden where they grow all there fruits and
vegetables in November they will take a cow and kill it. They will leave the
cow in there front yard through the cold winter, going out and cutting away
pieces of meat as they need it. When the spring comes and it starts to get
warmer they will cut up the rest of the cow and place the remaining meat in
three freezers they have. This will be there meat for the entire year.
J-1 students enjoy some free time down at Thumper's Beach
One of my best Friends is Anna Kaledina of Volgograd
Russia. Anna and I met in the Summer of 2004 but we became good friends the
next summer. Anna would work so Hard I nicknamed her my " Little Soldier ".
Anna has a great sense of Humor.
Anna & Thumper at Busch Gardens August 05