wait, you mean there's an american here?

Despite my initial misgivings, the Moscow trip was highly enjoyable.  We got to visit the  massive U.S. Embassy complex,  which is an interesting experience if a bit underwhelming.  The problem is security is so tight there that we got to see basically two things: 1) the room all of our scheduled activities were held in; and 2) the hallways leading to that room.  Anyways, it was just nice to be back on U.S. soil (Note: before I get snarky emails, I know that's not actually true).  Additionally, the two-day ETA training was extremely helpful and, frankly, everything the D.C. training should have been.

By far the highlight of the trip was getting to see all the other ETAs again.  It was very interesting to see the sheer variety of experiences people have had so far.  One thing that became very clear to me was that my arrival had garnered the least interest out of all of us.  This, of course, proving that Russians are nothing if not excellent judges of character.  That said, things are certainly looking up.  Shortly before I left, I had finally been invited to a class other than Tanya's, though, fittingly, the new teacher's name is also Tanya.  Wouldn't want things to change too rapidly, after all, lest I get confused.  Apparently it went well, despite my best efforts to the contrary, as I've been invited to make it a standing arrangement.

Yesterday, I paid a visit to the American Corner at the National Library of the Republic of Karelia--impressive name, right?--where the coordinator, Marina, and her co-worker Natalya were extremely happy to see me.  I ended up staying for around three hours, which included much tea drinking and cake eating as I was informed it was Marina's birthday.  Natalya was particularly pleased to inform me that we were celebrating as Americans, because it is American tradition to eat cake on one's birthday.  It was a good reminder that Russians are awesome and amazingly hospitable.

After my library excursion, which I should mention included my volunteering to speak at what's destined to be way too many universities and schools in the area, I returned home and received two invitations to two different classes within ten minutes.  Already, today, those two classes have turned into three classes and my participating in the Department of Foreign Language's annual drama  performance.  It appears after four weeks of lying prostrate in the middle of Prospekt Lenina with an American flag draped across my chest that the word is finally getting out.  The American is here.