Memories

I was looking through some boxes and I came across my journal from when I spent 3 1/2 weeks in St. Petersburg Russia. Emily, Emily, Paul, Janet, Michael, and Tammy thank you for all the fond memories...

I found a poem I wrote about our group (Summer 2001)-

The Brentwood Group

All prepared and Russia bound,

At arrival no luggage was found!

All ten suitcases were lost,

Time and impatience was the cost.

The Brentwood crew, minus one,

Set foot in Russia to begin the fun.

Flats, reading, shopping, talking, and more,

They learned the tricks of the grocery store.

The last member came, all belongings intact,

But waited and waited as a matter of fact.

When at six she finally arrived,

Her first reader she barely survived.

We are now all here to stay

To teach English through the day.

From little boys to women and men,

With names like Fish, Loaf, Olga and Ben.

Michael Coggin is the funny one,

Making us laugh until the day is done.

From immodium, heavy luggage, and mental hugs,

His Russian accent really bugs.

Paul Cherry, our "First Aid King"

The lollipop song he loves to sing.

Scruffy has become his nickname,

And fixing the budget is his game.

Emily Farrier our organized Queen,

Can take on any Russian that's mean!

All prepared for parties galore,

She could do all this even more.

Janet Kirkland, the one who can't sit still,

Really truly enjoys a hot meal.

Teaching Russians Texas pride,

Her sports ability she cannot hide.

Emily Newhouse determined to be,

Independent and so free

The only one to receive flowers here,

From one of her readers so dear.

Tammy Driskell wanting to do what's right,

Taking pictures from day to night.

Always friendly and wanting to please,

Fitting into Russia with such ease.

Michelle Bush wil readers of all ages,

Her random questions come at different stages.

At night, she tells stories and swims in her wall

We will never understand her at all.

Each day an adventure to be

Keeps us on our toes, you see!

Riding metros, buses, taxis, and cars

At night never able to see the stars

When we get our days off, we walk,

To sights as we listen to guides talk.

Then we walk, walk, and walk some more

Until our legs and feet are very sore.

St. Petersburg, Lomonosov, and Church of the blood

Seeing so much our eyes begin to flood.

Going to the market no once or twice,

Let's just say the salesmen became nice!

The metro system, our "favorite" ride,

Learning not to fall while inside.

Emily learned to push and shove her way through

Michael almost lost his bag and his hand too.

Michelle and Michael began a trend.

"let's try various foods my friend"

So they got creative and ate something new

Mystery fish with brea, they knew they would spew.

As our trip ends we begin to drop like flies

Janet and Paul, then Emily leave with little sighs

The crew down to four finished the trip

Dirt, souvenirs, pictures- we were fully equiped.

The Brentwood crew homeward bound

Leaving Russia and its sound

of dogs adn birds of men and trains

We thought we were going insane.

We have learned so much

Russian people, our lives they have touched

We hope there was a change in someone

We will continue to pray to the Father and Son

A memory we will never forget

We will remember everything, but yet

We miss our family and friends

With water and ice that never ends!