Today is usually a day for amateurs in the US, but it has a little bit of special meaning for me in Russia. First let me say that this is the Birthday of Dr. Bobarykina, Natalia, the leader of the International Office here at SVRIA. I can not say enough about her kindness and professionalism. Happy Birthday!
I must also say that it is the birthday of Patrick Johnson, one of the world's greatest teachers, and my father's best friend. I grew up listening to these men talk about teaching. Nobody could touch them when it came to the craft and profession. When you grow up in the presence of this kind of greatness, you hope just a little will eventually rub off on you. He and his wife Linda were at my wedding and he officiated at my sister Marya's wedding. He is quite possibly my oldest friend. If I ever become 1/100 of the teacher that he is, I will have maximized my potential. Happy Birthday, Patrick!
Back to Russia. I taught an entrepreneurship class today. All we did was talk---about all kinds of things---and I can guarantee you that there was more learning in 1 minute of this than there would be in 12 of hours of my lecturing. These young Russians are wonderful, curious, thoughtful, kind, articulate, and surprise me at every turn. I am lucky to be in their presence.
I cut class a little short to have a little celebration in the office for Natalia's birthday. A little Russian feast with some wine and laughs. Afterwards, a colleague, Vladimir, and I, strolled over to a little Jazz bar near here and had a few beers. He is a world traveler----many Russians see more of Asia than we do and it is fascinating to hear of their exploits. He also loves Ireland and has been there often and we talked a lot about places we've visited. His perspective on the "troubles" was quite unique----he also has a very unbiased perspective about America's south and the overall civil war experience. He has read "Killer Angels", one of my favorite books. It can't get any better than to be in Saratov, Russia, on St. Patrick's Day, talking about General Longstreet, and Pickett's charge at Gettysburgh, with a good friend. I am a fan of Longstreet's candor and valor, one of the few Confederates I can stomach. It is such an intellectual pleasure to have this kind of discourse. I am embarassed to say that I cannot say the same for my knowledge of Russian history---it is woeful. Nevertheless, Russians are impressed that I can list Breshnyev, Andropov, Chernenko, and Gorbachev as past leaders----not a high bar, is it?
Afterwards, I stop in at a neighborhood place fittingly called "Irish Pub" that has a little Hemingway thing going as well. Nobody lets me pay for anything, people getting up from the bar to offer me a chair. A lot of dancing. Good service. People wearing green, but thankfully no green beer, nor is the Volga green. Chicago may be a great city, but it is embarassing at times to observe their frat boy manipulations via internet. Since I was once a tavern owner, this day has always carried some dread for me, the utter amateurs who flood the streets. Best one I've experienced in years here in Saratov.
I must also say that it is the birthday of Patrick Johnson, one of the world's greatest teachers, and my father's best friend. I grew up listening to these men talk about teaching. Nobody could touch them when it came to the craft and profession. When you grow up in the presence of this kind of greatness, you hope just a little will eventually rub off on you. He and his wife Linda were at my wedding and he officiated at my sister Marya's wedding. He is quite possibly my oldest friend. If I ever become 1/100 of the teacher that he is, I will have maximized my potential. Happy Birthday, Patrick!
Back to Russia. I taught an entrepreneurship class today. All we did was talk---about all kinds of things---and I can guarantee you that there was more learning in 1 minute of this than there would be in 12 of hours of my lecturing. These young Russians are wonderful, curious, thoughtful, kind, articulate, and surprise me at every turn. I am lucky to be in their presence.
I cut class a little short to have a little celebration in the office for Natalia's birthday. A little Russian feast with some wine and laughs. Afterwards, a colleague, Vladimir, and I, strolled over to a little Jazz bar near here and had a few beers. He is a world traveler----many Russians see more of Asia than we do and it is fascinating to hear of their exploits. He also loves Ireland and has been there often and we talked a lot about places we've visited. His perspective on the "troubles" was quite unique----he also has a very unbiased perspective about America's south and the overall civil war experience. He has read "Killer Angels", one of my favorite books. It can't get any better than to be in Saratov, Russia, on St. Patrick's Day, talking about General Longstreet, and Pickett's charge at Gettysburgh, with a good friend. I am a fan of Longstreet's candor and valor, one of the few Confederates I can stomach. It is such an intellectual pleasure to have this kind of discourse. I am embarassed to say that I cannot say the same for my knowledge of Russian history---it is woeful. Nevertheless, Russians are impressed that I can list Breshnyev, Andropov, Chernenko, and Gorbachev as past leaders----not a high bar, is it?
Afterwards, I stop in at a neighborhood place fittingly called "Irish Pub" that has a little Hemingway thing going as well. Nobody lets me pay for anything, people getting up from the bar to offer me a chair. A lot of dancing. Good service. People wearing green, but thankfully no green beer, nor is the Volga green. Chicago may be a great city, but it is embarassing at times to observe their frat boy manipulations via internet. Since I was once a tavern owner, this day has always carried some dread for me, the utter amateurs who flood the streets. Best one I've experienced in years here in Saratov.
