Optimism and effort bring positive outcomes and is contagious

When we embarked on this adventure to Russia, not even knowing which city we would be living in at first, Vince and I discussed the issue of schooling at length. We both liked the idea of immersing our children into a learning environment where Russian was spoken, believing that they would be able to pick up the language. However, even with the commonality of language, each learning environment can be very different. We heard mixed reviews and just about every Russian person we were in contact with (some living in the USA and others via e-mail) had an entirely different perspective on education in Moscow. We came to the conclusion that it was normal for everyone to have their own opinion and for them to all have significant variation.

Given the great variety and range of opinion about my children going to a Russian school, there was a common-thread, that they did not think it would be very possible for our kids to get in. After all, they don't know Russian! In anticipation of and preparation for our children attending a Russian school, we began teaching our children the language at home. We purchased books, Russian building blocks, educational software, etc. They were learning slowly as best we could teach them. It wasn't until we were finally allowed to 'try out' the local Russian school in West Lafayette, Indiana that meets on Saturdays that our kids began to really learn Russian. Doors were opened from then on as we were introduced to a Russian tutor who came into our home to teach our children one-on-one and as a group. They learned to read, print and write the entire Russian alphabet script. Basic communication skills were acquired to prepare them for interactions with teachers and such. My children were primed for the transition to Moscow.

So as the time grew near for our departure, housing and schooling decisions weren't falling into place. Having been told by numerous people how difficult, if not impossible it would be to get our kids into a Russian school, we told the realtor (who makes their commission equal to a month of rent) that we would only rent if our kids could go to the local school. After weeks of no progress and us being in a different country with no physical influence over the direction things were taking, we decided it would be best to untether the rental and school issue and have Vince and the boys travel ahead of us to make some progress.

In the 11 days we spent separated, they worked with 2 competing realtors to find an apartment that would present us with the best potential for a good schooling situation for schooling options. They found an apartment in "Victory Park" - a park with monuments an a museum commemorating the Russian victory over Napoleon. Turns out that it's a highly desirable location in Moscow and that spots in the schools are highly sought after. The owner of the apartment liked the idea of a family of 5 children from the USA living in his home and said he was our new best friend who would help get our children into school. With that hope, we rented the apartment only to have weeks go by with no progress, being told by him and MANY other people how it can take many months for a local child to get into a school. We were discouraged and ready to begin homeschooling when the boxes arrive, believing it could take months to figure things out.

Behind the scenes, my sleep-deprived genius husband searched, google-translated Russian webstites, researched schools, drafted and sent e-mails in Russian addressing principals in the 2 best local schools. We walked altogether with the goal of finding these schools and speaking with the principals. The first trip out, we couldn't even find the closest school, as if it weren't on the map (later discovering it had been torn down and is being rebuilt and expanded). Discouraged by no reply from principals, Vince followed up with Ivan (landlord) to discover that he was able to set up an appointment with the school his kids attend (4 subway stations Northwest of us). The kids did great and were very excited about having been accepted into school (Thanksgiving day).

As it turns out, door-to-door commute time is more than 1 hour to get to that school. I wasn't happy with or at peace with them being so far away. I wanted to know more about our local schools! From what I'd experienced so far in my adventures to Moscow, people eventually open up and do the right thing (sometimes even go above and beyond the fair thing) to accommodate uncommon circumstances. Everything about us being here, our family size, educational needs, etc., are way beyond normal circumstances! I believed that something good would come of it and asked Vince to bring an interpreter with us to the local schools to speak with the principals. If it didn't go well, then at least there was the back-up plan 1 hour away school.

So, as we were waiting more than 15 minutes in a crowded subway station waiting for our translator to meet us before beginning what turned out to be more than 3 hours of walking and meetings, we psyched ourselves up for what was or was not going to happen. But we had to know before having them start school at the other school Monday. Walking around feeling completely lost before discovering that the huge block of cleared land WAS one of the schools (the closest one), we shifted our focus to the final feasible option (2 bus spots east). Thankful to find the building with relative ease, we walked into the door to be greeted by a less than pleased principal.

She had the sternest look about her and I was VERY thankful for our interpreter who could break the ice rather than have the language barrier create additional stress. We were there in the entry of this school for 2 hours before walking out with happy faces all around (yes, even the principal and head teachers who joined the mix). They were impressed by my children and what my family is doing. It's rare to say the least. And this school is a WONDERFUL school! We are blessed! Apparently, this pricipal is in a tough position where she is often offered bribes and such by parents pushing to get their child into the school. She had her guard up for more of the same, only to discover us - turned out to be a pleasant surprise, especially since my kids know how to read and write in Russian. Comprehension will come.

This experience reinforces a valuable life lesson we have been truing to teach our children - that we are called to remain hopeful and optimistic, working for good. Hence the title of this blog: "Optimism and effort bring positive outcomes and is contagious"

Now......after the landlord pulling strings to get us a chance at his child's school.....what would you do? I am inclined to request a delay, so as to not rule it out if something goes wrong at the closer school. Reasonable? Cautiously optimistic?