Visa situation

The 90-day visa rule is indeed being enforced, it was confirmed recently. It's a good thing I was already researching work visas.

I've got one option that seems reasonable, and hopefully I'll have the details straightened out in the next few days.

It's still not clear how this will affect the overall presence of foreigners in Russia. There are ways to get work/study visas, but work visas can be pretty costly for the employer, and applying for a license takes several months, so many people will probably experience a delay while waiting for all the paperwork to come through. In the meantime, those without a work/study option are trying to figure out how to space out their 90 days within the 180-day period...

Song of ascents

I love this Psalm! I think it has the most beautiful imagery. Of course if it sounds nice in English it must sound incredible in the original.



Psalm 126
A song of ascents.

When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion,

we were like men who dreamed.
Our mouths were filled with laughter,

our tongues with songs of joy.

Then it was said among the nations,

"The LORD has done great things for them."
The LORD has done great things for us,

and we are filled with joy.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,

like streams in the Negev.
Those who sow in tears

will reap with songs of joy.
He who goes out weeping,

carrying seed to sow,

will return with songs of joy,

carrying sheaves with him.

Lighter reading

I decided to catch up on U.S. Politics, and found this interesting article about a group of Christians who have a slightly different approach to the presidential campaign. With their "Jesus for President" motto, they encourage Americans to think about what it really means to follow Jesus, from a political point of view. "[Claiborne] is quick to say the call of Christ has more to do with how people live their lives on November 3 and 5 than how they vote on November 4."

And here's a news story that gave me a laugh. It's like something straight from a Disney or Pixar movie. http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/07/01/netherlands.circus/index.html?iref=mpstoryview The CNN headline reads: Giraffe gathers troops, leads great escape from circus

(if only there were an accompanying photo)

Ancient texts

This is an interesting website: http://www.lib.umich.edu/pap/exhibits/reading/

You can look at old Latin and Greek papyri. The University of Michigan has set up a nice site with some background information and tips for deciphering the handwriting.

One of the current texts featured is the Pauline Epistles.