Driving the boat, jumping into the lake and wake-boarding - all for the first time:)

On Sunday afternoon we went on the boat again with Cara, Tim, Devin and Michael. I was taking turns with Michael driving the boat on the lake, and I was even driving it when Cara was wake-boarding behind. So quite a big responsibility. I think it was my first time ever driving the boat.
However, I did couple more things for the first time as well. First of all, I jumped into the lake from the boat, which is quite a big thing for me, because I am not that confident in the water at all; and I actually did the wake-boarding itself.
So two kinds of boarding are really popular here: first one is the knee-boarding, it's when you sit with you knees on the board and surf behind the boat; second is wake-boarding, and that is when you actually stand on the board with your knees knelt a little bit and also surf behind the boat.
It was really hard for me to keep the balance on the surface of the water, but I think couple times I did surf for like 20 seconds.

Me wake-boarding









Tim wake-boarding. I am so proud of my friend Tim, because his arm was broken, and he just got his cast off his hand, and he is already wake-boarding. Amazing!




On the way from Canyon Lake to San Diego

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Weekend Fun and My New Name:)

Sunday morning when I woke up around 8am, I couldn't really figure out where exactly I am, maybe I forgot I am in USA:)) haha, that happens:)
We had an energetic breakfast and then went to Cara and Tim' church "Threshold".
The sermon was very different from what I am used to, for example it was full of video-clips, and it was dark in the hall all the time.
After the church me, Tim and Cara arrived back home and first looked through Cara's yearbook and later on had more fun in the pool:)
Also we decided that my new Californian name will be Ian, because it is easier and sounds cool:)) Devin already calls me Ian.
By the way, if I don't find a job in San Diego in next 2 days, I am most probably moving to the north of California and will be living with Tim in Lake Elsinore area which is also really close to where Cara lives.
Later on Sunday we went on the boat again and I tried several things that I have never ever tried before.
What were those things?? Read about that in the coming post!

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HAIRSPRAY

After the boat thing, we all felt quite exhausted. Devin brought the orange paint for hair, so we did weird hairstyles:)
Actually I was amazed at how artistic Devin is, I told him he has to go participate in the American Idol contest, especially that he also loves singing.
Later that night we were planning to sleep on the trampoline, but I guess because we all were very tired, we fell asleep on the couches. I actually fell asleep in the chair:)


In the process of doing those funny hairstyles.

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Out on the Boat:)

Saturday morning we spent playing more nerts and discussing different aspects of life and cultural differences between Russia and USA with Cara and her parents.
Cara's mom, Kebra, was wearing a t-shirt with a sign on it saying: "No One Falls", and I told her I think this is the main characteristic of American society. No one ever lets others fall, and there is this belief that everyone is worth a lot in this life, and that everything will be alright. Kebra agreed with me, especially that she works as a counsellor in the middle school, so it is her job to not let kids with troubles fall in their lives.
In the afternoon we decided to go on the boat around the lake: Cara lives right on Canyon Lake, so it took us couple minutes to get there.
Cara and Devin were wake-boarding and knee-boarding (more about what that is in one of the next posts), and then we were just driving the boat around the lake. We met couple neighbors, including that funny girl Amanda from the pool-party.
I even got a chance to drive a boat for several minutes, Kebra was giving me instructions on what to do and where to go. It was a great experience.

Here: Cara, Devin and Kebra.





Cara, me and Kebra

Devin wake-boarding. Wake-boarding is when you tie the board to the boat, and then as the boat starts going the string pulls you on the board and you surf on the water.

Michael



Cara and Devin



Devin


Me driving the boat

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Everyone, say POOL!!!

On Saturday morning I felt really proud of myself, because I was the first one to wake up, even though on the previous night I stayed up really late. Cara's dad was also surprised to find me near the pool when he woke up, because he knows that when in Russia I usually sleep till like noon:)
After breakfast me, Cara and her brother Devin went to the pool, and they were trying to teach me how to swim. Devin actually did a very good job, he gave me couple tips and showed some tricks that really help to stay balanced in the water, but I still have trouble keeping my bottom balanced:)
Anyway, we had a very good time, Devin and Cara are both brilliant with swimming. I am proud to have them as my teachers.


Devin being a strong brother:)

I am actually IN the pool! And I didn't drown. Thanks to my great teachers, Devin and Cara.

Devin is very active. He loves swimming, playing the video games with other kids from all around the world on-line, and he also loves jumping on the trampoline. Actually I do too:))) Here Devin is ready to show me another cool jump on the trampoline.

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