My brother had a physically rough week on his mission. A dog bit him one day, and then he got a bad sunburn. His stories reminded me of the physical ailments from my mission in Russia. The above pictures depict the three major stages I experienced.
The first one was taken a few months before I left. They told me not to smile because Russians don’t like their documents to be fun. I tried not to. I call picture two the walrus stage for two reasons. First, I look like one. Also, I arrived in Russia in September, and I spent the first three months preparing for winter as forest animals do (in my cheeks), and it was necessary to prepare for the bitter cold.
The third picture was taken after my first winter, only three months after the second picture. My hair and “stored energy” is gone, and I look like Skelator from He-Man. The last stage is what I call my Russification. My smile is completely gone along with my blond hair. I think I look most like a Russian. Judge for yourself.
I hope that this induces others to post mission ailments pictures and memories. That way we can let my brother know that he’s not alone.
3 comments:
Jen Toasen says, didn't I just see you down at the post office?
eeghad! Briant in your Skeletor picture you look a lot like Robert! I will have to see if I can scan some of my pictures, most of them go from very skinny and beaten from being hit my cars or falling off cliffs in the summer, to chunking up in the winter thanks to Pandoro cakes that come out at christmas time... amazing with cocoa.
please blog something...anything!!!
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