Today was my day

February 23 is a holiday in Russia and Belarus, the Day of the Defenders of the Fatherland. I assumed it didn't apply to me because I was never in the army, but my teacher assured me that I qualified as a potential defender and that anyway it's become a sort of "men's day."

Alla gave me a spectacular card in the morning, with pictures of a military jet, a tank, and a destroyer; and nice wishes of success and well-being in the text. She added her wish that I look out after her in the air, on the land, and on the water, and gave me some exotic herbal tea and a couple of reflective arm-bands to wear when I'm defending her at night.

This afternoon we went to a holiday show at the Minsk Tractor Factory. I think I could best describe it as a talent show, but the performers generally did demonstrate a whole lot of talent and it was a lot of fun.

This evening there were a couple of fireworks salutes. The first was over the park down the street to our left, and we could see the reflected light but not the fireworks themselves. The second just happened, and it was perfect. There was a two-minute salute entirely of white, visible out our front windows.

Since I don't like to celebrate birthdays, it's not often that I get to enjoy a day of my own. This one was pretty cool!