Eugh - 5 shots in less than half an hour. I hate this "tipsy" feeling. Thank goodness I could still run down the escalators in Metro. -- But I suppose *that* gets explained later. I have to catch up to today, first.
2-18-10
Classes
We finally had Phonetics with Galina Mixailovna again!!! I had missed her! (She is the teacher that had been out sick.)
Wouldn't you know, it was my lucky day, that one of the things we were working on was probably one of the ONLY things I've EVER had trouble with in a language: the Soft "L" + "Yu" sound!!!! (I know that when I say that, it sounds sarcastic, but it was actually very good. We need the most work on our weakest points, after all.) Galina drilled me on it for a few minutes, and then moved on to everyone else. At the end of class, when we were the only two left, I apologized for not being able to do it as well as she wanted, and that I would work on it. What she told me next was quite inspiring: she said that I had, in fact, done well -- and that for someone like the other three kids in our group or for someone who was only staying a short time, it would have been just fine; but I am going to be here for a long time, and she wants to make sure that my phonetics will be *great* and crystal clear!! She told me that I imitate well; and I think she really intends to make good use of that. I was dumbfounded! Of course, everything she said sounded fantastic to me! I want to get as close to fluent as I can in the short time that I will be here; and even if I can't become fluent (it is a stretch, I know); at least what I *will* know how to say will *sound* *fantastic!* =^___^=
After School
I tried calling Papa, but it didn't work, so I left a message. (2-21-2010 Note: Which I later found out *also* didn't work!)
After that, I headed off to the Internet Café to relax and check my mail for an hour, until the Russian-American Club meeting.
Once I got home from the meeting, I had a lovely dinner, and chatted with Olga about my plans for tomorrow -- i.e. the Etnomir excursion.
I knew I was going to need to be up early, and so going to bed early would have been good -- but I wasn't quite tired enough to sleep, and so I wound up staying up late, reading old things that I had written myself, and old emails from friends. Among the gems I found in my "Quotes" list, is the following:
"I know we're making up, but no pants?! *DAMN!*" Angelo
Ha ha ha ha, this one still cracks me up to this day. Rest assured, there is actually *nothing* untoward or seedy about this comment!!
Story Time!!!
We had had a spat at practice the night before -- nothing major -- and left in what could be described as, "not in the best spirits." Being dedicated big-kids, like we were, we made plans to practice the next day.
Before I went to practice, I had been stretching with Yitian, and was wearing shorts. As it so happens, my ballroom fleece was longer than the shorts I was wearing, and gave the impression that I had no pants on -- so when I walked into practice, that quote was the first thing out of Angelo's mouth! Put us in good spirits for the rest of the evening. =^__^=
2-19-2010 - AM of 2-20-2010
Today was the excursion to Etnomir!!
We had a bigger group today, because the kids from Vladimir were coming with us. They will also be on the Moscow tour tomorrow.
We started the day on the right foot -- an hour late!!! We had some kids arrive late to the meeting spot, which wasn't bad, but then the first bus that was sent for us got into an accident, so the company had to send a second bus for us!!!
On the way to Etnomir, I sat near two of the academic year students, Eric (whom I'd gotten to know previously) and Brittany. I got to know Brittany a little better -- which was lots of fun -- and we also sat near to a girl from the Vladimir group with whom we had a lovely time speaking!
We learned, upon arrival to Etnomir, that the place is not actually finished!!! We were all pretty surprised about that, actually. In the end, it is not just going to be for Russia -- the impression we had been under -- but will be for the whole world, like Epcot!
We visited three Exhibitions with a guide; and wound up with a cat that appeared to live in the area coming around as a bit of a mascot!! The first exhibition was a traditional (olden-times) Russian house; the second was a demonstration of Russian Toys/Wood Carving/Feats of Engineering; and the third was the type of nomad's tent found in the Eastern Siberian region.
As I said, the first stop was at a traditional Russian home. There were two, side by side -- one for areas that received less snow, and one for areas that received more. The biggest differences between the two were the angle of the roofs (the Snowy-Region house had a much steeper roof), and the levels of the homes (the entrance to the house of Snowy-Regions was on a "second" floor -- so that when it snowed heavily, the door wouldn't be covered up!!).
Inside the two story home, we got a 20 minute presentation about both the "10 Uses for Russian Stoves," (Which was pretty cool, from what I understood of it.) and about how people lived in the houses. I taped the whole thing, because every time I thought I would stop filming, I would hear something that made me keep taping!! I was one of four "lucky" kids -- we all got to go sit on TOP of the oven, where it was nice and warm!!!! (I should mention that a traditional, Russian oven is basically huge. =^__^= ) Inside of the one story home, which I affectionately dubbed, "The Doll House," there were a bunch of different kinds of dolls, and we heard a little bit about them, but I didn't tape.
We went into a third house in the same area, where we got what was probably the *coolest* exhibition of the day, because it was all about toys!!!! That part, I definitely *did* tape! We saw:
*The cup and ball game
*One of the most interesting tops I have ever seen in my life! (Its physics seemed very backwards -- it had a long, narrow "leg," and a bulbous top -- and it spins on the narrow leg, not on the bigger, bulbed surface!)
*More traditional tops that came with paddles (You either try to pass the top along from paddle to paddle (with lots of people), or throw the top into the air from the paddle, flip the paddle, and catch it again!)
*A pop-up doll
*A yo-yo
*Some of the coolest wood-carvings I've ever seen! There were all different designs, that had weights on them, so that when you swung them so that the weights pulled, the Carvings would come to life! We saw Chickens pecking at feed; Bears chopping wood; even a Bear typing on a computer!!
*We also saw a cow carving, that when placed on a slightly tilted surface, would "walk" down the ramp!!! Cool!
After the Toy exhibition, we went to the Eastern Siberian region, and visited a Yurta, or Nomad's tent. They're actually constructed in a really cool way! They have a shell for the wall which is made of wood laid in an interlocking pattern, so that it can fold up, or expand out -- think like how an accordion can fold up -- and that happens in a circular shape. There is a top "eye" or "cap" for the tent that has "eyes" all around its circumference, and supports for the ceiling of the tent all fit into those eyes, and are then tied to the shell for the wall. Lay all your fabrics/skins/furs over the outside and the top, and you have your Yurta. According to legend, the construction mimics the posture of a man who was sitting, trying to think of a way to build a shelter for his family! The posture is as follows: sitting, cross legged -- but with the knees drawn up to the chest; elbows resting on knees; head in hands over everything. The crossed legs = the expandable wall; the arms = the supports that tie in at the wall, and connect to the "cap;" and the head represented the cap! Cool, huh?
After we finished at the Yurta, the guided tour was finished, and John took us out to the Husky enclosure that he'd told us about, earlier in the day!! He'd even mentioned that they did sled rides, for a fee.
The huskies were gorgeous, and, following the adventuresome streak that women in my family are famous for, I paid to take a sled ride! How many people can say they've been dog-sledding in Russia, after all? =^_~=
The ride took me back to the bus, at the point where we'd started our day; and I almost felt bad, because we about bowled over half of my group, which was walking on the path we were using!!! It was pretty funny, actually… = O-o ='' One of the girls told me later, "You looked like a princess!!"
We took a *long* time getting home -- late by about an hour and a half -- because there was some kind of car accident in front of us. 3 and a half hours on a bus is a LONG time. I rested quite a bit on the way home, however. Seems that some of the kids in the back of the bus enjoyed themselves a bit though -- one of them told me they'd finished off a fifth of vodka on the way home!
At one point, I got to talking with Eric and Brittany about my group, and the frustrations I was feeling. Brittany could come at it from the dual position of always being one of the active ones in class, but also being one of the "unprepared" ones much of the time (she was good, "on the fly"). It helped to chat some, and we were definitely all in accord that talking to them -- while it might not change anything -- would be the best bet. I had intended to do so, anyway, if the situation continues much further into next week. I'm hoping, however, that the, "getting settled in" phase will be over after this four day weekend, and things can start fresh. If not, well, I'll be saying something to them sooner rather than later.
Bits of Randomness
I'd listened to the song "Semi-Charmed Kind of Life" quite a few times today, and for some reason or other, it had me thinking of one of my very close friends, Munky. No clue why -- but there you have it. I'm looking forward to hanging out with him when I get home. And if you're reading this, Munky -- don't forget -- you owe me Mac n' Cheese!!!!!!
Once I got home, I shared with my Nana, and TALK (the acronym for my Nana's Children) about my having gone Dog sledding!! It was fun to chat with everyone!!
Evening Plans
I had intended to go to the John Donne to email, and do some work on my journals and the photos, when I got a text from Pete, saying to meet at the John Donne at 10. I *thought* it was just to hang out, and that it went right along with the plans I had anyway. …. I was WRONG!!! Pete intended for us to go to a club named Purga, which he had described to me before as something akin to, "Going down the Rabbit Hole." It would seem that he had sent me a message on Facebook earlier in the day, asking if I wanted to go to Purga. He was thinking that I still had my internet at home, because he'd seen me online -- he missed the Status saying I was at the Café, apparently… So, there I was, with all my electronics, thinking I was going to be *working* -- and instead, the idea was to go party. Talk about a miscommunication!!
Pete introduced me to two friends of his who were in town: the first, a friend from Ukraine whom he'd met in the States (Stella?); and the second, a girl from Moscow, who was studying in England -- Harmony. She was so nice!!
In the end, I went to Purga with everyone; although I was worried about what was going to happen to my stuff. Thankfully, Pete knows the bartender there, so when we arrived, they just put my bag with all my valuables in it behind the bar.
On the way there, I kid you not, we saw a MASS of Militsia in the Metro!!!!!!!!!!! I wanted to get a picture of the Herd, but I was pretty sure it was forbidden…. I said this to Harmony -- where something got lost in translation, and she MARCHED ME OVER TO THEM and said, "My friend is an American, and she wants to get a picture with you guys, is it ok?" Face, please meet Desk. I was SOOOO embarrassed!!! I absolutely DESPISE going up to people and asking to take stereotypical pictures with them. (Ask my Aunt Tacy about how hard I dug my heels in when she tried to get me to take a "stereotypical" picture with the British Guards in London…) There was also a certain amount of embarrassment linked to seeming like a frivolous (and stupid) American [tourist]. -- All of that aside, a few of them were more than ready and willing to do so, when a more strict one came up and quashed it all with a firm, "Nel'zya." ("Forbidden."). When Harmony and I got back to Pete and his other friend, I told her, "That wasn't what I meant! I just wanted a picture of all of them, not WITH them!!!" Ha ha ha, poor Harmony -- she felt *so* bad that she'd misunderstood!!! As for me, the train couldn't come fast enough, as I was still embarrassed at what some of the group of Militsia must have been thinking about me/Americans just then.
We got to the club, where I received quite the compliment from the bartender's sister: she mistook me for a Russian girl!!! She had heard me speak some Russian to someone or other, and didn't even think twice. When it came out shortly afterwards that I was not, in fact, Russian, she and Harmony had a bit of a talk about how I also looked somewhat Russian (something I keep hearing), so it's easy to take me as a Russian. -- I'm thinking this is all somewhat good for me, because maybe the Militsia will be less apt to ever stop me, because they will think I am a Russian! =^_~=
When we walked into the club itself, there was something of a little show going on -- complete with a "fake marriage" going on. Apparently they were following tradition pretty well, despite the cheap-looking costumes, because Harmony was trying to figure out whether they were being serious or just making a spectacle of things. Additionally, I have to add, the decor was pretty wild -- pretty close to what Pete said, about going down the Rabbit Hole. But it wasn't as much of a "dance club" as I'd had the impression it was, from Pete. They started playing some music -- but it was mostly "national" type songs -- the kind everyone knows the words to/have some sentimental meaning. Not to say that they were bad songs -- but it certainly wasn't modern. The girls and I danced a little bit, and it certainly way fun! After a few songs, Pete called us back over -- and that is where the 5 shots that I described earlier made their grand entrance.
I don't know if it was that Pete knew the bartender, of if he was running a tab -- but it looked to me like we were getting the shots for free (although, I can't conceive of *anything* being free in Moscow). We had three right in a row, and Harmony and I went to dance for a little bit; and then got called back for 2 more. At that point, I drew a big ol' line in the sand, so to speak, and said, "No more. I have to go home alone after this; and I certainly don't want to be drunk on the Metro, at 12:00 in the morning. They didn't want me to go, but I also knew I had to be up early for the bus tour, so I left just before 12:00 AM. I also had to get all of my camera and camcorder batteries charged up!!!
I have to say -- I'm not really sure what contributed to my being able to hold what I drank so well… I fully expected, that for my size, and the speed at which all of the shots went down, that I'd have been more inebriated than I was. I'm quite thankful that I wasn't. I seem to find being "tipsy," (as I've now been a full-fledged "tipsy" or "buzzed, I think) rather unpleasant. To me, I can't stand not feeling like I have full control of my body or feeling like my senses or awareness are dulled down. I was worried that I might have gotten myself in for a hangover, so I made sure to be drinking water on the way home, and once I got inside the house, headed straight for the water, and downed another glass or so. It should be noted that I also dislike trying to come in quietly when tipsy/without full command of my coordination. Ironically enough, that very situation was one Brittany and I had chatted about earlier in the day -- about "drunk people trying to come in quietly at night, *thinking* they're being quiet [really being hella loud]," that is. What timing, huh? At least I wasn't drunk off my rocker. Never have been -- and after finding being just tipsy is of-putting to me, I don't ever intend to be.
Love,
Moscow Kitty; 1:10 AM
=^__^=
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