Journal 78

Journal 78

4-3-10 (at 12:24 AM, 4-4-10 -- Happy Easter!)

So, there was room-cleaning today; there were also Air-Lifted-From-Germany-To-The-US Embassy-Here Pop Tarts. Ha ha ha. Am I the only person who thinks having Air-Lifted, German Pop Tarts is kinda funny, or at least nifty??

I ran out to the John Donne for the Manchester United versus Chelsea game -- for anyone who's curious, Chelsea won, 2-1. The Chelsea supporters went crazy!! They were all on the first floor of the John Donne, while all the Man U people were upstairs. They were, understandably dismayed.

*****

Once the game had finished, I set off for the Embassy; and getting there was a bit of an adventure. You see, I thought I remembered that someone had said it was at a certain Metro stop, but it wasn't. One quick call, however, had me at the right Metro stop, no big deal. Then I called one of the Marines, to figure out how to *get* to the Embassy. And well, it would have been fine, but I crossed to the, "Left side of the street," too soon. (So, I was heading in the wrong direction altogether. See, I'm useless above ground with directions…)

Luckily for me, I listened to that little, "inner-voice" that says, "This isn't right!" and then proceeded to ask a Police Man who was standing on the street corner for directions.

[Anyone familiar with Russia may think that that's something of an ironic situation; that my instinct should at once tell me, "Your'e going the wrong way," and, "Hey, it's a good idea to present yourself to that Militsia Man." -- But… Well… I'm extraordinarily lucky (in most cases)?And he was a nice Militsia Man? What can I say? I'm well-conditioned to the American system of, "There's a problem? Ask a cop!"]

As I just said, the Militsia Man was very nice, with a big smile! And he got me the right directions straight away. I was off!

*****

Upon entering the Embassy, I called Tyler (from last night), who came to pick me up, and sign me in as his guest. While going through security, I learned that you're not supposed to take laptops there. I was also told I was lucky they didn't take my phone, too!

Thus, I got to the Function. And all I have to say about that is….

…

…

…

WHOOOO!!!!!!

=^_____^=

(I had a good time, naturally.)

Let's introduce you to the "Cast Of Characters" for the evening, shall we?

Marines:

Tyler - One of the first two Marines I met, while at the John Donne. He picked me up to take me into the Function.

Steve - The other Marine I met at the John Donne.

Ryan - The first Marine I was introduced to at the Party; Tyler entrusted me to his care for a bit while he was taking care of something else.

Tom - Fun guy, big laugh; fan of Rock Band

Tim - FUNNY!!! Has a vocal delivery-style akin to Dane Cook, but *better!* (Sounds very similar to him, too) Great to be around!

Lissay - Very friendly Marine I met later in the night, just before I left. Has been in Moscow for quite some time!

Moltzaf - There are very few words I could think of to properly describe him -- but he is just wonderful! And, "Very affectionate," as the guys say. Ha ha ha. He'll pick you up and hug you just for fun!

Hector - More on him in a bit, 'cause that's an interesting story...

Alfie - one of Hector's friends

The Girls:

Cassandra - An intern here with a program.

Dasha - One of Lissay's friends

Olga - Also one of Lissay's friends

Lena - Another Russian girl who was friends with Hector

Other:

Scott and Tracy - Friends who work at the Embassy, to whom Pete introduced me, at the John Donne! (Because EVERYTHING in my life here in Moscow happens there. XD )

Interesting Stories of the Evening:

1. So, when Tyler and I were walking into the Party, we passed by a Marine who looked at me/us and gave a very enthusiastic, "Hi!!!" -- He seemed familiar, but I was sure he was just saying hi to Tyler, so I returned a polite hello back.

Later, when he came up with Lena (as I was introduced), he introduced himself as Hector. As we were shaking hands, we were looking at each other, saying, "*Where* do I *know* you from?!" -- And thus, we stayed, still shaking hands, staring at each other, for about another minute, trying to list off places we might know each other from, when finally, I got it!!!

Hector is the guy I interpreted for at the Rhythm and Blues Café!!!!

We met the night when Yuri came to tell me, "There are people here who don't speak Russian, we need your help!"

As it turns out, Alfie was the other guy who was with Hector! So I met two, US Marines, *weeks* ago! And had NO idea!! How funny!

*****

2. Apparently, Rock Band is a pretty big deal for some of these Marines! There were a few guys who were playing very enthusiastically!

Now, I should mention, that as this was a Function, it wasn't just Marines there -- there were families, friends, and some kids, too. As we watched the guys play, one of the Marines I was with wound up quipping --

"Does anyone else find it odd that all these 20-something Marines are the ones playing the video game, and the kids are just sitting and watching?"

*****

3. I got to have a discussion about the "Clam Scale of Happiness" with Tim -- a conversation that had me DYING of laughter!

This all came about, because at some point while we were talking, I said that I was, "Happy as a clam." Tim looked at me, and told me something to the effect of never really having understood that phrase.

He said, "I've never been walking along on a beach and been like, "Now THAT is a happy clam! *Now* I know what everyone has been talking about!"

When I'd recovered from the first wave of laughter that hit me, I offered, "Well, maybe it's like [the meaning], for Northeasterners, 'Happy as if you were having a clam in clam chowder?"

Tim agreed, "I could understand that -- it's food."

Considering the alternatives, however, I conceded, "Of course, then you could also say, "I'm about as happy as a clam *in* the clam chowder…"

Tim laughed and responded with some of the following gems:

"… Oh, oh, so that's a *bad* mood!"

Followed immediately by:

"I have to get used to my "levels of clam [happiness]!""

[Paraphrase - 'That's just great; to be in such a mood that you say' ] "…I'm as happy as a piece of seafood in a hot dish."

If you're familiar with the comedian Dane Cook, imagine ALL of that done with his voice, and style of delivery, and you will get just how funny that conversation was. Oh my goodness, I almost cried I was laughing so hard!

*****

4. I met two, Russian girls when I met Lissay (they were his friends -- Olga and Dasha. I was tickled, as usual, when Dasha told me she thought that I may have been Russian when she first saw me, because of how I looked and how I was dressed. That's always a compliment, to me!. She seconded, unfortunately, the notion I'd heard just the night before, that I do have an American accent in my Russian. =ToT= (I know I don't sound perfect yet, but still, how disappointing!) -- On the bright side, however, she said that when I say, "Я была," ["Ya buila" (I was)] -- I say it with no accent, just like a Russian. So, hooray! At least bits and pieces sound just fine.

Among Other Things:

** I tried Pecan Pie for the first time -- not bad!

** There was also a live band playing blues music!! It was really fun to hear some live blues! Certainly not a musical style you expect to hear in Russia!

** I was thrilled to be able to just watch the guys hang out and interact. I had SO much fun! It doesn't get any better than kicking it with the US Marines and getting to be Pro-Military again!! (Or to be able to be honest that I'm from a military family, either!!!)

** I learned the words for "swings" (like a swing set), and "to swing!!!!" --

(That's kind of a big deal…. I ADORE swinging on swings, for those of you who don't know me. There is hardly anything better in the world!)

This came about because there was a playground I could see, and there were the first swingsets I've seen since I've been in Moscow!!! I wanted to go play so badly!!!! I hope in the future I'll get to....

I was joking w/ Steve --

"Well, what? [Referencing my loving swinging.] It's great fun! And that'd be pretty funny, seeing a bunch of you Marines on a swingset."

Steve - "Yeah, that'd be pretty good."

Me - "Ha ha, but you mean, "good blackmail,"

Steve - "Yeah, that's about right."

**********

I got home, and my feet are KILLING me! (I've been in heels, and carrying heavy bags all day…) I am dog tired! It's time to brush my teeth and go to bed!

I'm still on Cloud 9 (Tim understood that phrase!) -- I didn't ever expect to meet Marines in Moscow!!!!!

Love,

Moscow Kitty; 12:32 AM

=^______^=

PS - They've promised me a Rubik's Cube, too! Muwah ha ha!