Journal 120

Journal 120

5-16-10

My back was SO sore when I woke up!!!! Goodness, that exercise from last night's lesson did quite the number on me!

Being that I only had three more days in Moscow, however, I messaged Vitaly, asking:

"Will there be a lesson?"

He replied, "Call Tonight?"

"Will you answer?" I chided him; because the last few times he has told me to call, he hasn't pick up!

"Yes."

Surprise, surprise, no, no you didn't Vitaly!!

*****

So, instead of dance tonight, I *finally* went to the Hard Rock Café, Moscow, with Mulzoff!!!! It's kind of a shame though -- there was NOTHING in the Rock Shop that fit me, or much of anything else, really. They apparently aren't getting new merchandise until the summer or the Fall! Still, Mulzoff and I had a great time checking out the memorabilia, had a great lunch -- and admired greatly, the mini moonbounce and disco ball that decorated the second floor's main floor area!! Wicked cool.

[Fast Fact after the Summer: I met the guy who OPENED the HRC Moscow!!!! SO COOL!]
[Fast Fact II: They still hadn't gotten any new memorabilia this summer!]


Being that we were already on Stariy Arbat (the pedestrian street), Mulzoff and I really made an afternoon of it there. He and I went and got caricatures done of ourselves, and shopped the souvenir shops around. I tried on a few, real fur hats -- although, the hair gets everywhere, and I still don't think I could actually get fur for myself… And then, I saw the coup de grâce of one store: a t-shirt that said, "I've been to Russia -- there are no bears," complete with a bear behind a "no" traffic sign! I about died laughing, and Mulzoff and I worked together to get a blurry picture of the thing.

Among other things I checked out, there were propaganda and advertisement posters, which I'm always fond of, and then there are the beautiful, but UNGODLY expensive paper maché and lacer boxes. I saw one shaped like a Cello, and with a stand, but it was over 200 USD! C'mon!!!

*****

On the walk back to the Embassy, Mulzoff and I passed by the shrine to Michael Jackson that is on the corner of the street, just straight up from the Embassy. I had spotted it on the way to dinner, but we only took the time to really look while we were on our way home.

We also saw a group of people dressed in Coca-Cola gear, on roller blades, looking like they were getting ready to get out and campaign for something -- although, we had no idea what for! Maybe they were just going to roam the streets, giving people Cokes? Who knows…

*****

Now, it was after we got back to the Embassy, that probably the best part of my day happened…

You see, many moons ago, I had written in my journal, or mentioned it aloud that I was dying to re-read the book, "Harris and Me," by Gary Paulsen. When we got back to the Embassy today, Mulzoff said, "I have a present for you, hold on a second." He disappeared, and a few minutes later, came back into the room, and presented me with… … A copy of "Harris and Me!!!!"

I looked at Mulzoff, in complete shock! "How did you get this?!" I exclaimed.

He explained to me that while he had been in Iraq, a friend had sent him a care package, and that the book had been inside. When he read in my blog just how much I wanted to read the book, Mulzoff decided to give it to me. He also said that the book had gone from Iraq to Togo, Africa with him, as well. I was so incredibly touched, not only by such a selfless act, but by the fact that he would give me a book that had been on all of these adventures…

I made Mulzoff write down the book's history in a little pseudo-dedication in the front of the book -- and I told him, and I was serious about this, that that book is now probably the *most* valuable book in my entire Library, and always will be.

So, after I about hugged Mulzoff to death, because I was so touched, and grateful, he and I watched some Firefly, after which, I headed off to practice.

*****

Unfortunately, when I arrived, there was only one couple there. A sure sign that the studio probably wasn't going to be open for practice. Just in case though, I went to ask them if they'd be there for awhile.

"Where are you from?" was the immediate response that I received.

-- Is my Russian *that* bad!? -- Was my first, dismayed thought.

[Fast Fact: It wasn't until the summer that I learned, in school, what had happened. I used the wrong time expression -- so they understood what I was getting at, but it was painfully obvious, that by using the word that I did, I was not a Russian speaker.]

I answered them that I was from the US, and we had a lovely little conversation. They said I spoke Russian very well. Sweet of them.

Unfortunately, they were almost finished; so I'd taken a trip to the studio for nothing. On the other hand, that meant I could leave for more Firefly watching, which I did!!

*****

On the way out to take me home for the night, I don't even know what Mulzoff did that inspired me to say it, but I chastised, facetiously, Mulzoff for his, "Heathen manners!!"

Without missing a beat, Mulzoff affected a voice of confusion (or maybe it wasn't affected!), and asked, "Did you just call me a Heathen?!"

I died of laughter almost instantaneously. There was much squeaking.

When I could finally breathe again, I chastised Mulzoff for making me squeak in front of the guards! So embarrassing!!! Ha ha ha.

*****

I got home and had my dinner; and then… Alexei tried to call. When I didn't answer, he sent a text asking, "Why are you running away?" Ugh. It's starting to get a little creepy.

That aside, I made a rough plan of the next few days. This is gonna be Hell. I'm not sure I actually have the time to do all the things I want to be doing or getting done.

Also, being in this coffee shop since 11:10 ish PM and only doing one of the things I meant to do (ish) hasn't helped. (Ha ha, I get distracted by conversation…)

I need bubble wrap… 3 days left in Moscow… Wow.

Love, Confusedly,

Moscow Kitty; 4:24 AM

(PS - I think I've gotten to the point again where I need a calendar to help me remember what has happened.)