Journal 90
Wednesday - 11-24-10
Class
Told Tamara Evgen'evna that I did in fact live in a "Krushchova" (Хрущева) - one of the famous (in Russia, at least) 5 story apartment buildings -- and that it had once been a, "Kommunal-ki" -- i.e. a communal apartment.
*****
Izol'da was sick, so I got out of class two hours early. Went home to drop things off. Made some Rice-A-Roni. Yum!!!
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Still no word from Vitaly - so when Roma asked me what was going on with lessons, I told him, "Vitaly hasn't answered me in three days –– YOU try!"
Apparently, Vitaly likes him better or something, because when Roma called after practice, Vitaly answered the phone on the first try, and Roma set up our lessons with him for tomorrow night, with no problem. =>_<= Seriously?
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As for practice itself:
"My partner is back, and we had a great practice today!! Roma - thanks for putting up with my being *super* excited, and then crashing hard core at the end of the night. *Loved* dancing to MJ and "Bedbugs" by Squirrel Nut Zippers! (Great name, even better song!) So many cultural bits close to my heart that I couldn't explain, but I love it!!!"
That Facebook status is the long and the short of it.
"Bedbugs," by Squirrel Nut Zippers, is the Samba that was playing for almost the entire night on Tuesday night at the studio. I started falling in love with it then, and hearing it again tonight cemented that love. Ha ha ha!
I was trying to explain just why I loved that song so much to Roma, but it was tough trying to explain all the cultural bits, such as:
The reference to a certain night-time prayer (which I use myself, to this day)
Cultural actions such as, "knocking on wood"
Contrast of Church and Familial Superstitions
Bedbug-related Phrases
Here is the short explanation I provided:
"Here is what I mentioned earlier, the real version of the prayer I say every night.
[И вот здесь, то о чём я тебе говорила раньше, та правильная молитва, что я говорю каждую ночь]
"As I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my Soul to keep,
And If I should die before I wake,
I pray the Lord my Soul to take."
In the song, the reference is:
"...If you should die before you wake,
Pray Good God your soul to take."
Just before that, the lines...
"Children, I hope you sleep tight,
And don't let the bedbugs bite;"
... refer to the following phrase in English:
"Sleep tight,
Don't let the bedbugs bite!"
[Спи хорошо,
Пусть, чтобы клопы не кусали!]
My parents said that to me almost every night when I was growing up!
[Мои родители мне говорили так почти каждую ночь, когда я росла!]"
*****
Also, I found out that, "Super Amazing Guy" who dances with, "Super Amazing Girl" (Nastya) is apparently named, "Andrei." We chatted a little bit - he played to me while I watched him and Nastya practice, when Roma and I were on break from our practice. =^__^= That always gives me the warm and fuzzies.
In other dance-related news, Roma wants me to dance in a 4 inch heel (10 cm), to be closer to his height!!!!! I don't think that it is a very good idea, but I agreed to ask Vitaly about it.
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Tomorrow is Thanksgiving -- no plans yet, I suppose. I originally thought I was going to be doing something with Mulzoff and his "Adopt A Marine" family -- but I haven't heard anything from Mulzoff since we were at the ball, so… :( Kinda bummed about that…
Still, I'm wishing all my loved ones a very happy Thanksgiving tomorrow, wherever you may be!!!
Love,
Moscow Kitty
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