Journal 113

Journal 113

5-9-10

Den' Pobedy!!! -- Victory (In Europe) Day!

Check out the 3rd Fulbright Article on the "Pages" part of the website to read about this day.

It was certainly one of the craziest days I've ever had in Moscow!!

Journal 112

Journal 112

5-8-10

Today was a REALLY lazy day. In fact, I spent quite a bit of it in bed -- I was so tired…

I started reading the Count of Monte Cristo. I needed a change from Oscar Wilde.

*****

I tried to go to practice, but the hall was closed. And on the way out, I had another adventure with, "Random Russian People Come Up To Me And Start Conversations That I'm Not Allowed To Escape From."

I passed by the guard -- who was a new one today -- and he asked me if there was anyone left in the hall. I told him that there was no one there, and that it was ok to close the hall. As usual, however, the manner in which I say things tends to give it away that I am not, in fact, Russian. This surprised the guard, however, because he had assumed that I was actually a Russian girl. This led him to ask where I was from, and when I told him that I was from the USA, he got very excited -- he'd never met an American before! From there, things went either downhill or uphill, depending on how you want to look at it.

The Uphill Side: It's always fun to make new friends, and have random conversations.

The Downhill Side:

1. I was *trying* to get out early, so that I could go to dinner with Mulzoff and some of the other guys -- hopefully at the Hard Rock Café! (Goodness knows, I still haven't been there yet!)

2. When the place that someone you don't know wants to take you -- an older man, especially -- is located behind an area that is barred off, and you can see the padlocks for… Well, it tends to put you off a bit!

Funny thing is, Slava (as I got his name) saw my apprehension about following him back into an area that could be locked off behind me, and waved it off [do all Russians do this?] saying, "Oh, don't worry! We're just going to chat!"

And chat we did -- for the next half hour!

In the middle of all that, he treated me with the typical Russian hospitality -- which is to say, that even though I kept saying that I was trying to get to dinner with my friends, Slava kept trying to feed me and give me something to drink!!

*****

By the time I got out of Slava's and called Mulzoff again, they were almost finished with dinner -- and wouldn't you know that they had gone to the Hard Rock!!! No luck for me today… The timing worked out though, in that they finished dinner and got home just before I arrived from the Metro.

We finished out the night with some more Firefly, and then I was off for home.

Journal 111

Journal 111

5-7-10

Went off to class today, and spent the day looking forward to my dance lesson.

*****

Once there, I heard probably the best thing I'd heard so far in my lessons from Vitaly:

"I'm happy -- In this moment, I am happy."

-- Yeah, not for long, you aren't. XD Immediately after he said that, I did something so horrendously wrong, his face just fell, and I definitely got the, "What the Hell was that??" look. Oh, brother.

He asked what was wrong with me tonight, and I shared with him about how I was worried about being in the States for 3 weeks, and not dancing. But worrying isn't helping, obviously, I said. (I did not, however, share that I was still unnerved by some of the things Alëna had said…)

*****

I ran off to the Embassy afterwards, trying to relax, and forget about the tough night. A whole bunch of the guys were just relaxing, having a beer. I met Gunny for the first time!!

They all found out I do hand massages. That was pretty funny… Someone jumped line, and then I had to stop, because, as he said, "I'm married!"

After that, Mulzoff and I watched some more Firefly, and then it was time to go home.

Journal 110

Journal 110

5-6-10

There are no words.

Today, I was on Red Square for the Victory Day Parade dress rehearsal. This is something that not even my Russian professors have ever done, as I found out later in the day!!!!

I don't even know what to say in relation to having seen tanks, and rockets, and mig fighter jets roll through or fly over Red Square! It was, breathtaking -- both for what it was, as well as for what it was in a historical context, between the US and Russia. (E.g. How we used to see those kinds of things as propaganda shows, designed to frighten us, etc.)

Suffice it to say, I've just had a completely once in a life time experience today… I am so VERY fortunate…!!!

[For more on the Parade and Victory Day itself, check out my third Fulbright Article.]

*****

I made it back to school for the last 2 hours of the day. Afterwards, we had a meeting with one of our "bigwigs" from DC. After he spoke to us, I started the discussion with him about what it would take to stay in Russia, etc. Being that I'm not in some kind of mathematical or scientific field, his hopes weren't high for me to be able to find a high paying job, but, oh well. I could work something out, I'm sure.

Also, I finally learned about the St. George ribbons that have started floating around -- they are black and orange ribbons associated with remembering World War II -- they are apparently related to an old Russian Military Honor.

Coincidentally, when I went to go buy water on my way home, I got one that had a ribbon on it!

*****

Dance Practice today was much better than yesterday's, though there were still Ups and Downs. I have no idea if I will have a lesson tomorrow.

(Also, I was running into trouble with diminutives and making lots of grammar errors tonight. Ugh)

*****

I moved on to happier things after practice -- I went and hung out with Tom and Mulzoff, who had me just *rolling* with laughter as we watched more "Firefly."

Among the highlights:

**

Mulzoff to Tom, "You're an episode!"

"Wha--?? What does that even mean?!"

** "Epic Episode" -- this led to us trying to remember the words for when vowel sounds are the same throughout words, in relation to consonants' "alliteration."

** "Is she crying?"

**

Mulzoff to Tom, "You're no good!"

Tom, "Again, what does that even mean??"

** One of the Drivers (Igor, I think. -- Mulzoff reminds me that it was.): "I like your area because it's close." Ha ha ha!! [He was referring to the place I live.]

*****

Once I got back home, it was the awesome chicken recipe for dinner!!! How I missed it!

This was definitely my best day in Moscow -- at least, one of. Wow.

12 days until I'm back in the States… Odd.

Love,

Moscow Kitty; 3:40 AM

=^__^= / = @_@ =

Journal 109

Journal 109

5-5-10

Hooray!!! We're back in Moscow, safe and sound!!!!!

My first stop, after getting home from the train station, was the Embassy, where I finally finished watching, "The Bourne Identity," with Mulzoff.

After we finished "The Bourne Identity," Mulzoff started me on watching, "Firefly," the series for which the movie, "Serenity," was designed as a "wrap-up."

(Side note - I was so happy to see my Marines again!!!)

**********

In the evening, it was off to the studio again for me!!! I was nervous, but happy. (I'd been gone for a week and a half… That's a lot of time when you're just starting to work again…)

Tonight, I met one of Nastëna's good friends, Alëna -- she kept asking me/prodding me to dance. I'm not sure why, but for some reason, I felt even more skittish/afraid to dance in front of her than I normally feel about dancing in front of anyone at the studio.

Then of course, we got to talking, and she gave me a good deal of confusing, and at the very least, unsettling, advice, concerning how I was going about training for Ballroom there in Russia.

To her train of thought, I should be training in both Latin and Standard right now.

When I tried to say that I could only afford two lesson per week at the moment, she told me that I should be doing one in Latin, and one in Standard then. I responded to that by saying that it didn't make sense for me to divide already limited resources when I already needed so much improvement even just in Latin, just to try to "catch up." Dividing my interests doesn't make much sense, when there's so much to do, with so little available to do it with. My point of view didn't even seem to register to her. She continued her near-lecture, remarking that my dancing wasn't all that great, in saying, "At as low a level as yours, you'll never find a partner unless you dance two programs. We all start dancing two programs -- maybe when you get really good, it's ok, you can specialize -- but until then, you have to dance two programs." She also let me know that she thought Larissa's advice that I wait until I find a partner to start my Standard lessons was stupid. (Larissa is one of the studio owners.)

It's not that I don't want to dance Standard -- I miss Standard more than I can possibly say -- and yes, all those "Latin Kids" ARE very, very good in both styles (Latin and Standard) -- but they've had many more years of training, and many more lessons per week than I have had. Plus, partners. But, Alëna wasn't pulling any punches, for any reasons.

It was a hard, hard night. I about cried while I was talking with Alëna, I got so stressed out about everything. Practice wasn't any easier following that lecture.

I'm now at least 10 x as terrified about my upcoming 3 weeks off in the States.

*****

There was at least one bright spot to my night, however! I finally, finally, finally met Angelina and Kol'ya!!!! And they are sooo nice!!!

(As a refresher, they're one of my favorite couples to watch! She's very pretty, and just hot, hot, hot as a dancer -- and Kol'ya is the one who is always practicing in the billowing, button-up shirts, that are always open by the end of practice. Ha ha ha.)

Somehow or other, as it's happened with quite a few of the people that I've met, we just happened to walk out to the Metro together -- and somehow, we started talking.

I don't remember if they said something to me or not -- I think it was that they waited for me, and as we were walking together, but not talking, I finally apologized, saying:

"I'm really sorry -- I don't want you to think that I don't want to talk to you; but we've never met, and I don't know your names yet, so I've been unable to say anything to you both!!!"

Thus, we got introduced, and started a very nice, lively conversation!! The time we were on the Metro together was just as fun! They're a couple, I believe, and quite adorable in their interactions. Ha ha ha.

**********

I went to Kofe Xaus (Coffee House) straight from the Metro -- I had lots of picture uploading to do! Now, almost everything from Sochi is taken care of.

By the time I got home and had my dinner, it was 2 something AM. = @_@ =

**********

I am really looking forward to Victory Day -- and I'm going to be skipping morning classes tomorrow in order to attend the Dress Rehearsal of the Victory Day Parade. Nastëna's family connections are getting us onto Red Square in the morning! (Even though it is supposed to be closed to the public!!!)

I am still debating whether or not to ask Vitaly what he's doing for V-Day. = O-o = Ugh.

And now, I have a massive case of hiccoughs.

I should probably get some sleep.

**********

Sore as Hell, and not the greatest right now -- but with enough bright spots in the night to keep me going,

Moscow Kitty; 2:43 AM

=ToT = / =^_^=

Journal 108

Journal 108

5-3-10

We stopped by the Farmer's Market in the Morning, for anyone who wanted to buy food for the train ride home. That place was MASSIVE!! I'm not sure I've ever seen a farmer's market so large before!!

*****

Jess and I finished early, and we walked back together. As we walked, I was snapping pictures of street signs and graffiti, as per normal.

We shopped a little bit at the underground kiosks in one of the perexods (underground walk ways), where I picked up one of the Sochi Olympic bags I'd been eyeing, as well as some killer, huge earrings (among a few other things), and then Jess and I gave into temptation (and the promise of a "business lunch" discount) and we went to Café Boobs for lunch!!

The place was actually kinda classy. Ha ha ha! Except for that whole part where lots of things on the menu were shaped like boobs. But, that's part of the charm of the place, now, isn't it?

Also, I love this sign:

(It says: "Warning! This restaurant can change your life!")

*****

After lunch, I tried to stop by an ATM, but I absolutely COULD NOT find one that worked!!! Finally, while in search of what I thought was a bank, but was just an advertisement for one, I found an ATM, and life was grand again.

We continued back to the Hotel, Jess and I snapping a few last pictures on the way; and then we stopped in at a sweetshop we had seen when we'd first arrived: Café Biscuit.

That Café made the whole damn trip to Sochi worth it, in the space of half an hour! Oh. My. GOD.

It was soooooo good!!!!!! Check out some of the pictures!

*****

After all that, I chilled At McDonald's for most of the afternoon, until I had to get back to the hotel to get my stuff and check out, to leave for the train station, and to leave Sochi!

While we were in the train station, waiting, somehow or other I wound up dancing with Irina, and people were taking videos. I wasn't too happy about that part…

Also while in the station, I also found out that it's going to be a FORTY-TWO HOUR train ride back to Moscow!!!! God Help Me….

In the meantime…

May the 4th be with you tomorrow!!!

Journal 107

Journal 107

5-2-10

What a day!!

This morning started with another lovely example of, "This Is Russia [Deal With It]," thanks to our impromptu, "The Hike That Wasn't Supposed To Be!" You see, we were supposed to all get on the bus, and be driven up yet another mountain, for yet another, "Spectacular View." I'm not knocking on "Spectacular Views," or anything, it's just that we've seen quite a few of those in the last few days.

Anyways, the, "This Is Russia," moments comes when we find out that the road we are supposed to drive up is closed. This means that we have to walk up the mountain.

While it was a short hike, it was nothing less than grueling. It was a very steep incline, the whole way up.

And then?

It was all for nothing!!!!

The lady at the top in charge wouldn't open gate so that we could get to the, "Spectacular View!!" Go figure, huh?

*****

There were three really cool things to make up for the Hiking and View disasters though!

First up, the, "Indiana Jones Suspension Bridge," -- which is exactly what the name implies. It was a giant suspension bridge, that looked like something *right* out of "The Temple Of Doom."

I went about halfway out on it, got my pictures, and then turned myself right around and went back.

Secondly, after the IJSB, there was the Art Glass Studio!!! [This was, by far and away, my *favorite* thing from our entire trip in Sochi.] This shop was *full* of hand-blown glass figures, glasses, bowls, etc.! They were just beautiful!!

I wound up buying a few presents for friends (the most adorable little cow figures!), some incredibly gorgeously crafted bull figures (One for my parents, who once lived in Spain, and two for me, because they so reminded me of the book, "The Story of Ferdinand," by Munroe Leaf), and even a scottish terrier figure that looked almost exactly like Bonnie, my host family's dog! (I know Olga will love it!!)

Finally, while it was less impressive than the glass studio, but still pretty cool, there was a open air shop (think like a garage with it's front door missing), absolutely FILLED, from floor to ceiling, on all three sides, with [fresh] honey! I bought some more of my favorite kind (Belaya Abkhazia) -- mostly because they had it in these ADORABLE, little, bear jars. =^__^= ''

So, that was just a nifty thing to see.

*****

After we killed our time at the bridge, the glass shop, and at the honey place, it was finally time for the real excursion to begin -- our trip to the Fish Farm!!! While there, we got to feed the fishes, and our groups found out how one gets the caviar out of a fish!! *laughing*

I think it was safe to say that anyone who didn't know how the process worked already was pretty disgusted. XD !!!!

After we finished at the fish farm, we took the scenic route home so that we could be shown the town of Adler -- which is where the Olympic Village will be during the 2014 games.

With the Olympic village in Adler, and with most of the events taking place at Krasnaya Polyana, it seems that nothing is *actually* going to be in Sochi. Huh.

Also, as we passed the airport, John said that the President appears to be in town.

**********

We had a free afternoon, so Jess and I went to go get lunch at Café Natasha; I had fun taking pictures along the way.

Later, I finally caved -- I went to McDonald's!! My first one in Moscow!!

--But not for the food!!!

I finally went because the hotel stopped letting us Pay by the hour for Internet, so I needed free internet. (The alternative was WAY too expensive!)

**********

By the time evening rolled around, John had apparently received confirmation of President Medvedev's being in town, because around 7 o'clock or so, we all got a message telling us that the President would be eating dinner at a Restaurant on our Hotel's beach!!

Of course, the text that John sent to us really just said something like, "Come quick! The President is here!"

Naturally, we all RAN outside to see him -- but he was long since gone, inside the restaurant. So, what did we do? We waited (and FROZE) for 3 hours, merely hoping to catch a glimpse of Medvedev.

The whole time, we were joking about seducing guards, or the president himself, in order to get to see him [sooner]/talk to him. (Of course, the only problem with going after Medvedev himself was that his wife was there… XD )

There was also, "Ninja Cat!" as we affectionately called him. Ninja Cat was this cat that was, like a ninja, scaling the walls of this restaurant, and sneaking around. As we watched him, we joked, "How sad is that, that that cat is probably closer to Medvedev than we'll ever be…"

*****

While waiting, and trying to ignore the cold, I commiserated with Kate (someone I'd known from school) about our feelings of "unpreparedness" when we got to Russia. (We both shared the same reservations about our school's program -- and sympathized with each other over having failed the initial test given to us, because we both lacked the vocabulary we'd needed for it.)

Finally, after 3 hours of brazing the cold sea breeze, Medvedev emerged, at last, from the restaurant!!

We saw him for about 5 seconds, max. He was outside for 10 or so -- but he's kind of little, so half the time he was hidden behind other people!!!

So, at least we caught some glimpses of him, I guess.

We also now know that he rolls in a Beemer. *laughing*

**********

Randomly, we found out that Club Plotforma [the one Nastëna told me about] opened tonight !! Unfortunately, even as much as I had wanted to go check it out, I was just too tired to go. Jess and some of the guys finally hit up one of the strip clubs in the hotel. Too funny.