August 29, 2010 (days one through four)
Dear Journal,
Today was my first full day in Russia. So far on my trip I have gone to London and St. Petersburg. London was an adventure to say the least. I arrived at about 8 am at the Holiday Inn. We couldn’t get into our rooms so we went out to find food and something to do. I had scrambled eggs at a nice little café. Then I went to the London National Museum of Natural History. It was pretty cool- there were a lot of dinosaurs and some cool exhibits. And I fell off the sidewalk and scraped both my knees. Then we got to check into our rooms and I took a much needed shower and nap. We then met for drinks to meet all the people going on the trip. I then went back to bed because I was exhausted.
On our second day in London we went on a London sightseeing tour and just got the general feel for the city. It was a lot of fun and I wish we could have spent more time there. We were dropped off in a square and told we had free time. I went to lunch with some friends and after I decided to head back because I wasn’t feeling too well. The tube wouldn’t take my ATM debit card, so I went out to an international ATM and it ate my card. I then frantically dug through my purse and found $20 that I thought I had lost. I rode the tube back to the hotel, called mom on a 5 pound calling card and she fixed everything. Her boyfriend Dave wired me $500-- he might be a nice guy after all.
Our third day in London started at 5am, and we drove to the Airport on a double decker bus. Note to self take motion sickness pills before getting on the bus, as you will get sea sick. We flew to Russia and landed around 3 pm. It was a good flight. We drove straight to the dorms and I got settled in Room 302. I’m living with Emily and my suite mates are Emily and Brit. They are all nice girls.
On the fourth day, which is finally today(!) we did loads of things. We went on a general historic tour and saw a ton of cool things. It was kind of a this is what you can see while you are here. I’m really excited to see everything. We then went and got our pictures taken for our documents etc. Then Matt, Dan, and I went grocery shopping. That was an adventure… gluten free food here is going to be difficult, doable but difficult. The meat counters scare me a bit.
Today is also Jean’s funeral. Mom is super sad about it and I am too. I keep thinking that if I would have stopped to talk to her she may have boosted her self esteem enough to not kill herself- but then again probably not. I don’t know how she did it or any of the details… and I’m thankful that I don’t know. But on the bright side I guess… its what she wanted.
this is a video of how St. Petersburg announces its noon~
August 30, 2010 (day 5)
Dear Journal,
Today was my first day of Russian Language Class. It was intense. I’m a little afraid… but there is not turning back now, so I guess I’ve got to just suck it up and learn Russian! A year ago I never imagined I’d be sitting in Russia right now, so I guess that is why I’m keeping this journal… so in the future my kids or even I can look back and remember my adventures. I’m working on the alphabet, so far so… well not good but okay. We went on a “practical tour” today and got our Sprevkas. The tour was fun. We went with Rob, the Canadian who has been here for a little over a year studying. We saw a lot of cool stuff and probably walked 10 miles. I’m so going to be in shape after this trip, but my back is killing me! We went a different way back to the dorms and holly shit I live like on top of a bunch of buildings from the Soviet era. It is legitly scary, but funny. I’m off to bed because tomorrow I begin cooking for myself!
August 31, 2010 (day 6)
Dear Journal,
Today hasn’t been too overly eventful. I had 3 hours of Russian class today. That’s intense and scary, but not as bad as I thought it was going to be. My teacher is nice, tough but nice. I spent 2 hours doing the homework so that’s 5 hours of learning Russian officially minus what I have to learn “on the streets” so to speak. I did laundry and was relived to find Maytag washers and dryers. It was the first time I’ve ever paid for laundry… and I’ve determined that doing laundry is expensive! I paid 60 rubles ($2) to wash my close and 80 rubles ($2.66) to dry my clothes. I ate cereal for breakfast, bacon and eggs for lunch, and for dinner I’m thinking a hamburger… without the bread of course. Mom won’t really talk to me and its tough because I’m a little homesick. Not a lot… its more like I miss going to get food without the complications. I know I’ll get used to it but it’s a processes. I’m tired today-- probably from busting my ass trying to learn Russian and my back still hurts L . But enough complaining because I’m in Russia!
I spent the remainder of my day finishing “The Partner” by John Grisham. It was a very good book, then ending was awful but I should expect that from Grisham. Tomorrow brings another 3 hours of Russian and a trip to the Hermatige Museum-- that should be very cool. Mom continues to avoid me, and I’m not going to lie, it hurts a bit. I’m sure there’s nothing wrong- she’s probably mad at me for the London incident. Oh I almost forgot we got more papers today! In case the Russians need proof we are supposed to be here I now have a sprevka (complete with photocopies of my passport, migration card, and visa), a student ID, and another student door opening ID. Hopefully this will prevent them from detaining me-- cause Lord knows I don’t know enough or any Russian really for that situation. Well it is off to bed!
September 1, 2010 (day 7)
Dear Journal,
Today was amazing. I woke up and had my 3 hour Russian class. I asked my teacher about the bone in the meat and she said to just eat a burger from McDonalds-- so I shall. She said she was going to try to set up a shopping trip for us. We got a list of food vocabulary today so I suggested we all go grocery shopping. J We went to the Hermitage Museum today. It was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. I saw a real Picasso, Rembrandt, DaVinci, Michael Angelo, etc… Then Brit, Emily, Mackenzie, and I went to dinner at a place called the other side. It was good. Then we went souvenir shopping. I got a scarf and 2 Russian doll key chains. Then we rode the metro back. I think I walked 10 miles today- no joke. Now I shall go to bed!
September 2, 2010 (day 8)
Dear Journal,
Today was a day of homework. We got a ton more words today in my Russian class- so I made a ton of flashcards. I also went to McDonalds and shopping in the mall for dinner. I got another scarf, this one is pink and blue. We also went to a briefing by the US Consulate. It was kind of cool. I took all of my non necessities out of my wallet so I wouldn’t loose everything if I were to get pick pocketed. Other then that not much new today.
September 3, 2010 (day 9)
Dear Journal,
Today we our teacher was 1.5 hours late because of traffic. The Russians decided to close like 6 roads without telling anybody about it. Our homework is simple, we just have to learn the vocabulary. Too bad that’s like a gazillion words. We also went on a jazz boat ride to celebrate the ending of our first week. We drank some white wine and had a good time. It was a long bus ride there and back because of the traffic, but it was worth the wait.
Dear Journal,
Today we went to see the summer palace and the fountains. It was incredible. We went on a tour and got to see the inside of some of the buildings which was really cool. There was a shower (that I couldn’t take a picture of L ) that had water coming out of pretty much everywhere in the room, and the room was bigger then my house. Alex. The Great must have had a thing for fountains because they sure put a lot of effort into them. I also got to see the ocean for the first time! It was the Baltic Sea, and it was so cold outside by the water (and in general). We also had some adventures with the pigeons and fed them some bread which was fun. Then we went out to the Beer House. I got a couple of daiquiris and a shot of rum. We had some laughs and basically just had a good time. I came home and went to bed around 1 am, so not too rowdy of a night.
September 5, 2010 (day 11)
Dear Journal,
I woke up today with a headache, surprise surprise. But I got up and did my laundry and worked on my Russian homework. I had to rewrite my homework because I messed up my cursive; which means all the flashcards I made were made wrong. So I then spent quite a bit of time making study sheets. So far it is five pages of words and information I know that I need to learn. I probably won’t have it mastered by tomorrow’s class but I can try. I went sweater shopping with Matt today. He’s from California and needed some warmer clothes. We stopped at MICS for lunch and it was really good. On the downside I ordered what I thought was a smoothie, and it might have been, but there was gluten in it. L So I came back and took a long nap. Then I talked to Katie on Skype; which was fun because I haven’t talked to her in quite a bit. Now its back to homework and hopefully to the grocery store later to get some potatoes.
September 6, 2010 (day 12)
Dear Journal,
Everyone said I would hit a wall somewhere in the first week and wonder why I was studying Russian. Today I found that wall. I had a really difficult time in class. I don’t know why, I know I know the material, I just seem to forget it… and sometimes the concepts don’t click in my brain. But tomorrow will be better. I’m not feeling the greatest, I think I may be coming down with a cold or something. But I’m drinking a ton of water and resting so hopefully that works. Its cold in here today so I have the space heater on a little higher then usual. We got the class lists for electives today. All three of mine are on Friday-- which is kind of a bummer but oh well. At least I can take the weekend and do my homework and be ready to go again for the week. And there is only an hour and a half of Russian on Thursday! J Other then that not much new today. Spent most of the day resting and studying and playing on Facebook. I also watched 27 Dresses. That is such a good movie. Well I guess its off to bed, but first I shall wash some dishes.
September 7, 2010 (day 13)
Dear Journal,
What a day. I went to my Russian class and it didn’t totally kick my butt! Only slightly… which was a relief after yesterday. Then this afternoon I went out with Kensie, Barbra, Dan, Rob, and Emily and we went to a café. The café had bottomless tea and coffee! It was exciting. I also got a chicken cabob and rice and the total was only 158 rubles (about $5). Then we went exploring. I went into an orthodox church. I had to cover my head with my scarf in order to get in. I said a prayer and looked around. It was really cool. I almost got a cross necklace but my friends were leaving. We walked a lot, but it was fun. Then Kensie and I went to McDonalds and got ice cream. I have a quiz in Russian tomorrow so I suppose I should study and then get some sleep. I’m exhausted after walking so much! And my back hurts… its kind of annoying.
September 8, 2010 (day 14)
Dear Journal,
Today was a normal day I guess. Got up went to class for an hour and a half. Then Ksenia took us grocery shopping. We went to a type of Wal-Mart. It was kind of fun. I also got to ride a bus. I came back made some lunch and took a nap because I feel a little like death. Woke up e-mailed mom and watched a movie. It was a good kind of day. I just hope I start to feel better soon, but this is just the beginning of the cold. Ugh-
September 9, 2010 (day 15)
Dear Journal,
Today was also a normal day with the exception that I went to a hockey game. It was pretty awesome. I bought a jersey, #20- the goalie’s number! St. Petersburg lost in overtime, which was kind of a bummer but on the bright side I’m not too attached to the team. Kensie, Rob, and I stopped at McDonalds on the way home, which was fun. But it’s late so I’m off to bed.
September 10, 2010 (day 16)
Dear Journal,
I had my elective courses today, all three of them. My first one was about early Russian history, the second about the Russian Orthodox Church, and the third about the Communist Era. The two about Russian history were awesome. The orthodox church one was EXTREMELY boring, mainly because the teacher has a very monotone voice and doesn’t have the easiest to understand accent. But oh well, its got to get better right? Anyway after class I went to the pharmacy and got some cold medicine. I spent about $9 and got some Coldrex and some Strepsils. The coldrex is like Theraflu and the Strepsils are throat lozenges. Hopefully they help, because with all the yelling at yesterday’s game I have next to no voice; and a very sore throat. (Like its really difficult to eat anything). But it shall be better soon. Tomorrow we go to a museum about the Siege of Leningrad. That should be pretty awesome. I think I’m going to watch a movie and just relax for tonight.
September 11, 2010 (day 16)
Dear Journal,
Today is September 11th, and the 9th anniversary of the attacks of 9-11. We went to two memorials for the Siege of Leningrad. The first was a cemetery. Hundreds of people were buried there in common graves. There were hundreds of flowers. It was really beautiful. Then we traveled across town to a museum/monument for it. The siege lasted 900 days and 900 nights- an estimated million people died, though the total will never be known. Most of the people died of starvation. America is so lucky that we have our oceans to protect us. When there is a war we go to Europe and bomb it and our citizens stay safe. Its easy to forget the people over here who die because of the bombing and raids. We even got to see the orders Hitler signed basically saying to eliminate the city of Leningrad. He was one messed up person. After the museums I came back and took a much needed nap and skyped Katie and mom. Then we went out to the café which has really expensive drinks, and I won’t be going there again to get them. So we got one drink there and then went to beer house. After that Emily, Brett, and I watched some you tube clips of Who’s Line is it Anyways? That was fun. Now its late and I’m going to bed.
September 12, 2010 (day 17)
Dear Journal,
Today was one of those frustrating, annoying days… but for no in particular reason. I got up at noon, made cheeseburgers and home fries with Emily (roommate Emily). Then I skyped mom for 2 minutes- she said to call back in like half hour. So I went to the store got some cereal and water; came back tried to get a hold of mom for an hour and a half-- gave up and watched a movie. Its just really frustrating- I have no clue what I’m going to do over break. Whatevs-- it’ll sort itself out.
September 13, 2010 (day 18)
Dear Journal,
Mom and my fight has turned into a “cold war” stand off. She now insists on talking to me every time I’m online and informing me of her exact whereabouts. Talk about annoying. I could go back at her with my every action… perhaps I shall. I don’t think it was wrong of me for being mad for being stood up by her. Anyway I went to 4 bookstores and got the book for my history classes. Worked on my budget… the book was expensive so these next two weeks are going to be interesting. Anyway off to do homework.
September 14, 2010 (day 19)
Dear Journal,
Class today was okay. We have to memorize a poem for tomorrow, and we also have to do a worksheet about plurals. I have got a really upset stomach. L I’m making rice for lunch, hopefully that will help. So lunch helped. Not a lot new today. Did laundry, that was fun. There were two Chinese girls in the laundry mat and they took a picture of me-- apparently American girl in her pajamas is picture worthy. I almost yelled at them but that would involve effort because they were speaking Chinese.
Roommate Emily had a little accident today, it was funny. She made pasta and put the strainer on top of the pot. She turned the burner off but left the pot and strainer on it. She melted the strainer into the pot. Woops!
I figured out my camera date is off by a day… the time difference got to the poor thing. But I fixed it. J I’ve been reading my history book, Russia has a really cool history and its no wonder the country ended up being Communist for so long. Early Russian history is full of wars both civil and international. And they weren’t little wars, they were big and bloody and thousands of people died. Then the history of around 1905-1917 is really interesting. Nicholas II was really messed up. He shouldn’t have been a tsar. When his country needed him the most he decided he wanted to be the acting commander of the army and left the ruling to his wife, and her advisor, Rasputin, who happened to be a messed up peasant. Like really messed up he thought he could cure hemophilia and that he was sent by God to guide Alexandra and Nicholas II. I’m actually excited to keep reading the history-- but it is draining and hard to pay attention to all the little details. I’ve been trying to do what Professor Blake said and write summaries at the beginning of the chapters, after I’ve read them. So far that seems to be helping. Its also nice that I read as much as I want to because the book is only “strongly encouraged.” So I read a chapter of early, then a chapter of communism. It works for me. Then I can really mix it up by reading some “the Death of Common Sense.” Well I believe I have more homework to be done. And I’m contemplating setting up a blog- I think it would be cool. I could do these entries there- and people could see them. J We shall see.
Roommate Emily had a little accident today, it was funny. She made pasta and put the strainer on top of the pot. She turned the burner off but left the pot and strainer on it. She melted the strainer into the pot. Woops!
I figured out my camera date is off by a day… the time difference got to the poor thing. But I fixed it. J I’ve been reading my history book, Russia has a really cool history and its no wonder the country ended up being Communist for so long. Early Russian history is full of wars both civil and international. And they weren’t little wars, they were big and bloody and thousands of people died. Then the history of around 1905-1917 is really interesting. Nicholas II was really messed up. He shouldn’t have been a tsar. When his country needed him the most he decided he wanted to be the acting commander of the army and left the ruling to his wife, and her advisor, Rasputin, who happened to be a messed up peasant. Like really messed up he thought he could cure hemophilia and that he was sent by God to guide Alexandra and Nicholas II. I’m actually excited to keep reading the history-- but it is draining and hard to pay attention to all the little details. I’ve been trying to do what Professor Blake said and write summaries at the beginning of the chapters, after I’ve read them. So far that seems to be helping. Its also nice that I read as much as I want to because the book is only “strongly encouraged.” So I read a chapter of early, then a chapter of communism. It works for me. Then I can really mix it up by reading some “the Death of Common Sense.” Well I believe I have more homework to be done. And I’m contemplating setting up a blog- I think it would be cool. I could do these entries there- and people could see them. J We shall see.
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