My First Club~

So last night was one of the most interesting experiences I've ever had. Kensie and I had been planning on going out with some friends to Double Bar. We headed out at like 7 and where at the bar by 8. We hung out, played a couple of really educational games of never have I ever, and decided to head back and go to a club near the dorm. We took the metro back and were at the club around midnight. But only after, me and my clutseness fell and scraped up my knee- again. 

The club was filled with middle aged people dancing in a way that I've never seen before. Normally when an American thinks of dancing at a club the film "Dirty Dancing" comes to mind. Not here-- at least not by the club goers. So Corey, Kensie, and I look at each other and decide we are going to need some liquid courage to stay here. So I go up to the bar and there is this 30 something year old man hitting on me... I order the 3 drinks for us- and politely as I can (with my acutely small knowledge of Russian) get away from him. Kensie got a look at his wallet and was like-- you could have gotten some free drinks outa him! Needless to say I told Kensie to have at him. :)

So we drink our little bit of liquid courage, look at each other and decide to just dance and have some fun. There is Russian techno music playing, with weird random English words, that nobody around us seems to understand. This is when the interesting stuff starts to happen. After about an hour of dancing 2 girls come onto the stage dressed in sequins, and not a lot else. They start dancing, and while nothing was removed the skimpiness of their outfits didn't leave much to the imagination. Suddenly the music stops and 3 or 4 armed men in black ski masks come in. It's the police. Kensie, Corey, and I are really confused-- because this is a pretty nice place. They bring out a dog, a miniature cute little hunting dog of some sort, and we realize that they are searching for drugs. Some people leave, and eventually we go back to dancing. 

Now the dancers are back out again, this time in maid costumes, that are even skimpier. They are accompanied by some girls dressed in thongs and sequins, and the dancing was back on again for about 15 minutes. At this time the DJ starts talking a lot of Russian and holding the microphone out to people in the crowd-- needless to say Corey, Kensie, and I backed away from the stage. I decided to use this opportunity to make a bathroom run- big mistake. Corey and Kensie informed me that the DJ pulled 2 girls on the stage and they had to "give a blow job" to a banana. Yeah- 

So more dancers come out and we dance again for another 15 minutes or so. The next person to come out is a man dressed in black from head to toe with his face like covered in a black hood. Well he started dancing, and soon he was down to a loin cloth of sorts with shoulder straps. He then produced 2 flaming torches which he danced with, blew fire with, and ran the torches up and down his body- like flames on his arms- don't try it at home kids- this guy was a professional. He left and the dancing continued for another 15-20 minutes. The girls came out again in yet another skimpy outfit and continued dancing. 

Then 2 bar tenders come out and do a drink making routine. It was pretty impressive- they made 3 pretty drinks and it was cool to watch. Then the DJ came back down and began auctioning off the drinks. At this point it was 2 AM, and I was exhausted. So we headed back to the dorms, which were farther away then I thought- note to self don't go drinking in heals, you may end up at a club, and therefore your feet will hurt. A LOT. We woke the guard up and got let into the building. I kicked my boots off and we headed to our rooms. I managed to get out of the night with 2 extremely sore feet, a skinned up knee, and only one blister. It was an interesting and fun night. And as I was getting ready for bed I couldn't help but recount the events of the night and just say- Eta Rossiya. 

7 weeks to go!

As of today we have 7 weeks left in St. Petersburg. We are a little over the halfway mark and I feel as though I've accomplished a lot. I speak enough Russian to survive, and have made some amazing friends. I have learned a lot about myself, about other Americans, and about Russian culture. I'm excited to see what the next seven weeks have to offer. I already know I'm going to Finland, Estonia; a ballett, opera, classical music concert, and a bunch of museums. And as I believe I've already showed, Daily Life here is an adventure in itself!

Quote from Last night: I don't know what the deal is...

its just a frickin fish!~ Alina

 Here's to an even more Amazing

Second Half of the Trip!

Motivation

I'd like to start out by thanking Laura for making me feel better today.-- It was one of those days today. Your an amazing sister.~

I have come to a pretty important realization today. As some of you know I'm from a REALLY small town in northwestern Wisconsin, I have a compulsive gambler for a "father". In high school I was the president of everything, and I maintained a very high GPA. I had dreams of going to law school, to either become a corporate lawyer or a politician. My guidance counselor tried to talk me out of college, why on earth would anybody from my hometown need college anyway?

Well I went on to a pretty good school, where I am a Junior who will graduate in 4 years with a double major in Business Management with Emphasis in Business Law and History (maybe Economics Major too...). I have a decent GPA (not as high as I'd like... thanks statistics :p... but it'll go back up). I'm involved in the most amazing sorority on the planet Kappa Delta. And I'm the secretary for Pre Law Society. Last semester I was an RA, and intern at a law firm, an economics departmental assistant, an ambassador, a mentor, and I think that's all my jobs???

Now you may be asking yourself the same question I was asking myself today... how did I come out of my background with so much motivation to succeed? I've been pondering this question a lot today... and have come to some conclusions.
1. I love new experiences
2. I love success and don't settle for less then my best
3. I surrounded myself with the most amazingly talented young women on campus, my sorority sisters-
4. My mom has driven me to succeed, and helped me open new doors--

I know I may sound snobbish right now and you may be wondering what I'm doing typing this, but to me this is me- its who I am. I have fought to get to where I am today. I'm not a success by any means, I've got a long ways to go, and knowing myself I can mess it up pretty easily-- but I am doing a fairly good job of making the best of what I have. I work hard for what I've accomplished. In the last year I've been dumped by my first love, did the Polar Plunge, dumped the rebound man, worked at a law firm, gone to China to study, worked at a camp for children with disabilities (blind, deaf, cognitively disabled, diabetic), and now I'm in Russia spending an entire semester in a country I knew almost nothing about before I got here.  I'd say that's a pretty eventful year.

I can only imagine what the future has to offer me. I'm 20 years old, in Russia, learning SO much, and in December I'll be back home in that small town in Wisconsin. Where I will hopefully find a temp job to fill my winter break time. Then its back to school for a semester of homework, work, KD, fun, and friendship. Then dadadadah LSAT time-- Life is going by so fast, it seems like just a while ago I was leaving for college, scared to death of living on my own.-- Now look at me.

This experience truly is once in a lifetime-- and even if I can't shake this horrid cold-- I'm happy to be here-- happy to experience new things-- happy to beat the odds.

Snow!

That's right readers its October 15 and the first snow storm has arrived! Unfortunately/Luckily (depending on your view point) the snow isn't sticking. I am from WI and never cease to be excited by the first true snow (and I assure you looking out my window all I see is white coming down). It seems different with it snowing here, not near as exciting, but more like watching the inevitable.

Moscow was quite an adventure despite being sick the entire time I had a lot of fun. Kensie and I explored St. Basil's and enjoyed a couple of meals at what could be my new favorite restaurant. They serve baked potatoes with a toppings bar. I <3 it. I also bought some really awesome souvenirs! Including a $15 winter hat that says MOSCOW. Its super cute, and more importantly super warm. :)

This week is fall break so Kensie and I have been exploring St. Petersburg. We spent 2 days trying to get into the botanical gardens, and then gave up. But we had fun in the processes so that is all that counts. We also went to the Aurora Naval Ship. That was cool, and I got some more souvenirs/Christmas presents! My shopping is almost done! :)

Being gluten free in Russia is not near as difficult as I thought it was going to be. I found a gluten free grocery store and have been there twice. I also don't mind eating a lot of the same thing, so I get by. :)

What I miss most about home right now is the water. I want to brush my teeth with tap water and shower and actually feel clean afterwords! It really is the simple things that make life worth while. What I love most about here right now is this city. It is HUGE! There is so much to see and do and thank God Kensie knows where shes going or I'd be lost all the time. The people here are so diverse and yet similar. Brenda said it well in her blog when she said that a woman dressed in the same clothes she probably wore in the war and a woman in 4" stilettos and a tight short skirt stand side by side on the Metro and both are at home here. Its really cool.

Are you Sure? Nope. Ok Lets go-

Today was an adventure. The day began with me not wanting to get out of my warm and toastie bed. Class today was a walking tour of St. Petersburg with my teacher who has lived here all her life. The tour consisted of about a mile long walk... and that's a minimum. Then Lindsey and I went to a local cafe with bottomless refills on tea and enjoyed relaxing and catching up. I then headed toward home and stooped and did my grocery shopping. On my walk home I found Brenda and we decided I should go shoe shopping, graveyard visiting, and then to church with her. So I quickly headed back to my room put away my groceries and was off to town again with Brenda. We went shoe shopping and I have decided a need a pair of Russian heals... they are TOO pretty. :) We were trying to find the cemetery where a lot of famous people are buried, and we may have found it... or not... we really aren't sure where we were. I know I ended up in an Orthodox Church and was in awe of its beauty. We were walking in this park and went through random gates that lead to what I'm sure wasn't the...shall we say foreigner's typical path???. I would look at Brenda and be like "are you sure?" and she would say "nope" and my response was always "OK lets go". In doing so we entered this park/cemetery/church area without having to pay. Afterwards we tried to go to her church... but service wasn't occurring... so we decided to continue shoe shopping and return to the cafe I was at earlier to wait for rush hour to die down. And now I'm back home. I had to use Liam, Emily, and Matt's brain to do my homework, and I have a quiz tomorrow on irregular verbs... I have studied a lot but I doubt I'll ever be ready for it. Anyway now it is off to bed :)

Fall Has Arrived!

Hello Readers!

It is officially fall here in Russia. We went to a beautiful park and palace combination today and I got to see history and play in the leaves... does life get much better? I don't think so. :) Ohhh wait it does I also got a new scarf! And this one is SUPER soft, its 50% wool and 50% silk. I <3 it!

Kensie and I adventured around the park, and got lost for a bit. It was great to be out in the woods again. Once a nature director always a nature director I guess. I just love being outdoors and there is no better time then in the fall when it is cool and brisk and you can walk for hours amongst the trees. The only thing that would have made today an even better fall day would have been football and a bonfire. :) Walking in the woods today was a lot like being back home, and it was fantastic.

 

 I still can't believe I've been here a month! Or that I will be here for another 2! I've grown accustomed to cars driving on sidewalks, drunks being passed out on Metros, money belts, doing everything in a language I don't understand 99% of the time... it has all become normal daily life. It is such an incredible feeling-- one everyone should get to have. So for you readers out there... STUDY ABROAD, travel "while your young and beautiful" (such a good song). It is one of the most challenging and yet most rewarding things I've ever done! Go outside of your comfort zone, who knows they may have silk sheets there. ;) even though they don't have them in Russia, so don't get your hopes up lol.