Here comes the sun

I would like to start this post with a lovely little number by Peter Nalitch, Russia's singer chosen for Eurovision 2010. I don't really like the song chosen for Eurovision, but a Russian friend showed me this song and, well, you just have to watch.



As you might infer from my lack of posts, I've been a little busy. Classes are going fairly well but most of my time is taken up with my work tutoring and interning at the photo gallery. The other day I was given a new task of correcting English translations on the gallery website as well as translating an article from Russian to English, which has proved to be pretty challenging. The article is about a photographer's most recent photo project and is full of tricky, technical photography/art terms which I don't even know in English let alone Russian. Needless to say, I'm learning a lot. I've also started talking more to the others working at the gallery and have discovered that my Russian actually isn't as bad as I thought it is, and I can even be funny in Russian! It is wonderful. The gallery also opened a new exhibit on Thursday, and I discovered with joy the section of the gallery where they sell books and reprints of all sorts of photographs. Overweight suitcase here I come.

At the end of February and beginning of March I felt like I was stuck in a rut and that my Russian wasn't going anywhere. I so badly want to master this language and learn about this mysterious culture which I am for some reason so drawn to, but at the same time I feel like my head can't handle any more or it will explode. However, I think the rut is ending. I keep realizing how little time I have left (two months whaaaat) and how much I still want/have to do: learn Russian, learn Russian jokes, explore the city parks, learn my way around the city above ground (I have mastered the metro), go to museums and plays and ballets and exhibits, take millions of pictures, something about writing a few papers and doing research, buy souvenirs, take a few trips, and sleep? I'll do the last one later.

Saturday brought the arrival of one of Kelly's friends from Dickinson as well as our Dickinson Russian professor, both visiting for spring break. We went to a chocolate factory and, in Willy Wonka fashion (minus the Oompa Loompas and treacherous chocolate river), had a little tour complete with as many chocolate samples as we could handle. After the chocolate factory we set off, chocolate coursing through our veins, to prepare for a night of festivities. We danced the night (and chocolate) away and even met up with one of our Russian TAs from Freshman year! It was a very successful day which didn't end until 5 in the morning. Fantastic.


Today over a delicious Azerbaijanian lunch we were discussing our research projects, courses to take next year, and future possibilities of life in general, when all of a sudden I had one of those moments where suddenly everything makes sense and you know what you want to do with your life. I won't go into too much detail because I'm still figuring it out, but a little seedling of a plan is starting to grow and it will probably be epic and have something to do with photography and Russia and even a little politics thrown in. Of course this is all very lofty thinking at the moment, but I wanted you to know: I am excited.

As far as the cultural program aspect, we have of course been going to various theaters, dance performances, plays, etc, etc. As my host mom says, I lead a hard life. Later this week we're going to Stalin's bunker. I also still need to go see Lenin; I can't live in Moscow for a year and not see Lenin.

Speaking of my host mom, I still love her. She's totally my third grandma; whenever I'm going to be out late she insists that I call her and always answers the phone "Oh you're still living, eh?"
I do admit at times I get rather annoyed with having to answer to someone all time, but of all the problems I could be having in a host family situation, having someone who at times worries too about my well-being is not the worst. I also sometimes make Mexican food and she of course samples it. Without fail, she takes a little bite and promptly says "Fire! Fire!" ...she doesn't do spicy.


In conclusion, it's been getting warmer: highs in the low 30s!
Now, now, you can try to one up me and claim that a "high" in the "low 30s" is no high at all, and then continue to brag about wearing sandals and shorts and skirts (I'm talking to you, Texans and Pennsylvanians), but the day I realized I could leave the house wearing only one pair of socks was the day I realized that spring had sprung. The birdies even chirp more and the sun actually has warmth to it. ...when the sun shines, that is.

I will post again soon with pictures and videos and stories galore from our most recent eastward adventure to the Tartarstan republic of Russia.
Get ready.

Hope all is well with everyone.