Preparations, Part один

Well, this is my first post, and it would have come along much earlier if I hadn't accidentally set the blog to be transliterated into Hindi, and then forgotten how to change it back.

I have studied the Russian language for the past year and a half. The most frequently asked questions about me, my education, and future plans are:

q. Ohh, you are pursuing a history degree. Do you want to be a teacher?
a. No. I hate children. Almost as much as sand and people who don't use their turn signals. I want to be either Indiana Jones or a trophy wife. But if neither of those work out, I'll be happy with any desk job that allows me to dress as a 1950's housewife and host Christmas parties.

q. Why Russian?
a. *Sigh* Well, I was more or less suckered into taking Russian language my freshman year of college by one of Stetson's most amazing, and convincing professors, Dr. Denner. Plus, I grew up in South Florida, where the entire population besides me speaks Spanish, and I hate the damn language. Seriously.
After one semester of college, I realized I had nearly finished with my History major, and had to figure something else to study. So I chose Russian, largely because it means the government would give me a $4000/ yr SMART grant.

q. Only a year and a half of studying Russian language? Do you think you are ready for the total immersion of studying abroad?
a. No. No, I do not. In fact, why the hell am I doing this??? I am sooooo fucked!!!! Every day I suddenly realize more and more important words I don't know. "Fried." How do I say "fried"?!?!?! 85% of my diet is fried food!!!! "Throat lozenges"?!?!?! It's cold in Russia. Like, amazingly, frigidly cold. I'm bound to get a sore throat!!!

q. You grew up in South Florida. Are you prepared for the long, bitter winter you are bound to experience in Moscow?
a. No. No, I am not. I own a few coats, but I have an aversion to pants. In Florida, I routinely go weeks in skirts and dresses because I feel pants are too labor-intensive. I have invested in some nice snow boots, and cashmere, but my plan seems to be adorable business casual with an obnoxiously heavy wool coat over.

q. Seriously, Russia?
a. Yeah... The original plan was to go abroad next Fall, but then my amazing and convincing professor decided this Spring would be a great idea. Although, come to think of it, he also thought sending my to Kyrgyzstan was a great idea*.

q. Are you really as awesome as you let on?
a. Yes. Yes, I am.

q. What is you natural hair color?
a. Your guess is as good as mine.

*This plan was eventually vetoed when another professor decided the country was still too rife with inter-ethnic violence to send me there, and I constantly referred to it as my "suicide mission."