Just... Wow

So, I wish a very happy St. Valentine's day/Singles' Awareness Day to all of those reading this. To be honest, mine was not particularly pleasant, but 'twas probably more so than a bad day in the states.

Class went pretty well. Not so much of a mindfuck as my Saturday classes are... those are in pure Russian. Spencer had to skedaddle home for a skype date, so Chris and I meandered around the local apartment buildings looking for anything interesting. Not much. We almost accidentally walked into a 24-hour vet.

A note to those studying in Russia: I keep forgetting to tell y'all, but bring an extra towel. Yes, the provide one, but it is smaller than the one I use to dry my hair at home. Also, all you girls who think I'm crazy for wearing skirts here: I tried to wear jeans once, and about froze to death. Womens' jeans are too tight to comfortably fit thermals under. I recommend longish skirts with thermals underneath. I just got home, it is -20 C outside, and I am wearing a minidress and 2 pairs of leggings, and I was more or less warm on my legs.

Also, men, please ignore the next paragraph:
Women, tampons are very hard to find here. Ashan has a million varieties of pads, and a few types of tampons, but, from what I saw, only one type which has a applicator (the sort we are used to in the U.S.) Be forewarned.



Men, you are allowed to read now.



We had made plans to go out for Valentine's day, a few of us. So, a mess of us had supper, and then Grisha and I went to get pretty (er). I was the first over to Chris' to pregame, followed by Grisha and Will. Chris and I split a Red Devil, which is essentially a Russian 4Loko, and is actually pretty good. Then we drank vodka, which is more or less what you do here. Greg had heard about something going on outside, by the statue of Lomonosov in the evening, for Valentine's day, so we headed out there.

Alas, we headed out about 10, so whatever we were looking for had long since ended. We ended up walking to our usual bar, by the metro. Please understand, I looked like a pimp's girlfriend. Chiffon minidress from Scotland, brown leggings, heeled boots... fur coat. I felt pretty pumped walking from my hallway to the techno the dejournaya was listening to.

Note to those going abroad: make friends with your dejournaya. I have a few who seem to like me, or are at least amused by my friendly demeanor (unlike that of the Russian girls). You cannot bribe them with vodka, no matter what Denner says. They have installed cameras to prevent this... a few other Americans have already tried.

So yeah. Usual bar. Next to the metro station... firefighter-themed. Over-priced, but it is close. I spent under 250p for a vodka pineapple juice and a delicious pieroshki with cabbage. So I don't complain. Grisha and Will had come up with what they perceived to be a great business idea, and I more or less agreed with them. Chris was belligerently drunk, in his own way, which means he wanted to be analytical and play devil's advocate. And we wanted him to shut the hell up and let them enjoy their pipe dreams.

I am incredibly proud of myself. I've watched Russians, and the American boys, slip and fall on the ice in snow boots. I managed to stay upright in high heels, inebriated. I'm 100% certain I will slip and fall on the ice, but tonight was a victory.

Made it home finally. Alone on Valentine's Day. Not that I am particularly depressed that its Valentine's day... random pagan, psuedo-Christian holidays never bothered me. But I don't have class tomorrow, and I feel I should still be having fun or being out somewhere exciting.

I finally met my roommate. By which I meant, I finally learned her name. I was calling my best friend to talk to him about being mildly depressed, when she knocked on my door and told me I was being loud, and she was trying to sleep. I apologized, and she added "oh, and my name is Maria." I felt bad for keeping her up, but really? I've lived here a week and she just now introduces herself to me?

So sadly, no drunken Russian boys for me to take advantage of. Sorry to disappoint my soon-to-be-traveling-to-Russia girlfriends back home.

Note to those studying abroad: if space allows it, bring packaging tape. I have a hella draft, and have been unable to find tape at Media Markt or Ashan. And it is hella cold.