Feb 24, 2009 20:09
Notched fall #9 of the winter. Seriously, spring can start any time. My students are reading about spring in Narnia and I just want to look out the window and mope. Or possibly stay in bed until it's as warm out there as it is in here. But the ice is melting, I can see it every afternoon--the placid puddles that will become tomorrow morning's worst slick spots. Remember those stairs I posted the picture of? The bottom step is emerging. And the courtyard behind the building was full of fog today.
Oh, and we finally got the living allowance surveys from Post. They do these every year to try to keep track of inflation and make certain that our paycheck is enough to cover our expenses. Not only does this justify the ridiculously elaborate spreadsheet I keep of my spending here (because I have elaborate spreadsheets for EVERYTHING. They make me HAPPY) but it gives me a chance to reflect on just how much juice I drink in a given month. I mean, dude. Problems, though: the list of food items is enumerated all goofy, listing items like "deli meats" (which don't exist here!) or "chicken" without specifying if it's a whole chicken, or breast filets, or okorochka (chicken-leg quarters) even though there is a massive different in prices. It also leaves off tea, cooking oil, rice, cheese and a couple other things I consider stables, while folding in lots of stuff under "Other fresh vegetables" and "Other canned goods." Yet kefir gets its own subheading, as does pizza. Also, there's no category for work-related expenses. I have to buy my own chalk and tape, you guys. Post needs to know these things.
(Though speaking of kefir, I kind of want oladushki. Maybe I'll get MA to come over the weekend of Women's Day and we can make them and eat them with jam and watch Merlin. Hee!)
All I have to do tonight is make up a quiz, though. Well, two quizzes. Because if my students are not going to shut up when I give them a quiz, I will just give out two different quizzes. HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT, STUDENTS? BWAHAHAHAHA.
(I need a nap.)
work,
peace corps,
weather,
food