From Russia with Love!
PRIVET!
I want everyone to know that getting to internet is even more trying than last semester and I don't understand you study abroad ppl who can update everyday! How do you get there and where do you find the time? I'll try to update as often as I can, but expect absences.
First off, allow me to say that despite the cold (-30), the 5 hour outside wait at the airport alone (PENN STATE never showed), the lack of heat in my room (+10), the bland broth soup I eat everyday for lunch and dinner, the crappy lower level grammar class they stuck me in because they don't offer my level, the weird alcoholic that sits on the stoop outside my gate, and the fact that I haven't felt my toes for about a week ago, I'M HAVING A FANTASTIC TIME!!!!!!!
Really, props to CIEE.
My professors are all really great, and despite the fact that I feel like some of my classes are too easy, they all manage to hold my attention for the 90 minute lessons. I've got Russian grammar, conversation, history (mom and dad know how psyched I am about that), civilization (read anthropology), Literature/arts and finally choir (apparently being able to sing is NOT a requirement, so I thought, hey, why not!?). Class is held in the Smolnyui institute building, which is gorgeous. PLease google it, and look for bright blue and bright yellow 19th century architecture. So gorgeous.
My walk to class is 25 minutes, but there's a shuttle I can catch when it's too cold. I live on Kirochnaya 23, Catty corner to Cherneshevskaya metro station. My new host family is actually a host mom. Her name is Galinna Meyerovna Men, she's Korean Russian with a Jewish patronymic and last name. Our apartment is decently sized. Think Charly's or Mommo's. My bedroom is rectangle shaped with a shortened twin, a coffee table and armchair, a tiny closet and a small desk. The kitchen is more like a kitchennette, but it's cozy. The bathroom has no sink, and no heat. There is no heated water. Taking a shower is like stripping naked and bathing in snow. Still, part of the experience I suppose. I'm really just taking everything in stride. (Rock living on the 5th floor with no elevator - carrying my suitcase up was NOT fun).
The people in my group are fantastic. The days go by so quickly because I spend so much time laughing. I've already developed some really good friends here. Oh eh, I've only got 1 minute left. Shite. Okay, well, I'll finish the update later.
One thing, my new friend kenny (or I call him Wolfgang) goes to GWU and had both Sveta and Richard Markovich - how did I not know him before?!
I want everyone to know that getting to internet is even more trying than last semester and I don't understand you study abroad ppl who can update everyday! How do you get there and where do you find the time? I'll try to update as often as I can, but expect absences.
First off, allow me to say that despite the cold (-30), the 5 hour outside wait at the airport alone (PENN STATE never showed), the lack of heat in my room (+10), the bland broth soup I eat everyday for lunch and dinner, the crappy lower level grammar class they stuck me in because they don't offer my level, the weird alcoholic that sits on the stoop outside my gate, and the fact that I haven't felt my toes for about a week ago, I'M HAVING A FANTASTIC TIME!!!!!!!
Really, props to CIEE.
My professors are all really great, and despite the fact that I feel like some of my classes are too easy, they all manage to hold my attention for the 90 minute lessons. I've got Russian grammar, conversation, history (mom and dad know how psyched I am about that), civilization (read anthropology), Literature/arts and finally choir (apparently being able to sing is NOT a requirement, so I thought, hey, why not!?). Class is held in the Smolnyui institute building, which is gorgeous. PLease google it, and look for bright blue and bright yellow 19th century architecture. So gorgeous.
My walk to class is 25 minutes, but there's a shuttle I can catch when it's too cold. I live on Kirochnaya 23, Catty corner to Cherneshevskaya metro station. My new host family is actually a host mom. Her name is Galinna Meyerovna Men, she's Korean Russian with a Jewish patronymic and last name. Our apartment is decently sized. Think Charly's or Mommo's. My bedroom is rectangle shaped with a shortened twin, a coffee table and armchair, a tiny closet and a small desk. The kitchen is more like a kitchennette, but it's cozy. The bathroom has no sink, and no heat. There is no heated water. Taking a shower is like stripping naked and bathing in snow. Still, part of the experience I suppose. I'm really just taking everything in stride. (Rock living on the 5th floor with no elevator - carrying my suitcase up was NOT fun).
The people in my group are fantastic. The days go by so quickly because I spend so much time laughing. I've already developed some really good friends here. Oh eh, I've only got 1 minute left. Shite. Okay, well, I'll finish the update later.
One thing, my new friend kenny (or I call him Wolfgang) goes to GWU and had both Sveta and Richard Markovich - how did I not know him before?!