10/25/2010

165. The sniffles, the cough, the vertigo, the toilet visits, the headaches, the nauseousness -believe me, we've had it all. And Trina was no exception. She was sick with the 24 hour flu (at least that's what we're hoping) and definitely needed rest. When one's out for the count, I get to teach! I don't love a sick teacher, but I do love teaching and miss having a class of my own. This is a picture of Trina's basic reading class from our first day of teaching.

10/24/2010

164. I just found out that I am co-teaching with the offspring of the founders of Pretzelmaker. Kailin's no stranger to the redolent smell of baked goods. She grew up hanging around the shop as mom and dad baked, cleaned and counted the till. Tonight the secret recipe wasn't shared but the delectable homemade pretzels that she made were. Thank you Kailin!

10/23/2010

163. We roll with the punches and know how to have a good time any which way. We planned our Halloween party weeks in advance and invited all of the host families and our coordinators. But slowly, one by one, we received last minute calls that they would not be coming. Maybe the Russians didn't think they'd be comfortable participating because there was no alcohol, no bi-linguists, and costumes were recommended. Luckily, we had two families come and nine of us teachers showed up in excellent apparel that made it worth our while.

10/22/2010

162. Walking through a dark alley, reaching for a door at the bottom of a stairwell, and creeping through the empty courtyard between tall buildings, we thought this area would be perfect for the St. Petedets (our dance crew) dance off. We were headed for our first hip-hop class after all. Our instructor Max had no idea we didn't speak Russian until 1/2 way through the class. He then counted in English to make us feel more comfortable. It was an awesome class and became even better when he pushed a bunch of choreography on us in a matter of minutes. We'll be returning for sure.

10/21/2010

161. The cute cupcakes always go first. Even if we know they all taste the same, the better looking ones are selectively chosen to leave the sloppy seconds behind. (Could this be applied elsewhere?) I've definitely made some better looking treats before and some of these spice cake cupcakes didn't look this bad but I forgot to take a photo before the quick fingers and hungry mouths got to them.

10/20/2010

160. What's better than hiding out in bookstores on a rainy day? I went solo along Nevtsky Prospect during the storm to find books and maps for our upcoming vacation to the Scandinavian and Baltic regions. Enjoying the solemnity of the evening, I took my time reading, exploring little shops and dining at a balini shop. I wish I could do this more often without breaking ILP rules. I miss introspective alone time while out and about.

10/19/2010

159. It just dawned on us that one of the ILP directors warned that "for some odd reason, girls do weird things when they leave the country, like not shave their legs and other gross things." Well, Casey you're probably disappointed; it's been nearly two months and just three of the five surrendered this evening. I'll tell you why I am continuing: First, I am lazy and love quick showers. Second, I am living in Europe. Third, it's extra warmth. Fourth, I am curious. Fifth, I can threaten my future fiance with photos that will convince him to invest in laser hair removal. 

10/18/2010

158. NPR podcasts and baking. The sunlight seeping through the window and the smell of fresh apples from an orchard made for a perfect afternoon. Getting 48 apple muffins through my small oven did take me through to the late evening but I wouldn't, especially because I can't, take it back. I am looking forward to more baking this week as we get close to Saturday night's Halloween party.

10/17/2010

157. Anastasia! I have now finally watched the movie since its coming out thirteen years ago. I've known the soundtrack's songs for awhile because too many people I acquaint myself with love singing them. But now, now, I can see their placing along with all the quotes my group gratuitously shares with me. Okay, I haven't been changed by this movie nor did I really care for it, but I have visited some of the historic St. Petersburg sites where some of the movie takes place.

10/16/2010

156. The literary hero's last home (now museum) in St. Petersburg. Learning more about Dostoevsky, the Russian novelist, journalist and short-story writer, I am fascinated by his way of thinking. He loved the psychology of the human soul and always questioned moral and philosophical topics through his interesting characters. Learning more about this man's affect on St. Petersburg, Russia and the world, was just the beginning of a great day. The girls and I found, La Cuca Racha, a Mexican(ish) restaurant and finished the evening off with the whole group with Sveta as we made Russian apple pie.

10/15/2010

155. Only one month later from its shipping date and long queues at the post office (total of 2 hours), I ran home with my very first package (ever) tucked under my arm. Tearing apart the the pink box, I not only found my long awaited retainer, but I also had ballet clothes and treats! My mouth watered at the site of these American goodies. Unable to wait, I immediately started scarfing while leaving my gum on the seat next me. My sugar high left me on cloud nine and even three hours later I never came back down to pick up my gum. Unfortunately Trina found out the hard way.

10/14/2010

154. A night out on Nevskty street. Rushing around late at night trying to ship off my Moscow friend's forgotten train tickets to Estonia, wasn't really planned for. But Sarah and I took advantage of the outing on the liveliest, most aesthetically pleasing street in St. Pete. Wanting to appease our appetites quickly, we bought Subway sandwiches with everything on them. We then splurged on this black forest chocolate cake at a quaint coffee house as we discussed important political issues pressing this nation. Okay, not really, but we did enjoy reminiscing about our time in the motherland.

10/13/2010

153. We don't want to see these go! Surprisingly, many in the group look forward to this sweet root crop as a part of our meals. It is currently beet season but it is ending shortly and we can't imagine what else the cooks would use to enhance our food. They may stain your teeth (and maybe something else) red, but this vegetable packs quite a bit of phytochemical and antioxidant support in just a few bites.
Disappointed I couldn't eat much today, especially those, due to a dizzy headache stomach flu yuckiness, Sarah looked like this to me as she finished them up.

10/12/2010

152. This is a site I pass every day on my way to our school. For most, this is a place to deposit their waste, but for others this is a place to assuage grueling hunger, quench a parched throat, or find something needed for the family. These are the repercussions from the soviet years. The dichotomy between the wealthy and the poor still exists. Those I see digging through our trash might wish communism was still in effect so they could live a comfortable life with at least the basics.

10/11/2010

151. Not much can beat doing the Reb Tevya dance. But doing it while residing in Russia- it's close to enlightenment. Using the Russian facebook vk.com, we streamed Fiddler on the Roof for a group of us. For some, it was their first viewing. For others, you might as well have just called this movie a sing-along. We're all wishing parts of Tsarist Russia's 'traditions!' were still alive or at least we'd like to have someone fiddling nearby as we contemplate life and talk with God. Oh, I love Reb Tevya and his wonderful family.

10/10/2010

150. 12:00AM-boarded the metro. 12:20AM-asked to get off the metro and wait for a new train (at least that's our translation of the Russian loudspeaker). 12:27AM-back on the metro. 12:50AM-arrival to the RR station that will take us back to St. Petersburg just as the last metro train finishes its course and closes. 12:55AM-I talk to some train station staff in broken Russian and ask why our train is not listed on the boards? My understanding from them is that they'll be changed soon because it's the beginning a new day. 1:10AM-A bit apprehensive the boards have still not changed, I walk out to the boarding area. A local looks at my ticket and anxiously says many Russian words. I eventually understand that we are at the wrong train station (we arrived at this one and of course assumed we'd depart from it as well). 1:20AM-We are rushing out the train station and I'm yelling for taxis (mind you we have 30 min. till departure). 1:25AM-After speaking Russian and Chinese (I was really flustered and anything I could communicate with was coming out) we were flying through the streets of Moscow. 1:37AM-After a $60 payment, we made it just as the train was pulling up.
No one's bunk neighbor fell out of their bed in the middle of the night during this ride (happened on the way there), instead thawing bloody meat dripped on Sarah's pillow all night as a cat pounced around nearby.

10/9/2010

149. I am at the Izmaylovo Market market in Moscow donning my hat while my friends act spastic in the background. This is the place to bargain for those artisan crafts you familiarize with Russia. One can find a Matryoshka doll (nesting dolls) for everyone there, from BYU football players to a melanin changing Michael Jackson. I bartered for foxy (my hat made out of a fox who died of natural causes), but I didn't have much money left to buy anything else. Sorry family and friends.

10/8/2010

148. Just posing for the camera on one of the most influential grounds in history: Red Square. It was here that Ivan the Terrible confessed his misdeeds. Mass executions took place in 1698. Napoleon blew up parts of the Kremlin before his retreat in 1812. Soviet rulers chose Red Square for their military parades and during the Cold War, they rumbled their tanks across the square to remind the West of Soviet military power.

10/7/2010

147.

10/6/2010

146. An evening out in the cold doesn't sound enticing all that often, but we persevered and made it happen. And what would be beckoning us to leave our warm nooks you may ask? Institute. It seems to be about the only far outing we do during the weekday nights because of our 10PM curfews. It is short and sweet but I often need it, not only for spiritual reasons, but because I am at my apartment way too much. If you know me, I need to be out and about often or else I get anxious!

10/5/2010

145. Creaky floorboards in my eighth floor apartment aren't the most conducive for supporting Jillian Michael's gnarly workouts. And freezing to death in the parking lot jumping a rope, doesn't always make me eager. And the girls in my group are smart enough to decline all of my invites to go running. (I can't go alone since it's against the rules.) I might not have the endurance of a lifetime when I get back to America, but at least I have Winser to make sure my body doesn't completely deteriorate in Russia.

10/4/2010

144. If mundane activities weren't included in my blog, I'd have no variety. A busy Monday filled with observing classes, co-teaching, emailing coordinators, reporting, and acting as a liaison for the Provo headquarters. Apparently this busy day didn't spawn any spontaneous photos, except for when I told these girls at 9:15PM, "crap, I don't have a photo for today." In case I ever want to remember, this is a typical shot of a weekday night.

10/3/2010

143. Adopted-for-a-day group members (cute Moscow ILP teachers), lots of cookie dough, and streaming conference made for a really great afternoon on Sunday which succeeded a wonderful fast Sunday at our ward house.

10/2/2010

142. So one day, Audra was inspired to buy a girl's dinner. Masha, unfortunately not pictured, was that delightful St. Petersburg local and now she is our friend. She let us tag along with her to The Jazz Club bar Saturday night for an Italian and Russian fuzed Jazz performance. We loved the relaxing tunes as the band members played the vibraphone, piano, cello and drums but we loved our company even more.

10/1/2010

141. It's banya time! I was told this was a cultural experience not to miss out on. That being said, there was no way I could pass up the opportunity, even if it meant being completely out of my conservative comfort zone. It didn't take long for us to break barriers and feel like goddesses in the Finnish, Turkish and Russian baths, saunas, banyas and steam rooms.

9/30/2010.

140. When I was younger, my parents said we were going to get a trundle bed that fits under Tara's bed. I was the lucky one who would get to sleep on it! Having no prior knowledge of a trundle bed, I thought it would be something similar to these accordian pull-out beds. I even thought Tara could slide me under her bed at night if she wanted more space or if I was an annoyance. My trundle bed ended up being similar to a standard bed and the only similarity between these beds and my own was the jungle print mattress. But if you know a Mormon family that is multiplying and replenishing the earth all on their own with their abundant offspring, may you suggest ingenious stackable beds.

9/29/2010

139. Whitney to Kailin, "If institute isn't this Wednesday evening, then let's just get balinis." Kailin to Whitney, "Or, better yet, let's just do both." So we did. We attended our first institute class with the Russian singles and Dan, another American English instructor, did a fine job translating. Leaving the class late, we were grateful to find the ubiquitous Teremok (coined the Russian McD's) Balini kiosk near the metro. We scarfed our honey glazed balinis/crepes in a matter of minutes but wished they had lasted much longer.

9/28/2010

138. This is how I felt Tuesday night: bummed that I left my phone on top of my friend's Beamer at which it was probably catapulted off during reckless driving and is now lost in the Russian abyss. But low and behold, the once dead phone resurfaced when the alarm clock started beeping from a folder pocket the next morning. Rushy (my phone) will never have a false death ever again.