Russian Proverbs

За спрос не бьют в нос- They don't hit you in the nose for asking

Знает кошка, чьё мясо сьела- The cat knows whose meat it has eaten

Кто смел, тот два сьел- Who is brave eats two

Не было у бабы хлопот, так купила порося- The woman had no trouble, so she bought a piglet

Усь в честь, а борода и у козла есть-  Moustache is respected and beard is worn even by goats

i miss...

Moscow. I miss the simple life. And by simple life, I mean a time when my only concern was learning Russian, and not getting mugged or raped. I miss the assumptions people made about me because I didn't have enough language to defend myself- they were usually nice. Galina Mikhailovna thought I was a trusting soul. I like that she thought that. Tamara Evgeneevna said I was boring. Ok, I can live with that too. As long as I bounced along, read a bit and did my best to spit out a sentence, they were happy. Here I have to explain things and let people get to know the REAL me, not the "I'm an american studying in Moscow aren't I naive la la la" me. There's no wall here preventing people from seeing me. The more I say, the more suspect I am. I miss exploring. I miss standing in Red Square and being so taken by the fact that I was IN red square. I miss posh McDonalds! I miss beautiful subways.

I miss actually sleeping, a ton... so, good night friends

crafted to death

Hello friends, it's Monday morning and I'm completely exhausted from this weekend. I spent the WHOLE time crafting for my "little." Friday, Saturday, Sunday- all given to crafting. Perhaps this makes no sense, and so I should explain: in sororities, when a new pledge class comes in, the older girls may choose to take a little sister. It's a secretive process that culminates in Big/Little Week, in which the big sister, who is a secret to the little sister, gives her a ton of stuff, quite secretively. This means the big, me, has to buy a lot of clothing and then proceed to mark said clothing with CHI OMEGA. or XΩ. And so on. This involves several days of ironing, cutting, and puffy painting. I'm all done now and pretty handsomely in debt, but I'm pretty pleased with the effect.

To counter the debt I have gotten myself into, I worked two shifts at work on Saturday, one in the morning and one at night. They were both pretty relaxed, the night shift was completely quiet except for a few drunken groups stumbling into the cafe and making random drink orders. One guy ordered 5 shots of espresso, all in separate cups, but he didn't want the cups meant for espresso orders, he wanted regular sized cups. Then he forgot that he had ordered this so we made it and said "hey, you, your espresso is ready" and he looked confused and then went, "Oh riiiighhhht! Dude I will DRINK THAT UP. Give it to me!"

I know I promised a book review of the highly enthralling "Twilight" series but when I was shopping the other day I encountered the 3rd book of the series, entitled Eclipse. So you will have to wait another week or two for my rant.

Anyone else watch the Oscars? They were really weird. I haven't really seen any movies lately except for Doubt, so I had no real opinions but I was pretty spot on in my predictions. I was however desperately hoping Mickey Rourke would get best actor for The Wrestler but of course he lost to Sean Penn. Slum Dog rocked it, Kate Winslet finally got hers and began to hyperventilate on stage. How about Alan Arkin saying "Seymour Phillip Hoffman?"

And best speech of the night goes to...

to sum it up...

I guess you could say that this picture sums up my valentines day...

Just kidding! This picture sums up my friday the 13th. My friend Sara who is leaving very very soon for a semester in Australia paid us a visit this weekend. We began Friday night pretty enthusiastically, as evidenced in this picture, but then it somehow dwindled by 12 or so and ended with us ordering pizza and watching "The 10th Kingdom." I don't know how these things happen.

Valentines Day was pretty awesome, I ate way too much chocolate and felt pretty good about it, and saw DEREK TRUCKS BAND! I was completely blown away. I'm tempted to see another concert of his in PA in April- it was that awesome. Best live show I've ever seen (though that might change if I can ever score some Flaming Lips tickets...) Two of my roommates also saw it, and as we drove home together Beyoncé's "All the Single Ladies" came on the radio. We all looked at each other and sighed in disgust. Someone noted: "It's like we just ate this huge 12 course dinner prepared by the finest chefs in the world and now we have to go back to eating junk food." I couldn't agree more.

Today was my SECOND day of work! Yay! I was pretty stressed because it was the shift when my boss comes in and as I have seen and heard from some people, she is one tough old bird. She likes things done her way and she will bitch you out if you don't. Or just fire you. But she didn't get on my case so let's hope I can keep it that way. Apparently the trick is to always look busy. 

Well, I really need to get to bed, I've been having some issues balancing work and leisure ever since a certain mother sent her daughter the first two parts of one of the most addictive book series ever. Yes, I am referring to "Twilight." I received this box from my mom last... Wednesday? And I have already finished the two books, each 400 pages or so. That means some hasty homework and hermit-like activity. I'm a little ashamed to still be able to be caught up in the MOST ridiculous love/angst story I've ever read, and I'm already formulating my own little book review which I will share with you soon, and it's not all good. It's actually pretty bad. Mostly because this is THE most pathetic heroine I've ever come across. Even Harlequin Romance leading ladies could whoop this little vampire lover's ass. But anyways... more later. I'll be dead on my feet tomorrow for sure- good night!

Happy V-Day!

Does it seem like this valentines day is a bigger deal than it has been in the past? To me it seems that way this year. Any theories?

And anyone else tired of moaning and groaning from the "anti-Valentines" camp? I've been single too in years past on Valentines Day and somehow I made it through the day without grumbling about the Hallmark company, glaring at people who like to celebrate, and fiercely opposing those who wish me a happy day by saying "you mean happy SINGLES AWARENESS day." I mean... come on. We all know it's a BS holiday. We don't get the day off from school or work. Maybe you don't like the typical traditions, or maybe you don't feel like buying roses or being compelled to be "romantic." Then don't! I see it more as a day to let my friends know I care about them, tell my family I love them, and feel excused to indulge in some chocolate or whatever else. And, of course, if you just object to the holiday or don't want to celebrate it- don't! There are holidays I don't celebrate or necessarily believe in but I don't spend my day whining about the fact that it exists. I don't even really have any traditions around V day and I'm not stomping around, pissed at the world just because my boyfriend is 1,000 miles away and we won't be able to be together tonight. I'm watching a horror movie right now, I haven't counted calories in the cookies or pizza I've eaten today, and I'm seeing Derek Trucks Bands tonight. My advice: chill out, you should enjoy your day no matter what! Although that's usually my advice on any given occasion, to just chill out. 

So be cool everyone and have a great day!

I'm sorry I'm so terrible at updating this. I'll make it my homepage or something so I won't forget.
That said... nothing really to update about! I've worked exactly one night at my new job, but am scheduled for a few more in the future. It's hard work but it's A LOT better than student calling, and all the people I work with are really helpful and friendly.
I've lost a total of 6 pounds in the last month, my new years resolution being 10 pounds. So close!
Annnnd happy valentines day! In celebration, here's a puppy:

And because I love kitties too, a kittie in a box

Already February

I'm really bad at updating this thing. 

Let's see... I'm done training for my job and now the problem is getting hours! I'm only a sub so I work when other people can't work, but I'm not allowed to work certain hours until I get more practice. So far I'm working Feb 21st from 9-midnight, and that's it!! Although I've only been part of the mailing list for 2 days and already 3 or 4 requests for subs have come up. So let's hope these hours start rolling in or I will be in some monetary trouble.

I'm also recovering from a bit of an illness, although I'm now suspecting that it's a sinus infection. Our campus health center really sucks so I'm not too anxious to go there and get it taken care of. I'm almost over it so that's good.

I'm also in the process of mayyybe finding an internship in Pensacola for the summer. So far they all look horrible except for one where I would work for the tourism board, and it's only part time. That would mean having two part time jobs. 

Well that's all for now, but I'll try to write again soon.