You live, you learn

On the one hand my weekend was successful. I ordered food, tea, and a hookah in Russian, I added more days to my metro pass in Russian, I haggled (in English and Russian), and I am continuing to become more familiar with the layout of Moscow. On the other hand . . .

I did not know enough Russian to make sure I ordered more hot water instead of more tea, so I was overcharged. I wish I would have communicated better -- next time I will try harder and just tell him isho voda (more water). I got a little frustrated because I’m pretty sure the waiter wasn’t using simple language, so I just got overwhelmed because I couldn’t understand. Some people are great – when they realize you don’t speak much, if any Russian, they start using simpler sentences and words and involve gestures to ask you the same question (like the metro pass lady who wanted to know if I wanted to put the money on the card I handed her – of course!) – but others don’t even try and walk off as frustrated as you are because of the language barrier.

Today at the souvenir market, I was too wrapped up with buying things, so I really didn’t think about what I was buying until I got home. Now I am suffering incredible buyer’s remorse, feeling like I got ripped off, and wishing that I could return things. Hopefully the feeling passes, and I become even more motivated to find proper Russian lessons! Each day is a lesson in things I need to be aware of and words/phrases I should know. Yesterday I learned the different words for strawberry and plum, but unfortunately, not until I ordered a strawberry mint hookah (not the greatest combination).

Anyway, you live you learn.

Sunrise: 19 December

Snow and Christmas

It has been exceptionally cold the last couple days with the humidity rising and the temperature dropping. Today we finally got a second decent snowfall! I will have to take more pictures just in case it doesn't last.


Snow falling outside my apartment before I darted inside

Ah, ah, but you want to know about (western) Christmas in Moscow ...
Even though I had to work, Christmas quite nice. I had an excellent day and felt great. It turns out that as long as I get a nice, relaxing, holiday filled morning with a generous breakfast and a present or two - the rest of the Christmas will be great! After Christmas morning at home with pancakes and stockings, Rachel and I went to the Christmas lunch and gift exchange with the other native English speakers. Then back to work!

Fortunately, my students were more than generous for Christmas and didn't mind that the lessons took a less serious, more holiday spirited tone (the teenagers were probably glad of it even though on Christmas proper I only had 3 of the 9 show up!). Many of them were aware that Western Europe and America celebrate Christmas on the 25th of December (rather than the 7th of January), so I heard "Merry Christmas" many times and received way too much candy, which I promptly handed out to anyone and everyone! I have a feeling there is more candy on the way as it is not yet new year and this is the big, commercial holiday in Russia.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Wishing for snow and trying to tune into the holiday spirit in Moscow

Though I am homesick, and missing the American version of holiday spirit (especially went it comes to songs in public places), I am finding there is a bit of holiday cheer around Moscow. Unfortunately, there is still no snow on the ground and everyone is wishing for it! Need someone to come and do a snow dance.


The yolka (Christmas/New Years tree) at Mayakovskaya Ploshad near work in downtown Moscow.


Rachel and I being tourists and posing in a fairy tale (I still need to find out exactly which fairy tale this is). Unfortunately the man taking the photo only got one photo even though we switched places and he thought he took more than one picture.


Our little yolka (Christmas Tree) at Kon'kovo.


This morning the sun was shining, and we had a skiff of snow!


Our snow hill at Kon'kovo - they have snow making machines going.

Peanut Butter Cookies

I received the first package my parents sent near the middle of last week. They sent it off on the 30th of October, and according to the United States Postal Service (USPS), the package arrived in "Russia" near the beginning of November. After that point, the tracking number no longer worked (for obvious reasons), but it took 4-5 weeks to get from where ever it was dropped off in Russia to a post office no where near the address it was sent to. Luckily my flatmate, Rachel, had a package she needed to pick up as well, so we went to this out of the way post office together.

Both our packages contained peanut butter and peanut butter candies - very American things that are hard to find here. Because of this and my interest in sharing different things, I told everyone I would bring in peanut butter cookies Tuesday, since I have Mondays off. And like the banana bread, the peanut butter cookies were a hit. I'm glad I made two batches because the cookies disappeared rapidly (this might have been because those who knew what peanut butter cookies were, Americans, took a few instead of just one!) Never-the-less, once again, I handed out the recipe. It seems that many people did not realize there was peanut butter in the cookies until they looked at the recipe - I guess this makes sense considering that many of them might not have ever had peanut butter before, or at least real, American peanut butter. :)

Anyway, for those of you who are interested, here's the recipe. I have marked vanilla as optional because I haven't been able to find real vanilla here and they turned out fine without (though they probably are even better with!)

GRANDMA WASKO'S PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
1 c. butter 1 tsp. vanilla (optional)
1 c. peanut butter 2 ½ c. flour
1 c. granulated sugar 1 ½ tsp. baking soda
1 c. brown sugar ½ tsp. salt
2 eggs

• Thoroughly cream buter, peanut butter, sugars, eggs, & vanilla.
• Sift together dry ingredients & blend into creamed mixture.
• Roll into 1” balls & roll.
• Put on cookie sheet and use a damp fork to make a criss-cross design on top.

Bake in 375° oven for 8-10 minutes (or until golden brown). Cookies will be soft inside and a little crispy outside.

Enjoy!