Halloween in Russia!

Hey Everyone,

So I am sorry that is has been quite some time since I have updated this. The simple explanation is that I have been having a great time. Most of the time is spent with my roommates hanging out in our room. They are truly great people and I have loved getting to know them better and better each day. In addition, my computer charger broke so I have no computer now and the internet does not work on my computer.

Anyway, I will try to write a longer post later about Moscow and my Fall Break to Istanbul because there is so much to talk about. But right now I want to talk about Halloween.

Halloween was awesome! My roommates and I just cooked this massive Mexican food meal. There was so much food and we basically recreated Chipotle burritos. Oh and we even made our own lime chips that were so good. But we couldn’t help but snack throughout the entire time we were cooking the meal so we were all stuffed by dinnertime. Oh and then we watched The Shining and A Haunting in Connecticut. And on top of that we had all these candles in the room and there was just massive amounts of candy, cookies, caramel corn, marshmallows, and cookies to make s'mores. It was so filling but so much fun.

I have never really been a fan of Halloween, but I think I have come to appreciate the holiday since I have spent it in Russia. In Russia, they are just now beginning to celebrate the holiday, which surprised me. I never saw any children trick-or-treating. Mostly college students dressed up and used it as an excuse to drink. I am sorry correction; everyday in Russia is a day to drink so this day is just a day to drink while dressed up. Regardless it was great day because the holiday was spent with friends. It was nice to spend the night inside (plus it is freezing temperatures at night now) just enjoying a holiday in a stereotypical manner. I will admit though it was sad not to see the candy aisles in stores and the bright orange and black that covers stores windows and houses. Regardless, it was a great Halloween and one I will remember for later Halloweens. I hope everyone else had an awesome night as well and was safe!

The Differences Between Schools

            I know a lot of people who will read this post will be able to relate with the following statement.  When the school year gets busy, for the most part, the weekends are catch up days.  I know as a student I have spent countless of hours on the weekends doing massive amounts of homework or starting papers and projects early.  Sometimes, it feels like I do not even have a weekend. 

            The point of this story though is that in Russia, the weekends have a different atmosphere.  There does not feel like there is pressure to catch up on homework, or to devote extra time to studying on the weekends.  For instance, this weekend I finished classes and just went out with friends.  Saturday as well, a group of us simply spent hours together talking, cooking, and playing cards from about 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.  Homework does not seem as important here, which really leads me to the my bigger observation of the university system in Russia and Europe. 

            I have been noticing this frequently especially since I started my elective classes.  There is absolutely no homework in the elective classes.  The reading is optional, in fact buying the textbook seems optional as well.  I knew that Europe had a different school system than the United States.  I also had a sense of what the system was like when I took Professor Schmidt’s classes.  I think the differences of the systems were muted though since my other classes supplied enough homework.  Anyway, the system seems different and I am still trying to decide if I like this system or the United States’ system better.  On one hand I prefer the constant homework because I know my grades will not suffer greatly if I ever happened to fail a final.  However, I like the ability enjoy my time here in St. Petersburg and have the time to explore the city.  The free time is interesting and something I am learning to enjoy since I pour myself and my time into homework.  So sometimes I do not know what to do with my time.  I do not know how I feel about the European system of schooling but I am going to try to enjoy it and make the most of my time here.

Musical Reflections

            It has been some time but to me that means things have been well.  The past few days I have been spending time enjoying a short streak of unusal warm and sunny weather.  In addition, I have spent time getting to know more about the other students on this trip.  The people are amazing and really great.  It is still slightly nerve-wracking to go to shops and downtown, but with some members of the group we get through it.  Also, I am really working on using my Russian more even if it is just pieces of words then sentences.  But I am actually very excited to go try to buy fish.  It is hard because you feel slightly ashamed when you are struggling and the workers look down on you but afterwards the accomplishment feeling makes it ok.  You realize that that struggle and possible embarrassment was worth it in the end. 

            So just a quick recap of the weekend, I caught a cold on Friday but I am getting over it at a decent pace.  But I had all my elective classes on Friday.  I have decided to take 18 credits, and I think I can do it.  There really is no homework so I think I will be ok but then that means my grade depends on midterms and finals.  But I really like the classes so far and think I will enjoy them.  I have started finding reading materials for my classes so I at least can get a background in the subjects since I have very little.  I am taking Kiev a Rus to the Revolution (Russian history before the revolution), Russian Orthodox Church, and Contemporary Life of Russia (political science).  I am excited to have time to read about these things.  But that after classes I went downtown to look for books on these subjects and got a book on Putin, which sounds interesting.  Then on Saturday we went to a hockey game and St. Petersburg won.  It was fun and dinner was amazing and cheap!  It was really good Italian, go figure.  Then on Sunday I went looking for books again with some people and found the textbook I need for my political science book along with a travel book for Turkey.  After that a few of us made this really simple but good dish where we just fried fish and vegetables together.  Anyway, then today I went on the Baltika Brewery tour and got the best souvenir as I have stated on facebook.  Instead of tasting like I imagined from my experience at Coors we received steins.  It was pretty cool and everyone was pretty excited. 

            On to other things, I have just been thinking a lot about what I am doing and my decision to come to Russia.  I know in the end I won’t regret it and I am just excited to see where this semester takes me.  I am having a difficult time explaining myself so let me start again.

            Today, I was listening to an old play list on my ipod that I haven’t listened to in awhile.  It’s a play list I created for when I am doing homework and for the most part it is suppose to be mellow, slower music to help me concentrate.  The ironic thing is that listening to the play list total got me pumped up like a workout play list, which ended up being helpful in making me focus on Russian.  Anyway, Kelly Clarkson’s song Breakaway came on and I just had to stop and listen.  For the most part, everything she sang about is what I needed at this time in my life.  I have talked about this slightly but it just seems to ring more true after dealing with a dose of homesickness.  I have never felt challenged like I do now and that was the change that I needed, regardless of how hard I have realized it actually is too breakaway.  Yes, I miss my family and friends but this song and some helpful words from friends who have already study abroad is just the reminder I need that our lives are not going separate places.  Someone once described it to me as the idea that my friends and family are moving forward and parallel with my life here in Russia.  In the end we will dock at the same place and pick up again during that time.  That is just something I have realized and need to remember.  And now I also have new and amazing friends. 

            I don’t know those are just a few thoughts that my music as has put into my head.  It is truly amazing when music just triggers or creates the reflective atmosphere one needs to make discoveries about oneself.  Well, there are other thoughts but those will be for later.  Goodnight!

 

With Much Love,

Emily

It's All Good!

Hey everyone! 

            Thank you so much for the support!  Things have gotten much better and I have gotten to know the people in the group so much better, which helps.  Plus I am joining a gym with some other people from the group and you all know how exercise really helps me focus and stay unstressed. 

            And here is the best news!  I am going to Istanbul, Turkey!!!  I am going for our fall semester break and so excited!!  Some other people from the group are going so it will be awesome! 

            Ok, well it is late here and I need to sleep since I have decided to take 18 credits this semester and thus I have all my elective classes tomorrow.  I don’t think it will be that bad.  Thank you again and I will try to update with the weekend activities later!

 

With Much Love

Emily

Ok, here is the real reason I have not posted in awhile and why I am doing 2 at a time.  I have been dealing with homesickness, and Saturday was pretty bad.  I wrote a post but just held on to that post because I will admit I am slightly embarrassed by the post and that I got homesickness so early.  I also don’t like people knowing that I am having a difficult time so the idea of posting what I wrote at a semi-low moment was terrifying.  But I have accepted it and I have realized that it is important to share.  This blog is for my friends and family back home but it is also for me and when I look back I will need to remember the whole journey not just the highs.  So yes I am going to admit that last post was homesickness for sure.  I actually wrote it earlier in the week but the feeling lasted a few days.  As a result I have been devouring peanut butter and chocolate, which is not good.  Yes, the language seems overwhelming right now but today was a good day and I just need to take it one day at a time.  I also have talked a lot more with a girl from the group I didn’t know very well.  Actually she is from Grand Junction.  But she and I are going through similar feelings so I know I am not alone, which makes me feel better.  It also helps that she spoke no Russian before she came here so we are practically in the same boat. 

            My main issue is that I feel so reliant on others and that just doesn’t bode well with my personality and how I was raised.  I mean, look at my decisions, I moved to Denver and adjusted pretty well I think.  I am very independent in Denver just like I am in Chicago.  Here, that is not the case yet, mainly because the language limits me.  But I am pushing through and have to keep reminding myself that with time I will adjust and figure out methods to survive. 

            Other than homesickness, I have been spending a lot of time getting to know people in the group and staying occupied that way.  Also I went shopping with my roommate, who I really liked and which means that I lucked out once again in regards to a roommate.  Oh and my suite mate is good as well.  But my roommate and I are similar.  She is from Maryland.  But we found this amazing mall, granted it is far away, but it basically has a Super Wal-Mart in it.  So we know where we can go to get most things if we are lacking.  And I found hot chocolate, peanut butter, and fruit there.  That is something difficult.  They don’t eat much fruit and it is kinda expensive.   But I am willing to pay.  Oh and milk goes bad in like 2 days here.  I have never had to worry about buying bad food but they leave food on the shelves past the expiration date.  For instance, the milk that I bought yesterday at 5 p.m. was expired on August 30^th.  It was still good but that means I have to finish it by tomorrow night. 

            But then we dressed up and went out with the group on a boat ride and a small group of us went out afterwards.  Saturday, I did something similar.  I went to that Wal-Mart again but here it is just in a store called the Mega mall.  I went with different people so that was nice.  I really like mostly everyone in the group.  But I stocked up on chocolate and then we went to this café that sold hot chocolate that was literally just a melted chocolate bar.  It was good but more like a special occasion thing.  And I brought new gym shoes so that means I can work out.  Also, we found a Pizza Hut, so when we are really homesick or want some American food we have decided to go there.  Lastly, on Sunday, we went to the Peterhof Palace but it was raining so not so enjoyable and I don’t want to get sick.  I am so glad I bought an umbrella on Saturday because it does rain here a great deal.  Afterwards I binged on chocolate attempted to make Mac and cheese but the cheese did not melt that well, and then did some homework.  I also did a little Pilates with another girl and my roommate so I am glad I will keep it up somewhat.  I have to find more moves for it though because I forgot some. 

            Sorry the end turned into a diary thing.  It is just almost midnight here so I need to sleep since I will be walking stairs at 7:30 in the morning.  I will write a better entry when I have more time and am not falling asleep.  Goodnight everyone!  Or really good morning. 

 

Hey everyone, so it has been a little while, but I have been trying to study Russian like crazy.  This class is pretty difficult and I feel behind so I want to work on it as much as I can.  You know I never really worried about Russian and learning the language while I was here but I don’t know what I was thinking.  This is a hard language and it is going to take a lot of work.  I think the only thing that really bothers me and makes me worried about learning this language is the fact that I have to use it everyday and I do not even have any foundation in the language.  This would not be as stressful if my surroundings didn’t demand that I speak Russian when I know nothing.   All I know is that I hope it turns out well because sometimes I feel completely helpless, which is a feeling a despise.  But as I have been thinking about this after my difficult class today, I feel freaked out yes and highly worried, but I have to force myself to look at the positive.  I am learning a huge lesson in what it feels like to have no resources and be somewhere new.  I feel like this will at least give me even more sympathy.  I mean I feel like an immigrant often and I have never really understood their perspective.  I understand why my great-grandmother didn’t go out without someone who spoke English because you feel so dumb as a person.

            I don’t know that was my little freak-out.  I just have not learned how to function completely and I think even if I do not have a good grip on the language in a week or two I will at least know how to get by, especially under the radar here.  And I have other American students who will help me.  So don’t take it as I am just going to sit in my room, once I get a routine I am sure I will still enjoy the city and go out regardless of my language skills.  I just hope I can keep this up when I get back to the States because this is a lot of time and effort and I feel like if I started I should finish it but at the same time I could see getting frustrated by the difficulty and stopping.  And I need to find Russian music because I feel like listening to English music doesn’t help my learning.  I have looked a little but they only have American music, but the American music is like only 5 dollars at the most!

 

            Anyway, on to brighter topics, the food is not horrible so I think I will be ok.  I had ketchup today though that was spicy, still good but unexpected.  We also were able to see the Hermitage, which is a huge museum here and has millions of pieces of artwork.  There was a 19-ton sculpture in there!  Russian is difficult but I have some letters down and can sound out a few symbols.  Ok here is the thing about Russian; they basically have some different sets of letters so you have to remember not just one letter and its sound but two.  Ok so, let me explain that better.  A Russian letter will look different in print then in cursive.  So the “T” in Russian print is actually of “m” in the form of writing.  Way to make things difficult right!?!  Anyway, I am working on it.  I need to learn the alphabet (that is this weekend’s goal) but I haven’t even learned all the letters yet so that slightly hinders me. 

           

            I think I am done for right now, but I will tell you one of the shadiest things I have seen on this trip so far.  A group of us needed an ATM and we found one in the mall but there was a guy standing there, and he stood there for at least 15 minutes and was still there when we came back.  But he was dressed in normal clothes but as I walked past him I noticed that he had one of those movable keyboards and he was going through the files of the ATM.  Yeah never using that ATM every! 

 

            Ok, well I should go to bed since I plan I getting up and trying to learn Russian again.   

            I had my first Russian class today and it will be an interesting experience.  I am not sure how I am going to do this.  The language is so different and based on a different alphabet.  At least there are about 11 people who have never taken Russian either so I am not crazy and not totally alone.  I would write some of the words I learned in class but I haven’t figured out how to do that on my computer.  Maybe, one day I’ll just upload some of my Russian homework. 

            In terms of the city though, it is much better than what I expected and wrote about before.  The city is much more busy and active now.  I think it was just the fact that is raining all day and on the weekends many Russians go to the country.  But we took the Metro to Nevsky Road, which is a main area.  I loved it down there; it felt like a big city.  The only thing I am worried about is that many people get pick pocketed here so I will have to learn to travel light and just be super aware of my surroundings.  But there is a lot to do and shop for down there.  I am going to buy a Russian Cosmo down there.  Also, there are many movies for sale here that aren’t even out in the States, like the Hangover and its 5 dollars. I don’t know how good it is but I am going to buy one and let you know. And so far it is very difficult to find Russian music, all the music is from America or England.  I’m trying to fully immerse myself into the culture and the language through various aspects.  I am hoping that not hearing English constantly will help me learn better or faster.  Oh and we found a great grocery market so I will not come back emaciated.  I am getting enough food, mama (that is mother in Russian but there are no humps in the m’s so picture it as a lower case m with a capital letter M’s characteristics.).

            Oh so interesting fact.  Over 70% of the foreign students who come to Russia to study are Chinese.  Also, I have a question for many of you: Should I take 12 credits or 15?  I am just not sure what I want to do because I want to take Contemporary Russian life (politics class) and Russian Orthodox Religion and its History (for my religious studies upper division credit).  If I do 12 credits then I have to pick between the two, and I am so interested to study these topics in Russia and from a Russian point of view.  Any help would be much appreciated. 

 

With Much Love,

Emma (the russian name I can pronounce)