Russia is just like Minnesota, except not.

After living in Russia, there are certain things that have become normal to me. I recently started to take note of these things which, back home, seem absurd and/or unhygienic. Here, it's just another part of my life. So, here are a list of things that are COMPLETELY normal in Russia.

1. Synchronized clapping during applause (see video above)
2. Drinking hot tea/coffee out of flimsy, disposable plastic cups.
3. Ordering food that was prepared hours ago, and has been sitting on a shelf getting cold (don't worry, they microwave it when you buy it. Inside of a plastic bag, if possible.)
4. I've mentioned this before, but: Rhinestones. Everywhere. (I think I could make millions here if I had only thought to bring a bedazzler.)
5. Asking at restaurants if they actually have a certain item listed on their menu (because sometimes they are out of almost everything).
6. Showing up 15 minutes late for class (as a teacher).
--- 6a. Texting your teacher to find out what room you have class in, because you never know until 5min. before the class begins.
--- 6b. Finding a certain number of chairs in your classroom to be broken, but sitting on them anyway
7. Wearing the exact same outfit multiple days in a row
8. Loud music in restaurants, combined with large flat-screen TVs playing music videos/cartoons on mute (never to the music that is playing, just random stations. You end up watching Beyonce or loops of Family Guy while listening to K-pop)
9. Assigned seating in near-empty Movie Theaters
10. Purple and green french-tipped nails with butterflies and glitter (and all other ridiculous combinations of nail-art).

There you have it. None of these things seem strange to me, and I myself am guilty of participating in almost every single one of them. Except the last one... Now way, Jose.

Love,
Sarah

Life = Kasha.

Dear readers, I apologize for not writing in so long --- I have been far too busy sleeping.

In all seriousness, I find it impossible to wake up at a reasonable time here. Perhaps because it's below freezing every day? Maybe because the sun rises so late in the morning? Or because I don't make it home for dinner before 10:00pm? No matter what the reason, I wake up as late as possible each morning, and have long since understood that I will probably never make it to the University in time to teach a class before 11am. Such is life, living 45 minutes away from my work. Other than that, I have been keeping busy despite low temperatures and copious amounts of snow falling each day.

Top of the agenda for last month was Halloween, which was a fabulous (if stressful) event in all senses. I organized a Halloween party for my students, had a television interview in Russian with the local morning news station, and had time to celebrate with my friends as well. Russia doesn't really celebrate Halloween, which is why my presence at this time of year was such a novelty. It was enough motivation for everyone pretty involved in the holiday --- at least among students in our department. I was a spy one day, a ninja the next (the easiest costumes, just wore a lot of black). We ate far too much candy. No regrets.

Here I am being an awesome Teacher. Probably laughing at my own joke.

My students are great, too. They applaud when I tell lame jokes.

Fabulous costumes. The bunny gave me a candle as a gift!

After Halloween, of course, comes the day I usually spend more time blogging about than any other: My Birthday. Not so much to tell this time, other than the fact that my friends here are wonderful, and they threw me a great big dinner-party. I made spaghetti for everyone, they made a ridiculous amount of side-dishes, and there was more dessert than anyone could have wanted (but we ate it all anyway, if my memory serves me right). Being 23 is pretty okay!

Celebrations aside, my life here is still great. Teaching is becoming more involved, now that everyone knows who I am and I no longer have to spend an entire class period introducing myself and answering questions about America. I'm also helping to organize a conference next month at my University, and have invited other Fulbright ETAs to present and lead a round-table discussion with Siberian English teachers. More news on that next month, I guess. Oh, and I made it to Baikal for a second time! This time the weather was beautiful (although ridiculously cold). What a beautiful place, I can't wait to visit when it freezes over.

One of these days I will be able to analyze/remark on some aspect if Siberian/Russian culture, but seeing as I've lived in this country before, I'm finding myself really comfortable. I forget which things are interesting or out-of-the-ordinary to other people, because I still feel like Russia is my second home. Ever since my first visit, I've been of the opinion that Russian life makes more sense than any other life I've known, and I love it. I'm always happy here. I buy my groceries, I take the bus, I work with interesting people, I live with good friends, I cook for everyone, and I sleep as much as I can. Kind of bland --- Like Russian kasha... But I love kasha! Bland is beautiful, sometimes.

...Or, you know, maybe I should find a new hobby. I'll work on that.

Love you all,
Sarah