Shopping Malls and Matroshka Dolls

Umm hi.

I've obviously run out of good greetings. I think my English is slipping away. Unfortunately my Russian isn't that great yet either. 

First topic of the day: Shopping

When in Russia, try to avoid this. It's not the most pleasant experience unless you are filthy rich or, well, mainly that.

There are a few giant shopping centers here, one of which is ГУМ, which is located on Red Square. Gorgeous place, gorgeous things, but made me realize that window-shopping is over-rated. Thanks a lot 50 cent. (The rapper not the price).

What have I done since the circus, ah yes, another circus. Ha just kidding, but that's actually still to come. Sunday night it's going down, Russian style. This time I AM getting pictures of those bears. 

Here's my list of things I've done, from what I can remember..

Saturday July 23rd: Went to a French ballet, Giselle with some of my friends. Coolest thing besides the ballet itself; people in the theater used those fold-out fans to fan themselves with during the play..due to the lack of air conditioning. Everyone there just seemed so "high society". Love it. 

Sunday July 24th: Went to the renowned Большой Театр and stood in line for the sold out show for the student tickets, which they only have 40 of every night. Turns out, with the student discount, the tickets were only 30 cents. Best thing ever. After we solved a quick shoe disaster --sweet Alyse broke her heel right before the show--which resulted in the purchase of $35 flip flops. This is why shopping in Russia is not preferable. Anyways, we made it to the show, saw the incredible ballet and felt really cultured. And sweaty.

Monday July 25th: Went to a Chekov play, The Cherry Orchard, which we saw in Russian. Again hot, but very very neat to watch. Once I drank coffee :) 

That week: Met with my sweet angel of a tutor, Nactya, went to Starbucks with her, got sushi the next day, talked about swords and charades and funny jokes. And about the famous people we've met. This girl is great. She's totally going to invite me onto this super elite online social network for Russians only.. well, by invite only, and I'm going to write a letter of recommendation for her to get an American student Visa. Totally an equal trade there. Really. 

Today, July 29th: Went to an art gallery which was fabulous. Took one picture before I got yelled at... oops. I'll post it. Also went to Starbucks and found my new best friend. You'll know when you see the pic. Oh, and we went to this fantastic bookstore where I found some pretty fantastic gifts. D'Lexis, they must have known what you would like. Can't wait to show you. 

Well, I'm about to set off an incredible weekend and hopefully see the Cosmonaut Museum. So pahmped. Pictures to come. 

From Russia With Love,

-Леночка

 This means love in Russian.. turns out they aren't so different from Austinites after all.

Front Row Freak Show

My creativity is struggling today.

As is my ability to get a decent night's rest. Ну, ладно.

Last night, so yesterday morning for you Americanskis, I went to a real Russian Circus with some people from my study abroad program. I'd like to take a moment to thank UT for buying me front row tickets to this show. Hereafter I will describe what I saw:

*** If anyone is a member of PETA or has cried during an episode of Animal Cops on Animal Planet, just scroll through this next part real quick.

Once we got in and found our seats--in the front row because it's more important that we college kids see the circus than these little children-- an orchestra started playing music and the lights went down. Unfortunately so did my ability to take pictures. These Russians are not eager to share their secrets. Hence, my descriptive skills have got step up their game. Leehgoooo.


Bears on leashes, check
Bears jumping over dogs, check.
Bears driving motorcycles with dogs jumping on and off of them, check.

Magic tricks, check.
Trapeze artists, cool check.
People dressed like the Black Eyed Peas in glow in the dark futuristic clothing doing dances and stunts in the air, whaaaaat? check.

Girls in scandalous clothing, check.
Girls in scandalous clothing doing things much to close to chair dancing in front of small children, awkward check.
Girls being transformed into kittens, unfortunate check.

Baboons, nasty check.
Baboons walking tight ropes, check.
Baboon walking right in front of me while I refused to make eye contact, scary check.

Tons of men in spandex, obvious check. This is the circus.
Men doing what looked to be interpretive dancing, fantastic check.

Lions in a ring with a lion tamer, check.
Six lions in a ring with a tap-dancing lion tamer, cooler check.
Lion peeing right in front of me, not-cool-dude check.

Light show, check.
Light show that looked like Ellie Goulding's music video while the instrumental version of the Brian Adams song from Spirit of the Cimmarron played in the background, ultimate awesome check.
Me being thoroughly impressed with the circus check.
Me considering dropping out of college to join the circus, still-an-option check.

Gotta go eat breakfast. I'll try and see if anyone got a picture of those bears..
До Свидания!

One week down but so much Moscow to go

What a day. What a week. What an enormous amount of time I have yet to go.

Much excitement in the air. Also lots of rain.

Somehow I still have the energy to write so I will explain the madness that was my day.

Today is Sunday. Today marks the first week I've been here in Moscow. Great day.
I woke up to a thunderstorm this morning because I slept with the windows open (a necessity during the summer here in Russia) and it was so relaxing. I could feel it washing away not only the dirt and grime on my windowsill but also, figuratively, my frustrations and struggles I've been experiencing.

I was supposed to meet up with my tutor, Nastya, the cutest Russian girl ever. In heels (I wore boots today) I  think I was a good foot and a half taller than her. She's precious. We had decided to meet at the Belarusski Vokzal (metro station) so I set off with a borrowed umbrella and high hopes. Upon making my way to the train station alone--something I'd never done before-- I realized just how clueless I was about how to get anywhere. Thankfully I was able to cut through back roads and use my slightly functional sense of direction to get me to the metro. Phase 1; complete.

Once I got there, my tutor called and we began the ever-difficult process of trying to explain where we were and where I needed to go to find her, in two very different languages. After someone came up to me and borrowed my phone, I finally found her (She totally found me). From there, we took the metro and went to this great art museum with some of the most notable Russian artists. So cool.

After that we got back on the metro, where I preceded to go home and once again get myself lost in this great city. I was looking for a certain exit, got approached by some sketchy guys, said "I don't know" in Russian because I really had no idea what they said and went into the first entrance I saw at the metro station. Unfortunately for me, doors here are not two-way, and once I went inside, I couldn't find the exit. Oh crap. As I tried to not look completely lost, I  followed a couple people through an entrance and had to go through a metal detector and talk with the полиция (police) who was actually very much on the nice side. After he started talking to me I had to explain that I didn't understand him or speak Russian very well and then asked for directions--my professors would be so proud-- to the street I lived on.

Long story short, I survived. Maybe this Moscow thing will work out after all.. I'll keep you posted. Until then , here are my latest photos from our Kremlin tour and visit to Gorki Park. Night!

Jetlagged.

Heyyyyo.

So I somehow forgot how terribly exhausting overseas flights can be. I'm fully aware now.

(Sunday)
Things I experienced upon arrival to Moscow:
-Sweat. So. Much. Sweat. (No A/C there or anywhere here)
-People staring at us getting off the plane as we walked through a chute of humans.. Probably as close to the red carpet as I'm going to get.
-Rain once we got outside. This I liked.
-People that view driving lanes as more of guidelines than rules.
-Lots and lots of Russian words. That one I was expecting.

Monday:

Woke up at 5am like clockwork. Super peaceful though. I was able to watch the sunrise on my windowsill.

After that we had orientation at the university and took a boat tour of the city where I was able to take some pictures. I'll post them along with my address. When I find some time and energy, I'll post some of the crazy stories.

Until then,
-D'Laney

125040 Moscow
ul. Skakovaya, 9
(D'Laney Kernan) c/o ASPRIAL
RUSSIA

Day Zero. Seven hours to takeoff

Hello world.

I don't if I've ever gotten so much done on just one Starbucks triple grande peppermint mocha latte before. This is top-notch stuff. My little nook at 501 is all cleaned out now and I can't believe I won't be able to visit it legally again. How unfortunate.

On the brighter side, in seven hours I get to set off on a journey of a lifetime to China. Just kidding, it's definitely Russia. This would be a weird blog title if it wasn't. Welcome to the humor of a coffee drinker. I lost my train of thought five times while writing that last sentence. This is going to be rough.

My initial plan for today was to work on moving out and stay up all night in order to have a better chance of sleeping on the plane. Now I think I'm just going to be in full-on sleep mode during the flight. Glad I won't be awake to see what happens.

So to everyone I'm leaving behind in America, aka everyone I know, I am already missing you. I can't tell you how much I appreciate being able to have a conversation with you without using a dictionary. I do think that I'm finally ready for the trip though, regardless of what my suitcase has to say about it. I have faith I'll come back knowing at least five new words and as long as Longhorn is one of those words, I'll be happy. As soon as I get the address of my dorm I'll post it. Not that I want anyone to spend a fortune on international shipping but Google Mapping it might prove entertaining.

Final pictures at 501

Time for final shout-outs/goodbyes:

Dad, if you're reading this, I'm not only shocked by your technological abilities but also that you have not contacted me telling me the dangers of writing a blog on the internet. Nevertheless, thank you for them both and for the chance to go on this trip--I promise I'll look both ways before crossing the metro....STREET. I mean street. Seriously thanks, couldn't have made it this far without you.

Mom, Thanks for caring enough to ask what all the phone numbers were for where I'm staying. Even if you've   never made an international call before and don't know what all those numbers are..I will do my best to not make you have to call. Email is where it's at. You send some pretty great forwarded messages so I have faith in you.

D'Lex, my favorite sister. Where to begin? More like where to end... I'll make it short. I love you and I wish you could experience this with me and be in all my pictures. I hear photoshop can solve this problem.. Remind me to look into that when I get back. In the mean time enjoy working for pay and I'll try to do that same for free. :) Enjoy 501 today! Hahaha

Young Life Fam, You guys make my world go round and I am so sad to leave you but SO PUMPED to see you in August. Let the journey begin. College Team: keep the group email alive and I'll rejoin the grouptext once I'm stateside. Go team go!

DG Girls- HEY YOU, I miss you all and don't know how I'm going to take anchor pictures by myself over there.. it's gonna be a bit awkward. Anyways, enjoy the rest of your summers and I'll see you the 13th!

Halley, roomie, friend, wakeboard professional, insane runner. Yeah you. I'm going to miss you so incredibly much. I don't think you understand how much I've enjoyed every minute of my summer with you. So many memories. I think watching you walk to the recycling bin 5000 times to dispose of our milk containers was my favorite. Or any other time we've been together. You're the closest thing I have to a sister besides my actual sister. That said, enjoy my hand-me-downs and keep me posted on your life the rest of the summer. When I get back, we're going to go to HEB and get almond milk. I'm already craving it. Bye Halley. Calculus has nothing on you.

До свидания! 
-D'Laney

Day Negative Two

Well, hello. Or shall I say, Здравствуйте. Things to know about me/this blog:

1. I am not Russian.
2. I am not a blogger.
3. You're still reading this? I'm already impressed by you.
4. I should really be studying for my Russian exam tomorrow.

On to more exciting things.

Today, as in July seventh (because I can't seem to get in bed before midnight) marks two days until I depart for Moscow. As a Russian major at UT, among many other odd things that I am, I will be studying my second year of Russian language at Moscow International University this summer. In Russian, that sentence would be.....much harder to pronounce. You're welcome.

As I write this, I'm sprawled out on the floor of my apartment, accompanied by the confetti stuck to my body from the recent Fourth of July festivities. Someone should really clean this up. Good thing my roommate likes to clean. Halley, you're a superstar.

As for matters of the Russian sort, I plan to keep a daily log of my encounters in Russia for the next five weeks. Kind of like when I planned to take my vitamins every day or clean my apartment on a regular basis...but I fear the confetti tells all. However, I will still attempt it. This is mainly for my own recollection due to my severely impaired memory. I would greatly like to remember my days in Russia. Oh, and from here on out I will be referring to Russia as the motherland. It just seems appropriate.

So where do we go from here?

Well, I will continue to stay in my room and study for my test in T-8 hours. You can do as you please. And I hope that you do. Leisure is God's gift to the overburdened. As is coffee. Try them both. I just did.

Until next time friends,

D'Laney, or in Russian, D'Laney.