Merry Christmas!

Hello one and all,
I am actually writing you from the US today.  I flew home for the holidays and so glad I did!  I would like to sincerely wish you all the very best in 2012.  I hope you had a blessed and happy Christmas, if you believe in Jesus Christ.  If not, you should not be celebrating his birth.

I left Russia December 22 at 5 a.m.  The taxi I ordered did not show up, so I ended up taking the random cab that was sitting there hoping for a fare.  The driver's name was Anatoly... actually that is the Russian version of his Azerbaizhani name, like I go by Liza.  We agreed that if I got him some shoes and a t-shirt from the USA, he would drive me home from the airport on the way back for free.  Because of the delay, I was worried the whole time, but I made my flight, just in time.  I didn't even get to go to the bathroom until I got on the plane, but I made it.  This meant I at least had a chance of making all my other flights. 

I went from Domodedovo to London, London to Newark, Newark to Jacksonville.  21 hours total travel time.  It wasn't too excrusiating.  I got over jet lag in about a day.  It's 9 hours difference.  When you're coming East to West, it's easier because you just stay up a really long time and then sleep it off. When you're going the other way, you're all messed up.

In Jax I saw my sister and her family, including meeting my new nephew Eddie.  I hung out with them for about 24 hours then flew to Rochester.  It was non-stop.

I then got to see my Dad, Mom, Aunt, Uncle and cousins, best friend Melissa and her husband, and Grandpa.  We went to Mass at Mt. Iranaeus http://www.mounti.com/ .  It was amazing and special. 

Eventually Mom, Paul and I loaded up the van and drove back to Florida.  On the way, stopped in Carlisle and saw the other G and G!

Ok, in case you weren't aware: I'M 30 THIS YEAR! As a birthday present, my family gave me a trip to Disney World!!  Here are some rockin' pics I would like to share:
...actually, pics coming soon.  Love and blessings,
Beth

Oh, Russia.  How I love and hate you.  How annoying you are, yet something about you draws me to you.  I love my life here!  But life in the US is generally a lot easier.  Does this have anything to do with the bank?  You betcha.  Last time... 2.5 hours.  And they took a really huge commision without my permission.  Whatever.
In other, more positive news, I have a Christmas tree!!  Right in my bedroom, the biggest room in the apartment:

As you can see, it's not even, and by American standards, it sucks.  But I love her!  I say that because it's a "she" in Russian.  Normally it should be taller, more even, and more filled in.  But for living in Moscow, she's great.  We covered her with over 550 lights and the very few ornaments we have.  I got it at the french store "leroi merlen" which is like home depot or lowes.  They were all already packed up, so you couldn't really see what they looked like til you got home.  Instead of cutting off the bottom branch that sticks way out, we decided to embrace her the way she is, because the next thing you know we'd start cutting off practically all the branches, and she doesn't have any to spare.  None of these pictures captures the beauty or the scent she adds to the room.  The lights are wrapped around the trunk and move outward from there.

Also, I went back the India exhibit.  Pasha's mother came to town and wanted to see it.  IT WAS AMAZING.  There were the artifacts, some of which are pictured here, and that was nice to see again - but so much more.  I got henna done on my hand and bought a pack for later use.  Olga and I sat in on a "master class" of jewelry-making and got to keep the stuff we made - for free!  I made earrings and a bracelet of real stone.  Pasha sat in on an Indian cooking class.  We got to taste the food and also bought some spicy Indian food for lunch.  We saw more performances of Indian dance and it was incredibly beautiful.  I participated in a dance class, learning the first basic steps, and got leads so that I can enroll in a school and start learning the dance style, which I adore.  I also participated in a "pantomime" moment and won a prize.  This was a bit scary - they called people up on the stage.  Pasha and his mother prompted me to go too.  I wasn't really sure what was going on, as I often am not.  But now I was unsure on a stage in front of a roomful of people.  I listened attentively and found that we were all going to mime different animals and people (from movements of Indian dance) and then the audience would vote on who won.  I was a tiger!  I played my role to the best of my ability, immitating the woman in charge, smiling to myself - if only they knew that this is actually what I do for a living.  The audience then yelled and I wasn't chosen, but I got some bindis and a magazine anyway.  It was fun and adventurous.  Here are the pictures.

And the last two pictures are at my friend Becca's house when we baked cookies.  I'm coming home for Christmas!!  One more day of work and then I get on a plane and fly to the U.S.A.  I'm really glad.  Until next time, hugs, blessings, and happy Christmas and New Year to you! Love,
Beth

THE MOSCOW METRO

Hello. The Moscow Metro is one of the world's most famous metro systems.  It has several lines that cross the city east-west and north-south and diagonal, and one "ring" or "circle line" that traverses them all.  It's pretty ingeniously designed.  It's grown a lot and is still growing.  [Wiki says] It started back in the USSR in 1935 with 13 stations (I'm guessing the red line was the first.)  Now there are 185.  I find that hard to believe, but it's true.  I didn't think there were that many!  I was pretty surprised to see a plaque at my stop (Strogino) that said it was completed in 2008!  [Wiki says] It's the most used metro in the world, besides Tokyo.  I like it a lot.  The metro is cheap, clean and practical.  I use it almost every day.  I go to work and back on the dark blue line.  One of the benefits of the apartment I chose is that I don't have to switch- I get on at Strogino (or Arbatskaya on the way home) and when I exit the train, I'm at my destination.  Strogino is on the far left, 4th from the last stop.  The Russian looks like this: СТРОГИНО.  See map:

Yes, the red line was first.  Arbatskaya, where I work, is the only one where four lines come together, reminding me of L'Enfant Plaza, for those of you familiar with the Washington D.C. metro.  Red, dark blue, light blue, and gray.  See it in the middle there?  So you see I travel 8 stops on my daily journey from the edge to the city center and back, taking about 35 minutes (that white dot doesn't count).

Here is the official website in English for those of you who are interested: http://engl.mosmetro.ru/

And here is a picture of the inside of Strogino:

Don't know when they took this picture - it's so deserted.  All of the stations are different, with a special unique design.  Many are named in honor of Soviet "great things" and ideas, such as the one named for 1905 street, the one named for October (month of the revolution), and partizans' station.  Or rather, they're named for places they lead to, which are named in honor of now outdated Soviet ideals.  I know what you're thinking: where is Leninskaya?  Well, the whole gosh darn thing is named in honor of Lenin.  It's officially called "The Moscow Metropoliten in the name of V. I. Lenin."  I'm thinking ok, that guy knew what he wanted, and intended good things, but isn't it a little strange... if you think about it... that we all use a metro in the name of a guy whose dream didn't come true, the country he created having turned "evil" and flopped?  And not only the Moscow Metro!  There's the National Library, a zillion statues and monuments still standing, and much more.  He's there still, in Red Square, a waxy figure lying in his mausoleum.  When I pass into the metro, if I happen to glance at the official title, I will think of him, and wonder what's in store for Russia's future.

They don't have a Stalinskaya, I don't think (thank God).  He got a city named after him, a name they later changed.  By the way, I've never seen Lenin and never will.  Why would I want to see an embalmed body?  There are so many beautiful things to look at here instead.  Russians are weird.

Many other stations are named in honor of great poets, authors, scientists, etc.  There is a "metro tour" you can do if you visit.  It will take you to the best known, most interesting and beautiful stations.  There are a lot of sculptures, mosaics, etc.

Every morning I hope to get a seat.  But most mornings, it's a pipe dream.  The best I can do is position myself in front of not one but two seated people, doubling my chances that one of them will leave and I'll get to sit the rest of the way to work.  It's customary and even "the rules" that one must give up one's seat to the elderly, passengers with children, the handicapped, and pregnant women.  But in the morning I think no one notices these things.  Everyone is tired and envious of the seated.  Most times as we ride the metro, especially during rush hour, everyone is quiet.  Often there's a game of don't-get-caught-making-eye-contact.  However, many people read, watch video on a mobile device, do a crossword or close their eyes.  Sometimes people play the accordian and hope for donations.

In other news, we had a "concert" at work today.  My EFL kids (English as a foreign lang - 4 and 5 year olds) and other people's EFL classes stood up and sang English songs for parents.  It was cute.  Thank God it only lasted 1/2 hour, including "meet and greet" afterwards.

I want a Christmas tree.  I've decided to get one.  Last time I went to the store, (Dec. 2), they didn't have any yet.  We'll try back on Sunday.

Love and blessings,

Beth