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