Greetings, imaginary blog readers. It's been a while. The end of last year went remarkably smoothly. I had a bunch of errands to run before leaving Russia for the summer. Banks, post office, groceries, gifts, etc. I also managed to see my friends one more time before leaving. Lena and I went out and I invited Masha to my performance. My dance class was invited to perform at a festival of international food and travel! It was dope. ;) But I digress... from the beginning.
End of May:
-move out of Strogino and into Pasha's first home. The move felt like a daring escape from hell. Our former roommate, who I am sure is bi-polar, made life indescribably miserable for a few days, and when we were actually loading up the truck and leaving (after a tiring day at work,) she made the landlord come and watch us by telling him we were stealing and breaking things. Stressful? Not at all. As we drove away I felt like Indiana Jones running away with the artifact as a giant boulder and the natives with poison darts pursued us. Thank heaven for that pontoon boat!
P.S. proud of Pasha for purchasing an apartment in Moscow! The value can only go up! What a responsible young man.
June 10:
My bellydance concert! We've been rehearsing since January, and the class boiled down to us 4 serious ladies, and we got to perform on stage with many other groups of ethnic dance. It went well! Videos on facebook. I confess I do love the Indian bollywood dance better than the Arabic.
June 23-24:
We got in to the festival for free as performers - called upon to do our dances again on the grass surrounded by spectators at this very cool festival of international culture and cuisine. At this time I didn't do quite so well, but mistakes are something you're a lot more aware of than the crowd, I hope. Still o.k. Then I got to enjoy the rest of the day! There were performances of all sorts, and great food! This is where I saw my girl Masha and her boy Zhenya.
June 30: Time to go! My flight was such that Pasha could accompany me to Domodedovo, so that was great. He didn't understand why I got in a long line when there was an hour left before takeoff, instead of sitting down in a cafe and hanging out some more. By the time I got there, the lady said I was late! But of course I caught my plane and flew back home to the place where my family is. But not before one more adventure!
In the airport full of thousands of people, I was standing in line for check-in, when I saw - in the same line - MY PROFESSOR! I saw the immistakable bald head and even from behind I knew it was him. I immediately went up to him - Pasha stayed in line with the bags - and was fast approaching. Then, when I was right there, I doubted a little, in case I'd be accosting a look-alike - and then timidly said, "Professor Sergay?"
He turned around and his jaw dropped. "Beth." We were on the same plane! What are the odds? I didn't even know he was in town, and we were flying back to the U.S. on the exact same flight. I hadn't been in touch in a long time, but he is very dear to me, as are all my former Russian professors, one from undergrad and four from grad school.
During the flight I approached him and invited him to eat gourmet chocolate and chat with me in the restroom waiting area. We talked on and on and it made the 10.5 hour flight bearable! In fact, quite pleasant. I will never forget what a small world it is :)
End of May:
-move out of Strogino and into Pasha's first home. The move felt like a daring escape from hell. Our former roommate, who I am sure is bi-polar, made life indescribably miserable for a few days, and when we were actually loading up the truck and leaving (after a tiring day at work,) she made the landlord come and watch us by telling him we were stealing and breaking things. Stressful? Not at all. As we drove away I felt like Indiana Jones running away with the artifact as a giant boulder and the natives with poison darts pursued us. Thank heaven for that pontoon boat!
P.S. proud of Pasha for purchasing an apartment in Moscow! The value can only go up! What a responsible young man.
June 10:
My bellydance concert! We've been rehearsing since January, and the class boiled down to us 4 serious ladies, and we got to perform on stage with many other groups of ethnic dance. It went well! Videos on facebook. I confess I do love the Indian bollywood dance better than the Arabic.
June 23-24:
We got in to the festival for free as performers - called upon to do our dances again on the grass surrounded by spectators at this very cool festival of international culture and cuisine. At this time I didn't do quite so well, but mistakes are something you're a lot more aware of than the crowd, I hope. Still o.k. Then I got to enjoy the rest of the day! There were performances of all sorts, and great food! This is where I saw my girl Masha and her boy Zhenya.
June 30: Time to go! My flight was such that Pasha could accompany me to Domodedovo, so that was great. He didn't understand why I got in a long line when there was an hour left before takeoff, instead of sitting down in a cafe and hanging out some more. By the time I got there, the lady said I was late! But of course I caught my plane and flew back home to the place where my family is. But not before one more adventure!
In the airport full of thousands of people, I was standing in line for check-in, when I saw - in the same line - MY PROFESSOR! I saw the immistakable bald head and even from behind I knew it was him. I immediately went up to him - Pasha stayed in line with the bags - and was fast approaching. Then, when I was right there, I doubted a little, in case I'd be accosting a look-alike - and then timidly said, "Professor Sergay?"
He turned around and his jaw dropped. "Beth." We were on the same plane! What are the odds? I didn't even know he was in town, and we were flying back to the U.S. on the exact same flight. I hadn't been in touch in a long time, but he is very dear to me, as are all my former Russian professors, one from undergrad and four from grad school.
During the flight I approached him and invited him to eat gourmet chocolate and chat with me in the restroom waiting area. We talked on and on and it made the 10.5 hour flight bearable! In fact, quite pleasant. I will never forget what a small world it is :)
