24

24 hours in a day. There is a show 24. But that is not why 24 is the title of my blog this week. This week I turned 24. Sept. 29 was my birthday, I got older on that day :) but I am still just as loud and demanding. I thought that it would be a sad and depressing birthday for me because Matt was gone, my sister was in Germany, I am not at home in Minneapolis, my American friends won't be around me. But, actually this birthday was one of the best I have had. Matt called me on that day at 9 am and we talked for over half an hour, then my parents called me (a couple of times) to tell me their wishes. My sister was in Germany at the time, but she send me a few text messages (and brought me a very nice gift, very stylish leather purse), the friend with whom my sister was staying send me a text message and wished me happy birthday. My roommate gave me a gift, another really close friend of my sister's sent me a poem: Happy Birthday! I wish you so much fun as you can place in your soul, walk on water, walk on wall, be very healthy first of all! Have nice time, have nice day, spend your birthday as you may! Many dancing, many drinks, fly all night with your own wings! I love that poem, it's so cheerful. My aunt called me and so did my godparents. It was a great day. To finish it off, my roommate and a very close friend Inna, took me to her friends house, they have 7 kids, and they are super cool. We stopped at the store, got some sweets for tea and marched over there. We did not leave until after 10 pm, it was great. We just showed up, they did not know that we were coming, but were oh so happy to see Inna and meet me (they know my sister). Lida and Semen (mom and dad of the household) were super friendly and wished me happy birthday as well, and one of the kids made me a happy birthday card. Now, what else can one wish for their birthday? I was super happy that day. Yes, my folks were away, my sistere was not by me and Matt was far, but I was the happiest person on that day. I felt happy. Later on, I found out that the Clarks sent me a birthday wish via email, I did not get it till the day after my birthday because my sister had her computer with her in Germany (thus, no access to the Internet). Some people felt sorry for me on this birthday because I was far from Matt, but really, this was the happiest birthday I have had since childhood. I felt loved, what else does a person need to feel joy in their heart? Well, I don't need anything else at all :) Thank you to all of those who made my birthday such a happy day for me, and for remembering my special day this year. Those who forgot, well, thank you for being in my life anyway. I know that life is busy and you can't remember everybody's birthday all the time, but I am thankful that I have so many friends and family both in the US and Russia. I am the luckiest person on the planet. At least that is how I feel in the last 2 days :)

Tests

I thought those were over when I graduated college. In fact I was happy they were over, because I did not like taking them. Actually, I did not mind taking the test itself, I just did not like preparing for it. Well, apparently, here in Russia, employers like to give you tests during the interview process. That is when I realized that maybe I would rather know that there is a test and what is going to be on it. It is so convenient at school, they tell you what to study and all. Here, however, they just tell you that you need to take a test after the itnerview and good luck :) I have never had to pass a test for a job interview in the US. I know that there are some that check your physchology and all that, but here they are a bit different. Tests here are actually multiple choice tests with math problems, reading comprehension, and even problems to work in Excel. I never expected that, I will tell you this for sure. It's no big deal, I guess, I just did not expect them. I wonder how old I will be before I will be done with taking tests, whether for school, work, other interests.

Russia is Different

I know Matt has written a couple of blogs on how different Russia is and how he was a bit freaked out when he was here. Well, I think it's very different, but believe it or not I am not having a cultural shock. I never expected Russia to be super cool. I never thought Russia was going to be similar to the US in the near 30 years. The fact that I did not have high expectations, in fact the fact that I had low expectations of Russia actually help me I think. I am surprised at times that the malls are much nicer than I remember them, the streets are cleaner, the subway is very developed and again cleaner. Not that I am in love with Russia, but it's not all that horrible. Could I live here forever? If I had unlimited resources, I believe I could. Ok, if I had unlimited resources and my hubby by my side. I do miss my house, my sister's apartment is NOT home. However, I am looking forward to actualyl going HOME, to the house where my parents live. Even though I have seen my parents, we met up at the Black Sea and not my childhood home. I want to see that cozy little house, with only 3 tiny rooms and the kitchen that always smells of goodies and yummy food :) I am stuck in 2 wolds. Both I love so dearly. In both I have close family and friends, and I love both of the countries that I could call home. Even though Russia is far behind the US, I can't say that I love US more. Nope. I am torn in my feelings towards Russia and US. It's just like when parents are asked which kid they like more, they can never seem to answer. In some aspects I love US more than anything, in others Russia is more dear to me. I feel at home more in Russia than anywhere else, nothing is fake here. People in the US often seem fake to me, their feelings and attitude (not the people I know, but just a society in general). Yet, I definitely miss US for many conviniences that Russia lacks, and so many opportunities that Russia is far from providing to their people. I miss smiles on passer-by's faces, even though they might not be sincere, it's a pleasant sight. I think I am confused right now. Or maybe it's just a jet leg talking. I definitely miss all the kids and families I grew to love. I feel disconnected from them. I want to visit them and give them a hug and ask how they are doing. I guess I will have to wait a couple of years before I can see them, but they will all be so different, so grown up. I am missing out in one way, yet catching up in others (my family, my folks, my sister). Hmm... Like I said: CONFUSED

9 Hours Ahead...

... can be really tough to adjust to. I got to Moscow on Sept. 5. I was having a bit of difficult time adjusting. I slept till about 1pm, and then was up until after 1, but let's face it, what else is new. My schedule was very similar to this when I was in the US and did not have to work. Then Matt came over, and he got into the rhythm of time difference with no problems whatsoever. Since, he was by me, I think I adjusted more and more to difference in time. However, Matt flew back on Sept. 23, and his flight was at 6 am, which required us to be at the airport at 4 am. My hubby wanted to make sure that he would adjust to American time right away, therefore he pulled an all-nighter right before he left on Sept. 23. Guess what, I pulled an all-nighter as well with him, decided to keep him company. Well, that is when the problems started :) I have been screwed up ever since. Ok, it's only been like 3 days, but still, I can't fall asleep until 4:30 am and then I sleep till 2 pm. Hmm, not the best schedule in the world. Good thing I don't have to work, I would be really in trouble. So, this morning my husband called me at 7:50 am my time, I have fallen asleep around 4 (the last time I checked the clock it was 3:47 am). I was not able to fall asleep after talking with him, and decided that I better get up and face the day. It's 6:20 pm right now. I am extremely tired and my head hurts. I believe I am pretty cranky too, but I am sticking to it, I am not going to bed until at least 9 pm, and then I should be right on track. I really do hope that this strategy works, because I don't think I have the will to push myself away from taking a nap in the middle of the day for too long or sleep in. Well, my fingers are crossed. I will let you know if I am still as messed up with this time next week or I am all better :)

Back to the USSR :)

So, I am in Moscow, sitting in my sister's kitchen, typing away on her computer that she generously left at home today :) Suffering from a headache, I am convinced it's caffeine withdrawal. I am going to run one errand, and then I am taking Motrin and a couple hour nap, the headache better be gone.

The flight home to MotherLand was super long and very tiring. I tried packing in Minneapolis so my suitcases won't be over 50 pounds, I had the scale out, repacked suitcases twice. All for nothing, really. I found out in MSP airport that one of my suitcases was 52 lbs, the other one was 54 lbs. The kind gentleman who was taking my luggage only charged me for one suitcase, so that was $25 for my heavy clothes and shoes (one suitcase was dedicated to shoes only). The flight to JFK was pretty uneventful. Matt kissed me goodbye at the gate and I was off.

The flight from JFK to Moscow was a whole other story. First of all, my kind husband bought me tickets to Russia, and booked them under my new married name. However, my passport does not reflect that, there I am still a Bolodyan. So, it started off when I tried to get a ticket. I had to show a marriage license to prove that I actually did change a name, and I was not somebody else trying to pass for Ruzana Glaeser (really, how many Ruzana S.'s are there in the world?) So, then I went to check my luggage. Aeroflot did not charge me for exceeding the limit on my luggage but they did send me to go check my luggage at the different area, I think they pick people at random to go through a special check in where they screen your luggage. So, then I went onto the security point. Well, here is where the fun began. The guard checked my passport, then ticket. Hmm, different last names. Hmmm, my old passport is expired. Hmm, my new passport does not have a visa. So, he brought me to the next person up (his supervisor I assume). He looked at my passport said that it was valid and send me off. As I was going through the actual security gate, the guy looked at me and asked me to go through the puffer, that machine that blows air at you. After they did that they asked me aside and said that they need to examine my bags and they needed my tickets and passport. I got them the ticket, but my passport was in my bag. I got yelled at trying to get my passport, I guess I am not supposed to move or talk while they are searching through my bags. Anyway, 15 minutes later I was ok to leave the security guard and then I had to spend another 15 minutes explaining to the person why my passport and ticket names don't match. He took a bunch of notes and finally let me know. I hope they did not put me on some black list of sorts.

It was a lot of hassle, but time certainly flew by. The airplane was fine, right behind me was sitting a really cute kid who decided to screem as soon as the front door of the airplane got closed. He screemed for about 2-3 hours, pretty much non stop. Then, the flight attendant from the first class came over, and put her hands on both of his ears, and miraculously that kid started to calm down. He then started kicking my chair with the passion, and after about 30 minutes of that, he finally fell asleep for the rest of the flight. I was about an ounce away from losing my temper with him, actually more with his mother. The kid is crying and she is yelling at him to stop crying. Hmm, no brain surgery here, that tactic is not working, move on something better. Then the kid is kicking my chair and the mother did not say a word.

Anyway, my sister met me at the airport. We took a taxi home, and I passed out at 6pm Russian time (9 am US). Today I am suffering from caffeine withdrawal I think. My head is killing me and I don't know why except that I haven't had any pepsi or coffee in the last 2 days. I have 3 interveiws scheduled for work and am working on the other one. The HR lady at that other company is not very organized. Anyway, tomorrow Matt is flying in, I am going to go meet him (after an interview in the morning).

Moscow is pretty cool so far, but I miss my home already. More though I miss the idea of being home to see my husband every weekend :( So, here is the start of my Russian life for the next year.