Novgorod and St. Petersburg

So I am basically providing a rundown of my itinerary according to the website...

Day 5 Moscow to Novgorod
From bustling capital to ancient fortress city. Today we travel to what was once the stronghold of the early Tsars, Novgorod.(Also known as Lord Novgorod the Great...yes that was the name of the city... you have no clue how much confusion that caused on one of my tests in my Russia under the Tsars class) Visit the old Kremlin with its imposing fortress walls and touching World War II war memorials (B,D) (I am pretty excited to go to Novgorod, the travelogue I read said that there was a really comfy hotel that they stayed in here...)

Day 6 Novgorod to St. Petersburg
Today we travel to what some still consider the true capital of Russia, St. Petersburg. Named after Peter the Great, the city was built to be Russia's "Window on Europe". (It was also built to be a seaport to allow Russia greater naval power and access to trade routes) We visit Peter's summer palace, Petrodvorets, famous for its baroque architecture and intricate gardens.(but apparently we don't get to go inside...) (B,D)

Day 7 St. Petersburg
Our local guide takes us around St. Petersburg this morning. Step back in time as we tour the Hermitage which now holds what remains of the personal art collection of Catherine the Great.(that is amazing! But it is also where the Bolsheviks overthrew the Provisional Government in 1917.) Later, take a stroll along the busy Nevsky Prospekt and perhaps take in a performance of the world famous Russian Ballet tonight. (Not planning on going to the Ballet, it is kind of expensive and I don't love ballet...) (B)

Day 8 St. Petersburg to Helsinki (Finland)

Today we farewell the former Soviet Union, making a short stop in the medieval city of Vyborg, before entering Finland. We travel through pine forests and reindeer sanctuaries to the quirky capital, Helsinki. (B,D)

The following are included in the tour cost:

Novgorod: Guided tour of the old town; See the Millennium Bell.

Petrodvorets: Visit the garden and see the fountains of the Tsars' Summer Palace

St. Petersburg: Guided tour of the Hermitage; See the St. Peter and St. Paul Fortress; See the church of the Spilt Blood and the Admiralty. (The Church of the Spilt Blood is where Alexander II was assasinated in 1881)

Vyborg: Orientation of the town

These are the extra tours that I can choose to do or not...

St. Petersburg

Guided Tour of Siege of Leningrad Memorial (Euro 8.50) ($13)
Visit the World War II memorial to the one million people who lost their lives during the Siege of Leningrad. Our guide takes us through the memorial and explains the historical significance of the siege, and the impact on the people of the city. (I cried like a baby during the video we watched in class about the seige. It was a horrible time. I want to go, but I think it will be a somber experience...)

Evening Canal Cruise (Euro 15.00) ($23)
Join us on an evening cruise weaving through the canals of the Neva River to discover why St. Petersburg is known as the "Venice of the North". Glimpse the famous Aurora battleship and the drawbridges that are opened every night. (Sounds like fun, I will go on this one!)

Guided Tour of Peter and Paul's Fortress (Euro 11.50) ($18)
We visit Peter the Great's original fortress which was constructed over 300 years ago to protect the newly built city of St. Petersburg. Our visit includes entry into the Cathedral to see the final resting place of all the Tsars from Peter I to Alexander III, and the tombs of the last Tsar Nicholas II and his family.(ANASTASIA!) An interesting journey through Russian Imperial history. (Hezzeck Yes, I am doing this!)

Mumu Traditional Dinner (Euro 23.00) ($36)
An evening at a traditional restaurant named after Ivan Turgenev's famous story of Mumu the dog. Your chance to try beef stroganoff - a dish created in the Stroganoff Palace of St. Petersburg. The dinner consists of a three-course meal including a glass of champagne and coffee. (Thereare a couple pros and cons for this...First the Pros: I <3 Beef Stroganoff, I even know how to say "I love Beef Stroganoff" in Russian! This is the biggest pro. The Cons: It is a restaurant named after a dog, this concerns me; it is kind of pricy for a meal that I can make at home for 10 bucks, I don't love champagne... I will probably see when I get there)

Russian Ballet Performance (Approx. Euro 60.00 - 70.00) (roughly $100)
This is your opportunity to see world-famous Russian Ballet in the city where the 'Nutcracker' & 'Swan Lake' came to life. For over 270 years St. Petersburg has been the home of ballet, producing such greats as Anna Pavlova and Rudolf Nureyev. If there is one place in the world to experience ballet, St Petersburg is it! (not gonna spend $100 to watch a ballet, I could use the evening to do laundry I am sure)

Up next in my countdown to Russia (and other fun countries... days 8 through 12 Finland and Sweden!

Moscow

My room looks a lot better thanks to the help of Denise....

Yay!

So I have been looking at my trip itinerary and noticed that I get to "discover" Moscow kind of at my own pace...

Day 1 (July 23rd)
Depart for Europe (Fly from LAX to NYC then NYC to Moscow: I have to be at LAX at 4:30 a.m.!!!)

Your exciting European trip begins.

Day 2 (July 24th)
Arrive Moscow (Yay!)

Upon arrival at the airport, you'll be greeted and transferred to your hotel. This evening, meet your Tour Manager and get to know your fellow travellers over dinner. (D) <- (This means they feed me dinner!)

Days 3&4

Two full days to discover all Moscow has to offer. Vist some of the city's popular museums and enjoy a ride on the famous Moscow Metro. Walk through the Kremlin or shop at Russia's largest department store on Red Square. (B)(B,D) <-(Breakfast on Day 3 and Breakfast and Dinner on Day 4)

This is what it says for Moscow: These things have already been paid for!

Moscow: Guided tour of the Kremlin; Visit Red Square (Department Store and McDonalds) and see Lenin's Mausoleum (I am extra excited about this and I don't know why)and St. Basil's domed Cathedral (The thing that everyone takes a picture in front of and u know they are in Russia!); Travel on the Moscow Metro (Supposedly the most beautiful and clean subways in the world); See a performance by the Moscow Circus (more famous than Ringling Bros.)

These are the extra tours that I can choose to do or not...

Moscow Metro Tour (Euro 9.00) ($14)(I will do this one)
See the local view of Moscow on a guided tour of Stalin's "Palaces for the Workers" -the stations of the Moscow Metro. Underneath the city is one of the world's largest and most intriguing galleries where the icons of Communism can still be seen.

Guided Tour of Armoury Museum in Kremlin (Euro 24.00) ($37)(This one is pretty pricey and I have been told that it is skippable... The only thing I would really want to see are the Eggs, and I saw some at the Bellagio art Museum a few years ago... But at the same time I am torn, I <3 the tsars...but 40 bucks is riddikulus!)
Experience the full glory of the Kremlin with a guided tour of the Royal Armoury to see the collected treasures of the Tsars. The museum houses a collection of priceless Faberge Eggs, and personal possessions of the Romanov dynasty from the time of Peter the Great.

Guided Tour of Missile and Military Museum (Euro 12.00) ($19)(I probably won't do this one... although souvenirs are always awesome! Actually maybe I will, I do <3 the Cold War!)
A chance to learn about the awesome military power that existed in the USSR. See missiles, tanks, fighter jets, and an array of military nostalgia from the Cold War era and take the opportunity to buy souvenir pendants, flags and other trinkets.

Tour of Statue Park and Gorky Park (Euro 10.00) ($16) (I will do this one too...)
Enjoy an afternoon south of the river as you visit two of the most famous parks in Moscow. The 'Statue Park' surrounds a famous art gallery and contains many statues from the communist era, including the only remaining statue of Stalin! Our guide will make history come alive with personal accounts of life behind the "iron curtain". Then time to explore the world-famous Gorky park. Entrance into both parks is included.

Up next in my countdown to Russia... days 5 through 8 Novgorod to St. Petersburg! so I will actually only be in Russia a week but I am sure it'll be worth it...

Exhausted...

and I don't know why...

I shouldn't be physically tired...

and I am not really depressed...

I am kind of blah...

But enough of that...

I had my first dream about school last night. It was pretty vivid and makes me kinda sad it is the summer. I am suprised it took this long to have one...

and...

Church last night was amazing...

I love how God uses the seemingly random to speak to us...

(spy-see-bah)

So, I feel like I haven't posted something in a while so here goes...

I got a new computer... It is blue, which was an unexpected bonus!

I don't know why my pills have decided not to work lately but it is getting on my nerves. I was quite content to be in less pain...

I have gotten two of my 4 grades and so far I have an A and an A- which is good. Am expecting another A and A- or possibly two A's...That would be fabulous!

I had a good time at my teacher's party yesterday... I tried ratatouille and some yummy quiche... The lunch was a thank you for all those who helped with the French Film festival and so it had a French theme...

I scored some cute new underwear at Torrid... and a really cute tray at Urban Outfitters...

I have seven hours until I go to work... and should clean during those hours....

Eeew

I woke up at like 4:30 to the most horrible noise that a squeemish person who is cat sitting can wake up to. One of the cats decided to forget that it is house trained and randomly start peeing everywhere.... On my stuff... So I had to wake up ungodly early to clean up a huge mess of grossness....

Today is my last final... :(

Last night seems to have gone pretty okay. I didn't really think so until I was discussing worship with Sarah afterwards... But we agreed that worship was amazing...

Tomorrow I get to move back home and I rejoice at that....

I need to study so off I go...

A breather....

I am kinda very excited to be at home sitting on my own bed, not having to worry about anything but getting ready for tonight and being able to breathe....

I don't dislike the girl who lives with my cousins, but we are not super compatible personality wise, and I am glad to be home just for a break...

I have one final left tomorrow and then my first year at CSUDH is over... This is both exciting and sad. It is exciting because I am finally making some progress towards my future. I completed my junior year of college, after 4 years of trying lol! I am signed up for summer school and will technically be done with my first semester as a senior when that is finished. I am looking forward to next year. I am taking Colonial Latin America, US Colonial Period, US Recent Period, and my Senior Seminar for sure and am toying with taking Intercultural communications (one of my Upper Division GEs) and Emergence of Modern Europe...


It is sad because it means I only have one year left at CSUDH a school which I used to feel was inferior to other schools in this area, but have discovered that looks and opinions can be deceiving. This school has captured a special place in my heart and I will end up one of those crazy Alumni who still maintain connections at their school. I am recieving a HIGH quality education with faculty and staff that genuinely care about the students at the school, and if nothing else were different about DH than other schools, DH would still be superior...

Tonight is my night to talk with the youth. I think it will be pretty interesting... I do however, need to jet over to school at 430 and wont be back until approx 630, which means I need to go get everything set up early...

House Sitting

is going well, but I have no internet...

Russian Final tomorrow....

Wed. I am giving a message in the youth group.

Thursday is my last final :(


More later...

For all those you grow weary of my history posts...

rejoice, for I have made a second blog!

Stacee says I wont do this blog anymore, but I will...

For those who are interested in historical shenanigans the new blog is...

www.historytsarina.blogspot.com

I may split school posts between the blogs, because it is important to me, I did make the blog as a way to express myself...

So, that party was pretty fun. Back to that in a minute...

I just realized that I have basically just finished my first year of real college. I realize that Harbor College is a real college, but it just feels different. And I can't believe it. The last year has been one of the hardest, best, most exciting, insane years of my life and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Seriously.

I have learned more about myself in the last year than I even thought was possible.

I truly believe that this year was a God thing. I was trying to explain it to Denise earlier, and I know that I have tried to explain it here before, but it is just so insane that this year has gone the way it has, and all of the things have worked together just so. As of 1pm Monday I will have completed 90+ units making me a senior. As of July 11th I will have completed units equivalent to my first semester as a senior. INSANE!! Everyday there are little things that just reinforce my belief that this is God's plan for me. Today I came home to a forwarded CC email to someone else on campus from one of my professors who is trying to get me signed up for a program on applying to grad school. This professor has gotten me major hookups over the last year and I truly appreciate all of it.

So...Party Time...

It was fun. We had food and soda... No whisky or champagne, and still no cookies. Everytime they try to bribe us into coming to an event they promise us cookies, but none have ever appeared. We did have poppycock, which Dr. Fawver loves... And there was Dr. Pepper purchased with Chris in mind... I declared myself the Tsarina of the History Club, although I am sure that the title is incorrect... Oh Well... It was a lot of fun even though the boy that I wish I didn't have to listen to was there.

I am suoer sleepy though and need to pack before I go to work tomorrow because I am gonna be cat/house sitting for my couins while they are on a cruise to Alaska.

It's the End of the Year...And I know it.....

It is the last real day of the school year. While I am abnormal and prone to emo-ish tendencies about this, I will instead take the time to reflect on some of the best things I have learned during this, my first year, at Dominguez Hills...

-Some of the most important learning occurs outside the classroom. (This is a direct quote from a professor.)

-Make friends of your professors. Not only will more opportunities come your way, but it will make school a lot more fun.

-The ideas you should really ponder are those that at first seem a little crazy.

-When writing an academic paper, "don't use don't" or any other types of contractions.

-If there are more than 4 uses of is, was, were, or has been per page, your paper is probably in need of some revision.

-Good historians are allowed to have an opinion on the past, some things are just plain wrong, no matter how you look at them.

-History is full of cannibalism.

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I have learned many more things than this but really these are some of the strongest lessons I have learned. These are the things that will help me as I continue my education and even into life itself.

I am really excited for this summer. But I am more excited for the next school year. I know that BIG changes are going to be happening. I will be applying to and choosing a grad school, gaining important research experience, organizing and heading the CSUDH History club, completing my first major primary source research paper, learning another language, and all in all having an amazing time...

As emo as I am today it will be magnified more by next year at this time. I do really LOVE my school. I encourage anyone who is looking for a school to seriously give Dominguez Hills serious consideration... It is an amazing school.

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Today is the end of the year History party. Most of my friends think that it is the epitome of nerdy to actually be looking forward to this, but of course I am.

(On the subject of nerdy.... The other day, Chris, Varian and I were discussing Iron Man (an amazing movie) and our extremely nerdy himself teacher came in, heard us talking and said, "Guys, I hate to tell you this, but you are Nerds." We looked at each other and said... "We're History Majors, it comes with the territory." Then continued our discussion on why alcoholism is depicted the way it is in the movie vs the comic strip.)

Tonight or tomorrow, you, my faithful readers will get a report on the party... Are the rumors of single malt whiskey and champagne true? Will all of the professors decide to give A's to those who attend? Will there actually be cookies? Full details to follow!

2 pages to go....

And then I am done... I want to be done before 9 so off I run...

Aloha!

I ordered Hawaii pictures so I can at least start my Hawaii scrapbook before my trip to Russia (and other countries) Here are two of my favorites:






Today was a good day at school. And also a very doodle friendly day!

I met with my Russian History Professor and got some advice for my trip:
1) Do NOT drink the Vodka...especially since I don't do much drinking in general...
2) It is okay to eat at the McDonald's in Russia, the food and service are superior there... And they have good bathrooms... (I find that discussing bathrooms with one's male professor is a random thing but these are things ya gotta know)
3) Try Georgian food... it is really good. But the meat will most likely be lamb...
4) When eating Russian food, go for soups, black bread, anything made with mushrooms, and real Russian Ice Cream...
5)Knowing even a few phrases in Russian will show the locals that I am not an elitist American snob (My redux of the convo)
6) If your digestive system is sensitive don't eat the street food. (In general mine isnt but I dont want to get sick the first few days I am there and then be stuck ill the whole time)
7)He is gonna email me the addresses of some good restaurants (which is awesome of him)

We got out of California History super early because Thursday is our final and no one had any questions to ask. I have an A in the class so far and am fairly confident about my grade, so I will just look over my notes and panic on Thursday! I did however, have an opportunity to doodle a picture of Chris wearing his "meat is Murder, tasty, tasty murder" Shirt while standing next to his gas guzzling SUV and saying "Hi, my name is Chris and I work at Whole Foods" I didn't realize he was wearing that shirt today either when I doodled it so when the teacher (who is a PETA member) told him that while it was okay for him to wear the shirt, she personally didn't like it. I had extra opportunity to laugh....

In 304...
We discussed The Sorrow and the Pity today, and I was not only confused but I had a few moments of sheer panic. Dr. Monty passed out the final exam questions and 25% is based on the film. I didn't really "get" the film, and the boy who asks stupid questions was just confusing me more except for a few really stupid questions which led to some humorous doodles by both me and Chris involving lethal weapons. Those questions just irritated me. I was reassured that as long as I got the basic concept behind the Myth of Vichy France during WWII, and what the film portrayed, and could connect that to chapter 6 in History on Trial, I would be fine. I do get all that and will be able to answer that question so now I can panic about my Russia Final...

Today was a good day at work.
I made a sign advertising our Playdough Play day for toddlers... I am excited because I am going to get to play with playdough at work...

I however have a paper due in a little over 15 hours so I am gonna go work on that...

A breather

I GOT MY PASSPORT TODAY!!!!!!!! Hooray!
Now I can send away for my visa, and really, really actually be going to Russia!!!
I am very excited and yet super nervous...

On Saturday I got new pills to help with my back, but I was deeply grieved to discover that of the possible side effects I would probably not get, I do get one...a headache... But today I was able to call the pharmacy and the pharmacist said I could take tylenol for the headache and it wouldn't interfere with the new back drug. I am happy to announce that it does at least take the edge off my back pain and that makes me happy...

Yesterday was not as bad as it could have been. I was pretty emo, but amazingly having a good friend understand that mother's day is not something I look forward to helped.

It is the last stretch for school, this is the last week before finals... One of my professors, who is over excited at the end of the school year, was whistling today and humming and was too disturbingly cheerful. I am not excited, one because I love school, two because I am going to be doing some hardcore summer school classes... Oh well...

I am going to the knitting circle tonight so I need to go order pics to work on a scrapbook...

Something I stole...

I wanted to blog but couldn't come up with much...sooo...

10 Random things about me...

1. If I was running from a burning building and could only grab three things, I would grab: Bruce, my stuffed shark; my backpack (it usually has all of my essentials in it); and my dvds.
2. Life is better with Diet Dr. Pepper
3. Rainy Days are my favorite
4. My favorite Cookies are Oatmeal Scotchies or Collette's Choc Chip with Coconut
5. I <3 the Purple Downey Dryer Sheets
6. My favorite artist is Shag.
7. I once won an award for being the best Velveeta Cheese.
8. I have been on a blind internet date.
9. If I could only read 5 books over and over again for the rest of my life, I would choose: The Bible, The Complete Chronicles of Narnia, The Collected Sherlock Holmes, The Complete James Herriot, and Russia: A History.
10. I would love to have a pet skunk but they are not legal in California.

9 THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:

1. Jesus
2. Sharks, owls, or kittens
3. golden spoon
4. Going New Places
5. being with good friends
6. Star Trek, Harry Potter ect.
7. Road Trips
8. Reading a good book
9. Discovering something new and historical

8 THINGS THAT TICK ME OFF:

1. Whiny or needlessly repetetive authors
2. my own stupidity and insecurity
3. when people are rude or inconsiderate on purpose
4. People who use big words just because they can
5. blanking during a test
6. the extortion that is the GRE (it is 140$)
7. people who ask stupid questions (yes, they do exist)
8. having to wake up early on a chilly morning...


7 THINGS I WANT TO DO BEFORE I DIE:

1. get my Ph.D.
2. do something incredible for God
3. Parasail
4. Travel More
5. Read War and Peace
6. Learn 3 languages
7. Write a Book

6 MEMORIES:

1. Swimming with the Sharks in Hawaii...
2. The day I realized that God Loves Me...
3. Fourth of July at Wilson Park...
4. Waiting in line for things to get released at midnight (books, movies ect)
5. Randomly driving 5 hours just for Cracker Barrel.
6. The day that the guy got hit by a car right in front of me

5 THINGS THAT I BELIEVE IN:

1. God
2. Love
3. The healing power of sleep, or a good cry...
4. Movies and Popcorn go together
5. Everyone should have one meal that they make that is wonderful

4 THINGS THAT I'M AFRAID OF:

1. being stupid
2. failing at life
3. embarrassing myself
4. shaming God.

3 THINGS I NEED RIGHT NOW:

1. a little more time
2. a fixed and or new computer
3. sleep

2 THINGS I WANT TO DO TODAY:

1. order photos online
2. eat dinner

1 PERSON I WANT TO SEE RIGHT NOW:

1. Someone who loves me...

I don't know why I am all of a sudden posting in the morning instead of at night, but I am ...

So yesterday I found out that:

"Dear Ms. Atkins,
It is my great pleasure to inform you that you have been awarded third place by the 2007-2008 Selection Committee for the Jack Kilfoil Memorial Scholarship in History. The entire committee agreed that this year’s application pool was the most competitive that it has been in years, so yours is a great honor. You will soon receive an award of $300 in recognition of the quality of your research, your overall academic performance, and your commitment to the field of history."

This makes me happy for a couple of reasons...

1) It was a competitive applicant pool, so it does mean something... They had 23 well qualified applicants, I really wasn't expecting anything at all, Most of my department seems to take their studies seriously, I only know of three people who are content merely passing all of their classes, most history majors seem to work hard for their grades.

2) She mentions the quality of my research in her email. I always worry that my research is insufficient, this reassures me that it isn't as bad as I think it is.

3) My friend Chris got a scholarship also, he tied for fourth place. I am glad he got one as well, it means we will both be going to the party on Thursday, I will probably be more at ease if he's there and I can harrass him.

At my luncheon on Wednesday, I learned that if I edge a little out of my comfort zone, I can mingle, although it does help to have someone you know with you. I did not know that I was going to have to talk to university big wigs or have to go stand in the front with my professor as she got her award. She told them all of my future career plans and my trip to Russia, and the President of the Emeritus Faculty Association (I am a new employee of the association :) ) came up to me afterwards and was telling me that I should get to know the Russian historian on campus. I was told that by at least 3 people. I tried not to laugh. Finally, the professor I was with told someone that I have a good relationship with "the Russian historian" already. Several people also teased me about working with our French historian but not planning on studying France, this is where I get to point out that I will most likely be studying the Imperial period of Russian history and the Ruusian elites were almost always more likely to speak French, or German than they were to speak Russian. I have heard that Nicholas II and Alexandra used French when at home.

I did, however, have a very tasty sandwich and some more of the good fruity tea I had last week. The lunch that they served was the best on campus food I have had to date (at least as far as official functions go)

We are almost done with The Sorrow and the Pity which is good, because, I don't really like this film, nor do I truly get why we are watching it.

I have to finish typing up my paper on gays in the 20s and 30s.

It is really my last assignment of the semester, which makes me sad. I then have 4 finals 1 next Thursday, Two the monday after and one the Tuesday after.

Then I am done until the first week of June! When I start summer clasees! I will be taking Natural Disasters as it is one of the options for one of my Upper Division GEs. I am trying to find another course to take so that I can pull financial aid and not have to pay the moneys out of my pocket... I think I am going to take dance perceptions, it is like a historical look at dance through the viewing of films...

Okay, I need to go so...

Reality...

Right now I am overwhelmed...

I have been on the verge of tears for a couple days mostly because I am exhausted and frustrated...

I have soooo much to do and not enough time to do it in... and yet, here I am blogging...

So, for some motivation... A to do list:

Laundry (must do soon or will have to contemplate life as a nudist)

Clean my room (It is really bad and its disorganization is adding to my frustration)

Paper (write it, due on Wednesday)

School (one thing I don't mind having to do!)

Make 100 paper flowers for mothers day craft at work.

Fill out paperwork for Russian visa (I have a little time while I am still waiting for my passport)

Pay Bills (must go to bank today!)

a million other little things....

But one thing I really need to do is spend some hardcore quality time with my Jesus... I know a lot of my exhaustion and frustration is because my devotional times have been rushed lately...

From the Newsboys....

Be Still

Be still and know He
Know He is holy
Be still and know He is God
We have filled our lives with inventions
That have hurried us nowhere fast
Now we need to turn our attentions
To what will last

Chorus:
Be still and know He
Know He is holy
Be still and know He is God
Love Him more dearly
See Him more clearly
Be still and know He is God

We've been running without a direction
We're afraid to get there late
What we need is strength just to kneel down
And wait

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Last night I went to church after work. It always bums me out a little becasue I really want to be there for the whole service so I usually don't like to go over there after work just to hang out. But I have gone a couple times and I know God uses even those few minutes to bless me. Last night as I walked in, my good friend and rad youth pastor was finishing up his message and was giving an altar call, and I was praying that whatever he had just shared would have stirred something in the hearts of the youth... and then we did "one last song" and as it so often works out I was ministered to and I can't even remeber the song I just know that a few minutes spent wholeheartedly focused on Jesus can make a world of difference...

I have been trying to work on something that I need to do and I keep coming up against a brick wall...

Brick Walls Suck...

I am gonna go get redy for one more day of insanity....

Still Pondering...

Don't you hate when someone says something offhand or in a joking manner that really makes you ponder your life...

Also, making some moderately sized life decisions...

On a lighter note:

I am the History Club President! I just need to get all the paperwork in so we can be officially recognized!

Well...

I keep promising a blog about deeper things than just school or work or Russia, and I really will keep that promise, but one of the deeper things that was imparted to me lately has shaken my worldview quite a bit and it bears some internal pondering before I blog about it.

So...
School:

Yesterday I did my presentation on my paper about homosexuals in the 1920s and 1930s. It seemed to go well. Several students asked me questions after my presentation and it did go a lot faster than I thought it would. Professor Stricker said that I did well, especially considering that I had the hardest topic to find sources on.

I got my midterm back from my Russia class. I am starting to worry a bit about my grade. I am fairly sure that if I am just a point or two shy of the A, I will still be seeing an A on my transcript, just because I know that has happened to others in the past. I have to get 24 out of 25 on my final for me to actually earn the A myself. It isn't impossible, but this semester I have been averaging in the 22-23 point range for all of my assingments. So I shall have to make sure to kick some post-Soviet butt on my final...

Today I have California History class and Theory and Methods of History. I find it interesting that the one class I was not looking forward to this semester (Theory and Methods) is one of my favorite classes. I actually really lucked out. Now that I dropped the Holocaust class, I love all of my classes. In Theory and Methods we are going to be watching The Sorrow and the Pity after class, today is the History Club Meeting, and hopefully elections because I need to get the paperwork turned in sometime in the next 2 weeks.

Tomorrow is Russia class as usual and then I am going to a lunch thingy with the professor I am going to be working for next semester. It sounds fun.

Thursday, I might be meeting with the Professor of the Russian class, but other than that it's just an average day....

Work: An ordinary week for once...hooray!

Russia: I am waiting for my passsport so I can send away for my visa. I started freaking out yesterday because I realized that the scariest part of this trip is going to be getting from the airport to the hotel in Moscow. I went on the contiki message boards and found out some interesting thing things about contiki. I am very much hoping to be on a tour with older (25-35) people and couples would be preferable. There is apparently a subsector of the contiki world who go on these tours just for the sexual escapades. There is a larger part of the group who go on these tours as international drinking binges. I am going to be friendly, but probably one of the more boring peope on the tour. There is also, if you are interested in the bathroom dynamics of touring with contiki an entire thread dedicated to "turds" I laughed quite a bit at all of the international terms for poo. Aussies come up with some of the best too.
I did read some trip reviews but they just changed my tour from a concept tour which is more of a camping type tour to a hotel tour, which means that most of the time, I will be staying in decent accomodations. The worst one described was in some city that I am not even sure I go to, and I have stayed in similar type places before (Anaheim anyone?) I am still excited even though there were some unhappy people. I read the travelogues of some people who went on the concept tour and they had fun and it seemed interesting. I especially found the log written by a history major to be helpful, although his area of interest is not Russia, so I am sure that the parts of Russia that bored him won't bore me... I am extra excited that we can break off from the group if we choose to. I won't in Moscow because I want to do all of the tour stuff, although I have been told that I should make an adventurous friend or two the first couple of days so that we can go looking for meals together. I have also been told that some of the cleanest bathrooms in Russia are in McDonalds. The Red Square McDs supposedly has 27 registers and 1500 employees.... There is apparently (according to wikipedia a Mac Wrap which is like a gyro made from hamburger patties) available in Russia (if I have to eat at McDonalds in Russia, and I think at least one meal is there) I'd like to eat soemthing I can't get in AMerica at least!

Oh wel.. I am off to school

ladeedadeeda

So, I am not going to the innaugaration because there is much still to do... But here I am blogging...

My computer is broken. It isn't a major broken but it is a broken that means I shouldn't take it with me this weekend...But I think I am going to LOL!

I am on hold with the Travel Visa people... They are emailing me the documents I need to fill out to get my visa. They are hardcore with the nosy questions... Including if I have any knowledge of weapons....(I don't think telling them that all I know is that 'Guns don't kill people...Chuck Norris kills people' would be wise...LOL!)

Have I ever been addicted to drugs or diagnosed as mentaly ill?
Have I ever been deported from Russia?
All of the schools I have gone to and what I have studied...
Am I member of any organizations?
These are just some of the questions...
My last two places of employment...Both Libraries...The poor Russian reading this is gonna be bored out of their mind...

Oh well, I am gonna go now...I'll be back on Sunday!

Times, They are a changing...

I was looking at a friends myspace survey and it really hit me (once again) just how much things have changed...

10 years ago...

I thought I was going to be a high school teacher...

I thought Taco Bell was the best food on the planet...

I thought I would be best friends with my BFF forever...

I did not want to get married...

I definitely didn't want kids...


Since then...

My career plans have changed at least six times and are in a stage of Pseudo-transition at the moment...

I really, really don't love the taco bell so much anymore...

I've switched BFFs twice and I don't even have one currently...

I want to get married, and even have a God given call on my life that I belive includes, by neccesity, marriage...

I still don't want to give birth (my genetics are questionable at best) But I really, really want to be a mommy some day...

And these changes aren't including the big spiritual ones of exceeding deepness, that I can barely even remember how 10 years ago was...

And now onto shallowness...

Today was the History Department Sponsored Reception for the keynote speaker of tomorrow's Innaugaration. It turns out that the key note speaker is a historian of Asian Presence in Latin America, especially Mexico. And she shared with us some of her research on Chinese Immigration/Labor in Cuba. It was very fascinating. The President of the University was there, as well as many of the School leaders. One of the Emeritus Professors came over to us, The group of students hiding in the corner, and told us that if we didn't mingle, and meet the speaker, we were "incredibly stupid" because she happens to be a member of the Academic Elite in our field.

I am not super outgoing when I feel out of place, and as one of only four students there and the only non-senior, I did feel out of place, and am very grateful that I did at least, dress nice. I know this is one part of the Academic field that I might have trouble getting used to, the receptions and mingling parts. Eventually the four students attached ourselves to the Latin American History Professor. She is fun and made us relax a bit. The three other student there are all going to specialize in either LAtin American or, more specifically, Mexican history, so I was the odd-woman out.

It was very weird to be hanging out with VIPs and be the only people drinking the non-alcoholic beverages. I don't like wine very much and was not about to drink any even if I did like it. I did drink some tea which was kinda fruity and very good though. I was glad I was basically the only one drinking it, more for me. It was kind of fun watching the professors mingle. You could really tell who was uncomfortable and they were all dressed up more than ususal. The male Professors all wore ties, and they looked very nice, and all of the female professors dressed slightly nicer than they would for just the classroom. It was an interesting, but long experience...

I want to got ot the "shin-dig" tomorrow, but I have a lot to do before I go camoing... So we'll see in the morning if it will be possible...