Living in Moscow for over a year and a half, we've gotten used to the idea that most people around us don't understand us. We absolutely don't accept this as a universal rule and are pretty careful, but we're not as concerned as we probably would be in the States.
This past weekend Beth and I were meeting someone for lunch and sightseeing. Because Liam was up most of the night before, we were running on very little sleep, and had no time to grab breakfast before the meeting. So naturally we were more argumentative (honestly, I get upset when my anger is blamed on "being hungry" for being too simplistic. But it's usually always true. Am I that predictable??). It all led to the silent treatment as we took the metro to meet our friend.
There we found a seat next to a pleasant-looking girl and waited. It took a couple minutes, but we began talking. We apologized to each other, but also explained what got us so irritated in the first place (I will always defy the fact that it's just mere hunger). We were going on and on in a "This is what you said and this is how it made me feel" therapy session/venting for about 5 minutes or so until the girl beside us turns around and says "Excuse me, where are you from?"
She spoke English.
For a split second Beth and I froze. This girl, right beside us, speaks English. And she probably heard everything we were talking about.
Fortunately for us, she acted like she didn't. It turns out she (her name is Anna) is a Muscovite and visited Los Angeles and New York during the summer. She studies English in the Moscow State University of Linguistics. We had a good conversation and actually exchanged contact information.
All I know is that now I'm cursed to be extra doting to Beth whenever Anna's around.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Our (very brief) Autumn
This year we have really tried to treasure the Fall season.
In Moscow, it doesn't last very long. A month. If that.
This past weekend we grabbed our friend Andrea and hurried to the center of Moscow as fast as we could. We made it in time to get some pictures at a nearby garden and Red Square.
It's already begun snowing in Moscow (although only in brief moments, here and there and then gone), and the temperature has been hovering in the 30s and 40s. There are many things I'm going to miss about the Summer (other than the insane heat and smoke). I'm going to miss the walks through overcrowded parks, with nearly every Muscovite trying to take advantage of the incredible weather. I'm going to miss the produce stands on every street corner and in every neighborhood (I think for the entire Summer our dessert was simply strawberries and vanilla ice cream).
Not to sound pathetic, but I'm going to miss the sun. I'm going to miss the get-togethers that involve simply walking around the city for hours.
While I am actually looking forward to snow and Winter, there is nothing like a Summer in Moscow.
In Moscow, it doesn't last very long. A month. If that.
This past weekend we grabbed our friend Andrea and hurried to the center of Moscow as fast as we could. We made it in time to get some pictures at a nearby garden and Red Square.
It's already begun snowing in Moscow (although only in brief moments, here and there and then gone), and the temperature has been hovering in the 30s and 40s. There are many things I'm going to miss about the Summer (other than the insane heat and smoke). I'm going to miss the walks through overcrowded parks, with nearly every Muscovite trying to take advantage of the incredible weather. I'm going to miss the produce stands on every street corner and in every neighborhood (I think for the entire Summer our dessert was simply strawberries and vanilla ice cream).
Not to sound pathetic, but I'm going to miss the sun. I'm going to miss the get-togethers that involve simply walking around the city for hours.
While I am actually looking forward to snow and Winter, there is nothing like a Summer in Moscow.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Learning How to Make Borsch
On Saturday, Beth and I were picked up by our friends Andrew and Ira, and taken to Andrew's childhood home to meet his mother. There his mother taught us how to make delicious Russian food.
Andrew drove us outside of Moscow to his hometown of 60,000 residents. It was close to Moscow, but just far enough away that everything felt so much more calm and peaceful. When we arrived, we only expected Andrew's mother to teach us how to make borsch-- but she had prepared an entire feast!
All of the food was incredible, and we look forward to making some of these dishes soon.
Andrew drove us outside of Moscow to his hometown of 60,000 residents. It was close to Moscow, but just far enough away that everything felt so much more calm and peaceful. When we arrived, we only expected Andrew's mother to teach us how to make borsch-- but she had prepared an entire feast!
Olivie Salad (Mayo, carrots, peas, ham, boiled eggs, cucumbers, etc.)
Fish and beet salad
All of the food was incredible, and we look forward to making some of these dishes soon.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
What an Ugly Baby-- continued...
Last Monday, Beth and I attended a discussion group held by our friend Andrea. Before the group met we all had dinner together and was joined by Andrea's roommate, Lena.
Somehow we got to the subject of our recent blog post detailing various Russian superstitions when it came to infants, and Lena had a personal example. She has a niece who is a few years old now. Years ago when her niece was born and Lena was finally able to see her in person, she was beyond excited. The whole time Lena was with the child she was complimenting her -- "She's so beautiful, she's adorable!"
A couple days later she met again with her family to see her niece, but Lena's relatives told her that she would not be able to see her niece for at least another year. After seeing Lena, the child could not sleep that night, and according to the family it was because Lena complimented her so much.
Needless to say Lena was heartbroken.
Somehow we got to the subject of our recent blog post detailing various Russian superstitions when it came to infants, and Lena had a personal example. She has a niece who is a few years old now. Years ago when her niece was born and Lena was finally able to see her in person, she was beyond excited. The whole time Lena was with the child she was complimenting her -- "She's so beautiful, she's adorable!"
A couple days later she met again with her family to see her niece, but Lena's relatives told her that she would not be able to see her niece for at least another year. After seeing Lena, the child could not sleep that night, and according to the family it was because Lena complimented her so much.
Needless to say Lena was heartbroken.
What an Ugly Baby
Russia is a land of many traditions and superstitions. Living here we hear about different superstitions on a regular basis. There are many, many superstitions about being pregnant and having a baby. These are just a few of the superstitions we have been warned about or that friends have informed us about.
-Things bought for a newborn baby (such as clothes, toys, furniture, etc.) should only be purchased after the baby is born. To buy them before the baby's birth many believe is very bad luck...like counting your chickens before they are hatched. Baby showers are unheard of. People also don't really mention a pregnancy or give congratulations. We did have a baby shower here in Moscow and many of our Russian friends came...they were very curious about it. While talking to them about this tradition, many recognized the practicality of baby showers and had a lot of fun...but when I asked if they wanted one they said no...they don't want to tempt fate.
-Mothers typically do not show their baby to anyone except the father of that child and the midwife for 40 days after the baby is born. There is some fear of germs and disease...but they also believe it is just bad luck. Many mothers will not allow photographs of their baby's face until after the first 40 days. One of our friend's sisters had a baby a few weeks ago...but she has not been allowed to see the baby up close, or see any pictures. So she doesn't even know what her niece looks like.
-A stranger should not look at a newborn baby before it is a certain age (between two months and one year). If one looks at the baby it is considered bad luck to compliment it. Instead, one could say, "Oh, what an ugly child!". Thankfully, many people do not still hold to this...Liam has not been called ugly yet!
-Russians also believe that babies are always cold and must be kept warm at all times. You will see infants in snowsuits in warm weather...and when it gets cold...you can't even see the baby! We get scolded on a regular basis for not putting a hat/gloves/boots or anything else someone thinks Liam might need on him.
-Things bought for a newborn baby (such as clothes, toys, furniture, etc.) should only be purchased after the baby is born. To buy them before the baby's birth many believe is very bad luck...like counting your chickens before they are hatched. Baby showers are unheard of. People also don't really mention a pregnancy or give congratulations. We did have a baby shower here in Moscow and many of our Russian friends came...they were very curious about it. While talking to them about this tradition, many recognized the practicality of baby showers and had a lot of fun...but when I asked if they wanted one they said no...they don't want to tempt fate.
-Mothers typically do not show their baby to anyone except the father of that child and the midwife for 40 days after the baby is born. There is some fear of germs and disease...but they also believe it is just bad luck. Many mothers will not allow photographs of their baby's face until after the first 40 days. One of our friend's sisters had a baby a few weeks ago...but she has not been allowed to see the baby up close, or see any pictures. So she doesn't even know what her niece looks like.
-A stranger should not look at a newborn baby before it is a certain age (between two months and one year). If one looks at the baby it is considered bad luck to compliment it. Instead, one could say, "Oh, what an ugly child!". Thankfully, many people do not still hold to this...Liam has not been called ugly yet!
-Russians also believe that babies are always cold and must be kept warm at all times. You will see infants in snowsuits in warm weather...and when it gets cold...you can't even see the baby! We get scolded on a regular basis for not putting a hat/gloves/boots or anything else someone thinks Liam might need on him.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
The Return of English Movie Night
One of our favorite parts of the Fall and Spring semester last year was being able to meet with friends once a week for English Movie Night. As you probably know, every Friday we invite friends over, have snacks, watch a movie, and practice English. As well, it was (selfishly) an opportunity to keep up with old friends and meet new ones.
This inaugural night was a blast. Between the movies Wall-E, Slumdog Millionaire, and Casablanca, the winning vote went with Casablanca.
This inaugural night was a blast. Between the movies Wall-E, Slumdog Millionaire, and Casablanca, the winning vote went with Casablanca.
Our friends Andrew and Ira (you've met them before)
Newcomers to movie night, Sophia, Zhenya, and Ksenya
Vika, Nadya, and Vasya (Vika always manages to turn and strike a pose at the perfect time)
Liam also enjoyed Casablanca, but not nearly as much as he enjoyed sucking on his fist.
Natasha and Gleb; this conversation was much more civil than it looks!
Viktor! He was able to visit the U.S. during the summer. I think he saw more of America than I have.
The friend with the infectious laughter, Vasya
Our friend Olga
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