Dorm life and Ballpoint Pens
So it's been a while... The internet on the boat was spotty at best, and I didn't bring my laptop, plus I was paranoid about mobile data usage (not that I had signal half the time). Still, it was wonderful, and I do have many fantastic photos from the trip. It was great to live without relying on technology for a while too, because it made me realize just how much time I spend looking at a screen.
I am now living in the dormitories, which sends a shiver down the spines of all my Russian friend who hear this. They're really not too bad, and mine is basically a small flat, with a kitchen, refrigerator and small bathroom and shower included. It's much nicer than any dorm I had in Wyoming (don't get me started on that...)! There are, of course, oodles of cockroaches, but less now that I've scrubbed everything. I'm also keeping a body count tally board, so now it's a game. the mosquitoes are far more problematic. It might only be one or two in the dorm, but they seem to think I'm some sort of exotic delicacy here. The only other problem was the door rattled a lot whenever the windows were open. I fixed that by sliding a 10-ruble coin between the door and the frame. I remember an older friend, Tim, telling me that they used to penny people's dorm room doors shut in college, which is where I got the idea. It also makes me feel safer, because even if I forget to lock the door, it's very difficult to open from the other side now.
It's not luxurious, but I'm comfortable here. I've not yet paid my first month's rent, but I believe it's the equivalent of somewhere between $25-$35 USD, which is amazing. Considering I was expecting to stay with a host family for the first semester and pay that amount every day, I'd say it's even more spectacular. Now I can use what I say in a month to help cover travel expenses when Casey visits me in December.
I've also gotten used to shopping, at the rinoks, and I kind of like it. My language skills are still far from perfect, but I can get what I want, and people are usually nice and always curious about me (usually ad introvert's nightmare). I met an absolutely darling woman named Olga, who was very kind. She sells eggs, and I've decided to purchase them from her only from now on. The exchange rate has been terrific for me and I'm able to buy a lot more here than I would ever have been able to at home. And everything is sooooo delicious! It's hard, because I want to try absolutely everything, but I also am trying to lose the weight I gained during the summer program (not a lot, but noticeable- my host mum was a great cook).
I also expelled the demon that was preventing me from going into nicer stores: the incurable beeper, a magnet that no one could deactivate. supposedly It was deactivated twice in Saratov, and it went off again while we were in a store in Moscow. A security guard there deactivated it for me, and all was well for 20 minutes. Then the curse returned. I finally cut open my purse, removed the lining, and peeled up the cardboard bottom and found the stupid thing. Now the purse in repaired, and I no longer have to try to explain in broken Russian that I'm not a bandit. Through this an other events I think Russia is slowly beating my anxiety out of me. I have transcended being traumatized with tranquil, all-consuming indifference.
This last weekend a friend invited me to her dacha, which was great fun but I think I ate something that was a bit rank, because my stomach has been upset the last few days. So I've been hiding at home. I did have the opportunity to do a portrait for my friend, Taha, who is from Iraq. He's been very patient and has been helping me improve my speaking ability. I was going to go to Leonardo's (the art supply store) and pick up some pastels, but due to the digestive problems I stayed home, and ended up experimenting with colored ballpoint pens. I love it, and I can't wait to draw another portrait like this. My progress pictures and the final project (which took maybe 4 hours of working off and on) are included above.
