In Which Rest is to be Had

14.10.2008

Music: Sonne Hagal - The Three Ravens

Today was fairly tolerable. Classes went well, though I hate my speaking practise class because of how the professor teaches it, plus I don't think she likes me very much. Afterwards, I did a little research for my human rights class, blah blah.

Basically just resting for the rest of the night -- Uploading photos from my camera, reading, doing some homework, listening to music... I don't get to listen to music as much as I'd like. Sometimes, I wish I had a small MP3 player or something. But, ah well.

Unfortunately, I am breaking out like hell, for some reason. I mean, my skin isn't that great in the first place, but that's mostly because I'm lazy as hell and rarely wash my face. I normally don't care -- when I do break out, I just blast my face with an acid treatment and everything goes away in a couple days. But now, I think I'm going to have to wash my face on a daily basis, because it's starting to get ridiculous.

On that note, I went to the аптека(basically, a small pharmacy) today to pick up some face wash, shower gel, and earplugs. I seemed to be an attraction (probably because they thought I was going to steal something), and even moreso when they realised I was American. I asked if they had any "пробки для ухов" (translation: plugs for the ears), and when I was buying my stuff, a few of the workers were like surrounding me, and I overheard them talking about me..

Girl 1 - ..What did he call them?
Girl 2 - Plugs for the ears (snicker).
Me - (Turns around to let them know he UNDERSTANDS WHAT THEY ARE SAYING) ... What are they ACTUALLY called?
Girl 2 - (Unphased) Беруши. (Berushi)
Me - Thanks. (Smiles wide like an American)

All in all, it wasn't unpleasant, but mildly amusing. Of course, I know I'd laugh a little if I worked at a pharmacy and a foreigner came in and asked for "plugs for the ears." That being SAID, I actually thought that's what they were called. I mean, come on -- they call adhesive lint brushes "roller for the cleaning of clothing," and curtains are called "clothing for the window." So, to avoid any embarassment, ask for BERUSHI if you want earplugs in Russia, not "probki dlya ukhov." Oh, and, to top it all off, they were 33 rubles for A PAIR of ear plugs. That's about $1.30.

I actually don't have that much to write, today... I'm feeling fairly well, I suppose. I've decided I'm going to go see Sonne Hagal and Of the Wand and the Moon on Friday. It's 500 rubles at the door -- I can buy tickets in advance for 400 rubles, but they only sell them at the club and at some other store that I don't know. So, I'm just going to pay at the door. Then, either Friday night or Saturday night I'm going to stay out until the morning at either Tri El' or Central Station, depending on if Maneka is going to Tri El' this week or not. And, finally, Sunday, I am DETERMINED to go to Udel'naya, so that I can check it out WHILE NOT DEATHLY ILL before it gets absurdly cold. I'm going to check out their jackets and hats, then the massive mud-rug sale out back in order to buy gifts for people back home.

I uploaded photos from Pskov/Staryj Izborsk/Pechory. Check facebook, or something. Too many to put here! And I'm too lazy.