Shopping/Metro

After I got settled in my dorm, I was to go pick up my documents and meet with the program person again. All I wanted to do was sleep but I was excited to see what was out there for me to explore. One of the things that irritated me soooo bad, was the fact that the program that I am on did not have a welcome package. I mean with all the money I am paying to be here, you'd think that they would at least offer some water and toilet paper for your first night!!! 

Instead, I had to drag my tired butt all the way to the store so that I could buy toilet paper so I could finally pee! By the way, there are really no public bathrooms here, and if there are you need to have your own tp and soap! 
So that walk to the mall with the grocery store inside is probably a little over a mile and a half... maybe two! I was not prepared for that! I got there and it was as crowded as Walmart on Black Friday but it seemed to be fast paced. Like you know what your after, you get it and go. No isle shopping in this place! 

pronounced Ashaun 

I had my list of things I needed but I wasn't about to buy a crap ton of stuff and carry it back two miles! So I bought water and my roommate bought toilet paper! We checked out, quite a breeze considering my Russian isn't that good. But you have to pay for bags here if you want them. Although its very cheap. I carried my 12 pack of water the whole way home and was finally at the gate when the police man started talking to me.... IN RUSSIAN! I only understood a few things but he politely rephrased himself to make me understand. He was making a joke about why did I have to carry the water when there were capable men in the group to carry it for me. He laughed when I told him I was strong and it was ok and I could tell that that was the beginning of a good relationship with the guard at the gate. 

After all of that I was sooo ready to go to bed! Which is exactly what I did! I slept fairly well except waking up at 4 seems to be the thing since it is now Saturday morning and I am still not adjusted. I am writing this at 4:30 in the morning:) 
Thursday was the day I learned how to use the metro. Now, the metro is right by the mall so it is still a hike there, but I am already getting used to the walking situation here. Once we were inside I was taught how to purchase a ticket and how to refill it on the machines. Confident that I knew enough Russian to purchase a ticket, I walked up to the window and stated what I wanted. The transaction went well and it only cost about $10.00 for 20 rides on the metro. I will be applying for a student pass when I get my id and that will only cost $10.00 a month for unlimited rides! 
So now it was time to learn the map and ride the metro for the first time in my life!!! I was excited but nervous of pickpockets and over crowdedness. We got on the escalator and all I've got to say is dont LOOK down if you are afraid of heights! It was about 500 feet to the bottom and I was on that escalator for a hot minute and that thing booked it! 

Once at the bottom, my eyes didn't know where to go. There were so many beautiful artworks on the ceiling and the big sculpted columns were spectacular. I somewhat felt like a fashion model with my hair blowing behind me because the trains were wizzing by so fast. 

We hopped on and my first ride was pretty pleasant. Granted I had to stand the whole time, but it was quick and easy and I only was stared at by two old ladies sitting in front of me:)
So next time I'll talk about food in the cafeteria and in the cafe that are located on campus. 

Dorm Room

Dorm room:
Once we got our temporary ID's we were able to go to our dorms and get settled in. Like I said last blog, this place is guarded 24/7 so you always have to use your student id to enter. It was then that I decided that I was going to make it my mission to become friends with all the security staff just to make my life easier if God forbid something happens to my id!

Yes I look like a bank robber! 

We all then went up in the elevators to the international floor and we were assigned our rooms by the cute babushkas (grandmas) that manage our floor. They were very nice and didn't speak a lick of English, but that's what I am here for! 
My roommate turned out to be another girl in the program staying two semesters. She's from California and you can "totally like" tell (lol), but she's extremely cool and I can tell that we are going to be great roommates!

Some of the many plants in the halls that the old ladies like to grow.

Look at that carpet!

Upon reaching my dorm, which is the last one at the very end of the hallway, I was handed a set of keys and shown how to use the locks. Before explaining what awaited me inside, I want to point out things that caught my attention on the walk over. Ok so the carpet there is no joke! I don't know much about carpet and styles but the best way to describe it is old fashioned carpet that you'd see in castles on tv. It is different pretty much on every floor and it even changes in some of the hallways. There were PLANTS everywhere! I mean they were beautiful and well maintained by the ladies, but they were EVERYWHERE! There were a few pictures on the walls of horses and lions and even a puzzle of the Last Super hung in the entrance of my hall. 

A puzzle of the last supper hung in the hall.

It smells as old as it looks! It's a pure Soviet smell :)

Ok dorm time! When I finally opened my door to my dorm and to my room I was surprisedly impressed. To be honest I was expecting way worse than what I got! The walls were intact and recently painted, there was no mold in the toilet area or the bath area and my room didn't seem to have any bugs or mouse holes to be seen! I had seen videos of the dorms before and it was quite scary but I guess I got lucky because I love my small Russian room!
Now it was dirty and dusty but that could always be cleaned. There were a few loose internet wires hanging from my entrance ceiling, but I easily taped them up. My room is on the right and has a small bed, a desk, two chairs, an armoire of some sort, and a closet built into the wall! Plenty of space for my clothes and groceries. 
I've never lived in a dorm before so I was sketchy about this whole experience, but I have to say I LOVE my dorm! It's old fashioned but cute, it's small but perfect enough for me, and did I mention my view?!?! It is so amazing, that people pay tons of money for a view like it in any other city!

Yes I know there is snow but I couldn't find the pic I took in the fall :(

Like I mentioned earlier, the toilet room is separate from the bath area. It is actually quite convenient say if your roommate is showering and you have to pee. Talking about showering, there is actually a fear factor when it comes to my shower. It needs a little TLC and an upgrade but I guess its all about the experience. The shower head has to be held, there is no attachment for it, and the shower curtain is too short! So water goes everywhere! But so far I've taken 3 showers and I love the water pressure and the hot water is great!!! But it does lack something due to the unfamiliar texture of my hair. I will be asking for conditioner in my care package! 
All in all, I really do like my dorm. Especially since last I cleaned it and made it more homey. Last night I taped hundreds of pictures of my friends and family to my wall and set up a little beach scene thing on my desk to feel more at home. I love this place! 
Next I'll tell you about shopping and the metro!

Moscow time!!!

Hello Moscow!!

Alright so my first experience on real Russian soil was going through customs (very easy), gathering my bags, and waiting for a man to appear with a sign with my name on it. The airport was very big yet it was very empty. 
When the man finally arrived (late!), we jumped into a van and then is when I experienced my first freak out moment in Russia. Not only did this guy not speak to us to make us more comfortable, he drove like a mad man! I have to admit that I felt panic enough to question if we even got in the car with the right person, but the others felt confident so I went along with it.

For some reason that bus does say HOCHIE'S! 

My first sight of what Russia has to offer was Russian traffic. Let me just say that all of those videos on youtube making fun of how Russians drive do present the exact image I was experiencing. It was a three lane highway, but the people decided to make it four. There were cars driving backwards making the on ramp an exit ramp because they didnt want to sit in traffic. There were motorcycles zooming by in between lanes and dodging cars!!! I was also amazed at the people just parking along the side of the road for the hell of it! STRANGE!

But I wasn't going to let the driving situation ruin my excitement so I quickly learned to ignore the crazy honking and almost being sideswiped at least 20 times, and look around for other things that caught my attention. For example, the billboards were HUGE with beautiful pictures and most all in Russian. The buildings on the outskirts of the city did look like run down apartments but still that wasn't going to deter me.
Finally after an hour of driving we got to Moscow State University. I have to admit I was in awe of the architecture and grandness of my new school. With iron rod gates surrounding the place, giving it an eerie yet protective feel, I was excited to go inside. I know many of you are concerned about my safety so I just want to point out that this place is heavily guarded and you have to have your student pass to get in anywhere! Including the dorms!

So after handing my passport over to my program leader she took off on a hunt for our temporary student passes, until we get new ones. That's when I took it all in...this is REALLY happening! I finally made it! A euphoric high washed over me and I honestly started comparing my school to HOGWARTS! Well I was very jet lagged so cut me some slack. But it totally is like an old soviet version of the wizarding school from Harry Potter!
Ok next up I'll tell you about my dorms and the cafeteria:)

On my way!

Flights:
I'm writing this at 5am my time because as tired as I was from the plane, I made myself stay awake when I got here until 11:30pm so that I could adjust easier to the time change. Ok so I don't know where to start so I'll just go from the beginning of my day Tuesday morning to today....Friday!!!
So leaving my family was the hardest part so far and I have to admit I did get teary eyed, but that doesn't mean I'm soft and couldn't kick ass if I needed to. But I went through security pretty fast and hopped on my first plane in no time.

For the first flight I took Delta to JFK. I sat next to two old ladies who were so sweet and wanted to give me all the advice they could during that 2.5 hour flight... I accepted politely and listened to their crazy adventures while being constantly offered the food and beverage they had shoved down in their carry ons. Best old ladies EVER!

Now getting off that flight was a different story... now I've never been to New York but I've heard a lot about how rude they are. I am pretty open minded so I was excited to fly in and see the skyline at night:) My first encounter with the rudeness came from a New Yorker sitting two seats back who was in a hurry to get off that plane when we landed. I politely asked the gentleman to hand me my bag that was shoved in the compartment above him... he then replied that I was asking him because it was "a man's job" I thought he was joking so I said "Yes of course:)" Out of nowhere he gave me a death stare and said "I'd rephrase that if I were you!" All I've got to say is A**H***!!!

Now JFK was even worse! People were RUDE, the place was packed, and it smelled horrible! I collected my bags, briefly stepping outside to walk to another terminal. The street was dirty and there was NO sidewalk! I almost got hit by a taxi! Finally when I got to the counter for AEROFLOT, they would not check me in due to the fact that they randomly decided to close for lunch...but no one was eating and there were at least 5 people behind the counter! I waited almost an hour to just check in!!
Finally, I got through security (LONG ASS LINE PEOPLE!), found my gate and sat around waiting for people from my program to show up that I've never met. While waiting I had an opportunity to practice my russian with an old lady who wanted to sit next to me. Thinking that I wasn't prepared for speaking Russian yet I was very shy in my approach and thought about everything I said!!(That's right I said I WAS SHY! HA!) All in all, I had a nice semi conversation about where she lives and how she was visiting her daughter blah blah blah.

True story :) 

I was starving so I politely excused myself and hunted down food. During this process I was approached by one of the girls in my group, who said I was very easy to spot with my BIG RED HAIR! So I already stand out in America, what will happen in Russia?
So there was food and getting to know each and soon we were approached by the others in the group, again because of my BIG RED HAIR:) I like these people, they are cool as all get out and I can see a good bond forming between us Americas.

Time to jump on the longest flight of my life! That plane was soooo big that I was wondering how it even gets off the ground. I mean they had to give me directions to my seat people! Once I sat down I crossed my fingers hoping that no one was going to sit next to me. SUCCESS! A whole row to myself! Not only the size impressed me but the fact that it was well stocked with things of comfort. There was a nice tv screen with tons of movies, tv shows, music, books, and even game options! Also they handed out slippers, a face mask and even headphones:)

About 10 minutes after takeoff the attendants started passing out wine! I was excited because I am broke and it was FREE! I needed a glass of wine to cure my migraine that had developed in CRAZY ASS JFK! So the lady came by speaking Russian of course and offered me red or white. I chose red but politely accepted white when there was only enough red for the bottom of the glass. The attendant then opened a new bottle and then pored me a whole glass of red! TWO glasses of wine...SCORE! The young and might I say cute Russian boy sitting behind me, then leaned forward and in English called me a "Russian Queen" for apparently being brave enough to accidentally order 2 glasses!
Haha so off to a good start I guess:) Then dinner was served and it was actually very yummy. I had beef with broccoli and some type of dumpling noodle thing! Oh and cheesecake was soooo good:) After eating and being somewhat buzzed off of the wine, I decided to try and sleep. About an hour later I woke up and decided that I would not be able to sleep in that atmosphere so I watched a few movies and the Big Bang Theory to pass the time.

10 hours later, with an "okay" breakfast, I had finally arrived in Moscow! My next post will focus on first impressions.

My last night in Florida

Flight time!!
My last night in America went something like this....
Mom: What do you want your last meal to be?
Me: What am I? A prisoner on death row?
Mom: Well you are going to Russia... but seriously what food will you miss the most?
A million possibilities rushed through my head and through a process of elimination I came to my decision.
Me: Tacos!!!

Not exactly American food but I did drink a nice cold local brew with my spicy tacos. And might I say my mom did an awesome job summoning her inner Mexican to whip me up the best taco meal ever! (moms not really Mexican, but her tacos were!)
After a nice meal I jumped on the back of a Harley to then ride down to the beach to see my last Florida sunset. It was BEAUTIFUL! Feeling the sand in my toes and the waves splashing up against my knees I felt right at home. Man I am going to miss it! After tons of pictures and a quick prayer, I was back on the bike and riding back home.

I'm going to miss this!

The last time I felt the ocean.

Beautiful Sunset 

Once there I gathered my family and walked down to the dock down the road and prepared to light a wish lantern....
How many people does it take??? Well in this case it was 5 but it turned out great and didn't crash into the water and burn out nor did it crash into someones' house and burn it down...although I can't help picturing a HOT fireman or two showing up to save the day:)
Last meal..Check
Last sunset...Check
Beautiful ending...double Check
I'm going to miss the beautiful people in my life, but I will do my best to share this experience with you through my words and pictures.

Getting There

Ok so when I say there are hoops that I had to jump through to get where I am going, I am talking about jumping through BIG fiery hoops while blindfolded, slightly intoxicated and with a gimp leg! Try doing that for about 6 months and maybe switch the fire with razor blades a few times, and you've got the painful bureaucratic process of pre study abroad craziness. I'll list out the basics for you people to get the gist but if you want specifics email me your questions.

#1: Picking the program I liked/ deciding the peoples pockets I was going to generously fill with cash so I can get my darn education!
This was the EASY part so do not get stuck on this if you are planning a study abroad. I talked with my study abroad adviser (shout out to Ms. M) and she helped me pick the right people to go with. 

#2: MONEY!  Now I'm poor, and the limbs from the tree in my back yard were used to beat me as a child so I haven't checked for money lately. So what do I do about money? I can not stress it enough that SCHOLARSHIPS saved my butt from being monkey punched and dragged in the mud from student loans! People go talk to your national scholarship office and study abroad office to get the details on scholarships you qualify for! I recommend starting to research a year in advance so you don't miss the deadlines. This is a very tedious process and it takes many attempts to perfect your essays and personal statements, so start early and get all the help you can. For about three days leading up to the deadlines, you could find me sitting in front of my laptop with a whole bottle of wine letting my creative juices flow last minute....matter of fact that may be happening now:) In the end I applied for at least a dozen scholarships and was awarded two. A special thanks to the Gilman Scholarship and the Genshaft/Greenbaum Passport Scholarship for awarding me a total of $10000!

#3: Advisers! Now this was the HARD part! There were so many people that I had to go through to get information and sign paperwork that it was a part time job that I had to bust my butt at to end up with a magical baby of a completed application! I am talking playing the he said she said game while getting the "that's not my job it's his/hers." I was dealing with at least 10 people through the whole process from advisers in financial aid to advisers in academics, study abroad, national  scholarship office, registrars office, program coordinator... the list goes on! All I can say is brace yourself for the storm of all storms like in the movie The Day After Tomorrow!

#4: Visa/Passport Expensive/Annoying! The passport I already had due to the fact that during my freshman year of college I was convinced that I'd end up dating a guy who was secretly a prince and would take me off into the sunset on hip privet jet (I think I watched too many movies as a kid lol). So for this trip all I needed was a visa. Easy right? WRONG! So for Russia apparently they have to INVITE you to even apply for a visa! So with my program coordinator working on his end to convince Russia how awesome I am, and myself getting stabbed with needles and tested like a  guinea pig, it was a very unpleasant process. But in the end it finally arrived! My personal invitation from Putin himself to go and study in the kingdom of Moscow. But then of course I had to apply for my visa and send a large amount of money for them to expedite it.

#5: Preparation/Packing. So I am a true Floridian that has never seen snow and I am about to spend a whole winter in one of the coldest places on earth! How do I prepare for that?! Well besides hiding from my boss in the walk-in freezer and the ice bucket challenge I've never been cold. So whilst I was researching and doing my shopping I tried to recall these fond memories and intensify the freeze by a hundred!! While the thought of the cold may be painful I am having a harder time with the fact that they only suggest packing ONE suitcase for the entire ten months that I am over there! I've got less than a week left and I still don't know how I am going to do it! Perhaps I'll try and wear as many outfits as I can on the plane and hire a giant to sit on my suitcase while I zip it up. I'll let you know how that turns out:)

I am so over this whole process and quite frankly even trying to recreate just a fraction of what I had to go through for you guys is stressing me out! All I can say is I hope all of it will be worth it! Next time I write will be from Russian soil so prepare yourself for some crazy jet-lagged verbiage. Oh and if any of you people are secret princes I just want you to know that I am totally cool and I have my passport;)   

Who? What? When? Where? Why?

Let's face it, before getting to the good and juicy parts of anything you always have to suffer boring introductions and repetitive formalities. My first post to my blog will be EXACTLY that, so if you like fast forwarding and skipping to the climax I would reconsider the next 5 minutes of your life spent reading about me myself and I, when you could be surfing the net for good cat videos and talking dogs. 

Pictured above (enter grannies name here)

Or turn back...who cares

 I am creating this blog to keep my friends and family posted on my life happenings while abroad, but for those of you who do not know me personally, here's a short introduction. My name is Sierra and I'm in my senior year of college majoring in Russian and International studies. For the 2014/2015 school year I will be studying in Russia, leaving the sunshine state to go beyond the wall of the north and freeze to death. 

what am I getting myself into?

Why Russia? This is a question that I am asked every time I tell someone I am about to embark on an adventure to one of the coldest places in the world. The answer is...WHY NOT? If given the option I am sure many of you would love to hop on a plane for 17 hours and live in a country where you barely speak the language...ok so maybe not. But hey, that's me! Crazy adventurer on the path to self discovery.

'nuff said

This blog will be completely informal so if you're OCD about grammar and spelling, feel free to correct said error in your mind and move on with it. I would love suggestions on topics and your input and feedback along the way. I look forward to sharing this experience with all of you and no matter how bumpy the road is ahead, having your support and words of encouragement will  in the end...keep me sane:) 

Stay tuned for my next post on the crazy hoops I had to jump through to get where I'm going.