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!