Super-Duper Wacky n' Tacky Euro Adventure

So I woke up to a lovely blanket of snow this morning (which is getting kinda common but still lovely!) and another surprise: the sun! Yes it was out in all its warm, -4 Celcius, glory to greet me on my way to school as I prepare for my final in about an hour. So when I got here three hours ago, I expected the sun to still be out when I went for a quick break outside about five minutes ago. Nope. Blizzard. Honest. Snow, wind, people STILL smoking outside. The whole bit. Oh where oh where did my sun go???

Our Armenian has left us! He's the first to go. I'll be the last. sad:(

Look at how productive my studying is going!

The weather sucks. It got above freezing again today boo.

The standard finals-time cold I have is in its last throws. I will smite thee with vitamin C, Claritin, and vodka!

The following pictures are from our farewell dinner and post party last Friday night.

unfortunately the same amount of fun cannot be had at the moment. A big test tomorrow and a paper still remain for me. Then a couple of projects to finish up at the world bank. rough, I know.

All plain reservations have been made! I'm outta here on the 21st to Paris!

Had an interesting day yesterday enduring two teacher reviews, posting stuff home, and figuring out my plane tickets. Bce po-russki! Well I might have had some help. A lot of help. Maybe I really didn't speak Russian much at all, but it was still tiring! I was so tuckered, I crawled into bed at night and watched the entire fifth season of Sex and the City. Oh I wasn't supposed to mention that. Should I also mention that I was munching on some chocolate at the same time? Oh shit. All credibility lost. Damn. Enough out of me. This never-sleeping thing is dangerous when mixed with blogging.

Have you ever wondered were all that snow goes that was one the street? Well, let me tell you. These big scary machines that somewhat resemble monsters come by in the middle night (this was 1AM) and make a bunch of noise and pick up snow and hall it into big dump trucks. I was terrified to say the least, but at the same time had enough frame of mind to snap a quick photo.
Posted by Picasa

We had a pretty good snowfall all day Sunday. This pile wasn't very deep, but I didn't want to ruin my pants. You get the idea.
Posted by Picasa

The cute little Russian furballs playing in the snow.
Posted by Picasa

Outside of my metro.
Posted by Picasa

Look ma, I made a tie with my bread!
Posted by Picasa

So these classiscly Russian buildings were covered in snow and I had to record the sterotypical situation. They are pretty, I must admit.
Posted by Picasa

The grocery store we went to is so very actimel (sorry for the inside jokes).
Posted by Picasa

This box of strawberries costs $35.
Posted by Picasa

Tourist trap!
Posted by Picasa

Yes, Stephen is in fact chatting up seven girls at once. In Russian. My hero.
Posted by Picasa

Local Russians try to get in on the action, but Iris is kinda freaked out.
Posted by Picasa

So we're at Help bar then?
Posted by Picasa

Stephen enjoys intimate conversations.
Posted by Picasa

Wait wait wait. What bar are we going to again?
Posted by Picasa

ah, look at the cuddly kid...
Posted by Picasa

Stephen, I can tell this is gonna turn bad soon.
Posted by Picasa

Iris indulges him.
Posted by Picasa

Seepan gives his version of the Asian pose.
Posted by Picasa

Laura has Russian style. Klasna.
Posted by Picasa

Serfectly Pober.
Posted by Picasa

Well, if you poor wine in my glass, I guess I'm gonna drink it.
Posted by Picasa

Presents for teachers: Eric was supposed to show the other side of this poster which had a picture from Stanford with all of our signatures that we were gonna present to the program coordinators. Eric appeared a bit too red in the face to get all of the directions down.
Posted by Picasa

Sasha in fact had the shot glass in his hand the whole night.
Posted by Picasa

Richard doesn't enjoy the traditional boundaries of "tables" that society imposes upon him.
Posted by Picasa

More people begin to break the table rule.
Posted by Picasa

Sasha prepares for the first toast of the evening.
Posted by Picasa

Our night begins with pleasant appetizers.
Posted by Picasa

...are week-old pics from St. Pete. Enjoy!

More Asian posing laughs. At least this guy was trying to be funny on purpose!
Posted by Picasa

Ooh, the Hermitage is pretty at sunset.
Posted by Picasa

His shirt says "Rita" in Russian. Love it!
Posted by Picasa

The tie survives the night!
Posted by Picasa

Oh no. How could you let me drink so much and pop my collar? WHY!?
Posted by Picasa

This guy made me pop my collar.
Posted by Picasa

I think there was something interesting on the ceiling.
Posted by Picasa

Getting cudly...
Posted by Picasa

More Estonian and Irish love.
Posted by Picasa

quick, strike the most confusing pose you can!
Posted by Picasa

psst, Dave. I think he's straight.
Posted by Picasa

Could this guy be more German? The answer is no. Dave gives the standard pose.
Posted by Picasa

wait a minute, where did this drunk Frenchman come from?
Posted by Picasa

Hey, it's not your dnem rozhdeniya!
Posted by Picasa

The Estonian and Irish embassadors enjoy good times.
Posted by Picasa

Swiss bar fun.
Posted by Picasa

Look at this map! It's off-center! Moscow is literally at the middle of the world!
Posted by Picasa

The seat of preference...
Posted by Picasa

These crazy Austrians and Germans started licking cinnamon with their shots of vodka just like we lick salt with tequila! What gives?
Posted by Picasa

Lesson learned: Don't take shots from a wooden shot glass. It will leak.
Posted by Picasa

This is very serious vodka pouring.
Posted by Picasa