Where in the World is Cat?

4am EST and I just finished packing. Not because I needed the better part of 6 hours to pack, but because I also wanted to leave my room neat and tidy in the process. That and nerves and diet cola have got me awake. I know I need to get up in a couple short hours, and that after that I've got a long 36 hour trek ahead of me, but all the same, I can't sleep!

So many questions unanswered, and for so long I've been unable to answer them - at this point I just want to get on the damn plane and get to Moscow so I can learn the answers - no matter how bad they may be. (Question numero uno being, um - where am I going to live this year? Apparently letting you know your dorm assignment isn't up there on the school's "to-do" list.)

Knowing that I've got a couple of friends from Middlebury that will be in Moscow is certainly calming, and I hope to connect with them as soon as possible.

Not sure when I'll have time to update my blog again....hoping that I'll find an internet connection within my first few days in Moscow.

And I can't sleep. Must be my old friend anxiety walking back into my life after the vacation that was Middlebury. Still fighting my cold, but hopefully will be healthy enough to fly-pain free on Saturday.

Returned home to NY with the family today, happy to be home...but at the same time dreading all of the unpacking, sifting, sorting and then-again packing that has become so systematic to me. My father has encouraged me to ignore my usual want to "nest" wherever I've moved, at least while I'm in Russia. What can I say? I like to feel at home. The worst part is after my job in DC last year, I've become an increasingly more efficient packer. Oh well, live and learn. I doubt I'll ever reach the suitcase and a backpack-type packer that some were at Middlebury, but I can still use to make some efforts at reduction.

Tomorrow and Friday bring a long of list of crossing t's and dotting i's before I leave the States - changing the registration on my car, cancelling my cell phone, making sure I have the items I need for Russia, basically wiping out any existing shred of my life here in the States and making sure that everything's lined up for my "new" life in Moscow. Unfortunately, at the moment I only have my first two night's accomodations in Moscow confirmed....let's hope they don't ship me back or force me on the streets during my first week (though that would be the most realistic Russian experience I might ever have).

Luckily, there are a handful of Middlebury students that will be stopping in Moscow during my first few days there, so I'm hoping that I can catch up with them, just so I don't spend my first week wandering the streets. Maybe we'll explore the city or our respective neighborhoods together - fingers crossed.

Well, scary to say, Middlebury is now a thing of my past - though what a great time it was. I will always have fond memories from my summer up there...and will always secretly hope that I have the opportunity to return.

Now, I'm back with the family and "on vacation" in Cape Cod. I use quotation marks only because I got the worst summer cold of my life as soon as I stepped off the Middlebury campus. I really did overdo it Wednesday night, and I think this is God's way of reminding me I'm no longer in college...and that fun must be had in moderation. So, here I sit in Panera Bread (my home away from home) with my hot tea and chicken soup, dressed in jeans and a sweater while everyone else dances around in their shorts and t-shirts. I only hope I get healthy by Saturday morning - I don't want to die on my 8 hour flight to Russia!

Speaking of Russia, I'm still in the dark as to where I'm living, what classes I'm taking, or even as to who may meet me at the airport. With 6 days to go, I'm doing my best not to get nervous and to approach this as one of the great adventures of my life. I need to get used to this last-minute kinda of lifestyle anyways, right? I do have a briefing with the Office of International Relations back in Albany, so I do have some sense that at least somebody other than me thinks that I will be studying at MGIMO in (gasp!) 9 days.

I've got three more days in Cape Cod, and I'm hoping to fit in at least one more day at the beach and some deep-sea fishing (my favorite Cape Cod activity). Here's to hoping I fit those in AND get healthy before I leave!

Amazing. This summer has certainly gone by much quicker than expected, but at the same time is drawing to a close with perfect timing. People are getting tired of speaking in Russian - we're not all as smart in Russian as we are in English. The inability to articulate yourself clearly can cause severe complexes. The language pledge ends Wednesday, and people are antsy to get to "be smart" again.

Other than that, a lot has happened over the weekend. All of the sports teams have finished up - the Russian school has a pretty good record - coming in first in volleyball and second in soccer (out of nine schools). Our big Russian "spectacle" (concert) was last night, and just about everybody is wiped out at this point. I've got some photos on my website if you want to check them out.

Well, so sorry for the long break in posting. As you might imagine, things have been very busy in the last few weeks with the impending closing of the summer program. This past week has dragged, mainly due to the fact that our exit exams were conducted over the weekend, virtually leaving us without a break in our work week. That, and the fact that the Russian choir is visciously practicing (between 3-4 hours a day) for our show on Sunday. Got a full schedule of soccer and volleyball games this weekend as well, so needless to say after the show on Sunday I'll be ready for a drink or two (or three...).

It's really hard to believe that we've only got a week left to the program. I feel quite fortunate to have had the chance to study here - I know it's helped my Russian immensely. The friends and acquaintances here are wonderful, and I can only hope that I get to continue many of the friendships I've established here beyond the end of the program and while I'm in Moscow.

I'll be sure to put some new pictures up soon too. I realize my website is a bit boring now...once I get some time to work on the gidgets that come with this website I promise I'll make it more interesting. I hope to have video from the show after Sunday as well, and if I can manage to find a way to include that - you can be sure that I will.

Well, gotta study for my LAST oral exam - after that just one more test to go before the end of the program. Then onto a short vacation.....ahhh, life now is fast but good. :-) How are you all doing???