Well, just writing with a few updates...
The parliamentary elections are coming soon - December 2nd. They are considerably important for Russia considering that Vladimer Putin will be leading the party list for United Russia - meaning that he is open to the idea of leading Russia not from the seat of the president, but as head of the legislative branch as prime minister. In Russia, this is very remarkable, as the Russian constitution inadvertently creates a dynamic relationship of power between the prime minister and presidency. Considering Putin's high level of approval here in Russia, and the likelihood that he will get elected to the parliament, the odds that he'll be ruling Russia from the seat of the Prime Minister is high. As for likely candidates for future Russian president, who will be elected in March 2008, that remains to be unknown, and at this point, it's unimportant. It is widely understood and rarely contended that whoever becomes president next year will be playing second fiddle to Putin (and that Putin will probably chose this individual anyway).
That being said, I'm ready to come home for a break. The elections haven't occurred yet and I'm already exhausted by all of the "what if's" and prediction-making when really, I'm at a point now where I don't believe that any one outcome will cause a dramatic change in Russia's immediate future anyway. The mood here is shifting further and further from the West, as is the mentality and ideology being implemented. The US played and still plays a large role in this, but that's a discussion for another day.
Anyhow, amidst all of this, I'm still struggling to adapt to Russian life. It's become easier, of course, and one learns how to operate to survive. However, being raised in a country where practicality and efficiency are highly valued, running through endless channels of backwards bureaucracy can really shake one's mental state. It's just hard to do something "the way everyone else does it" when you know there's a better way. But that's just it - it's only the better way to you - to everyone else, the way things are right now are best.
Basically, I need a break.
That being said, I took some of my non-existent free time tonight to change (or at least attempt to change) the look of my blog - since I can't give myself a makeover at the moment, I figure I'd at least afford one to my "virtual" face. Let me know what you think.
Tomorrow, I'm off to a friends to celebrate Thanksgiving. Of course, this will be a Thanksgiving with turkey - but with Russian bulochki instead of dinner rolls, carrot and beat coleslaw instead of Green Bean Casserole, and probably some apple pirog instead of apple or pumpkin pie. The important thing is that I'm getting together with friends and to give thanks for how fortunate I am to be here in Moscow, healthy, with the support of my family and friends.
I hope you're all doing well at home (wherever that is for you) and preparing for your Thanksgiving feasts. I miss you all and look forward to seeing you over the holidays!
It's getting colder here in Moscow. Things are busy, so I apologize that I haven't posted much lately, but a new post is on it's way. My biggest problem is that I have so much I want to write, I can never chose what to post and what not to post! Hope all is well where ever this post finds you! -Cat
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