Частливого Рождество!!! (Merry Christmas!!!)

So that's how you say Merry Christmas in Russian. It's pronounced Chahsleevahvo Razhdyestvo! Try saying that! I'm about to head home for the holidays and I absolutely can not wait! I'm ready for a vacation and I think well deserving of one too. Work has been crazy the past few months. I've been extremely busy and am starting to really get into a groove as far as clubs and classes and schedules. I'm doing a bit of christmas shopping while I'm here today in Krasnoarmeysk at the bazar. I will be cleaning my house this evening and preparing for may journey back home. Everyone at school says that 12 days isn't nearly enough time but it's all that I've got and I think it will suffice. I'll be arriving in NYC at 3:15 on the 22nd and hopefully meeting up for a delicious burrito with my friend Clare and then I should arrive in Albany around 10 is my guess. There have been certain things which have gotten me incredible giddy every time I think of them... seeing the new Harry Potter film with Caitlin... driving a car (RIP Meg Mobile)... eating chips and salsa (Yum)... and listening to my dog make all the funny noises that he makes! Silly little things like going to the sink, turning it on, putting a glass under the flowing water, and drinking from that glass. And, yes a miracle has occurred, I can't wait to wash my clothes in a really washing mashine and then putting them in the dryer... My hands will appreciate the break from hand washing everything and my kitchen will not have my undie hanging in it to dry... I almost forgot what that was like.. almost! I will be in all my glory when I go to the valu... push around my nice big shopping cart and pick all the food off the shelves myself. It is a try 'Touch me, Feel me' store experience. I will eat many cones of Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup ice cream from Stewarts, and not be considered strange when I drink a soda. My clothes will suddenly become fasionable in just a short plane trip and I will not have to see women who wear make up so that you know they are wearing it, with their frosty pink lipstick, flourescent hair and white leather stiletto boots (that is what the mom's wear). Having a day where I understand everyword that is said to me and when you want to buy aluminum foil it's not a 2 day excursion to find, and it comes on a roll with more that just 10 feet! Ah life in America, I hope it's the same as I remember it! See you in just a few days!

Частливого Рождество!!! (