The time is ticking away in Russia

I now understand why the people with Fulbright Hayes insist that people stay for 30 days. After all this time I've began to form opinions for myself and not because of the influence of the media, but because I've lived it and experienced it for myself. My Russian friends surpised me with a wonderful cake last night. Amy and Connie spent much time trying to figure out what was in the cake before they bought it. Cindy laughed and said it probably had cucumbers in it. I said dill also. (Inside Russian jokes) It was great but it did have a few surprises like raisins and nuts. We had a hard time trying to clean the dishes since we have no hot water, so we just had to throw everything away. It was a MAJOR ordeal this morning when I tried to ask a Russian woman where and how we throw away the trash from two days of American women. Through many gestures and acting out I finally understood what to do. We took off for the university for our last lectures this morning. We have had at least 30 hrs of lectures and 10 hours of language lessons. These are formal. many many more informal. I'm begining to read. I've learned on this trip I'm a very observate person. i watch where i'm going and notice and can read just about everything I need to survive. I can't speak but about 3 phrases, but a smile works in any langauge. We first had a history lesson and it was very interesting. Ryazan is one of the oldest cities in Russia. it was founded in 1095. I learned all about princeapalities, feudal times, tatars and tzars. We must keep in mind that so much of this history is sooooomuch older than anything we learn about Americian History. We heard of Ivan the terrible, Catherine the Great, Peter the Great, Alex the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Nicholas 1st and 2nd. I've always heard so much about Soviet times, but this was only a 70 year period in Russian History and there is so much more than that. He spent most time on 18th century because this is when so much changed for Russia. Before this time there was mongolian and Asian influnence. Peter the Great brought the European influnce to Russia. He changed everything and how it was done. He made the men shave their beards and become more Europe like. By the end of the 18th century Catherine the Great had mad ethe tzars have absolute power. but by the 1860,s they had had to give freedoms to the peasants. By the end of the 19th century Russia was a world power. They moved to Imperialism with factory work and engaged in wars to gain power in the economy and political areas. Around the early 1900's they had lost a major war with Japan and had a civil war which caused them to lose 8 million people. After that the Soviet period started. Russia is 17 million km and the largest country in the world. It has 85 regions and 142 million people that mainly live in cities. We also had a lecture about geography but I'm not as into that. We then went to a Korean place for lunch and had curry chicken. VEry good and not like anything I've ever had. We went to three malls after that. WE Hate Russian clothes. They are expensive and very small. There close look like they are made for 10 year olds in our country. WE are for sure cutting down on portion size on our return. Tomorrow we are going to a monastry and to see some people making crafts. We are winding down. We will spend Sunday with Sasha, Lena, and Alona at their dasha( summer house) for a farewell dinner. Back to Moscow on Monday and fly home on Tuesday. WE are 9 hours ahead of you guys. i may write again, but may not have another chance. we are maybe going to a computer lab to work on projects. I'm developing a list of differences. i decided today to do it like David Lettermans--10 things you should know before traveling to Russia. Anyway, thanks for the connections i've had with you guys while i've been here. Write me an email and give me your thoughts at short730@yahoo.com Love to all