| Previous Issue | February 17, 1999 | Volume: 1 | Issue: 2 | Issue Editor: Jamie Rayman | Next Issue |
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Our hostel rooms are pretty cozy, except on those days when the outside temperature drops below zero. It's those days when the long underwear and layers of warm clothing become pretty handy. When it's cold outside, you can bet it gets cold inside too. Our kitchen accommodations are pretty decent. We have a stove that's used by everyone on our floor, which usually works out all right. Fortunately, the guys in our group are less prone to cooking then the girls, so it doesn't get too crowded. The only real drawback is that the window in our kitchen is broken, so the temperature inside is generally only slightly warmer then the temperature outside. We've found however, that if you hover right over the stove, you can generally keep warm enough. The kitchen serves our group well when we hold our weekly potluck dinners. It's becoming a tradition for our group to eat together on Tuesday nights. Everyone cooks or contributes something for our meal, and by the time we're all gathered in someone's room to eat, we end up with a pretty nice dinner. Another interesting factor concerning our living accommodations would be the nonrent paying tenants, also known as the cockroaches. They've seemed to make themselves right at home amongst us. We have spotted a few here and there in our rooms and classrooms and are learning to share our lives and homes with these creatures. We've heard though that if we're messy with food in our rooms they will outnumber us by about a million to one! We've had to make a few adjustments in our living styles since leaving America, but we're all having a great time learning and living as the Russians do. Not a day goes by when we don't learn something we'd probably never see back in dear old State College! |
Lidia Zaharovna attended Moscow State Pedagogic University, where she received a degree as a teacher of Russian Literature and Language. Upon graduation, she taught Russian Language and Literature at a secondary school for 2 years. She was hired in the Pedagogic Department at Moscow State Agroengineering University in 1983 and has been there ever since. In 1993, she received a scientific degree as Doctor of Pedagogic Sciences and became a professor. At MSAU, Lidia Zaharovna teaches Russian Language to foreigners and Russians alike. She also teaches classes to help prepare students becoming teachers. Some of these classes include: methods of teaching, Ancient and Medieval history of teaching and classes on the preparation of conferences, field trips and lesson plans. Lidia Zaharovna began her English training when she was in secondary school. She studied English in school and then later in college. However, she didn't develop a great interest in the English language until it became a necessity. That occurred when she got involved in the Penn State/Moscow State Agroengineering University exchange. Her assistance was requested by the vice-president of the University to help prepare for visiting Penn State students. From then on, she has put a great deal of time into this program. She visited Penn State twice to help make final plans for the current exchange program. Lidia Zaharovna has put forth a great deal of effort both before our arrival and now, during our stay. We appreciate all her time and effort. |
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With over 9 million people using the metro each day, these added stations are definitely needed. During peak hours, it is easy to believe that more than 9 million people are using the system. Even if there is nothing to hold on to when the train stops, you can be sure that you won't fall. When there is no room to move, your neighbors have no choice but to hold your body up. I can't imagine a Moscow heat wave... Even with these minor hassles, the metro is still the best means of getting around Moscow; and it is the cleanest and most efficient metro system that I have ever seen. The trains are large, pick-up passengers on a frequent timetable, and the stations are beautiful. In fact, some of Moscow's best architecture lies underground. Many of the stations are filled with marble, mosaics, and statues. The two-minute escalator ride from the surface of the earth to the subterranean haunts of the Moscow Metro is one that I take almost daily at the Petrovsko-Razumovskaya station across from our hostel. It is a similar ride to that which millions of others take daily. It is a ride that culminates in an efficient, though somewhat crowded and aggravating, mode of transport. Without the metro, I know my feet would be sore. |
Recently
the United States celebrated a holiday called Groundhog Day. The
legend of this holiday is that a groundhog named "Phil" comes out of his
burrow on this day, and if he sees his shadow, then he will become scared
and run back into his hole. This action, according to the legend
means that there will be six more weeks of winter. However, if he
does not see his shadow then there will be an early spring.
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Four
weeks have passed here in Moscow and I have evolved into something with
a little more credibility than a simple tourist. I can now stumble over
a number of phrases to communicate important information to the native
people with whom I interact on a daily basis. I have found the market
to be the most interesting place to interact with such people.
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My foreign accent also helps give me away as the American "R" sound catches their ear. I found myself being fitted for 10 different leather jackets in less than 20 minutes one day! The energy of the whole situation was amazing! The market is definitely a place to go for spontaneity.
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