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Published: March 10th 2007
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My Favorite Building
I have no idea why I love this building, but it has caught my eye from the first day I got here and we drove by it on the way to Obninsk. I think it is called The Science and Technology Building. Nothing too exciting, but a lot to tell about from this weekend. Last night I hosted my first 'meet and greet' in Moscow and had a pretty good showing with 8 people. All of them Russian and bilingal (or tri-), but me...lol. The restaurant I selected had a live band so it was too loud for good conversation, but everyone seem to have a good time. So Misha did not have to wait around for me since I did not know how late we would stay and I wanted to do some shopping in the tourist district today, I sent him back to home and I decided to stay the night, in a hostel.
Yes, everyone were all concerned about me staying there and my safety, but for $25/night, I had to try it because it much cheaper than any hotel which if you find one for under $150, you will be very lucky. This
My Favorite Building2
I was standing on this ledge and as I stepped back trying to get a better view, I fell off and landing flat on my back. I was not paying attention that it curved around and I was right at the curve. I saved the camera and got the picture! hostel was also near a metro stop and they spoke English so I decided to give it a try. Well, Alex was also worried about me so he walked with me and made sure I got checked in okay, which I thought was nice, but not necessary. There was one back alley we had to walk through that I was sort of glad to have someone else along with me; but overall, it seemed very safe, just dark. And for the price, it was a great deal! It was not Hilton, but was clean with the basics. Actually, my mattress and pillow were better than some of the Courtyards (Decatur, AL to be specific for those reading from that area....lol). I requested the dorm that slept four people but ended up in the dorm that slept eight. With rude dormmates, it could be pretty loud and a long night; but I was lucky, there were only four people plus myself in our room and they were very quiet. I went to bed after them and heard them get up, but very quiet. Since we never really saw each other, I did not get to talk to them but saw they
My Favorite Building1
I want to get some more pictures of it on a more sunny day, but at least now I know how to get to it from the metro. I just love the clocks on it. all had huge backpacks so I am guessing cross country travelers.
I got up, got my shower, and checked out. Overall, a very good experience and a great value! I then headed to Starlite for breakfast. I keep hearing how it as American as they get here in Moscow and I wanted pancakes and bacon for breakfast. I knew exactly where it was located and which metro, but how to cross the roads became the challange but I made it and YES, it pretty American. They even left the thermos of coffee at the table for me drink (free refills, the first place I have found in Moscow that is true for coffee). The bacon tasted great but was not as crisped as I had wanted, but it tasted good as were my pancakes with pecans (yes, pecans!) and bananas with plenty of sryup! I should have asked where they get their sryup since I have not been able to find it so import it in.
While enjoying my free refills of coffee, I checked out the map for the American Medical Clinic and I am glad I did because where I thought I had to go was
Starlite
Everyone kept telling me this is a restaurant most like those back home and it was...I even had a thermos of coffee left at my table for free refills. I realize the picture looks like most restaurants, IN THE USA, but not here in Russia! for the dentists, not the doctors. When I got there, they said it was pretty busy and I may have to wait, was that okay? I asked how long because maybe I could come back, they said maybe 15 minutes. I about fell out of my chair as I wait that long when I have an appointment. It ended up they waited on me to finish filling out all of my paperwork.
Now on to the problem, after I got back from the cruise, my back has been hurting. That first week, it was terrible and I almost went then, but suffered through it as it got a little better by the end of the week. It has never been 100%, but bearable until this week and hurt again. The worse part was at night as I never lay still when I sleep so everytime I would move, I would wake myself because of the pain. I had that for the past few nights and decided it was time to have it checked. I was not told it was "draft" as our company doctor told me, but he did not know so gave me a message, a list of excercises, no volleyball, and hot/cold shower requirements in the morning. I will go back on Tuesday to see if it is any better, but if this evening is any signs, it will not be better. This was probably the most expensive massage I have ever received. Besides the normal massage, he also used some sort of sucktions. The first time, I thought he was going to pull the skin off my back then he releases it a little and tells me he is going to leave them on for 10 minutes. I wonder if I get my insurance to pay for all of my massages?!?!
The other thing that was amazing. I get there, of course with no appointment, and they tell me it is going to be awhile because all of the doctors are busy. I asked how long is "awhile" thinking I may come back or just live with it. She tells me maybe 15 minutes. I about hit the floor as I wait that long when I have an appointment at my doctor's office back home. It ended up being less than that as they were waiting on me to finish all of my insurance paperwork. So it was nice to get right in; I just wish he knew what the problem was and could suggesti some more concert to correct it.
After I got done there, I headed to Old Arbat Street (tourist trap for shopping), but I knew I could find what I wanted, which I did. After I got done there, I went to take pictures of my favorite building in Moscow since I had an hour before meeting Misha. I found it. The weather was not the best for pictures, but you can at least see the building more closely. I do not know, but I have loved this building (The Science and Technology Building) ever since I took my first ride from the airport to Obninsk. I tried once before, but took the wrong metro line and it was a little far to walk to get close ups so now that I know, I will go when it is nice and sunny and/or dark to get a few more pictures.
I am sure it did not help my back falling off the ledge. I was stepping backwards, trying to get the wires out of my picture and did not realize I was standing at the curve so there was nothing behind me, but stepped back and fell straight on my back. There as a pile of snow to break my fall and did not seem to hurt anything but my pride. Finished taking pictures and headed to meet Misha so I could get home and clean.
Tomorrow, Natalia (the English teacher class where they wanted my autograph) and Pavel (her husband who is a big photograher) and Kat (my Russian teacher) over for coffee/tea tomorrow evening. I am trying to decide on what to cook for dessert. I am thinking of cream pie, very American, and/or bread pudding. Maybe I will just make both, ummmm! And I have a little peanut brittle left over from Thursday. It was a big hit at work on Friday. Michael thinks it may have been the peanuts that turned it darker than normal, but all agreed it did not taste burnt so not sure.
Okay, it is late here so I am off to bed. Take care!
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Margaret
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Back problems
Back problems can be a real pain. The best thing is a simple thing - while lying down, lift your knees to your chest. Do both one at a time and both together x10. This strengthens the muscles that hold us upright. The problem is when you are feeling better, it's too easy so you don't do it and that's where the trouble comes again. When you're hurting, you can's do them. If you can get a muscle relaxer like Flexiril, that helps too. Good luck!