Defender's Day (Man's Day)

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I think yesterday (Saturday) 23 March is the offical day, but it is Defender's Day, also known as Man's Day. You could related it to Father's Day or Armed Forces' Day because it is a day to honor the men that fought and/or lost their lives in the wars. On Friday at work, all of the ladies got together for a celebration for the men and gave us ties (along with some drinks, you know, we are in Russia). Then in the plant, the ladies went together to get some very nice gifts for Vladimir and me. It was very nice. I still do not agree with the drinking at work, but it is nice to have these celebrations and have everyone rally behind their people/country.

I did not realize this when I scheduled my party, but Dasha and Michael came to Obninsk. We were going to go bowling, but all of the lanes were full until after midnight so I had a little party at my house. I invited Dasha, Michael, Vladimir, and his wife to dinner and put on a good spread with fondue, meatloaf, scallop potatos, Jell-O (inside joke with Dasha), and pumpkin pie. It all turned out great. We had a very nice time. I do not think the Russians like the pumpkin pie and/or it was very different for them, but Michael and I both had two pieces...lol

Then around 8, I invited about 10 other people so I had a full flat. Most of the group had met each other at least once but I was not sure what to do to keep everyone interacting so I called on Mom and Jetta for ideas. I also did a little searching and decided on Charades. I was not sure how it would go over and for those of you that know me, I do not read a lot so I did not know a lot of book names and the ones I did know, I was not sure if they would be known by my Russian friends so I went with objects.

After everyone arrived, I broke everyone into teams and then went over the "rules". Everyone caught on well and it did not take them very long to guess at the answer. I was hoping it would have lasted a little longer, but I think all and all, it went well. Of course we socialized and drank a little as well, but it was a good time. I did not take many pictures, but I am attaching some.

From what I hear, it is not just here in Russia, but we are having the weirdest weather. Yesterday, I am sure we were setting record highs as it was in the upper 40's but today it is snowing so hard, I can not see the buidlings across the street from me. When I got up, it was right at freezing and had snowed a little during the night because all of our snow was gone after yesterday's heat wave. Now at 10:15, I can not see outside and the ground is covered.

I know this not long, but thought I would just touch bases with everyone.

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Photos

Dinner
This was the company and dinner spread before the party started.

Extra Days in China?
It is a long story, but Leo is going to China for a few days on business and we were giving him a hard not for not speanding a few more days while he is there.

The Die Hearts
This was the group that stayed and partied a little later than the others.

Comments

[Jetta]

Yuk!
I have to agree with your friends, I think pumpkin pie is disgusting! So it isn't just your Russian friends.

[Leo]

Shanghai staying
I'm back! =) Chinese will conquer the world! Shanghai is very nice city, very clean. BTW We didn't have enough time for negotiation, so, we asked our boss to stay longer - answer was NO. as we thought before ---> No surprise, u see.

[vkramer515]

Thanks for Asking
At least you asked, thank you! Not trying to be dumb, if there were no time for negotiations, what did you do there for two days? I thought that was the purpose of your visit?

[Man]

AllDayManDay
You should go check out www.alldaymanday.com

[vkramer515]

Thanks
I will check it out when I get back on Sunday. Thank you!