52 Leningradsky Prospect Apt. 87-Our Building, Floor Plan, and our Crazy Door!

Part of our building and our red gate and the security hut. Once I go through the red gate, I go to the left and inside the automatic sliding doors to the elevator. We have 24hr. security and underground parking which will be awesome for Darron in the winter. The guard always lets us in. If not, we have a little sensor on our keys that opens the red gate. Sometimes our security guard appears to be drunk and passed out OR sleeping...but hey, it's Russia! Nothing like a little vodka for breakfast! Just FYI, little Russian lesson, the black and red sign above the red gate..that K word means Kitchen in Russian. It's just an advertisement.

And here is our apartment front door. It looks fairly normal, but it's not. It's the Mr. T of all doors. You can see the circle digicode. We've got a 6 digit number that we punch in and the door beeps and then we can open it. What's really nice is I really don't have to take keys because the guard lets me in the gate! (unless he's sleeping but then I ring the doorbell and wake him up!)

So here is our crazy door opened. It's like a bank vault--very heavy and safe! You can also see we have a "normal door" as well which serves absolutely no purpose. You might notice there isn't a peep hole--no problem. We have a camera in our apartment so we can see who's at the door and also the elevator area. As you are looking into our apartment; to the right is the three bedrooms and to the left is the guest bathroom and living/dining room and kitchen.

Finally, for your viewing pleasure, I posted a picure of our floor plan to make it easier to get a feel for our apartment. I even wrote rooms in English to simplify your reading. I'm nice like that. The writing that is cut off is the guest bathroom (off the hallway to the left of the entry). We really like the layout and that the bedrooms are away from the livingroom/dining and kitchen.

Inside apartment pictures forthcoming...stay tuned for more fun, witty, blog postings!

Ice Cream in a Bag...literally!

Not sure I've ever seen this in the US. (Please be reminded that I didn't actually GROCERY shop in the US so maybe it is available!) I had heard about the Russian ice cream in a bag and was a bit skeptical to try it. Yesterday, when shopping at the new Carrefour, I decided to get crazy and buy it. Not only is it in a bag, it even comes equipped with a carrying handle! And who says Russians don't have items of "convenience"! I haven't tried it yet, but today I made some homemade chocolate sauce to go with it! Notice the crazy Russian alphabet! Also, I made another great discovery- cheese sticks! They probably won't compare to Langels but sometimes you've go with what you can get.

Pushkin Cafe with Janae and Family

When asking our new Moscow friends where was a good place to dine with guests...they always said the Pushkin Cafe. We were treated by Janae and family to lunch during their visit and had a great time and a fantastic meal. A big THANK YOU to them. A quote from the internet..."Cafe Pushkin has the feel of a 19th-century mansion. Each of the floors has a different thrust, with a cherrywood bar and well-lit cafe on the first floor, a more formal dining room on the second, and a decadent and breezy summer cafe on the top. The menu weighs a ton -- both the Russian and English versions"

The guys and Janae all had Borscht soup for an appetizer which they said was fabulous. Whitney and I had chicken noodle soup. Nothing like Mrs. Grass' with the Golden Nugget! All I can say is it was different. It had a few noodles and chicken on the bone. We also found quail eggs, chicken hearts and livers floating in there! YIKES! The quail eggs tasted just like regular eggs. Needless to say, we both decided against the chicken hearts and livers. We all had different "Pelmeni'" for our main course which are dumplings filled with minced meat, cheese, fish or mushrooms with sour cream on top. I, of course, had just the cheese Pelmeni and it was SO YUMMY! Pelmini "is one of the most ancient of traditional Russian foods and have born many names through the centuries. Pelmeni are often referred to (by foreigners) as “Siberian Dumplings” or “Siberian Ravioli.” They were and are traditionally made by the hundreds or thousands and kept frozen over time. The process, which is a fairly tedious one of rolling, cutting, filling, folding, and pinching large quantities of dough, is a time-honored family tradition often accompanied by hours of songs, stories, and vodka".

Janae and fam bring the MOTHERLOAD to the Motherland!

WOW!! Words can't explain how much stuff they lugged with them! When I came home from picking up take-out pizza, (nothing like Sbarro pizza for their first night in Moscow!) I found all the TREASURES Janae and fam had brought for us! It was like Christmas! Darron couldn't believe it either! He was THRILLED with the wine Greg brought. Any expat knows how exciting it is when friends bring things we cant' get overseas. We laughed because a few of the things were items I gave Janae when we moved from Paris. Now they are moving back to Kokomo and she gave them back! I was slightly worried about the lack of clothes they brought in order to lug all these goodies! (they did stay fully clothed the whole week-LOL!) My mom is going to be so jealous of the Speculoos! FOUR new jars! THANK YOU Janae, Greg, and Whitney! We are thrilled you are here!

Hotel Damasius is ready for our second round of guests!

This is the sign and table I prepared for our guests. We wanted to make it as hotel like as possible! This sofa table is in the hallway leading to all the bedrooms. I had maps, brochures, tourist magazines, Russian chocolates, and the sign...don't be offended by the last comment...it was a joke between Janae and I!

I suck at jet lag!

Okay, I'm pretty good at a lot of things. Jet lag does NOT fall into that category! I am getting ready for Janae and family to arrive and I can't sleep! I keep staying up late thinking I'll sleep in- but I'm always up at 4am. The dreaded 4am jet lag everyone warned me about. I can't believe how much stuff I can get done waking up at 4! I'm a bit slap happy I think--I need a serious nap...

See you all in December! Da SveDanya!

My Judy and I on our way to the airport. I'm off to the Motherland- while my mom is off to sunny California. She is going to be with friends and celebrate her birthday on a cruise! I won't say which birthday but it's up there! :-) Although I am excited to get back to Russia and see my new friends (and hubby!), it's always hard for me to leave home. Thanks to my mom for putting up with me for 5 weeks (and the daily BK trips for Dr. Pepper! Every once in awhile I can buy it here but it's $4.00 per can! Highway Robbery!) and to everyone for spending time with me. I am sorry I didn't get to spend more time with some of you and a few of you I missed altogether! Please keep in touch--better yet, come visit (the only rule of visiting is you must bring American food treasures!)--I'll miss you all--especially my mama!

The cutest little cousin EVER!

My trip home also would not have been complete without meeting my new little cousin Greyson. He was a New Years Eve baby! I was so lucky to get to watch him for an entire day! He has the cutest laugh -and his chunky legs are irresistible! I can't wait to see him in December. It's hard for me to believe that MY little cousin Greg is a dad but I know he'll be the best daddy ever. He's got the greatest role model. Girl babies....back away...

Hannah's Dance Recital

Darron and I were so happy we were able to be home for Hanna's dance recital. We wouldn't have wanted to miss this! She was so darn cute and we were really proud of her. I still can't believe she's going to be in kindergarten this fall! Although we enjoy living overseas, we sure miss seeing her smiley face!

My Great Niece Marleigh Kate

Yep! Believe it or not, I am a great aunt! My trip wouldn't have been complete without meeting Marleigh who was born in January. I was afraid they might name her Obama but PRAISE the LORD they did not! She is absolutely adorable! She is the daughter of my niece Melissa and her hubby Nate. She really is ridiculously cute. Have I mentioned that already? I had to wait almost 6 months before I could meet her. I look forward to seeing her again over Christmas and will sure miss the time inbetween! I'll work with her to say Aunt Jenny! (and Go Cubs but I know her daddy is working on that!)