A Russian Thanksgiving

As many American families gathered for Thanksgiving Dinner, our Russian Thanksgiving dinner was coming to a close (don't forget the 9-10 hour time difference).

Our Thanksgiving Dinner was a very memorable one.  This Thanksgiving was my first time preparing all foods solo and I had to go about the preparations with what is available in Russia.  I enjoy cooking and I enjoy making things from scratch, but I would have loved to have a few American conveniences (French's Onions and my mother's multiple ovens come to mind).  As much as I enjoy cooking, there is one food I hate to cook and until this Thanksgiving, I had never attempted.  A whole (entire?) bird.  In this case, it was a chicken (a turkey would not have fit in our oven, plus I didn't want to have a massive amount of leftovers).

After much deliberation at the store, I chose my chicken.  I did a fair amount of Internet research, finding various recipes for our Thanksgiving side dishes.  I ventured to multiple stores collecting ingredients.  I was set for Thanksgiving Dinner preparation.  I developed a "schedule" for the oven.  You may giggle at this, but with only one oven and Fischer Price size too, it is crucial to plan ahead.  I began my preparations after Ryan left for work Thursday morning (about 8:00 a.m.), took a 2 hour break about 10 a.m. for my daily trip to the gym and returned to the kitchen, working until dinner was served at 7:00 p.m.  I will not try and sugar coat this next sentence; making a Thanksgiving Dinner is TIME CONSUMING!!  The time issue may have been a result of working alone or making everything from scratch (most likely a mix of both).

Our Thanksgiving menu:

chicken
roasted vegetables
stuffing
green bean casserole
cornbread
cranberry sauce (cheat on my part, I brought a can back from the States this summer)
pumpkin pie

Sweet Potatoes were sadly missed.  I could not find them anywhere.

Guests included two men (one gentleman is from the U.K.) from Ryan's team.  Both of the guys were bachelors (wives were traveling) for Thanksgiving.  The dinner received excellent reviews and thankfully the guys ate a lot.  I did not want a ton of leftovers.

Food waiting for the dinner table.

I wanted to show the cramped oven.  Chicken with vegetables on bottom and stuffing on top.

Mini pumpkin pies.  I spiked the pie with Amaretto.  The white is a sugared almond crumble. 

Green Bean Casserole.  I would have loved to have French's Onions but this caramelized onion breadcrumb topping was a decent substitute.  I was pretty excited I made the homemade cream of mushroom soup. 

Mini cornbread muffins.

Out of the oven, stuffing and chicken.  Thank you Mom for sending me back with Reynolds Oven Bags.  

I wanted to take a picture with all the guys around the table, but they thought it was more appropriate for me to be in the picture. 

Check this one off the list.  Russian Thanksgiving was a delicious success.

Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

Our last and final destination in Egypt was in the lovely, relaxing and oh, so sunny Sharm El Sheikh.  I would compare Sharm El Sheikh to the Caribbean.  Just as North Americans frequently visit the Caribbean for a warm, sunny getaway, Europeans and Russians visit Sharm El Sheikh.  I am very glad Ryan chose this destination to be our last stop prior to our return to Russia.

Sharm El Sheikh contained no historical value, no Egyptian architecture and definitely no Egyptian hustlers.  It was strictly planned as a warm, sunny, relaxing stop.  We did enjoy the warmth, we did soak up much of the sunny rays and we did find much time to relax.  We also took part in one of my "bucket list" items, riding a camel.  Let's just say, riding a camel is nowhere near as glamorous as the Sex and the City movie portrays.  Camel rides are comparable to a wooden roller coaster (you may relate if you have ever ridden a wooden roller coaster).  They are a bumpy ride, very high up and you are just waiting for the moment you fall off.  When the camel stands up, it is like ascending to the highest peak of the coaster, when the camel sits down, image the steep angle and fear associated with a giant drop.  The ride also became much more interesting (scary) when Ryan dismounted his camel and prior to me dismounting my camel, his camel decided to turn around and try to BITE my camel.  My camel was not having any of it, he shot up (I had already braced myself for the sitting and was no longer holding on for dear life) and a large amount of high pitched screaming spewed from my mouth.  Do not get me wrong, I am happy that we rode camels and I am thankful I can check it off my bucket list, but I could have done without the "kicking the bucket" feelings during the ride.

Ryan was able to participate in an activity that he has been talking about for quite some time, scuba diving. He signed up to take an introductory course through a company affiliated with our hotel.  He did some research prior to our trip and discovered the Ritz Carlton of Sharm El Sheik is known for their diving company and they have a private (actually very nice) coral reef off their hotel (the hotel is on the shores of the Red Sea).  Originally, he planned to become certified during our stay, but there is a time restriction between a deep water dive and plane flight (something about decompression sickness).  He decided on the introductory course and convinced me to join him.  I was willing to give scuba diving a try.  Sure, why not, how bad could it be?  The sitting, learning the facts, book portion of the class was a breeze for me.  I knew every signal, knew how to hook up the equipment, I was a pro.  Then things started to go downhill or more realistically, I was in over my head.  Our instructor had us "suit up" wet suit (check), vest (check), weight belt!?!?!(check, but was really questioning this addition), respirator and oxygen tank (check, but goodness, gracious, this thing is heavy), face mask (check), and flippers (check).

After much slow and awkward penguin walking, I finally made it to the edge of the pool.  I was ready for the next portion of the class, pool instruction.  I should have known things were not looking good for me when the instructor simply walked off the edge, into the pool, then turned around and motioned for me to "walk in."  Let me fill you in on Ryan, up to this point he is like a scuba diving master.  He dominated the knowledge portion and walked into the water like he was going for a Sunday stroll.  I, on the other hand, finally found the courage to walk in.  To shorten the story and give you the main stand out moments, I spent the entire time (approximately 10 minutes underwater) with one hand cemented to my respirator, making sure it did not come out, shaking my head no and pumping air back into my vest every time our instructor released air.  Do not try to visualize this too much, it was not a pleasant sight.  Again, Ryan was a fish, master of the water.  I finally clawed my way up the pool side, to the water surface and clung for my dear life.  Ryan finally told the instructor that his efforts were great, but there was no way I was going to proceed to the third portion of the class, open water dive.

As soon as the instructor unsnapped my weight belt, removed my oxygen tank and I ripped off my flippers, I felt like a human again and no longer a handicap frog.  Ryan proceeded to the open water portion and I made a straight shot to the beach.  I poured my heart out to the beach attendant as he prepped my towel and beach chair.  I told him of my failures with scuba diving and he simply shook his head and responded with, "if you want to look at fish, you don't need to scuba dive, I'll bring the fish to the pool for you."  After the beach attendant's kind words and the glorious warmth of the sunshine, my breathing finally returned to normal rather than the short, gasping breaths I experienced in the pool.  Come to think of it, the lovely, fresh, oxygen filled air surrounding me may have been the primary cause for my normal breathing.  Ryan found me after his open water dive and filled me in on all the fantastic underwater sights.

Prior to the scuba diving class, we had signed up for a snorkeling boat trip the following day.  Even after my scuba experience, I was still ready for snorkeling.  The snorkeling was beautiful, I have never seen such impressive corals, giant fish and we found Nemo!  Again, Ryan was a fish.  He spent every possible second in the water, free diving and exploring.  We even had some lovely dolphin tour guides join our boat and guide our path through the water!!

Enjoy the photo album.  Sharm El Sheikh, the place for many first (and last) experiences.

Sharm El Sheikh

Luxor, Egypt

*Large sigh of relief*

I have finally finished uploading all pictures, writing captions and making final additions to the Luxor Photo Album.  The album contains over 150 pictures (consider yourself warned).  Luxor was filled with so many photo opportunities.  I wanted to capture all the tombs, torches and temples.

Highlights of Luxor included Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and Luxor Temple.

Karnak Temple

Luxor Temple

The highlight of the trip (for me, I can't speak for Ryan) was our sunrise hot air balloon ride.  A very large portion of the photo album contains pictures from the ride.  It was a very cold and early morning, but it was worth every minute.

Enjoy the photo album.  Our last stop, Sharm El-Sheik will be posted in the near future.

Luxor, Egypt

Tis the Season...

for mental turbulence.  I'm not talking violent turbulence, just simple mental disturbance.  Wait, disturbance sounds wrong, really bad.  I am not having mental issues, I am simply very distracted lately.

So, if the introduction to this post isn't enough proof of my current mental instability (again, sounds worse once you read the word aloud).  I would like to share with you all the items that are currently distracting me.

*Going home for the holidays.  I mentioned this before, but December 15th, I and Macy will board a plane bound for Chicago.  Maybe the fact that Macy is going to meet my parents for the first time, or the fact that my parents are so "stinkin' excited" to have Macy visit, but either way, this little lady (me) is super excited to fly home.  Fly was another poor word choice.  I dread the long flight home, (luckily I have discovered the perfect long flight solution) and I worry about Macy.

*Christmas.  Everything involved with this season makes me overwhelmingly happy.  Last weekend, Ryan and I put the tree up.  I can't help but smile every time I turn the lights on, or when I walk into the living room and see it shining.

It may be small but it is mighty. 

 Continuing with the Christmas topic, my next pleasant distraction is CHRISTMAS MUSIC.  Will not try to even tame this joy, I LOVE CHRISTMAS MUSIC.  If I were not able to get Pandora radio through our computer VPN, I would not be able to continue living here.  I singing is awful, my dance moves are erratic, but I do not let either hinder my Christmas music celebration.  If I am in the apartment, then Christmas music is playing.  I turn it off during sleep and my Russian lessons (definitely don't need any extra distractions during the task of learning Russian).  Macy has danced with me to countless songs and she has endured my singing (I do not think deafness has set in).  The sad truth, the VPN slows our Internet, which makes blog posting or doing anything else on the Internet annoying.  Problem solved, I use Ryan's iPad for the Pandora radio.

*Macy is a year round distraction, but is escalated during the holiday season.  Please see following pictures.

Her only fitting sweater and that was only after I cut the leg openings.  Luckily it is Christmas red and is oh, so perfect for this time of year.  Look out States, upon my arrival, Macy will be outfitted in new, fitting sweaters. 

This is just sad, but come on, what do you expect from me? It was in one of the local supermarkets and I couldn't pass the opportunity.   I can't explain the braids, must be a Russian thing.

People have said if you dress up your dog you are either crazy or need to have kids.  I am not crazy and I do not need children anytime soon.  My only justification: leave family and friends, move to Russia and have a husband with an extensive work travel schedule.  Once you meet all 3, then you may judge my excessive love for Macy.

*Latest addition.  I have finally succeeded in locating a fireplace!!!  A few weeks ago, my friend Rose and I planned a simple, relaxing chili dinner.  The night progressed with a power outage, candlelit dinner, lots of wine and tears in front of a fireplace.  This dinner coincided with my bout of homesickness and the fireplace was the perfect addition to the evening.  The next day, I spent hours, literally hours searching this city for the fireplace.  The store Rose found her's no longer had any, nor did any other store, except for a final floor display.  I bought it, brought it home and shocker, it was broken.  I sadly took it back.  Well, have no fear, last weekend, Ryan and I were out and found the fireplace!  

Macy spends pretty much her entire day in near proximity to the lovely source of comfort and heat.  Picture this scene, turn on the Christmas tree, put a cup of hot tea in one hand, my Kindle in the other, park me on the chair pictured behind Macy, and slightly angle the fireplace and I could not ask for more. This fireplace does not compare with my parent's, but it is lovely and I am so thankful to have this little addition to our apartment.

*Thanksgiving Dinner.  I know, I know, I put Christmas before Thanksgiving.  It is sad to not be with my family for Thanksgiving.  Ironically, I would love to join my mother in the kitchen, preparing all the food for Thanksgiving.  My mother is an amazing cook, luckily her culinary skills have magically been passed on.  It really is magical, considering the woman does not use recipes and simply "throws things in."  I have developed a just throw it together attitude and my cooking creations seem to turn out very well.  Tomorrow, I will attempt my first Thanksgiving dinner, solo, in Russia and with Russian bought food.  My quote earlier today, "I either have a very small dead turkey in my refrigerator or a very large dead chicken."  Upon further investigation, it is a chicken and it is still disgusting.  I have never attempted to cook an entire "old dead bird" (dad's words).  Maybe that is why I miss helping my mom, I need her here to help me.  I will report later on my Thanksgiving Dinner success (hopefully).  Speaking of my mother, today is her birthday!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!

Hopefully this post will help to alleviate my mental turbulence (I can already tell you it hasn't) or maybe it will only prove even further how happy this time of year makes me (very true).  Regardless of how you look at it, I have much to appreciate and much to look forward to.  Oh, and to revisit  the original, true purpose for this post.  I know we have been back from Egypt for over a week and I have only posted for Cairo.  Hold your horses, I will post the rest in the next couple days.  :)  

So many, too many distractions!! :)

"Get away from the computer and come snuggle.  My lack of thumbs prevent me from handing you a cup of tea and your Kindle, but hopefully my charming good looks are enticing enough."

A Peek Inside

We purchase tickets to go inside The Great Pyramid of Giza, Pyramid of Khufu and you're telling me no cameras!?!

No worries, Ryan's Blackberry captured a couple images.

A peek inside...

"I'm in a pyramid!"

"Me too!"

At 5'6", I am not a tall person.  I consider myself to be in decent shape, but place me in a tiny tunnel with an incredible incline, limit air circulation and only provide plywood with small wooden pegs and my limits are tested.  To make it even more interesting, this passage is not one way, as we were ascending, others were descending.  I guess I shouldn't complain, they did provide a handrail.  With knees bent and back hunched, Ryan and I made our way up to the King's Chamber.

No pictures inside the chamber, but we encountered another "hustler" who acted as a mini tour guide within the chamber.  He gave us a "lovely" explanation then preceded to try and extract money from Ryan.  "No thanks pal, you are not part of this tour.  Better luck with the next pair of tourists."

If I thought the climb up was interesting, going down was another challenge.  Face first?... feet first?... doesn't really matter.  Since there were other tourists making their way up and trying to be respectful, I chose feet first, I didn't feel the need to greet upcoming tourists with a face full of my derriere.  Ryan followed behind, taking pictures.

"Are you taking a picture of my butt?"

"Are your legs getting a workout too?"

In order to provide measurements and to support our pictures, I did some highly complicated research, I went to wikipedia. :)  The passage is 3.1 ft high and 3.4 ft wide.  The angle is at 26.

My translation, "super small, super steep."

Cairo, Egypt

Our second R&R for 2011 was spent in Egypt.  Friday, November 4th Ryan and I landed in Cairo.

Cairo was full of impressive architecture, impressive amounts of trash and impressive hustling.

Impressive architecture.  The Pyramids of Giza and The Great Sphinx were both on my "wish list" of things to see in my lifetime.  I feel like every history museum in the United States, or even around the World contains some exhibit on Egyptian history.  The episodes on National Geographic or even the photos do not adequately prepare you for the massive size.  Walking through the tunnels inside takes you back to a previous time.  How were they able to create such massive creations?  How did they accurately plan the placement of each block in order to create tunnels within?  Were they only 3 feet tall, these tunnels are tiny?!?!  Photos from Ryan's phone will help you to understand the "difficulty" we had maneuvering.

Impressive amounts of trash.  Impressive is not the correct term, I simply used it to go with the "impressive" theme.  The amounts of trash around Cairo were like nothing I have ever seen before.  Underpasses were piled high with trash, river embankments were piled with trash, any spare area of grass was piled with trash.  Our tour guide did not try to hide the fact that they have a trash problem.  I did not take pictures of the trash because I did not want to remember Cairo because of its trash, but rather its history.  But consider yourself warned, if you ever travel to Cairo, you will be met with unimaginable amounts of trash.

Impressive hustling.  This is a true downside to Cairo.  For an area with such incredible history, it is discouraging to have such aggressive hustlers.  Ryan and I have been fortunate to travel to many areas of the world this year.  Each area we travelled to had a certain pride in their country, their history and their tourism.  Cairo is not included.  We felt that locals did not take pride in the Pyramids but rather used them to exploit tourists.  Each step was met with a new hustler trying to get us to buy something.  Or each time we showed interest in a certain item, the desire to get as much money out of us as possible was overwhelming.  The hustlers did not hinder my enjoyment of the Pyramids, but they did make for a slightly less relaxing experience.

My photo album for Cairo focuses on the impressive architecture with no trash or hustlers representation.

Welcome to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Cairo, Egypt

Breaking tradition...

Each year I anxiously await for the Friday after Thanksgiving.  No, I do not participate in Black Friday Sales.

I force myself to resist the urge to play Christmas music until after Thanksgiving.  Christmas is my favorite holiday and time of year.  Christmas music makes me happier than anything else (even ice cream). I have decided that since I am in Russia and will not be participating in a family Thanksgiving dinner, I will break tradition.  Today, November 15th, I started playing my Christmas station on Pandora.  It is unbelievably wonderful!!  Ironically, this is also the one month countdown until I fly back to the States.  December 15th Macy and I will board a plane from Moscow to Chicago.  Ryan will fly a week later.

All the music has inspired me to decorate, but I will wait.  Ryan does not know this yet (he is in Moscow), but this weekend there will be plenty of Christmas music, hot chocolate and we will decorate our mini Christmas tree.  No worries, I will post pictures.

Also, pictures from our recent trip to Egypt will be posted in the coming days.  I don't think I mentioned this previously, but the past 9 or 10 days were spent in Cairo, Luxor and Sharm El Sheik, Egypt.

Macy loves fresh laundry....

I do not know if this is an inherited or learned trait, but Macy is quite fond of fresh laundry.  Dryer sheets have always been her addiction.  If she happened to "stumble upon" a dryer sheet, it was immediately swept away to her kennel and quickly pulverized, not eaten, but ravenously shredded.

After much patience on my part and dedicated discipline, Macy no longer "stumbles upon" aka. "hunts" for dryer sheets.  When I dispose of used dryer sheets in the trash can, they remain in the trash can.  I struggled discipling her for the dryer sheet offenses; who am I to tell her "no" for loving the sweet smell of fresh laundry.  I find myself sniffing dryer sheets before throwing them into the dryer and taking one last sniff of the used dryer sheet before trashing.  My main complaint was that she would shred the dryer sheet, making it very difficult to clean up.  Well, it did not take long, only a few days, and Macy overcame her addiction to dryer sheets.  No need for a 12 step program, just 12 million "no", and "bad Macy"



Macy relapsed.  

I always play Pandora while cleaning, I was being a dance machine thanks to Pandora's amazing song selection and I noticed my dance partner was MIA.  I found her and a dryer sheet not in the trash can. 

"I'm so sorry.  I put myself in time out."

"I know you're not saying anything, but please don't give me the look.  Please take into consideration I did not shred them."

Seriously, how can I discipline this face?  I did my typical, "Oh, no Macy. What did you do?"  Just when I thought I was being the good disciplinary, I broke down laughing.   

The previous relapse occurred Friday while I was washing the sheets for our bed.

The next relapse occurred last night.  I had washed some bathroom towels and had them air drying.  Macy couldn't resist the fresh laundered smell.

The tan towel is one of our bathroom hand towels.
"I know it's not a dryer sheet and I can't deny that I took it off the drying rack.  No worries though, I put myself in time out."

I took this last relapse as a giant HINT that Macy wanted her bedding washed.  Macy got a bath this morning and I washed all her towels.   She jumped for joy as I pulled the clean, warm towels from the dryer.  As soon as I threw them back into her kennel, she quickly pulled them out.  She enjoyed their warmth and fresh laundered smell while completing her daily sunbathing.