St Nicholas

My camera was lifted by those crafty pick-pockets in St. Petersburg. Luckily, the people I was with were taking photos by the dozen and I had only taken about 30. It sucks to lose the camera but it's replaceable. Luckily in this age, I can get a copy of their photos in no time (assuming that they are not procrastinators like me).

Here is a photo of my favorite church in St. Petersburg, that I had sent along post haste to show everyone. Believe it or not, this photo was taken at like 9am. There was very little daylight over there, although the photo does give the appearance that it was darker than it really was.

We walked inside to this church and there was a little service going on. The priest and worshipers all stood in a side area and the church smelled like burning oils - during the 10 minutes we looked around numerous people came in to light candles. It was so beautiful.

2006... The Year Of

I'm not sure I ever blogged it (it's a bit narcissistic), but last year I coined 2005 as "the year of Christine". It was time to make things happen including getting a job in a new place. As the year of Christine has come to a close, it's time to reminisce and look forward to a new year.

Here are my official new year's resolutions from last year.

• Finish my New Zealand scrapbook - oops - not done


• Read the newspaper- if reading AM New York on the subway about 3-4 time a week counts (and for this purpose it will) - done


• Get a job - no ifs ands or buts - this one's done

For this year, my resolutions are:

• Get control over my spending and get back in the black financially - I had a lot of fun in 2005 and I'm going to pay it off in 2006.


• Take (and do well on) my GMAT's. I'm still not positive I want to go back to grad school but with this out of the way I can explore my options


• Finish the New Zealand scrapbook - hey I can't take it off until it's done. I did get some done last year so I am closer

Happy New Year and well wishes in this year of... control!

Russia - New Years Eve 2005

I'm used to traveling in long stints - ten months in New Zealand, three weeks in Australia, two and three months in Europe. But when Natasha et all was heading out to Russia, I was definately on board, even if it was going to be a flash. Surprisingly, after one week the only thing I wish I had been able to do more of is shop (probably a good thing since prices are so expensive).

This definately was the most exciting new year's celebration I have ever had. After going through three metal detectors and several patdowns, we stood in the red square, watched Putin give a little speech and watched the clock tower tick into a new year. There was no countdown but when the hands clicked across there was enough screaming and singing to let everyone know the new year had arrived. Oddly, about half the crowd in the square decided to leave only a few moments later. They were probably off for more drinking because there was no alcohol in the square except for the most clever. We stayed to twirl and dance some more and take one last look at this magnificant setting. To add to the magic was the fact that it was the warmest night of our adventure.

NYE was the biggest highlight of my trip but it was unbelievable to be in such a different culture. I didn't realize how difficult the written language would be (different alphabet) but we were lucky to meet locals and there were many english menus and waitstaff to help in restaurants.

Some of the oddest things we noted were: the cars parked wherever they wanted (literally pulled foward up on the sidewalk or in a driving lane of the road); 15ml cokes presented to the table like a bottle of wine and served without ice (I can down that in one gulp); and the hardness of the people (I'm not sure if there is a word for excuse me in Russian, but they certainly didn't use it when I got rammed into at the airport and sidestepped on the sidewalk).

Overall, it was an amazing adventure to Moscow/St. Petersburg that included ubelievable architecture, palaces, church onion domes, short day light and excess fun.

Now I've got that travel itch again... need to plan another little trip.