The Birthday.

I typed this up last night before the Internet died (again!)… All is well in the Land of Vodka and Caviar…

First, I have to tell you all that I think something just blew up. No, really. At first I thought it was gunshots, and then I figured it was fireworks (fireworks go off all the time, and I always think they are gunshots at first. Hmm.). So I checked the window, and there were tons of flashes, but nothing to see in the sky. And then there were lots of these boom!boom! sounds, and lots more flashes, and lots of noise with a long “flash,” and then a car alarm went off. What the heck? Is it bad if I am more confused and curious than worried?? That’s Russia for you. Never fear. Never worry. Just roll with the punches (In case you were inclined to be worried, things ARE safe here, and I’m pretty sure that if it was an explosion, it came from the construction project a block down.)

ANYWAYS. I digress.

Last weekend was one heck of a weekend. A certain Heather had a birthday celebration, and you know we went all out. Before the H-star extravaganza, I was feeling moopy poopy from waaaay too long a day at work. I was soo wiped out that I just wanted to go to bed. But oh, no, that’s not what the night had in store for me.

We started the evening at our Central School’s holiday party, which, as holiday parties can be, was weird and awkward. I kind of wanted to leave as soon as I got there, but I persevered. (I don’t like parties where I don’t know people, I have Grinch-like tendencies, and did I mention I was crazy tired? Yeah. I was not in the mood for a holiday party.) When it was time to go, I was more than ready. And where did we go?

Three hints: Well, I go there far too often. I occasionally pick up waitresses there. I like their cheap, cheap coffee.

Did you guess Starlite Diner? If you did, you get a gold star.

We got a lot of beer (there were at least 6 people at this table, and that is only 2000ml, don’t worry!) for starters…

Since I was cranky and hungry, I got one of my all-time favorites to share with Caro. Chicken tenders. And they served it with both honey mustard and BBQ sauces. Day-yum! (I seriously LOVE chicken tenders. And yes, I am older than 12.) This certainly brightened my mood!

A long while and many shenanigans later, we went out to go to a club called Vodka Bar. A friend of a friend was the DJ, and so 1/3 of our group was able to get in for free! The place wasn’t very full, and the music was sort of …different…. for a club, but it was okay. I got my dance on for a little bit! However, we stayed out far too late to take the metro home. By this time, I was getting tired, hungry, and cranky. Again. So you know what we did? We went to the happiest place in Moscow. Can you guess where?

Three hints: They make great burgers. They have a 12-scoop sundae. I had already been there once that night.

Did you guess Starlite again? If you did, you get another gold star.

Thank gawd for 24-hour diners, eh?

We flopped into a booth, ordered Cokes and coffees, and tried to wait until 6 a.m. when they started their special discounted breakfast. DISCOUNTED BREAKFAST?!?!? Yeah. I told you it was the happiest place in Moscow. I ordered my very favorite breakfast. Two eggs over hard, bacon, homefries, toast, and coffee. nomnomnom. The Starlite actually has the closest thing to real bacon in Russia, so it was pretty great, and I was really excited.

Except that even though I specifically requested my eggs be cooked over hard, and had my Russian friend confirm with the waiter that he understood, they served my eggs over easy. Yuck (sorry, folks, but I’m not into yolks!). Since I couldn’t/wouldn’t eat it with runny yolks, I sent my food back.

I have never, ever sent my food back in my entire life. I have eaten things that have been tainted with ketchup (I shudder to think!) and not sent them back… I felt soo bad, but I couldn’t waste the money on food I couldn’t/wouldn’t eat. Our waiter, whose name tag read “The Sasha,” gave me a death glare when I went up to the server station to request that my eggs be cooked more.

When my eggs were returned (still not quite over-hard, but passable), I realized that I didn’t get any toast! Good freaking grief. When The Sasha, who had been actively trying to ignore us, finally came to take our plates, I asked about the toast. Another death glare. But he gave it to me.

And let me tell you, that is the best toast I have eaten in many moons. Thanks, The Sasha.

I tried to make up for it by leaving a nice tip (even if my food was screwed up!) and a love note. Somehow, unlike Natasha, I don’t think he’ll be writing back…

We finally made it home, jumped into our jammies, and hopped into bed around 9 a.m. And had a glorious, glorious nap. The rest of the day was spent talking and laughing with the girlies+Jeff in the kitchen and eating …toast.

Later on in the eve, I made an awesome salad, if I do say so myself. There’s much to be said for simplicity: this was just lettuce, arugula, cukes, tomatoes, and hummus, with a few shakes of black pepper. I may or may not have had 3 bowls. Just sayin’. I guess that makes up for the complete lack of veggies in my previous couple meals!

Monday, Caro and I had our usual afternoon date, and decided to go souvenir shopping. We braved that nasty, nasty cold (-14F) to poke around the arcade near Red Square. Caro found some good Christmas gifts, but I just wanted to get inside!!!  We finally gave in to the cold and went our separate ways home. By the time I got to my apartment, I was so cold and tired that I only wanted something fast, easy, and hot to eat.

Enter pelmeni in tomato sauce. Brainless, tasty, filling. And hot.

Another hot, tasty, and filling concoction? Mango oats with raspberry preserves. Yeah, baby!

Well, my Internet connection just pooped out, go figure, so all of this news is even older! I’ve got to hit the hay, however.

GOING HOME SO SOOOOOON!

Gratuitous picture!

The State Historical Museum is, in my opinion, one of the prettiest buildings and one of the coolest museums in Russia! I think it just looks so cool lit up at night. I love it. A lot.

Q-Diddles:

What is your favorite restaurant breakfast? I love me a “proper” breakfast like I had, but this invention called the Guy Scramble at my favorite breakfast joint at home is pretty great. I’m sure there will be a picture of this soon

When’s the last time you stayed up all night? Last Saturday… I felt like I was a compatriot with all my homies cramming for finals. Except that I wasn’t studying… yeah…

About these ads