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shamara

saturday morning, i left early to head to shamara, a large beach outside of vladivostok.  the ride is close to an hour, more so if traffic is bad.  since i left home around 10:30, i was able to avoid all the traffic that tends to build up around noon.  i decided it would be a great trip via scooter.  i packed up my gear and check the tank, tires and brakes.  it was a beautiful day, with plenty of sun and an occasional cool breeze.  the ride is direct enough, and not many potholes to avoid.  i had a couple cars try to come up close behind me trying to push me to the side in order that they could pass.  i guess the solid white line didn't deter them from voiding the no passing zone that stretched for several kilometers.  since not sure why they were in a hurry.  i had three cars stacked up solid in front of me, so i wasn't going any where.  but that's basically the way some people drive here in regards to scooters and bikers. 

the beach offers some parking but i found a nice spot next to a steel pole where i could lock up the bike.  i wasn't too sure how safe it was out in the boonies but with a big chain and padlock i knew it wasn't going anywhere. i found a nice spot close to the water and laid back to soak in some sun.  unfortunately, my ipod was dead due to a drained battery, so i made the most of it and just listened to everyone around me.  i could pick out small conversations between couples, families and friends as they asked the typical questions everyone at the beach does, "is this spot ok?", "can you get me a drink also?" "i'll going for a swim.", etc..  after I had enough sun I ventured around the long beach and checked out the local venues for drinks and food.  it was a perfect day for forgetting about work and just relaxing. 

everything is new

lucia's doing well.  i on the other hand have been busy with learning how to house train her, puppy proof my house and teach her how to climb the four flights of stairs on her own.  we made a few break throughs already.  she can navigate the stairs but still has trouble understanding what direction i'm going in.  i go up, she heads down, all the while staring at me.  yesterday she broke new ground with understanding how to tell me she wants to go outside.  she sat down, looked out the door window and then cast a side long glance at me. all those trips outside are starting to pay off.

the townhouse cats are another problem.  i have to keep lucia away from them for now.  she doesn't have her shots yet and a minor scratch from a cat can be enough to take out a young puppy.  i have a vet lined up to see her as soon as I make sure she worm free.  her case of worms seems to have disappearred after giving her a dose of medicine.  it's day 11 and no sign of them.

i'm looking forward to the day I'll be able to take her out for longer walks.  i plan on getting her use to my car so eventually we can go for a ride.

lucia

i've been wanting to get a dog since last year but put it off knowing i was coming to russia.  i didn't want the dog to have to endure the trama of going through quarentine and the like.  but now that i'm settled in vlad, the time was right.  a friend at work put me in touch with someone that had discovered a new litter of puppies.  i say discovered because the mom was a stray and the puppies were now at the mercy of living on the streets.  knowing i could give one a home, i immediately said yes.  no sooner than i agreed were the wheels put in motion.  within a couple days i left with my friend to meet her friend that knew the girl with the puppies.  there were only 3 puppies left and i thought i was going to pick one of them up.  but it turned out she picked me out instead.  when i got in my friends car, she immediately informed me that to save time we were going to meet her friend at a bus stop.  her friend had picked out the one she thought was the most "communicative".  i knew this wasn't the ideal way to bring a new dog into a home, but i decided to let fate take control and go along with it.  i had committed to taking one in and i wasn't going to go back on my word.  we met the girl at the bus stop who had my new puppy.  it was wrapped in a blanket and covered up.  i finally got a peek at her as i was standing there next to the car.  she was a scared little pup. i remember that the most.  the girl handed her over to me and thanked us. she asked what i was going to call her. and i said i hadn't decided yet. they had been calling her lucia, which after a couple days i finally decided it sounds fitting. 

after the first night of bringing lucia home, it started raining.  it didn't stop for 2 days.  this has made house breaking her a little difficult.  but otherwise she has been very happy and content to explore my house and sleep when the mood strikes her.  but picking up a stray also brings with it problems, namely parasites.  i wasn't fully prepared for both the internal and external critters she brought with her.  so now i'm on the fast track to getting her to a vet.  the number one problem right now is worms.  i discovered them today and it isn't pretty as you can imagine.  the first thing i noticed was her lack of diet after the first day of eating all her puppy food.  so tomorrow i'm going to try and get her to a vet for an entire workup.  fleas and lice are also being dealt with with several baths, but i'm going to need some stronger remedies from the vet to make sure i kill them off right.

hopefully, i can catch all this in time.  with all the strays i see running around here, it's frustating to think what they must be carrying and transferring to each other.  wish me luck.

show me your nuts?

i discovered my scoota lost a couple screws recently.  my theory - last week I rode it down a bumpy trail to a beach.  either that or a sunday morning trip i took to the vlad motor inn to grab breakfast.  end result, the scoot is permanently parked until i get some replacements.  i'm terrible when it comes to shopping for parts through local vendors.  and since the screws are off an italian scooter, i suspect it's not going to be easy to find a match here in vladivostok.  so instead, i looked online and found boltdepot.com.  i ended up buying the bolts i needed plus a few storage trays to organize the growing collection of jars, bags and boxes of parts i've accumulated over that last few years.  you'd think i'd be travel light but it's easier to carry your own little line of hardware store parts than to track down a u.s. steel grade 9/16 hex bolt. i remember waiting 3 days just to find a couple u bolts in sudan.

my russian classes have been picking lately.  i've been learning more about locations and directions. the part i enjoy is learning how to say "where" than anything else. 

• где      - "где магазин?"        "where is the store?" (prepositional)
• куда    - "куда вы идёте?"     "where are you going?" (accusative)
• откуда - "откуда вы едете?"  "where are you coming from (genitive)

you'll notice in the last two examples, идёте and едете are different words meaning "to go".  the significance is, if someone is traveling by foot идёте is used. if they are traveling by some mode of transportation, едете is used.

if i'm talking about myself and where i am going now, i would say "я иду на почта" (i am going to the post office). it's very important to understand how to conjugate the verb so the listener understand who is doing what.  i've been wrapping my brain around what changes if i say "I, you, he, she, we, they, etc".  it's actually a cool way to express what's happening. every verb turns into a new sounding word. here's an example of the verb говорить -  "to speak" (imperfective aspect - present tense)

• я (I)                         говорю
• ты (you-informal)      говоришь
• он/она (he/she)        говорит  
• мы (we)                   говорим
• вы (you-formal)        говорите
• они (they)                говорят

i wish i had the advantage of taking classes everyday, because work tends to disrupt my rhythm by my second class for the week.  i know i'd excelerate my learning curve if i could spend more time with the language.  but i do get every opportunity to practice throughout the week with everyone from coworkers to total strangers.  one thing i've noticed is i'm not shy about blurting out the wrong words.  someone corrects me and i'm the better for it.  i remember it better that way compared to trying to look it up myself.

current favorite word - "устали" (we/you/they are tired). but that's past tense and a post for another time.

water blues

fourth of july nears.  last year i got to see the aircraft carrier, uss kitty hawk in sydney.  sadly, no ship will be visiting vladivostok this year.  the weather's been overcast most of the week, but i'm hoping it clears up for the weekend.  a trip is in the works to head south and i hope to make this time.  i'll post more if it materializes.

i ran into a problem with my desktop last month and spent most of the time rebuilding it, hence the lack of posts.  i did have my laptop which always turns out to be a livesaver.  but due to the limited download size i can do in a month, i wasn't able to complete my rebuild until last weekend.  it's good to be back on my main computer again and i should be 100% in another week.  on the plus side, i finally got around to updating some applications that i really needed.  

i got some new toys in the mail this week, thanks to my buying spree last month.  

• cleaning supplies for my canon d30
• extra driving lights for my fj cruiser
• and some dvds

wish i had more free time to organize some trips, but i have to make sure others get some leave time in before i take any more off.  a chance to go river rafting came up but i don't forsee getting a week off in july to join in.  bummer..  

Jazz Night

this week, we were entertained by a visiting Jazz band from the states. they performed at a local venue during their trip around russia, the middle east and several other countries. it's been awhile since i had a chance to see some american artists perform. it was a fun night.

on another topic, i learned how not to schedule all my work for the summer months. i've had to change several plans for the upcoming weeks due to conflicts. for russians, the warm summer months are not taken for granted. I think coming off back to back tours in africa and australia, spoiled me into thinking i'd always have an endless summer. but it's not too late to plan some trips for the summer. i'm currently trying to plan a weekend getaway with some friends, who have been patiently waiting for my schedule to open up.

local news: russia 0 spain 3 (football euro 2008 semi finals) excellent effort fellas.

the weekend looks good for trying to find the beach. i may head out if the weather holds up.  

the fourth of july is around the corner, and if your american you know it's a day of cookouts, fireworks and celebrating the 232th anniversity of u.s.a 's independence. someone told me today that americans could still be considered a commonwealth. nope, i'd say, we're more like the black sheep that took off on our own and now everyone loves to hate us. well hopefully not all of us..

happiness is a clean pile of clothes

i knew there'd be a large amount of work waiting for me when i came back from home leave.  and as predicted i've been working 60 hour a week since i've been back so like anyone, i'm ready for a break.  today was the first real day i had a chance to look back to see what i'd accomplished.  and surprisingly enough, i did finish a few projects that had been scheduled as far back as January.  unfortunately, with the increase in work load, i haven't had much time for anything else.

i did get out saturday to catch up with some russian friends.  it turned out to be a quiet dinner at a cafe instead of a day at the beach as was orginally planned, but all the same it was good to get out. 

i'm also back in full swing with my russian classes.  i feel like the progress i was making before vacation slipped a little, but my russian is coming back again.  last night i started to wonder what russians go through learning english.  i had the chance today to talk with one of my russian coworkers who was studying english.  she showed me some examples of what her instructor had her class go through.  it surprised me to see it also focused on the customs of what americans find acceptable and unacceptable in conversation.  we talked for a bit about what other countries are like in regards to similar scenerios.  this brought up a whole slew of questions about what's acceptable in russia, america, japan, korea, etc.  i think russians are more in tune with what americans are like than vice versa.  i'm constantly updating peoples opinions of what russian people are like.  long gone are the soviet sterotypes most remember from the 80's.  the russians i've met are an adventurous sort that like to travel, eat and drink, and try new things.  i just wish i had more time to join in with them.

tonight was also the first chance i had, since getting back, to really hang out with some of my american friends at post.  we've chatted at work but it's not the same as getting out of the office and stopping off at a neighborhood cafe or bar.  and as i've said before, the time flies by when people's tours are up and they have to leave.  so you have to make the most of it while they're here. 

most of the last two weeks has been a blur of work activity and sleep, with occasional breaks of food intake, maybe even a shower or two.  so while there's nothing major to report, i still have a thousand thoughts running through my head as i regroup and get back to my regular routine.  i hope to get out during the weekend if the weather holds up.  (its raining as i speak, only the second time in almost three weeks)  i should have a chance to get some more pics from outside the city if my plans don't fall through.

where'd all the green come from?

since my vacation, i've been getting caught up with work.  it's been a slow grind but most of it is under control and manageable again. so here are some random musings that barely make up a complete post.

on a happier note, the springtime weather has finally turned into summer.  i didn't think it would change the landscape as much as it has.  all the trees and foliage are showing colors that have been hidden all winter.  i'm seeing plants in places i never noticed before such as sidewalks, alleyways, city courtyards. 

something else thats new to report, with the increase in temperatures, also brings on the sudden urge to wear swimwear in public.  i'm not talking about the beaches, i'm saying backyards, tennis courts, or any outdoor venue that's conducive to getting a little sun.  although, it's been more elder people, that I've noticed, shedding their clothes for the skimpy attire.  nothing against elderly folks but it's not the most common sight in the world you'd imagine on a hot day.  I guess everyone likes to get as much time outside as they can, while they can before fall begins anew.

i picked up a spiffy new hat from the vladivostok motor inn.  baseball caps are a bit of rarity here, as far as touristy ones go. i don't see too many people wearing them in public, probably less of a fashion accessory here than in the states.  i usually only wear mine on the weekend when i have to work or run some errands. i wear it mostly for the sun protection than anything else.

i've been trying to get my russian languages classes back on track, but my teacher appears to be out of town on a holiday.  hopefully we'll reconnect by next week.  i've been studying on my own but find it's more motivating to have a regular class with homework.

give me a ticket for an airplane..

due to complications i'd rather not go into, i wasn't able to leave vlad like i thought i would this week.  so we'll see what happens in the upcoming week.  everything leading up to my departure was preplanned well in advance, however i let one detail go unchecked and it cost me when i tried to go through immigration.  but through the whole process of leaving the country for vacation, i have to say i felt more frustrated with myself than anyone else. 

so after my visa problem, i started working damage control. i was still at the airport. i had to grab my checked bags, change my ticket, work out the details on my visa, find a phone, and get a ride back home.  getting my bags was no problem since i had my claim check.  after that i walked outside to think for a minute and find a phone.  a taxi pulled up and the driver asked if i needed a ride.  i knew i would but wasn't ready to leave yet.  my first mistake was asking how much to go back to the city.  he was a little too quick with the reply and said "2000 roubles" which works out to $80US.  i thanked him and passed.  unfortunately, he wanted to haggle.  now i was not only upset i wasn't on a plane for the states, but now had to deal with a cabbie that followed me on foot everywhere i went.  after several minutes of me looking for a public phone i happened to walk by someone speaking english.  i asked if i could make a local call to my office.  they lent me the phone and i put a call into work.  after telling work what had happened, i also asked what's the going rate for a cab from the hotel.  750 was a rate used by the hotels, but i knew that was a deal between the cabbies and the hotel.  so the next time i bumped into my cabbie (i didn't have to go far) i told him i pay only 1000 or $40US.  i should mention here that the cabbie didn't speak english so i have only been speaking in russian.  well, 1000 wasn't the answer he wanted to hear and he began the argument anew with the cost of benzine and parking fees.  after awhile it dawned on me that 1000 was going to be fine, if it was that much of an insult he would have walked away long ago.  i even asked another cabbie for a quote and got the standard 2000, so much for competition.  the bus is only 70 ($3US) but would take a couple hours.  the cab ride would take an hour.  as i started contemplating the bus, the cabbie finally said ok, 1000.  i didn't believe him and thought there's gotta be a catch.  maybe i'll get halfway home and he'll ask for more.  well, i had to get a ride eventually so i agreed.  after i got in the cab with my bags, i realized i hadn't changed my ticket yet. now i'd have to get the cabbie to come with me or haul my bags back to the korean air counter.  it was easier to just tell him i forgot something with my ticket and we needed to go see them.  fortunately, i caught a break and found the same woman from KA that helped translate between immigration and myself eariler.  she changed the ticket to a later date and i was off with the cabbie again. 

the last item to figure out was telling the cabbie where i needed to go.  i gave him one of the hotels as a reference and as we got into the city, i said i want to go to a different destination instead.  he was a bit confused but i got the point across that i would just show him with saying left or right in russian.  since my street is an unpaved road, not many cabs know where it is.  so it's easier to go with the main road and then just tell a driver where to turn. 

i finally made it home. the driver tried once last time to ask for 1200.  but i said no 1000 was all i agreed to pay.  what i paid him would net him at least 4-5 round trips to the airport for more fares.  so he was doing alright. 

after i dropped my bags off at home, some friends, understanding my disappointment, took me out for a few beers and i got to take my mind off the problem for awhile.

these boots are made for walking

before coming to russia, i had heard women's footwear tends to be of the high heel variety. now that i'm here and see it first hand, i have to agree. i was amazed at how they can walk in them through snow, ice and rain. i almost fell over once just wearing my dress shoes when i slipped on an icy curb. anyway, my hats off to them.

i've almost finished my packing for my trip home. i'm giving myself a couple days extra to remember anything i might have overlooked. i'm excited to pack for a 100% casual trip. usually i have to include attire for training or work. so this time they'll be plenty of extra space in my bags to for stuff i'll buy back in the states.

another busy weekend ahead. i'm meeting a friend for coffee today and also getting together with an american friend that's going to be leaving russia by the time i return from holiday. sunday has been set aside for giving a visiting coworker a tour of the city in the afternoon. i still have a few little side trips to the store i'd like to fit in sometime. before i know it i'll be on a plane again.