Feeling great today! Only two weeks left to go until blast off. The only paperwork I have left to submit is to the Office of International Studies. I am looking forward to getting the last of the paperwork submitted. It's first to do on my list for tomorrow.

Additionally, we may have some word on the status of our visas by the end of the week. I don't think I explained the whole process, so I will take a second and try to keep it simple.

To study at Moscow State University we had to apply for/request invitations from the University. After receiving the invitations we submitted paperwork to the consulate in Houston including our passports requesting student visas. Once our visas arrive we will be free to travel to Russia. As a side note, Russia is not one of those countries you just drop in on unannounced. I was pretty surprised to read on our State Department website that uninvited/unsponsored travelers will be barred from entry at Customs and placed on the next available flight out at the travelers expense. Apparently there is no free pass for tourists to come and go for periods of less than a month like in some other countries.

Something interesting is trying to finish all of my last minute shopping. I don't have too much to finish buying, the trick will be to go and not advertise being a tourist/foreigner by apparel alone. As you know, I would prefer not to go and intentionally look like a dork if at all possible. It's probably not that big a deal. But I am trying to be conscientious.

Some things will just have to be bought when I get there. I will need buy a pan to cook on, also flatware, and glasses after arrival. Moscow has some great open air markets, and I am looking forward to checking them out. I will probably also get a "samovar" which is a really cool Russian tea kettle that looks comically similar to what we would use as an urn for our cremated loved ones. I included a picture at the top of this post for you to check out. Apparently this has been a point of cultural misunderstanding in years past with other visiting classes. ( "Can I get my tea, or "chai", without your dearly departed please!) It should be interesting. I am going to bring it home with me if at all possible!

So here's to Chai! (Loved ones NOT included! haha). I will post more soon.