Fashion Over Function

It is winter in Moldova, and I love it. It isn't the nasty freezing cold winter like back home, but instead it's a "nice" winter, if there can be such a thing. I'm used to the cold, and it's much colder back home, so this is really just a good ol' winter.

I bought some Moldovan boots that are high heeled and go up mid-calf; nothing I would ever wear back home for winter, as I would be afraid I would slip on ice and break my ankles.

The first pair of boots I bought here ended up being for men.

"You cannot wear those unless you are a man or a bunica (grandma.)" my host mother told me, "When you are 70, then you can wear them. Until then you are a lady."

Sadly I returned my men's leather, ankle height, fur lined boots. 

Needless to say, mama was much happier when I came home with boots that were intended for wear by ladies.

I also have my winter coat from home that is working wonderfully,

but host mama is convinced her fur coat is warmer.

I wore my big deerskin chopper mittens to my tutor today; that's the last time I'll be doing that. "What are those things on your hands?" she asked me

To which I replied, "Mittens."

She said "They are very ugly."

I said, "Yes but they are super warm."

"It doesn't matter," she said "because they are ugly."

Summary: Fashion over Function

72 Count Christmas Present

Moldovans are Awesome Hosts!

We finally got snow! Granted, it's only a little bit of snow, but it's still snow! I didn't realize how much I actually like snow and want snow until it was the middle of December and there wasn't any!

I was thinking, and one of the things I like most about Moldova is how hospitable people are when they have guests in their home. For example, when ladies enter into a house, the hostess immediately gives them slippers to wear around the house because she doesn't want their feet to get cold. If a celebration is occurring such as a birthday, the hospitality is ridiculous! Glasses are never empty, whether they are filled with wine, cognac, vodka, or simply juice. And keep in mind, it's usually wine or juice brought from the cellar for this particular occasion. I learned that in my house, we don't drink the compot (boiled fruits and water forming a juice) unless it's a masa. If you're at a house and there's not a masa, you better be ready to eat regardless. Every time I got to my partner's house on Tuesdays and Thursdays to plan, her mom whips out a delicious meal for us. I also tutor some girls with their English, and after every tutoring session, their mother sets the table with little sandwiches and vodka.

Summary: People in Moldova are really great hosts.

Stuff I Miss

*Entertainment Weekly Magazine delivered weekly
*Driving my car
*Speaking English to people who know English
*Squirt
*Christmas music everywhere
*Chinese food
*Movie theaters
*Being an hour drive away from home
*Wearing practical shoes versus fashionable shoes
*Being a block away from a gas station in case of snack emergencies
*Ceasars (the drink, duh!)
*Buffalo Wild Wings
*Shopping clearance section at Wal-Mart
*Target
*Drinking water from the tap
*Snow
*My dvd collection
*Hockey games
*Holiday decorations
*Thanksgiving
*Mom food
*42 cent postage (versus 6,30 Lei to America)
*Moxie Java (not working there, only getting free drinks!)
*Living alone in my own apartment

There's a lot more I could add to this list, but as usual I'm using this post as a way to procrastinate doing other stuff.
I didn't add any people, friends, or family because this list would then be 4 pages long. You know who you are! I miss you alllllll so much!!!

*Finally did find a Bloody Mary in Chisinau... 40 Lei later and I was satisfied, mostly. Apparently Clamato Juice is not popular in Europe. Can't imagine why...

Miss You

Family, Friends, and America I Miss You!