The Hermitage and what I've learned thus far

Hey guys! So I went to the Hermitage for the first time yesterday... talk about grandeur! It was incredibly beautiful. I plan on going back about 10 times lol, there is so much to see! I also get in for free with my Russian student ID which is amazing. I'm really loving this city. I'm used to the metro now and I seldom get lost( and I've only been here for a week!), and...I can read a map! yay! I am also really enjoying living with my host family. Did I mention that they have a dog!? Her name is Choaby. She's a boxer! For those of you that don't know, I have a boxer in the USA too (her name is Sasha), so this just makes the family situation even better than it already was! She has a lot of energy and when my alarm clock goes off in the morning, she comes into my room to make sure that I get up. So essentially, I have two alarm clocks. lol. Here is a picture of Choaby:

I really like school alot. I just finished a paper last night about the first excursion we went on. (The tour of the city by canal). I also have a peer tutor now! Everyone in the program is assigned a peer tutor which is basically a young Russian student, who is either in the university or has already graduated. We meet about once a week for a few hours and talk to each other. (No English allowed!) She also helps me if I have questions on homework. She's pretty cool, her name is Anya. She is a speech therapist for children. Here is a picture of the sunset on the Neva River that I took while on the tour of the city by boat:

Mom and Dad will be happy to hear this; I am also learning how to live more frugally and simply. I take MUCH shorter showers, I'm not buying anything I don't really need and I'm using my head more lol. That sounds weird but I guess what I mean is I am thinking more before I act. I'm having a little bit of trouble with lowering my voice in public though. Oh yeah, and the smiling thing is getting better for me. Russia is not some cold, dark place where no one smiles. It is just a place where you have to be more consious of what you are doing, who is around you, what you say and how loud you are. These are all things that I have usually taken for granted living in the US. Oh, I must say though, my habit of not crossing the street unless the walking sign says to has really helped me here in St. Pete. Russians drive ALOT faster and are much less likely to stop for pedestrians who have decided they will cross the street when they aren't supposed to.

I've been exploring the city and today I had an espresso with a couple of friends and after we went through a couple malls. SO many shoe stores. :) Here is a picture of me laughing at something on the the grand staircase of the Winter Palace/Hermitage:

What's great about this city is that I can do something different everyday if I wanted to. Weekends are great for exploring museums, ballets, operas, theaters, the different sections of the city, etc. It really is one of the most beautiful European cities!
The wind is starting to pick up today. I know that this is a preview for colder wind that will come later. The weather has been fair; nice for walking in but lately has been rainy and is usually in the 60's. I miss home and the US for certain things (mostly my family) but I'm starting to adapt and it gets easier to live in Russia everyday. Side note: I love the food. <3