: ) Blog #1

Dear Friends,

One. Thank you for taking an interest in my life in Russia and... Two. Take a look at how lucky I am ; ) (above). The best and most famous parts of Russia have been caught in these pictures. From the top we have the State Historical Museum , then in the middle we have a lake that I took a picture of and I'm honestly not sure what the cathedral is called, and at the bottom we have St. Basil's Cathedral. Conversely, the worst part of it all is that I do not have the talent to take a beautiful enough picture to share it with you. Honestly, Russia is a beautiful country and I am overwhelmed with the amount of aesthetic beauty and historical meaning each street carries.

To help you feel what I am living, I'll try to explain what I experience walking everyday to MXAT (Moscow Arts Theatre). As I leave the dorm I always say goodbye to a little old lady that gaurds the door (we call them Babushki) and as I walk outside I welcome the cool moscovite breeze into my black Ralph-Lauren trench coat. Its not cold, just...chilly...enough to remind you its the morning and that it's going to get colder, a lot colder. :) As I walk I am sorrounded by the neon signs with the Cyrillic Alphabet, Hot New Fashion Clothing Stores, Homeless People who are begging for only a Ruble, and Incredible Architecture that goes at least Six Floors up. The Russians generally stay silent so the Americans (me) are most of the time calling attentions to ourselves with how loud we are; however, when we are assimilating to the culture we are lucky enough to hear the muttering of the historic slovak language that we all wish we could emulate--but all we actually understand is Shto, Gdzjye, and Spaseeba (what, where, and thanks)--we really only get by with the occasional brilliant gesture that somehow miraculously connects us and clears the language barrier. haha...but that doesn't happen often...well...ya. Oh, and even when we try to fit in, it doesn't mean we don't notice the occasional Russian male that stares you down with his almost opressed, hard-worked eyes. But it also doesn't mean that we don't notice the occasional beautifully fullfulling, gorgeous, and un-touchable Russian woman. It's Yin and Yang. In the street you can almost feel the cars being impatient, sometimes getting nowhere because of the heavy traffic that always exists on Tverskaya street, you may say this is like New York, but all the cars are quiet--almost repressed. The cars, however impatient, (they will run you over), they wait and they don't make a sound. Just wait. Disciplined. I smell smoke. Not dirty smog air polluted from cars, but smoke from my friends and all the Russians that smoke cigarretes everywhere and everyday--haha--even when a sign says no smoking (I see the sign, I don't actually know how to say it) there will most likely be a Russian, or Charlie Forray, smoking next to me. : ) It's not unpleasant but a wonderful thing to get used to. I feel cultured and alive. I feel like I can't see, experience, or learn enough. With every sign I read I know that I get closer to deciphering this unknown language and with every encounter I feel less scared to jump in a make a fool of myself with my broken russian--actually-- shattered russian.

Ok. So Russia is beautiful. You get it. It's also ugly too. It has its darker side, very dark. But I'll talk about that next time. Chao.

With Love,

Marcin

Yani Paranu Ruski

Dear Mr. Harvey Fancy Paws,
I’m in Moscow!
I will go back to the beginning. I had my last show on Sept. 19 – it went very well. I then went home and spent the night saying goodbye to family and packing, weighing and reweighing my bags, and finally going to sleep for a measly three hours before waking up again and driving to the airport. Then to Connecticut where Charlie and his mom picked me up, and we drove to the O’Neill Center, which by the way, is beautiful. We were given rooms. Mine was located in a big Victorian style white house. Very nice. That night we met our fellows, Shauna who accompanied us to Moscow, and saw a production from the NTI kids.
There were classes and other suck activities, but mostly the day and half we spent at orientation was devoted to getting to know one another. By the time we made it onto the plane at JFK, we had already begun to function as a unit. There are thirty of us, and I’m sure through the course of this blog, you will begin to learn more about our group.
The nine our plane ride wasn’t pleasant. I was less uncomfortable in the physical sense than I’ve been on domestic flights, but it seems to me Russian men don’t care much about deodorant. They have a musk. I was sitting next to a spectacularly smelly man, and the airline forgot to feed me. Rude. So after departing from New York at 4:20 pm on Sept. 22, we landed in Moscow at 10:10 am on Sept. 23.
In Russia there are differences in the way women are treated. The men were in charge of lugging all the baggage, which I liked. Apparently, the Russian mentality is as follows: Women are expected to be mothers in their lives, and most have their first baby before they are 24, so women and girls approaching this time in their lives have to be careful to preserve their ability to have children; so things like lifting heavy objects and sitting on the ground are not okay. But really, Russians don’t like the ground and they don’t like the floor. In all studio classes you wear shoes. But the moment is intense enough that you kind of have to anyways. But you don’t sit on the floor in acting either. And you don’t go barefoot. Ever. In doors, it is expected that you take off your shoes and change into slippers. It’s actually a very classy culture that way. And as far as the way women are treated, I confess that it is sort of nice.
As far as life in Moscow, it’s sort of baptism by fire. Mariana is the woman who basically in charge of us here, and she is available to answer all our questions, and we have the angles, who are Russian producing students who help to herd us when we are in groups, but after showing us where the grocery store is, helping us to get phone cards, and taking us to exchange money, our guides kinda peaced out and left us to our own devices. It’s Sunday and I’m starting to finally feel a bit more comfortable.
Dorm life. The dorms are great, much nicer than American dorms. We have really nice kitchens, and it’s really easiest to do most of your cooking at home. Lucky me, I have a single…though of course I’m always lonely and spending my time in other people’s rooms. We live in close proximity with the Russians as well. Many of them are very interested in meeting us and practicing their English with us. I’m sort of bad at communicating with them still. And the doors are extremely safe. We have a babushka who guards the door, and she has to buzz you both in and out. At 1am she goes to bed, and if you aren’t home, you’re in trouble cause you’re spending the night outside. So it’s important to be nice to the babushkas. And never call them babushka to their face.
As for Moscow, I love it so far. It’s much like any other city, but Russian. Obviously. The architecture, the history…it blows the mind. The cigarette smoke is a little overwhelming. Most of Russia smokes, and you can do it everywhere…restaurants, buildings…even the dorms allow smoking in the stairwells. I’ve just had to make a choice to deal with it and not let it bother me too much.
Russians are beautiful. They take their appearance very seriously, and dress very nicely. Compared to Moscow, New Yorkers on the street like slobs. I’ve been making a point to dress up, wear makeup, and put myself together as much as possible before leaving; and surprisingly, I like it. Mariana told me while boot shopping, “Beautiful girls should wear fancy things. You are not a girl, you are a woman, and you should get only more beautiful as you grow.” I guess life really is too short not to feel beautiful every day, and putting some effort into your appearance does make one feel better. Mariana is like most Russians; very stern looking, cold seeming, but actually very full of love. It’s such a fascinating culture that way.
We start our real class schedule tomorrow, which I absolutely cannot wait for. We have only had two history classes, one film history class, and one acting class, so we haven’t really begun to work yet. I just cannot even express how beautiful the theater culture here is…it’s like nothing I have experience…the love and the reverence with which the Russians approach their art stuns me. We have already learned, when something happens to the Moscow Art Theater, something happens to Russia. Here, art changes the course of history; it changes the world, as opposed to the outside world changing the theater. There are a million billion more things to share, but this blog is long enough I think, so I’ll end here for now.
I was afraid to come to Russia, even during the application process, but thank God I’m here. This is exactly where I am supposed to be right now.

Love to everyone who is reading this,
Hannah

Dear Charlotte,

It's Wednesday September 16th, 2009 and at this time next week I will have left the United States of America for Moscow, Russia. SO STRANGE.

I began my final travel preparations not by packing, but driving 5 1/2 hours to Ithaca, NY for the weekend. Now you may ask, "Why this weekend? What's so special about it?" Well, shut up and I'll tell you. So this past weekend was in fact the weekend of Freshmen Party, an illustrious tradition held annual at the beginning of each year. For those of you who aren't aware of said Party, I'll explain. Freshmen Party is a show written, directed, choreographed and performed by the upperclassmen for the incoming freshmen class. This performance is filled to the brim with belting, face-kicking, riffing, viewpointing, designing, Bad Assery and above all else HILARITY. Seriously, the senior class must have been drinking Fool-Aid all summer, because the show was amazingly hilarious. Once some of the videos hit youtube I'll post them. But here's a facebook video, you we'll see if that works too. http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=586464613189&ref=nf

Seriously, the show doubled as an ab work out, that's how funny it was.

But Freshmen Party aside I went to visit Ithaca for a few other reasons. One of my closest friends Ben was visiting Ithaca while he's on break from touring with Spring Awakening. It's a big deal because he'll be gone for the whole year, so like all of us Russian Zolls he'll be without the Class of Zoll in it's entirety. But, let's get real, that's not a bad deal in the long run. So seeing everyone together, even for the brief amount of time, was very important to me. I love my class so much and we all came so far last year both individually and as an ensemble that being around them reminded me of where I left off last year. I was hoping that would happen while i was in Ithaca because a lot of this time away from Ithaca has started to get to me and make me bored and lazy, so rediscovering my passion in the place where it started was in my eyes essential before going to Russia. I'll write again soon.

Faithfully,

Justin

A Precious.

Dear Mr. Harvey Fancy Paws,

Here I sit in my room, noming on unhealthful snacks. I have been procrastinating hugely, and now I am suffering for it in my last week. I am very behind on reading, mostly due to Greek. I have Justin to thank for this recent addiction. I highly recomend it to anyone with an excess of time to devote to Hulu.com

My room looks as though it has been ransacked. And it has. By me. All my clothes have been ripped from the closet, and my books are strewn about. My pictures have been taken from their frames and off the walls and filed into a binder in order to make the trip with me to Russia.

I sit like a Gollum in the middle of this mess, hunched around my computer watching Greek and playing Mafia Wars. My cat is sitting inside my almost full suitcase. And I admit, that I'm putting off the work I should be doing because I am scared. I have no idea what to expect. I'm going to Russia. Russia? Yes. Russia. That is very far away.

On another note, I got my hairs did. Woot!

I suppose the next time I blog, it will be from Moscow. Till then, adios.

Hannah

Status: Declassified

The following is a decrypted message from Field Agent Charles Thomas Forray.

Alias' include: Charlie Forray, Charlie F, Chofo, Chofsky, Charlie Smiles, Charlie Charming, C4A, CT4A, Charlie Boy, Argyle Lorin, Stanial Onatop, Ash Ketchem, Roxis, and Chagrin. Other Alias' not listed

Some information has been deemed classified and has been omitted from this statement.

Status: Civilian declassified....Mostly.


Personal blog entry 0001

As I lay here exhaling my weekend my mind wanders to the road ahead. Despite the action filled lifestyle of my summer, I look forward to the cloister of trials in which infiltration and assimilation of myself into the Russian Culture is integral to my lifetime commitment for an artistic world.

Traveling to the Motherland is but only 12 days away. Like a child waiting for Chanukkah to arrive, every day my excitement builds for when I land in Connecticut and team up with my fellow agents traveling to Big Red. I have, as it may come as no surprise, been rather antsy waiting for zero hour. With my time expendable I have been visiting friends at colleges to keep myself occupied with excitement. After all, patience is not one of my virtues.

This past weekend I went up to The University of Vermont and partied their way. With Saturday and Sunday back to back double keggers my blood and bones were put to the test. I can only now imagine what type of inebriation level Moscow will bring. But I'll be ready. With an internal moral compass, and supreme knowledge of the BHC curve, I foresee no problem dealing with the ******* *** **** ** and handling any and all ********* ***** **** that come my way. However, my body count is racking up a little faster than M.O.M. would like. My verbal negotiation skills were surpassed by my physical ones when a fight ensued at the party this weekend. Some people should learn when they are asked to leave they should never decide to grab the frying pan and start swinging. Though the situation was handled, throwing him down a flight of stairs was rather excessive. Thank goodness the corner of the garage broke his fall. Despite his lack luster people skills, the clearly beaten man returned to apologise after his 20 minute intermission from the party. Apologies are always welcome.

Now that I am home again the remaining days are filled with reading, paperwork, assessment of essential items, ***** **** ***, and enjoying the family I'll be seeing this weekend. The truth of it all is if I could leave for Russia now I would not. My older brother William Zachary Forray will be marrying the love of his life Lindsey Fogg-Willits on Saturday and someday creating A little Fog-For-Will-Ray-Its.

Until future transmissions this is agent 4A saying I love you all, and I will be in touch.





Emmanual syzygy mark 902.810-Ellipsis. [Bio-rok] 5%Rushmore#Cedar SaiNai

Slow Loris.

Dear Mr. Harvey Fancy Paws,

I have been biding my time, waiting for either Charlie or Justin to write a blog before I could write another one. My gut tells me that I will be blogging more than those two. So obviously we have added another author. Consolidate the blogging effort.

Now. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a sugar problem. I found out from a doctor that sugar addiction is actually a diagnosable problem...one that I obviously have. If you know me at all, then you should be very proud to learn that I have not had sugar (excepting "evaporated cane juice" in my vanilla soy milk which I eat with cereal sweetened with sulfate free molasses) since Tuesday.

This doesn't mean I've been more healthy. On the contrary, I've been filling the sugar void with a LOT of food...most carbs. I might get fat, but at least I won't get diabetes.

In other news, I worked nine hours today at a chicken restaurant and pretended to be very nice to customers. I sat some very smelly boys and offered a little girl some crayons and a coloring sheet, to which she responded, "NO!"

Then I came home and ate a sugar free dinner and bothered Justin via AIM, which has become a regular past-time. I think in a previous life Justin was my older brother, since he is generally nice to me, though much of our interaction is me trying to get his attention and him tolerating it.

Also, I'm torn about the whole going to London thing? I've wanted to travel my whole life, and I want to do it while I'm young and whatnot. And the opportunities I would have as a student are far greater than those afforded to a tourist. But there is the money issue, and what I fear would turn out to be a very stressful situation, what with living abroad for an entire years, especially with my health issues. I don't know if anyone even reads this thing, but if you do, and you have thoughts on the matter, I love a second opinion.

Love you. Hannah

Cirque Du Soviet

Charlotte,

My last week has been pretty busy. We've been short staffed at work all week so I've seen a lot more action than usual. However, occupational happenings aside, it has been a productive week in terms of getting my shit together for Russia. 

My Russian phrase book arrived this week, and has helped me learn some simple Russian sentences. It has also helped me realized just how amazingly challenging the language barrier is going to be. The alphabet is nuts, the words are even crazier. I'm amazed at just how complicated learning Russian is going to be, but I willingly except that challenge. Bring it on.

On a similar preparation note, I've recently begun my physical preparations for Moscow. Getting my body in shape for movement training as been a priority this summer. Movement Class this past year was a relatively rude awakening to just how out of touch i was with my physical fitness, so i made it a goal to be back to full strength by the end of the summer. So far, so good. I've been working out and stretching like it's my job. I want to be Cirque du Soleil ready by the time I get back from Moscow. Example of Cirque du Soleil Ready :

Along some similar lines, I have decided to set some goals for myself, in terms of where i want to be when I return to the States. After looking at what this training means to me and what it could do for me I went back to the NTI Handbook to go over the class list once again. It was then that I reread a paragraph about just how serious of an opportunity this is for us. The passage reads, "The MXAT School is one of the most respected theater schools in Europe, and the people who work and study there have already dedicated their lives to theater.  The Russian students at the MXAT School, with whom you will be sharing your living and working spaces, were selected from thousands of applicants; many of them have very little money (for them the school is free), and for some it is their one and only chance to support their families and enter a successful artistic career." When I first started auditioning for schools one of the department chairs said, "If you can think of doing something else for a living, then get out of this room. This needs to be your life." I believed that i couldn't do anything else the rest of my life, but I'm hoping to take my passion for theatre up a couple notches. I'm hoping that being in an environment with fellow students who are giving up so much to pursue their craft will inspire me become a stronger, wiser and more passionate actor.

Faithfully Yours,

Justin