Man, this sucks — it’s been snowing all day long and it is freezing cold. I am so over all the clothes I brought and was looking forward to wearing my new linen blend pants and now this. Shit!
Second day of 5th year exams, then first year students at 2:15, finally the referent-translators (I still don’t know what that means). Done at 7:00 and waiting for a taxi in the snow, a cold, wet snow, we decided not to go to see the girls jazz choir rehearsal, so a cold, wet (did I mention the snow???) walk home. Too yukky to go to the grocery store, so we have decided to blow off dinner. Just as well, we got yet another box of chocolates today — this time for Laird’s remarks at the intellectual property conference. We now have three boxes of chocolates and two giant candy bars — we have to be VERY CAREFUL not to eat it all.
Tomorrow the last day of exams, then maybe stop off at our neighbor Igor’s class, then we must do some shopping and some clothes washing. I hate the thought. Yea, Igor is going to check and see about shipping winter clothes home before heading for South Africa. I don’t want to carry all the weight and I want to buy souvenirs — I need that space my dress up clothes were taking up in my suitcase.
Well, it’s already bedtime if I expect to get up early to be at school by 9:00. Snoozingly yours, jm
lairdandjonelle 
That sounds wonderful; too bad those hot springs aren’t in cold Russia instead of hot SA! Our neighbor was gloating on the cold walk home from the university this afternoon that he would be in the banya at his dacha by this time tomorrow. At least it has stopped snowing!
Never mind-just route your bathing costumes in your S.A luggage-there are several hot water Spas on the R62 route!