"Insert Clever Name Here"

Attention blog readers:

This may be my last post before I go completely nuts! I've had a pretty stressful week for a few reasons. My Fulbright application was due. I'd like to say it went off without a hitch but what I can say is that the mutual screw-up of two groups of people may work to my advantage.

Tallinn University is still being a thorn in my side. I'm supposed to access lectures from the server, but, alas, it is Wednesday and the lecture from last Friday has not been posted yet. One of my classes was canceled completely and the course I can take falls when Rebecca is working. So even though she's working part-time I still can't go to class. Bygones. It's like taking away something I didn't have in the first place.

I might be going to St. Petersburg over Christmas. I'd be the travel along nanny. I've always wanted to go to Russia, but not on someone else's dime.

I've got my ticket for the Marine Ball in November, but really don't have anything to wear. How 'bout a nice black dress and a pashmina? Understated, refined, in my closet...

I had dinner with the librarian action figure last night. She's pretty cool/down to earth. She says the darndest things. I can't wait 'til I'm old and can say quirky things and be praised for it.

I'm getting a bit restless. If anyone is in Tallinn anytime soon let me know.

Life Imitates Arst

I got an Eastern European flu shot today. Afterwards the nurse asked if I wanted a booklet that described the possible side effects. Turns out it was only in Estonian, Russian, and Latvian. Oh well. By then the potent virus was already in my system.

The doctor's office is called "Sinu Arst" which means "Your Doctor" in Estonian. I got my shot at the arst, but not in the "arst". I had already been there to get my health insurance. I was kind of looking forward to seeing a new arst.

The jokes are endless.

The Sideways Orchestra

I filmed this on one of the squares in Riga, Latvia a really long time ago. I guess I should have filmed it the other way. Now I know that you can't flip/rotate video. Enjoy!

Riga Revisited

I recently heard from one of the friends I made at the hostel in Riga. He sent me a link to his Bebo.com account. It's like Irish MySpace. He had a pretty cool slide show of photos from Riga/Franks/Tallinn. I don't look as bad as I thought I did, so I'm posting them here.

This is not me. It's a glass of Estonia's second beer from it's second city Tartu.

Town Hall Square at night. Not the first picture I have form this locale.

Shaken and blurred. Girl at the Russian pub in Latvia mixing a drink.

This is exactly how I looked for three weeks.

Get this party started.

Random people making out.

Picturesque

I wish I could take credit for these pictures and their clever captions, but I cannot. The photographs were taken by a friend of mine, and I just thought they deserved some web-licity. Enjoy!

Fiery Estonian Sunset;


Zoom in on Fall Foliage;

Russian-Estonian Crosses Near Lake Peipsi;

Rainbow Over a Parking Lot;


And, of course, Natalie.

Mating Season

Here are some photos of fall in Estonia. Fall happens to be my favorite season. The changing leaves reminds me of my own mortality.

I once read an article that explained how fall is the season for hook-ups. When the season changes from warm to cold men (and women) start looking for a warm body to snuggle up with for the winter months. So instead of a May-September romance, people are looking for something to get them from September to about mid-February (depending on what climate region you're living in, of course, and what your Valentine's Day budget is looking like). Men also feel more secure in their relationships during the cooler seasons because their women are wearing turtlenecks and thick sweaters.

Sunset off the balcony


Me enjoying the season.

The New (Old) Me

I got my hair cut. It's exactly the way it used to be - but with bangs. I'm so happy to not have that curly mop anymore it's unbelievable! This is me in classic Amy pose. This is the face I feel like I make the most often. I'm not that bad looking.



I have a couch surfing engagement next Monday evening. Some guy from the Netherlands contacted me and asked if I could show him around on Monday or Tuesday. Clearly I cannot take the baby to meet some weirdo so I'm taking my new friend Suzanne. I'm pretty stoked.

Again I must say that I feel quite comfortable in Estonia - more so than South Dakota. I feel independent - and cool. As we were leaving the VIP lounge at one of Tallinn's hottest clubs the other night - my buddy remarked how easy it is to feel cool in another country, especially considering we were let in for free by a journalist for the most watched television station.

But, I'm a nerd at heart. Check out how much I look like a librarian in the above photo. Enough said.