Josh and Becca Thrap and Family

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December 5th, 1995, Tuesday
I wonder, if a person drank a lot of alcohol–would that cause their urine to smell like cologne? This thought popped to mind this evening when I was in the bathroom. Santa barbara had just ended and the grandfather beat me to the pot. When it was my turn ( I dread using it after him because there’s always dribble–thank goodness this time he put the lid up, but the floor was not without a few little puddles.) I noticed that there was a strong smell in the room, but it didn’t smell like the usual strong smells in the bathroom–urine and cigarette smoke, no, it was more like cologne or after shave–more likely cologne. So there’s the question at hand. The only other possible explaination is that grandfather is embarrassed to let others smell when he goes to the bathroom so he packs a bottle and when he’s in there alone he sprays cologne all over. Thing is, if that were the case I don’t think he’d leave all the clues laying around the floor or on the seat.
Well, this evening I did 55 straight-legged sit-ups without any long pauses. I think its starting to get easier. I did 25 before I paused at all.
December 8th, 1995, Friday
On the 6th I went to school and gathered all the letters I was to send with Dorcas Dorrow. Back at home I rushed to get my own letters finished and packed together. Pyguk came early and said we had to leave right away or we’d miss our train and in my haste to leave I forgot to pack my letter to Rose and I didn’t bring the phone number where Dorcas was staying. We were going to be late and between Pyguk, Альберт, and I we had next to no money. Pyguk got some from Офuk then we taxied to the train station and jumped onto the train to Piatigorsk. Альберт stepped out beyond the inner doors for a cigarette and made silly faces at me and I couldn’t help but laugh. Later on we were all sitting together and I tried to explain “building” to them, because I didn’t know where to go in Lermontov but I knew the building. When they found out what I meant (10-15 minutes later!) they about flipped, and once we found Gaлa at her institute they were cold and wanted to go home. They left–which meant I’d have to stay the night with Gaлa. She and I waited for the express bus to Lermontov. A friendly girl on the bus told us where we ought to get off and said there were sopme buildings just across the street that might be what we were looking for. We got lucky and the first building was the one we needed, but Dorcas had just left! A cute guy drove us to another building deeper in the city where Dorcas was expected to be next. She hadn’t arrived yet when we got there so I finished my letters and packaged them then Gaлa and I went to the director’s office. A table was “open” as they say, with fruits, chocolates, cakes, and tea. We were offered to eat, and since I’d eaten nothing all day I had a mandarin. When Dorcas finally ariived she hugged me again and her friends told us to take more food as we were leaving so we accepted some apples and mandarins but passed on the chocolate. Then Gaлa and I walked to a bus stop and waited for the express back to Piatigorsk. On the bus we asked when our stop was and we were advised when to get off–but when we got off and started walking a path we had NO idea where we were! After walking a bit further we realized we were somewhere near the Lermontov station on the opposite side of the tracks. We walked across the tracks and went to the small night bazar near the station to get something to eat. Then we bought Swiss Cake Rolls. As we were walking to Gaлa’s hostel we decided to stop and see Mawa, Ляна, & Марина. They invited us up to their room and 2 Vadiks were there! Apparently all were drunk, had been drinking all the night before and one Vadik had jumped off their second story balcony to get champagne and broke his leg. We stayed and talked a while and Vadik went to get more to drink. He and Марина came back with more champagne, vodka, and Sprite. Then it was around 8:30 and Gaлla and I had to go so we’d have time in case there were problems sneaking me into her room. Vadik and Марина walked us there. No problems whatsoever. Upa welcomed me. I met Gaлa’s 3rd roomate Эля. She and Upa were making a poster for their languages teacher. Gaлa and I were given soup and chicken and we broke out the Swiss cake rolls. Gaлa told them that I was a good drawer (she lied) and they practically begged me to draw a computer for them for their poster. Эля is a good artist and I think she could have done a better job than I did, but when she saw my practice computer she liked it so much she said she couldn’t find adequate words to express her admiration and begged me to draw another one on the poster. I was so scared I’d mess the whole thing up–but I really liked her and it was nice to be involved, accepted, and even admired. So I took my chances and drew another computer. To my surprise it turned out ok. Even I had to admire my handiwork. We stayed up for a while, and when they started getting ready for bed I did my sit-ups then crawled in behind Gaлa. I slept really well. I was warm and comfortable and Gaлla had made me do that thing about when you sleep somewhere for the first time ask to see your future husband or whatever then don’t say anything else. I didn’t even mind getting up at 8 and dressing to go to class. The girls took me with them to their philosophy lecture. I even took a few notes (I didn’t want to stand out). Then Gaлa and Hamawa had n.m. so Upa and Эля took me back to the hostel and we ate. Soup, chicken, and with our tea we had bread with chocolate butter. Then Hamawa came and Эля predicted my future of some sort. When Gaлla arrived it was time for me to get my train. I went alone, then rode alone. The ticket lady skipped me–thank goodness–and I got home just in time to see the driver and ask him to wait for me just a few minutes. I ran in to the bathroom and told the grandfather where I was going. So, now I’m supposed to tutor a 3 year old. Hmmm. How does one go about that? The lesson didn’t go very well–I think it would be better if Buoлema and I were left alone, but her brother Muwa stayed there and I think it’s distracting. I can’t work one on one with her because they’re always talking and he intimidates her. Dang these Russian pens are messy! Their mother paid me for the lesson though, and their driver will be coming for me again Tuesday 2:00. At home I tinkered around, then Kpucmина and I went to the store for bread and something sweet. We bought a jam roll at “our” store then walked down (she fell a time or two) to the store down the mountain for good bread. We each took a slice of bread and jelly and water to drink up to my room, and with that and the jam roll we had a picnic. Then I helped her with English while I finger-knit a decoration for Christmas. Today I got up and washed my hair then got ready for school. My jeans had finally been washed and they were frozen outside on the line but today they’re dry! School was like every other Friday. Tatyana teased me and made a big deal about the fact that my hair was wet, I wasn’t wearing a sweater and it’s -11 degrees outside. When Kpucmина gets home we’re going to go shopping for a b-day present for Gaлa. I already told Maмa Puma that I’m excited to make the salat tomorrow.

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