LOL JK RUSSIA IS AWESOME

1) Classes are easy. Like really easy, to the point where I'll have trouble finishing my last semester of college because it'll be rocket science compared to what I'm doing now.
2) I haven't tried it yet, when I finally decide to, I take great solace in knowing that I won't have to walk more than 3 blocks to the nearest Sushi Bar. Seriously, If you live more than 3 blocks from a sushi-bar here, you're doing it wrong.
3) I would say the same about coffee shops, but that's the one thing I'm ACTUALLY bitter about. And the same is true, if you're more than 3 blocks away from some incarnation of a coffee-house, you're doing it wrong.
4) I actually like my host family. She's nice, and she makes lots of delicious soups and things for me. Like: Schi, Sour Schi, Rassol'nik, Pumpkin soup, caviar, pate, caviar, the best cheese I've ever had (smoked ftw), Kasha that would kill angels, eggs just like I like them (burnt whites, yum), eggplant mash, vat jelly, homemade sauerkraut, sausages with mash, Ukha, and more.
5) The food is SOOOO yummy! Syrok, Pops, Yogurt, Cookies (nutela waffle tubes), Blini, Soup, omg BUCKWHEAT, other Russian foods---even RAMEN tastes better here. (coffee still sucks...grrrr)
6) The stoplights have countdowns on them. You no longer have to guess how much time you have left before a gypsy cab (or cop) runs you over in the crosswalk. The cycle works as such:
Green to Red- Green Blinks 3 times, then Yellow for roughly a second then Red
Red to Green- Yellow turns with Red for roughly 3 seconds before Green light comes on.
The previously Green side of intersection is at a Full Red before the Other side is alerted to the changing lights. In theory, a very safe, efficient system. The US should implement.
7) There is an overwhelming amount of stuff to do. And I do mean 'overwhelming'. I feel like I haven't done anything since arriving because my to-do list is so long. I'm slowly working through it. I still have a semester to go!!!
8) I get to wake up every morning knowing that I'm in St. Petersburg! And lemme tell you, that is all sorts of surreal. Up until two years ago, I had no idea the direction my life would take, and had someone told me, I wouldn't have believed them. I am simply amazed everyday.
9) This city is older than the United States. Peter the Great FTW
10) Drinking beer on the street--at least until 2012 (wah wah). A new law will treat beer as alcohol and thus, the ban on public drinking will extend to beer.
11) Cheap vodka
12) Finland is super close, ya know, for smuggling runs. Apparently things are cheaper over there. Somehow, I find that hard to believe.
13) Banya--- Sauna + Sadomasochism + Snacks= Awesome!! Not only is it fun, it's super refreshing. While in the steam room, you beat yourself or others with things called 'veniki'. These are traditionally birch branches with leaves still attached, but oak is cheaper and I have even seen evergreen (with needles, I need to try that!)
14) Kopeck hunting (not for 10's or 50's, but for 1's and 5's). Stalk some weddings, find some coins they don't make anymore, get some weird looks from Russians. Fun times.
15) Hazelnuts in candy, like Snickers and M&Ms

16) This place is full of magic and Everything is amazing!