A Holiday is approaching.

Yesterday morning, I went to the university to teach, but I ended up not having class, as there were not any students. It seems most of them decided to skip class.  Next Tuesday is a big holiday here - International Women's Day - so the students get two days off next week.  I guess many of them decided to take yesterday off, as well, so they could have a five day break.  If I had known that, I wouldn't have had to get up so early.  Oh well.  The walk was good exercise.

 At 1:00 pm I went back to the university, as Professor Svetlana had invited me to a Woman’s Day party.  I am glad I went, as it was quite enjoyable.  The group was small, just five of us:  Svetlana, the two department secretaries, Sasha, and me.  We had juice (strawberry-carrot, which was really good, though it sounds rather odd); champagne; a variety of sandwiches made with cheese, ham, salami, tomatoes, and peppers; and fresh fruit:  apples, kiwis, and tangerines; For desert we enjoyed cake, chocolate cookies (which I brought) and tea.  I was stuffed, and Svetlana insisted that I take the rest of the sandwiches home, and there was quite a stack leftover.  I now have plenty of food in my refrigerator to last me a few days and will not have to do any significant cooking for a while. 

During the luncheon, Sasha, being the only male in the room besides me, gave affectionate speeches to each lady in the room and then presented each with a small gift.  For Women's Day (also called March 8 - Март 8), it is customary for males to give gifts to woman and girls, nice things to them, and to be very helpful.  It is a very important holiday here. 

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I would like to make some Ukrainian carrot salad next week.  I may as well, as I have all of the necessary ingredients, and it shouldn’t take nearly as long to make as the оливье (Olivier).  It will also be good for me.  Should I tackle борщ (borsch) after that?

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I am wishing so many people here did not smoke and in so many places.