Щелкунчик at the Mikhailovsky Theatre.

So, while I am aware that today is the 24th of December and technically Christmas Eve, I keep forgetting this fact as "Catholic Christmas" (as the 25th of December is called here) is a complete non-holiday and so tomorrow just feels like Thursday, just the day when I'm leaving for Kiev, nothing exciting. I really haven't been in a Christmasy mood at all. Yeah, I've been shopping for gifts for everyone, but it just feels more like general souvenir shopping, not for any holiday occasion. I don't know, everyone talks about how this time of year is the hardest time of studying abroad because that's when you really start to miss your family and feel lonely.... but personally, as I can't even remember that it is Christmas right now, I don't feel all that sad for missing it at home. I'll also be busy in Kiev.
But despite all this, I finally remembered it was Christmastime after seeing The Nutcracker at the Mikhailovsky Theatre last night with what seemed like nearly all of the girls on my program -- me, Liza, Ilana, Emma, Claire, Carrie, Emily, Katy L, Danielle, Amy & Laura. Ilana had warned me in advance that the Russian version of the Nutcracker is different from the version most Americans know and love -- sometimes the choreography involves sacrificing a lamb in the middle of the second act -- and there were things about last night's performance that were different. For example, if anyone knows the Boston Ballet's version of the Nutcracker, you are sure to remember the dance with the huge woman (usually played by a man) and all the little children that come running out from underneath her skirt. Instead of this, two dolls danced to that song. Also, the main girl is named "Masha" or "Maria" in the Russian version not.... Clara. Not really sure how that whole Clara business came about in general. [oh, wait, according to wikipedia: "The story has been published in many book versions including colorful children-friendly versions. The plot revolves around a German girl named Clara Stahlbaum or Clara Silverhaus. In some Nutcracker productions, Clara is called Marie. (In Hoffmann's tale, the girl's name actually is Marie or Maria, while Clara - or "Klärchen" - is the name of one of her dolls.)"] And also the Russian dance at the ball involved a may pole that looked like it was going to fall down the whole time as the dancers did not seem all that comfortable dancing with it. But but but but BUT it was so beautiful. So beautiful. All the costuming and scenery was so classic, and the leads were all really strong -- especially the dancers who played dolls. The guy who played the Nutcracker doll had unbelievable limbs -- he kept his legs bowed in this way that really was so dollish and unnatural, I have no idea how he danced like that. And the music made me so happy and content and finally feel like it is kind of Christmas, in a way. It gave me that nice, calm, goodwill to everyone, peaceful Christmas-feeling I usually get this time of year, but totally missed as I've been writing papers and thinking ahead to New Year's and January instead. Anyway, I am really glad I went and I thoroughly enjoyed myself and it put me in a good mood.

And you know what else put me in a good mood? Oh, yes, finishing my paper for Jonathan Platt. YES. DONE. HA.