Mindful Russian

Remember the record snow from last week? Now Moscow has added the next winter chapter: proper, serious cold! As you see, today it's -20°C on the thermometer, but ощущается как -32°C — It FEELS like -32°C. We even managed a half-hour walk with the kids — it's not impossible, just a matter of the right mindset and ⬇️⬇️⬇️ 👲Шапка — A hat is non-negotiable. 🥊 Варежки — Mittens (they're warmer than gloves). 🩳Термобелье — Thermal underwear. Your best friend. What's the coldest weather you've ever ex...

Guess what started today? Масленица (Maslenitsa) — the week when Russia says goodbye to winter and hello to spring! 🌱 Originally a pagan holiday to celebrate the sun god Yarilo, today it's simply an excuse for most people to eat as many блины (pancakes) as humanly possible 🥞😋 Why pancakes? They look like the sun 🌞 We're basically trying to convince the sun to come back after months of snow and cold. Your Russian phrases of the week: 👉 "С МАсленицей!" = Happy Maslenitsa! 👉 Блин = pancake ⚠️...

В Москве снова сильный снегопад ❄️❄️❄️

Moscow fitness 💪

Today is Valentine's Day — or as we call it in Russia, День святого Валентина. Some Russians celebrate it with hearts and flowers. 💗 Others? They don't even notice it's on the calendar. 🫣 For many, it feels... non-Russian. Some say it's too commercial. Others just don't feel the connection. And there's actually a Russian alternative on July 8th — День семьи, любви и верности (the Day of Family, Love and Faithfulness). But these days, February 14th gets more attention. Funny how that works, rig...

Sunday we were burning winter and asking for forgiveness. Monday? A completely different vibe! Yesterday it was one more holiday — and I totally forgot to post here! 🙈 So what happened yesterday? February 23rd is an official day off in Russia. It's День защитника Отечества (Defender of the Fatherland Day) — celebrating military service and those who protect the country. Unofficially it's become "Men's Day" — the male equivalent of March 8th. A day to congratulate every man you know for simply b...