Here I will be talking about Tomsk, a little bit about Russia, and about us too.
November 20th – the 270th day of war.
The life of Tomsk goes on as usual… or almost as usual.
-Positive daytime temperatures (above 32°F) prevailed in Tomsk until mid-November, the Tom River has not frozen yet. The cold snap began on Thursday, on Friday morning it was – 20°C (-4°F) in the city.
Cloudy weather with clarifications, gusty winds and -11-13°C are expected in Tomsk on Saturday, light snow is possible.
It’s November there now. The falling snow will no longer melt, but will accumulate until April.
The war has been going on for more than 8 months. It does not let me enjoy life, the weather, the sun.
By the way, snow has fallen in Tomsk. It will most likely melt. But in a week it will fall again and for the whole winter at that time.
I try to occupy my brain with something pleasant… projects in the library, projects at home, socializing with friends, hobbies. This helps for a short period, but the anxiety does not let go. Daniel said to plan the next vacation, but I can’t get into the planning mode.
I continue to watch YouTube (on various topics) and read telegram channels. And of course I learn Tomsk news from riatomsk.ru. By the way, there is an English version of the site. But it seems to have less information in it.
At the beginning of the war, someone came up with the expression that Putin cured everyone of COVID.
The first Russian word I taught my husband was the word “жопа”=ass.
One day he came home from work and said that his boss was “жопа” (ass). I corrected him: ass is the situation, and his boss is a козел=goat*.
When my friends and relatives (actually Daniel’s relatives) ask me about my sons, the best way to answer would be the word “ass”.
If you read me you know what I think about Putin’s war.
My main concern was mobilization. Many Russians thought they were not interested in politics, the government was doing what must be done to take care of its citizens.
And now politics has come to almost everyone’s home. And mobilization has become not only my concern.
On September 21, president Putin announced a partial mobilization. Where the word “partial” means nothing.
There are three things you can look at forever: fire, water and women’s parking. If you see me parking, you can even laugh, and I don’t mind. People say that laughter prolongs life.
Maps International designed by Lovell Johns Limited
However, I have something to add to this list – a map, and preferably a large map.
I’ve been honest with you, I’ve said a few times that I don’t know geography. I don’t know what it was: a way it was taught to us, or i didn’t see an opportunity to use the knowledge. I had a good grade, but didn’t know much.
Now the world has changed. I’ve met people from different countries. We are getting news from different places. I became curious about geography.
I mentioned to my husband a few times that I wanted to have a big, no, huge map and … Daniel bought it! I have to tell you, both my husband and the map are so cool!
But you have to be careful, well, I have to be careful – viewing the map can be time consuming.
Another day I saw Tomsk on the map (when I was just passing by)), then my gaze shifted to Novosibirsk, and then… I ended up in the Aleutian Islands.
The longest day and the shortest night. The beginning of summer.
Tomsk
Daniel says that if we lived in Fairhaven, we would celebrate with a bonfire by the ocean.
But we live in New Bedford, our house is in a relatively good neighborhood, but not on the ocean. There will be no bonfire tonight, and tomorrow is work.
Anyway, I don’t like summer.
Siberians can “throw slippers at me”*, and they will be right. Just like me. To each his own.
New Bedford is getting ready for the snow storm Kenan. Tomsk has just celebrated Tatiana’s day. And other news.
About covid-19…
My sister Tatiana and I.
During the day (January 27), 421 residents of the Tomsk region were infected with a new coronavirus infection; 3 people died.
Governor Sergey Zhvachkin urged residents to vaccinate and strictly follow the requirements of epidemiologists, and instructed law enforcement agencies to reinforce control over this. The governor also recalled the ban on holding mass events.
The ice drift began, the Water Utility turned off the water supply.
2013
Every year in April, Tomsk residents expect the most spectacular natural phenomenon – an ice drift on the Tom river. The ice drift brings people to the embankment and the cold weather to the region.
As well as flooding of some villages located close to the river.
The townspeople love to watch the ice movement and come to the shore with their families. Some climb on the ice hummocks.