Since the last time I wrote, I have travelled about 2000 km by both truck and train completing jobs and getting moved around. If you remember, I was first stationed in a little city smack dab right in the middle (well, maybe a little north of the middle) of Siberia. Noyabrsk (the name of the city) was almost starting to become home to me, I was "meeting" girls (though I say meeting losely as "meeting" and "talking" have become two seperate things to me at this point). I also made some good friends, and was slowly teaching all of the city how to speak English. So I was all settled into this quant, very cold city, when I get told I am going about 400 km south west of the city to another Schlumberger location. Not a bad deal really, as the new location is better developed, and in my ignorant mind 400 km south west should make a difference when it comes to climate. Well I was right about the difference, but it wasn't as I expected, that place was even colder than Noyabrsk. I did however, get a chance to finally live with a Russian.
An operator and I got a flat maybe a 10 minute drive from the base and I finally got to see a little of what Russian life was like. I didn't really realize what I was missing out when I was stuck in Schlumberger facilities in Noyabrsk. Living with just one other guy who only spoke Russian (except for the occasional AC/DC words he picks up in the songs he listens to maybe 4 or 5 times a day... I mean really, he puts Jims fanatacism for the group to shame) well, in the 2 weeks a lived with him, I showed a drastic increase in my language abilities, partly due to the fact that there was nothing else to do but watch Russian TV and talk to him. Living in a Russian flat was also a bit of an experience in and of itself. When I first walked in, I noticed the marked technological improvements that the former tenants had made. Both the shower and toilet were now gravity based devices. Whenever you needed to flush the toilet, you just had to pull a little string attached to the wall, and wallah, about 3 liters of water are released from a container up by your head to travel through a small tube right into the toilet. Shower is basically the same idea, however you there is a fixture on it to spray water instead of directly pouring it. Really not too bad once you get used to it, though sometimes, in the case of a leak you might unintentionally have a bit of a shower while sitting on the toilet.
Winter is finally coming to a close here. Only 3 or 4 months left! It was amazing though when I first started seeing the sun actually coming out of the clouds in mid February. I did not realize how much I had missed it until that point, but seeing the sun coming out, and feeling its warmth after being in the dim light and the cold really just made my day.
Since the stay in the flat, I have been living in another city about a 6 hour train drive east of the last location. Here, I get a chance to actually do some of the work I was meant to do. In the last 2 weeks, I have slept on 4 different couches in 3 different cities waiting for new jobs to come up, I actually forget what it feels like to sleep with a pillow and a bed. I am getting work done though, I do get a chance to do jobs, and actually am getting a chance to help with the explosives (you need to blow up the rocks in the ground to get the oil out). Soon, my promotion will come, though its getting a little tricky now, as I am ilegally in the region. Russia is a bit stringent on rules and keeping tabs on their foreigners. Much as I would expect the US to be, but I never really get a chance to see it at home. Time will sort out this problem though, I will most likely get registered soon, and if I don't then I will get deported from the region (a very exciting experience from the sound of it). Have no fear however, I am in no real danger, I just need paperwork completed, and the current conditions do not allow me to do it.

As I have told you my life story over the last couple months, I only find it fitting to actually answer some of the requests made by email and explain a little bit about Russian life that I have experienced so far.

There is no such thing as nonspicy mustard
If you order soup during dinner, everyone will definitly know you are a foriegner.
Milk no longer needs to be refridgerated thanks to a german process.
If you live in siberia, you can save energy costs by turning off your refridgerator and just opening a window.
Borsch, though probably the most commonly known soup from Russia is completely different each time I try it.
There are no speed limits in Russia, just signs in the ground with numbers on them.
You can get out of any trouble with the Russian police for only 200 rubles (5 dollars)
Mayonaise can be put on everything. Soup, Eggs, Pancakes, Break, Caviar, Potatoes...
Every store in the city has a complete well-stocked liquor section.
Vodka is cheaper and better here. (2 dollars for 1 liter)
Because Vodka is cheaper, you can drink more
Because Vodka is better, it is easier to drink
Because Vodka is cheaper and better, you have more headaches the next day
According to most Russians, the best cure for a headache is more Vodka
Girls in Russia are taught from birth to never leave the house without looking their very best.
Honey comes in all forms, from a thick paste to a light colored liquid.
Bowling is now becoming a popular sport in Russia.
As soon as the temperature reaches 30 °F, everything begins to melt.
Your moisture in your breath actually can freeze your nose shut at -35 °C
Never touch a piece of metal to your tongue during Siberian winters.
Russian trucks were made for Russia, American and Japanese trucks were not.
In Siberia you don't need to clean up after your dog, as the snow will do it for you.
The snow preserves everything it covers like a refridgerator would.
When all the snow begins to melt around mid May, the city will stink for a few days.
Some of the worst English music I have yet to hear I have heard in Russia.
Most Russian girls want two things: money, and to get out of Russia.
Most Russian guys want two things: Russian Girls, and to fight with foreigners trying to take their women. (not me)
When Germany invaded Russia during WW2, millions of citizens lost their lives protecting the country.
As a result, Russia believes they won WW2 by themselves and honor their lost friends and family during Defender's Day.
There are two new year celebrations in Russia, the old and new New year, both not celebrated by Schlumberger
Two other holidays, Womens Day and Oilfield Workers Day, are also not celebrated by Schlumberger
Superstition: If you step on someone elses foot, accidently or otherwise, you will most likely get into an argument with them.
Never talk to a Russian while a door frame is between the two of you.
Always shake hands with everyone in the office every time you come in.
Privyet is the commonly used phrase for hello, however it is not in the dictionary.
In foreign, less developed countries, you do not throw toilet paper in the toilet, but in the trashcan next to it.
Russian buildings are very well heated through hot pipes running throughout them.

OK, thats about it for now. I wish all of you the best from over here, and once I settle down to a certain place I will get a mailing address set up and begin mailing things back home. I hope that all of you are doing well, write to me when you get the chance. And, if any of you want to join me, I might be going to New Zealand in the next couple months.

Later,