Ch-ch-ch-changes

Ways I have become more Russian and yet retained my foreignness:

I bought a sweet black and white kepka (cap) at the market behind Gostiny Dvor but I did not successfully haggle for it.
I've started wear boots more often but they are not black, high-heeled, or reach my knees.
I expect chai after every meal but sometimes I drink it 'empty,' that is, without an accompanying sweet.
I've stopped compulsively doing homework but I still come to class, and usually on time, too.
I carry two bags: my small purse and an extra one for class materials, dictionary, etc. but it is not a plastic, multicolored checked bag from Рив Гош (Riv Gosh), as are about half the "second purses" I see around town.
I can't put any of my belongings on the floor, because it is categorically too dirty but sometimes I walk around barefoot in my apartment. When no one else is around, of course.

If I really wanted to assimilate to the Russian Woman stereotype, I would have to

- lose about 7 kilos, preferably by skipping dinner,
- obsessively clean my black, shiny, high-heeled boots,
- wear makeup every day of my life,
- dress to the nines for everything, and
- dye my hair dark red.

Sometimes you have to know where to draw the line.