Honestly... I wouldn't be surprised if many of you saw this on the morning news, but... there was a kitchen fire late last night in one of those many family-owned Chinese restaurants in central Liberty. This particular restaurant is -- was -- located beside the flower shop.

It took everything. Both buildings are hardly recognizable now; nothing but ashes. Nichyego no zoli....

I don't remember much because I was just oh so fortunate enough to black out after breathing in too much smoke. I'm not quite sure how long I'll be at Liberty Hospital... the nurses keep putting me on oxygen and painkillers for the burns on my arms, but... really, I'm fine. And I hate wearing that stupid mask over my mouth and nose. The air smells funny and hospitals have always made me incredibly nervous. Everything's too white... and the stupid heart monitor makes me flinch every time it beeps. It just reminds me of that stupid rehab center.

And...

Yao is back.

Yao is back.
From China.

...

Why didn't anyone tell me?!

P-people in Liberty keep stopping me on the streets...

Th-they keep calling me "Evgeni Plushenko."

...

I am not a figure skater!

Watching the Men's Short Program had me hanging off the edge of my seat! The moment I heard that Plushenko was coming out of retirement to represent Russia, I just had to watch it - and he really does not disappoint. Especially after that embarrassing Hockey defeat against the United States. It was also incredibly disappointing to hear about those Chinese pairs that broke the twelve year record of Russian Olympic Gold in Pairs Free Skating. All of the figure skaters were knocked out of receiving a medal.

Evgeni Plushenko came out as Rank #1 for the Short Program, but that's only half way there... the Free Skating starts on the 18th, and that American who placed second - Lysacek - was only .55 points away from tying with Plushenko - who scored an impressive 90.85. In the top rankings, that makes the most dramatic differences between Gold, Silver, and Bronze, but... figure skating has always been Russia's strong point. I shouldn't worry too much. These scores won't mean much two days from now. Here's hoping for a Russian Gold Medal!

Aunt Catherine even sent me a gift from a Bosco Sport in Moscow. The opening ceremony was fascinating to watch. I even noticed that all of the Russian athletes were carrying Чебурашка dolls. I haven't seen them since I was little.

Oh, and my weekend went quite nicely, but it's so nice to be back in my apartment. It seems more lonely than usual now that Kim and Antonio have moved into a house. Save for the lack of familiar neighbors, Laika's already made herself at home... a-and tore up my comforter in her excitement. She's gotten so big! I can remember her as that puppy on my doorstep as if it was yesterday... and I'm not really looking forward to having to invest in more house-related matters... e-especially since I have a guest staying with me... and it's incredibly important that the fire escape is accessible to him... in case Bela spontaneously comes home.

Kim - thank you so much for keeping me company last week. You have no idea how much comfort you brought me. I sent both You and Antonio a bit of a housewarming gift. If you remember that doll I told you about last Wednesday, this is what he looks like.

EDIT: Silver Medal?! Привинчьте вас, America! And whoever choreographed Plushenko's routine clearly did not have his country's best interest at heart! I mean, why would you spend the last two minutes - the most important part of the routine - doing nothing but Choreography?! He clearly didn't skate his best! O-only 1.33 points away from tying with Lysacek?! Terrible.

_{To: Alfred F. Jones
Sent: Friday February 13th 4:21 pm}
[Sitting on the counter top of Alfred's apartment kitchen is a single red rose and a card; inside the card there is a $10 bill. The card reads: "Happy Early Valentines' Day. Use the money to buy yourself a Cheeseburger or something."]