Russia is Thawing

Lately it has been hanging right around 0 Celsius (32 F) and the sun is usually out for a few hours in the morning before clouds and smog set in. No one has been certain if it is winter or spring, as one day it will be slushy and the next it will be black ice again or fresh snow. However, today I finally really felt spring. It wasn’t sunny but the minute I stepped outside I heard melting, everywhere, for the first time in months. The sidewalks were mostly puddles and slush, with very little ice left, but the snow was still deep, dirty, and piled over cars and on the tops of buildings. I’m guessing it got up to about 3 or 4 degrees Celsius. The fog was thick and it wasn’t really raining but drizzle and slop was everywhere. Cars and buses along the road were covered in mud and slinging it successfully all over pedestrians. I finally saw Russian ground, although only in few patches and covered in litter. 
People have begun wearing their spring coats now, and women are wearing even more absurdly high heels and short skirts. Huge chunks of melting snow and ice occasionally crash off of a building’s eve and into the street. The other day Harley told us that this kills dozens of people every year and I can see how. However, a few kind and concerned babushkas have already warned me to walk away from the eves. 
Anyway, all of this to say that I have a horrible case of spring fever. I realized today that this weather means I can be active again, after months of hibernating and gaining weight I long to ride my bike or play catch in the backyard. I tried to play in this little broken down playground near Harley's apartment building but there is still about a foot of slush and it didn't work out. Oh well. Or as my host mom always says: taaak, no lahdnah. (well, but okay).
Lately I have been rather pensive, looking back over the last couple months and considering the next few. I will be leaving Nizhni in 3 weeks for St. Petersburg and as much as I try to, I cannot decide how I feel about this. I am not homesick really but I know I will be ready to be home and I am not already planning my next trip to Russia but I know there are things I will miss. I think, though, that more than anything this semester has made me want to travel more. I have already been scheming up ways to study abroad again next year or at least to pay a visit to my aunt and uncle in Ecuador or friend in Switzerland... 
But, for now, thinking about going back to Idaho and spending a few months with the parents, the pets, and the trees sounds like an excellent re-entry into the country. (After the nephews' birthday party of course). I wish you all the best, thanks for following! I suppose I'll post once or twice more, of course, but thanks.

Pictures

Hello all. I thought I'd send a quick update and post some pictures, since I haven't posted any for awhile. My Russian mom (Marina) and I are getting along well, even if we resort to playing charades on a daily basis. She made me take a bubble bath my first night at home and she continually stuffs me with chocolate, tea, and hotdogs (this one, I'm not so fond of...). Also, she has a french press and occasionally has coffee!! (No one really drinks coffee here).

Anyway, this morning I got back from Kazan, which is the capital of Tatarstan (an independent republic that is part of Russia). It was a very interesting city. They speak Tatar and Russian and Islam and Christianity have peaceably coexisted there for hundreds of years. I love traveling by trains, too, even though it is nearly impossible to sleep.

Okay, pictures! 1) folk dancers in Suzdal for Matslinitsa 2) the trans siberian railroad outside of vladimir 3) i love only you 4) banya! 5) some of us in the classroom 6) sasha with his snowboard 7) chai on the train to Kazan (accompanied by tales of adventure) 8) anya and me ice skating 9) march in nizhni...still very snowy 10) classic harley  (program director), reading sections of gorky's "my childhood" outside of the house gorky grew up in (in nizhni).

T

Моя Руская Семья (My Russian Family)

Greetings! I don't have time to write a long post but I thought I'd just send a quick update about my host family. I move in today, immediately after we visit the childhood home of Maxim Gorky (Soviet author).
I met my mom Thursday night at the international office but we did not communicate much since she does not know a single word of English. I understood that I will be living in the center of the city, near a place called Gorky Square, which is an awesome location. It is only a couple bus stops from the university and next to pretty much everything (the kremlin, the pedestrian street, an outdoor skating rink, etc). I have a 24 year-old sister but she lives in Moscow and will only be home on the weekends. My mom is about 50 probably and works as a banker. She likes to knit and says I will be staying in a pink room and can have friends over whenever I want. She seems really nice and rather well-off (she is going to give me a cellphone). Anyway, I'm pretty excited. Oh, and I heard she has people over often and likes to go out and do things (most Russians prefer to stay home). She also has a boyfriend, which should be interesting...
Anyway, I'm excited! Especially since I will be forced to speak only Russian at home. Should be awkward, challenging, and hopefully rewarding.
Much love from the Motherland!