Христос воскресе (Christ has risen)

I'm sitting outside right now, soaking up the 13 degree (50F) sunshine before going home for the day. This past week almost all of the snow has melted and even the puddles are drying up, it has been beautiful weather and I am loving it.
Yesterday was Easter, of course, and the above greeting is how everyone answers their phones and greets each other on this holiday (followed by three kisses). I hung out with my family all weekend, my sister from Moscow came and my mom's boyfriend Andrey as well. On Saturday night we went to a beautiful church nearby and crowded in to hear about 15 minutes of solemn nuns singing in their intimidatingly tall black habits. Then the priest song and spoke and everyone in the crowd was passed a candle, which we lit (despite the dangerously close quarters) before slowly squishing outside. At midnight the priest, accompanied by a few nuns and perhaps another priest came out of the doors of the church and as the bells began to ring he started chanting prayers. We followed him as he circled the church carrying icons and crosses. We solemnly made our way around, holding our candles until we got back to the front, where the priest announced "Christ has risen" and everyone answered "he has risen indeed" before kissing. It was a very beautiful service (lasted all night but we left after the candlelit part). Sorry Carly, I did not sneak pictures, that would have been disrespectful and nearly impossible in the crowd anyway. :(
Anyway, we went home and ate and talked until 2am. My sister is fluent in English and it was so much fun to be able to communicate with everyone. Then yesterday we hung out all day and pretty much just ate one traditional dish after another. It was delicious. It was an awesome holiday but I still think Matslinitsa was better because of the blini.
Anyway, I only have two weeks left in Nizhni! And I have to write a research paper and study for two huge comprehensive finals. This weather is not making me feel very studious, either...
Oh, almost forgot, I'll add a few pictures for you.

 The banks of the Volga, about 10 mins from my apartment.

Pretty much the best graffiti EVER. They have these all over the city, I don't know why...

We had a little "barbecue" with some Russian students and some South Koreans. It was a huge, muddy, trashy mess but it was fun. This is Riley throwing a fit about the mud.

My family! Andrey (boyfriend), Marina (mom), and Arina (sister).