I seem to be entering a period of transition. This morning I was feeling very emotional, mostly good emotions. I almost burst into tears three times, instigated by things like the oil spill and scheduling my last English conversation club.

I have been having a really wonderful week, I made my English club sing folk songs with me, I've been enjoying the summer cafes, and for some reason I've been feeling like a pro at speaking the Russian language. I've also been working on a project that has been giving me an immense amount of satisfaction. It's the beginning of something Max and I will hopefully complete together. Right now it mostly involves me interviewing my friends about how they feel about the Soviet Union and things like that. It's a good excuse to discuss my favorite topic (Russia) and it's led to some really special conversations. Hopefully it will become something more.

I'm leaving Krasnoyarsk on June 12, and then I've got quite a schedule. I'll be moving around the country for a couple weeks. First I'm going to Ulan Ude to teach English to children, then I'm meeting Riley in St. Petersburg. I memorized Katyusha (a favorite patriotic folk song) last night so we can sing it together while walking along the canals in St. Pete and enjoying the 3am sunset. Then I'm heading on a trip to the Caucasus that I've been dreaming about literally for years.

But now I've got to go meet my Hungarians and my Russian teachers for some celebratory pelmeni and vodka.