Пока, Москва!

5 more days. It seems so surreal. So wonderful and yet so terrifying. So refreshing to finally be at home with my family and friends and yet so morose about not going out for drinks with friends, not beating Mike at bowling or writing down the latest Sergeism.

So much to say, but where to begin? So much to be grateful for, but to whom and for what? So much to look forward to, but what to look back upon?

Умом Россию не понять...I would say, умом МЕНЯ не понять, lol. Think about it, this has been my third stint in Russia, second in Moscow. I keep thinking each time that when I leave, I'm not gonna come back. But everytime I return, despite the hard times, despite living in the most ghettotastic apartments ever designed, I keep coming back. Despite the rudeness, the weather, the ridiculousness of corruption and the inability to provide handicapped access, I keep coming back. Despite the impossible to understand visa rules, I keep coming back.

I must be сумашедший. I keep wanting more. And now, I have oh many reasons for returning to Moscow. I can't even begin to count them. Suffice it to say this: As Fr. Simon and Nicolette have said in their very thoughtful blessings, I will be back. I NEED to come back. I WANT to come back. People assume that I want to move to Russia. This may be a slight exaggeration of my love for the Motherland, but I can't deny that it isn't a possiblity, at least worth serious consideration.

Today was a momentous day. I turned in my grades and am temporarily done with academic obligations. The adverb temporarily is absolutely necessary here, because for one thing, a grad student is never done or free, simply on a "break". And my break will last literally one week, before I ship up to Lake Dunmore, the lovely Green Mountains for one final summer of davai, davai, davai, Anna Karenina and Kornei Chukovsky. As for my grades, I have once again received straight A's, thanks partly to the fact that I have less writing assignments and exams this semester (to compensate for writing the first draft of my thesis), thanks also to the fact that the one exam I was supposed to take, Linguistics, I didn't have to; my professor gave me an A because I always came to class prepared. Это называется автомат, и короче, это подарок студентам от Бога. :) Yay my life. :)))

While I still have loads of packing to do (give me some credit, I did start, LOL), I'm determined to make the most of my final few days, saying "poka" to all my friends (I will be back one day, so no need to прощаться навсегда). You can find me drinking tea, beating Mike one last time at bowling in my quest for another 200 (so happy I got 213! What? You're awesome, dude! Thanks, I know. :)))

It's been amazing. I really can't think of any profound thoughts or wise, inspirational quotes that could pinpoint exactly how I feel at this moment. It's been the most wonderful six months I've ever had. I'm looking forward to more unforgettable memories, more Sundays spent singing tenor in Church, more chances to beat Mike at bowling. ;) For now though, I sign off, ready to continue my Russian education back in the states, ready to say poka to Russia and hello to Boston, to my family and friends whom I love and miss terribly.

God speed and God bless, my dear, dear Russian friends (by which I mean, Russian, British and American). I love you всей моей душой, всем сердцем.

Peace and love,

Comrade Jon