The Downhill Side

Yesterday, Miles, Shelli, and I took trip to the other end of Moscow to visit Moscow State University, one of the most prestigious universities in Russia. Unlike MSAU, whose central campus is small and comprised of only a few tightly-clustered buildings, MSU is a large, sprawling campus more in line of what we think of as major universities. As we were walking around, Shelli kept saying, "It's almost like being at LSU again!" Beautiful, ornate buildings, large park centers, and statues--tributes to the worker and to Lenin, of course. It was really beautiful.

At one point during the evening, we were walking around one of the parks and Miles brought out the Cuban cigar he had purchased at Vdnkh and we all shared a few puffs and mockingly toasted (can you toast with just a cigar?) Soviet education. As we walked around, we talked about our experience here, what we thought of Russia, and the meaning of life--a must when delving into deep discussion. I think for all of us, the campus created a strong awareness of where we are and just what exactly we are doing.

As we reflected, the conversation eventually led to the time we have remaining in Russia. We are into April now, which means we have just a little over a month left. It's hard to believe. I still feel in some ways like we just got here. The four-plus months we will have spent here is a wonderful amount of time because it's given us the opportunity to get an idea of what it feels like to live here. Yet, at the same time, it's not enough time to really delve into our lives here. Now, just about the time we're really settling into a lifestyle and making connections with the people here, we will have to leave. We all agreed we're just not ready to go. Now, of course, we still have over a month left. Maybe by the time it's over, we will be ready to leave--I know I certainly miss the people and many of the comforts of home and I'm looking forward to seeing them all again. But I have enjoyed my time here more than I can really say. And when it's over, I will go home, graduate, and face a very uncertain future. I will really be starting from scratch--and that's scary. That's probably part of my inclination to want to stay, too.

As we walked around MSU and then came home to enjoy a few drinks with some new Russian friends, all of this came to the forefront. We're on the downhill side of what has been a crazy, challenging, incredible semester. And despite the ups and down, I don't regret a second of it, in fact, I don't want it to end. There's just too much still to do with our time here. I guess we'd better get started...

пока!