So the USSR hasn't been around for a long time ... but it's still a good song and I gotta make the pun while I can, right!?

I've been back in the states for a couple weeks now, trying to readjust ...

Early this morning, we arrived by train from Sochi, a great resort city in the southern, sub-tropical region of Russia where I spent the last week. (I bet you never knew there was a subtropical region of Russia!)

If you got an invitation from a group of college students from the BIO department to hike in a swamp, would you go? I, of course, jumped at the chance. Spring is prime swamp time in Russia -- the water is high from the melting snow and there are migratory birds everywhere! Spring, as I learned, however, plays host to extremely erratic weather ... and so the adventure begins...

One great aspect of my exchange program (ACTR) is the "Tutor" program. At the beginning of the semester, our group of American students meets with a group of Russians "tutors" and we split off into tutoring pairs. Basically, the program gives us a Russian insta-friend -- someone our own age to meet with a few times a week, help us with homework assignments, show us cool new places in Vladimir, etc.

Last semester at Bucknell, I had a lot of fun learning about environmental planning and various "sustainable living" practices that are being tested out not just in private homes, but in special "eco-villages" throughout Europe in Prof. Peter Wilshusen's Environmental Planning class. These eco-villages attract ecologically-minded people who are interested in living sustainably -- that is, not consuming more than their "fair share" and thus preserving a high standard of living for future generations. Last night, I had the opportunity to sit in on a talk by a girl who lived and worked in one notable eco-village in Germany, 7Lindens.

WOW! What a city. I spent a whirlwind weekend in St. Petersburg, the former capital of Russia-- way up north. We took overnight trains to and from the city, which was an experience in and of itself!

It seems like all my exciting days center around cross-country skiing! I love being outside -- especially with good company -- and I love learning about the unique ecosystem that I'm living in!

One of the biggest holidays in Russia this semester in Maslenitsa, the final week of gluttony before the beginning of Lent. My host cousin invited me to the Russian village outside of Vladimir with his friends and close family to celebrate.

Look at how sweet life is! ...

Last Thursday, I went to a local sportsmen's club at the recommendation of my history professor at school. I met with a great group of interesting people who love outdoor sports and nature. The group is composed of a really interesting mix of people -- from college students and their parents to a few old grandpas. They travel all over the Vladimir oblast (region) and Russia to bike, raft and triathlon in the summer and cross-county ski and winter triathlon (run, bike, and ski instead of swim) during the cold months.

I'm still recovering from an exciting weekend in Moscow -- what a fast city! I'm happy to be living in the slightly more calm Vladimir. Check out some pictures from my daily life in Vladimir and my first foray to Moscow.

So you've decided to go to Russia and don't know what to pack? Take the following test to determine the proper footwear to pack for your trip to the great white north. If you answer these questions truthfully and follow my directions, you will be sure to wear to correct footwear and successfully blend in the Vladimir city center.

I've been hear in Russia for only a few days now and I've already had my first day of classes! The beginning of our program has been fast and furious for sure. The morning after our arrival, we toured the city and spent our first day with the host families. My family is great and I love that they like to talk with me, watch their favorite films with me and, in general, share their busy lives with me. I've already had great (and educational!) conversations both with my host mother and grandmother and I'm sure I'll have many more.

"All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go..."

Corny folk songs aside, I'm feeling great today. Tomorrow I'll make the drive to Pittsburgh with my mother and fly out to Washington, D.C., where my program (American Councils) is hosting a two-day orientation for students traveling to Russia.

Then "I'm leavin' on a jet plane..." for Russia.

"But why Russia?", the blacksmith kept asking my mother as he trimmed the horse's feet on our West Virginia farm. True, Russia seems an unlikely destination for a young college student from a rural town, and, truth-be-told, I don't recall any childhood dreams about the vast expanses of Russia, let alone full-emersion Russian language study.