User Profile

I'm a retired software tester who lives in Oregon, USA. I have three children and three grandchildren. I've been learning Russian since I retired and am intimidated at how far I have to do to be even conversation with it, let alone being able to read the Russian classics in the original. I volunteer with Trauma Intervention Program, a program that sends people to give support to people who have suffered a trauma -- we get called out by the police and firefighters to help survivors until they can get connected to their family and friends. I have a cat, a chinchilla Persian named Ochi Prekrasniye, which means beautiful eyes in Russian. Last year as a retirement present to myself, I rode the Trans-Siberian Express from Vladivostok to Moscow with Elderhostel. I have no idea why I like Russia so much, but I do -- no family background, no previous connection, at least not in this life. I intend to go back in May 2009 to visit Moscow and St. Petersburg, which I didn't get sufficient time to explore last year. I'll go with Elderhostel again (they're great about getting accommodations and schlepping luggage around), but this tour has several "free afternoons" when I plan to find a nice cafe and just sit and people-watch -- Russians have wonderful faces, and by then I should have enough Russian to be able carry on a simple conversation, more listening than talking, of course.

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