In the past year--teaching my 5th graders how to read properly in English and camping in the Caucasus mountains.

I can talk about books, art, and languages forever. I love learning languages, and if you ever wanted to learn how to curse like a Russian sailor I can teach you. Of course, if you wish to learn the Russian of Tolstoy that is totally possible too, it will just take a while I love to cook and am always curious to make new things and to experiment. Aaaand, if you ever wanted to learn how to make Russian staples like borsch and cabbage pie, I am your girl. Also, and quite deplorably, after years of haphazard effort, I still have not managed to do a proper hand stand.

Public parks, unusual sculpture gardens, museums, public transportation, people watching in all of the above locations, and the study of why sirens sound different in every country. In general, though, it is art, music, movies, literature, philosophy, history, culture, and everything else, beyond and in between. I am an avid hiker and enjoy being outdoors, be it camping or just walking around. I enjoy everything related to water, and have been known to swim in any puddle I can. I can't believe I forgot food! I loooove food.