Got shots today...it was about as much fun as I remember. Nice to get the old Hep A, and Tetanus with Dyphteria out of the way...at least now I know if I step on a nail while eating food bought from a street vendor that we have taken a preventative measure! haha.

Registered for class online this afternoon. It will be time to pay the last large amount soon to complete registration at МГУ (pronounced EMM GEH OOO), and then to board the plane!! Only a few weeks left before the trip. I have mixed feelings today. I am excited to be so close to the beginning of the trip, but I am not looking forward to being so far from everyone at home...it's always a trade off.

I am still waiting to hear from the consulate on the status of my student visa. These things take time. Apparently bureaucracy is an international phenomenon...who'd of thunk it??? haha.

I survived the orientation meeting. It was much more enjoyable than expected. I knew that other travelers would be joining us, but I had no idea that there would be so many other interesting trips happening at the same time as our own.

At the orientation there were people preparing for trips to Canada, Bolivia, and Egypt. Very interesting indeed. I have a very short list of things to complete before departure, time is growing short.

Post more soon.

I find myself overcommitted as usual. If you look up the term "double booked" in the dictionary, you might find a picture of me right beside it. I would love to write more on this topic, but I find myself pressed for time.

Today is speeding along, and we have our pre-travel orientation tonight. All of the travelers for the summer sessions are going to be there. I am curious to find out what other countries people are going to be traveling to during the break.

This meeting, in particular, brings high expectations. I am expecting it to be loads of fun with lots of group excercises, like more paperwork. Anyway it should be fun, and it is a required activity.

Speaking of required activities, I have made an appointment to update my immunizations. Yay! Sarcasm aside, better safe than sorry, and I am glad to get it out of the way.

I will post after the meeting to let you know how it goes....

Okay, visas are submitted and now we play the waiting game. I am looking forward to this part of the process being over. I have been having quite a few laughs lately after reviewing my answers on the visa application. I am sure after careful review at the Consulate everything will be fine.

Lately things have been a little hectic. I am in the middle of arranging the last of my travel details, trying to shore up the homefront for the trip, and still working full time. It's busy to say the least, but I seem to thrive with a certain amount of stress. I would call it a "stressful peace of mind", if that makes any sense. Then again maybe the wise man was right. "No brains. No headaches!"

I thought I would provide a few details for everyone, since I know that Lomonosov Moscow State University is unknown to most people in the United States. Moscow State University was established in 1755. It has more than 40,000 undergraduate students, 7,000 postgraduates, and more than 5,000 specialists or professionals returning for continuing education. Total enrollment is an average of 2000 students per year from all over the world. The campus occupies over 1 million square metres in all of its locations. The Moscow campus covers 205.7 hectares. It does seem pretty big. I am looking forward to checking out campus life.

I am including a picture from the website for you to check out. The University is in on the horizon, but it does capture a sense of the size of the campus. I am hoping to take another one when I get there with me in the foreground. I will post it on this site once I get it done.

Time for another update.

I have just received word that it's time send in our Student Visa applications. I am getting more and more excited as we get closer to this trip. It's funny to think that we are still a month out from getting started.

Applying for our Student Visa's has a sense of formality about it. Sort of like writing that enormous check for the airfare. Ha! That'll wake you up int the morning! It definitely let's you know that you are doing this for real.

Personally I am looking forward to going to Moscow and St. Petersburg. I have been to Russia once before, but that was several years ago and only to the farthest Eastern point of the country, Vladivostok. If I had been any further East on that trip I would have been in North Korea or back in Japan. It will be really nice to see what the European side of Russia is like. The culture is so diverse and Earthy. I think it is going to be a really fun to meet so many new people with different perspectives.

Post more soon.

Well, I am very excited to post tonight. This is my first post for this blog and it comes at a very interesting time. I am currently in the middle of preparing for an international trip to Russia. As you may know I am leaving for Moscow in the middle of May to participate in a month long language study and cultural exchange course at Moscow State University. I will be spending 3 weeks in Moscow and 1 week in St. Petersburg. I absolutely can not wait!

I will post as we get closer to this trip, and all throughout the journey. I hope you will follow along and keep in touch. Feel free to share your thoughts and feelings. I know I will. Then again, this is my blog....haha!

For those who are looking to keep in closer touch, post your email and request contact information. I will be happy to give you my skype number and/or email.

Here's to safe journeys and wild adventure! See you on the other side.

Welcome to my Adventure Quest!

- NC