go to Russia.

I had always dreamed of going back to my great grandparents’ country and was able to fulfill that dream with an opportunity in May 2008. It was one of the most awe inspiring times in my life (although Moscow is considered the most expensive city in the world and I can understand why). First, it was the first time in my life where everyone could pronounce my last name (Russian origin) and all of the dinner reservations were put under my last name (people who have Eastern European last names and live in US regions that are predominately English/Irish I think can relate). Second, I was able to have all the “home” food my grandparents made when I was growing up and haven’t had since they past away. Lastly, to be able to visit the churches of my grandparents and being struck by the beauty of them made me so emotional that brought me to tears (I even brought the Russian Orthodox Cross that my grandmother gave me as a child on this trip).