I was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, where I caught the tail-end of the Soviet regime, lived through the Perestroika and into the chaotic aftermath. Eventually I was transported to the US in the late 90s, where grunge culture still raged against the machine. Through many transformations, I feel that I have been a foreigner, an outsider, a city girl in small-town America, a socialist in hyper-capitalism, an individualist in the midst of collectivism, a single girl working in academia, and a married woman on a career path to change the world, even if just a little bit. I currently identify as a woman, an immigrant, a feminist, a partner, and a lover of the animal kingdom.
In all these times and settings though, there have been women, strong and caring and often without a voice, who held me and each other together in a network of support. I wouldn't be here without them.
Disclaimer: I am by no means a writer. I didn't major in English, and most of the writing I do now is of the scientific variety. But I also feel that I need this practice and experience of writing down and simplifying my often convoluted convictions. I hope that I can sometimes make sense.
Of course, I welcome comments and your input. For centuries, women had no voice and in that sense the fact that I can even post this blog is already a breakthrough. So I would like it to be an open forum for all. Please, go ahead and discuss! I know you have things to say.
To contact me directly, please send email to: larusse [at] prostokvasha [dot] com. For other thoughts and writings, you can find me here.
