After graduation, the Williamson, N.Y., native lived in Washington, D.C., for a time, then moved to Russia. She is now manager of international cooperative programs for The Boeing Company in Moscow. As an expatriate, Buell has had a unique perspective on the political and social changes that have taken place in Russia during the past several years, including the current financial crisis. Life is going well, despite the crises. While we re relatively stable on the political front, the economic situation is steadily worming its way into our homes and lives.
Shelves are bare.
Black market trading has emerged again. As I sit in my apartment money hidden for safekeeping, as banks are out of the question I have to wonder whether I m living in 1998, or whether I m having flashbacks to my first days here in 1992. It s amazing. For the first time, I have no foresight into Russia s future. For the last six years, we ve been working along, following a presumed course for the future.