Talking to the Moon

Elena, at two years of age, with her mother, Olga, in Ivanovo, USSR

"Elena, age four, ready to march on Mayday, Ivanovo, USSR

Elena, at age five, with her family’s bicycle, Ivanovo, USSR

Seven years old, Elena attends her first day of school, proudly dressed in the standard, Soviet uniform for girls. On her desk, rests her first book, the alphabet, given to every new student, and flowers for her teacher. Ivanovo, USSR

At age fifteen, Elena gets to work on her family’s garden allotment. Her beloved cat keeps her company. Near Ivanovo, Russia"

Elena, at seventeen years of age, tackles her homework in her own room of her family's one bedroom flat. Ivanovo, Russia

Elena (left), at age nineteen, hangs out with her cousins in Volgograd, Russia

Elena (furthest left) at age twenty-two, with her classmates at The Ivanovo State Academy of Engineering

Elena (second from the right), age twenty-six, with her mother, father and McDonald's security guard, in Kiev, Ukraine

Elena, twenty-seven years old. Gulf of Tehauantepec, North Pacific Ocean