Elena Smith emigrated from St. Petersburg, Russia about thirty years ago and became a proud U.S. citizen in 1996. She holds a PhD in linguistics and has worked at universities in Russia, Finland, China, Japan and the U.S. She has taught English, literature, culture and film for over thirty years. She has lots of interests. One of her major passions is hiking in the US National Parks, working out at MUV Fitness, reading books, golfing and partying with friends and family. She loves to write. Her first novel, Why Birches Are White, was published in 2006. The novel Truths and Lies is her baby after retirement. Writing, in Elena’s opinion, is better that watching movies, chatting with friends or even reading books. Writing is letting your soul fly.