Hi Julia,
Very pleased to read your post, as if you are reading my mind. I've been here in Almaty for quite sometime now without being able to communicate in Russian, quit tough, hhh. I've got some Russian-teaching books but they turn to be useless without a teacher, or let's say, at least somebody to practice the language with. I'll be more than glad to be your experimental student, and perhaps, you might be able to make some use of the books I got.
I'll try to call you on the phone number you posted tomorrow, as it's already late-night now.
By the way, it's a bit risky to post personal information on the blog. Take care.