Posts

Kurskaya Korennaya in Moscow!

Image
Hey there, I think that the most important event of this week was the exposition of the Holy Icon of the Russian Orthodox Church in America, the small, but very valuable icon of Kurskaya Korennaya. It has been for the last 50 years in New York with Russian people who escaped from Revolution and bolsheviks, but, anyway, it has helped the Russian newcomers to settle there and to feel at home in America. And now it is being exhibited in the Christ the Savour Cathedral in Moscow, where I was a couple of days ago to see it and then it is going to Kursk, its motherland. I'm very happy as I touched and enjoyed this icon some time ago, in New York, at Russian Preast's home (Father Wsevolod) in Queens, NY city. I even have some photos of that place on my blog in 2006. In Moscow the icon has attracted lots of people and it's really worth seeing and worshipping. Have a look at some photos I made there. Love you all and send you my hugs...

Saying good bye to Slava...

Image
Hey there, Writing to the blog after quite a long period of not writing. Have been very busy sorting out my university stuff and other classes. The best news is that the weather all these days has been so fine that it's just unbelievable!!! Enjoyed good weather doing regular things. I'm happy that my Friday is still free and it's the best option for this academic year. Another news is that I'm saying good bye to Slava. He's flying to China the day after tomorrrow. To bridge the gap between Russia and China, I guess... The other day, I collected my tax certificate at the local Tax Body where I was shocked by the amount of paper they keep on the shelves and everywhere in the room. Just have a look. And it's now, when digital systems are replacing humans??? Everywhere, but not in Russian Tax Bodies as they need to keep really many people busy keeping your tax files!!! Well done for them. Sending my love and hugs to all...

Summer is here in !!September!!!

Image
Hey there, Here I am in the dacha enjoying the fabulous weather in Moscow, which's set in in 3 days already. And they promise it'll go on for another week. Even in SF, where I expected sth like tropical weather of summer Vietnam, the weather was nothing like that.I was really very mistaken. The hottest weather is now in Moscow.It's so hot and sunny that some girls are wearing shorts and high hilled summer shoes!!! It's beautiful but very unusual. My country (Russia) always is full of surprises!!! Have a look at some dacha's photos. Love you and hug you all...

Sergiev Posad and Otsets German

Image
Hi there, It was an unforgettable experience when three of us - Marina, Kostya and myself went to Sergiev Posad for blessing yesterday. It took us almost 6 hours plus the drive there and back so we got back home by late in the evening. My overall impression was really strong and very good as the priest (Otsets German) really does wonders to people. He read prayers, gave his comments on them and used holy water and a cross to drive all evil spirits from people away. He is all Moscow (and, probably,Russia) famous person and lots of people gathered there for this procedure. He does not charge any money for that and I'm really glad we still have such priests in Russia. I think they do a great job helping people with many problems, including health problems....

Back to Moscow

Image
Hello everybody, It's 3 days now since we got back home from SF CA. The flight was smooth but really tiring as we had to change in Atlanta and after 5 hours of the first leg we continued flying another 10 hours to Moscow. But the good news is that we got our baggage in Sheremetievo quickly and were driven straight to our dacha by Stanislav's chauffeur. Moscow met us with a sunny day which, however, was folllowed by grey skies and cool weather. But we're used to it here and I don't complain. It's promised that an Indian autumn is on its way... We're still recovering from a jet lag (11 hours of time difference!) and this has proved to be not so easy when you get from West to East. Love all my holiday recollections and miss all of you...

Muir Woods and Andy's family

Image
Hello, These days we are very busy doing both interesting and unusual things. Yesterday it was our trip to Muir Woods (Red Woods) which are families of Giant sequoias of different age. Some trees look almost dead but other look pretty young. We took a trail going uphill and spent 2,5 hours hiking but didn't reach the 'Ocean View', though it was promised at the beginning. The trails are steep and we were wearing wrong shoes (sandals) so we failed to continue. Hopefully, next time we'll do it as the place is really unique. We even saw deers in the woods and they are not afraid of people. Well, today we've had a big brunch with Andy's family in Berkley, at the seafront restaurant. It was booked for us by Andy's Dad and Mom. We went there through the 7-mile Bay Bridge where we took some photos. The brunch was really good and the family seemed to be very friendly and welcoming. Andy looks like his Mom but his brother Anthony - like their Dad. We ate brunch walke...

San Diego

Image
Hey there, Our visit to San Diego is already over and I must admit it was amazing!!! We arrived there by UA on Saturday morning and flew back to SF on Tuesday morning. Everything we saw there was really very interesting and unusual. On arrival we hired a car (Cruiser) and Olia was a driver. We didn't have GPS so it was a bit confusing to drive around but then Olia got used and she could drive around easily. The city is pretty big and it spreads out for long distances. To put the long story about our stay there short, I'll try to mention the most impressive places we visited: SD Zoo (world famous!), Coronado Island and the beach, Mission Beach, Little Italy (with lots of Italian places for eating),Las Americas shopping area (just next to the boarder with Mexico) and Seafront Village, just in the downtown SD. As for the Zoo, it may take several days to learn about it better, but we had only one day within which we managed to see some major things - Pandas in the Zoo are few and w...

Day trip to Santa Cruz

Image
Hey there, After some foggy and windy days in SF, it was so nice to plunge into the warmth of Santa Cruz, which is some 65-70 miles to the south of SF. First we passed San Joze, the capital of Silicon Valley, then started pushing through a twisty uphill road . Though it was pretty narrow and had only two lanes on either side, we reached Santa Cruze within 1 hour. The place itself is very interesting. I think it's for a summer vocation and entertainment as there are big rides like rollercoasters,big wheels and other attractions just on the beach. However, people don't swim in the ocean there as the water is rather cold. I saw few people swimming in wet suits and riding the boats, though. We walked around for a while and had a nice lunch in the seafood restaurant. This trip was really good as we enjoyed the sun, splendid view and good food there. Now we're looking forward to going to San Diego for three days with Olia as she managed to have some days off work. We're flyin...