minats_zone

Hey, there, I've just got back from HSE'S 17th birthday which was held at the Central Hall of Academic Sciences at Leninsky alley. There were very many people there... The whole grand hall was full of professors, teachers and students. There were some snacks and wine so we had the opportunity to look at other people in a festive atmosphere. I listened to the speeches made there by the HSE Director and Seniors who said that the university is growing rapidly. I can feel it myself as we have many more students this year than in the previous. I was there with my fellow teacher Irina and we spent a while there watching performances and having sth to eat. Generally it's really nice event they arranged for people of HSE as these days in Moscow are unbelievably very grey and dull (no snow, only rain and overcast skies). Stanislaw is flying to Vietnam tomorrow on a business trip and will be back on Saturday. We decided to go to Vietnam for a New Year holiday as we really miss its wa...

Hey there, We've just arrived from Oxana's wedding party which took place just in the heart of Moscow, at the National Hotel, next to the Red Squire. It was a long awaited event, which ended her attempts to get married throughout 2008/9. Now, I hope so, it's a success as her husband is a financial director of one of major Moscow's pharmaceutical plants. She is a senior position there, too and she used to be Dad's student. He's a kind of patronizing her as she originally came from Kazakhstan (Alma Ata). She is his favourite and she is really hard working and ambitious, not to mention a beauty. The wedding itself was a kind of show with some hosts who didn't give us a chance to get acquainted with some other people there, just to listen to them and take part in varuious fun activities. I took some photos there, so have a look and try to imagine what it was like. These photos were taken with my iphone so the quality is not very good...

There's nothing special in my life these days. Only global warming,little Stephan and going to the theatre can make it brighter and bring some welcome changes. So have a look at these things in our life and the funny creature called Stephan and these bright colours of the late autumn in our area. Really unusual... Love all of you and really enjoy some of photos on the facebook. Take care...

Hey there, Writing to say 'Hello' to all of my nearest and dearest from sunny Moscow. This autumn has been so unusually sunny and bright here in Moscow! Look at some photos. I also wanted to share with you some of the photos of my grandson Stephan (4 months old already), Stas (18)and their Mom Marina, my daughter. They live with us at dacha (you can see their old dacha house in the picture)using electric heater and go every weekend to Tuchkovo where Stephan lives with his another Granny (sure, not me, Kostya's Mom). Marina got back to her teaching at school, Kostya is still out of work because of his problems with the car accident. So the young boy can see his parents only once a week =(. We're looking forward to sth to change for better in their lives. No money, no hause... Let's keep our fingers crossed for them...

It was a really nice event for all of us who devoted their lives and time to Cambridge University in some way. Today we were invited to take part in a celebration party that took place in the Oval Hall of the Russian Library of Foreign Literatures (ul Nikoloyamskaya 6). I really enjoyed the event and especially meeting some people I haven't seen for a long time. Good event and occasion. Have a look at some photos, though some of them are not perfect. Sorry...

Hey there, this week I've been busy attending seminars on "Learning Technologies" for EL teachers. It was held at BC Moscow form Monday to Friday and it was quite tiring, but very interesting, indeed. Two leading British trainers gave us a lot of info about some useful educational tools called Web 2 technologies. Some I know and even use, but there was somewhat new to me as well.For example, I learned that in the US some Stanfors teachers use social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace for teaching! In order to know more about Facebook, I even signed up and got surprised to see a few familiar faces (my former University mates) on it. It's in English so these people must live in english speaking countries now. And they were the brightest students on the course... I didn't try to get in contact with them as I know that it's very addictive and time-consuming. May be later?...I don't know if I really want this so much. Well, the autumn is on its way bu...

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...

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...

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...

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....