minats_zone

Hi there, This week was somewhat special. First, on November 17 the HSE BI faculty celebrated its 15 year birthday and I took part in this party at a very nice restaurant run by the son of our famous actor Oleg Tabakov. Food was really healthy and delicious there. Some of my Ss danced and played the violin there. It was really interesting to see them do that as I could never expect them to be so resourceful! And on November 20 the first heavy snowfall occured at night so now it's absolutely white here at dacha. In Moscow, I guess, it's not so nice, though. Have to finish now and say goodbye to all of you my dear people...

Hi there, I've just got back from Saratov where I was running seminars on ICT at Saratov IRBIS University on November 11 and 12. It was pretty hard as I was welcomed to take part in the series of seminars for the teachers of Saratov and the Saratov region by Vyacheslav Stepanovich Potapchouk (my ex-boss at CenterCom). However, when I arrived, I found myself all alone as all other lecturers had gone to Penza, Samara and Volgograd to keep lecturing. This was a big surprise for me as I expected to be speaking along with other lecturers, but it was not so. I had to give talks by myself. First day I was speaking from 10:30am to 5:00 pm. Second day it was from 9:00am to 12:30pm. But thanks God, the audience was very friendly and welcoming and it encouraged me to do my best. The feedback from teachers seemed to be positive and the last day proved this as many more people than on the first day arrived. I'm very grateful to the IRBIS girls - Anna, Elena and others who were very supporti...

This week was short (three working days only) as we have a long period of public holidays now (from November 4 to November 7). This holiday replaced the day of Great October Revolution, which used to be on November 7 all over the USSR but now it's called differently, nobody knows the real name of it. Probably it's 'All Russia Unity Day' or sth else. We are staying at dacha and enjoying good films and programmes on TV. My new 1st year groups at HSE I saw only once. They seem to be fine but too many Ss in each - 16/17. My previous 3d year groups were smaller and the Ss were more mature than these teens aged 16-17. Well, I'll try to teach them IELTS but not sure the book HSE administrators chose (Foundation) is the right one for them as many of them have already passed FCE (it equals to IELTS 6-6,5). Remains to be seen... Another bad news is that Goulia's (my close friend from Cypros) Mom died in her Moscow's apartment. She was with a helper around who did ever...

I've just got back from SF CA and already posted to Facebook. Shortly, everything has been perfect including weather, arrangements, services, food etc. Andy was on his crutches but it was a kind of special thing on their Big Day. It was a pity Michael and others were unable to come. There were 18 of us at the church and slightly more at the 'Skool' restaurant. Choir was singing very beautifully and the Father Yaroslav Belikov who ran the service was really good and helpful. So have a look at some photos and get the impression...God bless the couple...

It was a risky and dangerous drive to Napa Valley affter Olia's wedding.day We went there on the following day. Just after the Bay Bridge on the freeway to Oakland our car Kia Rio started making a strange and loud noise and becam unmanageable. It was really scary as Olia as a driver was scared too and she could hardly stop the car which was moving 75m/h on the very left emergency spot. Thanks God, the Freeway Patrol arrived in 5 mins after we called 911 as we were unable to get out of the car and find out what happened. Eventually we wery slowly moved to the right side of the highway under patrol of the PoliceCar. It was a completely flat and blown up tire. We had to call the rental office and got a new CHEVI car at the Oakland airport. For this drive we used a small spare tire. After all this ordeal we arrived at Napa Valley at 4pm instead of 12pm. But the place itself turned out to be so gorgeous and welcoming. It's worth visiting not only because of...

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Hi, Several days have passed since our arrival, but we've just started recovering after the long and tiring flight to LA and the night spent at the hotel as our late (11pm)connection flight to SF was cancelled. So we arrived on the following day and spent the whole day either sleepping and doing nothing. LA airport is not the best one I experienced in America. So we probably will not use it again. Well, Olia and Andy are looking forward to their Big Day and still making arrangements. Although there will be only family and close friends, it is going to be 18 people there. Olia's wedding dress looks gorgeous and Andy is on the crunches but still smiling and positive. We've been around the city and on the beach in the place called the 'Pacific', 22 miles south of SF. The weather is very hot and sunny - about 80F.So we really enjoy it. Brody the dog is in a Pet Camp as Dad suffers from astma so we went to see him there. Love and hugs to all of you...However, from this t...

Hey there, Tomorrow we're flying to LA CA USA from Moscow Sheremetievo. Olia&Andy's wedding day is coming so we'll be staying there for 2 weeks around the Big Day. The only downside of the event is that Andy's just undertaken a serious medical surgery after the road accident he got in. God Bless him and all of us let's pray for his speedy recovery and the newlyweds. Late autumn in Moscow is so sunny and gentle...Unlike an awful heatwave that set up for so long in the summer. Weather in SF is going to be good at this time of year. Wish us a good flight to LA and SF, which will last for some 14 hours altogether...

2 Bros See and download the full gallery on posterous

2 Bros See and download the full gallery on posterous

Hey there, Here I am feeling better and very happy to have a nice opportunity to see my dear cousin Dima and his wife Lena from Indianapolis (the USA) here in Moscow. He is giving talks on his medical practice in some public places in Moscow and then going to Yaroslavle to see his ex-medical school fellows. We all arranged to meet at Rublevo-Uspenskoe (Rublevka) where Slava's and Dima's business partner called Roman lives with his wife Asya and kids. The place and the house are really grand and beautiful. Everything is first class there. His family is very friendly and welcoming. We took some photos there so you can see how it's different from where ordinary Russians live. In the meantime, I've enrolled for an appointment with another doctor who is said to be able to cure my leg and spine. It's going to be on Tuesday. Let's hope for the best then...

This is my Google Search video on IELTS. Don't be critical. This is my post

Hey there. I've just come back from a private clinic 'Soyuz', which is located very close to my house. It's just opposite the major Moscow jail 'Matrosskaya Tishina'. I had my 5th spine disc treated for pain and it lasted for 6 hours with 5,5 hours spent lying in bed after injection. Now I feel much better but unable to sleep, so sitting and writing this post. Next session is likely to be on Tuesday so it's gonna be my 4th spine disc. Before the day I visited Pokrovsky monastery with Matrona Moskowskaya remains and preyed for the good luck... The treatment was an expensive experience but it's worth it. People were nice and friendly. Keep wishing me good luck again...

Hey there, Back to school and hello autumn! But this year started not as usual, with some problems and the illness that is not over yet. I was said by the doctor that I'll have to take some serious medical treatments on my spine. Otherwise, I may keep staggering, which is not like me and is really painful. I hope that medical cure will help me and I get over all this. Let's keep your fingers crossed for me... Love you all...