A sneak peek into the life of the USA

Giving birth in US

2011-12-29T06:29:00.000-08:00

I was blessed to have my first baby in the US. Obviously I have nothing compare it to - I never had a baby in Ukraine. Or anywhere else for that matter. But a few friends of mine were pregnant pretty much at the same time as myself. So we talked. It was very interesting to compare, especially the little things. For example, in Ukraine no pregnant woman is told not to eat deli lunch meats or brie cheese. Raw eggs and sushi - well that's obviously an easy way to get listeria, even in Ukraine. But not cold meats or brie (which I missed oh so much!). In Ukraine nursing mothers aren't allowed to eat raw fruit of vegetables - at least not in the first couple of days after delivery. Gas? Bad for mom or the breastfed baby? Who knows why. But in the hospital - just hours after delivery - they brought me a salad from fresh veggies. Oh and broccoli and green beans, what! But they must know better - it's a hospital. In Ukraine a newborn baby should sleep on a side (not to choke on his own spit up). In US it's a big no-no - only on the back to avoid the risk of SIDS.

Anyways, those are just a few things from the top of my head. The biggest difference in my opinion is the way women are treated. All of my pregnant girlfriends in Ukraine delivered healthy beautiful babies, some births were more complicated then others. One of my friends had a partial placenta previa and was told in the US she would have to get a C-section for sure. But she went to Ukraine to be with her family for the birth of her first baby and had a natural delivery of a healthy 10-pound baby boy (yikes!). Anyways, I have no doubts about professionalism and experience of Ukrainian OB's.

But... one of my friends was told never to come back to the hospital where she had her baby - because she was too loud (and maybe a bit obnoxious - although they didn't say that to her face). How weird is that? I mean, yes - a woman in labor may become a little less patient, a little more mean to the medical staff and a little more loud. But hey, she has a person coming out of her! That's a little uncomfortable, bear with her. Nurses in the delivery room should know better.

So I am especially grateful for having my boy here. Not only because of the high quality medical care, a quick birth without complications, a healthy baby that was well-taken care for. Those are the things I am most grateful for of course. But I'm also especially thankful for the way I was treated. All the nurses, and my doc were so encouraging and sweet, willing to answer all of my questions and help me with any concerns. My stay in the hospital was more like a mini-vacation - I was checked up on every hour, meals delivered to my room, unlimited drinks and snacks, TV and comfortable bed, oh and babysitting available 24/7 - I don't have this luxury anymore! The hospital took such great care of me and my baby - and I'll be forever grateful for that. Upon my arrival home I got a few phone calls - from a lactation consultant and from a nutritionist - just to check on me, just to see how I was doing and if I was struggling with this whole new motherhood/breastfeeding deal. The lactation consultant would even come over to see me at home free of charge - if that was necessary. It brought tears to my eyes.

I definitely don't take it for granted living here, in the US. And being able to welcome our baby here was one of the biggest gifts I have ever received.

Fruit flies!

2011-10-19T08:01:00.000-07:00

Ok, this has nothing to do with American or Ukrainian lifestyles, culture or economics. Simply what has to do with nature and the biological differences.

The only time I had a real issue with fruit flies while living in Ukraine is when someone left a napkin soaked in some sticky liquid in one of my cupboards. I don't know why. But it occurred after one of the many parties we had, and someone must have spilled something and had mistaken my cupboard for a trashcan. Anyways, for about a week after, my kitchen ceiling was covered (literally) with fruit flies. We used vacuum cleaner to clear the air. But the next day there were as many, if not more. I scrubbed and I cleaned every surface in my kitchen, using hard core cleaning liquids, chlorine and what not. It was obvious that something was rotten somewhere, otherwise they would be gone already. So one day I made it my goal to find the source of the problem - the cause of multiplying and happy life of my unwanted guests. So when I finally found that stupid napkin (oh it was disgusting), and disinfected the whole area, the fruit flies were gone. Forever.

I mean I would see an occasional one or two if we had a bowl of fruit somewhere - but not a ceiling covered with them.

Now that we live in Maryland... oh boy. I am told that fruit flies is just something people live with here in Delmarva once the fall season comes. There's no fruit, vegetables or any edible thing uncovered in our kitchen. I became a clean-freak and used up lots of bottles of all kinds of cleaning supplies. It's been about a month that we've had fruit flies. And nothing helps. And I'm told the only thing that will help us rid of them is cold weather. And I hate to give up summer and my favorite time of the year - golden fall with its gentle sun and fresh breeze. But I think I'm about ready for winter if this is the only thing that will help.

As much as I hated finding that yukky sticky napkin, I feel like it's better when you can locate the root of the problem and take care of that. Rather than have everyday battles with those fruit flies and know that they'll win anyway.

Is a 'bed' really a bed?

2011-03-16T19:05:00.000-07:00

One thing I found very curious in America is a fact that when someone says 'bed', what he really means is:

a) a bed frame (most likely just a metal carcass) or
b) a headboard or
c) a mattress or
d) a box spring.

When I was looking online for a bed to buy I was surprised to see how expensive they all were, only to be even more shocked when I saw in the description: 'mattress and box spring not included'. My question was - then was IS included? What are you actually supposed to sleep on if you're getting an empty 'bed'.

So buying a bed is like putting a puzzle together. First you get a mattress and a box spring for about $600+ (cuz that is the heart of the bed, lets face it). Then - if budget allows - the metal frame - $150+ (by this point your bed actually feels comfortable, but it still looks incomplete). But if you really want to have a luxurious sleeping arrangement - you spend another $400+ for a headboard. A just now your bed is complete.

This is just a warning for those of you Europeans who are planning to buy a bed in America.

If you were to buy a bed in Ukraine, and you'd see a price tag in the store - "??? hrn for a bed" - you'd know for sure that for this price you're getting the whole package. They will bring your new bed into your bedroom in one piece. End of story (oh, and there is no such thing as a 'bed frame' or a 'box spring').

But there is one thing I absolutely love about American beds. Their standard sizes: twin, full, queen and king. Getting sheets is never a problem. If you know you have a full bed, there's no need to write down measurements when going to look for new bedding. And I do like the whole fitted sheets thing. Genius.

But I do think that just a plain sheet to go under the comforter is... well, not so comfortable. I prefer the European style - duvets. It's more comfortable and more hygienic.

Oh, and what's the deal with the twin bed? How small and short should the twins be to fit in one bed like that?

Missing sidewalks and crossings...

2011-02-22T16:10:00.000-08:00

Today I'm going to talk about something that may be the most frustrating to me about living in the US. I must say, my American friends normally take it very personally and even get offended. But it's the truth, and the truth needs to be vocalized...

When living in Boston, I absolutely loved that I could get nearly anywhere using public transportation - the T - as they call it. I loved having my Charlie weekly card with unlimited T passes on it, and being able to get off a few stops before my final destination - so I could enjoy a little walk if I had some time on my hands. I liked getting off on random T stations - the ones I've never been on - just to explore the area. And I was calmed by the feeling of knowing there is no way I can get totally lost - because there's always some T station somewhere nearby, and from there I know I'll find my way home. It was so great being able to run downstairs to the nearby convenience store (1 min away) if on a Sunday morning we realized we're out of cream for our coffee (some would even run out wearing their pj's, I wouldn't, but it's still kinda cool to know you can). Grocery store would be a little further - a 5 min walk. Post office, drugstore, the gym, Russian grocery store 'Berezka' with all of my favorite things - everything no further than 10 min away from home. Not only did it save us so much time to have all of those things so close, both Jamie and I just looooooved walking everywhere, especially on a nice day.

Now we live in a small town (well when I say 'small' I actually mean 'short', because the territory is actually not that small, it's just a "town"-type place, with no tall buildings or skyscrapers like in a large city). And I love it for the most part. First of all, because this is where my husband grew up. And I enjoy exploring his past, going to the places he went to when he was a little boy, eating in those diners where he went with his friends, getting to know his church family better. In fact, getting to know his past gives me an opportunity to get to know my husband better which is pretty amazing.

BUT. I don't drive. I mean, I do occasionally - if my driver's permit and Jamie are with me - but I don't have a driver's license. Not yet. And even if I did have it, I would barely use it, because we have one vehicle and Jamie takes it to work.

And I must say I'm not a fan of not being able to get anything done without a car. I have to be so thorough every time I get to go to the grocery store, making sure I don't forget anything at all. Because who knows when I'll have another chance to do some shopping. And it's fine when I'm just getting the things for home - I normally know what I need. But what if I have a sudden craving for an Almond Joy bar? Or what if I cut myself real bad and realize we're out of band aids? I find it ridiculous that in order for me to complete the most primitive daily tasks I need to ask someone to take me to the store. Honestly, it makes me feel like a vulnerable and helpless child in constant need of her parents' guidance, protection and care. And that's not a bad feeling. Just not for an adult who needs to be taking care of her own family now.

Oh, and I miss the long walks without a purpose... Here, in order to take a nice long walk (and I don't mean a walk around the neighborhood which in order for it to be a long one, you'll need to repeat 10 times) you actually need to drive somewhere first - to a local park for instance.

So as ridiculous as it sounds, without a car you can't even take a walk.

And what's up with the sidewalks or pedestrian crossings? Where are they? Are pedestrians not humans? And don't tell me people don't need them. I've seen some suicidal freaks trying to cross Route 13 in Salisbury. It's dangerous! But sometimes you need to cross the road. And unfortunately flying over is not an option yet. So why not do something for pedestrians? I'm sure a lot of accidents would be avoided.

Jamie and I were looking at apartments to rent. And one place was conveniently located just 1 mile away from his job. I was so excited! It meant Jamie could actually walk to work - good for health, good for our family budget, and I would get to have the car in case I needed to go anywhere during the day. So convenient! But when we saw what it was actually like we realized it is simply not doable. Between our potential new home and Jamie's office there were roads with busy traffic and a large field covered with brown grass. The field - although not in use - is most likely somebody's private property, it probably would be wrong to walk across it. Plus in a rainy/snowy weather you'd need some serious rubber boots to get through the dirt (and try not to get stuck in the mud). I was so disappointed when I saw this pitiful situation: 'But where are the sidewalks? It would be so convenient!' And then Jamie pointed to a teeny little sidewalk along the field - the only problem with it was that it started from nowhere and ended in about 40 feet... and even if you were on that sidewalk, there would be nowhere to go next because you wouldn't be able to cross the road safely. Sad.

I know, Americans will probably defend their lifestyle by saying 'You chose to live in a small town. Everyone knows a car is a necessity here. If you want to be able to walk everywhere, you should be living in a city'. Well, I agree. But since what I'm doing here is comparing Ukraine and the US, let me just say - it IS different in Ukraine. No matter, whether it's a large city or a little village, there is always some sort of public transportation - a tram, a bus, a shuttle bus. And even if it doesn't go past your house, you can always walk to the bus stop which can't be further than 5-10 min away. But if it IS that 'far' to walk, most likely there is going to be a little grocery store (like American convenience stores) - with most of the everyday necessities sold there. And of course there would be a kindergarten and a school, a church, a drugstore and a barber shop - walking distance from pretty much any house. And this is same for every large city and a village in Ukraine. Oh, and you'll find sidewalks and pedestrian crossings all over the country. Of course a lot of it has to do with the fact that not everyone can afford a car in Ukraine. That's why the government tries to make it convenient for the 'walking nation'.

But I honestly think that there wouldn't be anything wrong with having pedestrian conveniences in a country 'on the wheels'. Those who like driving everywhere would still be able to do it, while those preferring to walk would have that opportunity, too. Equal rights, people!

Anyways, I'm not complaining here. Simply comparing and analyzing. And this whole 'no walking, just driving' experience may actually broaden my horizons and motivate me to get my driver's license sooner and start reading maps better.

'Baby boom' support groups

2011-02-11T13:26:00.000-08:00

Well, first of all let me apologize for not being consistent in my posts. A lot has changed since my last one, and life has been very hectic. But life also gave me a few more things to write about. So, here goes...

This year has been a very blessed one when it comes to babies, a real baby boom, honestly. I guess I'm just at that age when all of my married friends are ready for cute, chubby, delicious additions. Anyone who had a baby, or have been around a young family in the first couple of weeks after the baby arrives, knows: it's a huge challenge and a lot of work. A lot of stress and sleepless nights. And that part is the same for both US and Ukraine. And any country on the earth. What's different is how people respond to these circumstances.

In Ukraine all the work falls on the young parents (which is totally legitimate - 'your baby - you deal with it'). The only other people whose routine is most likely effected are the new grandparents. They may come to help with the baby, give a couple pieces of advise, let the new mom sleep for a couple of hours... It's a huge advantage to have a Grandma around (and thank God for them!!!), but not everyone has a luxury to live in the same city (or even on the same continent - as in my case). And then what do you do? Well, you deal with it: exhaust, sleepless nights, husband at work all day (or night - depends) and on top of that - cooking, cleaning, trying to deal with a crying baby which you have no idea how to do. And sometimes postpartum depression adds to the list - and that does not help at all...

To my surprise in the US I noticed young families don't really need to deal with all of those things on their own. At least if you're a part of a certain community - for example a church. Doesn't matter if it's a big city or a small town - your church family will not let you down and will do whatever it takes to make this transition easier for you.

First, you have the baby shower (and you'll have one even if you don't go to church, as long as you have at least a few friends). People 'shower' you with baby gifts and necessities. I still can't comprehend this phenomenon. It makes me think of God's grace - every time I go to one of these parties - although I've only been to two of them - both for the same Mom-to-be :)))

There are online registries for those who can't make it to the 'shower' but would like to contribute and get something special for the baby.

What's next... Even before the baby comes, there's already a list of families willing to cook dinners for the new parents. It's such a brilliant idea! Whoever came up with it is a genius. So, basically there is one volunteer who decides to organize the dinner schedule. He or she asks the new parents about their food preferences (allergies are important), makes up a list of days (e.g. every other day - otherwise young families end up with more food than they can eat) and looks for people in church or among friends willing to cook meals. Most of the time there are enough people willing to do that, so each family on the list ends up cooking just one meal - and thanks to this simple system the new parents are provided with ready-cooked fresh meals for two-three weeks. What a huge help, I can't even imagine what relief it must be for the new parents to have someone do that for them!

And of course there's the simple everyday help that comes with close friends. When my sister-in-law had her baby, unfortunately her parents were not around. Her sister was - and that was a huge help and blessing. But what was even more surprising to me is that many of her friends would come over in the first couple of weeks to help with cleaning, organizing, just holding the baby - so the new Mom could simply take a shower (which would last longer than 3 minutes), etc. That to me is simply amazing.

Part of it is having good friends who are willing to stick around and do whatever helps. But I do believe that it's also a cultural thing. Ukrainians are very generous, kind and willing to help and sacrifice. But when it comes to babies, people tend to be more private, keeping their babies (and challenges they are facing) to themselves, not reaching out for help.

I really think we - Ukrainians - should reevaluate a few things, open up a bit, speak out - and there will be hundreds of people willing to help, support, encourage and pray with and for us.

Expressing yourself

2010-09-27T17:25:00.000-07:00

What I love about America is the people's freedom in mostly everything they do. Right now I'm thinking about the way people dress. Whatever is comfortable. Whatever looks good (in your personal opinion). Whatever fits; screams individuality; shines bright colors; attracts attention, etc.

I saw people wearing super-warm Uggs and flip-flops on the same day (summer or winter - it doesn't matter, you can see both types of footwear any time of the year). I saw professionally dressed women in pencil-skirts, wearing sneakers on their feet. I even saw a guy in a suit with his pants tucked in his socks! (it was raining - this way the bottom of his pants stayed semi-dry, I envied him, while dragging my jeans along the puddles).

But today I saw a guy who became the highlight of my curious observations. He was wearing real wooden clogs - the ones that people bring as a souvenir from Netherlands. He was actually wearing them. They looked soooo uncomfortable. But then again, I may be mistaken. And what was interesting is that it wasn't some teenager trying to express himself with a hundred tattoos and green mohawk. This one was an intelligent-looking 35-year-old balding man wearing casual clothes and with a stroller (baby in it). So I guess his thing is - patriotism...?

Love it.

being a stranger at home

2010-08-24T07:18:00.000-07:00

Just got back from Ukraine. Three weeks at home were wonderful, but I couldn't help noticing how awkward it felt to be there after a year of life in the US. It's not that it was bad or anything. I just felt... out of place or something. I found myself being confused a lot more. And a lot more 'usual' things brought smile to my face now.

In fact Kiev is better than it has ever been. Everything is more modernized and simplified and clean... and yet. Well, you'll see what I mean in just a second.

Restrooms. Always a good place to start a story. I go into one in a shopping center. It's free - and that's already a big plus. No babushka by the entrance that takes your money and gives you a bill - 40 cm of toilet paper.
But. As I peek inside I see a sign on each stall door 'Toilet paper is by the entrance on your left'. Whoa! Thanks for the warning. I'm glad the sign was on the outside rather than on the inside of each stall. As I had my first chuckle and am on my way to wash my hands I see a sign by the soap: 'The soap is for hand use only' Hmm.... I wonder if people actually take showers in the sinks or do a bit of laundry here. And that was just the first day in Ukraine, and the first public restroom I went into. The other ones had babushkas in them of course. Although I was glad there was one in one of them who warned me and another young woman as we were going in: 'Girls, don't you worry when you see a man inside. It's just a plumber...' Hehe

Also, I forgot that every time you pay cash, the cashier asks you for an exact sum of money, or at least some odd amount so it's easier for her/him to give you change. For example I need to pay 7.32. I'm giving her 10 hrn. The question follows: 'Do you have 2.32 hrn?' Only because it's easier for her to give me 5 hrn instead of 2.68. They will never ever just give you your change.

I went to a cafe to meet a friend. The only place they had menus (and there were at least 20 copies) was right by the cashier. I asked her if I could take one and sit at the table while I decide and wait for my friend. She had such a confused and terrified look on her face: 'Only if you don't take it away with you!' I had to convince her that I'm not interested in framing it for my walls at home. This cafe was actually quite an adventure. First I shocked the cashier with my tactless question, and then I took somebody else's drink (they do the Starbuck's thing now, calling out your name when your order is ready). That's what I mean by feeling out of place. The last time I remember feeling so odd and embarrassed all the time was when I just moved to the US...

We went for the Independence Day celebration concert in Borispil - a small town in Ukraine. It was very sweet and homey. And it brought so much warmth to my heart to see how sincere and genuine Ukrainian people are. The mayor of the city (who I was sitting by without realizing it) was rewarding the simple people of Borispil with awards and special thanks: teachers and doctors, police officers and social workers, diligent students and neat homeowners with pretty green lawns and gardens. Many awards went to cleaners who keep the streets clean. And everybody was so grateful, tears in their eyes. And the mayor sincerely thanked everyone, giving them hugs and kisses. But what touched me the most was a veteran, an 80-year-old woman, who could hardly get up on her feet. But when she did, she recited a poem about the bread being a head to everything, and presented the mayor with a karavay - a Ukrainian traditional bread symbolizing a lot of good things (the list is too long, those interested can google it). The mayor was very touched, he asked his assistant to cut the karavay and serve it to all the guests. Honestly, I felt like we were all a big family. It was so sweet. I love Ukrainians and their big hearts and am so proud to be one of them.

What a trip! I can't wait to go back and experience more of these wonders.

Athletic and healthy

2010-05-03T18:03:00.000-07:00

I always believed that Americans being an unhealthy (food related) and big (as in fat) nation is a stereotype. Now I'm convinced it really is a stereotype.

Of course, Boston is far from a typical American town. And yes, about 70% of locals are students or young professionals. And yes, Boston has a reputation of being a sporty city because of its famous annual Boston Marathon. And also Red Sox and Celtics, etc. But still - Boston is a rightful representative of the US nation. And it's far from the stereotype image engraved in most Ukrainians' (worlds'?) minds.

I've never seen this many joggers anywhere else in the world. It's amazing! No matter what the weather is, time of the day, holiday or weekday - there are crowds - literally - of joggers all over the city. A friend of mine from California was very surprised when we were showing him around: 'What happened? Where are they all running? What day is it today?' Yep, it's like that everyday. I see people with gym bags everywhere. Bikers, walkers, runners, canoers... you name it.

And people here are very fit. And attractive. And those who say that Ukrainian women are the most beautiful in the world - heh, come to Boston! Before we moved to US, some people back in Ukraine told me things like: 'Oh, you're probably gonna gain weight, like everybody who goes to live to America' or 'It's those preservatives, antibiotics and growth hormones that they add into all their food that makes it so unhealthy - what are you gonna eat?!' Whether it's partly true - I don't know. But I must admit I was a little worried about my well-being (and by this pretty word I mean 'whether I'd get fat', because I've always been slightly overweight, and I just couldn't afford to gain more of that soft goodness). Another reason for my concern was the fact that I was raised mostly on my grandma's organic produce and, well, Ukrainian food, and didn't know how my body would respond to long-term commitment with American food. Also, I absolutely looooooove American sweets, especially chocolate chip cookies. Oh, actually I have a new favorite now - Whole Food's banana chocolate chip muffin - tastes like Heaven. So you see why I had reasons to be worried.

Well, it's been a little more than a year now, and all of my organs still function. Moreover, I lost some pounds and actually reached my 'ideal weight' as they call it. I work out at the gym regularly and have never felt better. Also, our eating habits got so much healthier! Jamie and I used to cook everything with lots of butter and mayonnaise, had barely any green, orange or yellow veggies on our menu, drank soda a lot more. Now we make sure we have plenty of color on our plates (most of the time we either roast or steam veggies), use mostly olive oil for cooking, try to drink more water and 100% juices, we also added tofu and quinoa (crazy healthy stuff) to our grocery list. Quite the change - at least for me (sigh... the joys of having a Dad who cooks amazingly delicious dishes, but also pretty unhealthy and fattening). So, Ukrainian know-it-alls, we have a few things about healthy food and lifestyle to learn from Americans.

Weirdos everywhere!

2010-05-02T16:38:00.000-07:00

Okay, so Jamie says it's not a cultural thing. It's just... a thing. But honestly, Boston is the first place so far where I've seen anything like this.

People on the T (local subway) are really weird sometimes. Like 'psychopath' weird.

The guy with headphones in his ears, singing along OUT LOUD (like, really loud) - wouldn't be as bad if he wasn't also dancing to his music. Pretty good moves, actually. Some may say: oh, he is just free in expressing himself. Maybe. But so is the 'hissing guy', who hissed at me all the way to work? And the guy who was making obscene gestures to the people around him while waiting for the T. One of the things he did really offended another guy. In fact he came up to him and said 'What's your problem, man?!' I thought he would punch him in the face. The sad thing is - this strange guy seemed to not have control over his movements. I don't know if he was even aware of what he was doing.
Then there is this girl who does ALL of her makeup procedure on the T. She rushes in to find a seat available, so she can start her beauty session. And out come the foundation, the liners, the shades, the blush, tons of brushes, etc. etc. Her hands move vigorously as she applies a ton of foundation all over her head. Maybe it's only disturbing to me. I don't feel comfortable even putting some collorless lip balm on my lips as people are watching...

Also, this woman who clips her nails on the T. Ewwwwww..... Can you imagine? Pieces of her nails flying out into the crowd of people as she perfects her manicure...

But the weirdest of all the weird things is this. People around not only seem to be not bothered by it at all. They don't even notice it! (except for the guy who wanted to punch the other guy in the face)

So the question is: perhaps it really IS me who is the weird one - too concerned about what others may think, raised on the strict Soviet rules of public behavior? Or would all of those above mentioned things be a little out there for an average American, too?

Boston = a home for aliens

2010-05-01T09:55:00.001-07:00

I don't even know where to begin. I guess I'll start from a very broad image, my biggest revelation since I moved to Boston.

God blessed me with a several amazing opportunities to travel through the US, as well as a few other countries. And everywhere I went, the question 'What is your name?' has always been followed by an 'Oh, so where are you from?' Either my strange name - Dasha - or my accent (which I do have no matter how hard I try to conceal it) give away my foreign self. But in Boston... so weird... I never know what's gonna follow the question 'What is your name?' No one seems to be surprised by my name, or accent, or appearance, or the color of my passport. They've heard names a lot harder to pronounce, and seen passports of all colors of a rainbow. The thing is - in Boston, MA everybody is from somewhere, mostly from abroad. Here I don't feel like an alien. I had this strange feeling - that I belong here - the moment we moved to the Bean town.

I remember as I first tried getting a coffee in Starbucks. I felt anxious placing my order, I repeated the phrase a few times in my head, perfecting it, making sure it was short and clear: 'A medium Latte with no sugar and a chocolate chip muffin, please'. Sounds so simple. So I thought... The guy taking my order didn't understand me. He asked me a question, that I in my turn did not understand either. It all went wrong. Apparently in Starbucks you're supposed to ask for a 'grande', instead of a 'medium'. I guess that caught him off guard. Although who doesn't understand the universal term 'medium'? Anyhow, I helplessly looked for Jamie - just what I really wanted to avoid doing on my difficult journey to independence. As he saw my eyes full of terror and confusion, he rushed to my rescue.
I got my latte after all. But my self dignity and confidence suffered badly. 'I can't speak English, Jamie! People don't understand me!' - I exclaimed in despair. 'It's not you!' - Jamie said. 'The guy can't speak English! He is Indian, his accent is much stronger than yours. I couldn't even understand him in the beginning, it took me a while to figure out what he was saying... People will be having trouble with understanding you - mostly because of their poor English. Don't judge them, they're foreigners.'

After this little incident, I'm not worried anymore about somebody not understanding me. They hear all kind of accents all the time and should be used to them by now. I'm sure mine isn't the worst they heard.

So yeah, Boston feels very natural and right. Any foreigner from anywhere in the world will feel at home here.

Operation: Reload

2010-04-25T19:25:00.000-07:00

So... I haven't posted here since we moved to Boston, MA from Kiev, Ukraine. A LOT has happened since then. It's been more than a year after all.

Life in the US is pretty adventurous, to say the least. When we just moved here every day was a sensation for me. I wanted to capture it somehow. As an editor the first thing that came to my mind was to write an article about it. And perhaps send it to the magazine I worked for back in Ukraine. But once I started writing it I couldn't focus on just a few things. Too much. Can't fit it in one spread. Plus in order for a text to blend in with the rest of material in a certain media item it has to fit the format. And my thoughts and impressions just couldn't fit this format. Any format. So I just gave up. And kept my everyday sensations to myself.

But having been here for a year all of this information has been collecting in my brain... and I just can't contain it anymore! (Right here some of my friends and family members would say: 'I told you so. You have to write down all these things. If not for anyone specific, than for yourself.') Yeah, yeah, you were right as always. I just lacked motivation. Or time. Or had been focused on other things, like adapting to life abroad - and that's a tough cookie. I guess what I'm trying to say is I was simply being lazy.

Nevertheless today is a fresh start. And I'm seriously committed this time to make it work. This blog is going to be an insight on my life in the United States of America. The US through the eyes of a Ukrainian. I'm not making any promises to post every day, but I'm going to try make it a regular thing - share with you my daily experience.

So here goes...

Farewell, goodbye

2008-12-20T03:17:00.000-08:00

Never thought that I'd become a journalist.

Never thought that starting in a small weekly magazine I'll end up having my own sections in a 200 page glossy magazine.

Never thought I'd be wrtiting for the most popular and successful magazine in Ukraine (it's official!!! we're #1 on the market!!!!)

Never thought I'd be interviewing celebrities and chit-chat with them while having a cup of coffee - just like that!

Never thought that my interviews would actually be in demand in other magazines, like 'Viva' for example! (it's an analogy to American 'People') - they printed my interview in their last issue and actually had an exclusive photosession of the star! (...oh so flattering)

...never thought I'd be quitting the job I love.

Yesterday was my last day at work. Lots of warm wishes, hugs and kisses, sweet goodbyes, presents and flowers... I got all of my stuff, dusted my desk, gave the room a last look and turned the lights off (I ended up being the last one to leave). So... it feels good and rather unusual to be finally free. But also feels a little empty.

It's good to know that God has a plan.

I've been tagged

2008-12-07T11:59:00.000-08:00

Funny... I've been tagged by my blog friend Mrs. T :)) Now I have to post a random picture... sort of.

The instructions for this tag are...

1. To pick the 4th picture folder on my computer;
2. Choose and post the 4th picture;
3. Explain the picture;
4. And tag 4 other people to participate.

I was crossing my fingers not to find some stupid or embarassing picture (for some reason we keep those!) Well, I was happy to find not too embarassing, but... well, blurry :))

Jamie took it during our autumn walk in the forest. This year I realised it wasn't spring anymore that was my favorite season. This year it was definitely autumn!!! I love the smell, the warmth, the colors... I absolutely fell in love with fall. It's funny how little things like this change as YOU change and mature.

So, Mrs. T, does this count? ;)

Now, it's your turn to share your photo album with me! I tag Faith, Linnea, Jeanne and Cara Denney (if she'll ever know I tagged her!) I'll be looking out for your blogs!

Looks like we're going to Boston...

2008-09-16T04:04:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday, Edipresse!

2008-09-04T08:33:00.001-07:00

This is a curious way my company - Edipresse - celebrated its 8th birthday.

Can you find me?

:)

2008-09-01T08:11:00.000-07:00

Russia vs. Georgia

2008-08-19T07:39:00.000-07:00

More horrifying photos from the battle field. I cannot believe my eyes.

On website www.russia-vs-georgia.com people from all over the world vote for one of the countries - the one they believe is right in this conflict. I voted for Georgia although I believe there is no right in this situation. Everybody is wrong and everybody breaks God's Law by killing other human beings.
Lord, have mercy on us.

An allien in the world of glam

2008-08-16T01:59:00.000-07:00

Last night I was invited to attend '1+1' new season presentation. Since '1+1' is the most popular and successful TV channel in Ukraine, everything was done with great taste. Of course their budget allowed the channel to organize a pretty awesome party after the official part of the evening. The event took place in a beautiful resort 'Kozatskyi Stan' (in the picture above) located in the very heart of pinewood not far from where we live.
I went with my friend Alina and we had SO much fun. Lots of delicious food - grilled pork, beef, salmon and shrimp, all kinds of vegetables, juicy watermelons and melons, expensive wines... Later in the evening there were fireworks and lots of toasts.
It was really amazing to be among all of these faces that you normally see on TV. It feels like you've known them for ages. You give them a warm smile of a friend, they answer with a smile of courtesy - they have no idea who you are. But who cares.
On events like this one, where the only people you see are either celebrities or media workers, people don't take pictures with their favorite actors or TV hosts. I never tried it, but if I did... I'm pretty sure it would be quite rude... and a little inappropriate. So I didn't take any pictures, didn't even have a camera (and that's a good thing, otherwise I'd be tempted to take it out!) But when I saw my favorite TV host and showman Yuriy Gorbunov, I just couldn't pass by. He is really charming, really talented, he was also the MC last night. Anyhow, I came up to him, introduced myself, gave him greetings from my collegue he is aquainted with, told him how much I admire his work and got a treat - a sincere smile, not an empty and meaningless one :) He was thankful for all of my kind words. Aaaaanyhow, I met Yuriy Gorbunov. I am quite honored.

That's him.

And I also thought I should meet the Queen of Glamour - Katya Osadchaya :) She used to be a model, then she became a reporter and created her own show. She goes to all of the glam&gloss events (both Ukraine and the rest of the world) and then presents her report on what, when, how, who etc. She wears extraordinary outfits and exclusive hats every time. Yesterday she wore silk dress pants suit and a cute little hat. I'm sure soon there will be pictures of her on the web. But not yet. So here are a few from other events.

After we spoke for a couple of minutes she reached to shake my hand and tell me how pleased she was to meet me. Well, what can I say... It's mutual!

Lord, be with us

2008-08-13T03:32:00.000-07:00

I cried when I saw these pictures . It could be Ukraine. These could be my friends and relatives.

Please keep praying for Georgia and South Osetia.

Vacation on the Cape

2008-07-30T10:30:00.000-07:00

Well, Jamie and I left to US for our vacation. To the great Cape Cod. To spend time with Gramma and Aunt Mary, Uncle David and Aunt Janet, to sleep in and take sun baths, swim in the ocean and explore a heavenly-beautiful little town - sunny Chatham. Since these past two weeks have been my official vacation, I just couldn't make myself post something on this blog. Now that I'm an editor I consider it work, rather than relaxation. It's a pleasant work, but still. Only and only because my sweetest mother-in-law asked me to post some pictures, I'm doing it. Just for you, Mom! S0, enjoy! :))

Traditional Lobster party. Thanks, Gramma!

I find it hillarious!

Evening walk with Jamie

:)))
Uncle David's famous grill. Beaf tips with grilled vegetables. It was INCREDIBLE!!!! A pleasure for both eyes and mouth!

Pina kolada with Aunt Janet. Had lots of yummy holiday cocktails: pina kolada, mohitos, strawberry daiquiries... I'll come for more!

A celebration of love!

2008-07-08T01:04:00.000-07:00

Congratulations, sweet Ira and Sadykh! God bless you!!!!!

(All pictures taken by Shemyakin family. Well done, guys!)

My first real business trip

2008-06-25T09:39:00.000-07:00

(The pictures were taken in our ethno-wellness hotel 'Ungvarskiy')

It was a real fun trip to Uzhgorod with our photographer Misha and stylist Lyuda. It's pretty convenient going on a trip with a professional photographer, heh. At least I didn't have to worry about taking pictures.

I had to interview one person and also was in charge of two photosessions. Apart from doing this oh so difficult work (:))) we were just enjoying ourselves for two glorious days: were having coffee downtown in the old part of the city, went to sauna, ate in restaurants... I love my job.

Click on the pictures to enlarge

Graduation

2008-06-11T00:11:00.001-07:00

The moment of triumph

We suddenly felt so smart!

My sweet diploma, I've waited for you so long!

***********************

The reactions were quite various...

Anya :) She was happy to get it over with

Yeeeeeaaaaayyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-06-06T00:13:00.000-07:00

FREEDOMMMMM!!!!!!

Who would have thought this day would come?..

Today at 1 p.m. I'm receiving my diploma = GRADUATING from Universtity!!!

And at 4 p.m. Jamie will be taking his finals (playing 4 different peices at 4 different sets of percussion instruments). Basically for Jamie that means... GRADUATION from the Music Academy!!!!

Afterwards we're having a celebration party at the conservatory with all the percussionists and all the special people who were there for Jamie while his 5 years of school (friends and family, favorite teachers)

So... today both of us will be free people. No more exams!!!

Вечер с Ангелом/ An Evening with Angel

2008-05-31T02:58:00.001-07:00

А вот с кем я общалась вчера...

Знакомьтесь, Александр *Ангел* Педан

Comedy Club UA

Милейший человечек. Прошу любить и жаловать.

That's who I had an honour to speak with. A popular showman who calls himself 'Angel'. In real life he IS an angel - a really sweet young man, a true gentleman.

Although, hmmm... He wasn't wearing his wings while driving... or eating... And he had to admit he wasn't a real angel.

Because he loves women :)))

It's going to be an interesting article.

Indiana Jones in the Kingdom of the Chrystal Skull

2008-05-23T05:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Jamie and I saw Indiana Jones - 4 in the theatre.

I liked it. Even though I don't normally like these kind of oldie-movies...

Jamie was the one who encouraged me to go. He slept through the whole thing.

Harisson Ford was pretty cool for an 'old guy'. The movie creators had a little fun with that.

Gave me chuckles a couple of times.

I absolutely looooovvvveeeeddd Kate Blanchett as a Ukrainian communist commander Irina. She was absolutely stunning!

2008-05-21T05:52:00.000-07:00

I passed my last exam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Will receive my diploma on June, 6th! Yipeeeee!!!!!!

On this sweet occasion my sweeter husband had planned the sweetest celebration!

Chocolate fondue with champagne! Mmmmmmmm.....

The taste of freedom.....

:))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Welcome, Baby Leona

2008-05-20T00:43:00.000-07:00

My sweetest niece, Leone Andreevna Donskaya, was born

on May, 17 th.

From now on my brother is a father.

Olesya, a beautiful brand new Mom with her no less beautiful precious daughter Leona.

A proud Dad

(I love the puzzled look on his face 'Could this really be happening to us? Is this really my child?')

Unbelievable!!!! So tiny!!!! Are they real?

PASSION

2008-05-17T03:43:00.000-07:00

Last night I experienced one the greatest things of my life as a Christian...

It's been my dream to attend a Passion conference for about 5 or 6 years - since my friend Amy presented me a Passion Live CD. I played it over and over and over again.... prayed with the people on it, sang with them, memorized all the songs... And I thought to myself 'One day I'll go to America and I'll join these Christians in worship. I'll praise the Lord with thousands of Christians from all over the world. We'll become one. Our voices will shout to the Lord of creation.'

God is good, oh so good... I didn't even have to cross the ocean. Yesterday I sang with 4 thousand young people of Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Moldova, Slovakia, USA, South America, Great Britain and many others... right here, in Kiev.

My heart rejoices... Halleluiah!!!!

The atmosphere there is absolutely amazing! Look!!! (that's a youtube link about the whole movement)

The Sports Palace. Our church youth (and me)

are sitting on the top rows on the left :))

The Passion team really loved it here! At least that's waht it sounds like from their blog! (click here)

Guys, you're welcome to Kiev anytime!!!

Another normal day

2008-04-06T21:56:00.000-07:00

Today is a beginning of another work week. I have butterflies in my stomach thinking of all the things it has for me. Nothing special, just... my job is exciting :)

One more to go

2008-04-01T12:49:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is my last exam (this month). Contrastive Typology of the English and Ukrainian Languages. I have to know all the allomorphisms (differences) and isomorphisms (similarities) of these two languages. I find this task rather stupid, cuz these languages are pretty different. Ukrainian an Hebrew are much more similar. Urgh.
But it's there, and I'll have to take this exam. I am not ready and don't think I will be. It's 11 p.m., I am veeeeryyy tired (and have been for a loooooong time), it the morning I have to go to work, which means I won't have time to prepare, even though my exam is almost at 7 p.m. - just when I'll get free from work.

But I'm drinking a delicious refreshing cocktail with amarulla and banana juice, and am feeling quite happy. So, who cares...

Have a great one yourselves!

The world is getting smaller and smaller!

2008-03-25T23:22:00.000-07:00

I logged on to this Russian 'facebook' version and found TONS of friends from the past- kinder garden, all of my five schools, my old block, my village.... The most surprising person to meet there was Masha.
A little history... We had a house on the Dnieper river, right on the border with Belarus in the little cozy village of Kamenka. This place was all nature - forests, fields, tiny little homes with a few pensioners living in them, only one tiny shop - no cars, no pollution, no TV sets or phones (most of our neighbours didn't have these luxuries - we had an old TV). It was a perfect place to find peace. My family didn't spend much time there - Mom and Dad were too busy working in the city. My brother and I liked it in our other village more. But sometimes we went to Kamenka with grandparents. One summer our family (surprisingly Mom and Dad were there with us) met a young family there - a couple with two kids of our age - a boy Maksim my brother's age and a girl Masha my age. It was a simple miracle for a village with only old or dead people in it :) - sorry for black humor.
No need to say that our families became very close rather quickly. While our parents would solve the problems of the world enjoying a cup of tea - the four of us would play and run around till midnight. I even remember we went to a local cemetery once! Crazy childhood...
So, anyhow, we spent one summer with them - it was a fun one. Then we lost contact.

Here after 18 years Masha finds me! She is a beautiful young lady, lives in Kiev, writes poetry. We started talking. I scrolled down through her pictures looking for Maksim, too (her brother) - wondering what he looks like. The last time I saw him, that I'm aware of, he was wearing a pirate eye-patch, with black mustache and a beard painted on his face with a marker (or piece of coal?) :)))) I asked her, "so what about Maksim? How come he isn't on any of your pictures?"

The next reply I received was this: As far as I understand, you work in Edinstvennaya magazine. That means that you work in Edipresse publishers' house. That means that you work together - he is in the color-correction section.

I simply cannot believe this. My brother will be shocked :) Today I'll pay him a friendly visit. From the past.

PS. So I looked him up in our staff database. He looks so different in that picture. SO serious! In glasses and a very strict mature face. He is a real man. I think he even started balding. I'm afraid to go see him, it feels weird. What am I going to say to him? Hello, remember that 6-year old from your village? That's me, but I'm 22 now. So... how have you been?
Our photoeditor (she knows him - present him) promised to go with me, she wants to see his reaction, too :) So, I'll keep you posted.

PPS. Yep, I went to see him. He is nothing what I knew him like. I remember a tall blond tanned blue-eyed fellow. When I went to meet him I saw a short plump dark-eyed and dark-haired 30-year-old. Wow, people change. He was pretty surprised to see me. But very glad. He showed me some pictures of our village (what it looks like now, they still own a house there) and showed me around on the 10th floor :)) - I work on the 6th floor. So, it was fun. I don't think we'll become best friends though :)))

Vova and Lena wedding

2008-03-16T14:26:00.000-07:00

They make such a beautiful bright couple.

I love this picture! So juicy!

(Anna, here's a picture of Lena's dress - just for you)

Vova played a love song for his bride, Jamie was playing piano.

So sweet, they look at each other so tenderly :)))))

My hubby is so handsome! He was one of the groomsmen. It was a real honor for him. Oh, and I felt very special too, cuz I was the official bridesmaids' stylist and hairdresser :)))

My smart tights

2008-03-07T13:09:00.000-08:00

This is what I saw on a plastic bag my new tights were in:

Stockings with the underestimated waist 40 den.

Keep and is better emphasize Natural lines,

even if you in trousers.

:))))

Amazing me?

2008-02-20T01:06:00.000-08:00

So cool!! I feel really honored! I was upgraded on Faith's list of blogs from just 'Dasha' to 'Amazing Dasha'! Isn't that amazing???
I don't even know how to thank my fans enough! First, the dream-reward 'Excellent' from Mumsie and now this!! It's too much. Thank you, thank you...

I feel like I got promoted twice in the wonderful blog-world. Let's celebrate!

:))))

My random famous friends

2008-02-19T06:23:00.000-08:00

Fun, fun, fun!!! I'm very excited cuz I got to meet a famous Ukrainian TV hostess and an actress Dasha Malahova. She came to my former editorial (where I used to work 4 months ago) for a friendly visit. She became friends with TV Ekran's chief editor and just came for a visit. She brought some candy and just came to hang out with her new friend and TV Ekran team.

The funniest thing was that her and I were in VERY similar shirts (and we have the same name), so we all made a big joke of that. When my girls wanted their picture to be taken, they asked ME to be in it, too - cuz we looked so similar with Dasha :))

2 yellow Dashas (Dasha Malahova is on the left :)

Anyhow, I met another celebrity.

Oh, actually I met two celebrities in the past week. The dude's name is Antin, he is a singer. (OK, I'll include his picture, too.)

So, I think I should keep a record of my celebrity friends... gotta keep track of them. A couple of days ago I met Oleg Skripka outside in the street on my way home from university. That wasn't a planned meeting, so I just greeted him and kept going. But it's kinda fun to keep bumping into these people that you normally see on TV.

Antin

Oleg Skripka

Dancing is FUN!!!

2008-02-15T07:47:00.000-08:00

Thinking of ... <3 love

2008-02-10T09:11:00.000-08:00

It's so nice to be able to tell your husband you love him, even though it's not a Valentine's Day yet...
... to squeese him nice and tight so he knows he is STRONGLY loved...

... even though he can't hide his sarcastic smile while his wife is sharing her ideas and views...

...But he is still the best in the world

because no one can dance quite like him...

... and there is no other handyman like my man.

He is simply the best.

For generations yet to come

2008-01-19T14:19:00.000-08:00

oooops... I did it again. Drank 2 cups of coffee a few hours before going to bed. I knew it would have this effect on me, but just couldn't resist... with all these Peipons around me who can drink coffee in litres and buckets... and still fall asleep when necessary. I'm pretty sure that Mom Marianna and Papa Jim are sound asleep in their bed just like my sweet hubby in the room next door. But we all had the same amount of the same coffee!!! Not fair. I'm the one who should get some sleep tonight. After all, I was the one to stay up till 2 a.m. last night, getting up early and passing my exam... (just like Jamie - he did all those too - but that's not the point, I'm trying to draw all the sympathy towards myself right now :))

So, anyhow, since I'm up anyway (though it's already 'tomorrowly late') I might as well finally write something on my poor neglected blog.

Since I just passed one of the most difficult exams, I decided to share my wisdom with those who still have some to take... I'm not going to fit a whole Theory of Literature course into this post.

I'm going to give some practical pieces of advice for a successful passing of any difficult oral exam. So, kids, listen up...

1. On the night before an exam don't try to fool yourself - one night is NOT enough to fit into your head all the social experience and knowledge that had been developing throughout yeeeeeeaaars of hard work by many gifted individuals. Whether you learned most of it or not, you gotta have a good night sleep. At least 6 hours (for a student that's considered A LOT - correct me if I'm wrong).
2. Once you wake up and try to remember anything from what you read yesterday - you'll most likely find that you don't remember a thing. Your main task here is NOT TO PANIC!!!! Don't grab your books and papers with shaking hands to try to retrieve everything. It won't help. Your mind will remain a total mess...
3. ...until the moment you get your exam questions in the class. Once you sit at your table, calm down, attentively read the task, your mind will suddenly be crystal clear - all you will remember from the wild racing through the pages of your study books will be the answers to these questions in front of you. Nothing else to interfere. Use the thoughts that come on your mind, put them on a sheet of paper, structure your oral answer.
4. When you come to speak, you have to look confident and relaxed. Say hello, smile, be charming and polite.
5. Speak starting from the things you know really well, go into details, give vivid examples, use gestures (not too much!). As far as a teacher sees how deeply and fundamentally you've studied this problem he/she might think that this is what your knowledge is like on the rest of the problems of your task. Once you start talking on the problem you're not so sure about, keep looking cool - talk confidently as if this is exactly how things are. Once you start believing your own words, the teacher will believe you too. So don't be afraid to use your imagination a little. The main thing is to look confident and speak in a normal speed, maybe even a little faster that usual - so that the teacher's impression would be 'Oh, she knows a lot on this one, she's trying to tell me everything she knows in this limited time... But I have these other students I must listen to'. This is the point where the teacher stops you to say 'Alright, I can see that you've prepared to this question very well. Let's move on to the next one...' This way you're skipping the hard part, the one you wouldn't be able to present well and with dignity.
6. Accept your 'A' mark gratefully but without much surprise and excitement - you earned it!
7. And one other thing that might help... Study. I recommend doing this one not during just one night (like I did) - but step by step during a whole semester. That helps.
I assume? ;)

What important advice have I forgotten, people? Share your experience - I still have one more to go on Tuesday.

p.s. by the way both Jamie and I successfully passed our exams today with happy well-earned 'A's'! (They should get married!) I say, glory be to God!

p.p.s. Faith, there is a special author's comment for you in the Victorious Yulia post ;)

A new start

2007-12-27T06:50:00.000-08:00

what a day...

work started from packing up into many boxes... our office is going to be remodelled during the new years vacation. all we see around is loads of boxes of all sizes. it makes this time of celebration even more special - in the new 2008-th year we're actually going to come into something new... a new work year, new challenges, new office... i'll finally get rid of all the stuff of a girl that used to work in my place - for some reason she left a lot of her personal possesions here... and never came back for them.

none of us could work properly - we all looked like we were doing something important, but it's impossible to force yourself to work on the last day of work before a 1,5-week break...

so i went to a several celebrations - first to a friends' birthday in my former magazine (with lots of yummy food and drinks) and now preparing for our little party - the table is set, everybody is thinking of good toasts to say: to new year's, to new beginnings, to wishes come true, to productive work and much fun next year...

after my office celebration Jamie and I are going to prolong our festive mood by seeing 'Enchanted' (finally!) - a rental girl who i cooperate with when choosing movies for my reviews left me two tickets for tonight's show (I was sick for the grand premiere) - she is so sweet!

frankly speaking, this day was (is) a real treat! such a nice new year's present :)

2007-12-25T00:30:00.000-08:00

This card was in my work email inbox.

And a note from a friend saying

'George didn't know your email address,

so he asked me to pass it on to you'

:))))

VICTOR-ious YULIA ;)

2007-12-18T09:15:00.000-08:00

Enchanted in Manhattan

2007-12-10T00:11:00.000-08:00

«Зачарованная» на Манхэттене

Режиссер Кевин Лима смешал мультик с художественным фильмом… Получилась юморная и добрая картина, которую с удовольствием посмотрят и взрослые, и дети. Отличный диснеевский подарок к Новому году!

В сказочной стране живет красавица Жизель, которая по законам жанра влюбляется в прекрасного принца. Разумеется, их чувство взаимно. Но планы влюбленных нарушает злая колдунья – мать принца. Ведьма решает извести будущую невестку! Она отправляет Жизель в самое жуткое место во вселенной – наш реальный мир. А что может быть хуже, чем хаотичный и серый Манхэттен XXI века?
На этом моменте мультик заканчивается – начинается фильм! Анимационная Жизель превращается в настоящую девушку (Эми Адамс) и оказывается в центре мегаполиса в час пик. Просто жуть!
Удастся ли ей попасть домой? Да и захочет ли она туда возвращаться – вот вопрос! Ведь в Нью-Йорке она встретит прагматичного, но обаятельного Роберта. Однако и здесь героине не будет покоя! Сначала в городе окажется прекрасный романтик-принц: он так просто не собирается отказываться от своих чувств. Затем из волшебной страны прибудет целый вагон персонажей: и преданный дворецкий, и злая ведьма (в исполнении Сьюзан Сарандон), и даже забавный говорящий бурундук, от которого будут шарахаться окружающие! Полтора часа смеха и море положительных эмоций гарантированы.

Приключенческое фэнтези, США, B&H
Режиссер – Кевин Лима
В ролях: Эми Адамс, Сьюзан Сарандон, Джеймс Мерсден
В прокате – с 20 декабря

By Dasha for Edinstvennaya magazine

There is a first time for everything

2007-12-04T08:58:00.000-08:00

These were my
first interviews ever!!!
Here on the right is the
Earnst&Young
represantative
Mr. Aaron Johnson.

And here I'm enjoying the company of a Ukrainian celebrity. His nickname is Dilya, he is a famous pop-band soloist. I actually like his songs! And his personality - a very cheerful optimistic person. Heeeey.... hehe... he is not married, I can share his phone number with those interested.

I feel like a journalist!
And I llllovvvve the feeling :)))

2007-11-24T03:53:00.000-08:00

Today is Saturday.

I was in bed till afternoon.

I was in my pajamas till 2 p.m.

What a glorious lazy day.

I love Saturdays...

He is close!

2007-11-18T10:17:00.000-08:00

My hubby will be home in about 4 hours!!!

I SO can't wait!!! I'm a little nervous about the fog, but I know God will get him home safely because He is a good God.

My Jamie will come out of the plane together with the Japanese and it will be almost impossible to tell the difference between them. As you can see in this picture Jamie's eyes have been rather Japanese even before this trip! We'll see if I recognise him in the airport. Might bring home some Ching Sun Yan instead of James Cooper Peipon. I guess I should check his passport first... My husband is an American citizen! That much I know! :)

Our Domestic Zoo

2007-11-16T01:47:00.000-08:00

They eat together...

sleep together...

play together (the cats are nearby, but they prefere

to play with each other...)

'Hello, stranger!'

2007-11-12T12:18:00.000-08:00

The super modern XXI technology is called to make life more easy!
or... uh, more complicated? See what I mean

Home alone

2007-11-12T00:02:00.000-08:00

Oh, a blessed week of rest..... I'm staying home this whole coming week. If I wish I can stay in Monday to Sunday! And no one has the right to tell me it's wrong :) But we'll see, I might have a peek outside... we'll see... depending on your behavior.

By the way, about this 'behavior' word (and many others like 'favorite'... emm, many of them, but I can't think of another example). Anyhow, in school we all had to write an essay on a given theme. And when the next week the teacher returned our checked papers we were all disappointed at how many corrections there were (she is a very diligent young teacher, about 3 years older than us :)
On the side of the lines there were explanations of our mistakes. I understand 'WW" (wrong word usage), SP (spelling, of course), GR (grammar), but one of my mistakes had 'Am' on the side. The mistake was in the word 'favour'. Apparently, this mistake is called 'Americanism' :))))
It's difficult to be learning your second language and be constantly confused about British and American English (Okay, I get the pronunciation differences, but the spelling! common!). I love them both, but I have to make up my mind and choose one! What shall I do???

I got a call from Tokyo!!!

2007-11-08T04:52:00.000-08:00

Guess who? :)))))
I couldn't believe my ears! Right in the middle of my work day on my cell phone! I remember thinking that Andrey's and Jamie's voices sound very similar. Today I got convinced it is really so. The little screen on my phone said 'Private #' and when I picked up it felt like it's far away... Allo, allo... Dasha? I was pretty sure that the call was made from as far as Great Britain. Oh, what a pleasant surprise, my brother was so eager to hear me... I needed like 5 seconds to realise it was from Japan! Quite a bit further, huh? I could barely hear him, we didn't speak for a long time. Now that I think of it the only things he actually told me (besides 'can you hear me?' 'are you at work?' 'what time will you be home?'...) were that we have a 6 hour time difference and that he loved me...
So I really don't know how they are doing. At least we know he is ok :)

Dreams come true.... hope not mine

2007-11-07T23:30:00.000-08:00

When will I remember not to eat before going to bed? Everybody knows that you don't sleep very well after a late dinner because your stomach (and brain) have work to do...

Jeanne cooked a yummy meal last night. How could I refuse? It smelled so good. Plus I haven't had dinner that evening. So, I gave up.

In my crazy dream I saw nearly everyone I know... My Mom was a bus driver! A huge bus! And Mom is insanely scared to drive even a tiny car! (in real life)
I saw shoes and purses... Cats and dogs... And many more...
Thank God I don't remember everything I saw.
Whooh, what a night...

RIP

2007-11-05T00:05:00.000-08:00

It's weird, I came to work at 9 and it was so quiet and empty in the whole office as if no one ever worked here. Monday is a hard day I guess. But it doesn't mean you can simply cross out Mondays from your routine... I wish I could do that.
The past couple of months have been really difficult, we published like 6 magazines instead of two. In our room of 7 people there are only two present right now, Olya and myself. The rest of our ladies will be away this week. They have earned a good rest.
So, rest in peace, ladies, and get more energy to substitute me when I go for vacation in a week...

Cat attack!

2007-10-31T04:24:00.000-07:00

This is what we saw out of the front window of our car the other day. Jamie was about to start the car, when suddenly....

They feel rather comfortable on top of our Honda at all times. Seems like they like it as much as we do :))

Looks on their faces we don't see

2007-10-26T07:29:00.000-07:00

Love sports? Wanna have a good laugh?

Click HERE!!!! :)

In the past few weeks

2007-10-25T07:52:00.000-07:00

Here's what happened recently...

For those of you who don't know... we have 4 kittens(1 of them is our neighbour's, but it comes during the day to play with the rest of our cats) and two puppies! It makes our life complete :) I love animals, especially babies. Unfortunately I don't get much time with them. I see them once a week on Saturdays. Gosh, they get a lot bigger in a week! I have to catch up on playing with the cuties.

There will be 4 of my little articles in the next Edinstvennaya magazine that comes out in December! (well, not so little - they are all 1-page long... for TV Ekran that would be huge)

I think we finally broke our vacuum cleaner - it was so close to dying, but started coughing just yesterday after sucking in quite a bit of wood dust. I really hope it will recover. Our poor blue babe.

We had a corporate party, Jamie came with me. I think he will agree that we had a good time. The next day my chief editor deputy said to the whole office: 'Dasha's husband is so cuuuute!' Is she right, or what! He IS cute! :)

Next week we're both invited to Bee Movie cinema preview. Enjoy, Jamie!

I finally got myself some winter boots! Yeah! I had this burden hanging over me for a while. I like shopping for fun. But not when you know exactly what you need... And when there are several important aspects that limit your choice... like price, size, height - definitely up to knee!, material - it has to be genuine leather and fur, otherwise it's too cold and not worth buying... oh, and you have to be able to wear them both with a skirt, dress pants and jeans... SO - feminine, but not with high heels... Blah! Anyhow, it's a tough process, I'm sure everyone will agree. I didn't have the time or desire to go through it, so I just peeked into the only shoe store we have near our village, tried the only pair of boots... and bought them. No more burden! Dunno about you, but I'm ready for snow :)

A friend from work brought me a Blast, Swingin Bach and Dizzy Gillespie DVD :) Percussion art is in favor of many.

I was just interviewed by a friend of mine! She invited me for coffee (sly) and came with a notebook and a pen! :) Asked me about that corporate thing that she didn't go to - cheater... :))) - everything said about Alina was said in a good mood with no shade of frustration. I love her!

Emm... That's it for today. What's new in your lives?

Not for vain

2007-10-20T00:05:00.000-07:00

My new magazine has a charity fund that collects money for humanitarian aid. For little children with terrible diseases who don't have parents to take care of them.
Last Wednesday I went to see a boy named Vanya who has inner organ transposition and a really bad heart disease.

He is 1,8 y.o., so cute! Big blue eyes with long black eyelashes and a cheerful smile. Looking at his shiny face you can not believe that he is actually dying.
When he desperately needed a surgent's help the doctors in Ukraine didn't even want to try, he was too young for a surgery that could help him. The doctors in Germany agreed to operate him realising the risk. A BIG sum of money was collected by our fund, 85 ooo hrn brought in by the readers of our magazine and 100 000 hrn added by one of our oligarchs, Mr. Surkis (he owns Dynamo FC). After a very successful operation there was hope. The boy was adopted by a young couple who have two of their own children. They were visiting Vanya long before the surgery, but weren't adopting him because there was nothing they could do to save his life. No money - no hope.
Now little Vanya has a family, people who deeply love him and will do everything they can for his sake.
The problem is that a second surgery has to be done in order to save Vanya's life. The first one was done in order to prepare his little body for this one. It has to be done not later than January, otherwise the risk is too big. A surgery after the deadline might not be helpful at all.

My job was to organize a photo session for Vanya and to write an article about this situation calling out for help. I really hope and believe that people of Ukraine will find mercy and kindness in their hearts to save this angel's life. It is only by God's will that he'll survive, but it is only through our readers' help that Vanya's new parents will be able to do it.

What I realised from this little task of mine is that the work I do now is actually not only to entertain the readers of our magazine. Through this fund God actually saves people's lives. I felt so right when realised that what I do daily is actually good, I finally see how I can really serve Him through my job. Official job. It's so great to know that you're useful to society. God is good.

***
By the way, if any of the ones reading this post feel like being part of this act of mercy, you may contact me for the fund information or use the coordinates below to support our fund.

Получатель: Благотворительный фонд журнала «Единственная»

р/c 26001000671000 (в гривнах)

р/c 26004000671900 (в евро)

в АО «Калион Банк Украина» в г.Киеве

МФО 300379

Код ЗКПО 26548008

Назначение платежа: фонд в помощь Юрочке Бражнику.

Or in English...

Calyon New York, New York

Swift code: CRLYUS33

Receiver: charity fund of Edinstvennaya magazine

Account number - 26004000671900 (will in be exchanged into EUR)

Purpose: Yura Brajnik's fund

Thank you for your generosity

I am such a blessed person

2007-10-19T00:20:00.000-07:00

Dedicated to TV Ekran

2007-10-10T00:25:00.000-07:00

Professionally I'm very glad I got promoted. Working for one of the most popular and interesting magazines in the whole country is way more than I could only imagine. It's glossy, for goodness sake!!! And I'm extremely excited to be here.

I'm not complaining, I'm in no right to complain. I just now have something to compare.
The team I used to work with is SO great! I don't know how to describe it. I think it's mostly the chief editor's influence. She is young, beautiful, energetic, optimistic, with great sense of humor. She never shows her despair or disappointment even if everything is out of control. She is the spirit of the whole team. I'm sure that's why the atmosphere is so warm and friendly. Though it's a weekly magazine and the speed of work is just amazing, even the air is tense... there's always a lot of laughing, sharing joys and sorrows, support and encouragement, real personal relationships. I'm not even talking about the parties and all the good times we had together. With all of that, believe it or not, we always worked very productively. A real team work, that's what it was.

Here, at my new table, I have this content feeling 'I'm here to work'. Everybody is much more melancholic and candid. Everybody minds his/her own business. People don't talk as much. I guess that's what work is about.

I'm just gaining experience with every minute of my life.
What I can say for sure is:

Dearest TV Ekran,
.... and I will always love you....!!! (Good thing you're only 3 minutes away from me ;)

A new page of my life

2007-10-08T03:11:00.000-07:00

Guess what! Today is my first day at a new table!! I got promoted! I work for one of the most popular and loved magazines in Ukraine! It's been existing for 10 years already.

All I can say is:

I'm really happy
and
GOD IS SO GOOD TO ME!!!!

It's 2 a.m.

2007-09-23T16:05:00.000-07:00

... and I'm not in my cozy warm bed next to my 'sleeping beauty' Jamie... because I love coffee too much :)
It was such a nice cup of coffee, worth every minute of this sleepless night...

Good thing about being a journalist/editor is that you can always do your work (or improve it, or add to it, or check and correct) just whenever you feel like it. Last week was too hectic for me, somehow my partner and I got a whole WEEK late on our magazine section. We were working like mad, typing thousands symbols per hour, discussing hundreds of problems and answering as many questions that kept falling at us from our boss, advertisment department our designers etc. Busy week, not much of an inspiration one. So tomorrow (or actually today) I have to plan the topics for our next magazine while I still have a couple of articles I have to write for the previous two magazines. So I thought, why not use this sleepless time for creativity. So I did. This will make tomorrow much easier for me :))

Good Monday to everyone. Have a great week!

Otherwise I'll forget...

2007-09-20T03:56:00.000-07:00

Even though it's not Halloween yet, I have to share this with you now, so you can get some ideas for youe unique pumpkin carve-craft.

Try this to see how good your ideas look on a pumpkin :))

Attitiude

2007-09-12T00:38:00.000-07:00

The other day (on Monday) walking on the street towards my office I caught up with a girl from my work. I should say, it was a really cold day, with northern wind blowing you all the way through. It became cold very suddenly... Everybody has to realise that fall has come. For good.
Anyhow, I greeted her cheerfuly. And she literally barked at me! :)) I don't mean it this way, but she was so frustrated and upset, her whole body saying 'Don't mess with me!' So, I was like 'wow, you don't seem very happy today'. Turned out that she and her husband were moving that weekend. She didn't know where anything was, she couldn't cook, she couldn't even find any warm clothes. She looked cold in her sandals and shirt (and summer bag). It sounded like she was the most unhappy person in the whole world. And she complained and complained describing in details how unconvenient this whole moving situation is.... And then I laughed and told her I completely understood her. Cuz Jamie and I moved that very same weekend. I told her about my adventures while looking for teapot and at least one cup. She looked a little relieved knowing that someone else is going through the same process right then. We had a good laugh together that morning.

We're home...

2007-09-07T23:10:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe but this time it's for real. We spent our first night in our new house! Yesterday Jamie and I ordered kitchen and came back to my parent's place around 9 p.m.(that's where we stayed for a while). Had a late dinner and were preparing to go to bed when grandma said ' so. are we going to spend the night in our new house? Why don't we have our tea there?' And we were like 'Now?!' But in a few seconds we said 'Sure! It's now or never!' so we took our slippers and pajamas and stepped into the darkness. Everything is done except for the stove (it's not connected) and there are a few problems with electricity (grandma and another person were shocked hardly when mopping floor). No serious injury, but not very pleasant.
But as for the rest of the house, it's done and clean. And whatever it is like, we don't care as long as we are... at home :)))

2007-09-04T09:22:00.002-07:00

Fresh 'Genesis' Post!!!

Updates on the house

2007-08-30T04:13:00.000-07:00

The stairs are done!! The bannisters aren't there and it's not painted yet either, but you can go up and down really quickly using just your legs (opposite the ladder you had to climb with both feet and hands).

The floors and inside paintings are all done, too! The tiles in the kitchen - 'check'! (No kitchen itself though, but we'll get to it) The bathroom is completely done, even with washing machine connected! The lights and outlets... it's all done.

We'll be ready to move in once the electricity matter is solved.
Grandma is moving into her part of the house (to the first floor) today! :)))

Fun, fun, fun!!!

2007-08-23T00:59:00.000-07:00

Dearest Jeanechka, good luck searching for the perfect dress!

You look like an agel in any of them,

but there is a dream dress somewhere out there

waiting for you...

Enjoy every second of this blessed time of preparation :)

How to...

2007-08-15T03:25:00.000-07:00

Edit: So anyhow, I ended up describing my own wedding, because in my opinion it is a perfect example of an ideal wedding. There are tons of things to remember, so my few main advices are the ones that were given to me by both pairs of parents and Cara.

1) Give out as many tasks as possible to friends and relatives (in case if they are responsible of course). They will be happy to help and you won't have to worry about hundreds of little things.

2) Find the balance between your desires and your parents vision of this event. It's as important to parents as it is for you.

3) Make sure to have professional musicians, DJ, photographers and video-operators. You will really want their products to be good.

4) Comfortable shoes (!!!) and tiny handkerchief (I didn't have it and still regret it and when Mom gave it to me I meant to keep it forever but lost it really soon - I wish wedding dress had a tiny pocket in it)

5) Make your wedding a very special unique celebration that you'll remember for life. It's very easy to organize -

marry the man you love :)

I think it's really cool that I get to write an article on how to organize a wedding just about time when my lovely sister-in-law is preparing for hers! Maybe I'll end up with some really good advices (that I myself was given not so long ago)...

...on how and where to order white gold rings

and the most fresh flowers for the bridal bouquette...

... or a perfect reception hall

or a cool antique car... vrrroooom!!

Make a wish if you see a falling star

2007-08-10T03:16:00.000-07:00

Use your friends' thumbs for it's a 'ten-thumds-up' movie!

Great actors that were able to express themselves

and show their exquisit talent.

Absolutely loved Mr. Shakespear and the Witch.

Awesome! And definitely a wide-screen movie, too.

Comes out... emm... oh, today in US!

On the 16th in Ukraine.

Enjoy! :))

Watermelon Inspiration

2007-08-09T01:05:00.000-07:00

We had watermelon in the office in the morning and it made our day. What a great start!! Eating watermelon with a nice company, what could be better?!

WatermelonOmania!!!

2007-08-09T00:48:00.000-07:00

Who can resist its sweet juicy taste and summer spirit?!

2007-07-27T10:32:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our office...

Our beautiful correctors Margarita and Ira.
There is no one who knows grammar better than them.

So this is what our busy editorial looks like...

And these are the advisery section editors. Having fun as usual.

Beeeeeezzz, that's us ;)

2007-07-27T10:22:00.000-07:00

This is just a taste of our daily hard work.
(hard but oh so fun!)

Below is my beautiful, caring and most wonderful
partner in the 'advisery' magazine section.

Please welcome... Yulia!

And the sweetest Alina, who is a 'celebrity section' editor.
She sits right across me, so we face each other daily.
There is no other face I'd like to see every day more than hers.

Have you had your laugh today?

2007-07-25T23:04:00.000-07:00

A vaccumm salesman walks to a house and knocks on the door. As soon as a lady answers the door, the man throws cow dung all over the carpet. He then says, "If this vaccum does not clean it completely and perform miracles, then I myself will eat the patties."
There is a long pause....
The lady half laughing asks, "Do you want a ketchup or mustard on that?"
Puzzled the man asks, "What? Why?"
She says, laughing, "We just moved in and our electricity is not turn on yet."

:))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

2007-07-23T03:56:00.000-07:00

Wanna know more about Russia?
Go on this link, you won't regret it. Very informative :)

Monday morning...

2007-07-22T22:36:00.000-07:00

It's getting harder and harder to get up. Even coffee can't break through my sleepiness. I want to go back to bed!

May I stay home and help you all make cookies today? Please?

Airless and hot

2007-07-19T22:18:00.000-07:00

I couldn't believe it when I came out of my office. Outside it didn't feel like outside at all. It felt like I was entering a sauna, or came near the back of an air conditioner. It's 40 degrees C (100 F), for goodness sake! Ukraine is not used to climate like this. The only time I experienced something like that was on tour in New York in 1998 (sometime in fall, I guess?) When I came out from an airport, I couldn't breathe right away, I was looking for some sort of a roof, because I couldn't believe that this was actually a normal condition for outside.
My point is, boy is it hot here!

I feel good.... cuz I've got you!

2007-07-18T22:30:00.000-07:00

What can be better
than a hot cup of strong
coffee in the morning?
Even a taste of it says
'Good morning!!!
RISE AND SHINE!!!'
Up you go, go, go...
Have fun today
for it's a beautiful day!

Isn't coffee just the best thing to wake up with?

Interesting observations...

2007-07-16T03:42:00.000-07:00

Donskoys are completely furless. They are a little rat-like in appearance, and have very large ears, compact bodies and big paw pads. Donskoys have surprisingly long toes. They have flat faces but sport sharp features and almond shaped eyes. They have a mildly oriental look about them.

:)))

Faces you should know...

2007-07-13T07:23:00.000-07:00

Happy returning from a great family rest in Crimea. Jamie, myself, my brother Andrey and his wife Olesya enjoying beer and taranka (dried fish) at the airport table while waiting for the plane. Notice the red-burned happy faces. Our tan became brown by the time we arrived home.

My cousin Jenya, his wife Anya, Olesya and Andrey

Our fun family times

2007-07-13T06:45:00.000-07:00

That's what our friendly company looked like. Everybody recognized us at the beach

Cotton candy!!! What can be better?!

(a good way of hiding from some curious eyes)

The service in the tourist complex was SO good! Beautiful little wooden houses with A/C, refrigerator, TV set, shower, outdoor terrace with summer table and chairs. Great people working and resting there, good food :) Loved it! Look at it, it's like Green Peace dream!

The family keeps growing :)

How we entertained ourselves on the beach

2007-07-13T06:26:00.000-07:00

we went scubadiving (sp?) LOTS of tiny little crabs

...eating them, too
Kusto team...
we held hands under water while exploring

the Little Mermaid's world :)

Vacation in Crimea!!!

2007-07-13T05:41:00.000-07:00

We're not pigs! They say this mud is healing....

My big brother and me :) People say we look alike.

Grandma with her children and grandchildren...

...and her cute little house and car :)))

I'm back!

2007-07-11T01:37:00.000-07:00

Alright, enough attention for ratatouille already. I finally got to my poor little blog. It thought I forgot all about it.
Just wanted to mention that Jamie and I were away for almost two weeks. We went on a very pleasant trip to Crimea together with Mom and Dad, their 5 foster children, grandma, my brother and his wife and Melanie... What a great group! We had so much fun and good times. I wish I could post some pictures right away, but I'll have to make you wait a little, maybe tomorrow. Anyhow, it was great. Now that I have this job I'm beginning to really appreciate days off, holidays and vacation.

I'm becoming a fan!!!

2007-06-21T08:24:00.000-07:00

It's so good! Y'all have got to see it!

I love Paris! I have a dream now :)))

Ratatouille

2007-06-16T12:50:00.000-07:00

I'm finally starting to get the whole 'cool thing' about journalism.

I get to be the first one to hear and see stuff!

For example, did anyone hear about the new Disney movie called 'Ratatouille'?

The whole world premiere to be June 28th.

Well, I-i-i-i... get to see it on June 19th!!!

I'm among the few 'chosen ones' to get this special treat!

cuz, you know, I'm an editor now :)))))

This sweet children's movie is not that big of a deal,

but I'm really excited about this unique opportunity

to be one of the first ones to see something BRAND NEW.

To find out more about this cute mouse, look HERE!

The Shrek 'Voices' actually LOOK like their characters!

2007-06-13T00:35:00.000-07:00

Click here!!! :))

I'm IN!!!

2007-06-07T12:24:00.000-07:00

How fun and how exciting!!

My boss called me in (which got me a little freaked out frankly speaking)...

to congratulate with my official position! She called me just to say

how much they all appreciate me and that I successfuly passed my three-month test.

I am officially an EDITOR now...

God knows where this position will take me in future.

A BIG THANK YOU to all of you who supported me in this crazy idea

to write...

My sweetest, most supporting and loving husband,

my both pairs of parents,

my 'prophet friend' Katya who always knows what is to happen with me even before I do,

my Auntie Lena who basically found me this job

and of course my generous 'secret admirers'

who paid for my school, giving me this precious opportunity

to change my job...

Thank you all.

My dream is coming true :))

Thank the Lord! Hallelujah!!!!

2007-06-02T06:14:00.000-07:00

Did you know that many people drown because of cramps when having a swim in deep waters? You've all had cramps, I'm pretty sure. It's when the muscles (mostly it's the calf) suddenly become so tense it hurts awfully and you can't move your leg (or any other part of body). It happens as a result of big physical tension or sometimes sudden temperature change (for example cold water, it's colder where it's deeper). Anyhow, if you ever get these spasms in water the main thing is...
1) of course not to panic (that will do no good)
2) while keeping your body on surface of the water with arms, use your healthy leg to stretch your invalid foot, try to pull it with one of your hands getting a grip on your big toe.
3) it will help if you guide the pain signal somewhere else (sounds weird): pinch or even bite yourself. The best would be having a tiny safety pin on your bading suit, then you can use it to prick yourself into the crampy foot or elsewhere - it should help the spasms.
4) while swimming back to the shore keep taking short rests on the surface of the water.

That's scary, isn't it? Did anyone have that experience in the water? I get cramps once in a while but never when beeing somewhere deep. I had a bad one in gym once. Turned out that I put extra loads on my legs that were of different weight. The foot that had a heavier load was quite upset with me for a while, I should say... :)

Learning every day

2007-05-30T11:36:00.000-07:00

Being an advisery editor is rather challenging, you've got to be able to write about nearly ANYTHING that may be helpful to very different people. I had to write about raising children, conflict with neighbours, various diseases and means of dealing with them, recepies of different dishes, sports and diets, LOTS of countries with specific information about them (national currency, weather, prices, transportation, visa... and many other things). While searching for all kinds of information I learn new things every day. One of my new shelves of knowledge today was about alcohol. I had to write this article based on an interview with an expert.

1) It is more preferable to drink wine that is stored in bottles of dark green, and even better - of brown color. White glass (transparent) lets the sunshine through. Even 2 hours under straight sunlight change good wine into dangerous toxic 'poison'. You wouldn't be able to feel it right away, your body would let you know later that you drank wrong stuff 20 years ago. It is notional for Ukraine. In European countries white bottles are made from a different glass, that doesn't let sunrays through. Also, if the transparent bottles are stored in boxes or are wrapped in paper or cloth, it's no problem either.

2) In all the countries people normally drink wine with their meals or after their meals. It is only in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan that people drink before meals. Bad for health ;-P Has to do with culture, I guess.

3) If you need to drink something after a shot of vodka it has to be plain or mineral water. Sweet juice or lemonade after or with vodka... bad choice. Long molecules of alcohol being united with long molecules of glukoze affect liver and kidney terribly. As a result, headache in the morning and negative result in future.

4) Ladies, Martini is not to be drank with sweet juices or our favorite Schwepps tonic. Sourish juices are acceptable (Italian orange, lemon, blackcurrant)

Be careful when drinking, my friends :)))))

The latest news...

2007-05-19T05:19:00.000-07:00

Hello to all... I would have been more faithful with posting, but I'm in the midst of my exams. I'm getting my second bachellor's degree!!! Since I have no time to add news every day (or even week), I decided to shortly tell you about the recent important things in my fun life.
Well...

#1...

I got "A's" on both of my first exams ('Practical English' with detailed stylistic analysis of a given text and 'Foreign literature of XX century'). Two more exams to go ('English Stylistics' and 'Theoretical Grammar', English of course).

So, I'm in process of gaining knowledge, and frankly speaking...

I'm enjoying it.

It's me during exams, pretending to be smart ;)

Verka Serdyuchka, the STAR of Ukrainian humor got the 2nd place in Eurovision International Contest. Verka Serdyuchka is actually a man (a straight one in case if anyone is interested) who chose this character of a 'train conductor', an ironic funny woman, who represents most of the Ukrainians. She/he/it speaks a mixture of Russian and Ukrainian, enjoys simple pleasures of Ukrainian life and traditional dishes (salo with bread for example), laughs at herself and our whole nation. Ukrainians like to laugh at themselves, because it's hard to survive our tough life without sense of humor.

While watching the contest we decided that if our Verka enters the victorious '10' it will either mean that the rest of Europe has the same sick sense of humor as ourselves, or that the rest of the countries actually respects Ukraine. Well, it looks like both apply to us because in my opinion it was a dreadful show, and quite embarassing, too :) BUT... we're ahead of Russia!! and that's our biggest victory! Oh, and ALL of the countries except for Albania voted for Ukraine! Europe seems to like us :))

For my birthday (that actually was almost a month ago... oh well) I got lots of great presents, including a bottle of my favorite Bailey's, Irish coffee mugs, fitness mat, LOTS of flowers and attention... But I was most surprised with a present my co-worker Yulia MADE for me.

I absolutely love these necklace and bracelet! Yulia is such a sweet

wonderful caring and multitalented person (and editor).

My dear loving husband continues surprising me with his cooking skills. Today on the Menu... 'Chicken fillet roasted in bacon'. MMMMMM..... No comments :)))))

#5
For now this was the hardest article for me to write. 'How to choose and purchase the right bycicle' AAAAHHH! It was hard to write about something I know absolutely nothing about. Even Internet couldn't help me as much as I was hoping it would. Turns out there is no precise bike classification. There are lots of types, but I had to write about the main ones. How shoul I know which ones are that? Anyhow, with the help of our designer Sergey who knows pretty much everything about this topic, I DID IT! I can tell you pretty much anything about a bycicle. So here is the page with my 'long-suffered article'. The world got to see it.

And I don't care if the world doesn't like it, I do ;)

(click on the picture to enlarge, perhaps you can even read!

The one with the shampoo and in the pink box are mine, too)

Welcome a New Life.... Anastasiya

2007-05-12T10:31:00.000-07:00

A little more than a year ago my cousin Jenya married my classmate Anya. We all studied together in high school. These two were a crazy couple. No one ever knew whether they were dating or not. One day they seem to be together, the next day Anya tells us about this 'other guy' she likes. One day they look so in love, the next day Jenya says he doesn't like any girl and prefers not to waste time on relationships at all. Then we graduated. Then suddenly we found out they are planning to get married. Bam! What a surprise! Is it for real or something that will last for a day again? It did happen though... I was there, I saw it. It is true...

Just about half a year ago another shocking peice of news...

A girl to come! Precious Nastya on her way to this world

(Nastya is a short name for Anastasiya)

I'm not sure what amazed me more... looking at a tiny newborn, my first and only neice, or looking at my 'baby cousin' being a real man. Jenya and I grew up together, went to school together, sat at the same desk for many years. We saw each other grow mature, we were there for each other when I became a wife and he became a husband. Now he is married to one of my closest school friends and we live 5 minutes away from each other. It's a wonderful-wonderful world full of pleasant surprises. I'm so thankful to God for His perfect ways of all the things.

The best cook EVER!

2007-05-06T08:55:00.000-07:00

Since we're still on the 'birthday theme', let me brag a little on how wonderful my husband is and how fun his birthday was (more than a month ago :)

Because of my new job that ends at 7 p.m. I wasn't able to prepare anything special for Jamie that day, not even cook for the group of friends (who would by the way come no matter whether we would invite them or not ;) For my birthday Vadim and Katya came even before the day started... I came out of shower and BAM! they were there with presents and charming smiles! Anyhow, we're talking about Jamie. That day I felt really useless, there was nothing special I could do to arrange a party or at least a proper dinner. I left work a little earlier and by the time I got home... Jamie, my Jamie prepared delicious dinner (chicken with pinapple), set the table and was ready to meet guests :))) This is just a little taste of how special that day was...

Precious memories. Hyper-talented husband. Great dinner. Glutenfree desert :)

Happy birthday to meeeee!!!

2007-04-30T00:31:00.000-07:00

Peanut butter ROCKS!

Dasha surrounded by two favorite Katya's

One of many Grandma's presents - my childhood memories - pirogi ... mmmm...

2007-04-28T11:52:00.000-07:00

Today people all over Ukraine had to work even though it is Saturday...

This was the result :)))

Give me my Jamie!

2007-04-18T13:20:00.000-07:00

Is it just me or does every wife suddenly become so lonely when her husband leaves for 3 days? Today was fine, rather exciting and fun... then I looked at the clock on my computer at work and realised it was time to go home. But what is a home without its main attributes - the loved ones. I really didn't feel like going home into a quiet, empty apartment. It's just then that I realised how much I miss my hubby and how used I am to having him around. I had no choice but invite myself to Vadim and Katya's, they were happy to be my shelter for tonight. We had a good time, but Vadim had to notice that it was not the same without Jamie.

We ALL need Jamie!!!

Sand miracles

2007-04-17T08:26:00.000-07:00

wow... people can do THAT using simple sand! Can you imagine how patient one has to be to create something like this? And how terrible it must be to see your creation being destroyed (by people, rain or time).

Can you imagine how patient God is to have created a perfect human? And how much it hurts him when we destroy ourselves (spiritually - with sin; and physically - with glutteny, smoking, drinking, etc).

He must really love us to continue blessing us and letting us live on His glorious planet.

"Be courageous..."

2007-04-09T04:02:00.000-07:00

The name of this beach is written on that board, it's called 'Courageous'. Are you bold and brave enough to spend your summer holidays in an exotic place like this?

Gotta love the 'pig' beach...

a Happy Birthday to our dear American...

2007-04-04T10:26:00.000-07:00

Okay, here's what they really look like. Powerful, strong and handsome soccer players. We needed a photo-compensation. I like this picture :)

Football - a sport for all types, from all places and all wardrobes...

After this photo was taken, Vadim was taken to the hospital. When we returned, the multi-coloured American was nowhere to be found. If you have seen him, could you please inform the Ukrainian authorities. He is to be considered armed and extremely dangerous...

My 'bull photo' for Mrs.T

2007-03-23T13:38:00.000-07:00

What?! He IS handsome! Just couldn't resist...

2007-03-23T10:04:00.000-07:00

Don't you love the feeling of fresh green grass under your feet.... Walking barefoot like this brings such pleasure and relaxation.... ;)

all year long! anywhere you go!