Jul 21, 2010 - The Best Thing is When Things Around and You Chime Well Together

I hear very often when people complain about 'bad' weather, or 'unworthy' people around, or the 'difficult' times they live in. I wonder if it is a trait of character to complain of everything? Or it is just a sort of excuse for that they don't live a happy life? Or at least a happier life. Do you really think that it is a difficult thing to live in a harmony with the world? Just try to do it. And try to do things which are natural. This is the point how you can chime in with the nature, with everything around.

LOOK AT YOURSELF AFTER WATCHING THIS

Feb 19, 2010 - Crossroads of Different Cultures

Some of these days I got acquainted with some guys from Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukrain, and Saudi Arabia. I've never thought that it is sooooooooooooooooo interesting to learn about other cultures.

And I could never estimate Byzantine singing and music or, for example, this bagpipes band:

The World of Lie

Beginning the blog I declared that it was possible to feel joy everyday. It was really so. Sure, everyone feels joy every day. But sometimes there's so little joy in the day... I started feeling that sometimes I lie posting in the blog. Why? I didn't say any lie! But there were times when I wrote something not important when I wasn't happy at all.

Despite the fact I would continue writing about the joys if I didn't feel another thing. All the idea is a way to lie to myself. Things are not always so good. Writing about joy helps to forget about sad things, not good things, awful things. And then it doesn't cure but accumulates problems.

I'm not going to finish the blog, now. But I'm not going to write any sweet stuff here anymore.

Feb 13-16, 2010 - The Joy of Creation

These days I decided to forget about the blog and devote the time for creative work. I had been composing a piece of music. Truely speaking, it was written almost 5 years ago. But now I felt that I'd like to make an arrangement for it. I added violin and cello. But I feel that the work is not over yet. I don't think that there'll be big changings, but I would add bells somewhere, for instence.

The kind of work also denotes a new part of my life. I've composed nothing at all since 2007. Maybe soon I start writing music or songs again.

Feb 12, 2010 - Never give up hope!

It is all said in itself:

Feb 11, 2010 - To See the Progress of Your Students

I think seeing the progress of the students is the most pleasant thing for any teacher. It is much more important to see it if you tutor them. And when you realize that the time was not wasted you feel joy.

Feb 10, 2010 - Take Your Breath

There are moments in my life when I can't have a joy. And I realize that I shouldn't do anything to have it then. This is the time to take my breath. I know that such moments are very important for me to continue fighting for happiness again. I just have a rest. It is very good to listen to melodious music then. Like this. Try to dissolve in the music. What do you feel? What do you feel then? Try not to force your mind. Just remember afterwards what feeling happened after you had a rest.

Feb 9, 2010 - Learn When You Teach

Today, I realized how important to learn something when you teach. I had been trying to play a... not so difficult thing from The Phantom of the Opera and couldn't. And though music and foreign language don't seem to be alike I felt how difficult it is for my students to learn new words, and new grammar. Maybe you can understand your students only then when you are in fight for new skills yourself...

Feb 8, 2010 - Imaging!

I like not standard ways. Though it is sometimes very sad to see how they become ordinary...

But here is something not so frequent yet to see.

I'm wondering how do they dub it? Are they writing a text and then pull the cat's tail, or they shoot the video first, and then try to compose something for the video. Do they edit the video to fit the words? Whether or no, it's amusing to watch such videos. Enjoy it! Treeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeat!

Feb 7, 2010 - Nika. Hidden

She is so cute! I love her so much!

Feb 6, 2010 - The Spirit of a Language

Today, I've watched an interview of Jodie Foster. She is an American actress, you know. She speaks French as well. She likes to act in French, too. She says in the interview that language changes everything. To work in French is rather different than in English.

The words are true for me, too. But my native language is Russian, and my 'French' is English. It even seems to me that the language has its own spirit. I am not ready to speak on the theme thoroughly (and you may argue with me). But I see the result. For example, when I speak English I start feeling happier. It is always so. This is the reason why I like English, and this is one of the reasons why I post in the blog in English.

Today is not a happy day for me. That's why when I felt bad I switched on a Californian radio broadcasting rock music. I decided that would improve my mood a little. It did.

P.S. (written afterwards) Though, really, my mood was changed after a telephone talk with my friend.

Feb 5, 2010 - Responsiveness

I think, I am a responsive guy. Actually, I haven't always been the one. But some events that happened with me some years ago changed me.

But, you know, responsiveness takes your time and force. You just may be lazy to say 'yes'. I don't recommend you to always agree to help, or forget about your own duties. But if you are really able to help, why not to?

Sure, the way of helping would be nice. But many people skimp on good acts, alas... That's why it is a real joy to find out that someone is different. That someone is ready to help you! This day let me to see a great deal of such people! My Form 5 theirselves offered me to help in an activity during the week of foreign languages at school. Some other comrades and friends of mine also responded to help a little! And also I got help from other guys in arranging another activity connected with the Youth Center of the Church of St. Varvara in Smolensk.

Thank you all, my dear responsive friends and comrades!

Feb 4, 2010 - Silence

Usually, the twilight covers the part of the Earth where I live long before I've got something to be written in the blog. But today it was different. Already in the morning, standing on skis under the crowns of pine-trees, I knew what I would write in the evening.

Did you ever notice how much noise is there in your life? I think you did. But it happened so seldom. The more vivid the life is the more bustling it becomes.

Today, I skied without headphones in a forest near our village where there weren't any people, or cars, or any other sources of noise. Everything seemed to be alright... But after a while I stopped to have a small pause. I heard my blood pulsing, and the pulse little by little slowed down. I was looking around enjoying the view of grey cloudy winter morning in the forest. The snow under skies crunched when I shifted a little from one foot to the other. And suddenly a lot of very quiet sounds intruded into my mind. The slight groaning of the trunks of pines, the muffled dabbing of a woodpecker, the whisper of the light breeze from the lake... This all hadn't been heard by me a minute before, but suddenly filled me all. Me alone in a frozen remote place and the sounds... This all seemed to be a fairy tale at a stroke happened with me. And that was so splendid!

What a strange thing! Quiet sounds of nature seem to be so pleasant, and you relax so good when you listen to them. But we do it so seldom even then when we are in the park or in the country... The shocking world in us is constantly trying to pilfer these small things which can brighten up the life. Don't let the monster do it!

Feb 3, 2010 - My Skype Record

Skype. What a wonderful thing for chatting with people! I like to use it. It helps to decrease the distance between remote places.

Today, I've been chatting with my friend Alexey L. during 90 minutes. That's a record for me. I usually didn't talk with anyone longer than during half an hour.

And one more time I've though of the thing: you may be far away from a person but to be much closer to him than to someone who is so near...

Feb 2, 2010 - Progress

It is very good when you see your progress. I think that progress makes you much happier than achieving a good result. I mean, you may have won the game you wanted, or got the desirable position. But if you finish your movement after that, the life becomes not so interesting, doesn't it? You've got always have a goal, and you are to constantly work on your progress, and need to see it. If you do then you feel joy, if not then you don't.

It isn't an axiom but it is not a bad way to be happy!

Feb 1, 2010 - A Book

I've read a book... Now, thinking over it...

...

(the following is written after a while)

The book is Ловчий желаний (The Catcher of Wishes) by Sergey Volnov.

At first time I wanted to write a lot. Well, it seemed to me so... But now I feel that I don't need to do it.

The book was advised to be read by my friend Vitaly. Actually, it was his X-mas gift to me. He wanted me to feel the book, to see the changing, and growing, and spiritual progress of the main character. And I did, though it was not that simple to me from the beginning.

Maybe, I'd like to mention here only one thing. The book showed me once again the way of living when every other day is like the last in your life. When you start living that way, the life becomes different. I think then you feel that you need to do a lot having so little time for the great deal of things. The way ought to enrich your life, and your soal, and your spirit.

I've written nothing special about the book itself. I'm just not able to tell you about that. You need to read it yourself. There can be only one problem. I think it is not yet translated into English. But if you speak Russian, I'd advise you the reading.

Jan 29-31, 2010 - A Good Ending of the Month :D

I didn't write anything two previous days. But these days were the happiest in the month, I believe!

On Jan 29 I even had no time to make a note! Work, some home duties, singing, playing the piano, volleyball training, some sweets and ryazhenka for supper, and just a few minutes to look through the mailing before sleep. I like the rhythm!

It was a funny story on the day. After I had worn my tracksuit in the utility room of my classroom before the training, I closed the door with the padlock. And just having done it I realized that the key was left in the utility room... My coat, and mobile phone were left there as well. Thank my father and my student Sveta who let me call him I opened the door without breaking the padlock or the door :) That situation was a good lesson to me: even if you are happy and enjoy everything in the world, you still need to think over what you are doing ;)

The training was also good and happy. Though first it was boring to play, but then all the sluggishness disappeared and turned... well... to craziness! Sometimes we just fumbled, but the other times we were shouting, and yelling, and trying not to lose the ball! There's one thing that I like in our team best. After we are divided into 2 teams, we become the teams. We play together, we are happy for our victories. But we are all cheerful if we (or some of us) have progress in playing, even if the victory is not ours.

Yesterday was a day of working on my dissertation. I didn't do much in it. But I keep on working, and that's not bad! Some months before have passed without good progress in the research.

Also, yesterday I found the notes of the musical The Phantom of the Opera. So, I'm going to play one of the parts on the next Tuesday. I'm happy!

What about today?

I'm having a rest, and listening to music. Soon, I'm going to read a book that a friend of mine presented me this Christmas. I want to finally finish it.

And now, in the end, I wish the February would bring us joy every day (read: we would like to have joy every day and do something for that)!

Jan 28, 2010 - Sci-Move

Today, I moved on with my dissertation. There was a big time's gap in working on it. So, now, I'm tired but happy that I finally continued my research.

Jan 27, 2010 - Simple, Isn't It?

You know, baseball is a national American game. But it is almost nowhere played in Russia.

Now, I'm trying to understand how people play the game.

I found some movies of baseball games and one cartoon on youtube. I couldn't help laughing watching it. Especially the moment since 1 min till 1:30 min. Here it is:

Jan 26, 2010 - Finally!

Finally, I feel satiate by playing the piano! How much I missed it!..

Jan 25, 2010 - Do Complain???

What mysterious things sometimes happen to me! After I have named the problem it becomes solved very fast.

I'd like to call it as a psychological phenomenon (see: not complaining but naming the problem). But today it was so funny to face such a case connected with rather material things. Yesterday, our water supply system froze. I mean, not in the town but only at us. Today, I said about it talking with teachers at work, and to Lidia from Poland. Very soon after that my father tried to disconnect a tap at the basement and couldn't do it. He decided to heat it, and having done this, he improved the whole water supply system!

Right! The ice stopper was right in the tap and nearby.

It's so good! Because otherwise, if the problem would be somewhere underground, we could do something only in a couple of months.

Jan 24, 2010 - A Telephone Call

It seems to be funny, but talking on the telephone may be more pleasant nowadays than other ways to contact. I mean, chatting, blogging, mailing.

Today, I telephoned to a good friend of mine who I usually mail with. And I felt the difference again.

And yesterday, I got a very interesting photo from my old comrade Olga. Here it is:

Those words in Russian mean 'The Chat Of My Childhood'. It is really what I miss so much.

Telephone to each other oftener. Better try to meet each other as often as possible. It'll bring you much joy.

Jan 23, 2010 - I love the world!

That's my feelings, and my photo against the background.

Jan 22, 2010 - My Puppies ;) Enjoy them!

Jan 21, 2010 - More, and More, and More Pen Friends...

I've been looking for native english pen friends for so long! I found a couple of americans with common interests half a year ago. But I almost had no opportunity to write or speak with them.
Now, the situation is refocused. I've got a lot of new pen friends who I can write to, or speak to. I got acquainted with the most of them just during some latest days. And this is not the end, I know for sure. Some of them became my friends on facebook but I haven't written to them yet.
It is so interesting to know about people, about their life, their hobbies, their ambitions! Chatting and talking with them makes me feel good! And, I hope, they also enjoy talking with me :)

Jan 20, 2010 - Do Scientists Have a Sense of Humor?

Do Scientists Have a Sense of Humor? - Brian Malow answers the question well. I enjoyed the movie :)))

Jan 19, 2010 - The Piano!

3 or 4 years ago I sold my piano. Then I thought I would never return home, and would live in a different city. And nevertheless if I returned home then I would be able to buy a new good piano. That happened to be not true.

That should be half a year of my living home passed to realize I could arrange my musical classes at our School of Arts. I mean, I could go there and play the piano! Today was my first time when I did it! So, since today I'll be able to do it twice a week before my volleyball trainings. It suits me!

That was really wonderful to touch the keys, and to hear the sounds, and to again try to compose something new...

Jan 18, 2010 - I've found my kefi, haven't I?..

I'm a bit unsure of saying that... But it seems to me, that I've found my kefi in working at school. Today was the first day in my life when I did my work in a bit creative way! The lessons have been done well and with positive emotions even in those forms which in general have lower level of English! I haven't yet a day when all my forms would make me happy during the workday :)))

By the way, do you know what's for kefi? It is from Greak. It is very hard to interpret its meaning in one word. It is a kind of inspiration, and loving what you do, that improves all your life, changes all things to the best!

There's one good movie, My Life In Ruins by Donald Petrie. It explains the meaning of the word very good.

Everything in my life seems changing to better. And there's now only one point not happend to me. I haven't yet found my 'she-Procopi'.

There's a trailer of the movie:

Jan 17, 2010 - Winter Tale

Not so long ago I was writing about beautiful pictures of Russian winter.

Today, I was so astonished by other pictures of it which are not seen every day, but impress so much!

I had to have an early journey to Smolensk. It was accidental. I got known about the necessity to go to the city at 6 a.m. In 90 minutes my father and I were in the car heading for Smolensk. We were leaving when it was dark. And had a great opportunity to see the dawn breaking. The dawn itself wouldn't be so remarkable. But it was very warm a couple of days ago. And today the temperature dropped to strong freezing again. Consequently, the trees, bushes, wires were in hoarfrost. How beautiful it all started sparkling when the edge of the sky turned purple. The sky gradually changed its colors and the white branches reflected different shades of crystal red. It seemed to be like Christmas lights! Like decorations of trees! In an hour we saw the red edge of the sun above a snowy hill right before we turned to Highway M1. And the sun didn't blind us. It was so friendly!

It is so good to wake up early every morning! I had no habit to do it so before. And the punishment was that I couldn't notice the magnificent pictures as I was sleepy and annoyed. And the sun in the morning seemed to be my enemy then. How many things I lost... What a joy, that I do catch them now!

Jan 16, 2010 - The Bus

Today, I had to accompany the children who were driven to nearby villages. (The teachers have to do it according to the schedule).

I don't know what changed. But I felt rather different this time...

In general I dislike buses. Well, for 5 years of learning at the university I had been driving home and back to the city twice a week! It was exhausting! Every time after such a trip I felt weary as if I had so much done during those 3 hours.

But now, things are changed. I have to use a bus so often no longer. I went by bus only three or fore times during the previous 6 months. I think that in my memory the bus becomes a symbol of my merry studentship. Sometimes, I'm turning over if I should analyse things which make me happy. It won't help me to feel better, will it? That's why I just enjoyed my small journey to Luzhok and Petrakovo then!

Jan 15, 2010 - In the Light of a Street Lamp

How many wonderful stories can be composed standing near a street lamp, gazing at the light in the middle of complete darkness! Sometimes, it seems that a different, independent from the outside life is there.

But what life can be there in winter? No moscites, no butterflies, no moths. But there may be snowflakes! I had a strong desire to shoot it today, though I had no camera then. But can a camera show that beauty? No, it only can give you a hint. You all should see it yourselves ;)

Jan 14, 2010 - Russian salad

Yesterday night (you see, I write it on Jan 15) I had Russian salad. I ate it so much! So, New Year's party went on :)

It seems to me, that soon I should forbid myself to eat so much of the salad. Or I'll be overfed. Better to say, overcrabbed, overcorned, overegged, overcucumbered, overpeaed, overpotatoed, and overmayonnaised :)))

Though my stomach really started feeling bad after I had eaten so much of the salad, I started feeling inexpressibly good!

Jan 13, 2010 - A Beautiful Mind

Sure, all of you watched A Beautiful Mind by Ron Howard long ago.

Today, having remembered about the movie, I finally realized what I really wanna be.

I want to work at university. (Please, don't confuse! I'm not gonna become another Dr. Nash. I'd like to be who I am. What about university, Princeton would suit me fine ;)))

So, today is the day when I finally got the main objective of my living! The most important one that'll remain for long, and can't be accomplished in a couple of months.

P.S. Here's a very old trailer of the movie:

Jan 12, 2010 - Am I British???

I was pleasantly shocked today, when I was asked by an American if I am British...

Thomas Horrobin from Winter Park, Florida wrote me after I had asked him about Russian music:

"Forgot to ask you, you are Russian? My first impression was that you were British working in Russia. Might have been because of your posts on the differences between British and American English (or as I like to say, British English and correct English)".

Having read the interpretation of American English I also couldn't help laughing!!!

Jan 11, 2010 - Joe Instead John After a Talk With Your Boss ;)

Oh!

What pretty bad days there came!

Today, I had a terrible talk with the director! And what kind of joy did it give to me?

I came home, and switched on my walkman, and listened to a piece of music by Joe Hisaishi! It was Summer.

Joe's music is great!

So, don't go to the john to cry, to see into your wet ice in the mirror. It's silly to follow the sweet movies' advise. Just change your mood immidiately. (By the way, you've got to be strong to change everything done wrong, haven't you?)

Jan 10, 2010 - Small Victories

When you are cast down, think of your small victories. Let them be no attempt to forget about your problems but a small joy that's always ready to cheer you up.

You don't have small vicories this day, do you? Yes, you do!

There's no absolute black or white in our life.

You see, the day is not best in my life. Otherwise, I wouldn't start discussing that written above. But I felt bad not so long. I decided to notice what good weather was outside, what good things were done home, and what good songs sounded while that, today. By the way, I decided to fight but not to lose my heart (or sense :)))

Don't sit when you feel upset. Go! Act! Do! Anything you can make yourself!

Fight for your best! And win!

Small victories may further become more substantial ones ;)

Jan 9, 2010 - Smile!

I wish you all smile!

It is such a great pleasure when you see people smiling. Especially, old women ('cause their 'smile' is usually upside-down, unfortunately).

Jan 8, 2010 - Friends Will Be Friends

Do you remember the song of the Queen "Friends Will Be Friends"? The song about real friendship. This is the soundtrack of my today. It is really a great gift if "you’ve got friends you can trust" (citation from the song).
"Friends will be friends right to the end" as Mercury sang. And do believe it will be so. Actually, I realize that in our life anything may happen. Even your best friend can do something that you think is his betrayal. I think, it is very important to check it before you break off with him forever, to give him another chance. Eventually, trust your heart. It won’t lie.
Now I’ve got a wonderful vacation at my friends’. Vitaly and Alexander rent a flat in Smolensk. By the way, they are my former roommates when we all studied at university and lived in the hostel. That’s a great pleasure to spend good time with them! Plus I met a lot of my friends from the Youth Orthodox Organization of Church of St. Barbara, yesterday! The matter is that the bus station is close to the church, and I had a great opportunity to meet guys before I had left for my accommodation.
And yet, it is a great pleasure to feel that you can be helpful to your friends. A talk, a movie, a helpful hand, just a smile. It may help the right moment. I hope that all of you do know what it is. If you want your friendship forever, don’t forget about your friends yourself.

Jan 7, 2010 - A Journey!

Hurrah!

Today, I'm going to Smolensk to visit my friends!

Jan 6, 2010 - Merry Christmas!

Tonight is the day when we remember the birth of Christ.

His birth changed the world. Thousands of years before people weren't able to be saved, and didn't know what real love is. After Him the people are able to become aware of it. This is the real happiness that we live after His birth!

The icon of the Birth of Christ. Theophanes of Crete. 17th century. A fresco in Church of St. Nicholas, Crete, Greece.

Jan 5, 2010 - Happiness is...

Today, I've found a very wise phrase said by Andrew Makarevich.

"Happiness is what can't be planned"

(From his book "Сам овца" published 2005).

Jan 4, 2010 - Ice!

As I decided to contact as less people as possible this vacation, I started figuring out what could I do today, so, it would be happy. I suddenly I realized that I haven’t yet got a walk across the lake this winter. I took Bonya with me, and hurried to correct the mistake. Having almost reached one of the islands I understood that Bonya is cold, and can’t go further anymore. Unfortunately, I had to turn back. But it doesn’t mean that I won’t cross the Sapsho this year. I planned to photograph all the islands. They are very beautiful in winter. And today, I’ve got some other photos which I post here:

The source: http://bisteinoff.gallery.ru/watch?a=bbq9-dQPm

Jan 3, 2010 - Real Fun! =)))

Did you watch a High School Musical?

I watched all three parts and I liked them!

Today, I found a cool video of so called High School Musical 4.

Enjoy watching!

Jan 2, 2010 - Friends

Good friends...
It is so important to have them.
And I feel very happy that there are a lot of them in my life.
I've got a message from one of them - Vitaly. He wished me a happy new year, and gave me very important advise. I've never got the kind of letters...
It is right to time, to my feelings, and there are no wasting words in it.
Thank him very much!
I wish you all to have such friends, who care about you when you're happy or not, when you have problems or don't. And don't forget to pay them the same good coin.

P.S. That's him this summer having a rest at mine. The view of Lake Sapsho.

Jan 1, 2010 - Happy New Effort!

Happy New Year!

Tonight, I went to bed not late, and decided to awake at 7 a.m. and start the day with morning exercises and skiing. And I did it!

The third decade of December was connected with my sport efforts. But that was not regular. Now, I want to limit myself more strictly. I am going to wake up at 7 o'clock in the morning every day, and go to bed between 10:30 and 11:00 in the evening.

This morning, I'd started doing my morning exercises three times before I finally was able to do them. The body is yet not completely awoke when you are washing yourself, make the bed, and so on. Therefore, you shouldn't start doing it right after awakening. Wait a bit. But for that you need to wake up at least a half an hour earlier than you are used to.

After that I had my breakfast, surfed a bit on the internet, and then skied. It's such a great pleasure to ski in the morning! I wish you all to feel it!