My first real business trip

(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

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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!