tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-210513402012-01-31T17:40:46.212+04:00Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.comBlogger4141100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-51443971007641854542012-01-19T23:07:00.004+04:002012-01-19T23:10:07.191+04:00

Today is a religious holiday in Russia, the day on which Jesus Christ is thought to have been baptized. And so it is that each January 19th, devotees of Orthodoxy follow suit in a way and jump into icy rivers of Russia in hopes of having their sins forgiven. The ritual includes genuflecting and bobbing under the water several times.This evening two members of my Bible archeology class came

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-46989939198768244032012-01-13T23:30:00.006+04:002012-01-14T00:25:09.319+04:00

Families across Russia are preparing to celebrate the Old New Year this evening. This is not an official holiday on the calendar but by the time the fireworks fade away, Russia's holiday season will be a wrap. The Old New Year is a throwback to the past. And oh my goodness, as fascinating as it is, this drama between the Gregorian and Julian calendars gets complicated. So tell you what, check

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-33853823532597432212012-01-03T12:48:00.025+04:002012-01-06T20:28:57.804+04:00

Three days into the new year and Rostov is besieged with dragons. They're everywhere ~ on the streets, in markets and, thanks to well-meaning friends, two are now living with me. Welcome to 2012, the Year of the Dragon.As you may know, as per the Chinese Horoscope legend, one of 12 animals takes its turn to rule the year. Some cultures are serious this. We can assume that China is totally gung-ho

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-86747016855652847622011-11-15T00:26:00.006+04:002011-11-15T00:42:26.701+04:00

A little blond left her place in line, skipped over to me and announced, I have a mama. With that, she rejoined the other children.I had just arrived at the orphanage, home to 100-some abandoned little ones and was chatting with a caretaker of the oldest group. The children were lined up, waiting to go outside when the little cutie, probably not even 3, broke out of line to tell me her happy news

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-50928480638033846772011-08-09T09:03:00.017+04:002011-08-09T15:09:22.622+04:00

I told you in plain Russian, Nyet! You're not going! At that announcement, four children's faces fell.Our sister Nina had run up the block to check on a family we'd met when giving out invitations for our upcoming vacation Bible school. Sister Nina giving out invitations to our weekend children's program. The mother had been pleasant enough with four children, school-aged and younger, milling

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-41387304810205894532011-05-09T22:54:00.016+04:002011-05-10T00:14:59.974+04:00

May 9th is a sacred day across Russia. Today is the 66th anniversary of the surrender of Nazi troops to allied forces. Every Soviet family was affected by the war. According to Russia Today, 27 million Soviets died whereas the combined deaths from the United States and United Kingdom were less than 1 million.This evening I paid a visit to Victoria, my neighbor upstairs (double-click photos to

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-5556556777428438372011-04-12T22:57:00.025+04:002011-04-13T01:22:25.004+04:00

Fifty years ago today, Russian cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin was the first man in space. Here in Russia, we have been bombarded with that information for weeks now. No complaints from me. See, I managed to get myself photographed with Mr. Gagarin, himself. Well, in a manner of speaking. . . Today a ceremony was held here in Rostov-on-Don at Don State Technical University, pictured behind the statue

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-54055777700052835442011-03-07T15:52:00.008+03:002011-03-07T23:47:17.994+03:00

Oh, March 8th is a huge holiday here in Russia. All have been gearing up for it over the weekend. (First my apologies about the sound that might be coming up by mistake from an earlier video, about Defender's Day, Feb 23rd. If this is happening, you might need to scroll down and click stop on that video.) Okay, now back to Women's Day. . .Myself, I've got three cheery bouquets of yellow

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-6645329543371151262011-02-28T17:55:00.011+03:002011-02-28T22:18:25.110+03:00

Rostov Kino, below, is the biggest theater in the city center. See the red word that looks like POCTOB? Well, that's really Rostov, pronounced Ros-TOV in Russian. Mixing up the two alphabets can provide such entertainment. . .Speaking of entertainment, let's get up closer and see what's showing inside. (Click photos to enlarge.)See anything familiar?So, on the left is I'm Fourth. And then on the

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-60636931423072605272011-02-23T15:14:00.018+03:002011-04-12T23:15:00.637+04:00

As we approach midnight, the celebratory fireworks have faded away here in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. You see, February 23rd is an official Russian holiday, a red day on the calendar, known as the Day of the Defenders of the Fatherland. Originally the holiday was to honor members of the Red Army, but nowadays, all men are pleased to be congratulated. Including little tykes who are defending nothing

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-67896422874536421142011-02-14T13:10:00.009+03:002011-02-14T13:19:21.673+03:00

For beloved friends who are speakers of Russian, here is John 3:16 with a twist. I think you'll enjoy this!(Click image to enlarge.) The best thing about this perfect love is that it's unconditional. God loves us whether or not we love Him. He loves us when we're in the prime of our youth or already past it. He loves us skinny, just-right or carrying a few extra pounds. He loves us regardless of

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-60644978146516557712011-02-05T22:58:00.011+03:002011-02-06T00:13:44.063+03:00

You might enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the construction of Cowboy Stadium. Please click on the title above, or here, to connect to lots of photos and insider-information thanks to Dan, my dear brother, who was on the crew. Go Cowboys! Oh. . . that's right. . . somebody else is playing. Well, welcome to Dallas!

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-30424245154385165912011-01-03T19:47:00.007+03:002011-01-03T23:41:04.044+03:00

Leading up to New Year's Day, Father Frost was busy spreading cheer to children all over Russia. He managed to stop by a local orphanage, home to 100 little ones. (Click images to enlarge.) Father Frost was accompanied by Snow Maiden, his helper. Watch this space for more about this entertaining event ~ maybe video, too.Although he doesn't usually dress in yellow or rip-snort around on a

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-87810394976501350202010-12-18T10:03:00.018+03:002010-12-22T05:53:07.233+03:00

Greetings from Ternopil, northwest Ukraine and a quick post before I hop back on the train and head back to my beloved Rostov-on-Don. A few favorite sights of the last two weeks. Came to L'vov, Ukraine to renew my Russian visa at the Russian Consulate there. Here are a few quick highlights.This building warms my heart. It's the Russian Consulate in L'vov. The Russian flag a little closer. I do

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-47585482344366170202010-11-28T17:53:00.018+03:002010-11-29T10:36:24.597+03:00

On this date in 1943, Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt came together at the Tehran Conference to plan strategy in the war against Nazi Germany. Hitler had learned about their plans for a secret meeting and plotted to have them killed or kidnapped. His efforts were thwarted thanks in part to Gevork Vartanyan, a Russian lad born here in Rostov-on-Don, who moved to Iran with

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-17517981463473726922010-11-12T11:15:00.009+03:002010-11-24T00:23:59.844+03:00

Back in the days when the Communist Party ran things around here, November 7th was the Day of the Revolution, a major holiday. Today the party faithful still parade through town, their ranks a only remnant of earlier strength. But to the teenagers I ran on a recent Sunday afternoon, November 7th was just another day. In fact, they were clueless that it had ever been a holiday. Here's how that

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-54387615387317984332010-11-08T23:19:00.006+03:002010-11-08T23:39:26.894+03:00

Advertising is so interesting. Especially when it's about eating. Especially when it's about eating nutrient-loaded candy bars. So what's with this Snickers? Let's zoom on in a wee bit closer. Say, can you smell that yet? As for me, my nose is still processing the men's after-shave that just wafted past. . .Have you ever eaten an elephant?Snickers Super: The Very Biggest in History.No connection

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-36583846221487800752010-10-19T21:22:00.004+04:002010-10-19T21:55:58.085+04:00

In recent days, California Governor Arnold Schwartzenegger made good on a promise to visit Russia. The video shows him braving the Moscow metro, a feat which earned him major bonus points with locals.What a charming conversationalist. The governor tells about being inspired as a child by a Russian weightlifter, noting the athlete's name in perfect Russian.

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-45253704005918853532010-10-11T17:03:00.010+04:002010-10-16T17:51:44.808+04:00

Switched into gypsy mode on a recent Wednesday morning and headed Dallas to Atlanta and then on to Moscow. Caught an overnight train Moscow to Rostov-on-Don, arriving that Friday afternoon just in time for the Day of the City, Rostov's birthday. Oh, and here are some sights from along the way, especially for you. . .But first, Happy Birthday Rostov! The city celebrated its 261st birthday that

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-60547571193428838462010-10-08T21:43:00.004+04:002010-10-08T22:27:57.679+04:00

Ever try to concentrate on something important ~ Russian vocabulary, for instance ~ and have someone in the same room who insists on chirping? Meet Kesha, my aging cockatiel.Can't imagine where he learned this song. Seems to be part of his DNA because he's been singing it for years. Do you have a pet who likes attention? Even when you're doing something important? Please do share. . .

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-82770047760291048642010-10-02T20:29:00.007+04:002010-10-03T09:13:29.315+04:00

Dear Friends, today I was thinking about you as I was standing on the Voroshilovskii Bridge over the Don, fiddling at length with my camera. Oh, let me tell you, thanks to a generous friend, I have a new camera. It's a nice combination of versatile, capable, light and unobtrusive. Step by step, I'm learning to use it. And today, today was panorama day. I've been dreaming of sharing with you wider

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-63488114388975875512010-10-01T12:49:00.009+04:002010-10-04T13:10:10.699+04:00

Peanut butter. Do you take it for granted? I can almost guarantee that if you're an expat, you do not. We hoard the stuff and it is difficult to find in Russia. For me, a spoonful of peanut butter helps the oatmeal go down. That with a few raisins thrown in is a comfort food from childhood. But peanut butter is out of stock at the moment. Except for the one choice, below. . .Sad isn't it. Here we

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-42493217408881298602010-09-24T10:42:00.014+04:002010-09-24T16:27:13.834+04:00

Glory be, tram fares in Rostov-on-Don have gone up from nine rubles to ten. So with the current exchange rate - 31 rubles to the dollar - that's from 29 cents up to 32. See, I leave the country and inflation runs rampant. Which it does, regardless. But anyway, we're on the tram now, so let's enjoy the sights.The main sight here is. . . folks getting on and some major discussion between the driver

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-21324638141415065012010-08-23T18:07:00.025+04:002010-08-24T03:02:08.084+04:00

Dear Blog-reading Friends,Glory be ~ it's been waaay too long since I've posted regularly! A blog should be updated weekly, you know, that's the rule of thumb. Unless. . . unless ~ and I'm making this part up ~ unless a person is recovering from hip replacement surgery. Which I AM! And dear reader, you've been waiting oh-so-patiently for the scintillating details (as if) and I thank you a

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-49758633373980447622010-08-19T17:44:00.010+04:002010-08-19T18:24:30.251+04:00

On this day in 1960, Belka and Strelka ~ that is Whitey and Arrow ~ were sent into orbit as the first Soviet space travelers to return safely to earth. Another story entirely is how one of Strelka's descendants got into the White House as Caroline Kennedy's pet.Belka and Strelka closely followed in the pawprints of Little Laika, who had made history as the first Soviet space martyr. And then

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-48488274613352063392010-07-13T17:16:00.005+04:002010-07-13T19:55:44.430+04:00

We have three winners! (Blog in progress. . . ) Last night, Sergei ~ more about him in a minute ~ drew the names of our winners. A piece of this dinnerware will go to each winner. This pottery is made in the Rostov area and it's shipped across Russia, I'd reckon. . .So here are the prizes: From left, the *Cash Stash* (AKA ash tray), ceramic picture (or spoon rest) and salt dish (or holder of

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-84030795551213022282010-07-06T07:42:00.004+04:002010-07-08T17:04:02.557+04:00

Dear Blog-reading Friends, Just to thank you for being there, for swinging by and saying preevyet from time to time, brought some little gifts for you back from Russia. Oh, they're just little bitty things, but they're a few of my favorite things. For you. . .and You. . . and YOU!(Click photo to enlarge.) Here are a few pieces I very seriously considered packing. The tea cups and the sugar bowl

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-5597550568056870592010-07-05T09:43:00.009+04:002010-07-05T16:44:28.753+04:00

Are you a fashionista and out there on the leading edge? Are you an early adapter of the latest? Well then, you might be considering a pair of these boot-sandals. They're the hottest thing in Eastern Europe this summer. But who wants hot for the summer? Well anyway, admittedly, I might be missing something. But the rationale for this sort of footwear escapes me. If you're a trail blazer of

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-84551385873971444122010-06-25T15:42:00.008+04:002010-06-25T16:44:51.168+04:00

As you know, Russian President Dimitry Medvedev is in the US and getting the full dose of Americana.A hamburger lunch is requisite, of course. Fun to see the presidents ordering lunch and interacting at this little mom-n-pop place in Washington D.C . President Medvedev offered to pay for lunch in English, good for him. Soon translator(s) joined them at the table but still his English would be

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-91681954631784166542010-06-21T23:10:00.003+04:002010-06-21T23:15:17.114+04:00

Congratulations on the White Nights of summer! Tonight in St Petersburg, the sun sets at 11:25 - that's just 10 minutes from now! It's the longest day of the year ~ in the northern hemisphere, that is.Here in Rostov-on-Don, we're 1000 miles south of St Petersburg, as I recall, and our sun is loooong set already, at 9:20, in fact. Say, dear blog reader, have you ever been so far north in the

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-70904987937539826762010-06-14T18:52:00.014+04:002010-06-15T22:54:00.292+04:00

Fairly often, I'm allowed a glimpse at something heroic, the adoption of a child. (Blog still in progress ~ watch this space for updates!) Recently, Debi, a young woman from the Dallas-Fort Worth area came to Rostov to adopt her second child. Debi learned about little Natasha and her special physical challenges. And selected her quite deliberately.Here's Natasha in action. You see, there's not

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-38217698283778896992010-05-31T16:01:00.017+04:002010-05-31T17:15:38.372+04:00

On a recent Sunday, we had a special celebration after worship services. Our beloved brother, Gheorge – that's Gee-OR-ghee, the Russian version of George – hit 70. George is such an interesting person with a intriguing life story, another tale entirely.We're meeting in office space each Sunday, up to 20 of us packed into this room, but it works for the moment. In honor of Gheorge's birthday, we

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-69408956314441520322010-05-25T07:26:00.000+04:002010-05-25T07:29:34.270+04:00

I have installed an interesting application - BlogJet. It's a cool Windows client for my blog tool (as well as for other tools). Get your copy here: http://blogjet.com "Computers are incredibly fast, accurate and stupid; humans are incredibly slow, inaccurate and brilliant; together they are powerful beyond imagination." -- Albert Einstein

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-46896890873474464972010-05-17T16:30:00.009+04:002010-05-17T23:06:10.212+04:00

Got dinner plans? How about some crunchy crab salad! Crab salad is popular here for special occasions and this version is a twist off the usual. Typically it's crab, hard-cooked egg and corn for the basic ingredients. But this we'll call Crunchy Crab Salad because it's got some texture thrown in there.(Click photo to enlarge.) So the crab we buy packaged and ready to go. It's probably that

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-65263005218102862822010-05-14T14:26:00.003+04:002010-05-14T14:48:42.886+04:00

Allied soldiers from France, England and the U.S. were invited to Moscow in recent days to participate in last Sunday's May 9th Victory Day Parade through Red Square. This was a first. You may have caught glimpses of the parade and evening fireworks on CNN. The festivities in Red Square were duplicated - on a more modest scale, of course - in probably every city across Russia. The motto here

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-87432791111740537342010-05-10T02:11:00.019+04:002010-05-12T15:28:27.358+04:00

May 9th is Victory Day across Russia, celebrating the surrender of Fascist forces in 1945. This year was extra-special being the 65th anniversary of the end of The Great Patriotic War, as it is known.Sixty-five years of victory: Russian retro art - it warms the heart.This year the parade here in Rostov was a little different. For one thing, the veterans didn't march the parade route because it's

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-76895903506274909492010-05-04T00:20:00.006+04:002010-05-04T01:52:44.553+04:00

We're wrapping up the May Day weekend here in Russia, a holiday that has evolved in recent years. Back when the Communist Party was in its hey-day, the 1st of May was a day to show solidarity and involved a military parade through Red Square. You might remember May 1, 1960, the most memorable May Day ever. On that day, a U-2 spy plane from the US was shot down over Siberia and the pilot, Gary

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-45891337826566389872010-04-26T15:54:00.013+04:002010-04-26T22:18:40.352+04:00

On this day, the 26th of April, 1986, the world's worst nuclear accident happened in Chernobyl, Ukraine. The amount of radiation released on that day was 100 times more than that of the atomic bombs dropped over Japan in 1945.I was reminded of the Chernobyl disaster in recent weeks when traveling by train from Warsaw, Poland through northwest Ukraine to Kiev. I asked a fellow traveler about the

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-58174909915205875302010-04-17T21:17:00.019+04:002010-04-19T05:28:32.422+04:00

The scene near the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, last Sunday evening, 11th April, where the body of the president was lying in state. Everybody was heading toward the palace, thousands of Polish folk were there to pay their respects. Let me tell you right here, that the best two photos are at the very end of this post, about 3 kilometers south of here, both snatched from friend Nicole's

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-4951529218248252732010-04-12T22:52:00.007+04:002010-04-12T23:11:54.773+04:00

Dear Friends, Greetings from Warsaw. A quick blog post to share with you sights and sounds on the streets here as Poland weeps. These photos were taken Sunday evening. I have lots more! This is for starters. More later. . .Flags everywhere. The Polish flag is so simple - red and white - now with black ribbon added.On New World Street, pockets of interviews.Photographer found a unique perch -

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-16846746093763195112010-04-05T16:17:00.013+04:002010-04-05T18:28:05.574+04:00

On this day in 1951, Americans Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were sentenced to death for acts of espionage for the Soviet Union. They were accused of passing information about the atomic bomb from a source in Los Alamos -- namely, Mrs. Rosenberg's brother who was employed there -- to the Russian vice consul in New York. The Rosenbergs maintained their innocence until their executions in June, 1953

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-54442133695863221752010-04-01T14:24:00.004+04:002010-04-01T14:34:48.002+04:00

Tattoos and piercing is now approved for Christians and divinely sanctioned, or so says one Warsaw business owner.Do you have a tattoo? Got piercings? By whose hand were these done? Maybe I should consider making an appointment for a permanent souvenir of Poland. . . ;)

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-11681640067879719762010-03-22T12:07:00.003+03:002010-03-22T21:13:08.497+03:00

The U-2 spy plane figured prominently in information-gathering during the Cold War. You might remember the U-2 spy plane incident with Gary Powers' being shot down and captured live in 1960, much to the delight to Nikita Krushchev. But now, 50 years later, the U-2 isn't ready for mothballs quite yet. In today's New York Times, a fascinating slide show and story about how the U-2 continues to

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-5662933273789832882010-03-15T07:01:00.009+03:002010-03-15T23:01:56.490+03:00

In recent days, I stopped by a hospital in west Rostov and what reached out and grabbed me was the graffiti, the hospital graffiti, of all things. Care for a first-hand look? It might just grab you too.Here we are at Maternity Hospital #20, at the entrance to the Department of Birth. (Click photos to enlarge.) Above the door a proud new daddy wrote, Sveta, thanks for the daughter, Sasha! 24 Aug

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-58840419432593913972010-03-08T17:06:00.008+03:002010-03-08T22:06:54.753+03:00

Congratulations on *The 8th of March!* Today is international Women's Day, a major deal - now there's an understatement - here in Russia and across the former USSR. Here are quick links to related stories and pictures posted here in recent years.Thought you might enjoy a quick visit to the florists' section of the nearby outdoor market. This was taken Friday the 5th, three days before the actual

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-8368124760671759332010-03-01T01:13:00.006+03:002010-03-01T01:25:10.346+03:00

While it is still February~ at least in some time zones ~ I wanted to start this Happy Birthday post in honor of my mother.Her birthday was February 16th and she would have been 80, if she were still on this earth. Here's a photo of the two of us in December 1990.

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-54218461147100312902010-02-26T13:16:00.002+03:002010-02-26T13:19:20.071+03:00

Definitely extreme skiing: Being towed by a car along Moscow streets and highways.

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-11647968531577933962010-02-23T10:39:00.006+03:002010-02-23T11:31:26.098+03:00

Today is a big holiday across Russia. Once known as Red Army Day, it has evolved into a men's day of sorts.Nowadays it's appropriate to congratulate males of all ages, from aging veterans who have seen things they'd rather forget to little tykes who defend their toys from rivals. That reminds me, I've got two big packages of Pampers to deliver to the orphanage. I can't think of a better way to

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-23256111987188325392010-02-20T21:16:00.006+03:002010-02-20T21:33:11.021+03:00

You need to meet Elena Lalaevna, 88, our oldest sister who is basically confined to her little one-room apartment.I'm always in need of a Russian grandmother to call my own, so I elected her. Elena Lalaevna likes my chicken soup and I like the candy she foists upon me. When I was there recently, the indirect sunlight was reflecting so nicely off her face. We decided to sing a bit, no small

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-71862006603732326042010-02-19T12:45:00.005+03:002010-02-19T13:12:46.924+03:00

This just in from Russia Today: The life of US paratrooper Jumpin' Joe Beyrle is being celebrated with an exhibit in St Petersburg. He is thought to be the only veteran who fought for the US as well as Russian forces during the war. Oh, this is a fascinating story. In a nutshell, he escaped Nazi prison camps, ran into Soviet forces and joined up with them. And to add to the wonder of the

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-68789686379796679172010-02-14T08:41:00.002+03:002010-02-14T08:44:59.101+03:00

The perfect thing for Valentine's Day: John 3:16 with a twist.(Click image to enlarge.) The best thing about this perfect love is that it's unconditional. God loves us whether or not we love Him. He loves us when we're in the prime of our youth or already past it. He loves us skinny, just-right or carrying a few extra pounds. He loves us regardless of our wealth or position.In a relationship, one

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-35042680785693638262010-02-13T17:50:00.015+03:002010-02-13T19:17:35.475+03:00

On this day in 1945, Soviet forces booted Nazi troops out of Budapest. Speaking of boots, can you imagine who once filled these? One little clue: It was not George Washington.These boots here belonged to Joseph Stalin. (Click photo to enlarge.) Which was worse: to live in a nation occupied by Nazi troops? Or by Soviet troops? So glad you asked.Given the choice, Hungarians decided they weren't too

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-9489306956756164092010-02-10T10:41:00.010+03:002010-02-11T10:15:36.139+03:00

On this day in 1962, Soviet officials exchanged U2 pilot Gary Powers for Soviet spy Rudolph Abel who was being held in the US. The exchange happened on Glienicker Bridge near Berlin and Pottsdam, Germany.Thanks to Wikipedia, here's a shot of the bridge and surrounding area. Been on the bridge myself, not as an exchange of course, but didn't manage to capture a picture of it. Reporters dubbed the

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-90878702496264896532010-02-08T11:22:00.022+03:002010-02-08T20:48:24.637+03:00

In recent days, McDonald's celebrated 20 years in Russia. Yes, beloved komrades, it's true. On January 31, 1990, when Moscow's first McDonald's opened and 35,000 customers were served, all company records for an opening day were broken. I'm just thinking, that's a whole lot of Welcome-to-McDonald's-ing and smiling in a culture where such is generally reserved for those near and dear.As the video

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-84556727005681271572010-02-04T15:44:00.032+03:002010-02-05T03:56:11.894+03:00

Sixty-five years ago today, the leaders of three allied countries - US, USSR and Great Britain - met secretly in Yalta, Crimea to work through plans for wrapping up World War II. This was the second time Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin met during the war, their earlier meeting being in Tehran, Iran in late 1943. (Click to enlarge photo.) September of 2008, I spent some

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-50550042005005360632010-02-01T12:19:00.016+03:002010-02-01T17:33:19.400+03:00

Dear blog-reading friends, thank you so much for helping celebrate my 11 years in Russia by taking a few minutes to stop by and say preev-YET - that's like howdy in these parts. It's been simply delightful to read your comments and learn a bit about you and your interest in things Russian.So here are our prizes to be awarded to three lucky vinners. Oh first, let me explain why we're talking so

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-52742387381584184812010-01-29T10:12:00.016+03:002010-01-29T14:01:48.825+03:00

This morning I'm remembering January 29, 1999 and arriving in Moscow's international airport, Sheremetevo-2. And oh, what an adventure these years have been. Let me reminisce a moment about the travel dramas of Day One. And then there are prizes - yes, genuine Russian souvenirs to give away. So sit back and enjoy this vicariously. Approaching Red Square. Photos: March 2006. (Click to enlarge)

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-59493927077129592792010-01-25T13:38:00.017+03:002010-01-26T08:38:44.403+03:00

Since July 1999, our little church has been meeting on Maxim Gorky Street in a building that was quite a fixer upper. It's in a terrific location in the city center but we have known from the get-go that it was in a reconstruction zone.The little white building there on the left is the entrance to our church property. And being in said reconstruction zone, means that the city recognizes the value

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-12288441216556223882010-01-19T09:07:00.006+03:002010-01-19T22:45:47.765+03:00

The *Polar Bear Club* across Russia is thriving today. People are jumping into icy cold waters in this sub-freezing weather not for sport, however, but to celebrate the baptism of Jesus, celebrated today by the Russian Orthodox church. The enthusiasts believe that their sins will be forgiven and any illnesses cured. Thanks to the video, I learned that the more sins that need to be forgiven, the

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-42892043112278383852010-01-18T18:52:00.001+03:002010-01-18T18:59:07.803+03:00

Here we are in the Year of the Tiger, as per the Chinese horoscope. This feels like a step in the right direction considering that 2009 was the Year of the Rat. In these parts, the horoscope is taken quite seriously and our fair city is over-run with the big cats. Say, love to have you come along for a look at a few local tigers.(Click image to enlarge.) First, here's an special tiger from

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-1473776140994977042010-01-05T23:08:00.003+03:002010-01-05T23:44:29.337+03:00

This wooden cup of used matches was nearly overflowing earlier this week when I emptied it, lots fuller than shown here.So. . . what do you do with your spent matches?It's not that I particularly wanted a pile of matches. It just sort of happened there, next to the gas stove. One match to cook the breakfast oatmeal. Another match for making tea. Just 2, 3 or 4 matches a day from fall into

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-74429538461543443762009-12-28T22:58:00.007+03:002009-12-28T23:36:04.582+03:00

Say, care to help *pamper* Russian orphans? A nearby orphanage in Rostov-on-Don is home to 100 abandoned babies from birth to four years of age. Caretakers there buy disposable diapers for the children out of their own meager salaries. During the daytime, they economize with cloth diapers but use disposables at night.Recently one of the caretakers sat me down, fixed me a plate of sweets and told

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-27291904642458952672009-12-24T22:15:00.001+03:002009-12-24T22:15:59.746+03:00

Just in case you've missed it, here's a super-creative take on the Hallelujah Chorus! This is worth watching several times!

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-49587572705490249802009-12-24T04:28:00.005+03:002009-12-24T04:39:41.537+03:00

This song and the fabulous a cappella harmony absolutely thrills me. And that's a good thing. Because it's 3:32 a.m. local time and I'm awake with this song going through my mind. . .Oh, what absolutely magnificent harmony. Presented by the Church of All Nations Singers of Boca Raton, Florida (2005).

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-19538469111425887862009-12-21T20:04:00.016+03:002009-12-22T11:42:20.686+03:00

Does the staff at your McDonald's wear masks? Just wondering. Because in Kharkov, Ukraine the current McD's uniform includes face masks. And I knew that you would want to know about this. But first things first.(Click photos to enlarge) So they're featuring this neat menu item Grill Lavash, which looks very much like what was dubbed the Greek Burger, as I recall, during the 2004 Olympic games. At

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-60759076574131281582009-12-14T14:35:00.009+03:002009-12-14T14:51:15.779+03:00

Amazing the artistic feats Scottish shepherds, sheepdogs and sheep can pull off ~ with the high-tech help of cell phones, digital cameras and LEDs in a pastoral setting. If you're like me, you'll watch this again and again.This creativity is so worth sharing. And so. . . a very Merry Christmas to you, dear blog-reading friends!

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-6938373788564470972009-12-07T12:35:00.024+03:002009-12-07T22:29:04.189+03:00

Several years back, I frequented this neighborhood school here in the center of Rostov-on-Don. Interestingly, the school saw use as a German hospital in the early 1940's when the city was occupied by Nazi troops.Nowadays, seven hundred-plus students attend this school, children from early elementary school up through high school.On Sept 1st, children and families gather for the back-to-school

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-72727296729825832912009-12-03T07:41:00.020+03:002009-12-05T13:19:01.430+03:00

As the days shorten, the late afternoon sunshine gives a muted, gray look to the streets here in Rostov-on-Don. Care to join me for a quick look at highlights around the city?Meet Alexander Pyshkin, (1799 - 1837) beloved poet of Russia. His statue above overlooks his namesake thoroughfare, Pyshkinskaya Boulevard. It's likely that every city across Russia has a street named in his honor. (Click

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-65507626807244380212009-11-30T19:42:00.017+03:002009-12-01T04:40:56.514+03:00

Last week was the Euro-American Family Retreat in Rothenburg, Germany. This is the 46th year of the Christian retreat, originally hosted by military families based in Germany.Rothenburg is a medieval town. (Click photos to enlarge.) The original city walls are still standing, thanks to a U.S. general who decided they should not be bombed during World War II. Then, as the city was being rebuilt

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-17616678655240337842009-11-28T02:25:00.004+03:002009-11-28T02:37:56.083+03:00

Dear Friends, Good belly laughs counts as exercise in my book and they count double on Thanksgiving weekend. Let's see if these tickle your funny bone as they did mine. Oh, and happy *Black Friday.*

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-67553367360793616212009-11-25T00:00:00.001+03:002009-11-27T02:47:44.143+03:00

Happy Thanksgiving dear friends! Tina Turkey has a special treat for you here. With a nod to Gloria Gayner, presenting a parody of her 1978 hit. . .At first I was an egg, I was petrified. Kept thinking I'd be lost or I'd get cracked and fried. But you took me to your nest before it was too late and kept be warm. And helped me incubate. . .And then, just simply for nostalgia's sake ~ versus the

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-79150996702594293352009-11-23T10:00:00.002+03:002009-11-23T10:00:04.527+03:00

Rice is nice. . .that's what they say. Rice is nice. . .throw some my way. Remember that song?Rice can be great but come dinner time, I'm disinclined to fiddle around with cooking it, especially the ultimate - brown rice. But hal-le-lu-jah, there's an easy-peasy way. And that is to cook the whole big bag and freeze it in meal-sized portions.You see, there was a kilo of rice that was sitting in

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-26137663794083658062009-11-18T13:13:00.009+03:002009-11-19T14:06:56.351+03:00

Steamed pumpkin today for making wonderful pumpkin fruit bread next week. Will mash the pumpkin here in a few minutes and then freeze it. Pumpkin fruit bread or muffins is/are always a hit. I hope to make it for orphanage staff for Thanksgiving. Here's easy secret of how to freeze unbaked muffins and then have them freshly baked for a special breakfast. And then here's the recipe. Oh it's so good

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-45967525364236006742009-11-16T03:13:00.012+03:002009-12-01T05:13:59.367+03:00

Although they had no experience with hot air balloons, Peter Strelzyk and Gunter Wetzel tossed around the idea of building one to escape from East Germany. Peter was an electrical technician and both loved to tinker. They headed to their village's one library and bookstore and began to dig for information.Last Monday, November 9, 2009, was the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. In

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-80264615565844750872009-11-12T00:42:00.011+03:002009-11-13T08:22:53.739+03:00

After The Wall went up in 1961, many East Germans did more than fantasize about getting across the border to freedom, they pooled their resources and creativity and developed plans. Most were unsuccessful but hundreds did make it to West Germany.At first the wall was simply barbed wire, but too many found a way through, including border guards. East German generals estimated that over the years,

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-81487610302940567852009-11-09T12:06:00.025+03:002009-11-10T10:23:30.298+03:00

It was this painting at the Checkpoint Charlie Museum that stopped me in my tracks. This fascinating museum overlooks that most popular of crossing points of the Berlin Wall. Say care to join me for look around?The painting grabbed me and I dug around for a tissue. (Click to enlarge photo.) It covers most of a wall and I may have stood there for five minutes taking it in. The older lady on lower

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-11486086988653169412009-11-06T12:50:00.008+03:002009-11-06T20:34:46.058+03:00

Just in case you missed this, recently a passenger bus in Perm, Russia had brake failure and crashed into 20 vehicles before coming to a stop two kilometers down the road. The drama peaked when the bus plowed through a pedestrian walkway and a man escaped certain death by millimeters. His peripheral vision must be amazing. Watch the video.Doesn't that just make your heart pound? Good lesson for

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-17719254449197009262009-11-02T18:35:00.017+03:002009-11-02T20:56:30.049+03:00

I have a new hero. It's Alex Griffith, 16, who was featured earlier this year as CNN Hero of the Week. Look at what this young man accomplished.Oh, now you've got me dreaming, Alex, you got me dreamin'. . .I'm dreaming that these little guys will be adopted, with a mother and father of their very own. Then there will be no lines, no waiting, no competition with 12 other kids to get hugs and

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-44115080138591772162009-10-28T08:57:00.018+03:002009-10-28T23:18:11.435+03:00

Today Lady Liberty celebrates a very big birthday. Six score and three years ago, to paraphrase Abraham Lincoln, Miss Liberty was inaugurated by President Grover Cleveland.Here's the view of Lady Liberty that comes up here in Russia on my Yahoo weather forecast. I have to laugh at that. As though I need a chance to live and work in the USA.Here's Miss Liberty again in a photo banner. In Russian

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-92031686324453245972009-10-26T21:19:00.006+03:002009-10-26T21:50:36.287+03:00

On October 18th, Alaska celebrated the date on which the state officially became property of the United States in 1867. The day is known, quite fittingly, as Alaska Day.Have you been to Alaska? Oh. . . you lucky globetrotter, you! Myself, I'm just dreaming of the day. . . (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Davis Kimball. Click image to enlarge.)Alaska was once owned by Russia, of course. The two are

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-48317588671961077532009-10-19T11:27:00.003+04:002009-10-19T12:05:08.909+04:00

Anybody else partial to McDonald's? It's a great place to meet people. And besides that, their country-fried potatoes with cheese sauce on the side are simply yummy. Say, does your McDonald's have Caesar Wraps? Well, welcome to Russia!In Russian, it's just called Caesar Roll. (Click image to enlarge.) It's breaded chicken with salad ingredients and dressing. Pretty good, actually. Oh, and about

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-35011913060029252482009-10-16T13:11:00.008+04:002009-10-16T13:39:52.252+04:00

(Image from New York Times, photographer Sergei Kivrin)From a recent New York Times article by Michael Schwirtz: Much of a Muscovite’s life is spent jockeying for space. Officially, some 10.5 million people live in the capital, though unofficialestimates, which include the city’s undocumented immigrants, put the figure at millions more. On the roads, drivers become knotted in enormous traffic

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-31925138307210147442009-10-14T22:04:00.010+04:002009-10-14T22:44:54.120+04:00

Hillary Clinton visited Kazan, capital of the Russian Republic of Tatarstan today. She noted that Orthodoxy and Muslim religions co-exist peacefully there and the republic serves as a good example of religious tolerance.Earlier, after official meetings with high ranking officials including President Medvedev, Mrs Clinton addressed students at Moscow State University and participated in the

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-20603058229698475222009-10-12T12:15:00.014+04:002009-10-13T08:38:51.098+04:00

On this day in 1960, Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev pounded his shoe on the podium during a dispute at a U.N. General Assembly. Or so goes the legend.There's a bit of a question about that. Witnesses noted that Khrushchev arrived at the meeting armed with a house shoe, as above. The footwear that he's shown brandishing in the photo above does look like a typical slipper. Whatever it was,

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-18483106045101539312009-10-10T12:15:00.016+04:002009-10-28T23:14:38.116+03:00

On this date in 1959, Pan American World Airways announced the first global service for passengers. Mercy, how international travel has changed in the last 50 years.Are you one who traveled internationally before 1959? If you sailed overseas to work please share your story. If you were on an early international flight, please tell us about that! I'm assuming getting your luggage scanned was not a

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-23498893459960116382009-10-01T20:28:00.031+04:002009-10-07T04:24:50.329+04:00

A visit to Peterhof, the palace designed by Peter the Great (1672 - 1725), is nearly requisite for the traveler to St Petersburg, Russia. Tsar Peter wanted a palace befitting the very highest of monarchs to celebrate victory over Sweden in 1709 and so he employed a staff of 5,000 ranging from architects and engineers to landscapers and sculptors.Peterhof is especially beautiful in autumn when the

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-19594823530251435762009-09-28T22:05:00.012+04:002009-09-29T17:02:29.818+04:00

Shortly after her move from Russia to Massachusetts, Lydmila went shopping in the meat department and said to the butcher, I'll take 2 kilos of that language, please.You want What?And she was confused about how he could be confused.See, Lydmila was thinking in Russian but speaking English. The Russian word, язык -- pronounced YA-zik -- means physical tongue. It also means language or spoken

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-81737430156829897902009-09-15T12:09:00.015+04:002009-09-16T12:02:05.265+04:00

Greetings from Kiev, Ukraine. How about some local graffiti, mis-spellings and all. Thought you might enjoy this salute to the music group Queen. Oh, and then along the sidewalk, this throw-back to Soviet days caught my eye. See that hammer and sickle?Let's zoom on in closer. . .Now there's a paradigm shift for you. Think the Red Skins might be interested in a new logo?Graffiti in a language

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-46722124669257988952009-09-10T21:53:00.013+04:002009-09-11T11:49:50.300+04:00

Greetings from Kiev, Ukraine! I've been here a week already with another week to go, waiting for my visa back into Russia. This is not my first visit to Kiev. But it is my first time to come here for visa renewal although it will likely be my last. And that's another topic entirely, not for the faint of heart. Welcome to the latest round of the visa game. Speaking of fun and games. . .

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-61078150103869050142009-09-07T11:52:00.016+04:002009-09-07T13:10:55.514+04:00

In Rostov-on-Don, a lady sets up shop a couple hours each weekday and sells these lapel pins. My impression is that during Soviet times, such pins were to a Russian what t-shirts are to Americans. Besides being fun to wear, they're a handy way of showing a bit of where we have been and what we've done. One website says that years ago, trading pins on the street was a popular pastime, apparently

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-17447624014711770722009-08-28T14:08:00.011+04:002009-08-31T10:40:40.522+04:00

Two weeks ago, our Marianna married Evan, a young man originally from Barnayl, Siberia. The wedding was here in Rostov at the Wedding Palace, the most elegant marriage registry in the city. Say, care to come along? A Russian wedding is very special.Here they are, in front of the Wedding Palace waiting to be invited inside. It's quite an elegant system albeit an assembly line of sorts. Marianna

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-52211793264363785372009-08-20T14:37:00.012+04:002009-08-20T15:03:58.908+04:00

Oh, almost funny. But it does hit home! Please come along on a visit to a unique Starbucks for an experience not unlike visiting church for the first time.Thanks to Deb Simmons for sharing the link.

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-47588279883648312932009-08-18T17:38:00.016+04:002009-08-19T09:34:23.850+04:00

Dear Blog Reader, since it's just the two of us here, allow me to put you on the spot. Have you ever brought contraband or iffy stuff home from a trip overseas? Okay, maybe not you, but perhaps a friend (wink-wink)?Recently I was hurrying through Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and in the international terminal were the Buyer Beware exhibits of travel treasures confiscated from passengers.

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-43945950631877115592009-08-16T00:34:00.007+04:002009-08-16T00:59:34.136+04:00

You might be one of the nearly 20 million who've seen the JK Wedding Dance Entrance on YouTube. Well that was just the beginning. Since then, the Unexpected Divorce Entrance has been released, a parody of the wedding version. Have a look:Pretty clever, eh? I think it's even more creative than the wedding dance entrance and would be funnier if divorce were even mildly amusing. It got me to

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-50303260809979258122009-08-13T10:25:00.012+04:002009-08-13T16:46:57.070+04:00

Twenty-five years ago this week, during a sound check for his microphone, President Ronald Reagan came up with an absolutely idiotic off-the-cuff joke that put the Kremlin on full alert. I'm still not believing that a leader of his stature would have said this into an open mic. . .Apparently no hard feelings though. Looking at the time line on this, I see those remarks were in 1984, three years

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-32973468725073960912009-08-05T21:46:00.013+04:002009-08-08T11:49:54.496+04:00

Say, care to join me for a morning shopping trip to Central Market? You know, I'm not into recreational shopping. To me, shopping is w-o-r-k. But add a colorful, cultural photo opportunity to the mix and I'm there. So off we go! This includes sound as well as sights because guess what - in recent days I've learned a thing or two about using the movie mode on my still-photo camera. Oh this is

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-89904089549919868582009-08-03T07:48:00.010+04:002009-08-03T23:54:12.334+04:00

On a recent excursion, friends and I crested a hill just west of Rostov and happened upon this police car. (Click on photos to enlarge.) What would you do - Hit the brakes? Seen from a distance does this make your heart quicken?Let's take a closer look. Could be a genuine police car. Wooden you think so?Reminded me of rumors that a Brad Pitt-of-sorts works in Siberia as a police officer.There in

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-66266375111276874922009-08-01T11:23:00.008+04:002009-08-01T11:58:11.677+04:00

Eighty-two of us came together July 19th for the annual Christian Singing School held in Donetsk, Ukraine. The aim of the week-long school is to enhance congregational singing in Russian-speaking congregations. On our fourth day together, we held a public concert. The following videos are of Kostya's Ensemble, an elite group of singers, hand-picked by Konstantin "Kostya" Zhigulin, musical

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-40965540499072266352009-07-28T12:26:00.017+04:002009-07-28T19:24:47.726+04:00

Eighty-some of us from across Ukraine and Russia are back home after the annual Christian Singing School. In its 16th year - give or take - the school aims to improve a cappella, congregational singing of Russian-speaking congregations. The last two years the school was held at Donetsk Christian University in southeast Ukraine. Say, care for an inside look ~ plus a 31-second listen?(Double-click

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21051340.post-58841134854150552002009-07-26T20:30:00.005+04:002009-07-26T20:49:09.288+04:00

Are you one of the nearly 7 million folks who have watched the *JK Wedding Entrance Dance* on YouTube in first week it was posted? If not, get on over there and have a laugh out of this feel-good way to make quite an entrance coming down the aisle. The Today Show got in on the act and invited the wedding party to New York to recreate their moves for the show.This is definitely not for everybody's

Eileenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02145231904883894337noreply@blogger.com0