As soon as I've just turned 20 (TWENTY! CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?), I'm ready to publish some lists I've been making for some time. I must admit it hasn't been easy to recollect 20 mistakes I've made or 20 books that have impressed me enough so I would recommend them. Of course, these lists can easily be edited, but that's what I've got by the age of 20 so far. Hope you'll have fun reading them! 20 mistakes I've made:
1. Didn't go out with that one boy at school
2. Had too many expectations for my graduating party
3. Didn't book a hostel in Tokyo beforehand
4. Didn't read enough this summer
5. Wasted a day in LA on walking with the most boring guy in 2015
6. Scored 83 points for the Russian final test at school
7. My first boyfriend
8. Half of my would-be boyfriends
9. Ate that cheesecake in Khabarovsk in 2014
10. Do everything in the last minute
11. Didn't talk enough with all the kinds from my teams in the camp
12. Didn't put on my sunscreen on the Tobizina cape
13. Didn't put on my sunscreen in Santa Monica in 2013
14. Didn't take any photos with the people I hung out with in LA in 2015
15. Ruined my biological clock
16. Didn't ask about the 3OH!3 album Omens in Amoeba
17. Don't say right answers louder during the classes when needed
18. Drank too much at my unofficial matriculation at university
19. Wasted some money a couple of times when I could've saved them, ok
20. Didn't get along with my elder sister during our childhood
20 lessons I've learned:
1. Always think about where to stay during not only trips themselves but also stepovers in advance
2. Let things go
3. Take your time, don't forget to relax, always arrange some me-time
4. You aren't to like all the people around. It's ok to have someone you don't approve
5. Have some money in the bank as some kind of a back-up
6. Upload the photos you take to Google Photo or iCloud or anything like that. You never know when your device can get broken or lost
7. Being nice is a rule, but being petty and bitchy isn't always a bad idea
8. "If you can't love yourself, how the hell you're gonna love somebody else? Can I get an amen here?" RuPaul
9. Love your parents and make sure you call them often enough. They deserve it, they love you
10. Trust your friends but rely on yourself first
11. Lovers come and go, friends stay. Cherish them
12. Better be alone with someone you don't care of
13. Don't care what they think. Put on as much make-up as you want while you're young and beautiful
14. Don't care what they think. You can be young and beautiful till the end of time
15. Don't know what color you should choose? Choose black
16. Be helpful - and for yourself first
17. Take risks - they tend to pay off!
18. Take in some vitamins, take care of your health
19. Read more
20. Enjoy the moment, don't miss living
20 songs I adore:
1. Jason Mraz "I'm Yours"
2. The Neighbourhood "Ferrari"
3. Beyoncé "Diva"
4. Marina And The Diamonds "How To Be A Heartbreaker"
5. Beyoncé "Partition"
6. Ariana Grande "One Last Time"
7. Lana Del Rey "Backfire"
8. 3OH!3 "Love 2012"
9. Halsey "Colors"
10. The Common Linnets "Calm After The Storm"
11. Lady Gaga feat. Beyoncé "Telephone"
12. Gem Club "Twins"
13. The Beetles "Strawberry Fields Forever"
14. Anna Margaret "Something About Sunshine"
15. Lady Gaga "Born This Way"
16. Postdata "Tobias Grey"
17. Joss Stone "L.O.V.E."
18. Arctic Monkeys "505"
19. Ryan Adams "Firecracker"
20. Natalia Kills "Problem"
20 books I recommend:
1. George Orwell "1984"
2. Leo Tolstoy "Anna Karenina"
3. Yevgeny Zamyatin "We"
4. Jane Austin "Pride and Prejudice"
5. Dante Alighieri "Divine Comedy"
6. David Nicholls "One Day"
7. Joanne Harris "Chocolat"
8. Joanne Harris "The Lollipop Shoes"
9. Dan Brown "Angels and Demons"
10. Goethe "Faust"
11. Francesco Petrarca's sonnets
12. Alexander Blok's poems
13. Daniel Keyes "Flowers for Algernon"
14. J. K. Rowling "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban"
15. Mikhail Lermontov's poems
16. Ivan Bunin's short novels
17. Robert Rozhdestvensky's poems
18. Joseph Brodsky's poems
19. Charlotte Brontë "Jane Eyre"
20. Patrick Süskind "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer"
And I certainly couldn't leave you withough the Queen B in my B'Day! Here's something relating to the title and all the jazz ♥
I'm back to school life, to campus life. I'm back to writing, and it feels so right. I've told my Vocabulary & Speaking teacher that maintaining a blog is one of my main hobbies and it made me feel like returning to my old schedule when I wrote several times a week and it was satisfying af.
Today I've visited the first organizing meeting at the driving school. I'M GONNA LEARN HOW TO DRIVE A CAR!! Can you believe that?! The funniest thing for me was that I came in all pink, I had a pink pen and a pink notebook with my image on its cover. DUH. I felt so Legally Blonde. I never did that on purpose. But if you remember Mean Girls well enough, you may notice that "on Wednesdays, we wear pink".
I looked pretty glamorous, right?
Last Sunday my student organization and I went to the cape of Tobizin just to spend some nice time together. We were lucky to have very sunny weather that day, so now I sorta suffer from my skin peeling off of my face. But I really enjoyed our little trip. We should take advantage of the last warm days as long as we can.
My co-teacher Thomas and I took the most hipster Polaroid photo at the cape
Talking about my student organization, so I keep on being the money-keeper of our gang but some exciting news has come just an hour ago. Our commander Tea has suggested Thomas and my person going to the All-Russian Student Organizations' Meeting in November. Wow. It's an important event, and if I happen to go there, it will be such an experience! There'll be around 2000 people gathered together by one idea, one spirit to share experience, new projects, ideas, material. Awesome, isn't it?
I like this semester more than the last, spring one. Though we still have some troubles with the schedule, I'm pretty satisfied with the classes. Good for me, then! Moreover, I've chosen Brave New Worldby Aldous Huxley as my individual reading. Finally I, a dystopian stories lover, will read the classics!
The song of the day is gonna be the latest hit from Mac Miller feat. Ariana Grande called "My Favorite Part" (though I've been listening to The Neighbourhood for the whole evening). I like the track because it's so easy-listening, laid-back and relaxing. It just calms you down and says that everything's ok.
When was the last time I poured all my shit on you here? Much water has flowed under the bridge.
I worked for two terms in "English Camp" in summer and somehow stayed alive after that (though I thought I'd die). During the first term, sports one, I worked with the kids of around 12 yo. It was the same age as I had worked the year before, I even had a boy from that previous summer. I was shocked in the beginning but then calmed myself down thinking "Stability is a sign of mastery". Plus, my co-worker Eva, I was her instructor during the teachers' training. And the term was great! One of our guys was the President of English Camp that term, and generally our kids were awesome. Though I got my new speaker stolen at the end of the term, so I was frustrated. Still, I consider that term as one of the best.
I like putting these two photos together. Me in a white hoodie in the center, and my beautiful co-worker Eva next to me in the leather jacket
My second term was as amazing as the first one but it was more difficult in the beginning. I completely lost my voice at the end of Sports term and that second term was a music one. I entered Music Term with no voice!! But my co-worker that time was brilliant Thomas, whose instructor I was as well. If there was an award for the best teamwork, we would have definitely won it. We were given the 1st team, which means we had the oldest kids. Half of the kids had visited English Camp for many times, and for some of them this summer would be the last, so our top brass put us under big pressure that we should make this summer the most unbelievable and unforgettable for them. I felt so under this pressure first days. I even cried after daily briefings. But then the things were fine. Our coordinator and chief teacher reassured me that it wasn't even about all Thomas' and my work, our kids weren't that up-and-doing. That music term with the oldest guys showed me that I really improved my skills as a teacher, and sometimes I should just let things go and rest my head a bit. Btw, do you know how our team was called that music term? "Formation"! YAS I named our team after Beyoncé's song and my co-worker agreed on that. 'Cause yeah we got our kids in formation, okay?!
Unfortunately, Thomas didn't make it into this cool photo (you can spot his arm on the left)
But here we go :3
I met a guy in the end of spring, we got through the summer (we both worked in different summer camps separately) and we almost made it come together again but he literally stood me up. We had arranged it that he meet me at the airport of Vladivostok but when I arrived there was no one to help me physically or morally. And that nasty bastard didn't pick up his phone once during that day! And in the evening he texted me something like "Hi, how did you arrive?" I mean what?? That person frankly told me he liked me, everything was nice in spring, he promised to meet me at the fucking airport and then never showed up?! Guys, don't be like that. Please.
Well, I finished my second year at university in an excellent way as I can. During the French exam, our French teacher was Kanye and I was Tay Swift, 'cause she didn't let me finish any of my tasks. Not that it was bad, she was like "I know that you know, so go" but girl, I prepared my shit, you'd better listen. But I quickly swallowed my pride not to run into some mistakes. My final course paper turned out to be pretty good. This year I'll continue working with my favorite professor, so I'll keep on writing about the nature pictured in the books by Ann Radcliffe. Honestly, that lady wrote some boring mess but the landscapes are described so gracefully, I can't even. But all the storylines are junk. But the landscapes are great. Period. Yeah, I know Ann R. is one of the pioneers of gothic novels, she's its 'queen' as they call her but nowadays it's not that interesting for me. But I'll work with that and won't give up. I'm a freaking philologist, I should know how to work with various stuff. Also, last year my dear roommate Cherry Lady and I fell for RuPaul's Drag Race. We've watched seasons 4 and 6 and now watching season 7 by far. Probably, you've noticed its influence in my writing style. Imagine if you heard my speech! My friend and I adore (Delano) this show! So iconic. We definitely observe their vibes, some style hacks, face expressions and figures of speech.
I spent whole August and the very beginning of September in my hometown. I was glad to see my parents and Sakhalin friends again but due to them being always at work, my being on Sakhalin wasn't that rad. I decided that I wouldn't stay in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk for longer than 2-3 weeks anymore. But all the time spent with my family and friends was precious. I even made some new friends (one new friend, actually). And Dasha said she'd come to me to Vladivostok in some weeks for a couple of days. What can be more exciting? I'll finally show her my favorite party places! Moreover, my parents will come in the beginning of October to celebrate my 20 yo jubilee. To be honest, Dasha's trip and my parents' arrival will superimpose on one another, so it confuses me a bit. But we shall make it, shan't we? So my autumn seems to be all about fun and fuss. (Yes, I seem to prefer AmE, but I still refuse to use 'fall' meaning 'autumn')
Talking about music, so I'm really into Beyoncé's Lemonade (except for "Daddy Lessons", can't feel it out). I've probably taken my love to Beyoncé to the maximum this summer. The next step is to visit her concert, obvi. Or just buy some merch. But her concert is def better. So if you want to please me, put a Beyoncé song on. Or show me a cat. Or give me some chocolate. Or all together and garnish it with some chamomile tea.
So turn on something that makes you feel comfortable and self-confident and as usual...
The year of 2015 is coming to its end, and I'd like to sum it up a bit. I still have some plans I feel like I must execute, but they won't change the main, you know, volume of emotions. I had such an amazing year, didn't I? It changed me pretty much, helped me to understand what I want from life.
Not so long ago I found a post on our Russian version of Facebook that included some interesting questions people may ask themselves about their lives (originally the questions are from the book "My 5 years. 365 questions, 1825 answers. Diary"). They say to answer privately and show nobody, but I think it's a funny way to share my thoughts about the year with you. Maybe there're gonna be the questions I won't want to answer, so I'll politely skip them. Let's start! 1. The best moment of the year is... My American trip, beyond doubt. I know, I worked in the children camp for the first time, I finished my 1st year at university this year and started the 2nd, but nevertheless my travel to LA was the most amazing and unforgettable for many reasons. 2. What inspired me the most this year?
Oh, difficulties have started. I can't help mentioning my mind-blowing travel again. People around me inspire me all the time. Participating in the contests with my student organization. Reading good literature, for sure; literature never lets me down. 3. The main news of the year.
I started working seriously. I became the English tutor in February and a teacher in the camp in June. Also now I can speak French! 4. The anthem of the year.
Man, you know, questions about music are HARD! Probably I could have pointed out one song the previous years, but not this one. I can't recall one song. Let it be Sweater Weather by The Neighbourhood, the Eurovision 2015 winning song Heroes by Måns Zelmerlöw, Style by Taylor Swift and Colors by Halsey.
5. The most important people in my life. (this year, apparently)
Well, I can't but mention my parents and best friends who are my most important people in my life forever. Also I'd like to point out the Australian man I met in LA. Nowadays, when several months have passed by, I understand that I won't exaggerate when saying that he kinda influenced my perception of the world and myself mainly. It's one in a million chance to get to know such a person, believe me. 6. What was the most difficult for me?
Umm, making up your mind is always difficult. Sometimes working with the children at camp was difficult; I even cried twice during the term. Urging myself to read all the necessary literature even if I totally don't feel like is always a challenge too.
7. What color was this year?
Oy, I could send you to Colors by Halsey here, too:) But having to choose the color of the year, I'd say red. Red is my second favorite color, and my 2015 has been so vibrant and energetic and full of unexpected things, so it was red. ("... but loving him was red")
8. What event of this year I'd like to remember forever?
Is it going to be another post about my LA trip or what?
9. What word I used most often?
Hmm, interesting. I'd probably be able to answer this question in Russian. In English I'd choose the word expression "on point", let it be so. 10. The most ridiculous purchase of the year.
I hope I learnt not to waste money this year as being a student. So I think I never bought anything ridiculous in 2015. Or I try not to remember. 11. I'd better experiment with...
Oh my, I think I've experimented enough this year. Perhaps, there's even nothing I'd regret. YOU GO, GIRL!
12. This year was great because...
I realized many plans and ideas, I tried and did what I hadn't done before. I met so many amazing people; many of them have become my good friends. I traveled all on my own abroad for the first time. 13. What intimate problem have I solved?
I don't know. Usually I try to avoid noticing problems including my owns. I still try to understand my nature, so I'll leave this question open. 14. Whom I hugged at night?
That's almost offensive. I hug my plush cat toy at night, you know. Well, I wasn't that hopeless this year, but they are more one night stand cases :c
15. At whose wedding I partied?
At no one's.
16. What average salary did I have this year?
*politely skipping*
17. Did I have a conversation that changed everything in my mind?
I don't think I'm capable of recalling one particular conversation. I try to extract something useful from every conversation I have. Talking to foreigners was remarkable; and conversations with my camp co-workers were always great.
18. What new business have I started this year?
Well, I've already written about my work. Though I don't earn much money, but I enjoy teaching my little students English, it's my own little serious business. 19. If I could become a super hero for one day, what would I do?
It might sound selfish, but if I were a super hero for a day, I'd fly to my guys in LA. Seriously.
20. What do I dream about?
Is it about 2015 or what? I have many dreams actually. Right now I dream to successfully pass my exams beforehand this semester and come to my hometown for a whole month. 21. What I consider to be my biggest achievement?
My successful American trip. Sorry.
22. Express this year (up to this day) in one phrase.
Off the hook.
25. Have I realized everything I planned for this year? Not yet. Only some chore stuff are left. But globally yes, I've done everything I planned. Well done.
26. How many new friends have I made this year?
I'm bad at counting. I guess there are about 4-5 new good friends I made this year.
27. Whom I helped this year?
Myself firstly. My Australian man. Cherry Lady. Tatyana. I like helping people if I'm sure I can.
28. What places have I visited?
OOOOHHH should I count my hometown? Besides, there are West Hollywood, Venice Beach, Downtown LA and all the other places I went to in LA. Most of them were new for me. Oh, and Tokyo! I've been to Tokyo for the first time! 29. What business have I put off till the next year?
Recording the songs that I wrote because I don't have any instruments here in Vladivostok (yet). So I wait for coming to Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and creating some (I think) cool stuff there.
30. What do I want to achieve in the new year?
Discovering new aspects of my soul. I want to live happily in general. Earlier I'd absolutely send a wish upon a star for a boyfriend. Now I get it that I don't constantly need a boy to feel happy. Of course, I don't deny the need of somebody by my side. But unless I'm fully satisfied with myself, I won't be satisfied with anyone. Plus now I know I don't need a boy - I need a man ("who can do it like I can"). I guess I met someone who looked like my ideal this year, and now it's pretty tough to find somebody like him. But actually I don't look for anyone on purpose. I believe if I feel confident, my destiny will find me easily. So feeling constantly confident, being patient and attentive is what I want to achieve in the new year.
That's it! Maybe, my answers were pretty obvious and silly, but they are mine, don't you think? Try to answer yourself and see how amazing your 2015 was!
Although I write about separate movies from time to time, it's been pretty long since my last "Movies' Day" post, so I feel quite ready to create something new for you.
Alright, alright, alright! Last weekend my roommate and dear friend Cherry Lady checked the movies we had been recommended by our professors.
The first one is "Philadelphia", a 1993 American drama film and one of the first mainstream Hollywood films to acknowledge HIV/AIDS, homosexuality, and homophobia. (Thanks, Wikipedia) Actually, the film wasn't in our mood, but we watched it pretty attentively because the acting is simply brilliant! I can easily understand why Mr. Tom Hanks received the Oscar for the leading role of Andrew Beckett. And the soundtrack! Certainly I'd heard "Streets of Philadelphia" by Bruce Springsteen before, but I never knew it was for the movie. That was pleasant news.
The plot is rather controversial but pretty understandable. I loved that even though Denzel Washington's character Joe Miller had homophobia and mysophobia, he agreed on helping Andrew Beckett in the name of justice and law. The movie's worth watching even if you're not a fan of the jurisprudence.
Tom Hanks as Andrew Beckett
On Sunday, we turned on "Guys and Dolls". It's a 1955 movie based on the Broadway musical of the same name. It starred Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Frank Sinatra and Vivian Blaine. The plot is about how 50s' New York criminals liked gambling and betting. And that love wins at the end of it all. The movie is full of nice songs and fancy dances - of course, it's based on the musical! I liked the characters. Men were so handsome and women were so stylish those days. It reminded me of how much I like 50s' movies.
The only thing I didn't like in "Guys and Dolls" was Sister Sarah Brown's wedding dress. Or better say, the lack of her wedding dress! I know that she was a missionary, but I beg you! It's a 50s' musical! You could have made it!
But in general, "Guys and Dolls" is totally worth watching.
The third film I wanna talk about is the latest James Bond film "Spectre". The acting crew is wonderful! Daniel Craig, of course, but I was even more thrilled about one and only Monica Bellucci, adorable Ben Whishaw, Ralph Fiennes and - OMG YAS - Andrew Scott! Mr. Scott played Max Denbigh, a member of the British government, and comparing this character to Scott's famous Moriarty, I guess Andrew Scott do fine with this type of role. Unfortunately, Andrew's character won't be lucky to appear in next movies. But maybe as a flashback? Please?
Frankly speaking, I didn't like Léa Seydoux as a Bond girl much. Well, she's nice, but not splendid, you know.
The story features James Bond's first encounter with the global criminal organisation Spectre, marking the group's first appearance in an Eon Productions film since 1971's Diamonds Are Forever, and tying Craig's series of films together with an overarching storyline. (Thanks, Wikipedia)
Of course, I can't help writing about the main "Spectre" theme "Writing's On The Wall" performed by Sam Smith. Remember how excited I was with "Skyfall" by Adele? No wonder why it received an Oscar. So "Writing's On The Wall" is spectacular as well. I watched the live performance, and Mr. Smith nailed it! Let's see what awards this track will get.
Also, Cherry Lady and I have watched (my friend has re-watched) an amazing British series calls "Black Books". There are 3 seasons in the sitcom as well as 3 main characters: the bookshop's owner Bernard Black played by hilarious Dylan Moran, his assistant Manny Bianco and their friend Fran Katzenjammer. Actually, it's all about the wine, dealing with life and relationships, more booze, books vs. modern technologies, "Don't you dare use the word "party" as a verb in this shop!" and wine again. The comedy is just great! Not that stupid American pointless sitcoms, but classy smart British-Irish humor as it is.
That's all for today! Enjoy the silence the movies and have fun!
Russian Student Organizations (or Brigades as Wikipedia says) (RSO) is a big all-Russian youth non-governmental organization founded in 2004. It was created to provide college and university students with different jobs, mostly during summer holidays. Once you join one or another organization, you can become a teacher in a children summer camp (as me), a constructor, a conductor on a train, a worker on a fish-processing plant or somewhere else. At least these four professions are available in our Primorsky region. I'm not sure that you can be a worker on a fish-processing plant somewhere in the central Russia.
Such Student organizations originated in 1959 at the Physics Department of the Moscow State University as student construction brigades. They built new railways, buildings and etc. to 'create communism'. From the mid-sixties, they became an all-Union movement with all the camp teachers, plant workers, conductors, ecologists and so on. One of the main aims was to grow the feeling of the unity, pride, love to work. And of course even back then people earned money this way too. Actually, you can make pretty much working as a constructor or a plant worker. To be honest, teachers have the smallest wages but it's more about loving children, nice time with your mates and summer, I think.
Coastal Cluster of the Winter Olympics venues which were built with the help of RSO
So, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union the tradition of student organization continued in some Russian regions. The main center was in Yekaterinburg, so it's exactly where the modern Russian tradition of student organization started. RSO has done many awesome things in modern Russia. The construction brigades helped to build the venues of the 2014 Winter Olympics, our two fantastic bridges in Vladivostok and the latest project Vostochny Cosmodrome which is still being built. The conductors go on trains from Vladivostok to Moscow for 7 days and back. Well, guys from other cities have other routes, but I don't know much about them. People joined fishing organizations come to my home island Sakhalin to work at the fish-processing plant.
Almost all the members have special RSO jackets as the uniform. The jackets can be khaki, dark green (or even blue in rare cases) that resemble the constuctors' uniform in the USSR. Only the teachers don't receive the jackets as they start working because we don't do any 'dirty work', we don't need such kind of uniform. A teacher must deserve, earn this jacket, it's kinda a symbol that your organization trusts you and present you a jacket. Teachers' uniform usually is a t-shirt and a neckerchief of significant colors.
Every organization has its commander, commissar, methodologist and master. RSO, as one huge organization consolidating the organizations from the whole country, has its own commander, commissar and master. And regional departments have too.
Different student organizations of Vladivostok on the Tiger's Day. I wasn't there :c See the khaki jackets? Also you can differentiate one organization from another by the colors of the uniforms
Some of us posing for the photo session due to our being the best pedagogical organization in our region in 2015
Personally I am a member of a student teaching organization (or as it's called a student pedagogical organization). Our organization's called "S.T.E.P." which is deciphered as Student Teaching English Program. Our organization has the bias for the English language (nowadays we're the only organization in our region with the bias for English) therefore all the members have made-up English names. Mine is Leslie, obviously. We work in the children summer camp called - you won't believe - "English Camp" which is situated right on my university campus. There are 3 terms during summer; also this camp has terms during fall, winter and spring holidays.
"S.T.E.P." is the biggest pedagogical organization in Primorsky region as far as I know. Formally, there are more than 100 members, though only about 70-80 teachers worked during the last summer. Anyhow, it didn't prevent us from becoming the best pedagogical organization in Primorye in 2015!
I worked last summer during the 1st term, it was my very first time. Of course, during the previous academic year we had been trained, but I faced the real children only in summer. Thankfully, my co-worker was an experienced teacher, she became my good friend. And our helper was so amazing though she was a fresh blood too.
Me and the teacher from another team (on the left) as the hosts for the evening event with our boss Francis between us
But being a part of RSO isn't only about work and earning money. For me being a part of such a huge organization awakes some proud feelings inside like "Hell yeah, I do something good! It's useful and something you can be proud of". Apart from direct work student organization originate various social events. For example, our organization provides free English lessons in Vladivostok's libraries for kids. Unfortunately, I don't have time to teach there this year, but last year I willingly gave some lessons in the libraries as well.
Each year Primorsky Department of RSO arranges the event or the contest called something like "The Worker of the Year". At this event the best workers, the best organizations are announced. There are some criteria for that, but don't ask me about that. So, as I've already mentioned, our organization became the best!! We were so happy and proud!
But what can you see? I'm wearing The Jacket on the photo! Unfortunately, it's not mine (yet!) - I had to borrow one to perform on stage! I was honored to sing our national anthem, the RSO anthem and the theme song on stage with 5 other coolest singers of Primorsky Department of RSO. Although, it wasn't me who participated in the contest as a worker of the year, I felt so proud to represent my organization during the musical performances.
I'm actually happy that I joined RSO last year. I can't wait to see new guys coming to our organization, getting its craziness and awesomeness. Some of them will stay, some of them will go; but the process itself, the experience is priceless.
I haven't written silly things for awhile. I've noticed that my recent posts about the accents and the role models turned out to be pretty successful, and it can't fail to be pleasant and motivating! While writing them I might not have done any researches, but I did put much more knowledge in them, more smart thoughts, less unnecessary information. I've been reading various writing tips, so focusing on one theme is one of them. I don't think I'm ready to focus my whole blog on one theme, but I should do for one certain post at least. For example, I did a post about being a role model - it was only about that, nothing else like "Hm, btw also, I bought new jeans a couple of days ago, and the weather isn't so fine, yeah". But I'm aware that I'm about to break this rule right here right now - I do want to put my latest news and little thoughts and emotions and notes here at once. One famous Russian YouTuber Kate Clapp shoots videos every Friday in which she talks about everything that comes to her mind and happens in her life, just many little facile topics she'd like to discuss but that aren't worth a separate video. That's what I want to do too! Yes, I might tell myself not to write about worthless stuff, but I feel the need, I feel eager about that. So haters gonna hate - even the heater inside myself - and I'm gonna do whatever I do in my own freaking blog. Period.
So haters gonna hate - even the heater inside myself - and I'm gonna do whatever I do in my own freaking blog. Period.
Oh yes, you might have noticed that my blog became wider and I have just used that strange quotation feature. One more yes. I don't only develop my writing skills but also experiment with the site itself. I try to make it more readable and more interesting. And not so long ago I found the source of my inspiration - Mark Manson's blog. Mr. Manson puts himself as "Author. Thinker. Life Enthusiast.", and he is indeed. I found him with one of my Facebook friend's sharing, and now I can't help appreciating this blog. I like Manson's style of writing first of all - it's so easy-going and sarcastic from time to time, and still serious enough. He opens subjects I'm interested in such as traveling, the crux of relationships or procrastination. Moreover, Mr. Manson is very attached to his readers and frequently makes us, readers, happy with e-mails with new material or asking about something. The most amazing thing is that the author isn't too busy yet not to answer the letters from his fans. I would answer too, if I was written, though. A long-long time ago I used to do such a tag as VERY INTERESTING BLOG. And I think this paragraph is a very good example. So go, read Mark Manson's blog and learn some lessons!
Yesterday Tatyana and I went to a yoga class held on our campus. We tried one class last year, but we didn't like it. Usually, we practice yoga ourselves with the help of YouTube videos. While the temperature was warm enough, we did yoga outside, now we practice it inside conformably. We do it for our own pleasure only, nobody forced us. My friend and I really find joy in doing yoga, and we can see our bodies change for the better. But of course, we can't be totally sure if we do the poses right, and we always search for new ways of developing our physical skills. That's why yesterday we went to that yoga class - to try something new. And we liked it! First of all, I liked the instructor. Our local yogi was a young man, 3rd-year handsome student, who immediately made a good impression by reaching out his hand to me, as I walked into the room, saying, "Hi, I'm Vanya, what's your name?" No class can be bad with a charming teacher, especially when you came to that class on your own. There were not so many of us: the instructor, 4 other girls, Tatyana and me. The room was all white, and I paid my attention to that right when I came in - white is my favorite color, you know (and red). The practice itself was intense enough for my body to hurt today, and that hasn't happened for awhile. But it means that I had some really nice training. So Tatyana and I agreed on attending that yoga class once a week and be great with it.
I think I never wrote about what I bought myself as present for my birthday! I received a couple of gift cards to my favorite shops from Cherry Lady and Andrew, so I bought the presents on them though I had to pay in excess anyway. So my main purchase turned out to be... the latest Beyonce's fragrance Heat Kissed! The funny thing is that I bought it without even trying it because there was no tester. But when I opened the box and finally smelled the perfume, I loved it! And Cherry Lady loved it too because her own fragrance smells very similar.
Another gift I treated myself with was a plush cat toy, the famous Internet Pusheen the cat! Yes, that's what being 29 is like - you buy luxurious perfumes and plush toys. So, talking about Pusheen, I'm so into this character! I enjoy scrolling the pictures - isn't it funny and cute? And when I opened the official online store, I was shocked - so many items with Pusheen the cat! But I'm not sure if my cat toy is an official one. And, by the way, to defense myself, this Pusheen in my only plush toy in the dormitory. Now I can't help joking about me being a cat lady. Not so funny, tbh, you know.
Cherry Lady took a photo of embarrassingly happy me with my new toy
AND to finish this amusing post (and to let me finish my homework, frankly speaking) I feel like sharing the song of the day. Let it be... 3 songs! Because I haven't put any songs for some time and I'm known to always have something to listen to. My recent discovery is a bilingual track by the Australian singer Josef Salvat called Open Season (Une Autre Saison). I've known this singer before, I still like his song Hustler. But Open Season is much more positive, though. This song has the English-only version, but I like this English-French mix. Sometimes you can't even tell when Josef changes the languages, the track sounds so good. And the title of this post is one of this song's lines! Check it out!
Another choice is Papercut by Zedd featuring Troy Sivan. I heard this song on the plane to LA while listening to the whole Zedd's album True Colors, so I associate Papercut as well as all the other songs from the record with the city of angels and my great travel.
Not a fan of club music? I've got something for you too. The last song is going to be a slow, melancholic track Over You by Ingrid Michaelson featuring A Great Big World. It's so beautiful and sad at the same time. And I say no more.
Oy! I've turned nineteen! Actually I don't know how to feel about this age, because you know, 18 - you're fully adult in Russia, 20 is such a beautiful jubilee, 21 - you're fully adult everywhere (legal drinks!!). But 19, what the hell is 19? Well, to say the least, it's the last year of being a "teen", and I definitely don't feel like a teen. Of course, lots of my problems, my diffidence, my 'beloved' seasonal depressions are so typically teenage things. But I don't want to act like a teenager! I study at university, I have a job, I'm a part of a big student organisation, I travel the world by myself! I freak out every time Cherry Lady says: "What do they want from us? We're basically still children!" What the hell are you talking about? Woman, you're nearly 20, get your shit together! Thankfully, my parents haven't treated me as a kid since I was like 14, and somehow I managed to be independent enough (or at least I think so). I'm not talking about money, I still rely on my parents financially very much (though I try to help myself as you know), but talking about life as it is, I think I'm doing pretty well.
All in all, I don't have much of an opinion about the age of 19. Being a pretty receptive person, I'm used to think of different ages by the way they are shown in culture. For example, I know many popular songs about 17 ("Well, she was just seventeen, you know what I mean...", "Only seventeen, but she walks the street so mean..."). 21 is the point you're not underage anymore. I really like the movie "21 And Over", so hilarious! But what about 18? 19? I'm sure there are many songs about that, but I can't recall anything from my music knowledge. I did a little research to find something lovely about being 19. Indeed I found some good songs, but the most famous person was Billy Ray Cyrus. Well, Mr. Cyrus' song isn't about being nineteen though, but I like it. Ah yeah, there was also a song by The Rolling Stones. But the fine thing is that I found some really nice new stuff. So here's "Seventeen" by Billy Ray and another one I really liked - "Not Nineteen Forever" by The Courteeners straight away.
And now it's time to describe my super party! This year I decide to arrange a house party, 'cause it's def cheaper, but it's more dangerous because don't forget we live in the dormitories where alcohol is forbidden. But we're usually lucky to but some liquor and carry it through in our backpacks without being checked. This time we were kissed by God himself, because when we bought the last batch of beverages on my BDay's eve, right after we carried everything through, the security started checking everybody's bags. HOW LUCKY WE WERE! Because I carried tequila, vodka and bourbon in my backpack, and it would be incredibly disappointing to lose it all. To put it mildly. All in all we had two bottles of wine, two bottles of vodka, a bottle of Olmeca Blanco and also a bottle of Jim Beam. Yeah, there ain't no my birthday party if there ain't no tequila! You might think "If you had so much alcohol, you must have had many friends there". Hah. 5. There were only 5 of us. Must have been 7, but my groupmate came down with a sickness, so she and her boyfriend couldn't join us. To my surprise we skipped wine (though we opened one bottle) and started right with Jim Beam, everyone! Only Anton, our group leader, drank the whisky purely, the rest of us mixed it with Coke, it was kinda our long drink. Then it was the turn of vodka, we mixed it with Schweppes, but took it as shots. And so when tequila came, Anton forbade us to mix it with anything, so we all drank tequila purely, but with salt and lemon (I forgot to but lime in town, and there weren't limes in our campus' shop). It was the first time Tatyana tried tequila, and she liked it. Actually, everybody liked everything. We played forfeits, danced, had so much fun! Cherry Lady, who had been responsible for food, worried if the guests would like what she cooked, but everything was delicious. All guests and I enjoyed the party so much! We all were pleased by the company of ours. A little trouble appeared when we went out, but I hope everything'll end up well. And if you want to jump in the atmosphere of that night, turn on "SexyBack" by Justin Timberlake, the second album by "Run the Jewels" and Rachmaninoff.
One of the forfeit was to become an extravagant photographer and create a cool photo. Cherry Lady picked out this one, and the photos came out pretty dramatic indeed.
I also couldn't miss taking some selfies. I learn not to be a fool :D
The whole squad: Cherry Lady at the bottom (only her eyes mostly),
Tatyana on the right, Anton on the left, me in the pose of queen
and Cherry Lady's boyfriend Andrew in the background .
Being selfish, I really like my face here. Cat eyeliner's so on point!
And look at Anton! If I'm a tequila lady, he's absolutely a whisky man.
In the end we found ourselves sitting at the beach, discussing things, making the conclusion that my party came off so well.
There're gonna be two songs of the day. The first one is "Acquainted" by The Weeknd. I used a line from it as the title. Originally there was a song called "Girls Born In The 90's", but it was leaked, so the Weeknd decided to rerecord the song with different lyrics, but he left a part from that original track in quite new "Acquainted". The girls born in the 90's are dangerous because many power girls who are highly famous nowadays were born in the 90's indeed: Ariana Grande, many models like Kendal Jenner, Gigi Hadid and others... Me, in the end of it all! It's our time now, girls! We're in our prime, time to work shit up and rule the world! 'Cause "you're from the 70's, but I'm a 90's bitch!"
Baby you're no good
Cause they warned me bout your type girl
I've been ducking left and right
Baby you're no good
Think I fell for you, I fell for you, I fell for you
You got me puttin' time in, time in
Nobody got me feeling this way
You probably think I'm lying, lying
I'm used to bitches comin' right 'way
You got me touchin' on your body
You got me touchin' on your body
To say that we're in love is dangerous
But girl I'm so glad we're acquainted
I get you touchin' on your body
I get you touchin' on your body
I know I'd rather be complacent
But girl I'm so glad we're acquainted
Baby you're no good
All my niggas think I'm crazy cause I'm thinkin' 'bout us lately
But really if I could
I'd forget about you, 'get about you, 'get about you
You got me puttin' time in, time in
Nobody got me feeling this way
You probably think I'm lying, lying
I'm used to bitches comin' right 'way
You got me touchin' on your body
You got me touchin' on your body
To say that we're in love is dangerous
But girl I'm so glad we're acquainted
I get you touchin' on your body
I get you touchin' on your body
I know I'd rather be complacent
But girl I'm so glad we're acquainted, we're acquainted
Momma caught me cryin', cryin', cryin', cryin'
I won't find somebody that's real (she wants somebody that's real)
Cause every time I try to, try to, try to run
The fast life keeps gaining on me, shit
But ever since I met you
I couldn't believe what you did
So comfort me babe, ain't no rush from me babe
I keep on touchin' on your body
I keep on touchin' on your body
To say that we're in love is dangerous
But girl I'm so glad we're acquainted
I got you touchin' on your body
I got you touchin' on your body
I know I'd rather be complacent
But girl I'm so glad we're acquainted, we're acquainted
I'm not trying to talk at all
Cause I'm trying to love you crazy
Put some more inside your cup
And drink till you numb the pain
I got you touchin' on your body
These girls keep touchin' on their body
They got accustomed to the life we live
These girls born in the 90's are dangerous
I got 'em thinkin' that they want me
Although they know they not the only
I got 'em wanting to embrace their sins
These girls born in the 90's are dangerous
Another song is "Girls Your Age" by Transviolet. The song has interesting story, check it out here. The song's so my style, and the lyrics is on point.
17 runnin from innocence, like it's a lion
Nipping at my heels, but I'm young so I out run 'em
Jailbait baby hunting men in their 20's
Cupid's shooting arrows, but I'm cold so I outgun 'em
Bad boy talking fast, talking dirty
He tells me that I'm hot, so I tell him that I love him
And he says girls your age,
Never mean what they say
I've got a renegade heart,
And it's screaming his name
But then it beats like
You've got time to kill baby
Don't go jump the gun
Live fast while you're young honey
Don't go chasing love, chasing love
21 thrown back revelry, like it's morphine
Thought I knew what I wanted, I never saw you coming
Black suit, looking sharp with your dark eyes
He loves my imperfections, so I tell him that I love him
Bad boy talking fast, talking dirty
He tells me that I'm hot, so I tell him that I love him
This post isn't what I usually do, and I'd never create one if I didn't have a bunch of non-Russian friends.
I remember a dialogue between me and one American guy back in LA. We discussed Russian music, he wondered how Russian rap sounded. I said I couldn't reproduce a sample, because I don't like Russian music. And that guy was like "What? What about Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff?" I was pleased with such a reply, because indeed Russian classics are everything, and I really enjoy Tchaikovsky, and also Mussorgsky is the man. But those noble men lived and created many years ago; what about now? Not so long ago I talked to the Australian about the music of the 60's-70's, and I mentioned one Russian singer of the 20th century I like, he's name Muslim Magomaev. He had an incredible opera voice, his songs were and still are hits. I sent one of my fave songs to the Australian, but he never reacted to me about that. But still 60'-70's are the decades back in the twentieth century.
Nowadays Russian pop music makes me sad. Russian not-only-pop music doesn't bring me lighter mood either. Most of the songs are vulgar and worthless, the lyrics have no meaning, the melodies are catchy, but not beautiful. Still! there are a handful of songs that caught my attention. Most of them are slow, low-key tracks with a bit doleful lyrics - everything I like, isn't it? I'd like to share them with you, even though non-Russian speakers won't understand a thing. In such cases I say to myself: "Everything is about love!" It's not a ranked list, just in the order I recall the songs.
The first one is going to be the song by a Ukrainian band, actually. The band's called "Boombox", the song's title is "Ta 4to" [Ta Chto], it roughly translates as "the girl that..." For example, the first line is "The girl that used to be with me, where are you now?.."
The next song is "Нева" (Neva) by the group "5'nizza" [piatniza]. Neva is a river in St. Petersburg. The song is hard to translate into English, because the authors play on words a lot, and that's exactly what I like in this song. And the melody is nice.
Another one is pretty popular in Russia. It's called "Оружие"("Weapon") by Pizza (easy). Of course, it's not about literal weapon, but love.
Let girls be here too. The next track's "Одно и то же" ("The Same Things") by the band "IOWA". The band is known to produce foolish songs (for me), but this one is really good.
This song was even once translated by me for one post, because I discussed about the religion a little bit, and the track has the same title "Религия" ("Religion") by Eva Bushmina. Again it's not about the religion, but about love so powerful, so it can be compared to it. There were some arguments about such title and attitude in the society, but I like the idea of the song.
What else? Hmm... I don't have much to say about this track, I just heard it in live on TV and liked it. "Браво" ("Bravo") - "На Лунный Свет" ("To The Moonlight").
I think that's it for today. I have a couple more songs in my pocket, but I guess these 6 are enough to understand my Russian preferences. If you find something attractive, I can try and translate that for you, just let me know!
I usually post something on the Internet thinking of someone particular. When I share my photo, I think "I'd like him to notice it" or if I write a note, I come up with "Oh, she might find it interesting" and so on. Sometimes I want so badly to be paid attention I don't actually need. I'd better read something - I do have plenty stuff to read - but I waste my time speculating if I should public this pic or not. Should I write him or not? Will they like this post? Do people even read my writing? Like, you know, I started it all as pure practise for my English, and now I really think about the audience, or at least imagine that I have one. I never forget that the blog is my relief, but nowadays I treat it not only like my way to relax, but also like a way of improving my skills of a writer; I treat my blog as a semi-professional thing. Now singing is rather my hobby than writing.
And so I should stop thinking about someone special when I do something on the Internet. If I do it, I should do it for myself or for everybody at once - there are only two. If I wanna write something for a particular person, I should write it in the message. Why do I put silly hints in my public posts thinking "Oh, he must get the meaning, he'll understand!" He mustn't do anything! Or she, whoever! Why do I seek for that stupid attention? People who need me will definitely write me sooner or later. If I feel the need of connection, I ought to write - why waste time deciding?
Things on the Internet should be understandable and - by far more important - interesting to everyone. I do understand that sometimes, when I write about my mere mortal life, I describe things not so interesting for other people. Yes, here the first 'rule' - I do it for myself. But also I want to make people interested in the field, the theme I write about. Is it another way to gain some heed? No, I don't think so. If I hint at someone in my publications, I feel like I'm screaming "Hey! Yes, you! I need you! I remember you! Look here! Check this out!" If I write about something happening in my life not concerning other people, I feel like I involve people in my atmosphere, in what I do, what my life is like; I want them to learn about things other people experience though my prose moments.
You may be thinking now, "Is she high or something?" I must warn you I've been reading philosophical works by Pascal and Spinoza these days. It's not the last post containing my deep reflections. I try to grasp myself through expressing things with the help of words. "My purpose is to explain, not the meaning of words, but the nature of things" - from "Ethics" (1677) by Spinoza. My oh my, who knew that I'd fall for the philosophy of the seventeenth century?
Actually I have so many ideas I'd like to write in my blog, but I need some time organizing them in my head first. Plus I don't have much time this week. You know, my birthday will be this Sunday, so... Yeah, somehow I've found some time to be typing these letters right now. But it's more on the wave of inspiration, not so much of a long hard work. I should be doing my homework, to be honest.
Talking about less lofty things, everything goes on and on. We started reading in Gothic, a grandfather of English. It's so funny! So cool to see the connection between Gothic and modern English words, follow some common changes. Every now and then I realize I made a right choice about my specialization.
The song of the day... let it be "Girls Chase Boys". It's such a light-hearted track - as a balancing opposition to all that mess I've written.
