Underwater World

The first time I plunged my head with a mask on into water I felt I entered the party I wasn't invited at. Scores of fishes were swimming by without a slightest hint of attention, busily going up and down for their special reasons. The colors - that's what struck me most - the colors were bright, vivid and numerous - yellow and blue, purple and black, red, orange, green... Life above immediately felt plain, blunt, boring. 

For the first time I only noticed bigger things - huge pieces of reefs, bigger fish, greenish algae. Swimming afterwards I began paying attention to those little things that were happening around me. Life was quite interesting - deep down to the bottom grey plain-looking fish was trying to hide in a burrow while its bright yellow and black friend was eating a piece of reef. Schools of fish gathered around for reasons they only knew. Surprisingly , I got a feeling that I was flying above the wonderful city with fishes being the citizens of it, bustling around the streets doing their stuff. 

An unforgettable feeling indeed.

Off we are.

Strangely enough, I've never been to the proper sea coast . Black see doesn't count, I mean mostly Turkey or Egypt. I've travelled half-way across the world to the USA, been to England, Germany, Czech Republic, but never gone to the ordinary coast. This is where I am headed now - to explore the secrets of the Red Sea.

This post is written from Rostov Airport where I am sitting half-freezed as it is only 2 degrees. Can't believe that by the end of the day I will be dressed in my summer clothes hiding from the sun and enjoying the heat. 

Wonders and Tragedies of Life

I've already written that my brother was coming to visit. The main reason was actually to see our granddad who has been really sick recently. Dmitry wanted him to meet his greatgranddaugher who has turned 6 month today. He was afraid it might be too late.

It was never meant to be. My granddad passed away in the morning. My brother will arrive in the evening. He will never see his little Mary and Mary won't know how much she was loved.

Life is so unpredictable.

Future is a Postponed Now

In one of my favourite movie "What Do Men Speak About" A. Makarevch expressed a great idea - there is no more future. Future has become a well-planned present. You know your life is going to be the same, just a bit later. Same people, same restaurants, same everything.

I am having a kind this feeling now. My life is planned almost years ahead - my niece's baptizing, best friend's mariage, visit to my brother.... All of this requires so much planning that I found myself trapped in my own future plans. Tough feeling, indeed.

What's the reason to write all that? Well, my brother called me yesterday and said he was coming to visit this Thursday. He lives in Germany now, so it came as a big surprise to all of us! He wants his little daughter to get to meet all of her great-grandparents. So, I am now reconsidering my nearest future appointments and plans to spend some time with him.

Life indeed is full of surprises.

A journey of 10 000 miles begins with the first step.

The idea of this blog came up to me when I suggested to my wonderful graduates that they should keep a diary in English. Personally, I believe that keeping a diary is not only a good practice in English, but a great way to reflect on your life. So, in order to maintain my level and to support my students, I am starting this blog.

The name occured after an entertaining discussion with some of the mentioned above students that they have nothing to write about. Nonsense! Life can't be boring, especially when you are 17. I am not, but my life is anything but boring. Need proof? Keep reading.

Today the school I work in organized the traditional Health Day for all our kids. This happens twice a year and usually is one of my most favourite ways to spend a day. A Monday especially. Great nature, fresh air, smiling faces around and good food - what else can a person wish for on a work day? I got in all. Well, you know it, I'll refrain from the commonplace descriptions, just believe me - the place is worth it.

An interesting thing happened to us on the way there. We sat down in a taller bus which (as it turned out later) couldn't get through the winding and bushy country lane which led to the camping place. So, we were supposed to stay and wait until the other bus came and picked us up. Which we did for a while, but then decided to walk to the place. Walk, I mean it. Good two kilometeres. On foot. It turned out to be the best idea of the day. While we were walking down the picturesque lane and breathing fresh air, we started recalling our endless walking tours in London where we covered miles within a day. I remember how much my legs hurt, but without hesitation, I would do it again at once. We were walking there, shouting to our students to watch for the passing-by cars from time to time and enjoyed the moment. Carpe diem, yeah. Those who missed the trip wouldn't even realises how good we felt afterwards.

Memories of our London adventures together with the beauty of our countryside have made my day, indeed.

Stay tuned.