GrandCentral is a new service recently acquired by Google. It’s currently in beta and registration is by invitation only. I got invited by a friend and now have several invitations of my own that I can send out. Drop me a line if you want one. 0

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Our Apartment In 3D

As I mentioned earlier I’ve decided to finally figure out how Google SketchUp works. The objective: build a complete 3D model of our apartment. I have to say that this was the 4th time I installed SketchUp. I just didn’t have the patience to figure it out before. But once you get a hang of several simple concepts - the thing is amazing. I just love it now.

It took me 3 evening to complete this, but the main layout is done. Next stage will be to concentrate on smaller details, as windows, frames, heater units, kitchen cabinets and bathroom. I don’t know if I’ll be able to complete it all, but I’ll try when I have some free time. I really enjoyed this little project so far.

In conclusion I want to say that you’re looking at an exact replica of our apartment accurate to a quarter of an inch.

It’s already August 30th, so I can congratulate Danya with one more milestone in his life. Happy Birthday, my love! May all your dreams come true!!! 3

Thursday, August 30, 2007

The School Has Started Again

The school has started on Monday. I’ve registered for 6 classes and plan to get As for all of them.

The first one is a Finance course with a fancy name Investment Analysis. I’ve got a young teacher, he is not too experienced, but very enthusiastic.

I think he is Korean (judging from the face and the accent). I hope this course will be as interesting as was the Corporate Finance one. Read more…

In: Life In General
Time: 00:51 Comments: No Comments Post a Comment

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Chicken Tikka Masala

When we moved to our new apartment, Danya decided that we need to subscribe to some magazines to intensify the glorious feeling of being homeowners (the truth is that we own shares, not property, but it doesn’t really matter). So Danya ended up with 2 photo magazines, and I got a year subscription for 2 cooking ones.

One of mine is Cooks Illustrated, and I’ve already received 3 issues. The last one had that nice recipe of Chicken Tikka Masala, and tonight I tried it out. It turned out to very delicious, and was pretty easy to cook too. Since Danya is not a fan of rice, I served it with mashed potatoes and a yogurt-based cucumber salad (in our family it goes by it’s Turkish name cacik, which is actually pronounced djadjik).

I don’t want to give the recipe here because of all the copyrights stuff, but if you want it, feel free to ask me. The chicken came out really tender and juicy, the sauce smells and tastes like it was made in a nice Indian restaurant, even though I didn’t have to buy any exotic spices.

In: Food & Dining, Life In General
Time: 22:50 Comments: 8 Comments Post a Comment

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

200,000 Miles

Today, on my way home, our car’s odometer turned over to 200,000 miles. I didn’t catch the exact number as I didn’t have my camera with me, but 200,005 is close enough.

When I bought the car in February, 2003 it had 99,000 miles on it. It took me 4 and a half years to put another 100,000 on it. For our Russian friends: 200,005 miles is 321,877 kilometers. Now that is a lot of driving!

It took cops 6 years to put on 99,000 miles!

In: Life In General Tags: Caprice, car
Time: 22:34 Comments: 1 Comment Post a Comment

Только что дочитала Кафка на Пляже Харуки Мураками. Читать было очень интересно, впечатления от книги в целом положительные, но немного двоякие. Такое чувство, что я что-то недопоняла, что-то неуловила. Автор утверждает, что эту книгу надо читать много раз. Вполне возможно, он прав. Вполне возможно, я даже перечитаю Кафку через годик.

А вообще, Мураками люблю. Хоть он и слишком популярен.

Monday, August 20, 2007

30 Years Together

Today my parents celebrate their 30th anniversary together. I wanted to wish them 30 years more and to thank them for our (mine and my sister’s) great lives that we owe completely to them. To think, 30 years! It’s longer them my whole life (for obvious reasons too).

I only wish to be able to do what they have done, and I think I’m on the right way!

And the hardest part will be raising such a great pair of children.

Thank you for being the best parents anybody could hope for! All of us love you very much and wish you long long lives together.

P.S. Vika gave my mom a great present for her birthday - a romantic dinner aboard a ship on the Hudson river for two. I just spoke with my dad and they sound like they really did love it.

Great thinking, Vika.

In: Life In General, Wedding
Time: 23:41 Comments: 2 Comments Post a Comment

Monday, August 20, 2007

Anniversary in Las Vegas

Several days ago we booked a trip to Las Vegas, yet again. We timed it so we’re going to end up there during the 1st anniversary of our wedding.

For the moment it’s going to be Alena and I and Eldar. If anybody else wants to join us for this vacation we’d be glad to hang out with you! That’s why I’m posting our exact booking information below.

We’re staying in Luxor (which by the way costs us $565 for 6 nights with all taxes and fees included). We’re flying out from Newark airport on Continental. The flight to Vegas leaves at 8:50am and arrives at 11:53am on Sunday, November 18th. The flight back leaves at 2:30pm and is on Saturday, November 24th. And our anniversary falls on Friday, November 23rd.

Come on and join us now!

In: Travel, Wedding
Time: 15:17 Comments: 3 Comments Post a Comment

Our friend Vicky has always been extravagant when it comes to clothing. You may like her style or not, but there is no doubt that it’s hard to miss her in the crowd. She just opened a site with some of her ideas in flesh, don’t hesitate to check it out! 0