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.

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…

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.

1

Geoff says:
August 28, 2007 @ 14:27

I can’t believe you are getting Cook’s Illustrated! I’ve been a subscriber to that mag for years, and I love it. They go through all the different ways you can prepare a meal, and then give you the recipe that works best. Love it, and in fact I had marked that Tiki recipe to make sometime soon, just hadn’t gotten to it yet, glad to know it worked.

2

Alena says:
August 28, 2007 @ 16:57

Wow, Geoff, I would have never guessed that you read this magazine too! I guess, it has to do with the stereotype of cooking being mainly women’s responsibility. You’re one of those rare precious guys who cook and actually like it. (Not that I mind being the cook in our family).

Should definitely try the Tikka-Masala recipe.

3

Geoff says:
August 28, 2007 @ 17:22

In my defense (kind of), almost all of the world’s most famous chefs are men.

4

Daniel says:
August 28, 2007 @ 17:48

Dude, I’m pretty sure it was a compliment. Why are you defending against it?

5

Alena says:
August 28, 2007 @ 18:13

Yeah, definitely a compliment.

I know that men dominate the field of professional cooking industry. I was referring to non-professionals, usual people like us.

6

Monica says:
February 29, 2008 @ 07:12

Dear friend,
I´m Monica from Spain.
Could you send me your Tikka MAssala Chicken recipe?
Thank you very much
Best regards

7

Alena says:
February 29, 2008 @ 15:58

Done!

I hope you’ll like the result.

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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!

1

Lënchik says:
August 26, 2007 @ 14:17

damn 200k already, i know of a good way to refresh that.

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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.

1

Boris says:
August 21, 2007 @ 14:33

Спасибо, сынок! Мы вчера с мамой думали о нашей жизни и решили, что было бы неплохо отметить нашу золотую свадьбу, а уж дальше, как Бог даст. Мы надеемся, что ты с Аленой продолжишь нашу традицию.

2

Lënchik says:
August 26, 2007 @ 14:20

Damn. Too bad I wasn’t there for such a great occasion. Sorry I couldn’t congradulate them myself.
Do that for me if you can.
Thanks

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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!

1

Eldar says:
August 28, 2007 @ 18:25

Well I got my tix too. Will arrive in Vegas a bit earlier then you but leave 5(!!) hours later, just enough time to do…. ehrm…. stuff.

2

Daniel says:
August 28, 2007 @ 18:27

Awesome! Going to be another cool vacation!

3

Daniel says:
October 15, 2007 @ 14:01

Update: Lenchik’s mom said that she is ordering tickets for him to get to Vegas on the evening on November 18th and he’ll be flying out of there on November 21st.

Only a couple of days, but still is much better then nothing.

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