It is the power of silence Last week I attended the concert by “Ballet Todes". “Ballet Todes” (or just only “Todes”) by Alla Duchova is a very well-known dance group in Russia. I think you known it. I have opened it when I have been studying in high school . It was a merit of my friend. She dreamed of dancing in this group. But she got a refuse. Jury told her that she had weak preparation. They said that she should have started to dance since early age. I saw a lot of interviews with participants of the group and with Alla Duchova. All of them say that they don’t have another life except the dance. Dance occupies all their time. I read a lot about Alla Duchova. She is a staggering woman. She obtained everything herself without somebody’s patronage. Do you know that she worked in a circus when she was 15? Her first group was called “Experiment”. It was a girlsband. Then their group united with a boysband ”Todes”. Her group as ,,Todes,, appeared on the stage in 1987 in St-Petersburg. I like all shows because in the first place movements of Todes dancers are very efficient, accurate, well rehearsed. Choreography is ideal! In the second place Todes dancers always have delightful costumes. The show was very impressive as usual. Todes show included many different numbers and styles. For example, acrobatic numbers, break dance, strip-dance and of course jazz-modern. One number stuck in my memory. The one which was devoted to Michael Jackson’s creativity. Todes dancers danced to most popular M. Jackson’s songs. They copied his choreography sometimes. When I was watching it, I understood that Michael Jackson was a very great man. And he has done all get-out for world’s art. Now it seems that I’ve rediscovered a Michael Jackson I’d never seen before. It is the power of silence. That’s when dance tells you everything and without words. It is remarkable!

The best place The best place I’ve visited is Amsterdam, the capital of Netherlands. It’s a crazy city and everybody knows it! It was two year ago during my winter holiday. I flew to stay with my friends. Of course, I visited all the tourist places – Dam square, Van Gogh museum, Science Center Nemo and Museum of Madam Tussauds. I like Amsterdam because it has lots of canals and narrow streets. I took a walk along Amsterdam’s streets and admired the architecture. Then we ate in the street. It’s very tasty! I think it is a city of small houses, shops, cafes and night clubs. I had never seen such small night clubs! And it’s very comfortable for me. In addition I bought ‘klomp’. They are national Dutch shoes. But traditional klomp are made of tree , while mine are of soft cloth. And now I am wearing them at home. Then I remember my visit in Amsterdam!

Friendship between a man and a woman. Is it real? We have many opinions on the question. On the one hand – “Yes, of course”. But on the other hand – “No, it is incredible!” I think the answer on the question is very difficult. There are many men and women who are friends. But there are a few people who are friendless. That is why men and women will be good friends equally. Is friendship between a man and a woman real? In kindergarten we choose friends by interests, character. And sex was not important. In high school we are more selective. Girls will be friends with girls, while boys be friends with boys. But all changes in high school and university. It is connected with search of a husband and a wife. Not rarely young people surround themselves with people of another sex to choose a partner in life. But all this friendship of different sexes finishes later with the wedding of one of the friends. As concerns me, I think friendship between a man and a woman is real under certain conditions. If people are relatives or they have different religion (but they are tolerant to each others religions – it is very important!) they will be friends. If we haven’t it always friendship develop into other feeling. It well be passion or the love ets. Italian thinks the passion arise between a man and a woman always. And it dependn’t on age and social status. If one man and one woman to take only one night together. Nobody beliven’t what they just read aloud “Romeo and Juliet” by Shakespeare all night! We have other examples of real friendship. But every rule has exceptions!

First notebook entry: Introducing myself I am learning English for my future profession. I`m future ophthalmologist. It` very difficult, but the most interesting part of medicine. Do you agree with me?