Happy new life Last year I thought I was the unhappiest girl...I was in trouble, depressed and didn't see anything among my problems. I was pregnant, alone, didn't have enough money at the bank account, my parrents didn't understand me and were depressed too..they lived in another city. I can't say that I was strong and managed all staff successfully. No...I was in strange hole, all my thoughts were depressive. But at the same time I tried to be focused on routine, some actions that I had to do. And after some challenging montgs I realized that I felt better, I was more positive and managed some staff by myself. It was the most difficult year...really difficult. But now I've begun stronger, more experinced and open-minded. I've understood that all our problems stay with us if we don't think how we should solve it. No matter how you're sensetive, you should ne sensible and positive. You sholudn't think that your life is a trouble. It depends on your impression, thoughts, goals and actions. You can do everything if you really want it. So...now I have a wonderful daughter, new job, new goals...and happy new life!

Postcrossing Postcrossing isn't a new hobby for majority but it's still an interesting an unusual activity. A lot of people meet every day, merry and...send postcards to each other. Some of postcards are bright and black&wight, modern and old-fashioned, hand-made and bought in the shop round the corner. The major part of postcrossers try to choose a postcard in lign with postcrosser's wish-list, sometimes it takes more than couple of days. On the Internet you can meet the beginners and enthusiastic collectors. I've been an active postcrosser for more than one year. And I'm confident to say that every 'addres' (or user whom you send a postcard) is a unique and causes a lot of emotions. Someone collects bus tickets and cash nacnotes from fifferent countries, someone will be happy to receive a packaging from flakes, someone likes promo-postcards and booklets, someone keen on collecting cabdy wrappers...So every time whenever I clean up the house I want to put it all in a box and send to someone =) As I said before the main idea is choosing the right postcard, stamps and phrases which you write on the another side of postcard for unknown person. A lot of postcrossers like more choosing postcards than receiving postcard (with rare Elvis's photo). They like reading about this person and try to imagine 'him', his life, and they choose smth especially for 'him', write smth about themselves, glue stamps, send it to him and wait until 'he' writes "Wow! You make me happy!". It warms the soul in our modern World of The Internet-technology, e-mails and on-line chats. Make happy each other...may be it's the main meaning in the stamp which costs 26.50 rb. PS: There were 3 postcards from different countries (from USA, Finland and South Africa) in my mail-box while I was writting this post. They are my three pieces of happiness with 'hello' from the far countries.

My impression from books 'January' Two weeks ago I decided to read something and chose 'Norwegian forest' by Haruki Murakami. I didn't read anything by Murakami before. So why 'Norwegian forest'...it's a novel which brought a world-wide fame to Murakami and I like Bitlz. Firstly, In my point of view it's a very unusual novel with a main idea 'death-life'. At the begining I couldn't realize why it's a strange for me. Then I thought about the Japanese mentality and their attitude to death. Death is a part of life for them and it's a positive part, not negative as in European culture. And it's a really strange feeling to think about death in a positive way. Secondly, I found out some interesting ideas about perfectionism and priorities in life. There were some short stories of different people. Some of them were successful, some of them not, but all of them were ordinary and unusual at the same time. Life is short and we should try and do what we want not waiting while we became better, smarter, healthier, etc. We should live and be happy here and now. Present is the best time for everything. The past isn't changebale, the future depends on a lot of circumstancies and only the present is a reality. So we should value it and use this possibility to make our future. Second book which I decided to read is 'Think Fast and Slow' by Danial Kahneman. I haven't finished reading yet. And my first impressions may be change but I can say with all certainty that there are a lot of interesting and simple ideas which I haven't noticed before. We can manage our reactions, emotions and concentrate our consciousness on the importand things and tasks. It helps us to be more successful in studies, work and social life. And all we need to know is...so easy, but so difficult to use it in 'every-day-life'. And third book which I started to read yeasterday is 'Magic Mountain' by Thomas Mann. I like this book from the beginning because it's a classical work with detailed explanations, different stories, philosophical ideas. So it's not easy to read but it's a real pleasure. That's all about books and my impressions. I'll carry on reading and writting about it here and in my blog later.

Customs and traditions Could you explane the difference betweeen 'customs' and 'traditions'? In what cases should I use these words?

Expression 'generous in your judgement' of somebody I've come across this expression and found out some examples of using of it but I can't catch the meening. Please help me! Thank you in advance!

Expressions with 'dignity' Can I use these expressions or it's very old fashioned? - to stand of my dignity 0 beneath of my dignity

So hard luck on that one In whar cases can I use this expression? (formal/informal, etc)

Obesity as a modern problem Nowadays there are a lot of countries where people suffers from obesity. And at the same time their level of fitness and health is decreasing day by day. What's the problem? In my point of view this problem is actual for developed countries not for developing. I'm sure that in developed countries there are a lot of types of products, food and services. And people in developed countries don't want to make effort to have something else. They are used being a consumer, they don't like to produce something useful. I can give you an example from my personal experience. I did't have any opportunities to buy tasty food and go to fitness club 5 years ago. I had to work a lot to pay for my education and a flat. It was very difficult but that time I did't have any problems with my weight and health at all. It's a paradox because I spent a lot of energy on work and trying to survive and I was healthier than now. Today I can afford to visit a fitness club every day, buy useful food and use a lot of services but I'm lazier than 5 years ago. In my opinion in developing countries there are not problems with obesity. Of course the governments of the countries can't afford to provide a good health servise but they do their best. People from developing countries don't have our opportunities and in general they have to make more efforts to make their lives better. And it makes them healthier. We can compare people from developing countries with people from developed countries. I'm sure the level of lives will be very different but if we compare a level of obesity, fitness and health it will be completely contrary. What should we do to solve this problem? In my point of view we have to promote fitness and other special healthy programms in developed countries. It helps to stimulate people to make something for their lives by themselves. And also we can help developing countries to make their healthy and fitness services better and more available. In conclusion I would like to mention that we shouldn't stop and carry on developing futher even when we have everything in our lives. And modern trend of level of obesity, health and fitness illustrates our problems clearly. Let's go to solve these difficulties together!

My Christmas Holiday I spent my Christmas holiday in Georgia. It's a fantastic country! There are a lot of beautiful mountains! Tbilisi is a capital of Georgia. And for me it's the best city to walk, relax and think about my life. At this time I decided to stay in a holet (not at my friend's home) and visit some sights in Tbilisi. I want to tell that the hotels are reasonably priced and the area is safe. There are a lot of large houses which have been turned into small hotels. As a result they have a good, warm and friendly atmosthere. The rooms a small but they are kept clean and have a tea-tray. So you can make yourself a cup of tea or coffee if you want. The Georgia's food is the best! There are a lot of meat dishes, local types of cheese, fruit, cakes, wine! I think I must have put some weights. So, I managed to visit the main sights in Tbilisi, go for a walk in the historical center, get in touch with my friends and meet interesting people! When I came to Tbilisi I was very sad and my mood was...it was a disaster. Because suddenly I had to celebrate New Year alone...and I didn't want to do anything. But Georgia helps me to relax and get me a good mood. When I came back to Moscow I was fine. And now my life is better, than last year. I trust the best things will be in the future! Happy New Year!