Bielarussia

Welcome everybody! I just came back from the trip to Grodno in Bielarussia, where I went with my company co-workers for the entertainment weekend. It was my first visit there, though Bielarussia is just behind our east border, with Grodno not as far as 80 km from the city I live in.

Bielarussia is specific country. After seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Belarus attained its independence in 1991. It has retained closer political and economic ties to Russia than any of the other former Soviet republics. Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union on 8 December 1999 envisioning greater political and economic integration. Although Belarus agreed to a framework to carry out the accord, serious implementation has yet to take place. Since his election in July 1994 as the country's first president, Aleksander Lukashenko has steadily consolidated his power through authoritarian means. Government restrictions on freedom of speech and the press, peaceful assembly, and religion continue.

But the country, at least Grodno, seems to be a normal city. We stayed at Semashko Hotel- the only private hotel in Grodno, which, apart from it's totally original interior design, can be recommended to everybody wanting to visit the city.

We were amazed by the condition of roads there (in Poland it still is an urging problem), as well as with the tidiness everywhere from the city centre to the small villages outside the town, where we went to see maybe something more of what is called "the last in Europe museum of communism". In one of the villages we went to a shop, which looked I quess similar to Polish shops in deep communism era.
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The lady behind the counter was a really nice woman- told us about the village, its history and quided us to the river.
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Grodno is situated by the river- Niemen.

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To see this beautiful river in more natural conditions, we went outside the city.

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Grodno is constantly developing. When entering the city, the look of massive building grounds welcomes tourists.

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The worst thing was the language limitation of mine- my friends speak russian quite well, but with my english only I couldn't communicate with almost no one- including shoppers and bartenders- but this last one wasn't a problem at all :). In fact Polish and Russian languages are more than a bit similar, but having no particular contact with native speakers it's hard to figure out what they talk about. What's more, some of them speak Russian, some Bielarussian- which differs from the first one, some mix those two making it sound strange. By the way- Lukashenko made Russian, not Bielarussian native language. What's more, at schools children can't learn the latter. Strange, isn't it?

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Another astounding thing were some customs we encountered. In the evening young people use to meet in the beautifully tended square parks, and sitting there on benches they chat while drinking wine and beer. In Poland it wouldn't be possible as drinking in public places is restricted. But well, if You want to get to know, locals You have to act like them. So before going to discos, which start not sooner than 12 a.m., we sat in the centre of the old city, boozing and getting to know the natives, who as the matter of fact, are very open and kind people. We didn't meet any restrictions, though people we met there weren't willing to discuss any political issues including Lukasheko himself.

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It's the "drinking park" where we spent two evenings before going to have fun on the disco.

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The sign on the building say "Ja ljublu tiebia Białoruś" meaning "I love You Belarussia". A local patriotism I quess.

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Generally speaking,the trip was a hell of a fun and we'll surely come back to Bielarussia, maybe to Minsk this time.

World of Words

Up until now I've been interested in the origin of only polish words, though many of them come from latin and therefore are more international and can be found in many eauropean languages. But I found a nice page of Oxford- World of Words, where each week they publish new word and its history. A nice word this week. Enjoy!

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Budget- [late Middle English] Old French bougette, a diminutive of bouge "leather bag", has given English bulge. Latin bulga "leather bag, knapsack" is the source, of Gaulish origin. The word originally denoted a pouch or wallet, and later its contents. In the mid 18th century, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in presenting his annual statement, was said "to open the budget". In the late 19th century, the use of the term was extended from governmental to private or commercial finances.

My Body

How important is it for me to look good? I look in the mirror many times a day, try to keep the proper weight as I know the way I look contributes to the way I feel about myself and the world around me. I like to look good, attractive, sexy- it makes me feel comfortable with myself. I like wearing nice clothes which make my body look good. It gives me a boost in my confidence and mood. I can't deny that the part of accepting myself is accepting my own body, which should be treated like a temple, as it carries our souls and minds through the whole life and is the way to comunicate with people. Do I care for my body too much? Am I being vain? Most will say- hell yeah! But why?

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Don't You firstly judge people by their appearance? I do. And it's perfectly natural. And so do all of You, though You may solemnly deny it. After You get to know person's character, only then You can make out what kind of human You deal with. But well, You don't always have such a chance, so the first impression about that person, whether You want it or not, stays in Your head.

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How would I react then if my body changed rapidly during and after pregnancy? What would I see in the mirror? Will I have big stretch marks? Will I care for having them? Will it be an issue? And firstly, why do I ask myself those questions, if I don't even think of having children at least for a year.

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Well, that is because of The Shape of a Mother - a website, where women post the stories and pictures of their post-pregnancy bodies. It shocked me. It truly did. Why? Because the bodies shown there are usually hidden by long shirts and trousers, never exposed. We're surrounded only by beautiful pregnant bellies of models and actresses, who soon after giving birth amazingly quickly come back to their previous shape. Is something wrong with it? No. It's just very rare, yet for such laymen as myself seems to be a totally normal thing. Well, at least to the moment one of Your friend or yourself get pregnant and see that bodies are different and differently react to the process of "growing". And there I go, another symptom of being a laymen- I talk only of the body whereas pregnency means there is a new life inside, a new human, a miracle of nature that grows in the woman's womb. But would I like my body to change so much? No. Would I give up my good look for my own baby?

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Yet.

Bliss

I'm in the "bliss phase" of my life right now. And that means everything makes me happy, my mood nearly close to nirvana, the future is promising and I'm ready for new challenges. My big holidays are waiting for me- lots of places to visit, beauty to see and laughter to share.

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Yet in that happiness of mine, there is always a small tint of shade, which I know will grow day after day, to one moment capture me again into the shadow. Up this moment I will sure enjoy that overcoming shivers I get whenever I see or hear something touching. Don't know 'bout You, but India Arie still works for me, especially when listening to her music during my bicycle rides.

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And right now sitting on that sweet evening, drinking my latte, having time for my writing and a book, light breeze cooling my body, feeling safe and confident- this is my moment- pleasure of simplicity.

Picasso Project

I'm indulging in life and art of Picasso. To be born a genius- an amazing, yet frightening and extremely hard way ahead.

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If for a moment You'd like to become Picasso, go ahead and give it a try.

Mr Picasso Head http://www.mrpicassohead.com/create.html

Geniuses

There are people who are born to do certain things, people who would not be themselves having no chance of fullfilling their destiny. Those are geniuses. People determined to act and to create, people tormented with their constant pursue towards perfection, towards making real the ingenius ideas crowding in their minds.

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They are the essence of creation. Having touched the invisible and inaccessible levels of humanity, closing themselves to the higher conciousness, they leave the trace for the ordinary rest to follow, so we can make ourselves better by tasting those crumbles of ultimate beauty left for us behind on their way.

My Quote - Pythagoras

Rest satisfied with doing well,

and leave others to talk of you as they please.

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Pythagoras (582 BC - 507 BC)

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1500 years and still it's a truth in every word. The more I live and experience, the more that idea appeals to me and turns our right. You can't satisfy everybody! The hell, anyway what's the point in satisfying someone more than yourself?

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The inner peace, understanding of one's needs and abilities, as well as settting one's own values and priorities is very important in life. Without feeling good with oneself, how can one possibly be understanding and loving towards the others?

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That's why I usually give a f..k about other's opinions about me. I believe I have enough of common sense and experience to tell the sweet lie from the truth, the unfair critics or praise from the genuine concern or advice. My self- confidence and certainty that I have a support in people I love and trust is enough for me.