Day 62. Me myself and I

Ross: What was Monica’s nickname when she was a field-hockey goalie?

Joey: Big fat goalie!

Ross: Correct. Rachel claims this is her favorite movie.

Chandler: Dangerous Liaisons.

Ross: Correct. Her actual favorite movie is?

Joey: Weekend at Bernie’s.

Ross: Correct. In what part of her body did Monica get a pencil stuck at age 14?

Chandler: Oh! (Whispers an answer in Ross’s ear.)

Ross: Ew! No! Her ear!

Remember this episode of Friends? It’s hilarious. The reason I am forcing all of you into a deep nostalgia over the series, is because picture of the day is- Me. See below.

Now, I could never write a blog post about myself. I wouldn’t know what to say (or how to say it). I’ve been putting off this blog post for 3 days because I realized that describing me- would be pretty damn hard. I would not be honest, to put it frankly. This is where best friends and old Facebook notes come in handy. Have you ever been tagged in a silly game that made you write 25 random facts about yourself? Well I have. These are the answers from about a year ago and a half ago (laugh all you want):

Rules: Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose up to 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it’s probably because I want to know more about you.

1) For a long time i hoped someone would finally tag me, and i would get to write 25 random things about myself 🙂

2) I recently found out that I spend four years of my life studying a subject i have absolutely no interest in-Marketing! Talk about wasting your time 🙂

3) I have a phenomenal fear of dead things birds/cats/dogs/people. I freak out, panic, freeze in shock… I couldn’t even deal with a pet bird when it died, I got Cynthia to bury it appropriately (throw it in the garbage) when it died.

4) I was a huge Winnie the Pooh fan at age 11. Clock, pillow, poster, book, pen, and calendar- i had everything!

5) I know the characteristics of every zodiac sign by heart. Comes in handy when meeting new people.

6) My mother is a physics teacher; needless to say I did not get any of her genes!

7) I am extremely technologically challenged, the most I can do is change the batteries in the remote.

8) I once fearlessly dissected a hamster, poked his insides and enjoyed it! (All this in biology class, don’t worry)

9) I cannot do mathematics. I got really bad grades in school, and my mom spend a good amount of time listening to Ms.Rosemarry complain about me! The same went on in uni, and I am still not trusted with finding out 20% from $10,000 at work!

10) I spend more than I earn.

11) I insist on watching a scary movie, then hide behind the couch all night, while others enjoy the thrill!

12) I wore braces and glasses when I was 12! It was ridiculous, but then my teeth got straight, I got laser surgery, and I am finally pretty now!

13) I always eat something sour followed by something sweet, and vise versa! I like a balanced diet 🙂

14) I read every Harry Potter book, about thrice 🙂

15)..and I am a huge fan of Ice age and Nemo. I know all the quotes and use them daily 🙂

16) Amongst the things I would never try are skydiving, diving, rollercoaster rides and bungee jumping.

17) WE still didn’t go on a honeymoon 🙂

18) I’ve got friends in almost every country of the world! That is the advantage of going to an international school 🙂

19) I learned French for 6 years and i still cannot say “I need directions”

20) I am secretly a hippy, I like recycling, reusing, saving the nature and etc. (Shame on you BP!)

21) I am not addicted to coffee, cigarettes, shopping or any other destructives pleasures of life

22) I worked as Merchandiser in Mango (the shop) and spend most of my salary on Mango clothes! No fair!

23)I have relatives in 8 different countries : Uzbekistan, Russia, Syria, Dubai, Malaysia, France, Canada, and Oman

24) I am an awesome cook 🙂 It actually relaxes me when I am tired, now you all know why Alex married me 🙂

25) I have recently become the godmother of an adorable little boy!

P.S – some of the answers above don’t apply anymore, the other 98% still do.

However Cynthia also put in her 2c in order to help with this post about me. Because who knows me better than Cynthia? We must have been sisters in a past life or something, seeing her feels like coming home. If we were sisters, or even twins, she was most definitely the evil one, because this is what she reveled about me:

Cynthia’s revelations about Olga K:

1. Had every hair color in the book (including orange and peachy blonde)

2. Can eat pizza for breakfast any day

3. Is good at drawing

4. Knows French (I would not trust this one, see 19 above)

5. Used to get drunk off one beer (shame to all Russians)

6. Forgets to feed birds (PETA no worries, she doesn’t keep birds anymore) – see 3 above

7. Can burn off her lip by eating salt and vinegar chips nonstop in large quantities

8. Cannot stick to a detox diet for longer than a few hours

9. Considers salad a meal (wtf?)

10. Has friends all over the worlds and is in touch with them all- which proves she is a good friend

11. Once attempted to make a giant chocolate chip cookie. Note the “attempted part”. She didn’t realize it cannot be eaten as a whole

12. Doesn’t remember making that cookie because she has memory issues

13. Has a system for packing the groceries. God forbid anyone messes with that system

14. Claims she is a cat person, in reality she likes all pets

15. Talks in cartoon quotes. All.the.time “They do this every year!!!”

Now all my cards are out on the table.

If you never visit this blog AGAIN after reading this, I will understand…

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Day 53. My inspirations

I am very lucky to work in an architecturally brilliant property. Although I spend 95% of my time behind the desk at my computer, the moment I step out to the grounds of the hotel the magnificence of it hits me like a blast of cool air. And I am inspired. The contemporary contours, the rich fabrics, the sparkling chandeliers all buzz through my veins like a much needed dose of Redbull. I am a junkie for all things beautiful. To some extent, I am also easily distracted and terribly forgetful. There, now all my cards are right out there on the table- please feel free to use them against me. The good news is that with the help of vitamins, modern gadgets and a few god-sent people in my life I am successfully combating these waves of “I am sure I am not easily distra…oh look a Bunny!!!”. There are also days when my brain would be perfectly content with achieving one (!!!) critical task and after it will happily hibernate for the next 24 hours. I have managed to keep these personality disorders well away from my work-Olga-persona, because work-Olga and casual-Olga are the very different people. Sometimes I think I am overwhelmed, and that’s when I start feeling sorry for myself and….hibernate. These moods are deadly-especially with project 365 running non-stop. I cannot afford to slack off; I can’t allow myself to procrastinate. Over the years of this patterned and predictable behavior I have learned to effectively recharge my batteries, so below are just a few of the things that inspire me to get off my butt and do what it is that I have set out to accomplish:

When I cannot achieve anything at home I go to this helpful website:

When I need to write a blog post because I have been slacking-off this amazing, inspirational, full-of-great-ideas blog Want What You Have:

To be inspired to pick up my camera and carry on with Project-365 I visit Kara:

When I need guidance, spiritual healing or an ice cream companion this woman helps me:

To heal bad-spelling days and blonde moments:

To put into words the rage, attitude and sarcasm bubbling under my skin I go HERE:

To cool down and distress after a particularly challenging day at work:

After being surrounded by difficult, screaming kids that make me doubt the essence of motherhood this loving mother/family puts things in perspective:

When the challenges of womanhood overwhelm me, this legendary woman inspires me:

When I  get wrapped up in being a grown up and forget what “fun” is all about:

The End. Inspired Yet?

The wedding countdown…

I recently got my hands on Emirates Bride magazine, which is full of gorgeous gowns and good reads. I came across an article that I wish I had read while getting my own wedding together. It basically breaks down into timelines, all the to-dos…oh the wonders of being organized and in control.

Since I have a few gals in mind that may walk down the aisle this year or the next, this is for you ladies. Feel free to use it, copy-paste it or add your own check points:

After the engagement:

 Choose a wedding date

 Calculate your budget and draw up a spreadsheet

 Decide on the style and the theme of the wedding you want

 Speak to your religious head or registry office to confirm any necessary details

 Decide on and book the wedding and reception venues and note the guest capacity

 Make a preliminary guest-list, including your bridesmaids, best man and full wedding party.

 Choose those taking part in the ceremony

 Create and post Save The Date cards to notify guests of the engagement and wedding

 Discuss menu options, look at estimates for food and drink, then confirm caterer.

 Start looking for your wedding dress

 Book your photographer and videographer

 Start a health/beauty regime

Three months before:

 Organize a second meeting with your religious head and venue organizer to confirm timing and other details

 Finalize wedding cake options and place order

 Book transport to and from the ceremony and reception

 Discuss flowers arrangements with a florist, keeping in mind what will be in season

 Book a musical band or a DJ for the reception

 Decide on the honeymoon destination, book a hotel, transport and check passport

 Pick your wedding stationery and order of services and place your order

 Choose your wedding bands and order them

 Decide on your wedding dress, groom’s suit and the wedding parties attire for fittings

 Confirm wedding guest list

Two months before:

 Confirm all of your prior bookings

 Give your caterer the final head count noting any special dietary requirements

 Buy all of your accessories to match your dress including jewellery and shoes

 Speak to a hair and make-up artist and discuss potential looks

 Book another dress fitting appointment

 If you are getting married in a hotel, make sure you have a room booked for the day/night of the wedding for getting ready

 Decide if you are having centerpieces, discuss with florists and order them

 Notify your bank and any other official government bodies that require your change of name status

One month before:

 Book your hair and make-up artist for a trial and arrange timing for your wedding day

 Collect your wedding bands

 Arrange for a trusted friend or family member to bring the cake knife, toasting glasses, ring bearer pillow and flower girl baskets

 Draw up a seating plan

 Finalize the outfits for the groom, bride, bridesmaids, best man and bridal party

 Confirm running order of the ceremony with all relevant parties taking part in the ceremony

Two weeks before:

 Speak to your DJ and confirm a first dance song for the reception

 Have a final fitting of your dress with your veil, jewellery and shows. It helps to practice walking

 Reconfirm the honeymoon arrangements and pack for the vacation

 Confirm the number of guests with your caterer and finalize the seating plan

One week before:

 Arrange a rehearsal at the venue

 Re-confirm your photographer, florist, hair and make-up artist, transport and catering.

 Liaise with your photographer regarding specific shots you want

 Ensure anyone doing a speech has it written and ready to be presented

 Prepare an emergency wedding kit including dress repair materials, essential make up, tissues and other important materials

The day before:

 Help to decorate the reception venue if necessary and make sure all final details are in place

 Arrange for the cake to be delivered to the reception

 Relax and have an early night

On the day:

 Start with a good breakfast, as you will be on your feet for most of the day

 Ensure that you have plenty of time to get your hair an make up done

 Get everyone dressed and ready

 At the ceremony, the speeches rung in the order of father-of-the-bride, followed by the groom and then the best man

 At the end of the evening its tradition for the bride and groom to leave the reception first

Day 50. She would have inspired even Dr. Seuss

If you have ever watched “Horton Hears a Who” then you are without a doubt familiar with the yellow ball of fuzzy fluff by the name of Katie. The most memorable moment of the entire cartoon is when Katie says: “In my world everyone is a pony, and they all eat rainbows, and poop butterflies.” I have a Katie. Her name is Lyu and she is one of my closest friends. She is the kind of person that lights up an entire room by just walking into it. She is a muse, an inspiration and a rainbow of everything good in this world. I met Lyu in university, from the first week and to this momment she brightened my life with her huge,magical blue eyes and her ways- which are unique and splendid. She astonishes me with her fantastic fashion sense and her grace. I don’t think she knows how special she is to me, I was too busy being astonished by her to tell her how loved she is.Without a doubt she is one of the most interesting people I have ever met. I hope you all enjoy her guest post below, I have to share her…she is too remarkable to be kept to myself.

The Unrivaled Treasures
Since so many of my dearest people are far away from me in different corners of the world, the simplest things that somewhat relate to them gain a unique value. Thus, behold the unrivaled and incomparable… See More treasures that I own! These things, which may seem useless to some, remind me of so many dear moments more valuable than chests of gold and diamonds! So, everyone who knows what I am talking about, I am sharing my treasures with you and that you for making me so rich!

With love. Lyu.

You’ve already won me over…

…in spite of me

Dont be alarmed if I fall head over feet

Dont be surprised if I love you for all that you are

I couldnt help itIts all your fault”

(Alanis Morisette, Head Over Feet, lyrics)

When I heard the honking of car horns around 10 a.m, I knew that he was close. The bikers were coming to take me away from my grand mothers house-but it was not going to be as easy as they thought. My girls devised a cunning and particularly cruel maze of questions and dares that would have to be fulfilled to their satisfaction. They came up with such witty riddles and never done before tricks, in about 24 hours! They did such an amazing job. I still consider this to be the best part of the day. It all started as they greeted the bikers about 20 meters from the door…

They stood holding hands as 3 bikes roared towards them. Alex was riding together with the best man and my bouquette. The other bikers, were close friends of ours. They got off their bikes when they reached the girls and the first challenge was to cut the ribbon behind them to let them pass. The girls presented them with a tray which had 3 types of scissors on them. They had to pay to buy a pair. The next trick was to step on the footsteps laid out on the ground, and pick up the paper footstep and read the dare on it. These ranged from “dance the little ducklings dance”, “name 4 britney spears songs” to “scream as loudly as you can”. At this point, Alex screamed “Olga, I love you more than anything in the world”. I know. Anything. Thing. Ok. I told myself-anything-means bike. He loves me more that his bike. I can live with that. Other memorable moments included when he had to dress a baby doll in just 20 seconds, he had managed to put one of the legs into the pants, and then as he had 3 seconds left, he stuffed the doll upside down, inside his jacket. Which kind of works, because at least the poor thing was warm! At the door of the building, another unusuall challenge require bows and arrows. He had to shoot at the reason he married me, he shot three times, and mostly got “The party has ordered me”. Inside the hall, he had to guess the outline of my hand trace, and the color of my lipstick. He guessed neither 🙂 Alex them bravely drank 1 ltr of very questionable water to pick out the key to the house. He guessed the key from his first try! The last task included finding the room in which the bride was awaiting him. Alex had a choice of 4 rooms, my room, my grandmothers room, the bathroom and the toilet. I ofcourse hid in my grandmothers room. Biker people kept yelling “pick the room with the baloons!!!” but ofcourse I wasnt there. Instead there was my grandma with a white scarf over her head, yelling “You have found your bride!!!” it was hilarous! Alex them unsuccessfully peaked into the bathroom and the toilet, found me in neither and went for my grandma’s room. I was standing there, trembling, listening closely to the commotion outside. And as the handle of the door turned, my heart stopped beating. He walked in,tall and handsome and his eyes opened wide in amazement. He hugged and kissed for the longest time-unable to believe our luck…

The Bachelorette Party…

Just a few days before the wedding, there was a sudden urge that something was missing! The Bachelorette Bash. The exhaustion from the praparation and the wedding gitters were creeping on us, so besides my deep need to keep on planning and stressing out, My Girls, took me out for drinks and some dancing. It all started out civilized and decent, we went to SMI bar, in the heart of Tashkent city, simply because it was “our place”. We spend countless evenings here, chatting, gossiping, pouring our hearts out and simply making memories. We celebrated birthdays,anniversaries, graduations and other endless occasions, like Fridays and Saturdays. SMI bar, is the “golden” bar of the city, filled with over-paid businessmen, and over-materialistic teenagers. And sometimes actors and singers. Apart from that, it was just a cozy bar with great service, bearable prices and suitable music.

SMI bar, RIP and we miss you loads

A few coctails later, SMI got to crammed for us and we moved the party to VM bar, anoter memorable location, which we have flocked to since the early days of the first semester of University. A 5 b 12 room, with wooden tables,benches, and skiiing and mountain climbing equipment hanging off the ceiling, VM bar quickly gained its popularty amongst the local “extreme” public. A place that My Foosa has introduced us too, it was also the place where I did not run into Alex for two years, although we both hanged out there a few nights a week. Yura, the director of the bar, was the Best Man at our wedding. VM was the place to go, if you wanted to listen to some live local rock music, enjoy bran new company and dance in 2 by 4 area of “floor” with 80 other people. It was our place. There was no other place to celebrate my girls giving me away, then VM Bar.

Just outside VM bar, while still looking decent and pretty. From left to right: My Jenya, My Foosa and My Cynthia.

We are goofy like that. Normal pictures are very rare!

My Jenya and Me. Dancing and enjoying the evening.

As much fun as my Bachelorette party was, it was no different that any other great evening spend out with my girls. And the Bachelor’s party was a whole different deal…. 🙂