Максим (Maxim)

This is Максим. He is one of the many kids who live at Internat No. 1 in Советск, Russia. From what I know, he is your typical 16 year old boy. He loves soccer, girls, and music. He's very open at the summer camp and embraces friends. However, I think now that he becoming a young man, he is putting on what I call the "Russian Front", where he tends to stand off from interactions that aren't socially, in his world, 'with-it'. I noticed this in particular this year. It's sad that it has to be this way for him to be accepted.

However, when I think about it, it's just the same as any other teenager you meet here in America. It's not cool to be seen with your parents or to show outward emotions.

I hope next year he will still acknowledge the American and friend he has known since 2006.

Newest Video

Well, here it is. I think last year's was better, but I didn't take nearly as many pictures this July. Enjoy...

Funny

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Southern California

I'm here - In Westminster California visiting my grandmother. The city is located between Seal Beach to the West and Santa Anna to the East. An interesting historical fact: In the early history of Westminster the farmers banned grape vineyards due to their association with alcohol. (Interesting) Also, there is a huge Vietnamese community that seems to be very established. It's common to see whole streets dedicated to Vietnamese grocery stores, churches, and other shops.

Today is pretty humid and warm. The temperature is around 79 degrees and warming. The houses here don't have air conditioning. So it becomes a little miserable when the thermostat rises above 80 degrees. It's especially hard for my cousin who is beyond mobile and lives in an RV park across the street from Hunting Beach. We visited him and his new wife last night. They have evolved into 'beach bums' this last year. They are both aspiring writers without contracts, yet. My cousin Fred is 34 and a know-it-all. And I don't mean that as an insult. He really does know a lot about everything. I wish I attained information like him - infinte memory.

Fred took my mom and I down for a late night bike ride to the beach. We jumped on his two bicycle cruisers (which are monster bikes with surf racks) and headed to the sand. At the beach all you could see where bond-fires. Everyone seemed to want a little more summer vacation before school starts. They set up every 15 feet all the way to the pier. (Which was 1.3 miles down) I wish I had brought my camera.

Anyway, a little update for you. It's time for lunch!

Alexander Solzhenitsyn

"If humanism were right in declaring that man is born to be happy, he would not be born to die. Since his body is doomed to die, his task on earth evidently must be of a more spiritual nature. It cannot unrestrained enjoyment of everyday life. It cannot be the search for the best ways to obtain material goods and then cheerfully get the most out of them. It has to be the fulfillment of a permanent, earnest duty so that one's life journey may become an experience of moral growth, so that one may leave life a better human being than one started it. It is imperative to review the table of widespread human values. Its present incorrectness is astounding. It is not possible that assessment of the President's performance be reduced to the question of how much money one makes or of unlimited availability of gasoline. Only voluntary, inspired self-restraint can raise man above the world stream of materialism."

-Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

Harvard Commencement Address

Photo Entry

Here are few random pictures I took today around the house.

This is a Giant Sequoia Redwood. I brought this back after backpacking through Kings Canyon in Central California. Of course, it was purchased legally at a gift-shop and not uprooted from the forest. These grow to be largest Redwoods in the world. If you ever have the chance to visit the Giant Sequoia Forest, don't pass the opportunity.

Here is a cactus I've had for 5 years. I don't pay much attention too it. It was given to me by my grandmother, for what reason I don't know.

This is a Plumeria we brought back from Hawaii two years ago. These are the trees that produce the flowers you see on common Hawaiian lays.

And last but not least, this is my adorable niece Victoria. She's 16 months now and couldn't have any more energy. Her top two teeth are coming in and she certainly feels them. If you look close you can see her hair changing color. When she was born she came out with a deep saturated hazel, but now it's turning into a light amber blond. Amazing.

The Need to Clean

This is disgusting!

Have you ever seen a room so disheveled? Maybe that's not the right word, it's more like chaos. You can see the few open spaces of carpet. I use them as Lillie pads and jump from place to place. When I want to make it to the bed, I take one right step, and then a quick leap to the mattress. If I want the desk I hopscotch-it with three quicksteps and land in the chair. I don't mind the mess most of the time, but when I'm tired after a long day of work or exercising it become a major problem. And when that happens I'll step on anything in my path. I've broken a few CDs this way.

Strangely though I know where everything is placed. It's when I clean the disorder that items are lost. Still, this is no excuse. I'm deciding to clean in zones. First I'll work with all the laundry, then the desk, then the miscellaneous, and finally finish with vacuuming.

This may take a while.