Life in Kyiv, Ukraine

Favourite quotes from Tom Peters website

I liked the most following ones:

Nobody can prevent you from choosing to be exceptional.”—Mark
Sanborn, The Fred Factor

“A year from now
you may wish you
had started today.”
—Karen Lamb

Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die today.”—James Dean

www.tompeters.com
 

Regarding the languages issue

Ukrainian vs Russian. Or Ukrainian and Russian ?

TV news about survey in Kyiv Schools. The questionnaire has 7 questions, they are all around the main one “Would you like more Russian language lessons for your child ?’. I watch Ganna Stepanenko answers to TV journalists “My child doesn’t need it. I even cancelled her dancing lesson because the trainer was Russian speaking”.
Such a statement raises my deep concerns. No doubts, that despite the empty referendum ideas,the  Ukrainian language will remain the only official one. But let us  discuss a place for Russian language in Ukraine.

First of all, I would like to mention my Russian speaking friends, who have the same degree of love to homeland as my other Ukrainian–speaking friends. They don’t speak Russian, because there are members of Putin’s fan club or because they support closer ties with Russia. For whatever reasons they prefer to speak this language it doesn’t harm our communication. Of course, they must know native language. But why would I care about their primary communication language if we are able to understand each other?  As long as they respect native language, I am totally fine with their choice.

Besides that, sometimes we need to be honest with ourselves. Certain Russian speaking products are just better than Ukrainian counterparts. For instance, I like Korrespondent much more than Novynar. Well, I subscribed for Novynar as well, but only to support this commercial project of KP Media. Expert and Kommersant are in Russian, there are no Ukrainian counterparts at all. Welcome to the free market. Customer decides everything. It is fair.

I appreciate that my secondary school gave me enough knowledge of Russian to enjoy reading in this language. Now, take modern Kyiv schools. Many children have all school lessons in Ukrainian, but speak Russian back home. Because of only one Russian language lesson per week those children have poor writing and reading skills in this language. May parents demand more optional classes of Russian language and literature? As taxpayers to the city they are fully eligible to act so.

One thing always puzzles me. I see great opportunities for smart politicians, who may say “Russian is part of our modern society and we may tolerate its usage. It will never become a second official language, but we are ready to recognize it special status”. This may be a way to gain more support and build a more tolerant society.  Surprising, but the politicians never do.

In my opinion, people may decide what language is comfortable for them. Here, in Kyiv, the world unique situation, when two languages peacefully co-exist and people are able to communicate freely in both of them. Dear Ganna, you may find another dancing school with Ukrainian speaking teachers. But what is bad if your child is able to understand some Russian?   

Easy money on Ukranian elections

30th is coming, so it is time  to capitalize legally on this wonderful event.

Last time, the fact that mister Yanukovich did not became the President brought me more than 500 UAH.

Look at bets for upcoming elections at Favorit
Download bets_on_elections.pdf

In 2006 Yulia had 22.29%, now to beet the 24.9% level  she needs 2.7% percent more.

Sounds risky, but her campaign is good and she is the only one who stresses the program. Also sociologists give her 22-25, and real results are always +2 of sociology levels.

So my 1000 UAH went for "BUT more than 24.9%", let hope for the best. And vote too.

Essay: Luck has nothing to do with success

Disclosure: The essay is written solely for educational purposes. It might not fully fully represent author's view on the issue or contain ideas used specifically for presentation purpose. If you want discuss the problem in depth, please do not hesitate to contact me

"When people succeed, it is because of hard work. Luck has nothing to do with success."

The established society concept tells us to work hard in order to succeed.. The idea is being constantly promoted by parents and school teachers, who stress the importance of hard work. However, they rarely mention luck in their lectures. Well, the question is whether this promoted hard-working concept is correct.
Personally I truly believe that hard work is important. I admit it is better to work hard than to do nothing. But why don’t we recognize the importance of the luck factor at the success path?

Instead of rejecting luck we maybe need to face a severe truth. Not all hard-working people are successful. In fact, about a half of them come to  certain level of success and only a few reach the peaks. Additionally, if we analyse the behavioral patterns of the whole hard-working, we may find only a few differences. Were Bill Gates and Steve Jobs the hardest-working people among numerous directors of numerous software producing companies? Well, we may argue whether they are  the smartest ones, but we certainly have to admit some good luck factor in their careers. For instance,  Ipod brought Steve Jobs back on the top, eventhough such a huge success was not planned at the beginning of this product’s life.

Secondly, if  we are to say “luck is not important”, than how will we explain stock markets? People can make a fortune by investing into the right company. They do not have to make researches about the company for decades and watch every its step. All they really need to possess is starting capital, good financial advisor and some a little luck. Moreover, if blessed with tremendous luck, the advisor’s help might not be required. 

If we take sports, we often see many great victories of outstanding teams. They are just stronger than others, because they are  the most hard-working and have the best talent. However, we also see the matches of equal teams, where one episode defines the winner. Sometimes wins come from pure luck. We need to understand that this happens not only in sport games, but it exists in the much greater area called a “game of life”.

Essay: Parents are the best teachers

Disclosure: The essay is written solely for educational purposes. It might not fully fully represent author's view on the issue or contain ideas used specifically for presentation purpose. If you want discuss the problem in depth, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Parents are the best teachers

It is traditionally believed that best teachers for children are their parents. The common belief is very strong in many societies and it has been with the mankind for a long time. At the same time, modern children cast some doubts on this general rule. The rapid changes in world development certainly affected our common relationships and made us re-imagine traditional concepts.

In my opinion, the thought “parents are the best teachers” comes from the history. For the centuries young people have lived with their parents till their mid-20s and parents have been the main source of information. The communication of youth was very limited. For instance, take noble family from  17th century, which probably have lived in own castle. Children, in such  families, had an opportunity to learn things from some hired tutors, brothers and sisters, but most of all their knowledge they had to take from their parents. Basically, society patterns of older times defined parents as the best source of knowledge. No other options existed.

Nowadays, it is 21st century out of the window. Children have Internet, TV, radio, schools and numerous other sources of information. They obtain knowledge from the environment and peers, as children do not spend 24 hours a day at home. That gives much broader outlook and different perspective on many issues.
Furthermore, while parents could be very conservative, children often are more open to new knowledge and new ideas. As an illustration, think about computers and mobile phones. In most cases, children learn to use them faster than their parents. They try new types and last models of electronic devices. They are capable of independent decision making and open to the new technology. This enforces innovations in the lives of families and relationships between parents and children. Otherwise, we would have the same society rules for ages.

Hence, we understand that parents represent only one source of knowledge is the modern world. Sometimes it could be the best, sometimes it could not.  In the 21st century’s university of life there are a lot of other educational courses offered and students feel free to choose any of them. Let them choose what they consider to be the best.

Pure theory

“Relax. Feel like you slip on the water” – one good swimmer, always tells me. I finally achieved it. Felt absolutely relaxed. I discovered it is good to think when you slip on the water.

Life must be successful. Success is in the harmony. Luck of harmony causes wishes. You try. And than stop. Why would want something you can’t have? Or may be you can. But you missed it already. What if it has been the most important thing in your life. But can you be sure about it?

Life is a game, I believe. Theory of probabilities matters. It changes the life path. Coincidences happen for the purpose. Maybe. But no. Choice is never predefined. It just reflection of thoughts, our mind gathers coincidences to justify it. However, are thoughts primary?

Life is a strange thing. Like this Thursday was. Luckily, I have Enya in my music folder.

Who can say
where the road goes
where the day flows
only time

95th Kvartal

I discovered  95th Kvartal  online !  HILARIOUS ! I even decided to visit their next show !!!

Here are the links to the  best videos and my personal rating (10 points scale):

For those who appreciate political humour - 7 points

More political humor - 9 points

Zelenskyi tells about future - 6.5

Reklama Doktora Dovjenko - 10

Yanukovych song - 9.5

Как козаки свадьбу вели 8

Возвращение Януковича - 7
-
Народный автомобиль - 8

Enough. Tired of laughing. Looks like I found one more favorite website.

McKinsey Way by Ethan Rasiel

The whole name of the book is "Using the Techniques of the World's Top Strategic Consultants To Help You and Your business".
It written by former McKinsey employee and contains a lot of insights of McKinsey work. It describes some techniques used by McKinsey consultants. I do not want to write a review, you may find it at Amazon.

What I took from this book is importance of number 3.
3 main ideas to investigate or discuss, 3 lines on Powerpoint slide, 3 major tasks for the day. I do use the concept in my everyday life, e.g not more than 3 priorities at the same time.

I also liked the the thought listed at the end of book. Certainly it is also worth taking into everyday actions :

"Always stay honest. You may find a lot of grey areas on your business path, but always stay at the right track. Pass the Wall Street Journal test. If will not feel ashamed while reading about your career at the cover page of Wall Street Journal, it is good test result"

Short clip from Goverla

I really loved the view of the several small houses from Goverla, so here they are. Short video at YouTube

Eating in MacDonalds

It is 7 a.m Friday morning, and I feel happy to overcome Thursday, September 13. Due to Zuccero the day started only after 5 hours sleep. Morning I made a presentation about Internet market in Ukraine and continued with work and number of other very important things.

Horrible as it is, but because of time luck I had to have lunch in MacDonald’s. So basically I want to share the attitude about MacDonald’s, which MensHealth advices.

Imagine, the critical situation in your life occurred and you have to save time by eating in Macdonald’s. Amazing, however they do have some tasty and acceptable for the rational nutrition food.

MensHealth states that the healthiest food there is actually a cheeseburger. (Allright, salads as well, but they are overpriced and tasteless). Of course one is not enough for me, so I took two (still not much, but taking three will look stupid I guess).  And no French fries, pies, big juicy dinosaurs, etc, etc. For the drink the best choice is cold tea (Lipton), which I really love from the USA life.
So that was it, two cheeseburgers and a bottle of tea. Must be true, if I managed to survey this Crazy Thirsday.