Work has likely introduced me to a couple more good people. Of course, I'm not sure they'll become my friends, but still... It's nice to chat with the two girls. They are friends. Ukrainians. They have such a... traditionally Ukrainian accent. They're alright! Just don't give me any sarcastic looks, okay?! Remember my conviction that you can meet good people everywhere. You could even say it like this: every person has both positive and negative sides. We are defined by what we choose for ourselves. Nothing happens "by itself"! These two girls seem like decent and good people to me. Why did they end up here? That's none of my business. I don't ask anyone about that. It's more pleasant for me to know (and it is true) that they are making plans to bolt from here. "We like it in this country, a lot. If only it weren't for this job of ours!" they shared. But it's not that easy for them to get away, that's the whole point. The girls have stripper visas. Their club gave it to them, and they have the right to cancel their validity if they suddenly decide to quit. I can't confirm that this is really the case, but everyone is saying it from all sides. Then they would have no choice but to return home. Therefore, it seems the only way to avoid this is to apply for a regular visa. And if that works out, if they get it, then you are free to choose. Though, it's not that simple either. Under our program, the visas are work visas. And from the sponsor, we all have official permission under the exchange program, which implies and gives us the right to work. Without this paper, it would be much harder to get a job. But not impossible. After all, one employer will look at it, and another won't. Also, it will depend on your own professional and communication skills. One person will adapt and everything will be great for them, even with the sketchiest visa. And another will be a total klutz with a golden ticket. That's the truth, I've been convinced of it many times. Anyway. What about today? In the morning I walked with Kristina, then we sat in a cafe with Ira and Katya and the girls from work (I saw the latter two outside of work for the first time). Finally met up with Irka after her trip! We hadn't seen each other for two weeks. Then everyone went their separate ways, but Ira and I stayed — we don't have work today!!! We watched a play on my computer, and went to her place to eat pizza. We talked and talked and talked. Heart to heart. Irinka is a soulful person. It seems that for the first time in my life, I understood why Russian-speaking girls are bolting abroad in such numbers. Do you know the reason? They are welcome everywhere, everyone likes Slavic women, everywhere they are considered the most beautiful. And who wouldn't find that pleasant? We all strive for an environment where we are welcome and where we are desired. And I used to think it was just words, that there is no one more beautiful than "our" girls in the world. But it seems it's not just a saying. It's a quite real truth (I intentionally emphasize Russian-speaking, meaning not only my own, but also Belarusian, Ukrainian, Moldovan, and other Russian-speaking girls and women). It's a pity that there aren't many patriots among them, unfortunately. And for me, patriotism consists of one simple thing — a person NOT considering any place for themselves to live other than their native country. You can periodically travel abroad, sometimes even live there for a few years, but not consider the option of staying there forever. Otherwise, your patriotism is strange. True patriots, in my opinion, are people who want to live on their native land.
LITTLE PRINCE
"Who invented you, star country?
I've been dreaming of it for a long time, I dream of it.
I'll leave the house, I'll leave the house,
Right above the pier, the wave beats.
On a windy evening, the birds' cries will fall silent.
I will notice the starry light from under my eyelashes,
Straight to meet, straight, to meet me
The trusting little prince will come out.
The most important thing is not to scare away the fairy tale.
To open the windows to the boundless world!
My sailboat is rushing! My sailboat is rushing,
My sailboat is rushing on a fabulous journey.
Where are you, where are you, islands of happiness,
Where is the coast of light and kindness?
Where with hopes, where with hopes
The most tender words wander.
Who invented you, star country?
I've been dreaming of it for a long time, I dream of it.
I'll leave the house, I'll leave the house,
Right above the pier, the wave beats."
Music - Mikael Tariverdiev; Lyrics - Nikolai Dobronravov.
It turns out this song is from the movie "Passenger from the Equator" (possibly filmed based on "The Little Prince"). And I had never even heard of this film!
November 29, 2008
