Met my old friend from ribet academy in the morning. We’ve spend wonderful morning checking out USC campus and catching up with each other lives. Sad that we get to see each other once a year. Buy hey! it’s better than nothing!

In the afternoon swinged by my old school, John Marshall High. Although I went there only for a senior year, I met memorable teachers and students. Fist I stopped at Welch’s. He has not change a bit and I’m lovin’ it! Steal screams at “his kids” and makes fun of every walking, crawling, and flying creature. Gave some pep talk to new decathletes and then headed off to chase’s. that was my second visit this summer to his hood. I come there to give my humble opinion about the college application process and the college life (in the ivy). Since I lacked that guidance and experience, I try to give back what I have and as much as I have. So far it works. Students readily e-mail me with their question and even essays (which you by virtue of being my friend will be forced probably to read some time soon ;).

I’ll visit the school again on Wednesday for three periods. This time talking specifically to seniors. Most kids in my school don’t have both parents and 70 or even 80 percent of them are immigrants. The drop rate is ridiculously high and pregnant girls parade through during the break. Ghetto some call places like that. Surprisingly I feel at home. Even when fights between Hispanics and Armenians bring in local police and ABC helicopter, I feel safe. I just wish that these kids dreamed bigger and worked a bit harder to enjoy the life that we, ivy kids, take for granted.

Republicans in their Natural Habitat. Scary!

“when the plane landed in Ingushetia, the governor was met by a Mercedes that whisked him away. And Mr. Yevloyev was arrested at the airport, deposited into a jeep and shot in the head. Local authorities say the killing was an accident.”- wsj

Finally back home in LA. Two weeks and flying to Harvard. I’m sleeping in, eating some weird Russian/whatever-my-mom-cooks food, and readings news. It’s so lovely to live for a month without news, any news, and any news whatsoever. But unfortunately one is to return to reality sooner or later. I’m not the biggest Obama supporter (hillary is my hero!), but i give him a credit when he urged to drop the subject of palin’s pregnant daughter. I’m a democrat and even if we have a donkey running I’ll vote according the party lines. My opinion about Russia vs. Georgia? I’m tired of the issue. It has no logic and is solely political. Thus no matter what you or I think the issue will be decided not by us, but for us. (so what’s the point to talk about it! )

I’ve been downloading a lot of old/new music. Trash of course! I don’t listen to good music, as my friends have noticed.

Best music video: Disturbia by Rihanna

5 songs from my fav’s list: gnarls barkley’s crazy, anything sean Kingston, estelle’s American boy, aly and aj’s the potential breakup song, and akon’s tribute to Michael Jackson “wanna be starting something”

Best chick flick: “devil wears prada”—actually my favorite movie!

School Clubs I’m checking out during the reading period:
- expressions
- hbreakers
- the Seneca
- swsg
- hcap

Pre-game on Friday, September 12^th, and then to the Roxy’s (21+ unfortunately)!

Economics 1123. Introduction to Econometrics
Catalog Number: 0813
Raffaella Giacomini (UCLA and UCL) (fall term) and Keisuke Hirano (University of Arizona) (spring term)
Half course (fall term; repeated spring term). Fall: Tu., Th., 11:30–1; Spring: Tu., Th., 1–2:30, and a weekly section to be arranged. EXAM GROUP: Fall: 13, 14; Spring: 15, 16
An introduction to multiple regression techniques with focus on economic applications. Discusses extensions to discrete response, panel data, and time series models, as well as issues such as omitted variables, missing data, sample selection, randomized and quasi-experiments, and instrumental variables. Aims to provide students with an understanding of and ability to apply econometric and statistical methods using computer packages.
Note: Students may take either Economics 1123 or Statistics 139 for credit. Statistics 139 will not count as econometrics requirement. Also, Economics 1123 may not be taken for credit if taken after Economics 1126, but credit will be given for both courses if Economics 1123 is taken first. This course, when taken for a letter grade, meets the Core requirement for Quantitative Reasoning.
Prerequisite: Statistics 100.

Economics 1723. Capital Markets
Catalog Number: 1917
Christopher Keith Polk (London School of Economics)
Half course (fall term). Tu., Th., 10–11:30, and a weekly section to be arranged. EXAM GROUP: 12, 13
An introduction to the economic analysis of investment decisions and financial markets. Concepts include time discounting, market efficiency, risk, and arbitrage. These concepts are applied to fixed-income securities, equities, and derivative securities.
Prerequisite: Mathematics 20 and Economics 1010a or 1011a.

Computer Science 61 (formerly Computer Science 160). Systems Programming and Machine Organization
Catalog Number: 3461
Matthew D. Welsh
Half course (fall term). Tu., Th., 2:30–4. EXAM GROUP: 16, 17
Fundamentals of computer systems programming, machine organization, and performance tuning. This course provides a solid background in systems programming and a deep understanding of low-level machine organization and design. Topics include C and assembly language programming, program optimization, memory hierarchy and caching, virtual memory and dynamic memory management, concurrency, threads, and synchronization.
Prerequisite: Computer Science 50

 Science A-43. Environmental Risks and Disasters

Finally i have free Internet, my friends!!! I'm following the schedule strictly. I've  arrived in bergamo. Spend three hours climbing the old town and getting lost on the first day. That happens in itally so often that one should take it as given. And if you find ur way out, it's always a pleasant surprise. Thanks god i'm more or less good with maps!!! The night of 24^th i've spend in venice after a 3hour stop in Verona. Venice is so crowded, but the water makes up for overpriced food and accommodations. I actually cheated on my water taxi payments and didn't pay once (one ride is 7 euros!!!). instead i took it in random less crowded places. But today in the morning i almost got caught. The guy came to check my ticket and i pretended that i was searching for it. By the time he returned back the second time, he forgot that i haven't showed him my pass. That was really close. Later on the way to bologna i took an intercity train from padua. Guess what! I'm not allowed to take it. So i was kicked out and shamed in ftron of everybody. Whatever i say! As long as i didn't have to pay a fee. Intercity trains are checked regularly but the regionals are not so. After bologna i ventured to pisa. Not so much time because i had to make a loop in florence. To florence i got only by 11pm. Sweaty exhausted and without a clue where i'm going to stay. One place claimed that i would pay only 20 euros per night. Liers! The guy asked almost 50, but then we bargained for 25 for three nights. But that was still too much for my budget (max per night should be less than 20 euros). I crossed the night city over the river and checked out the other hostel. All full. For tomorrow and the day after tomorrow they had free beds but at 17 in the room of 16. come on! Are we in new york, for god's sake! So i went on...to the church. And found a wonderful place. Four people in the room curfew as late as 2am, showers, sheets, and free internet. I'm lovin' it!!! Tomorrow going to see the city. Tuesday  museums, and if i completely fall in love with florence i'll stay for one more day.

Italy in general is amazing. People are nice and sincere. That's what i love about this country. This people have soul, character, and heart! If they are mad, they will tell you so. If they like you, they will tell you so. Even americans who come here become kinder and friendlier, although as many foreigners, they like to stick together. I on the other hand am picking up some italian and trying to talk to as  many different people as i can. I have tons of stories already. What one doesn't only hear on an hour long train trip!!!!

But most importantly, i miss you guys!!! Italy is italy, but my heart is with you guys. Kisses and hugs. More to come tomorrow at night!!!!

From Frankfurt (Hahn) (HHN) to Milan (Bergamo) (BGY)
Thu, 24Jul08 Flight FR5204 Depart HHN at 06:35 and arrive BGY at 07:50

Itinerary in Italy

1. Bergamo, 8am July 24^th
1. Lake Como
2. Lake Garda
3. The dolomites (best mountains)
4. Verona
2. Venezia ~ 1 day; (1) night of 24^th, all day and night on the 25th
3. Bologna ~ stop for lunch (from Venice to Florence all day on the 26^th)
4. Firenze (Florence) ~ 2 days ( (2)night of 26^th, day and night 27^th, day and night 28^th)
1. Pisa afternoon
5. San Gimignano ½ day; morning of 29th
6. Siena ~ 1 day; the rest of the day and night of the 29th
7. Assisi ~ ½ day; from siena to Napoli through assisi on the 30^th; night in Napoli (3)
8. Napoli ~ spend day and not night; 31st
1. Pompeii ~ day
2. Amalfi Coast ~ 2 days; 1^st, 2nd

                                                               i.      Capri island

3. Salerno ~ hostel
4. From solerno early in the morning on the 3rd
5. Sorento ~ spend night here
6. Paestum stop on the way
7. Arrive at Palermo at night on 3^rd (4)
8. Sicily ~ 1 day
1. Palermo one day the 4^th; night ferry to genoa: depart at 9pm on Aug 4^th and arrive at 5pm on Aug 5th
9. Cinque Terre (between Genoa and La Spezia) 2 days: 5^th, 6th
10. la spezia à parmaà milano arrive at (5) night on Aug 7th
11. Milan ~ 1 day, go to bar at night, stay the night of Aug 8th in Milan
12. Bergamo, 5am Aug 9^th

From Milan (Bergamo) (BGY) to Frankfurt (Hahn) (HHN)
Sat, 09Aug08 Flight FR5203 Depart BGY at 08:15 and arrive HHN at 09:35

Couple days with my brother in Marburg

marburg to frankfurt, frankfurt to moscow, two weeks in moscow, moscow to la, la (maybe a break for berkeley) to boston on 9/11

9/12 my first event. fun!

Today spend the whole day with f. we drove in a car with blasting hip hop music to Venice beach, rented bikes, and spend 2 to 3 hours biking along the shore. Then we found ourselves in pinkberry in the Grove. The icecream was good, just a bit too sour. The yogurt doesn’t not have to taste that way (‘m talking from experience: I eat my yogurt everyday and now my European labels).

In the evening watched lakers game. Kobe brought his team to winning the Western Conference Championship. I just don’t know how they do it, but turning the game around from loosing my 18 point to leading by 10 is beyond my understanding. Tim Duncan was hot as always, although his play sucked. He barely made half of his free throws.  F’s mom cooked delicious  but spicy Bengali food. It was burning my stomach with love.

The other day I spend 8 hours on the road to visit Hearst Castle. It was worth it however. I hate rich people! In the evening I dragged my boys to see “baby mama” with me. Yes, I do love my chick flicks. Most movies I watch for free online, but the worst once I have to see in the movie theater. Tina Fey was great, but bringing her watered down humor to the big screen was probably not the best idea.

Love to sleep in and to eat a lot of cali fruits.

The best game ever? Are u kidding me?  First, it’s not a “liberty city” it’s NYC. Can’t you get the names straight? Second, why all the villains have to be eastern European? Does my face look that scary (although after three all nighters, it maybe does)? I do appreciate the choice of Russian music in the background, but playing trash is plain TASTELESS. It’s second worst to Dima Bilan winning Eurovision! Third, why do all the missions have to include face smashing, car stealing, or people cursing? Can’t we get things done in a more civilized manner by talking to each other and treating each other like humans?

PEACE YO!

Monday dragged my sleep deprived face into a car for a four hour ride into the mountains. Isn’t it fun to have lunch by the lake, cooking ‘shashlyk’, and having a cozy family bonding time? No, it is NOT! If you get easily car sick, then the trip up the winding road is a nightmare. I threw up on the way and of course nobody had painkillers on them to deal with my headache. Other than that my brother is a great cook. And the goat meat tasted heavenly. Take that Dunster! No line, no waiting for the meat to be cut, and nobody steals your food!

Pix on facebook!  

I’ll try to write everyday thus trying not to fall in a hibernation state, which is very very appealing when there is nothing important to do.

My flight on Friday from Boston to LA was horrible. I couldn’t fall asleep due to my running nose and occasional nose bleeds. My neighbors were disgusted with the blood all over the place and the steward just hated my guts because I made him bring me tissue every 10 minutes (I was seated in the middle and didn’t want to bother the person in the isle seat).

            Saturday I spend sleeping for 12 hours. Then watched “Kissing Jessica Stein” and “Primal Fear.” First is for wannabe lesbians and second for fans of bad acting of Richard Gere, or just for girls. I’m enjoying home made food and sweets from the Russian stores.

            I’m in LA all June, so come and visit me if you have extra $300.

website: pandora.com

restaurant: Reyhan Persion Cuisine on the Jefferson Blvd famous for its bean soup, Ash (sounds too close to Arsch (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bx7jki-6SPc) or “ass” in German)

I was not in the condition to much appreciate the food right after the horrible flight, but the owner of the restaurant was very welcoming and explained why the restaurant is closed on Sundays. “I go to Church. And that’s the only day I can be with my family. Because otherwise what’s the point of having all this, if there is no time for the family.” Fair, but something bothered me in what he said. Was it that girl working for him wearing tight gym pants”? O was it the day old bowl of Ash?

Wikiarticle: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enya

Russian losers are actually winning something:

Ice hockey world championship

Uefa cup: zenit

Eurovision: cheeeezy Dima Bilan

Euroleague in basketball: zska

Wednesday....all nighter…Stats 110 final…plane to Oakland…hotel rex in San Francisco…Thursday, Friday: companies…Saturday…stanford…golf…dinner with the president of the stanford Russian club…american league kvn final in the silicon valley…comedy club…vova’s place…sleep over…Sunday…Berkeley…farzana and happy and their friends…Monday…san Francisco with m…sightseeing…greyhound…Tuesday…la…family…night plane to boston full of harvard students…Wednesday…math 105b…history of art…wib vision doc and career fair…