tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84956194706826315662012-02-15T10:22:33.522-06:00Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.comBlogger541100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-9760458606627187362009-05-03T17:07:00.003-05:002009-05-03T17:13:32.813-05:00

INDEED HE IS RISEN! Forgive me for not writing sooner! I am absolutely swamped with the end of the year projects, papers, and upcoming exams! I pray everyone's Holy and Glorious Pascha was, well, holy and glorious!I will write again once I am back in Texas, probably - so sometime next week. God bless!In Christ, Tatyana

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-4047139917592117782009-04-14T21:35:00.002-05:002009-04-14T21:38:35.531-05:00

Holy Week is upon us. I still can't believe how quickly Great Lent has gone by. This will be an eventful few days with lots of services, prayers, and blessings.I will be far too busy to blog or comment on your pages; please forgive me.Blessed Holy Week! Joyous and Glorious Pascha to all!!In Christ,TatyanaThe photo above is of the icon corner in my dorm room, today.

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-26440972247204542332009-04-07T15:42:00.002-05:002009-04-07T15:46:06.503-05:00

I remembered that I never gave credit to the website from which I got my sweet (and free) page design and layout. It is TheCutestBlogOnTheBlock.com . I saw it on a lot of my fellow Ortho-bloggers' websites and really liked the variety I found on the site itself. So go check it out! Also, for those of you who are Russian-speakers, I found several new to me links for great Orthodox resource and Q&A

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-30834960659369145022009-04-03T22:24:00.003-05:002009-04-03T22:29:43.112-05:00

You know, I made a conscious decision to not stay away from Orthodox blogs during Great Lent. Sure, I cut down my internet surfing time. I also try not to go on any non-Orthodox website (except, unfortunately, my email and Facebook). But I truly believe and have personally experienced that internet in and of itself need not be bad and unedifying as well as distracting. You, my fellow blogger

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-53565756266293243932009-03-30T13:34:00.004-05:002009-03-30T15:43:09.882-05:00

It's unbelievable how quickly time flies. Especially Lenten time.This weekend, I was at an Orthodox Christian Fellowship retreat with fellow college students from the area, and it was incredible. I don't know if I have "digested" it well enough to write about it yet, but it will come. I've been meaning to share something else for a while now. Something that struck me one day at Liturgy. So a

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-73445409019521877942009-03-16T15:38:00.002-05:002009-03-16T16:31:20.017-05:00

This wonderful book meme... Honestly, I do not remember on whose blog I saw it first, but a few of the authors whose pages I frequent have participated. I was surprised how many avid readers' answers were quite similar :)So, here's my take on it: 1. To mark your page you: use a bookmark, bend the page corner, leave the book open face down? Bookmark it 98% of the time. I use anything from a

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-34483409616898525782009-03-04T15:36:00.003-06:002009-03-04T16:22:41.238-06:00

Thus, the Great Lent has come. What a wonder, what a journey, what a haven for the soul. I was a little anxious to enter into Lent, just because I was not sure how it would play out in my new, college/dorm/not private way of life (and still am, seeing as we're only three days in), but I trust the Lord will provide. I have already been taught many lessons of humility and reliance on God. It's

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-9564289457559645942009-03-01T19:05:00.001-06:002009-03-01T19:07:29.691-06:00

FORGIVE ME, A SINNER!..

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-45696418798386929962009-02-08T17:00:00.002-06:002009-02-08T17:08:02.555-06:00

I am shamelessly stealing this video from Grace, who got it from Fr. Luke Hartung. Grace, please let me know if you want me to take it down.Just. Amazingly. Beautiful.In Christ,Tatyana

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-57327153917807739932009-01-28T07:01:00.004-06:002009-01-28T18:12:01.693-06:00

Finally, I snatched a moment to blog. What a busy, busy beginning of the semester! I am now looking into internships, working at a Day Care, trying to exercise more and eat healthily, looking forward to my trip to Russia in the summer, seriously considering adding another major to my International Relations track, and, of course, there are still classes, lectures to go to, homework to be done,

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-21858374694099279502008-12-16T22:30:00.003-06:002008-12-16T22:49:19.164-06:00

So... Exams are over!! Well, they were over yesterday, but I have been cleaning my room and getting ready to be kicked out of the dorms for a month. BUT, since I am not going home, some of my amazing new fellow parish members (even those I might not have officially met yet) have opened their doors to me! How sweet is that?? So not only do I get to participate in all of Christmas festivities and

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-82217889458357673982008-12-10T12:49:00.004-06:002008-12-12T08:59:53.250-06:00

Okay, so I am totally procrastinating and avoiding studying for exams. Sure, they begin tomorrow. But it's only 2pm; I've got plenty of time. Besides, I did really well last night and cranked out the rough draft for my two papers of the take-home International Relations final. I don't like take home tests or exams because the quality of work expected is way higher than for regular, timed exams. I

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-38183847348682034392008-12-05T08:26:00.003-06:002008-12-05T08:30:27.341-06:00

His Holiness, Patriarch Aleksy II of Moscow and All Russia, fell asleep in the Lord this Friday morning, at the age of 79.OCA linkRussian Patriarchia linkMay his memory be eternal!

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-79286449020986762292008-11-30T18:18:00.002-06:002008-11-30T18:28:13.154-06:00

Read this, please. And weep.And this little comment just totally killed me:"It is regarded as an important test of how willing consumers are to spend." What?? A death of a trampled sales worker is an important test of how willing consumers are to "shop till you drop"? Oh, wait, people do. Drop dead. We are going to diminish such a huge personal tragedy and turn it into a business matter? Who

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-60534693716286855662008-11-26T16:26:00.002-06:002008-11-26T16:31:48.827-06:00

While I would absolutely love to write a long and meaningful post on people and things I am thankful for, I am now enjoying my week with a friend, a few friends from high school, and the friend's most generous sister (and her family) who is housing all those of us lost souls who go to universities in the area and could not go back to our parents in Texas.So Happy Thanksgiving to all who can

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-52332529090539264172008-11-21T08:51:00.002-06:002008-11-21T09:06:56.009-06:00

Got this from Orthodox Mother's Digest (thanks:)):1. Open the closest book near you.2. Turn to page 25.3. Skip the first 5 sentences and write the next three.So, what is the closest book to me? No, not Critical Reading in Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, not International Politics, not the Psychology of Environmental Problems, not Force and Statecraft, but the Jordanville Prayer Book.

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-6915218859151274382008-11-16T13:33:00.004-06:002008-11-16T14:02:03.328-06:00

Ehh... I have come down with something. Woke up in the middle of the night a couple of days back with a terribly sore throat. As day progressed, tried to soothe it and boost up my immune system with vitamins. Nothing helped; did not sleep at night, head hurt. Next day had to leave class because I am pretty sure I was running a fever. A friend brought by some NyQuil, which helped me sleep. But

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-84566347558528547322008-10-13T12:12:00.004-05:002008-10-13T12:45:26.304-05:00

And... I am back once more!Now that I have settled and figured out my sleep schedule (for some reason, this whole 4hrs of sleep a night thing did not work out for me or my health). I have promised myself to be able to get up for my 8:30am French class without rolling around in my bed, considering throwing a fit, while my roommate is snoring lightly and happily for another 3-4 hours...I went to

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-14242630951429644442008-08-06T15:36:00.003-05:002008-08-06T15:42:40.987-05:00

I just got a couple of new icons blessed and decided to take a few pictures of my icon corner before it changes permanently with my move to college. :( That's the one thing I will miss - my private "sanctuary" here at home...Hopefully, more new pictures will come as soon as I get settled into my dorm in a about a month!And, JOYOUS FEAST of TRANSFIGURATION to all!In Christ,Tatyana

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-16585328462025839722008-08-04T09:26:00.003-05:002008-08-04T09:45:47.130-05:00

So.... the fast has begun. I am thankful for this opportunity to struggle before I leave for school. Which is in THREE WEEKS! I cannot believe it! I don't think it has hit either me or my parents. It could be due to the fact that I do not yet know my dorm assignment or roommate, which makes it a bit unreal hehe. Above, here's to my new home for the next four years...In other, more important news,

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-66345832355139407472008-07-21T11:46:00.003-05:002008-07-21T12:06:17.057-05:00

It's such a wonder how God helps us in some of the smallest, but very obvious ways. Let's begin with a bit of a backstory. Our priest often tells the parish - do not let fear of being too tired or hungry keep you from furthering your spiritual life and getting up earlier to pray or fasting. God will provide. This is one of the main emphases of his talks to us. And I know the feeling - well, I

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-43316133322154520992008-07-11T11:19:00.002-05:002008-07-11T11:47:26.062-05:00

Currently Reading List:Patristic Theology: The University Lectures by Protopresbyter John S. Romanides - this one is for our youth group discussions. Never thought I would so soon read such a deeply academic Orthodox work. I hear it is much easier to read than Fr. John's other works, since this one is written as a transcript from his university lectures, though I still find it a bit difficult. I

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-77328351510569061552008-07-09T08:30:00.003-05:002008-07-11T11:19:11.032-05:00

Yesterday, for the first time, Russia celebrated a new holiday - Day of Love, Agreement, and Faithfulness, a day dedicated to families. I think it was a very good plan, with a big concert and many heartwarming stories of love, both young and old. However, there was something else that touched my heart as well as taught me something new. The patrons of this holiday are Sts. Peter and Fevronia of

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-9534155780906722432008-07-08T15:38:00.003-05:002008-07-08T16:09:20.158-05:00

Today, we celebrate the appearance of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. It is a famous wonder working icon dear to the Russian people. The icon became a symbol of the Protectress of the Russian land and its people from invaders, according to the miraculous victory in Moscow in 1612 and the end of the Polish occupation through the intercessions of the Theotokos. Its miraculous finding, however,

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-30205078907452101572008-07-06T17:45:00.002-05:002008-07-06T18:30:38.965-05:00

First, I want to share the news that we finally closed on our duplex! We were all so worried about it due to numerous complications finances and inspection wise - we moved in but could not unpack because we could have been moving out any minute if we couldn't close... what a difficult, difficult time. And what a blessing it is to have my friends from Church come and help us out with moving. My

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-30799587442504074422008-06-16T14:41:00.002-05:002008-06-16T15:03:44.774-05:00

...I have a day off. I am back!!The last month has been so crazy. First, I had my IB exams. Then, AP exams. Then, finishing up high school altogether. Then, graduation. Then, graduation celebrations. All of that with work and family responsibilities = I wonder how I found time to sleep. But today was the first (unexpected) day off. I went to Church in the morning for Divine Liturgy, did the

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-71067631498460437332008-04-27T18:36:00.004-05:002008-04-27T18:40:34.791-05:00

Христос Воскресе! Воистину Воскресе!Christ Is Risen! Indeed He Is Risen!Blessed Feast of Feasts to all!!!

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-56874734286938730882008-04-21T07:31:00.003-05:002008-04-21T07:56:10.483-05:00

...and Holy Week is in its full swing now. I am back from 1st and 3rd Hour services now and have some time before school. I was not expecting the service to be this short :), but I got a chance to go home and read the Gospel reading. It was a bit of an eye-opener, reminding me to be watchful, always.Unfortunately, the next service will be at 9:30AM, right when I will be in school. But, I am

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-18325271850546150982008-04-18T17:06:00.002-05:002008-04-18T17:52:40.872-05:00

This meme is from Sevvi. If you see this and have not yet posted the answers on your blog - tag, you're it! :)Four Things about MeA) FOUR PLACES I GO OVER AND OVER: School, work or Church, home (to sleep mostly). Usually in that order on weekdays.B) FOUR PEOPLE WHO ENCOURAGED MY FAITH ALONG THE WAY: Well, this can be a whole separate story, but as I am still growing "into" the Faith, for now, I'd

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-4052946547309223782008-04-16T16:42:00.002-05:002008-04-16T17:14:17.378-05:00

I feel redundant saying this, as I see many might be experiencing the same, but seriously,Where did Lent go?I know, some might feel it just will not end already, and maybe that's because they have struggled well and need rest, but I feel like time has slipped through my fingers. I was so excited for Lent to come because it would be the first one with me participating in Church, but now, assessing

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-32908941443132245322008-04-10T15:45:00.002-05:002008-04-10T16:06:40.182-05:00

I know I am a little late with this (would have been more appropriate three weeks ago), but I wanted to mention St. Gregory Palamas. I do not know very much about him, even though I should. All I know is that everyone has to read his homilies for each Sunday of Lent. Absolutely unbelievable. My youth group began to study them as soon as Lent began, and every week, he amazes, humbles, and inspires

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-35430640956095537002008-04-06T13:29:00.004-05:002008-04-06T13:59:36.283-05:00

As I expected, I was way too tired last night after work. We were very busy at the restaurant - Saturday night with two waitresses and a trainee is bound to be a long night. But we pulled through, glory be to God :) And made some good money.Okay, so back to my experience at the monastery. I wanted to talk about time. It is different there. Only by the end of our three-day stay there did I even

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-21342360304245563872008-04-05T16:06:00.004-05:002008-04-05T16:34:46.534-05:00

Guess who is back? I am! And I am very glad to be here. The past two months have been crazy busy, and lots of things happened. But I would like to put most of them behind me, recuperate, and return to normal.Glory be to God, I am back at Church in full swing, slowly working through Great Lent and trying to soak in every Liturgical detail of this blessed time. This is my first Lent since I came to

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-89759588158260233282008-02-01T20:33:00.000-06:002008-02-01T21:02:01.334-06:00

Here goes another week... so quickly. Except this one was harder because I have been very sick. See, my thing is that I consider my immune system as my pretty awesome, unfailing friend (pridefully so :(( ) and usually take any cold on my feet. I was planning to do that this time, but it did not work out so well. I am actually still trying to do that right now and will try again tomorrow morning

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-60218375973102782532008-01-29T06:40:00.000-06:002008-01-29T06:56:07.629-06:00

Archbishop Christodoulos reposed yesterday. Here's BBC's article (which bothers me a little with its apparent anti-Christian/anti-Orthodox stance...) An article with more detailed history is from Jerusalem Post. And one more, slightly less harsh or biased article form Washington Post, of all places.To read about Bishop's life from the Church of Greece website, go HERE.Memory Eternal

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-42308226847180971272008-01-26T15:52:00.000-06:002008-01-26T16:14:02.486-06:00

I have not posted in a few days (so busy...), but I figured that now is a great time for a short post about the books on my desk. I am home for about an hour between two shifts at the restaurant. Lunch didn't go all that well (it was very slow), so I am hoping dinner will be way better.Anyways. So here we go:Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky (yay, I did finally get to it!)Introducing the

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-60903731723144303892008-01-21T08:28:00.001-06:002008-01-21T09:00:49.170-06:00

In this morning's Liturgy, we commemorated St. Maximus the Confessor. Being ignorant of who that is, I asked our youth leader to explain. This man is one of the most influential and celebrated saints in the Church because of his great contributions in writing but also to some of the basic questions of the Church. He fought against the Monothelite heresy, which claimed that Jesus had two natures

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-81485198029842152432008-01-19T08:25:00.000-06:002008-01-19T10:04:57.567-06:00

This will be a short one, as I am about to head to work. First of all, my father is officially an American citizen! Yay!! He had an appointment for his English/US History exam at 8am and passed it successfully even though I was rudely escorted out because the documents about his disability to learn a new language (due to a stroke in 1998) supposedly were "not sufficient", and I could not help him

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-518420826680239672008-01-17T09:11:00.000-06:002008-01-17T09:26:20.904-06:00

So I did not know about the Synchroblog and just found out today. Yesterday was the call for Fools-for-Christ blog for all the members. Though I am not a member and am a day late, I have a great saint in mind who fits the criteria. It is St. Xenia of Saint Petersburg, and she is also the patron saint of the city itself, which is my hometown, and thus, St. Xenia is very important to me.Here is her

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-59159816855378829072008-01-16T06:50:00.001-06:002008-01-16T07:07:02.033-06:00

Whew... what a busy, busy week. I am a little stressed right now due to midterms and jobs and trying to figure out when I can squeeze in an hour of studying. However, today will be the last two, but also the hardest - Spanish IV and Calculus. *shudder*. But I will get through, with heavy use of my prayer rope. :)So I did go to the Monday morning liturgy! Yay! I was very proud of myself for that.

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-22542864197158271592008-01-12T14:40:00.000-06:002008-01-12T14:57:45.213-06:00

Today is the commemoration of Holy Martyr Tatiana, who is my patron saint. Happy name day to me!Here is her life according to OCA website:"The Holy Virgin Martyr Tatiana was born into an illustrious Roman family, and her father was elected consul three times. He was secretly a Christian and raised his daughter to be devoted to God and the Church. When she reached the age of maturity, Tatiana

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-1525779632484446402008-01-11T15:12:00.000-06:002008-01-11T15:24:57.832-06:00

Yesterday in English class, a few of us began a heated political discussion... about the war, of course. I will not go into opinions and details, but I can easily say that my stance was quite idealistic. You'd think I would know better by now. So I got attacked from all sides (sometimes rightfully so) that the world and especially politics don't work as honestly and fairly as I present so myself.

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-33560818615313536122008-01-10T07:27:00.000-06:002008-01-10T07:42:58.452-06:00

So this post will probably be a short one, as I am about to head to school. Frankly, I have been very lazy about schoolwork amidst my two jobs. And I find it harder and harder to wake up in the morning. This whole year, I have been waking up at 5am to do homework instead of doing it at night after a long day. And now I find more and more ways to talk myself into not getting on my feet and into

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-9467678930611265192008-01-08T15:12:00.000-06:002008-01-08T15:34:39.565-06:00

I have always enjoyed driving early in the morning before the sun comes up. I love seeing the street lights and the barely rising sun. Today I had to get to school by seven because I had my IB Senior Oral English lit. exam (which went very well :). It was so neat to be able to drive on a similar route, but seeing such different things. Today, there was a large and black storm cloud on the horizon

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-41080874183364093312008-01-06T14:55:00.000-06:002008-01-06T15:15:55.913-06:00

Blessed Feast!!S Prazdnikom!!(С Праздником! for my Russian-reading friends)Divine Liturgy was wonderful today. All our littlest members had such a good time when Father was blessing the waters. Everyone got sprinkled :)It was my first time witnessing the Blessing of the Waters, and it's truly joyous. Now the season of blessing homes before the Great Fast begins, and I truly hope I could make it

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-50733031881922644832008-01-05T09:02:00.000-06:002008-01-05T09:22:15.128-06:00

Yesterday's dinner with Archbishop Dmitri was great. I got to the hosts' house by about two pm, and we began cooking. I volunteered at the sink so we could reuse pans, measuring cups, etc. Soon, there were about ten teenagers in one kitchen, all trying to contribute. We made such a terrible mess :) However, we were all having a good time hanging out and helping each other.Vladyka arrived about

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-49131290401570403502008-01-03T19:24:00.000-06:002008-01-03T19:43:56.575-06:00

AhhhFinally, I am sitting on my bed with my laptop, winding down after a long day. Well, I just met with a couple of students at my *hopefully* future college, which was interesting and very exciting. And then work. Sitting in a not-well-lit room in front of the computer is not the best thing for my eyes, but at least I get paid for it.Tomorrow is going go be an important day. The youth group at

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-59760140599562382552008-01-02T19:30:00.000-06:002008-01-02T19:54:12.821-06:00

Oh boy. I have a terrible migraine and allergic reaction to my brother's cats. I wish I could restrain myself from petting all domesticated creatures.So I have started thinking about my future Church community when I go to college in Switzerland. Actually, I have been thinking about for a while now ever since I talked to Father about it. He is very concerned that I might not find a good, solid,

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-12058046937852994162008-01-02T08:56:00.001-06:002008-01-02T09:24:24.732-06:00

I got my first laptop for new year's. I have always dreamt of being able to sit on my bed, leaning against my endless decorative pillows and type away at a portable PC. My dream has come true! Obviously, this guy was given to me for my college career, which will be starting in August :) cannot wait. But I have already spent a blissful day yesterday setting it up and connecting it to the net, etc

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-85350250018228265912007-07-04T13:39:00.000-05:002007-07-04T13:59:33.324-05:00

I did not want to go see 300 at first. At all, in fact. I figured it would be too "Hollywood". I was right. My friend asked me come see it last night in the area's dollar theatre. I figured, what the heck, it's just 50 cents for the ticket. And I went. I every expectation of the movie I had was met. There were beautiful people, thousands of washboard stomachs, sexuality, drama, hyperboles, and

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-73959508479827553142007-07-01T10:56:00.000-05:002007-07-01T11:22:03.494-05:00

Watching the CNN special "The War Within" made me very sad for some people. The part about the mosque project especially got me. I don't remember all the details and facts that were said, but it would be possibly the largest mosque outside of the Middle East. Judging by the sketches, it would be a marvelous, modern building, showing the true granduer and beauty of the religion and stating of its

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-13617447428881416212007-06-29T22:22:00.000-05:002007-06-29T22:26:12.526-05:00

Conclusion of the day, after reading about the UK dismantled bombs - no need to fear global warming, we will all kill each other before our environment does. How sad. 

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-5808929837454941352007-06-28T20:33:00.000-05:002007-06-28T21:18:46.402-05:00

Drinking a heavenly cup of my favorite Jacob's coffee, I am spending the evening reseraching the application for US citizenship process. I am doing this for my family and myself because we have lived in the United States as legal immigrants for five years now, and the time has come for us to be allowed to apply for citizenship. Obviously, being aware of the world around me, think got me thinking

Elevation Perceptionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13003380514943010907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8495619470682631566.post-34312292358008276622007-06-27T16:17:00.000-05:002007-06-27T16:50:20.267-05:00

Well, this is the beginning. There are so many things that need to be addressed and said and discussed, it is very hard to decide the topic for today. I guess let it be an intro into my life; my goals. I want to change the world. Is that really unrealistic? Might be, but I really cannot say. Right now, my biggest dream is to go to Africa within the next two years and help people there. I recently

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