tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61794083795490736482024-03-13T04:18:49.000-07:00Fulbright in UkraineMaria Haigh's Fulbright experience in Kyiv, UkraineMaria Haighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202703552726897234noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179408379549073648.post-15058919509025633242007-03-29T15:04:00.000-07:002007-03-29T15:26:41.889-07:00Conference presentations<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw9D-YSY8I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/qbcd-ymdKwc/s1600-h/TomPresent3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw9D-YSY8I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/qbcd-ymdKwc/s320/TomPresent3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047476420869252034" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw82OYSY6I/AAAAAAAAAHA/SZHWtgKXB6Y/s1600-h/TomPresent2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw82OYSY6I/AAAAAAAAAHA/SZHWtgKXB6Y/s320/TomPresent2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047476184646050722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw8xeYSY5I/AAAAAAAAAG4/eCdpldQZbR8/s1600-h/MePLenaryAudience.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw8xeYSY5I/AAAAAAAAAG4/eCdpldQZbR8/s320/MePLenaryAudience.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047476103041672082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw8qOYSY4I/AAAAAAAAAGw/3Izr9cT_oV0/s1600-h/MePLenary2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw8qOYSY4I/AAAAAAAAAGw/3Izr9cT_oV0/s320/MePLenary2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047475978487620482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw8kOYSY3I/AAAAAAAAAGo/PlP3WKZE3AA/s1600-h/AviationInstitute1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw8kOYSY3I/AAAAAAAAAGo/PlP3WKZE3AA/s320/AviationInstitute1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047475875408405362" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw8feYSY2I/AAAAAAAAAGg/o-jstESnW2I/s1600-h/MePLenary1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw8feYSY2I/AAAAAAAAAGg/o-jstESnW2I/s320/MePLenary1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047475793804026722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw8YOYSY1I/AAAAAAAAAGY/xTG-R8OgQVA/s1600-h/BeforePlenarySession.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw8YOYSY1I/AAAAAAAAAGY/xTG-R8OgQVA/s320/BeforePlenarySession.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047475669249975122" border="0" /></a><br />Tom and I have presented at the international conference "Gumanitarni Problemy Stanovlennia Suchasnoho Fakhivczia" (8th International Conference for the Professionalization and Modernization of the Humanities and Social Sciences) at the National University of Aviation in Kyiv. Tom presented at two sessions and I presented as one of the four keynote speakers at the plenary session.Maria Haighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202703552726897234noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179408379549073648.post-35351009170588427152007-03-29T14:45:00.000-07:002007-03-29T15:44:04.371-07:00Halyzckyj Instytut Chornovola and Pochayevo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/RgxAu-YSZBI/AAAAAAAAAH4/jAgwYHwyK9M/s1600-h/PochayevoOutside3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/RgxAu-YSZBI/AAAAAAAAAH4/jAgwYHwyK9M/s320/PochayevoOutside3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047480458138510354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/RgxAKeYSZAI/AAAAAAAAAHw/gHN_JTfpmnc/s1600-h/MePochayevoScarf1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/RgxAKeYSZAI/AAAAAAAAAHw/gHN_JTfpmnc/s320/MePochayevoScarf1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047479831073285122" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw_4eYSY-I/AAAAAAAAAHg/YfDSgGy-2j0/s1600-h/Pochayevo1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw_4eYSY-I/AAAAAAAAAHg/YfDSgGy-2j0/s320/Pochayevo1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047479521835639778" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw-9uYSY9I/AAAAAAAAAHY/IthunJloW2Q/s1600-h/PochayevoOutsidePagoda4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw-9uYSY9I/AAAAAAAAAHY/IthunJloW2Q/s320/PochayevoOutsidePagoda4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047478512518325202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw2auYSY0I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/2XR7YgB8Lx4/s1600-h/VeryTouchingChornovilMuseum.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw2auYSY0I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/2XR7YgB8Lx4/s320/VeryTouchingChornovilMuseum.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047469115129881410" border="0" /></a><br />Our wonderful host, President of the Institute took us to Pochayevo Monastery of the most significant religious symbols in Ukraine. As all women on the Lavra territory I had to wear a scarf (There are no such requirements for men)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw0xuYSYwI/AAAAAAAAAFw/0EElU1Ea9UY/s1600-h/ComputerRoomSovietPanel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw0xuYSYwI/AAAAAAAAAFw/0EElU1Ea9UY/s320/ComputerRoomSovietPanel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047467311243617026" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw0T-YSYvI/AAAAAAAAAFo/rmpR6RGGL_k/s1600-h/HalyckINst1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw0T-YSYvI/AAAAAAAAAFo/rmpR6RGGL_k/s320/HalyckINst1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047466800142508786" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Computer class with the Soviet wall panel.Maria Haighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202703552726897234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179408379549073648.post-82679438216883661602007-03-29T14:14:00.000-07:002007-03-29T14:38:20.544-07:00Ternopil highlights<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/RgwxwuYSYoI/AAAAAAAAAEw/1SUFfR34fM8/s1600-h/TernopilCentralSquareTheater.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/RgwxwuYSYoI/AAAAAAAAAEw/1SUFfR34fM8/s320/TernopilCentralSquareTheater.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047463995528864386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/RgwxkuYSYnI/AAAAAAAAAEo/QKfJGqGV1Pw/s1600-h/TernopilStreet2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/RgwxkuYSYnI/AAAAAAAAAEo/QKfJGqGV1Pw/s320/TernopilStreet2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047463789370434162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/RgwxduYSYmI/AAAAAAAAAEg/lxJSPOK006g/s1600-h/TernopilStreet1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/RgwxduYSYmI/AAAAAAAAAEg/lxJSPOK006g/s320/TernopilStreet1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047463669111349858" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Ternopil Streets and central square with the theater.Maria Haighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202703552726897234noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179408379549073648.post-47387182888945285942007-03-29T14:11:00.000-07:002007-03-29T15:03:12.277-07:00Video of the presentation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgwy9OYSYtI/AAAAAAAAAFY/ePV_PrDo6ZU/s1600-h/TernopilStudents1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgwy9OYSYtI/AAAAAAAAAFY/ePV_PrDo6ZU/s320/TernopilStudents1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047465309788857042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgwy0uYSYsI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/cOpyeV7EL-A/s1600-h/WorkingBreakfastTernopil.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgwy0uYSYsI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/cOpyeV7EL-A/s320/WorkingBreakfastTernopil.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047465163759968962" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgwyu-YSYrI/AAAAAAAAAFI/tfTZr5qG4jU/s1600-h/TernoppilInterview.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgwyu-YSYrI/AAAAAAAAAFI/tfTZr5qG4jU/s320/TernoppilInterview.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047465064975721138" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/RgwyqOYSYqI/AAAAAAAAAFA/BtByrqHU0mY/s1600-h/GettingReadyPresentationTernopil.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/RgwyqOYSYqI/AAAAAAAAAFA/BtByrqHU0mY/s320/GettingReadyPresentationTernopil.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047464983371342498" border="0" /></a><br />Here are some pictures from our working breakfast, and the presentation. <span lang="EN-US"> After the working breakfast I gave my talk for the audience of the computer science and law students. The news about our arrival spread rather quickly, before my talk local television arrived and took an interview first with the Dean, then with me. You can watch the clip <a href="http://www.tomandmaria.com/images/mariaternopil.mpg">here</a>.</span>Maria Haighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202703552726897234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179408379549073648.post-76238941847055863212007-03-29T14:08:00.000-07:002007-03-29T15:45:40.325-07:00Visit to Ternopil<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/RgwrRuYSYhI/AAAAAAAAAD4/LlcCuJCMfuw/s1600-h/TernopilVokzal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/RgwrRuYSYhI/AAAAAAAAAD4/LlcCuJCMfuw/s320/TernopilVokzal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047456865883152914" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Visit to Ternopil</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I had an opportunity to visit western <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Ukraine</st1:country-region></st1:place>, regional center Ternopil. <a href="http://www.ukma.kiev.ua/ua/faculties/fac_inf/index.php">Mykola Mykolayevych Glybovetc</a> arranged an invitation for me to give a talk at Галицький Інститут Ім.В.Чорновола on the topic of piracy and intellectual property in <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Ukraine</st1:country-region></st1:place>. It was very interesting for me and Tom to see other parts of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Ukraine</st1:place></st1:country-region> and experience once warm Ukrainian hospitality. People in Ternopil gave us absolutely royal treatment. We were met at the train station, whisked away for the business lunch with three courses and lots of wine and cognac.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Maria Haighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202703552726897234noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179408379549073648.post-62155092607401200042007-02-26T15:02:00.000-08:002007-02-26T15:04:08.061-08:00Happy family freezing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNnX7XcAiI/AAAAAAAAADs/KK7CXMhse5U/s1600-h/happyfamily.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNnX7XcAiI/AAAAAAAAADs/KK7CXMhse5U/s320/happyfamily.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5035982469100995106" border="0" /></a><br />Rare occasion of getting together with my sister in Kyiv, in ЦУМ (Central Universal Magazine)Maria Haighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202703552726897234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179408379549073648.post-30555835299291884392007-02-26T14:50:00.000-08:002007-02-26T14:59:14.346-08:00New Obolon, New Vodka<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNl97XcAhI/AAAAAAAAADU/5J7Yl0u4seA/s1600-h/NewObolon1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNl97XcAhI/AAAAAAAAADU/5J7Yl0u4seA/s320/NewObolon1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5035980922912768530" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNljrXcAfI/AAAAAAAAADE/UggzKROsCas/s1600-h/vodka2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNljrXcAfI/AAAAAAAAADE/UggzKROsCas/s320/vodka2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5035980471941202418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNlj7XcAgI/AAAAAAAAADM/ekA4Qh4XNxo/s1600-h/vodka1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNlj7XcAgI/AAAAAAAAADM/ekA4Qh4XNxo/s320/vodka1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5035980476236169730" border="0" /></a><br />I want to be fair, not everything on Obolon is Soviet and crumbling. New capitalist Obolon with McDonalds and shiny advertisements is prospering next to the Old Obolon.<br /><br />There is an amazing array of tasteful vodka bottles available everywhere.Maria Haighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202703552726897234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179408379549073648.post-67277591211163528922007-02-26T14:32:00.000-08:002007-02-26T14:50:10.143-08:00New Kyiv<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNj4rXcAcI/AAAAAAAAACk/oTjyPJcySfI/s1600-h/arenacity2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNj4rXcAcI/AAAAAAAAACk/oTjyPJcySfI/s320/arenacity2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5035978633695199682" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNj47XcAdI/AAAAAAAAACs/UDdVX0pI_iQ/s1600-h/arenacity.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNj47XcAdI/AAAAAAAAACs/UDdVX0pI_iQ/s320/arenacity.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5035978637990166994" border="0" /></a><br />There are plenty of glitzy places in Kyiv now. Arena City is one of the top destinations.Maria Haighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202703552726897234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179408379549073648.post-82143806625604215122007-02-26T13:44:00.000-08:002007-02-26T14:31:02.902-08:00Book covers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNbB7XcAbI/AAAAAAAAACU/dPUzrAGRikw/s1600-h/bookcovers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNbB7XcAbI/AAAAAAAAACU/dPUzrAGRikw/s320/bookcovers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5035968897004339634" border="0" /></a><br />My sister visited Kyiv last week, she was a moderator for a literary evening on the topic of erotica and pornography in the Ukrainian literature. It was very interesting that these issues are raised and that people care enough to express their opinions. I felt it was a bit unfair to frame the debate as one side who is for erotica and the other side who is against erotica in literature. The main issue was about taste, that sex scenes became gratuitous in the novels, to stimulate book sale. I feel that regulations will not work and that it is a passing trend: at some point Ukrainian literature (and mainly publishing houses and the audience) will mature to want something else. I think the taste needs time to develop.<br /><br />My sister is an author herself, she published a book "36 Songs of Life" which was very well received by the reviewers and the audience.<br /><br />My first impression of the book cover was that it was a bit risqué. This was before I saw the "companion" book cover, published by the same publishers, at the same time. Hers is in pink, the" companion" book is in blue. I find this very funny.Maria Haighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202703552726897234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179408379549073648.post-5747339923487420482007-02-26T12:28:00.000-08:002007-02-26T13:17:16.450-08:00Carpet cleaning technology<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNDYrXcASI/AAAAAAAAAAs/2Za0mukzwe8/s1600-h/CarpetCleaningTechnology.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNDYrXcASI/AAAAAAAAAAs/2Za0mukzwe8/s320/CarpetCleaningTechnology.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5035942899567296802" border="0" /></a><br />I forgot how people cleaned carpets in my country: with fresh snow in bitter cold. It was reassuring to see that the tradition continues.Maria Haighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202703552726897234noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179408379549073648.post-31409576755291312532007-02-26T12:27:00.000-08:002007-03-29T14:54:10.897-07:00Meeting the students<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw1euYSYzI/AAAAAAAAAGI/8MEgkm1oVLs/s1600-h/KMAStudents1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw1euYSYzI/AAAAAAAAAGI/8MEgkm1oVLs/s320/KMAStudents1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047468084337730354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw1ZOYSYyI/AAAAAAAAAGA/xonKw8XscQo/s1600-h/KMAStudents2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/Rgw1ZOYSYyI/AAAAAAAAAGA/xonKw8XscQo/s320/KMAStudents2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047467989848449826" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Meeting the students….</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The first day I went to Kyiv Mohyla Academy (UKMA) <a href="http://www.ukma.kiev.ua/ua/faculties/fac_inf/informatics/vykladachi/index.php">Faculty of Informatics</a>, the dean Mykola Mykolayevych told me of their crisis. Two professors in the department got suddenly seriously ill, so he asked me to teach two courses to substitute one of the professors. He gave me complete freedom of what to teach, with only condition that the teaching must be in English and start next day. This was an ideal opportunity for me to teach what I want: so we are having two courses on Social Aspects of Technology (Social Informatics) with the focus on international issues of intellectual property and piracy.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I really like the students and the opportunity to get to know them. They are 3<sup>rd</sup> and 5<sup>th</sup> year of the University. In their age they are very close to the age my daughter would've been. Who knows, maybe she would've studied in Kyiv Mohyla.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">They are the first generation growing up in the post-Soviet, post-Chornobyl period. <span style=""> </span>I want to see who they are, what they think, what their opinions are. UKMA is the top university of Ukraine, aiming to be in the </span><span lang="EN-US">the world's </span><span lang="EN-US">top 50 universities in the next 10 years. The university pride itself on being free of corruption and bribes, and being truly meritocratic in their admissions policies. Competition is intense for each student spot, entrance exams are difficult. Only the best students gain the privilege to study in this University. Most of the students are coming from cities other than Kyiv, so for me it is also interesting to meet new generation of Ukrainians from all over Ukraine.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Did I mention that I really like the students? They are very smart and articulate, and have a very interesting perspectives. During the first class I was asking them what they want to do in the future, many of them already have their own companies or work as programmers and web designers. My favorite answer was though: "I want to be a Cosmonaut". Who does not?<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Tom was laughing at me that I had an urge to invite the students to our nice apartment only to remember that our nice apartment is in MILWAUKEE and we and, therefore, students are in KYIV... It is a pity...<br /></span></p>Maria Haighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202703552726897234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179408379549073648.post-54652391752372454802007-02-26T10:52:00.001-08:002007-02-26T12:45:18.759-08:00Kyiv tour with the Fulbright delegation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNGrrXcAWI/AAAAAAAAABc/eCSEZeI02J8/s1600-h/MykhailChurchOutside.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNGrrXcAWI/AAAAAAAAABc/eCSEZeI02J8/s320/MykhailChurchOutside.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5035946524519694690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNGr7XcAXI/AAAAAAAAABk/1icfwBjuRCs/s1600-h/vydub1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNGr7XcAXI/AAAAAAAAABk/1icfwBjuRCs/s320/vydub1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5035946528814662002" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNGr7XcAYI/AAAAAAAAABs/gI2jfmtxUys/s1600-h/MykhailChurch1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNGr7XcAYI/AAAAAAAAABs/gI2jfmtxUys/s320/MykhailChurch1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5035946528814662018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNGsLXcAZI/AAAAAAAAAB0/GE9SiTYoCGU/s1600-h/corochkyHocharMuseum.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNGsLXcAZI/AAAAAAAAAB0/GE9SiTYoCGU/s320/corochkyHocharMuseum.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5035946533109629330" border="0" /></a><br />Fulbright office organized a tour of Kyiv for this year Fulbright recipients staying in Ukraine. It was quite cold, yet impressive. I have not visited these place for a long time. Vydubyzcky Monastery, St.Mykhaila church... Beautiful artifacts of the Honchar Museum... <span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span>Maria Haighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202703552726897234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179408379549073648.post-5587847644273874612007-02-26T10:52:00.000-08:002007-02-26T13:00:53.818-08:00Lessons of the connected world<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNEerXcATI/AAAAAAAAAA4/Rf03HqBkGqg/s1600-h/kitchenapt.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNEerXcATI/AAAAAAAAAA4/Rf03HqBkGqg/s320/kitchenapt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5035944102158139698" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNEerXcAUI/AAAAAAAAABA/AT6MFqc6Djs/s1600-h/aptCorridor.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReNEerXcAUI/AAAAAAAAABA/AT6MFqc6Djs/s320/aptCorridor.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5035944102158139714" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I must admit that our soviet crumbling building was a bit of a shock for the first couple of days, but now it does not look that bad, it does not smell as bad either.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We constantly have to struggle with repairs though. There is a metal box on the staircase with all electric wires including telephone, internet, and television cable. Everything is hanging there barely attached to the sockets; it is a miracle that anything works. When Internet installation people came over to install new cables for the internet, they accidentally disconnected our television cable, so our television stopped working. Tom tried to fix television cable and knocked off our telephone cable, after that the telephone and the television stopped working. Fortunately, my sister called and remembered that we had a neighbor in the building on the first floor who is an electrician and miraculously still not complete alcoholic. So I ran to him for help. Tolia came and fixed our television cable and telephone. However, half an hour later our next door neighbor knocked on the door, telling that her television does not work anymore. I told her our story, she said she will call the cable company. So I expect the cycle to continue: cable people will come, fix neighbor's television and disconnect ours.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I think we get too spoilt in the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> expecting several telephones and televisions to work simultaneously....<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Everything is connected in this Soviet reality. Another profound example: Tom drank coffee yesterday and drained coffee grinds in the sink. This blocked the sink. Washing machine is connected to the kitchen drainage, therefore our washing machine does not drain water as well.</span></p><br />Pictures of Old Obolon, New Obolon is completely different story....<span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span><span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:12;" lang="EN-US" ></span>Maria Haighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202703552726897234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179408379549073648.post-38492026806349479532007-02-26T06:32:00.000-08:002007-02-26T11:02:46.665-08:00First days, first impressions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReMuwLXcARI/AAAAAAAAAAg/jAFuqnKLCpQ/s1600-h/fromtheWindow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8GE0pgTjkEc/ReMuwLXcARI/AAAAAAAAAAg/jAFuqnKLCpQ/s320/fromtheWindow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5035920213550039314" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I’m happy to be back in my own country. It is an interesting experience first of all because there is so much that looks and feels familiar, however, the country that I left 20 years ago does not exist anymore. I’m very happy to have my husband, Tom, to share this experience with me. He has a perspective of an outsider, draws different conclusions. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">For me everything looks fuzzy at the first glance, and then comes into focus, when I either recognize it from my childhood and youth, and understand what is new. Tom sees everything as new and compares with his other experiences in foreign countries. It is fun to discuss our differences. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">For instance, now I understand, how Kyiv bazaars remind him of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Thailand</st1:place></st1:country-region>. I was surprised by the comparison, at first, mainly seeing the difference in weather (it is absolutely freezing here). But bazaars (street markets) are a separate issue, I’ll talk about it later.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We settled on Obolon, the area in Kyiv, that I did not have chance to get used to after my parents moved there in 1983. We moved from one room flat on Pechersk (older, central area of Kyiv) to Obolon, newly developed area of Soviet high-rises. The flat as the whole building looked very new and shiny when we moved. Twenty four years later, the flat as well as all surrounding buildings look rather shabby and sad. Maybe electricity outlets are falling out of the walls and the toilet seat is not attached to the toilet, but everything is somehow pretty functional. We are very happy with out internet provider. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Overall service sector changed the most in Kyiv: everything is open until very late or 24 hours, and companies respond to service calls amazingly quickly. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The very first night of our arrival to Kyiv, installation technicians from the internet company came in. We had an agreement that they will install the cable modem and we will have the internet right away. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">However, when the technicians came in, they told us that their company would not be the best alternative for us, that there is another new provider on Obolon (and only on Obolon) that would suit us better. At first Tom was very skeptical and suspicious of <span style=""> </span>their sales tactics: don’t use our company, use the competitor. I believed them, they looked honest and sincere. Next day we walked to the office of the competitor and ordered their services, within 24 hours, the internet was installed. And it is quite advanced technologically, since we do not need any cable modems, we have direct Ethernet cable from their switch to our apartment. It is amazing that for the old crumbling Soviet building, they still put in new infrastructure.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Internet makes an enormous difference, now we feel very connected…..</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">More later</span></p>Maria Haighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202703552726897234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179408379549073648.post-82019908369178846252006-12-09T16:46:00.000-08:002006-12-09T17:00:03.319-08:00getting readygetting ready to travel to Kyiv, got tickets, now time to pack boxes and send them to Ukraine ahead of our arrival.Maria Haighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202703552726897234noreply@blogger.com0