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belleweather:
What animal do you most identify with?I don't really.
Your favorite sport to play.I've never been into sports. We did volleyball a lot in high school and some kickball but I was never into sports. If i had to pick I would choose badminton or table tennis.
Who was your favorite professor in college?Professor Robin Oggins, who taught Medieval history. His classes were not easy - three hour essay tests, but he put a lot of humor into his lectures and he was a wonderful professor and adviser. I took several lecture classes and several seminar classes with him.
Have you ever traveled alone?Yes, many times. I went to England by myself a few times to do research for grad school, so I flew by myself, and I traveled by myself there. I like having the freedom. And I got to talk to people on the plane and in general. Also I traveled to a few conferences by myself.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?Apply to city jobs and take many tests for it.
The worst meal you’ve ever cooked.One time I was making boiled meatballs for baby Tanya and then pretty much dissolved in the water because I did not put enough breadcrumbs in them.
Your feelings about the dentist.I wish we never had to go. I get major anxiety just thinking about it. Dentists themselves have been lovely people but I really don't like going at all. The only people who I know look forward to visiting the dentist are my kids, for now at least, and that is because they get presents, get to watch cartoons and its just a cleaning.
What do you know about your father’s parents?Quite a lot. We just went to visit them last Sunday and I call them every day on the way home from work for a brief hello. My grandfather is 92 and my grandmother is about to turn 90 in December.
My grandmother grew up as a third of five children in a Jewish family in Minsk. Her father is from Poland and was married before with another daughter. During World War II, from age 11 to 15, she evacuated Belarus and then her family came back. My grandmother managed to go to Law College in the 50s which is quite an achievement for a Jew in post-war Soviet Union - her war-hero older brother managed to help her get in. She got a law degree and then joined the police where she spent her whole career until retirement. She focused on juvenile offenders a lot. And had some good influence in the city, which helped my Dad to get into specialized math school. She had two sons, my Dad and this brother, who is seven year younger (and it was never a secret that she always favored my uncle). She also told me she was pregnant with a girl in between but lost her, which was traumatizing. My uncle moved to US in 1989 and then started the process to get his parents and us to come as well. My grandmothers' brother (the oldest died young) and sisters also were moving to US. Her whole family is here now. She was 63 when we moved to the US and she started a new life here. Her whole life, my grandmother was the always trying to get something, to move something, there is this conniving personality type to her (I mean it in a nice way - street smarts). She always also asks questions and wants to know everything - her life as a police officer didn't stop after her retirement.
My grandfather was also born in Minsk and had a big brother ten years older than him. He was close to his brother and to his cousin. He evacuated to Uzbekistan with his parents at age 14 when World War II came to Soviet Union. His big brother joined the Army and died in battle in 1943. When my grandfather was 18 and World War II was coming to a close he joined the army and remained in the Army until he was 25 years old. He still talks a lot about his army days. He got tattoos of his name on his hands from the army. He came back to Minsk to his parents when he was 25, met my grandmother, and started working at the radio and television factory where he worked until he retired. He mostly made radios. Once he saw Lee Harvey Oswald when Oswald defected to Soviet Union for a time and was at the same factory. My grandfather was the cook in his family as my grandmother had a more intense career. He used to pick me up from school in 6th and 7th grade, when I had school in the afternoon session and it was dark when school let out. I was close to him (my other grandfather died before I was born so he was my only grandfather). He also loves to read, which passed to my Dad and to me. He prefers biographies and 20th century stuff though. He has a big library of Jewish authors that he took with him to the US. He came to US at 65, and he spend a lot of time watching my cousins after school. When my uncle and his family moved to New Jersey, my grandfather would take NJ Transit and go there for a week to take care of my two little cousins after school. Now he basically confined to the wheelchair and can't travel too far from the apartment my grandparents live in. But as long as he has his Kindle, he's good.
A time you narrowly escaped.When I tripped and fell on big rocks at Shenandoah National Park and only broke my nose. It could have been much, much worse. I consider myself very lucky there.
The worst date you’ve ever been on.I only dated three people in my life so I don't really have that much dating experience or bad dates really. Most of my dates where just fine. I really don't have a worst date story.
Do you have a favorite National or State Park?I enjoyed Grand Canyon park but I don't know if it is my favorite. Ooh, I know Teddy Roosevelt's house in Long Island. It is technically a National Park and that was a fun place to visit.
A time you did service.I was on a jury in 2011 in a federal court on a criminal case.
Your favorite place to visit in the fall.A pumpkin patch - anything Halloween related really. It's fun.
Three of your mother’s favorite things.Criticizing everything, opera and Russian talk shows.
What makes you nervous?Dentist visits, trying to make sure the girls grow up well and all the things they would have to face as they get older, my parents health as they get older.
Your oldest friend.Sveta and I were friends since I was born. Our Moms lived in neighboring buildings and became friends. Sveta is about 4-5 months older than me. We were in the same daycare when we were 5 and in the same class at school from 1st to 4th grade before I transferred to a math school in 5th grade. she was the only person I told early that we were moving to US. I wrote her letters once I came to US and she is only person from Minsk besides my family with whom I'm still in contact with.
A time when someone helped you.My graphic calculator was stolen one day when I was tutoring some kids and my math teacher got me another one for free. Those things were expensive and I was very upset since I really didn't want to ask my parents for that kind of money.
Something you never want to own.A timeshare. I'd rather travel to different places.
The first time you fell in love.I have only been in love with Bear. I was 18 and freshman in college. It was all very sweet.
Your favorite sounds.Kids laughing, door opening that means Bear is home, train rhythm, Beethoven 7th symphony 2nd movement, quite silence late at night.
The hardest loss you’ve ever had.My grandmother Tanya died when I was 19.
How are you similar to your siblings?I don't have any siblings.
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