tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518241339905870911.comments2017-01-31T15:17:02.213-08:00Olya's Thoughts on LifeOlya Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03790729870265152555noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518241339905870911.post-21305150571187906682017-01-31T15:17:02.213-08:002017-01-31T15:17:02.213-08:00You are right, Carrie. Parents cannot live for the...You are right, Carrie. Parents cannot live for their children's accomplishments. More important is that they model for their children what they themselves can achieve. It is an imposition on a child for a parent to seek fulfillment through that child. Parenting should be about understanding one's children and giving them room to explore things and allowing them to pursue their own talents. Olya Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03790729870265152555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518241339905870911.post-14729773750814367592016-09-11T15:40:39.324-07:002016-09-11T15:40:39.324-07:00Nathalie----You are an exceptional writer and this...Nathalie----You are an exceptional writer and this essay exemplifies that. Now, five years later, I hope that you are still not trying to make "sense" of what happened. Evil never makes sense and those who witness or who are subjected to evil are best served by understanding thatAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518241339905870911.post-67891843722426653082015-04-27T07:16:27.859-07:002015-04-27T07:16:27.859-07:00Very nice piece ! I think it is a particularly eff...Very nice piece ! I think it is a particularly effective idea to show Rand's one-dimensional, shallow philosophy by comparing her to a great novelist, whose understanding of people was more heartfelt and empatheticJRoghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05461152885634587163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518241339905870911.post-91266221704529313842014-09-28T09:36:19.999-07:002014-09-28T09:36:19.999-07:00Good article. However, although Ukraine is under i...Good article. However, although Ukraine is under invasion and, of course, this is a really bad thing, especially in the modern world of 21st century, we really should not forget the fact that West (and with an certain accent on USA) is invading, if not colonising the Middle East and Balkans for a long period. So basically, and in my opinion, it is hard to hear the ,,right labeling" from countries which are in a risk of being accused of same things. Finger pointing would certainly not help. Therefore is the euphemism-full rhetoric expected from West (or You, Us, etc.. as you wrote in the article). Nobody is entertaining Putin, it is just a chess match and proper choice of words plays here a special role. I am afraid that here is not a place for ethics, it is rather a place for careful choices.<br /><br />One thing is certain - In the end, we act like peons in this silly play of governments. We should really try to change the role. <br /><br />Kind regards, DMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518241339905870911.post-54587512756371846402014-09-06T20:19:39.805-07:002014-09-06T20:19:39.805-07:00Thanks for posting this, Olya! Very interesting in...Thanks for posting this, Olya! Very interesting interview of a very talented and insightful writer. Really good comments you made. Had long forgotten about the split government Ukraine had for so many years. No wonder there are problems there! And what a background you have, woman! Thanks for sharing that, too. Keep at it!Dan Bodinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01663726088055350421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518241339905870911.post-6809949965502085182014-03-09T13:10:37.084-07:002014-03-09T13:10:37.084-07:00Hello Olya, I just saw this post you wrote. Thank ...Hello Olya, I just saw this post you wrote. Thank you. <br />You are right, things are crazy right now in Ukraine and so many have no idea the intense history this great nation endured. Some of the horror stories of real people, atrocities of families starved to death, families who fled their homeland to stay alive - do they have a voice? Yes they do, and we all need to tell the stories - let people understand how horribly wrong Russian politics are, and how our country needs to stand by Ukraine without any faltering. Ukrainians love freedom. Thank you for sharing. Будьте здорові! Elisabeth Zguta, Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10081907532476759685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518241339905870911.post-61122684008274430392014-03-06T21:38:53.256-08:002014-03-06T21:38:53.256-08:00Olya, Thanks for airing this. Indeed, some very ri...Olya, Thanks for airing this. Indeed, some very rich history has been suppressed in this region. Any estimate (by hand-me-down, family oral history stories, say) of the number Stalin killed? Russia obviously wants the Crimea; has apparently taken it; and I don't see the U.S. jumping into military plan in the Ukraine to get it back. Throwing the old war crimes against humanity up, at least as a detraction, might build some time for political support to come together for such an operation. Just an idea. But something like that will need documentation of some sorts.Dan Bodinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01663726088055350421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518241339905870911.post-31820783901304205072013-06-18T00:35:18.439-07:002013-06-18T00:35:18.439-07:00This post raises some interesting views on a coupl...This post raises some interesting views on a couple of questions we, as Americans, should consider if we rally to be civil. The fact alone our high-ranking singular percentile is outsourcing the jobs belonging in the states is one thing, for these workers could not burn if there was no merchandise to create, as the jobs remain in the U.S., however they would find other jobs (because they need the money) just as hazardous.<br /><br />Addressing the second issue, with all of our positions being outsourced, thank you Facebook and Obama, all of our country's money is paid to other countries so the rich can have second and third homes in other countries. I love Tony Robbins, the motivational speaker, but his gorgeous home in Fiji says otherwise as he makes his money here and reportedly spends it there. http://www.namalefiji.com/tonyrobbinsfijiresort/ <br /><br />When Obama came into office, he declared with utmost certainty, "Change." However the significant changes are, they are not helping this country, but a far different dream than the American dream--one nation under God, indivisible, with justice for all.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01294573971136177426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518241339905870911.post-52880475956243901552013-06-06T12:16:50.332-07:002013-06-06T12:16:50.332-07:00mamaonetothree.comMarch 27, 2012 at 1:52 PM
lovely...mamaonetothree.comMarch 27, 2012 at 1:52 PM<br />lovely post. you sound a lot like me-- I am so similar with my oldest daughter... sigh. I don't know that I could be any different.<br /><br />ReplyDelete<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Olya ThompsonMarch 27, 2012 at 2:07 PM<br />Love your blog. So honest and true. The sacrifices you make for your kids, Wendy, are so obvious!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />ReplyDeleteOlya Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03790729870265152555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518241339905870911.post-38546119191719640182013-05-30T21:32:21.153-07:002013-05-30T21:32:21.153-07:00Olga,
Thank you so much for reading and for your k...Olga,<br />Thank you so much for reading and for your kind comments. I am happy that we somehow found each other through this post. As for what you say about my use of the English language, thank you. Like for you, it is my second language though. I am surprised that you picked this piece, as it is not really about my heritage, just about raising my daughter. However, it does have that typical slavic "emotive" expression that I am sure we can both relate to. I do look forward to staying in touch! <br />Olya Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03790729870265152555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518241339905870911.post-26482968066801585882013-03-23T15:05:48.618-07:002013-03-23T15:05:48.618-07:00It is very true that we reap what we sow, but deal...It is very true that we reap what we sow, but deals made with the devil will always come back to bite you. Our government is finding that out. The problem is people in foreign countries think we all are the same because we live here. That could not be further from the truth but that won't matter. The terrorists only care about body counts and physical damage. We are all targets.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04811936069952712196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518241339905870911.post-56980296326936903222013-03-23T10:57:15.188-07:002013-03-23T10:57:15.188-07:00Agreed sentiment. Thank you for posting.Agreed sentiment. Thank you for posting.Elisabeth Zguta, Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10081907532476759685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518241339905870911.post-83757027919215944522013-03-23T09:25:32.164-07:002013-03-23T09:25:32.164-07:00Very thoughtful post. We do reap what we sow. Wh...Very thoughtful post. We do reap what we sow. Why aren't we sowing communication, exchange of concerns, compassion. Why don't we try to understand, to learn the history of relationships? Were we in the habit of doing so, I'm sure there would have been no 9-11.<br />Cathy<br />Cathy Hunsbergernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518241339905870911.post-14191556128700334572013-03-23T07:45:49.897-07:002013-03-23T07:45:49.897-07:00I totally agree that violence begets violence. It ...I totally agree that violence begets violence. It seems our nation loves to stir things up but finds it hard to follow through and make sure when we get involved we actually fix things. We need to analyze the possible consequences of our actions before playing hero. Collenehttp://www.linkedin.com/pub/collene-houston/46/796/122/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518241339905870911.post-59900503400134039762013-03-22T20:50:06.436-07:002013-03-22T20:50:06.436-07:00How nice of you to read and comment, Stephanie. Ye...How nice of you to read and comment, Stephanie. Yes, the soul-less ideology of a communist state is deadening. Yet it was religion -- although underground -- and as depicted in these "Soviet" films that invoked the wrath of the censors-- that managed to sustain the Slavic spirit.<br /><br /><br />Olya Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03790729870265152555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518241339905870911.post-27744060259315875992013-03-13T15:45:34.152-07:002013-03-13T15:45:34.152-07:00nice imagenice imageElisabeth Zguta, Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10081907532476759685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518241339905870911.post-71683676309501802932013-03-08T12:33:45.404-08:002013-03-08T12:33:45.404-08:00This comment has been hidden from the blog.Cat Hudginsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518241339905870911.post-74158446783576485142013-03-07T12:04:41.943-08:002013-03-07T12:04:41.943-08:00Olya,
You are one of the finest art historians I&#...Olya,<br />You are one of the finest art historians I've read (and married). Unpacking the cultural consequences of the rigidity of Socialist Realism, you make these paintings reveal their essence as you hold them up to the light of today. Wow. It was just really good.<br />peace,<br />mickey morgan WendyHopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03837136025522780392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518241339905870911.post-25447044784029912472013-03-06T13:51:52.830-08:002013-03-06T13:51:52.830-08:00Lovely, Doreen. I will be writng more about my (ou...Lovely, Doreen. I will be writng more about my (our) Ukrainian heritage. Perhaps you would like to sign in and follow my posts. Let us stay in touch. <br />Kind regards,<br />OlyaOlya Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03790729870265152555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518241339905870911.post-73600394326536436762013-03-04T20:14:50.042-08:002013-03-04T20:14:50.042-08:00This comment has been hidden from the blog.Maryna Hrushetskahttp://www.marynahrushetska.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518241339905870911.post-25987861385734668352013-03-03T08:41:33.061-08:002013-03-03T08:41:33.061-08:00Dear Olya,
I admire your writing style, the breat...Dear Olya,<br /><br />I admire your writing style, the breath of topics from personal to political and everything that could fit between them, combined with the wonderful and masterful use of English language. I think that this could be because I, as a multi-language person, of the same origin from Ukraine and a refugee from the "socialist paradise," as your parents, was not able to master after living in tis country from 1959.<br /><br />My preferred essays in your repertoire,so far as I menaged to read them, are "Airport: A Reflection on Single Parenting" and "On Attending a Taras Shevchenko Poetry Slam" to which I can relate as a mother and as Ukrainian. I looking forward to read all of your writings, and I am sure to find many more.<br /><br />Olga Verro, Editor of "Voices from The Past" and "Golosa is Proshlogo" by Orest M. Gladky.Voicesfromthepasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16775865255514100014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518241339905870911.post-45118206395633673312013-01-24T07:29:40.524-08:002013-01-24T07:29:40.524-08:00Interestingly, I wrote this a year ago, when every...Interestingly, I wrote this a year ago, when everyone was still talking about The Arab Spring. Olya Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03790729870265152555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518241339905870911.post-8768151147899597512013-01-24T03:57:46.697-08:002013-01-24T03:57:46.697-08:00Well said. I might add that in dropping one billio...Well said. I might add that in dropping one billion dollars worth of bombs on Libya, we aided in this fiasco. We, of course, did not call our involvement war, but that is what it was. Obama has followed in Bush's footsteps in using the military to solve problems which then in turn create bigger problems. Fundamentalist, radical Islam is more entrenched than ever in the Middle East and Africa after thousands of people have lost their lives and millions of dollars have been spent that could have been spent better elsewhere.Dan Weaverhttp://www.thebookhound.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518241339905870911.post-30520984986246555992012-12-20T19:57:11.676-08:002012-12-20T19:57:11.676-08:00Thank you, Yurij Dobriansky! Let us stay in touch....Thank you, Yurij Dobriansky! Let us stay in touch.<br /><br />Olya Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03790729870265152555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3518241339905870911.post-41370933299944684962012-12-10T08:15:23.950-08:002012-12-10T08:15:23.950-08:00Very nice! I always keep his work at hand.Very nice! I always keep his work at hand.Yurij Dobrianskyhttp://www.vorochta5.comnoreply@blogger.com