Redhead in Groningen

     Half of the tournament has already passed. Yeah, that's how I'll start this post, no mention of any celebration- still too early for that.

     I have 2,5p/4 with 3 draws and a win- 3 draws!!! I normally make them in 3-4 tournaments :))) Have never ever been such a solid player before! :D Don't think that I didn't try to win- I played 100 moves in the 1st game and 135 in the 2nd one ('ve discovered that the Queen+Knight vs Queen endgame is a dead draw, but not before tormenting my opponent and myself for 50 moves).
     Well, now- getting to the interesting part...
     I had a fantastic experience the other evening! The tournament director invited us to a special event- an evening dedicated to the French composer- Eric Satie. There was live piano music, there was fantastic singing and a mute movie that impressed me a lot and made me regret that I am such a rare bird in the artistic entourage.
     And here comes the Christmas part...
     It is my first Christmas away from home and I don't really feel its spirit. I've always associated it with home, with too much tasty food, lots of presents and too many family members :D
     We had a different celebration of Christmas this year- with chess players, blitz, jokes, fun, going out and fun again :) Can't tell which one I liked more- both have their own charm :P

     All these being said, have a nice Christmas and if you don't- never mind- it's just a day in the calendar!

Ioana Gelip and Vlad Stegariu

With Alex Stegariu

xoxo from the redhead in Groningen

Fantastic W&W

     We've just entered a very entertaining month-October. There are many celebrations these days in Moldova.
     My favorite season is Autumn, I love the golden leaves, the dark rainy days, the melancholy of the running wind :)
     I have had a really amazing day, one which characterizes the way I see a perfect day of life. I have worked in the morning (and I am really pleased with the results), I have had a fantastic lunch and then I went for a walk, visiting on my way the "Tulburel Festival". This Festival is a part of the National Wine Day, which is very popular in Moldova.
     Many people who are asked about Moldova say "Yeah, fantastic wines and women!" ( there are a lot who think it's in Africa as well :)))) I can't agree more with the first part of this saying (as about about the 2nd one- it's not me to judge :P ). Moldavian wines are really great and if you think about an interesting way to spend your weekend, you could try to visit Chisinau during this Festival! Read more about it here: http://wineday.wineofmoldova.com/en/
     There have been some really nice days and it feels really good to work and then to spend quality time with my family!

 

    

     Wish you all a nice weekend!


xoxo from Chisinau ;)

Merry Christmas!

     I would like to wish all my friends and readers a wonderful Christmas! Let today's magic make you a little bit kinder and a little bit happier!
     I have always associated Christmas with a big family dinner and lots of snow outside. Unfortunately, it's not what it will be about this year. As my beloved sister is playing in Al-Ain now and there's absolutely no clue of snow outside, I guess that this year Christmas will not be really Christmas for me.
     I haven't written in a while, as I am home and I felt I needed some peace.
     There are no tournaments in the near future for me, I'll be inactive until the middle of February, or maybe even until March, not sure yet. I'm taking some time for myself until then :)
     Anyways, I wish you all have a nice day with your friends and family!




P.S. Good luck sis'! I really miss you! Hope you'll have a nice 30 ºC degrees Christmas in Emirates :D

In the spirit of 30 ºC :D

xoxo from Chisinau!

Sweet critique

     My vacation continues in Bulgaria, where I am with my family. I missed them a lot, so I really enjoy the time we spend together.
     Being away from home is generally a good thing- you make your own choices, you decide what's good for you and what's not, freedom starts to make another sense when you're on your own.
    Inspite of this, it's good to return home from time to time, you get some good dose of critique, you get a point of view that only the people who really care about you and who don't mind telling you the bitter truth can say.
     It's really good  to know that there's no hypocrisy in anything- it's pure human nature and real personality and character.
     Thanks God, I've got such an amazing family!
     Here are some photos from my vacation:

xoxo from Albena! ;)

Winter Memories

     It's a melancholic day for me,well, mostly like all the winter days... Here are some photos from the winter  of 2008 :D

My sister-Elena- and me-"let's go down this hill!"

In the process of sleighing

My sister and mum

Boris Itkis,Elena,my father and me

     Just so you know,I've got pictures of them sleighing too :)))

Theory of conspiration

     Hypocrites, manipulators, scheming, conspiracy- no, it's not a novel, it's a kind welcome to the adult life. It's ridiculous how often I've started to be in the middle of  these. It can go no longer, I couldn't care less about what one said that another one said about me, am I so cool that there's no other topic to talk about? Yes? Thanks a lot.
     The point is that I practice chess, I train quite much and I like it, I like to have fun with my friends, I am a rock music addicted listener, I believe in God, though I sometimes doubt His existance, I love my family and I'd be home at 10 pm if my mum would tell me so, I love chocolate and I eat it when I feel bad, I like drinking tea with my family late at night, I smoked and I loved it until it started to make me feel spoiled and I gave it up, I like writting and I'm not afraid to tell what I think, I don't lie-unless it's live or die necessary, I drink a lot of coffee, I jog when I feel like my head's gonna' explode, I sing russian rock ballads when I'm melancholic,when I'm very upset about a lost game,I drink a glass of beer with chips while watching some 3 episodes of criminalistic serials, I have a diary and I hide it, I've got no boyfriend and I like it this way for now, I've got friends and I love them, I've got family and I love them even more and I've got myself  and I tell myself every day how awesome I am and I love myself even more for all of these :D
     Is it enough to use it against me? If not, just tell me, I can provide some more information ;)
 

Family is forever

   This article is meant to be a thank you to the persons I love. I'm lucky to have a full, nice family who loves and supports me a lot.

At a family dinner,from left to right, my father,sister grandmother,grandfather and mum

Father, me and my sister on hollidays :D

My father's girls :D

With my amazing aunt- Mariana

With my little sister, some long time ago :)))

At my aunt's wedding

My cousin-Maria and my uncle- Adrian

With my beautiful cousin- Maria

Love you mum!

   Love you all and thank you for being there for me whenether I needed you!