I'm getting ready to go to Camp Haiastan tonight for the AYF Junior Athletic Games (junior version of Senior Olympics). Kids from all over the east coast will be arriving for them. We usually get about 100+ kids showing up to compete. I feel strange saying it, but I actually enjoy this stuff the most. A few weeks ago I went to a junior meeting (juniors are ages 10-16) and I took some of the 16 year olds to Applebees afterwords because they wanted me to hang out. Though I'm a 25 year old, it was a Friday night and the expected thing for someone like me is to go out to a club or bar, this seemed much more fun. The kids had good heads on their shoulders, showed more interest in my experiences in Armenia and had better ideas of how to change Armenia than my own peers. The entire dinner we discussed political issues, including international, and they had some good things to say. Whereas my experiences with my peers usually involve lots of intoxication, talking trash about others and b**ching and moaning about their lives and other peoples apathy in the Armenian cause. I love them to death, but that's what they do. And I do too because often the fact of the matter is that apathy is a huge problem. But it can be so refreshing to hear up and coming kids who have a fresh perspective and aren't tarnished by "family fueds," see the big picture and have passion and ambition. Sometimes that's what it takes to bury our history of quarrels. Granted, this is an event that also seems repetative, but only to me who has been going for 15 years. Oh, I feel so old. But to the 10-16 year olds, I like to believe that they anticipate these weekends.

Regarding dances, Raffi, you have just made a new friend. I don't want to put an end to them, but when we have dances purely for the sake of fundraising, I question what we are fundraising for in the first place, to raise money for another dance? Not to babble on with this topic again, but the point is to evaluate the direction these communities are taking. I see the Armenian community as a whole isolating itself and creating its own ghetto, rarely every seeing or being seen by the people that actually surround us, and this is to touch on Raffi's point. I remember when I was working in Boston over a year ago, I was also dancing with the Sayat Nova Dance Company. We had a few performances and I invited people in my office to attend. Two of them did and were stunned to see such a beautiful cultural event. I think the possibilities are there, but we miss them because we've gotten used to the norm. It's not easy, but nothing ever is for us now is it?

Why is it when the Armenian community organises events, especially a dance performance where there is no language barrier, they advertise only to the community? I mean we have a great history and culture that we are so proud of but we are afraid to show it off and share it with the community at large.
Yesterday I went to the local Lebanese grocery store where many Armenians Arabs, and other Montrealers go to buy their weekly grocery. I was surprised to see big, nice posters of Armenian events. Quickly I read them and as I was walking away, I realised that someone else was also reading the bulliten board. But when I looked up, it was a French Quebecer who was trying to read the littl English or French there was on the posters. It just struck me that most of the clients who pass by this board don’t read Armenian (or Arabic). Most of these info posters where in Armenian ONLY.Don’t get me wrong I am not saying that they should remove ther Armenian, on the contrary, I think it’s part of the charm and the culture that we are so proud of. What I’d like to see more is the basic information in either English and since we live in Québec, mostly French.

Here are some of the up coming events:
Nuné (and Ani dance group) on Oct 12
Garni Dance group (new group) Oct. 13 (I think)
Ani dance group on Oct. 19
Opening of Ararad (Egoyan) Oct. 20
Young Talents of Armenia Oct. ?
And many more… it’s a busy month.

PS: Arsineh, I know what you mean about the dances... I hear you loud and clear on that one!

Now that things are starting to happen around here, I feel like I have more to talk about. I had my first job interview today and it went fantastic! I felt pretty confident going in and through the interview. They seemed to like me, felt comfortable with me and loved my portfolio. THEN they told me they received 300 resumes for the position. I'l refrain from using profanity, but HOLY COW! This is the reality of the job market in the US, moreso in Boston, even moreso in the Graphic Design field. I'm screwed. I have friends I graduated with that are still looking for the same type of job after 6 months of looking. It just so happens I was the first one they interviewed, so the good thing is that I didn't have to follow anyone's act. But still, 300 resumes. Eep!

Yesterday was also quite eventful. I went to my new apartment for the first time to drop off some furniture. Though it was covered in crud and crap everywhere, I could visualize it being a home. Finally, after a year of mobility, not having a permanent address, forwarding mail to my parent's house and giving out my cell number instead of my home number, I have a home... in Beacon Hill no less. I feel so hosh posh. So I move in officially on Tuesday. I would do it on Monday, but I have to go to stupid court for a stupid ticket because a stupid person at the stupid DMV made a stupid mistake processing my stupid citation a year ago. I love it when completely law abiding citizens have to go to court because of someone else's stupidity. BACK IN THE US of A!

Last week Lara and I drove to Ottawa to attend a book reading by th eformer ambassador of Greece to Armeniain 1993-94. Th ebook is called "Caucasus Chronicles: Nation-Building and Diplomacy in Armenia, 1993-1994". Leonidas T. Chrysanthopoulos, the author, is currently the ambassador of Greece to Canada. « "Caucasus Chronicles," which is being published by the Gomidas Institute, is a lively and candid account of events during his tenure. As the Soviet Union collapsed, Russia, the European Union, and the United States vied for the upper hand in the Caucasus. A bloody war between Azerbaijan and Armenian-populated Nagorno-Karabakh had become a focal point of that power struggle. Ambassador Chrysanthopoulos, who also represented the Presidency of the European Union, tells the inside story. Chrysanthopoulos's account conveys the adventurous--indeed perilous--aspects of life as an ambassador as well as the diplomatic and humanitarian relief work in which he was involved. » Vincent Lima.
If you want a copy of the book e-mail vincent at vlima@compuserve.com

I started squash again… boy am I rusty.

Yesterday we had a very nice dinner party for a newly formed couple. They are both very good friends of ours. We are happy that they have both met someone that they each deserve. We hadn’t had an evening like that since last May. (remember pregnancy, baby and so on !)

Being an aty home Dad sure is tiring. It’s fun too.

I heard from various sources that Ararad hit the city of Yerevan and the reviews are somewhat mixed. But that is to be expected from Atom. I will definitly make a point of seeing it during the New Film New Media Fest in Montreal on Oct. 20. Atom has also set up an exhibition at the Modern Art Museum. Still have to go and see it. I heard Arsinée and him were awarded the Armenian Nationality. I think that beats any kind of medalion.

I’ve been wondering about something, who actually reads the Diaspora logs. I mean I am trully interested in the repats log because of my desire to one day move there. But I want to know WHO reads US ?

Here is a bit of good news. I read that The gross domestic product (GDP) of Armenia has grown by 10.1% during the first eight months of this year.

En passant, je salut tous mes amis francophones. Je tenterai d’écrire un peu plus souvent en francais.

I had lunch today with an interesting person from Armenia. Der Hayr Mesrop Aramian from Armenia is the Chairman of Vem, a multimedia company focused on religion, culture, and technology. I met with him in February and we discussed the possibilty of co-producing a 10 Volume Sharakan (Armenian Spiritual Music) CD collection in the future. It looks like the ball is rolling and it will be a reality. Check out the website if you get a chance. I'm not religious, but I think that the concept of Vem is an interesting one and forward thinking. After lunch at Leo's Place in Harvard Square in Cambridge, we headed over to Tower Records and took a look at some prototypes for CD packaging. He is an audiophile and we both perused the aisles looking for intersting CD artwork. The German label ECM is what we will shoot for as far as the look of the CD set. Der Mesrop leaves tomorrow for L.A. and then will stop off in New York before he heads back for Armenia. If you are ever in Armenia, take a tour through the Vem studio's. You'll be blown away.

By the way, if anyone wants to get a jumpstart on the "Armenian Voices" CD hype by Hover, go to www.cafepress.com/pmusiconline and order a T-Shirt. All profits go to the choir and the T-Shirt is "fun for the family"...

My greatest appologies, Raffi, I have been a very bad logger...

My last log was right before I left Armenia in August. After that, I wanted to do a "return to the US" type of thing, but the strange part about it was that I couldn't figure out how I was feeling. Part of me was excited to be among family again, but obviously the rest was in resentment that I could not be in Armenia. Well, the excitement of being among family and friends faded, as I'm not really. The folks are down in DC, sister's in Jersey, brother's practicing medicine in New Orleans of all places. My friends in Boston seem to be happy that I'm back, but are too busy to ask me about it.

This isn't a pity log. This is a very bizarre "I don't know what to make of this" log. I'm at a place in life that is just not impressing me, and to have come from Armenia where the world was at my fingertips and the motivation was jumpstarting me out of bed every morning, life just seems a formality these days.

I went down to DC a few days ago to visit my mother for her birthday and she asked me if I wanted to go to the Embassy event to celebrate Armenian independence day. I had no desire and I think the reason is that I'm fed up with "making appearances." Since the moment I've been back, 90% of the phone calls and e-mails I received from friends were to either ask me to do a quick favor of designing something minimal for them or to tell me to go to an event. I speak the ugly truth when I say I'm tired of it. I don't want to go to every Armenian dance just because it's expected of me. I don't want to do little favors just because I know that no one else will do it. Ah, this is the life of the volunteer, I realize. But once I stepped over to Armenia where I can work with Armenians in real day-to-day business, the volunteer work that fills every minute of my day seems a little less attractive.

I say this not to discourage people from volunteering, but rather to raise the subject of why we are doing it. Are dances every other weekend REALLY a necessity. Is that REALLY progressing the state of Armenia or the diaspora in any way? Some may say it's what brings us together. But it just seems to be an overload, and when there are so many other important things that we could be focusing on, I don't care WHICH organization you belong to, it seems a waste to put so much energy into repeating the same events over and over again. It's time to reevaluate our focus on an individual level. Simply put, the repetition is what will make us irrelivant in the future. What else do we have to offer?

This log may sound really negative, but I assure that is not the intent. I'm just trying to remember that we are capable of doing better than this.

Trip to Armenia and Artsakh (2-5 September 2002)

Rather late posting. Just yesterday returned from London, where I was on business. Our four day trip was extremely exciting, full of events and funny, unforseen situations. Finally I got 3 more people coming with to that trip - two friends from Moscow and one from London. Thanks Lena and her excelent NIVA car, we managed to do quite a lof for those days - drove over 1200 km through breathtaking mountain chains, saw gorgeous and inimitable landscapes and natural beauties, visited 12 monasteries and met very interesting people.

I would like to thank all those who helped me in the design of a four day trip in Armenia and Artsakh, particulary Raffi Kojian and Ara Manoogian and Lena Majarian. We were planning to meet with Ara in Martuni (Artsakh) but, unfortunately it didn't happen due to military excersises which were taking place those days in the area of Aghdam town.

What we've managed to do and to see?
First day - Kobayravank and Haghpat (we started quite late from Yerevan and descided to skip visit to Odzun, also we haven't seen Kirants monastery ... the road was very bad with deep muddy holes and after passing 10 km towards the monastery we had to turn back and drive to the main road as we planned to spend first night somewhere near Dilijan) Eventually we have reached a very nice small hotel just 3 km away from Ijevan.

Second day - Haghardzin, Sevanavank, Noraduz Khachkar cemetry, Kelbadgar pass, Dadivank and Martakert. We planned to stay a night at Ara's house, but arrived to Martakert when it was 22:00. Local people strongly reccommended us not to go to Martuni via Aghdam at that time as we could have got lost in that ghost city with no chances to go out of it till early morning. We had to stay in the only "operating" hotel of Martakert in Lux number - "all inclusive" :)

Third day - started from Martakert, saw Gandzasar, Mayraberd (Askeran) fortress where we were stopped by police. They told us that we can't go to Martuni via Aghdam as there were military excersises, so we decided to go to Stepanakert and spend a night in Shushi. Visited Kanach jam and St. Kazanchetsots in Shushi as well as climbed on the top of Shushi mosque. I liked Shushi hotel very much - it contained very moderate prices, very nice rooms with Armenian carpets and crafts everywhere and nice view on St.Kazanchetsots and Shushi from the rooms.

Forth day - Shushi, Lachin, Khdzoresk, Goris with incredible rocks, surrounding it, Karahundj village (we were invited to on of the villager's home where we got stuck for almost two hours talking, eating and drinking famous Karahundzi mullbery vodka), Tatev Monastery, swam in "Satani bridge" srpring waters, visited Noravank and arrived back to Yerevan at 23:30.

So, what we didn't managed to see - Odzun, Kirants, Martuni, Gtchavank, Amaras, Gndevank. ... quite a lot! Next time we will be able to conduct the programme better, but the first experience is already in our memory, heads and hearts:)

All four of us were really impressed with what we've seen. We were not tired at all! The only moment when I started feeling tired was when I was boarding on the plane to Moscow ... Now we are working on a more extensive report on the trip. As soon as it's ready I will publish it here. It will contain useful information on timing, places to eat and stay. I don't know when I will another opportunity to come to Armenia, but I'm already designing a new programme, at least the names of the churches and monasteries are non-stop circulating in my head :)

All the best to all of you!

Monday morning.....
I'm beginning to reallyyyyyyy dislike Mondays. Even though I took the weekend "off", and pretty much did nothing, I still strongly feel like Mondays should be given to us all as the transition day into the week. Nevertheless, no matter what I think, I still have to go to school and do all the other things I have to do today. So now that I'm done complaining.. let's start thinking about how WONDERFUL today is going to be. Well wait, maybe not so great cause I'm driving to the valley when we're in the middle of the biggest heat wave! It's supposed to be 104 today! (Did mother nature miss the memo? Hun, it's time to switch over to Fall now.... let's go... summer's over!)

On Friday I attended my former teacher's memorial service... it was a VERY touching day because not only had students from years and years come to visit her, but also people she had met throughout the nation and world over the years. Everyone talked about how Mrs. Miller always had a GREAT smile, and while we were her students we were still terrified of her! :) Thankyooba!

Yesterday was the huge Nune concert in L.A.....It was at the new Kodak Theatre at Hollywood and Highland (folks, this is where they hold the Oscar awards). I don't know how it went yet, but I will for sure let you know. Last time Nune was in town, there were crowds and crowds waiting to go see her... I'm sure that hasn't changed much.

This weekend I researched the possibility of going to AUA for my master's.... and I think I really like the idea! So I'll add that to my list of possible grad schools (of course it goes on top), and let's see what happens! :)

Time to head out to my lovely traffic-y drive.... (can someone explain to me the logic of traffic when there's nothing like an accident? cause really, I don't get it!)

TSUH! :)~

Springtime…


Karun Karun Karun e, Sirun Argentinayi mech!
Green colors everywhere, trees are happy and flowers up to bloom again. I am fed up about this crisis in my country, the economy is becoming catastrophic but the Argentinean hokee is stronger…
Armenians are tranquil, at least some of them. The new number of the magazine Generación 3 is coming. This magazine belongs to the youth organization of the AGBU of Buenos Aires. It has a modern point of view of the Armenian reality and its design is awesome. On the other hand, Homenetmen here had a super-hyper great dinner. This organization is celebrating 75° years of existence in Buenos Aires (1927). They made the Armenian Weekly DIARIO ARMENIA in a full special edition because of this occasion.
The Armenian community of Buenos Aires would be proud of this: step by step we are reaching a total union. All organizations need between each other, political thoughts are being respected, and the Argentinean crisis is getting Armenians closer. Maybe it is different in other countries. I have been in Haleb and there, like in other countries, where are like two or three different communities, each one representing a way of thinking, a party. That is over here.
About Armenia, we are all sad because our difficulties to travel there. At least, we can buy magazines, read Armenian news on internet, and keep in many ways our culture. For example, in the magazine shops of all Buenos Aires there is a great article about the Black Sea region. In that article, the laz and the hamsin ethnic groups (both of Armenian origin) are showing its culture. That article belongs to the National Geographic.
About myself, I am pretty busy and that is why I am not logging as I am used to. The university is getting harder and I must keep on working as well. In my free times, I am dancing with the Nairí Folk Dance Group to prepare the annual show of this year. What is more, I am ending to record my first CD. Armenian punk rockers will be shocked, heehaw ;-).
I want to tell to all Armenians that if is someone that is coming to Argentina and wants to know something about the country do not hesitate to mail me. Prices are cheap here by these times, and this summer seems will be very loco.
Ok, ARMENIOS, LET´S START TO PICK SOME FLOWERS!!!
Happy Spring Day to all South Hemispherical Armenians!!!

So much to do.. so little time! Remember those summer days when I was home doing practically nothing? Ya well that seems like LAST YEAR to me now! My days start at 5am with "Kevin & Bean" waking me up (the radio talkshow people that come on when my alarm goes off). After getting ready, I come online to check traffic and weather, and of course email, and by 6:45am I'm on my way to school. Mind you, it used to take me about 25-30 minutes to get to school before. Now, all of a sudden it's taking me 45 minutes because of all the traffic--which is getting worse and worse. I'm in class by 8am, until 3:15pm, after which I rush back to my car (his name is "harout the honda") and I'm back on the freeway rushing to go pick up my little cousin from school. Just when you think my day is over... I take my cousin home and help him do his homework, feed him, and most of the time entertain him in some way until the parents get home. By this time it's 7pm... i'm DONE! But wait, there is still homework to be done for the next day, and of course since I live at home with family... something else ALWAYS comes up. That's a typical day in my life these days.... Yesterday I visited my counselor at school, and I have GREAT news!!! Looks like I'm RIGHT on schedule to graduate in December. I don't think I've quite grasped the idea of being a college graduate yet, but I think I could get used to it! :) haha I was afraid they would surprise me with some class that I had forgotten to take, and tell me that I can't graduate... but no... i'm safe!

This week I heard some really saddening news. One of my childhood teachers, Mrs. Arax Miller, passed away on Tuesday. She had been an English teacher (and so much more) at Chamlian Armenian School, since the day the school opened more than 27 years ago. She was really a huge asset to the school and made such an impact in so many students' lives. I wish every teacher was so involved with their students as she was. A funny thing I remember is when the bell would ring, we'd go into the classroom and stand by our desks, waiting for her to get there. Of course, we'd assign a "scout" to let us know when she was coming so we could chat in the meantime. Well, one day our "scout" ran in and said "yegav, yegav, yegav!" she nonchalantly walked in 2 minutes later and said, "I know what "yegav yegav" means you guys!!!" And we all got ZERO-s that day! hahaha Thank you Mrs. Miller--- she taught us way more than English!

Lately I've been having some issues with the children I work with on Fridays. I don't know whether it's MY patience that has utterly worn out, or if it's that the children are just misbehaving more... maybe both... but I'm having a hard time trying to get them to relate to all the things I want them to learn. Sure, learning about Armenian history or even current events isn't the funnest thing you could be doing on a Friday evening.. but I've tried games, i've tried group activities... you name it! They are just NOT INTERESTED! I think it's also their attitude. The new generation has this inexplicable attitude that I just haven't seen before. I can't really describe it.. I want to say apathy, disrespect, spoiled, etc... but really it's a little bit of all those things in them. Where does it come from? (Definitely TV !!!) I know I sound like i'm 90 years old when I say this, but really.. Weeeee weren't like that when we were their age! So right now I'm trying to think of something ENTIRELY different that might get the children to be a bit more interested in "who they are".... Armenians. (I'll let u know if I come up with something extraordinary) :)

Gotta run....
TSUH! :)~
p.s. - Raffi M...New Years in Armenia? VERY TEMPTING!!!

Hi. I've been busy working on the Hover Choir's "Armenian Voices" CD. We've added the talented Rhoda Manook to the "Armenian Voices" project team in Armenia. I look forward to working with her via mail. The CD is going to be released in November with full distribution. Without blowing the surprise, the CD will include selections from the works of Komitas, Britten, and The Beatles. The cover is beautiful and we are expected a fantastic response. If you are in Armenia sometime in November, we will be having the "Armenian Voices" CD release party. I'll have all the details at a later date and will post it. Pretty soon the Gor banner will come down and the Hover banner will come up. How is this for shameless advertising...

Arsineh K. is in town and it's good to have her back from Armenia. She is the creative force for all of Pomegranate's CD projects we will be doing as well as being a real asset to the Armenian community in general with her AYF and Armenian Weekly contributions.

I am looking forward to seeing Ararat sometime soon. I've been keeping up with the reviews and they seem luke warm at best. No matter, what do they know...

I am making plans to be in Armenia for New Years. Why not?

What a weekend!
I was in NY visiting with friends, LCO veterans and a few LCO Board members. I have excellent news to announce, I will be next summer’s campaign coordinator. I already have lots of ideas to revamp parts of the program and have the (almost) green light to do so. So listen up everybody, I expect an overwhelming turn out for next summer’s July and August LCO campaigns.
One of the cool people I spent time with over the weekend was Edele Hovnanian… really really cool person! As it turns out Sunday was her B-day (happy B-Day again Edele). Saturday (which was Lara’s B-day… I wasn’t with her… bad boy!) Edele’s friends had gotten together for the occasion. Very nice crowd. NY was dressed with red white and blue everywhere. Too many for my
I saw wedding pics of Madelene. You looked really nice Madelene, just as I thought.
Today Benyamin Natanyahu (not sure of spelling) was in town to talk at Concordia University. However thousands of protesting Palestenians (and supporters) prevented the event from taking place.
Today is also my first day at home with my babies. So far so good. Please use raffinizi@hotmail.com to reach me.
Good move Raffi K with the central heating/cooling system.

Sorry for the messy thoughts.
By the way, where are all the other Diaspora loggers?

I must admit, that even though I was anxiously awaiting the beginning of school... I am now convinced that taking all these classes is going to take its toll on me this semester. I have to wake up at 5am every morning, in order to be at school by 7am, so that I may find a parking spot. If it's 7:10 ... forget about parking! So that is what I am up to these days.... school. I don't really have the time or energy to do much else. I'm sure in a couple of weeks I'll get into the groove of things :)
So summer is over and all my friends who had gone to Hayasdan this summer are back! It's soooo wonderful to hear their stories and listen to all the changes that are taking place in Armenia.

Last weekend I was in Philadelphia at the East Coast AYF Olympics! It was so great to see all my friends from out there again. The weekend was full of exciting things to do, and even though I had been to Philly before, it was cool to go around with all my friends... and no offense, but philly cheesesteaks aren't "ALL THAT"!

So September 11 is nearing once more. It's very funny how you turn on the television and almost every channel has "dramatized" what happened a year ago in NY. It's veryyy "hollywood". But there is a lot going on to remember. Just some examples, there is a memorial being placed in front of the Glendale police department.... there's a Burger King which will be giving ALL proceeds from Sept. 11th sales to the Glendale Police and Fire Memorial fund... there are trees being planted in Hollywood--one for each person lost that day. One year ago, it was as if the entire country just PAUSED... no one left their homes because they were glued to their televisions watching for the latest news--or trying to understand what was happening. Some don't get it until today....

I'm off to school...
TSUH! :)