East meets West in Hawai'i @ EWC

On Friday I had a meeting with Jill Takasaki Canfield and Natasha Schultz from Pacific and Asian Affairs Council.

Their office is @ the highly acclaimed East-West Center, and they do amazing job, in particularly, in bringing youth closer together.

Tsunami in Hawai'i - emergency management in action

Yesterday experienced how emergency management works in the US. 

First news came as a notification about Tsunami alert from Google (usually i get annoying weather updates). In 10 minutes the regular TV programming was stopped and live coverage on tsunami began. Later the sirens and loud speakers from vehicles (and perhaps helicopters) were heard.

Ty mene pidmanula - girls play and win

This famous Ukrainian folk song we were singing as a contest in artistism and performance skills, today on a party for all LFP host families in Hawai'i @ the Fischlowitz-Leong house.

Winning was the girls' team, led by Natalia from Moldova and Zalina from Russia. The prize was a breath of canned air from Odessa, Ukraine. ;)

Great seal of the State of Hawai'i

All LFP interns, based in Hawai'i, gathered today @ State Capitol for a tour of the legislature.

Mahalo nui loa to Governor's office for the tour!

Ukrainian LFPs in DC

Finally I can share official photos from the orientation session in DC. 

For other pics please check out my G+ page @ http://gplus.to/shtukarin

Ukrainians on key positions in Hawai'i

Visit to Honolulu city hall turned out to be perfectly timed to meet US Congresswoman Mazie Hirono and the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Hawai'i Brian Schats.

Mr. Schats, having learned that I was from Ukraine, exclaimed that his grandparents came from Ukraine too. 

Policies can be changed - proved by ACLU!

Yesterday I volunteered at the Hawai’i Harm Reduction 2012 conference, which took place in Ala Moana Hotel in Honolulu. 

Most active NGOs and agencies working on various issues related to State's community problems gathered to share views, exchange best practices, and find support for their advocacy activities. Laurie Temple from American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i opened the discussions.

Interns @ ACLU of Hawai'i

Here is me (in center :) with 2 other interns of American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i. 

Mahalo to Kit Grant for the photo! ;)

Aloha spirit conquers LFP interns

After myself buying Aloha shirt, saw a sign that Hawai'i won - in the way Natalia from Moldova was dressed today @ lunch ;)

Amicus curiae @ Hawai'i State Court

Was observing court proceedings on the occasion of ACLU of Hawai'i's involvement as third party (friend of the court).

First lunch @ office

Got my lunch from Subway - will explore more local options tomorrow

Internship starts @ Keiki Caucus Meeting

Thanks to open wifi, twit-conference @ twitter.com/lfpdonetsk

X-Men? - Never heard of them!

On a walking tour around DC yesterday I learned a lot, in particular, was impressed by accomplishments of Thomas Jefferson (unlike all other monuments, hadn't visited his one before). Was he some kind of a super-human?

Thanks to Ken, history was omnipresent and talking to us, we saw the tree that impacted the legal system, church where you can meet and talk to presidents, dogs which are hailed in Congress, etc.

More photos of the day @ https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/111989549835072476930/albums/5798025822385594225

Romance in DC

The day brought many new friends, new impressions from places re-visited, as well as some extra points on Foursquare :)

Final impression was from a rather unexpected view of the historical vehicle going up the Massachussets Ave late at night, with two elderly persons, one as a driver (male), and the other as the only passenger (female).

For some reason, it seemed quite romantic :)

More photos of the day @ https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/111989549835072476930/albums/5797536257981078609

Morning tea in KBP

Sharing early teas and coffees with 2 Taras'es ;)

En route 2 Honolulu :)

@ Donetsk Railway Station) [pic]: http://4sq.com/SDMqiL

To pay or not to pay? Hamlet's Dilemma on Taxes

When I was filling in a survey by State Dept today, there was a question implying that paying taxes is part of democracy (at least it was my reading of it). 

I liked the question a lot, as it provoked some deliberations a la Hamlet of Elsinor.

American Club @ CPS - Happy New Year!

As the new academic year 2012/13 has started, we @ the Center for Political Studies, restarted our regular English-speaking club - rebranded as American Club in Spring 2012. 

A full dozen of participants showed up, both regulars and fresh ones, including a group of first year International Relations students @ Donetsk National University.