Month: May 2026

Little Soldiers: A Book Review

I picked up this book on a friend’s recommendation. If I were to come across this book just browsing titles, I would most likely think that I have an opinion about the Chinese educational system, and nothing could possibly change it. Based on my friend’s review, the situation seemed more complex, so I decided to give this book a try.

Many aspects of the Chinese educational system remind me of the Soviet schools, and some scenes from the book sounded painfully familiar. Still, there are many differences, stemming from cultural differences and the role of education and formal exams in society, dating back hundreds of years.

To be completely honest, I think that, at least at the time of writing this book, Leonora Chu could not fully foresee the long-term effects of the Chinese educational system on a person’s development, even though she spoke in depth with high schoolers from different backgrounds, with different life goals and aptitudes.

For me, there is no question that fostering the desire to learn, encouraging curiosity, and independent thinking are the most important educational goals, and I feel like the Chinese educational system does the opposite. I do not think that the quality of education is defined by the complexity of math classes (I held this belief for the first couple of years of my children being in American schools, but fortunately realized my mistake early enough).

A side note: I do not understand why, in the twenty-first century, people still consider a “well-behaved child” to be the most desired educational outcome. And by “well-behaved,” I mean a three-year-old who can sit still for the whole duration of the class. Why it is so admirable, is beyond me 🙂

Five Years Later!

Five years ago, on May 9, 2021, I moved to my new home in Rogers Park, and lived happily ever after! I am not saying my life was infinitely happy since them but my home continues to be my source of happiness 🙂

The Sunroom

A Visit To The Adler Planetarium

The Adler Planetarium is one of the two big museums in Chicago that I am not a member of (the other is the Museum of Science and Industry). Both museums are farther away, but that’s only part of the reason I am not a member. For the latter, the distance is a problem, although I really love it and am considering joining for the sake of my granddaughters. But for Planetarium, it’s not the distance; I am just not into it that much, so the distance wouldn’t be a problem.

Recently, I found out that the Planetarium has free public days (or rather, free nights), which they announce on their website, and any Chicago resident can get a ticket. It took me a while to find a free day to attend (these days are always Wednesdays), but I finally got a free ticket for May 6. In addition, you can buy tickets for different shows, and I bought a ticket for the Skywatch Live.

Below is a visual report of my visit.

The piece of the Moon
Gemini 12 – for real

One thing I really enjoyed, and there is no way to reproduce it here: the footage of the Control Center when the astronauts are landing on the surface of the Moon. This footage presents America at its greatness, the feeling we are now missing!

Continue reading “A Visit To The Adler Planetarium” →

From the”Vintage Tribune”

I am subscribed to the Chicago Tribune’s newsletter “Vintage Tribune.” Each day, it reproduces several old issues of “that day in Chicago,” and I wanted to share some of them.

April 13, 1992 Great Chicago Flood.

Pedestrians step over hoses used to pump flood water out of buildings at the intersection of State and Madison streets in April 1992. Massive basement and sub-basement flooding occurred when crews punctured a century-old freight tunnel located underneath the Chicago River. (Chris Walker/Chicago Tribune)

May 1. The actual May Day affair happened on May 4, 1886, but the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions, the predecessor of the American Federation of Labor, called for May 1, 1886 to be the beginning of a nationwide movement for the eight-hour day. What I didn’t know and just found recently was that the eigh-hour day law was introduced in 1867, but never reinforced.

A crowd marches in a peaceful May Day parade in Chicago’s Loop toward Grant Park on May 1, 1934. Among the paraders, were Joseph Weber, secretary of the Trade Union Unity League, William Gebert, communist organizer, and Nina Spies, widow of August Spies, who was hanged for his role in the Haymarket Riot of 1886. The leaders of the demonstration said the parade represented “a fight against war and fascism and for workers’ unemployment insurance legislation.” (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

May 2. 8000 people attended the opening of the Field Museum.

As with the 1894 opening at the Palace of Fine Arts in Jackson Park, crowds line up when the Field Museum opens in its Grant Park location on May 2, 1921. (Field Museum)

“Unavoidable Like Taxes”

My two previous tax seasons were very eventful, to put it mildly, and not because of me, but mostly because of the organizational changes happening at my tax preparation company, plus me being in the middle of two tax brackets. Details do not matter; what matters is that my tax returns were late twice, the prep firm was filing extensions, and I also owed a lot.

This year, it was a nice change: there were no issues, they filed everything in time, and I ended up with a substantial refund. Only it was two weeks past the tax return was sent and presumably accepted, but I didn’t receive either a refund or approval. I started to worry, especially because the IRS website showed my taxes were not filed, but the prep firm assured me that everything was filed, and most likely, the IRS needs additional verification, and I should expect the letter. They also suggested me to create an online account with the IRS.

Still, nothing was happening. I called the IRS on April 15 and was able to reach a human, and they said that they didn’t have my tax returns, and I went over the full circle again.

About two weeks ago, I finally saw a notice on my online IRS account saying that they sent me a letter to which I need to respond ASAP. But nothing about what this letter is about. I kept waiting. Finally, last Monday, I saw the IRS letter in my Informed Delivery Digest. However, it turned out I spoke too soon: the letter didn’t materialize in my mailbox, and I was worried sick about what was going to happen now. At this time of year, there was no way to reach a human by phone; they kept routing me to the automated system.

Finally, when I was ready to write to our Congresswoman’s office, specifically, last night, when I opened the door to accept a grocery delivery, I noticed an envelope on the floor – it was my IRS letter! I am super thankful for someone who received it, realized that it was dropped into the wrong mailbox, and dropped it at my door!

At that moment, I submitted all additional documentation, and I hope that the issue will be resolved, as they say, within the next 6-8 weeks. When this is over, I will be sure to report details, but now, I am just happy to be out of uncertainty!

American Dream Documentary, And A Surprising Discovery

Since neither Igor nor I had an opportunity to participate in any of the May Day events, and I couldn’t even get out of the office to watch a march, I suggested watching one of the Labor Movement documentaries screening at the Siskel Center during the first days of May. We went to see the American Dream documentary produced by Barbara Kopple in 1990. It shouldn’t be a surprise that I didn’t know about the labor strike against Hormel Foods of 1986. My complete cluelessness added suspense because throughout the whole documentary, I didn’t know how it would end! Sometimes (often?) it’s important to learn not only about impressive victories, but also about great failures.

There was something else, quite unexpected, that caught my attention while I was watching this documentary: the way everyone talked. A couple of weeks ago, I saw an article reporting a recent study finding that people now use fewer words than they did twenty years ago, and this documentary was striking proof of that! As a frequent participant in political rallies, I know very well how even the best speakers talk these days! In this movie, the union leaders, the members, and everyone talked intelligently, used a lot of words, and spoke complicated sentences. Nobody was shouting slogans; instead, people reasoned, considered different aspects of the matter at hand, listened to others’ arguments, and offered counterarguments. And trust me, none of this was rehearsed! There were heated debates, and at one point, a debate turned into a physical fight, but still!

I was shocked! Where did all of this go?! How did we get there? And how can we return to normality?!

Watch trailer on Vimeo

Mindfulness In Nature: Spring

On Saturday, I attended a meditation session organized by the Nature volunteers group. I attended a similar session last year, and I liked the experience and the instructor. As last time, we gathered by the Leone Beach clubhouse, observed the lake, and recalled our previous interactions with nature. We shared our stories, and then we walked in the Nature Area, paying attention to the signs of awakening nature, and then gathered together again to share our thoughts and observations.

With the weather being like it was for the previous month, I was surprised to see that many flowers were blooming! In early spring, I always notice new bright green coming out of the dry brown patches of the previous season grass. Life goes on :).

Matisse’s Jazz

On Thursday, I finally went to the Art Institute to see Matisse’s Jazz exhibit. Usually, I try to see every new exhibit on the day it opens, but as I’ve mentioned multiple times, it’s been a stressful month. Or a couple of months:).

This is a small exhibit, and it made me think. At first, I didn’t quite get the concept. I could not understand why Matisse abandoned painting and drawing in favor of colored paper cutting. I learned that he started using scissors and paper after the surgery, when, for a very long time, he could not stand long enough to paint. But then he switched to this technique entirely, and I was looking and looking, and trying to find the rhythm which I am always looking for in Matisse’s works. And then I finally found it.

Daizies – an earlier Matisse’s work
After – Jazz cutouts

A Silent Movie At Guarneri Hall

On Wednesday, I went to a show at Guarneri Hall for the first time after a long break. The show was rather unusual – it was an accompaniment for a classic silent movie.

The program featured

Pianist and composer Stephen Prutsman returns to Guarneri Hall for the third time, amping up the fun for one of our most-anticipated events of the season. A Night at the Movies pairs a silent-era film comedy with a brilliant, original film score written and performed live by Prutsman and a small ensemble.

In Buster Keaton’s College, Ronald, a nerdy scholar, pans sports in favor of academics. This attitude wins him no points with his peers and especially coed Mary, who favors the athletic Jeff. Ronald’s effort to win back Mary through his failed attempts at various sports is the setup for Keaton’s unique physical comedy in this hilarious film from 1927.

Here is a more detailed description of this movie, and also the interview with the composer.

I think that most of the audience had more fun than I did; for me, it was more educational than funny, and I am unsure what cultural context I am missing. Still, I didn’t regret going, but I liked the other two concerts I attended there more.

Guarneri Hall always has small receptions following each concert, where you can grab a glass of wine and some bites. Since that’s too late for me, I would grab some fruit, cheese, and crackers and not stay for long. This time, an older gay couple asked me if they could join me at the table, and at first, we had a lively conversation about silent movies. They told me about their visit to the Lumiere Museum in Lyon a month earlier, and I shared how I watched Lumiere le Cinema at Siskel. Then we talked about other cultural venues and places to have a pre-concert dinner. And then they asked me where I lived before coming to the US. Since it was not the first question they asked, I felt it was appropriate, and told them that I am from Russia, and that I have lived here for thirty years. Then they asked me whether I ever go back, and I replied: not since the war started. They nodded, but then immediately started telling me how they had visited Russia, what Moscow and Saint Petersburg were like, and how they loved museums. Then, they started about Navalny, “who is the only person who is capable of changing the course” (they spoke in the present tense, so it looks like they completely missed the last several years of development). At this point, I stopped nodding politely and told them that although I condemn the killing of political opponents, Navalny wouldn’t be better for Russia. To which they said that “they stay away from politics” and “of course, we were true innocents abroad“, but then kept going on at length about the great culture.

… just saying that when people are “selectively innocent” about politics, that’s when bad things happen.