After our departure from Ukraine, my family stopped at Moscow, where we lived for awhile. It was very cold at the time, especially as I was used to the warm climate of Ukraine. I was also introduced to many new forests, each containing thousands of different paths. It is very easy to get lost there.

A few months later, we moved to Vienna, stopping at Berlin before going there. This was because there were no airlines going to Austria, since Russia is a Communist country. It did go to Germany, however, since it was also a Communist country. From there we took another airline to Austria. Austria was the best country I've ever been to. I had many fun experiences there. At one time, I was lost in a small forest. At that time, I was only about three, so you can probably imagine how horrified I was. After an hour of running around in circles in vain, Father fortunately found me. I felt relieved very much, but at the same time, I was somehow attributing this consequence to Mr. Costa. The next week we left Austria to go to Italy.

When we arrived in Italy, we stayed in a hotel for a month. In the backyard of the hotel, there were several huge fig trees, which produced soft, luscious figs. Every morning, I would go out  to pick these figs. They were always warmed by the sun.

Finally, in '87 we moved to the United States, when I was four years old and full of European adventures. We lived in Salt Lake City, Utah, until '94, when we moved to New York. That's where I still live and I love it, especially when I compare it to Utah.

I currently attend Halsey Junior High School, supposedly one of the most diverse schools in America. That's probably my favorite quality about this school. Since people going to this school come from every corner of the world, I make a lot of friends and learn about their cultures and beliefs; that's what influences me. I know from my Chinese friends the kind of food that they eat. When I came over to a friend's house, he served me oriental food that was fantastic. I also learn about the many custom's of Jews. For example, before I came to New York, I never knew that Jews are not allowed to eat pork. I also notice how they dress. These are the things that make people unique. But in spite of the many differences in everyone, some differences in personality, some in terms of physical appearances, I've also learned  one important thing when I moved here. I learned that no matter what nationality

they are, all people are alike in that they all have this particular quality. That is a sense of morality. No matter who the person is, even if it is the worst drug addict in the world, who kills everyone he seas, that person will eventually realize that he did something wrong.